My Alternate Life As A Princess

Chapter 4: After The Kiss

AS Leonard and I continued making out, we were interrupted when a large book suddenly dropped on the floor. We moved away from each other as if a grenade was thrown. Immediately after that, a tall slim boy in glasses walked over and apologized. Apparently, he pushed the book from the other side of the shelf which caused the book on our side to fall.

Leonard said it was fine and the boy went on his way. He then walked towards me and said “Are you okay, baby doll?”

I was still trying to catch my breath as I replied.

Aubrey: “Yeah. Can I get my phone back?”

Leonard put my phone in my hands and I panicked a bit as I saw the time. I put it immediately on my phone and was about to run away when he took hold of my hand and asked “Where are you going?”

Aubrey: “I have to go. I’m going to be late for work.”

Leonard: “You mean the fast food chain? Let me drive you there.”

Aubrey: “Uhm, no. I also work here at the library.”

Leonard: “Wow, you have two jobs?”

Aubrey: “Yeah. I gotta go.”

I walked away and headed to the restroom and fixed myself before heading to my job. It’s a good thing that I did because my face was so red. I washed my face and breathed in and out deeply to calm myself.

When I got to work, I found the librarian sitting on her desk. I greeted her and she lifted her head and looked at me. She had her glasses perched on her nose. She didn’t say anything so I just laid down my bag and sat in front of her. It’s how I still refer to her as the librarian when I already knew her name.

I asked what I needed to do today, and she had me put some books back on their shelves. I nodded and started pushing the book cart. As I made my way to the shelves, memories of what Leonard and I did earlier came back to me. I suddenly felt hot and had to fan myself with a book.

I filed the books as fast as I could so I won’t have to stay on the shelves longer than I have to. As I made my way back to the librarian’s desk, I passed by the shelves that looked different before. I just looked and didn’t even dare to enter those shelves.

When I got back to the librarian’s desk, she had me do some computer work. I transcribed some of the titles and their reference numbers on an Excel sheet. I was thankful because filing books is tiring, and some of the books that I had to carry were a little heavy with hardcovers and thick pages on them.

I got so engrossed in what I was doing that I didn’t notice the time. The librarian told me that it was time to go, and that I could continue what I was doing the next day. I thanked her and left to go to my second job.

------------------------------------

I haven’t seen Leonard in the next few days, which bothered me a little. I was curious as to what would happen the next time we saw each other after what happened at the library. I was hoping that it meant something to him. After all, it was my first kiss, and it meant a lot to me.

Knowing Leonard’s reputation though, it may just be something that he’s used to already. I’ve seen him around with different women everyday, and even saw him kissing some of them. I’m sure he’s done more than kiss them behind closed doors.

I felt sad at this realization. Was I just another one of the girls who fell hard for the player? I was at my fast food chain job just waiting for my shift to be over. Tonight, I was assigned at the drive thru counter.

Ten minutes before I was supposed to log out, a car pulled up and I was waiting for the car window to open and asked for their order. When the window went down, I saw the couple inside heavily making out. I got uncomfortable and had to clear my throat to get their attention.

When the man finally faced me, I froze as I saw who it was. It was Leonard. I tried to put on a smile before saying “Welcome to Jollibee, may I take your order please?”

I avoided Leonard’s gaze and looked at the woman. She doesn’t look familiar which means that he’s picked up another one just a few days after we kissed. I guess it didn’t mean as much to him as it did to me.

I heard the woman bark her order and asked Leonard what he wanted. She even called him baby as she did. I heard Leonard say that he didn’t want anything.

As I punched the order and gave the total amount, I saw Leonard taking some cash from his wallet through my peripheral vision. I avoided his gaze once more as I took the money from him. As I handed him the change, I told them to head to the next window for their order and closed the drive thru window right away.

I bowed my head down and waited for them to leave. I looked up too soon and saw Leonard looking at me. I can’t tell what he’s thinking but his eyes look solemn. I turned around so as to avoid his gaze and so he won’t see the tear that’s about to fall from my eyes.

Thankfully, my shift is over, so I headed to the locker rooms to change my shirt and get ready to go home. Archie is on the earlier shift today, so he’s gone home earlier already.

As I walked to the bus terminal, I felt a little numb, and my legs felt so heavy. As I sat on the bench in the waiting shed, I chastised myself for letting myself fall for someone like Leonard. It was okay to have a crush on him, but when I let him kiss me, I left myself vulnerable. I feel so stupid right now. The tears started falling as I felt my heart breaking into pieces.

A car stopped in front of me and I didn’t bother looking at it. I had my head bowed down as I cried. I saw a pair of shoes appear in front of me and the owner said “Aubrey..”

I looked up and saw Leonard standing in front of me holding a handkerchief. I didn’t take it and used the tissue I was holding to wipe the tears off my face. I looked away while asking “What are you doing here?”

Leonard: “Let me drive you home.”

Aubrey: “You don’t have to. I can get home by myself.”

Leonard: “We need to talk.”

Aubrey: “No, we don’t. We have nothing to talk about.”

Leonard: “Can you please just get in the car. I have things to tell you. I need to explain.”

I stood up and faced Leonard. I have to be brave and face him head on. He has to know that I am not like the other women in his life who will fall head over heels over him despite how horrible he treats them.

Aubrey: “You don’t need to explain. We don’t owe each other anything. Whatever happened to us was a mistake and I’ve already forgotten about it. Clearly, you have too. Just go back to your women and stop bothering me.”

Leonard: “You don’t understand--”

Aubrey: “Goodbye, Leonard.”

Thankfully, the bus arrived at the proper moment. I immediately got on as soon as the doors opened and didn’t even throw a glance at Leonard. I had to be strong and show him that I meant what I said.