CHAPTER 31
I knew I can’t ignore Gelo all throughout my life. He was my best friend in this town. Should I say we’re best friends though we just met a few months ago? But that’s what I feel! It doesn’t matter if he likes me. We can stay what we are after what happened.
Gelo must be at home. He wasn’t the type of guy who will play basketball outside or in the nearby town. And of course, he wasn’t the same guy who will party all night and sleep inside his friend’s place. He’s a guy who is disciplined enough to go home on his own, without Nana reminding him.
I was in my uniform when I left the house. Felix and Jay reminded me for the hundredth time that I should be at home before the evening arrives as if I’m a kid who wouldn’t listen to them. Maybe I am. Just a little bit.
Gelo almost stumbled when he opened the door for me. He wasn’t expecting me to knock on their door, right?
He’s wearing the men’s uniform of our school. He’s ready to go except for his hair which looked like tangled weeds.
“Oh, Catherine,” he said. “I just need to comb my hair.”
He entered the house. And I knew Nana so much that I let myself in without asking. Their house was as clean as before. When you have a grandma at home, there’s no way your house would look messy. Felix wasn’t a grandpa but he functions like that. He also functions as a father who will comfort her sister after he got rejected from her dream school.
It still makes me sad. I’ve always wanted to watch soccer matches as a UCLA student. But now, I knew I wouldn’t be able to do that. My only last resort was the university in the nearby town. Pretty easy to go there with Gelo. At least, I have Gelo. As a friend.
“I’m ready,” he said and grabbed his bag from the chair. We paced outside and said goodbye to Nana who waters her plants.
“I got rejected by UCLA,” I muttered on our way. My heart was still broken. I need someone who will listen to me and will give me great advice on how will I be able to cope with that. “UCLA is one of the top universities here in our state. I’ve always wanted to attend there since I was young. But yeah, I didn’t qualify. I guess I’ll be attending university with you next year. See you again, mate?”
“Don’t be sad about that. It wasn’t that bad to attend the university next to our town. Besides, you have me. Angelo, you would not have in UCLA.”
He smiled at me and it turned my heart into a pillow. I knew I could trust him when it comes to these things. He knew how to comfort people.
“I’m sorry for ignoring you these past few days. My bad, I can’t stay aloof from you.”
Gelo places his arms on the back of my neck. “It’s not a huge problem, Cath. The important thing is that you’re not ignoring me anymore. Did you ignore me because you don’t like me back? I just confessed. I’m not waiting for good feedback from you. Sometimes, it’s better to let out your emotions that to keep them inside you.”
“No, that’s not it. You’re not the problem. I was just…surprised that someone confessed to me. As a girl, I didn’t know that other people would like me.”
He moved in front of me and pinched my cheeks. Can he pinch me more with those soft hands? “Of course, anyone would love to date you. You’re Catherine Devont.”
“So you want to date me?”
“I confessed. It’s up to you if you want to.”
“I never had dates in my life. I do.”
“We’re going to do this steady and slow. When you’re building up a relationship, we don’t rush it, right?”
“Yeah, right…”
Is it too late to tell him I like him too? Is this how I feel when I like a person? My chest was pounding, my body wishing for more of his touch and presence. I wish Stacy was here to lecture me about that. But she wasn’t so I’m just going to enjoy this moment while it lasts.
…
After our class, Gelo and I watched movies at his place while eating the cookies Nana baked for us. Minnie wasn’t home so the house was at peace. My mind would be at peace as well. I don’t know if I can socialize and balance my energy when she’s here. She’s so active and a bit unrealistic.
I crunched one of the cookies inside my mouth. It created scraping noises between my teeth. “Nana makes great cookies.”
“It’s better if you have milk with it,” Gelo said, dipping the cookie into his glass filled with fresh milk.
I only drink milk occasionally and didn’t like dipping solid objects into it. I hate having crumbs and mud-like particles inside my drink.
The movie was a teen fiction one about werewolves. I didn’t know I would enjoy watching werewolf movies with Gelo. Sometimes I laugh and in some parts of the movie I shiver in fear. And for the first time in the record of the human race, Sage sat on the couch with us. He’s wearing a black t-shirt and black sweatpants. Never in my life, did I think he would be watching movies with us.
“Hi,” I said awkwardly to him. “Nice phone.” His phone was the latest one in the most expensive brand of phone. Maybe a person working on his own can attain buying his own things. My brothers only took two years in the university that’s why they can’t find a nine to five job.
Sage threw me his deadly stare. He looked like he’d kill. Ironic that he has vampire eyes when he’s a werewolf. “Thanks.”
That was awkward. Introvert meet introvert. Probably, I like Minnie more than him.
The brothers talked to each other about life-related things. In my mind, Gelo said a million words while Sage would reply for at most ten words. Does he have a limited number of words to use when it comes to the conversation?
“The alpha in the movie looked hot!” I blurted out when the movie ended. I didn’t like it. Though the alpha of the pack in the movie looked fortyish, he looked hot with those muscles and gorgeous faces. Kids that have gorgeous parents were lucky.
“Is that the only thing you saw?” Sage asked. He’s mad at me for what I said. I tried not to be socially awkward and I didn’t focus on the alpha of the movie.
“Calm down, Sage. That was just a comment,” Gelo said.
“Before I calm down, let me tell you that the alpha is the worst person in this town. He makes rules that would favor his beta. The alpha kills anyone who steps in his way. Before you do anything in this town such as talking to the crazy human on your way, make sure you can defend your family and my brother.”
Sage stood up. That’s it. He’s mad? How did he even know I was talking to Mila?
I turned to Gelo. Nana must be sleeping right now.
Gelo shook his head out of disappointment. “Sorry for that. Sometimes, I just can’t understand him.”
“No, it’s fine. He slapped the truth on me.” But that slap won’t stop me from what I was doing. That’s not my character.