Chapter 11

  I was sure I was dreaming when I woke up in my room to see Robin sleeping on a chair, with his arms crossed. I reached for the wet yet warm towel on my forehead and then gasped. What time was it? 9:52 PM. I can’t believe I’ve been asleep all this time.

 I pulled the covers off me and stumbled out of bed, almost falling on top of Robin. He stirred and I prayed he wouldn’t wake up, but he did. He opened his eyes slowly and when he saw me, he jumped out of his place.

 “Clare,” and then I found him pushing me gently back on the bed. I sat there motionlessly as he put a hand over my forehead. “It’s gone. How do you feel?” He was talking about my fever.

 Honestly, the headache had lessened and I just felt a little dizzy. Other than that, I felt just fine. I smiled. “I’m feeling much better.” The fact that he was here taking care of me all this time made me feel unusually happy.

 There was a knock at the door then my mum came in, followed by Brenda. I sighed, as she put a plate of hot porridge and water on my bedside table.

 “Don’t give me that look. You’re going to eat all of it unless you want me to feed you by myself,” she said.

I groaned and shook my head. “No need. I can eat by myself.”

Robin just sat there staring at me with a smile despite the fact that I had told him to go home. Brenda was already gone, and mum was downstairs with auntie watching her favorite series. I sighed when he wouldn’t leave. “Go home,” I repeated.

“I need to make sure you eat first.”

 
“You’ll leave then?” I asked.

He just nodded and I gave him a suspicious look. “Really?”

“Do you want me to feed you?” he was obviously trying to avoid my question.

"No.”

When I was done with eating, I turned to him. “Thank you Robin, really, but it’s about time you go home and get some sleep. It’s getting late.”

“Oh, he should stay here since it’s so late,” I jumped as my mother walked into the room. “I’ll get the guest room ready for you.”

I opened my mouth to protest but Robin beat me to it. “No need. I’ll sleep here on the chair. I need to take care of my wife,” he said.

“I am not your wife!!” I snapped.

“Yet…but you will be in a few days or a week to be precise.” I looked to mum at that hoping she wouldn’t accept but she just smiled and nodded.

“Yes of course. I’ll go get a blanket for you,” and she just left like that.

I turned angrily to Robin this time. “Don’t get close to me!!”

He smirked. “So this is what it’s about. You’re worried I might do something to you…but don’t worry I can wait for that. I’m not desperate.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “I didn’t…I mean, I wasn’t thinking of that. I just want you to know that I’m not comfortable sleeping with a guy in my room.”

“It’s the same thing. You’re worried I might do something.”

“I am not!!”

“Then it should be alright.”

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-          Wedding Day    -

I stood in front of the mirror as my aunt fixed my dress for me. She used to be a make-up artist but retired when she got pregnant with Ben. So, I was glad when she was the one who took care of my make-up and dress.

She did an amazing job. She made my eyes look much bigger by darkening it with eyeliner and mascara. My lips looked fuller and pink, and my cheeks had a light blush. She put my hair into loose curls.

“Take a deep breath…calm yourself dear, everything will be alright,” It was then that I noticed how nervous I was. “Should I call Robin for you?”

I looked down. “What can he do?”

She smiled. “I can tell something you still don’t know. Something about how your heart has been changing because of him.”

I turned to her and shook my head. “My heart hasn’t changed. I don’t feel anything great.”

“Oh no, you might still not know but I see it…”

“What do you see?” I asked.

“I see my beautiful wife…” I turned at that. Robin stood leaning at the door…his hands crossed against his chest. He wasn’t wearing what I expected him to.

I gave him a once over. He was wearing all gold. He looked like a prince. His light brown hair also looked golden when he walked to stand beside me near the window where the sun hit his hair. 

“What are you wearing and how long have been standing there?” I asked.

“Not long…you don’t like it? The girls think I look like royalty,” he smiled smugly.

“Girls? What girls are you talking about?”

“Maya and her friends… I went out to see the guests. Now I’m here to get you.”

 I sighed. “I don’t care what those girls think! I mean, I don’t like it!!” I lied. I don’t know what was wrong with me…either I was too nervous or maybe it was PMS. I prayed it wasn’t. I don’t want to be a moody bitch on my wedding. He looked beautiful and he was trying his best. I shouldn’t be blaming him.

“Then I’ll just go change.”  At first, I thought he was just joking but then I noticed he was being serious and stopped him.

“I’m sorry,” I was almost sure I would break down now, but he pulled me into a hug.

“It’s ok…Since it’s your wedding day, I’ll give in and do whatever you want. Every girl deserves to have a beautiful wedding, and since I’m not the person who you really wanted…I’ll try to make everything else perfect for you.”

I found myself hugging him back. “I love it…”

He pulled back at that and gave me a puzzled look. “Love what?”

“Your clothes. It really does make you look like royalty.”

He smiled. “Yes of course. You look like royalty too. Wait here.”

He walked out and came back in a few minutes holding a beautiful tiara ornated with blue gems. I smiled. It was really perfect. He put in on top of my head, and for a moment I thought it was real.

“Shall we go now?” he asked as he stood in front of me, his hands holding mine. I nodded. “Thank God, you’re finally smiling,” and then he gently kissed my forehead.

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

We walked into the crowd of people together, paying respect to the elders and close family. After a while I went to sit next to my family while Robin walked around with some of his friends. Lena was supposed to be here yet I couldn’t find her anywhere.

