Defying Him

Chapter Ten: Pretense Nonchalance

If soulmates come in different ways, why do people tend to believe it has to be someone we're romantically in love with?

Yesterday, after I stayed up all night choosing the colleges I'd like to apply to. Cali and I talked about it in the morning. She mentioned four out of five that were the same as mine. Is not a coincidence, it was just pure fate.

We then believed there were chances we could go to the same schools our whole lives and when we're old enough to have a family, our kids would be best of friends too.

I would like that.

***

The door to my room opens, interrupting me. I quickly wipe my wet face and hide the diary underneath the duvet. Sitting probably with my legs folded on the bed, I watch Myles as my heart rate started increasing while he cautiously advances into the room. It hadn't been ten minutes since I left the table, and I had made it clear I want to be alone. So why is he here?

"What are you doing? Your fiance is out there." I spitefully muttered. "You two seem inseparable. She follows you everywhere."

"I didn't invite her. She was there when Bray called." He worriedly explained.

I laugh small, mockingly, "Like she was when you invited her to the game?"

Myles huffed and sternly suggest, "Stop making this hard."

"It is hard for me, okay? I don't need to go into details, but I am suffering here." I spat and his jaw slacked. He walked over and sat on the bed, facing me.

"Enlight me." He implored, eagerness in his eyes. It is confusing.

"Does it matter?"

"It does." He stared brazenly into my eyes. It is too intense. I look away.

"You still wouldn't leave her."

"Cali..." He begins, but I interrupt with a confession. "I deliberately poisoned Autumn with peaches."

He scoffs, but when he noticed my serious expression, his gaze became skeptical.

"But why?"

I broke the painful stare and turn my head so he couldn't see the humiliation plastered on my flushed face.

"She was rude to me." I chew on my bottom lip to control my sensitive emotion before I sadly append, "Call me a psycho."

He brings his hand into my hair and tenderly held my nape, directing me to look back at him (The touch was more than ecstasy) When I looked at him, his expression is closed up. It frightened me. I might as well have pushed him away. I shake my head, and he quickly proves my ideas wrong. "I will never call you that." He devotedly promised. Awakening my hopes after they had died and fallen into a dark pit.

While he observes me with calm attention, his expression hardens and he fervidly suggests, "What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Nothing," I mumbled, nibbling on my bottom lip, for his gaze is now anchored there.

"Let's do something fun." He offered, and my heart skips a beat before somersaulting down to my stomach and up.

Am I imagining this or did Myles directly ask me out?

"Is that a date?" I exhale a smile and he reassuringly smiles along. It was smooth, it emphasizes his upper lip's dimples. God, I am a sucker for him.

While I stare, his head crooked as he drew his lower lip between his teeth, then he bashfully propose, "We can talk, somewhere quiet... Alone."

Literally, if I could see myself in the mirror, I know I would see an excited pink cheek girl with twitching lips, trying to suppress the smile while those heavenly fingers cradle my face gently. Myles is watching me with great admiration precisely like Chloe and I had dreamed he would someday.

Excuse my awkwardness, I am going on a potential date with Myles Cameron.

"Now come take a bite of that delicious dinner you made. I mean, is that how sweet these hands are?" He enthusiastically drawled, grabbing my hands in his and kissing both knuckles.

Could I blush any further? That is affirmative.

"Come on. I know you're hungry." He said when he rose to his feet, pulling my hand along.

The thing with joy is, no matter how little of it you have, it provides comfort in times of hardship. The table wasn't very convenient. Autumn made sure her stare was unnerving. Even more, she brought a hand over Myles's and kissed his face while she talked about the cake shops they'd been to.

Acid roiled in my gut. I shove a full spoon into my mouth, naively hoping it would clear the lump in my throat, not knowing what I need was Myles's warm hand holding mine under the table.

Panicked, I glance at him. He smiles compassionately and squeezes my hand.

Yes, joy provides comfort.

The rest of the time, I lost track of the conversation. I am mainly focused on Myles's touch, mostly when he brought my hand to his thigh. The only time I spoke was when Brayden reminded me of summer studies.

Well, the night easily shifted. I slept like a baby, clenching to a comforter, and dreaming about a world where I was engaged to Myles, and we were tasting cakes for our wedding.

Cliche, but I'm alright.

~

As soon as it was morning, I didn't stay in bed and wait for Brayden to wake me up. I race to the restroom and brush my teeth before energetically preparing breakfast in my nightwear.

When a shirtless Brayden walks into the room with disheveled hair from sleep, he sticks out his nose in the air, dramatically sniffing the aroma from the kitchen, until his eyes found me and they hooded almost instantly. He playfully rubs his eyes and opens them again before he slaps a hand over his mouth.

