"I already told him that I don't want him to court me. He couldn't understand!" I shook my head and turned around, pushing the hangers at the side, and started to search for a dress.
"He was so persistent! He didn't even listen when I got angry?" I shifted my gaze towards Ella and sighed. I raised two hangers in front of her and boringly glanced at it from left to right.
"Really? Maybe he likes you a lot." Ella didn't look at me, she was just busy crashing her nails against each other, making small Noises as she cleaned it.
"But I don't like him." I rolled my eyes, determined to show her how I disliked the idea.
"Which is better? This one, or this one?" My eyes went to my left. It was an old rose sleeveless flowy dress ending three inches above the knee, and then to my right is an oversized army green cropped hoodie.
Ella's eyes shifted from her nails to my face. The side of her lips slightly twitched. And then she raised her brow and crossed her arms.
"Sure, you don't like him?" Her brow is still raising, she stood up, and then a smirk slowly formed on her lips.
I furrowed my brows and stood a step back as if defending myself from what she may do.
"Sure! I don't like him!" I retorted.
"But why are you even bothering to choose what to wear?" She mockingly laughed and pointed at me.
I was then taken aback, confused as to why my room looked like a mess. Clothes are scattered on my bed, some are even on the carpeted floor, and some are piled up on the bedside table.
I swallowed hard and threw the hangers back to the wooden drawer, closing it forcibly, and leaned my back against the door.
"What? I was trying to...to get my outfits ready for school! That's it!" I defended. Or more like...convincing myself.
She hissed, as if not buying my excuses.
"I'm telling you the truth!" I scrunched up my face and started to pick up my tops.
"He's not even my type!" I glared at Ella, but she just sat at the edge of my bed and crossed her legs, her brow raising at me.
I groaned. "Believe what you want to believe!"
"Believe what you want to believe, " she repeated what I said in a girlier, irk way.
I shook my head and decided to just organizer my clothes again. Why did I even think of going out with Auton Smith when I always tell myself I don't like him?
Weird.
"You know what, Tayla? You should try evaluating yourself." Ella's voice boomed after a long period of silence.
When is she planning to give up on telling me that I like that man?
"You know what, Ella? I think you should shut up." I forcibly threw all my clothes inside the wooden cabinet and closed the door, showing how irritated I was by her words.
"Chill, " she mocked and then bid her goodbye.
I covered my face with my palms, putting my forearm at my knees as I thought of my impulsive acts.
Why did I even think of preparing clothes for that date? It's not like I approved of it. I shook my head and pushed my back until it fell on the soft sheets. I stretched my arms and darted my eyes on the white ceiling.
Date.
Thinking of it somehow made my heart flutter. Thinking of the possible corny pick-up lines from Auton made me smile, but I ended up shaking my head.
Falling in love is not my plan. I have to stick to my goal, and that is to work hard.
But what if Auton thought I will go with him?
I immediately jumped off the bed, searched for my phone, and clicked on his name to tell him I will not go.
"Yes, Tayla? What is it that–"
"I will not go." I cut his words short. I put my hand on my waist and slowly walk towards the balcony.
After some seconds of awkward silence, he spoke. "What?"
"You heard what I just said. I will not repeat it."
"But I thought you agreed! You told me you don't have plans!" The sudden shift of his low voice to a higher one told me that he was surprised.
I closed my eyes. He was once again, disappointed with my words, huh?
"I did, but I didn't say yes, " I responded.
I heard him sigh on the other line.
"Alright, " he surrendered and ended the call.
I licked my lips and went back to bed, turning the lampshade beside it and covered my whole body with a blanket.
Morning came, and I did all the necessary things that I do before I go to university. Auton was still not here, so I decided to just start blow drying my hair and tie it on a high ponytail as I wait for him.
He's not usually this late when we have classes. He was actually the one knocking at my door and wakes me up in the morning. I will go to the kitchen and find a cup of coffee placed in my usual seat, but today, it was not like that.
Maybe he slept late?
Still, I waited for him. Early birds can be late at times, Auton Smith is not an exception no matter how consistent he is.
I already walked from my room towards my kitchen, went outside the balcony and checked my phone multiple times, and ended up going to the University by myself, rushing towards my first class two minutes before its start time.
I felt so betrayed. Why did I even wait for him? Of course, he was offended last night!
But can't he even give me a message not to wait for him so that I didn't look this stupid? I even went to my room with sweat running down my face and my scattered hair strands sticking onto my neck!
I may reject him again, but if he truly likes me, it should not be a big deal, right?
When you like a person, then you should pursue her. Maybe I was wrong. He was not that persistent.
Three subjects after that morning run, I immediately paced towards the criminology building. Bunches of men in blue uniforms and caps were staring straight at me as the heels of my school shoes crashed against the tiled floor.
Auton Smith, you gotta have a good reason not to inform me that you'll not going to pick me up.
"Excuse me, " I stopped in front of the door and approached a thin yet tall man. He was a Moreno and sporting a pair of thick, black glasses. Making the side of my lips twitch in awkwardness.
It doesn't suit him.
I shook my head and shoved that thought away. I'm not here to affirm nor criticize other people's style.
"Can I talk to Auton Smith? Is he there?" I tried to take a peek of him on the small space at the stranger's side, searching for signs of the long-haired man.
"Auton?" The man tilted his head and stepped inside the room, calling the brute's name. He was on the furthest chair at the left corner of the cold room.
His arms were placed on the white desk, his forehead leaning on it.
"Someone is calling you, " he said and glanced at me once before going out.
I stepped inside the empty room. The chairs were scattered on the place, a sign that the students in this class before the break started were careless, enough not to fix the chair for the next set.
"Auton, " I called.
He didn't even move an inch, so I dragged my feet closer to his direction and stood in front of him.
"Auton Smith, " I rolled my eyes, getting impatient for getting no response.
I know he isn't sleeping. His classmates were probably loud!
"Auton Smith!" My voice became louder, a bit desperate to get an answer for him.
For the third time, he sat straight and lifted his head. But when I thought he would look at me, he didn't.
He pushed his chair backward and picked his bag, then walk towards the exit without even looking at me.
I furrowed my brows and sighed exaggeratedly.
"Woah!" I put my hands at my waist and laughed sarcastically.
"You won't even glance at me after making me wait for so long, huh?"
He didn't look back. He just continued walking, maybe determined of ignoring me.
"What the hell?" I paced towards him and held on his wrist, stopping him from turning the knob.
"You will not really speak?" Anger crept inside me. This is stressing the hell out of me!
My eyes turned bloodshot, my chest going up and down and I can feel the invisible smoke coming out of my nostrils.
This man...
I bit my lips.
"Why didn't you tell me that you're not going to pick me up? I waited for you! I almost got late for my first class! It was a major subject!"
Auton glanced at my hand before shifting it towards my eyes. His orbs were dark, his prominent jaw clenching hard and his lips pursed in a grim line.
"Why?" his brows furrowed and his eyes darkened more. "Are you the only one who has the right to ditch?"