Chapter 1
1657 Words
“Are you up for tonight?” Gian asked while I was busy washing all the paintbrushes that I used for our art class.
I smiled and shook my head. I am not dumb. I know that he’s already making a move on me. Ever since the semester started, he’s been asking me about my schedule and kept saying that he wanted to hang out with me more often.
There’s nothing wrong with it anyway. I just can’t find anything about us that would click. I have been trying to see him as a man but that’s just not happening. Not even in my imagination.
Or maybe I wasn’t trying hard enough.
“I have to accompany my mother to her dentist,” I replied. It may sound like a lame excuse but it’s true.
Mom has been evading her dental appointments so I have to make sure that she attends this month. I am already prepared with all the excuses that she will babble out later. She can’t evade this one now.
Gian smiled and nodded. “I can drive you there.” He was generous enough to offer a ride but I can manage.
I shook my head. “No, it’s okay. I can drive my car, too,” I replied before wiping my hands with the washcloth I prepared. I went on to arrange my brushes in my case before smiling at Gian.
To be honest, he’s not really bad. He’s got that boy-next-door vibe and when I look at him, I actually think about Graziella. He’s good for Graziella because they would seem to complement each other. Grace is a little shy, demure and timid while Gian is lively and always smiling. He’s the friend of everyone in the Fine Arts Department.
“Oh, okay,” Gian said dejectedly. “I guess, I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
I smiled and nodded as I slung my bag around my shoulder. “Yes, Gian. See you in class!” I waved at him before walking to where the rest of my things are in.
I greeted some of my classmates first before getting all of my things that I placed on one of the tables in the kiosk. I had to finish an abstract painting for one of my subjects and thankfully, I was done before Gian came.
My phone beeped. It was Graziella.
Graziella:
Dinner at home? Elliot is here.
I pursed my lips and my thoughts immediately flew to that day he rejected me. It was his birthday and we’re at his house. Ever since that day, I promised to never go and see him again. It’s been four years but it still feels fresh to me.
I sighed and typed my reply.
Me:
I have to accompany my mother to the dentist. Maybe next time?
The fact that I am not lying is comforting. Graziella may not say it but I know that she already noticed that I haven’t said yes to any occasion she invited me into when it’s Elliot’s house. There is no way in hell that I am going there. Even when it’s his mother’s death anniversary.
When she died three years ago, I didn’t even dare to go there to give my condolences. Mom went because she’s friends with her and even though she has been trying so hard to convince me. I was in the summer camp back then and I could come home earlier but I made excuses because I didn’t want to see Elliot vulnerable.
I am not ready for that scene yet. And maybe I should just get going. I shouldn’t stop and look back at him again. After all, he told me that he will never see me more than a sister.
Graziella:
You said you’d come next time! :( but then, take care going to the dentist!
I smiled and heaved out a sigh of relief as I read her reply. This is one of the things that I really love about Graziella. She doesn’t ask a lot of questions and she doesn’t pressure me on telling her everything. Although sometimes, I am being a bad friend because I am not telling her everything.
I am scared. I’m worried that she might confront Elliot about it. Technically, it’s not Elliot’s fault that he doesn’t like me. It’s not like he can teach his heart to like someone who’s not his type.
I sighed and typed in a simple okay before walking to my car. I opened the trunk and put all of my things inside before driving home to convince my mother to go to the dentist tonight.
***
It took me several minutes before I finally dragged her out of her bed. She was pretending to be sick. She thought she could manipulate me with her makeup. Well, she’s got that all wrong.
“I told you, I am sick.” She was still ranting about it while fastening her seatbelt inside my car.
I shook my head and smirked. I initially asked our driver to accompany her but I am sure that she could manipulate him easily so I changed my mind. I have to be the one to go with her.
“Do you want to shop right after?” I asked her.
She frowned her rolled her eyes. “Do you think I am easy like that?” she asked while crossing her arms against her chest. “I won’t let you to accompany me while shopping. I’m sure you’re going to spend a fortune on your painting sets again…” she mumbled. “But that’s actually better than buying something for a person who doesn’t even like you back.”
I gripped tightly on the steering wheel before giving Mom a look. “I am already over him, okay?” I have been insisting on this the moment he rejected me on his birthday. Mom gave me an earful of course but that was what I really needed for not listening to her.
She scoffed. “I still see you browsing his profile on f*******: sometimes.”
My eyes widened and my jaw dropped when I heard what she just said. “What? No! That’s not true!” I vehemently denied it. Excuse me?
I have never checked on his profile. Okay, maybe once or twice. I saw some of his tagged photos on Graziella’s profile and that’s why I went to his profile to see more photos. Unfortunately, it’s something that I didn’t have to see and do because it only made me even more curious about him.
Thank goodness for my painting classes! I am able to clear my head and forget about all the struggles I have.
Mom smirked, thinking that she’s already won but stopped when I pulled over the dental building. Her lips instantly curved into a frown as it was my time to gloat right now.
“Remove your seatbelt and let’s go,” I told her as I turned the engine off. “I don’t know why you’re so afraid of your dentist anyway. It’s not like she’ll eat you alive…” I mumbled under my breath but it was meant for her to hear it.
She glared at me as she angrily removed her seatbelt and reached for her Hermes from the backseat. She was muttering something under her breath and it’s most likely about me but then I don’t care about what she thinks about me because I am only doing what’s best for her.
She stomped her feet as she entered the building and I just followed her, shaking my head at her childishness.
Ever since Dad was found out to have an affair and eventually moved out, she suddenly turned into this. Her heart had been so broken that it was so difficult for her to pick up the pieces and move on. She has been acting up most of the time but I couldn’t blame her. She’s only loved my father since she was in high school and twenty years later, she finds out he’s cheating on her? I don’t know how I would react if I were in her shoes.
I only have one painful experience with guys and that’s when I was rejected. I was rejected on the spot and it already hurt so much. I can only imagine how much it would hurt to have someone you trust and love betray you.
Dr. Smith, our family dentist, smiled widely when she saw us coming inside. She was already texting me about my mom’s delayed appointment. I’m sure she’s relieved to see both of us here right now.
“Don’t start, Glenda,” Mom said in a warning before Dr. Smith could even speak a word.
I just smiled and she nodded before following my mother inside the dental room.
I sighed and walked to the sofa, brought out my phone as I sat. I browsed some new design ideas for our project in shading and design when Graziella’s name popped up in my message notifications.
Graziella:
Are you really not coming?
I pursed my lips because I already told her that I declined and thought she actually let me be with my mother today. Why is she asking me again?
I was about to type in my reply when the door suddenly opened making me look up. I instantly narrowed my eyes at Elliot who just came in. I thought he’ll have to be at the dinner party? Is that why Graziella asked if I’m really not coming? Because she knows that he’s not there.
I shifted in my seat as I watched him log his name on the record book before heading straight to the receptionist without even glancing my way.
I let out a heavy sigh before looking back at my phone—trying so hard not to look his way just like what he did to me.
- Writer
