Beautiful Hearts

18

Emaline

The next day at school I was feeling tired and depressed. The thought that I have classes with Tony and I haven't been able to call him after the scene with Mable wasn't making my mood any better. I didn't know how to look him in the eye. Again the fact I didn't call him will look like I don't care about his feelings. Maybe I should invite him for a coffee after school. At least I'll try.

I was distracted and paid no attention to the lessons and when the second block classes started, I scanned the room for him. He was in his seat, talking to a girl. I decided not to interrupt him now and sat down.

During the break, I tried to talk to him, but there was this girl again. I decided to text him and pull out my phone.

"Coffee after school?"

I watched him while he fished for his phone and then read the text. He immediately found my eyes and stared for a few seconds. His face was unreadable and I nervously waited for his answer. The three dots kept disappearing and reappearing. Seconds later I finally got one.

"Fine. But we have to be quick, I have plans."

I think his "plans" were glaring at me right now. I nodded because he was still watching me and then the class started.

I could feel his gaze very often during class. He was acting strange, there had never been such tension between us before. And we were childhood friends.

When school was over, I waited for him outside. He came alone and I gestured for the cafe nearby.

"You said you're in a hurry, so let's go there." He nodded silently. With all his being he radiated tension and anger. We chose a table and settled down. After we ordered, he looked me straight in the eye.

"What would be your excuse now? You're too busy? We all are, Em. But I've never been busy when it comes to my friends. Especially for you."

I looked at him with pleading eyes.

"I know, I'm sorry! Please, don't be mad. I love you and you know it! You're the last person I'd hurt!"

His face softened a little but the distance in his eyes remained.

"You're distracted by your new friend."

"Dec? No. Plus, we're not seeing each other anymore."

Surprise appeared on his face first, then barely concealed satisfaction.

"I told you those type of guys couldn't be trusted."

"No, you didn't get it. I..." I was about to tell him I was the one who initiated it but at that moment my eyes caught Declan's. He just entered the cafe with Phillip, Andy, and Scott. He looked at me surprised, but soon that surprise turned into hurt. He looked away, his jaw clenched, and he didn't turn in my direction anymore.

Tony glanced back to see what had caught my attention, then turned to me.

"Don't mind him, it's his loss." I started to explain to him that it was my fault and I was actually the one to lose, but his words made me smile. He was such a gentle and loyal friend. There was no point in digging in that mess anymore.

"I really love you, Tony! I'm lucky to have you in my life! You're like the brother I always wanted to have!"

I thought everything was great and that we were on the same page but suddenly he frowned. I saw the hurt in his eyes and he stood up abruptly.

"I need to go, my date will be waiting for me."

Then he stormed out of the cafe.

I took my things and after one last look at Declan, who didn't pay any attention to me, I quickly got out of the coffee and went home. The next day in Science class, Declan continued to ignore me. Lana and Hannah were very happy about it. I could see their secret smiles glancing between me and Dec. He and Lana were apparently moving slowly because there was almost no sign of affection between them. During the lesson, I kept staring at his back but he didn't look in my direction even once. I kept telling myself that this was exactly what I wanted to happen, but I actually felt bad. I cared about his friendship, I loved his company and I missed him…

On the break, I happen to move just before him on my way out of the room.

The look in his eyes was so intense that made me feel something strange I haven't felt before. I felt flustered and kind of agitated. I could not take my eyes off him and of course, I bumped into someone. Thank God it was Kate. "Oops, sorry."

"Given the reason you didn't see me, I forgive you."

At first, I didn't know what he meant, but then my lamp clicked and I rolled my eyes. She saw me staring at Declan. He was almost out and before he went outside, he glanced back at me.

"Oh, you're still playing that game?"

"What game?" I asked her almost suspiciously.

"You pretend to be inaccessible and uninterested."

"I'm not pretending to be anything."

"Yeah, right. Anyway, have you spoken with Tony?"

"Yeah, but he kinda got mad at me and ran away."

"Why? What have you done?"

"Why should I've done something?! I'm not sure what's happening but he's acting very strange lately."

As we talked, Tony stood in the doorway and gestured for Kate. I knew in his eyes that the invitation didn't apply to me, and it was obvious that he was in a hurry, so I walked past him and left the room. As I start texting with Connie, who was absent today, my classmates passed me on their way back to the room. At another body passing by me, I slowly looked up, following a naked male torso, which in just seconds was covered by a sliding T-shirt. I kept looking up and was surprised to find that it was Declan who I was checking out. My cheeks began to burn with shame and I averted my eyes. I could just hope he hadn't seen me checking him out.

I didn't dare to look at him and when it was time for the class to start, I got in the room.

This time I was the one who tried not to pay attention to him.

After school, I had to go to the center for a lesson with Austin. I wondered If Dec was going to come too or if some of his older brothers would bring him.

When I got there, Dec and Austin were already present. He greeted me and explained that he would be waiting for Austin outside. I nodded and Austin and I went upstairs. The lesson went very well, Austin was relaxed and calmer. We made his assignments and we ran over his next lesson, encountering the usual difficulties for him.

Outside I handed Austin to Dec, giving the latter a brief description of what we did. When I said goodbye, Declan pulled out a box and handed it to me.

"A gift from my mother for the things you do. Inside is a cake made by me according to her recipe, which everyone who has tried the cake was trying to get out of her for years. She told us the recipe for the first time so we can make the cake for you."

I just stood there, looking at him. It was so sweet and I didn't know what to say. He didn't wait for my response though. The moment I grabbed the box, he took Austin's hand and left.