Four by Forever

Chapter 9: Another Encounter

Alex' POV

It’s been a week since the incident with Bree happened. A week that I’ve been trying to reach out to her yet every effort was deemed useless and ignored. She blocked my number and every social media account I could contact her with. We may be seatmates in most of our classes but that didn’t do any good. She would always arrive and leave at the exact moment the subjects would start and end to eliminate any chances I have to talk to her. Even lunch breaks and after classes are occupied with their band practice. And to add to my demise, it includes both my friends Sunny and Sel for her cheerleading team.

Honestly, the guilt is getting at me every passing moment but left with no choice, I engrossed myself with my part time jobs and anything that would take my mind away from it.

Maybe I deserve this.

If by any consolation, the only good thing that came with it is that I get to spend more time to know Mitchelle or Sunny. We would talk during classes, exchanging mundane details about ourselves such as our birthdays, pets, favorites and hobbies.

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It was a cool and windy Sunday afternoon so I decided to go for a run. Wearing my red tract suit and Adidas running shoes I headed to the nearest children’s park. It is my thing to keep myself busy to stop from thinking a lot.

After jogging for almost an hour now I feel like my calves are burning and my lungs are going to explode so I decided to find a spot and sit on the grassy area usually occupied for picnics. I stopped, holding onto my knees for support as I evened out my breathing. Scanning the area, I saw a few people scattered and then I spotted a familiar blonde sitting with her legs tucked on one side. She has a pencil on her hand and a writing pad rests on her lap. She looked lost in her own thoughts so I decided to sneak on her.

“What are you writing there?” My lips curled into a smile as I whisper from behind.

She almost jumped clutching the writing pad close to her chest and immediately turned towards me, tilting her head up.

“My God! Alex, you scared the hell out of me. Don’t ever sneak up on me like that! I’m easily scared.” She reprimands but with a hint of smile lingering on her lips. Probably just relieved to see it was just me.

“Are you sure? Or maybe you’re just hiding something in that?” I pointed at the writing pad that is now neatly tucked on her lap.

“N-No-” A tinge of red color slowly creeps to her fluffy cheeks. Her eyes are darting everywhere but me. She looks timid and mesmerizing in her white blouse tucked under the short denim skirt paired with low-cut leather boots. She actually looks elegant in her outfit, the way her blonde hair frame her soft features and how she is sitting now.

“Yeah, and I totally believe you.” I gave her my lopsided grin after saying the words with a hint of sarcasm I didn’t bother hiding.

“Okay! Okay! I’m actually starting to write a song but I don’t think I can finish it anytime soon.” She explained in defeat.

My mouth formed an “O” in acknowledgement, accompanied with the tilt of my head upwards.

She tapped the grass beside her, urging me to sit by her side then looked at me expectantly. I slowly situated myself sitting cross-legged beside her but careful not to be too close since I’ve been sweating a lot from the physical exertion a while back. I do not want to risk her catching my sweaty smell.

“For the fest?”

She shake her head at my question. “Just something I wanted to do . . .for uhh - ” She fiddled with her fingers. “- I wanted to make a song for me and Jack to sing. An original duet.”

“He’s a lucky guy to have you.” I said with sincerity because I know it is true.

“I think it goes both ways. I’m also lucky to have him.” She looks really in love with him, smiling sweetly at her own declaration. “After high school we’ll move in together and go to the same college. We will take Performing Art and major in Music. The festival might be our chance at that.”

“So you’ll just follow him or he is the one following you?” They're really serious to go that far, huh? I internally added.

“No, we actually have the same interests so we click at almost everything. Well, it has been my dream since I was a child to be a singer. The day my mom bought me a piano toy, I actually acted like I’m playing a real piano while singing to the tune with any lyrics I could make up.” She chuckled as she recalled the memory of her childhood.

“I’m sure you’ll reach it. Whatever happens, I’m sure you’ll make it and I promised to be there for you.”

We looked at each other smiling.

I would have wanted to prolong the moment but suddenly a water droplet hits my nose, then my cheeks, then another at my forehead. We both looked up the sky only to be further attacked by the rain that is starting to heavily pour. Mitchelle immediately collected her things and put it in her bag that I carried for her.

We ran to find a place where we can take shelter upon this downpour but the shades are already more than occupied with people like us and staying under the trees are not very reassuring. We were outside the park when we found the nearest grocery shop to take cover.

“I think I might have a problem.” I heard the girl beside me voice out. I realized she is facing the wall. I was about to look and ask her what when I noticed now that my clothes are soggy from the rain and remembering what she is wearing, everything clicked. I turned to her and saw her white blouse sticking to her body like a see-through dress.

She is wearing a black lacy b*a.

Sexy. I gulped.

No.

Now is not the time to think about that. 

“Uhhh…” I was looking around thinking for a solution then an idea popped in my mind.