"Who are you, and what have you done with my sister?"

A flush crept up my face. I bite my lip and shrug, "Evolving."

"Touche." He nodded in acknowledgment. "Mom needs to see this." He blurted.

"No." I quickly plead as he began tapping the screen of his phone.

"Connecting..." He chuckled, casting the camera at me.

I puffed out, scowling at him, while he grins at the screen until I heard mom gasping from the receiver.

Great.

"Is it really 8 in the morning or are you still in Florida?" She asked my brother.

"It is 8. I think I am an excellent influence. She cooked dad's chicken riggies recipe last night. And now she is making breakfast." He bragged, while my eyes automatically rolled at his exaggeration.

I mean, he does not know my motive.

For the next hour, even after we were done with breakfast, mom continue to tell us every detail of her days ever since I left and some from when Brayden was away. Dad eventually returns from the hardware store mom had mentioned earlier. He joined the video call and chatted about how brutally the boys' last game changed course after Myles left the game. When I couldn't anymore tolerate the reminder of being the reason Myles had got substituted that evening, I removed myself from the call and exhaustedly left to take a shower.

I was blowdrying my hair when a direct message from Myles Cameron's i********: account appeared on my screen.

Squealing, in my towel at my first conquest, I sway my hair until it is a terrifying mess that would have annoyed mom and thrilled Brayden; I mean, a verified account just sent me a message. And not just any verified account. It is one with a lot of millions of followers. One with the label of the jersey I own.

Cut me some slack.

At the right time, my mind agrees with my brain, and I am composed and prepared enough to read through the message. It only took a few seconds, and once again, I jump and squeal at the second conquest, which is the first two words of his message, and I quote, "Morning, beautiful. I am excited about today. Is Bray still home?"

Did Myles, my long-time tv crush, just call me beautiful?

To say I am overjoyed is ridiculous. I feel on top of the world; I didn't know I had spammed his inbox with meaningless replies until he text back with a question mark.

Shit.

Cali: Yes, but I will find a way to get him out or sneak myself out.

I chew my nails in anticipation as my reply turns seen.

Myles: It will be better if he is out. But I want that date by any means.

Oh.

Giggling, I look into the mirror at myself and smile. Mentally marveling if there are chances that my dreams were finally coming true.

I pick up my phone and begin typing a question.

Cali: What should I wear?

A smile takes over my countenance as I wait while he types. A few seconds later, he replies. "Casual? I will wear pants and a t-shirt. It's all I have in my closet."

God, when does he not have a wardrobe crisis? I chortled at the thought as a quick reflection of those moments I've caught him shirtless and sneaking into Brayden's room to grab something to cover up.

Cali: Okay.

I was still smiling at the screen when the door opened behind me and got me extra startled.

Yup, I paled up like the liar I am. My phone almost falls and break, but the EarPods cord held it until I retrieve it in the comfort of my palm.

"What?" I spark at Brayden, and fear crossed his face.

"I didn't mean to scare you." His eyes suspiciously examined me.

"Okay? Are you going out?" I asked him, after sighing and reminding myself he doesn't have to suspect anything if I don't give him a reason to.

"I think I will stay in today."

No. No.

I sat down the phone on the dresser and face my brother solely, positively encouraging him with borrowed lines from Myles about not giving up on exercising muscles, as it is a full-time job in his career.

"It's been a busy week for me. I think I will just pass today." He stretches his arms, his stomach flexes, and he groaned, satisfied. If another girl was here, she'd be drooling over this view. I mean, every girl will kill to have this every morning, which gives me an idea.

"Then take the time and go talk to Natalie." I crookedly convinced. His eyes narrow when I shove him out of the door.

"Why are you sending me out?" He scrutinized me from above.

"Because it is my room and I am getting dressed."

"No, the entire house."

Okay, lie, Calista. Lie.

"Because I will go out to learn some skating. I don't want you to stay bored by yourself."

His eyes remained slit for a while until I swat his arm playfully and spike jealousy in him, with a pretense of nonchalance, "It's okay. Your lost if someone finds her on this good Saturday morning."

"Argh. You're so wicked." He groans while I whack his back, urging him to make haste.

~

The black dress I brought along with me, specifically for the hope of this day's probability, is knee-length and free from the waist, which makes it seem more like a skirt with a spaghetti strap top, given the lower part had oranges flowers printed all over it, whereas the upper part is entirely plain.

I put on a little makeup and check myself in the mirror. When I am satisfied with my reflection, I eavesdrop on my brother by my slightly opened bedroom door until the front door closes. Smiling then, I dug out my phone from my across-the-shoulder bag and let Myles know Brayden is no more a problem in our mission.