Mum and dad gave me a hug. Brenda kissed me on the cheek and smiled. “Welcome to our family hun,” Alexander said and he squeezed my hand for reassurance. I just nodded with a smile.

“Clare!!!!!!!!” I jumped as Lena ran up to me and gave me a tight hug. “I’m sorry I’m late. I made Gabriel pick me up and took a while to get ready.”

She was wearing a short knee length blue dress and her hair was put up in a beautiful bun. She was wearing the black sandals we bought together when we went shopping. “You look great,” I told her.

“You look even better.”

Gabriel held my hand and kissed it gently. “Is he being good to you?” he asked.

I laughed. “Very…I’m glad you guys are here,” and then hugged them both tightly causing Gabriel to protest.

“You’re not being proper. It’s your wedding so act more ladylike.”

I just smiled and then felt someone put a hand around my waist and pull me back. “Robin, what are you doing?” I asked. He really never lets me stay with my friends without bothering me.

“What are you doing hugging that guy? If you want to hug someone then I’m here.”

I sighed. “What do you have against Gabriel? He’s my best friend…more like my brother. Stop bothering me…I didn’t say anything when you hugged Maya!”

“Clare…she’s my cousin. I see her as a younger sister.”

“Well, I see Gabriel as my brother and he’s my best friend.”

“You can’t say that! It’s totally different…”

“No it’s not!”

“It…oh never mind…let’s go and sign the marriage papers…and you,” he looked at Gabriel, “Stay away from my wife. I’ll take care of her. Remember your promise.”

Gabriel smiled impishly. “I won’t if you don’t,” and with that he walked to join another crowd.

“What promise?” I asked. Robin stayed quiet for a moment…then held my hand and took me inside.

We signed the papers and finally went on with the party. I was so tired yet I had to be all smiles. I walked around with Lena for a while, to greet everyone. Robin was sitting with a group of guys who I hadn’t seen before and he seemed nervous for some reason.

At some point I was sitting on one of the chairs drinking what seemed like orange juice when a guy with dark hair and a beautiful smile came up to me. I hadn’t seen him before that’s for sure, but I do remember him sitting with Robin a while ago.

I noticed he had the same green eyes. Could they be cousins?

“Hey,” he said as he sat on the chair beside me. “I’m Ryan…it’s the first time we meet.”

I smiled wearily. “Well, I’m…”

“Mrs. Clarissa Hughes. I do know who you are. I was just interested in seeing you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Brenda. She seems to really love you like her own daughter.”

I gulped. Clarissa Hughes? Really?! I felt myself smile. “Then I would like to know who you really are. How are you related to this family?”

He smirked. “Is that important? Really, what makes you think I’m related to them?”

“Your eyes,” I blurted. “They look just like Robin’s.”

“Ryan, I need to talk to her right now,” Robin came in just then and grabbing my arm pulled me away. “You look like you could get a little sleep…” he said.

“A little? Well, I’m dead tired.”

He smiled. “We’re going home then. Mum said you need to get some rest before we leave tomorrow.”

“Leave where?”

“Honeymoon to Italy…”

Chapter 10

-          Graduation Day    -

Mum was back 2 days ago with my aunt. I had a cute little baby cousin, Benjamin. It was one of those days when I just hung out with my mum and didn’t think of anything else.

My wedding was going to be in 2 weeks and the preparations were already almost done. Mum had gotten me all kinds of stuff. Lots of jewelry and make up.

What surprised me most was the beautiful long white strapless dress that she got me for graduation. It was tight at the waist and all but it opened up a little as it became longer. She even got me sparkly white stilettos to match.

I wore the dress with a beautiful gold heart pendant. My aunt made my hair into big waves behind my back, and helped me put on light makeup. She made my eyes look bigger and prettier with just a touch of eyeliner and mascara. I put on light red lip gloss that tasted like cherries. I was tempted to just chew on my lip all day.

I did have a bad habit of chewing down on my lip when I was nervous anyway. When I was done I stood in front of the big mirror in my mother’s room and felt my lips turn up into a smile.

“You look beautiful Clare. Even more than that…don’t let those girls make you feel down. It’s all in the heart,” my aunt said as she smiled back at me.

My mother joined us after a while and looked at me with tears in her eyes. “I can’t believe my cute little daughter has grown up to be such a beautiful lady. It’s all too soon…you graduating and getting married. I’m beginning to regret it…”

“Mum…It’s not like I’m disappearing or anything. I’ll be here.”

“You’re getting married,” she said.

“Come on, she needs to leave now. Someone’s out waiting for you, hun,” I spun around to see dad standing at the door with a smile on his face. “You look perfect.”

I hugged all three of them before leaving. I still have to study 3 more years and this ‘graduation party’ is just to congratulate the first years for passing. So it’s pretty much just for us first years. Parents are allowed to come a few hours later when everyone’s already there.

The whole plan is to get married 2 weeks later, take a break from all this for another 2 weeks then live like we always did. Except, this time Robin and I will be living together and everyone will know about our marriage.

Maya still bugs me about it, telling me almost every day that I’m going to have to go through a lot if I were to get married to Robin, but I’ve gotten used to it.

I walked outside and was welcomed by Robin’s warm arms around me. “Congrats for getting over this year safely,” he was trying to be funny but I just shook my head.

“You too, now let’s leave.”

He hesitated but let me go and I got into his car. He was wearing a black tux and his hair was combed back. He looked like a gentleman, a very beautiful one yet I could tell he wasn’t comfortable wearing it. I suppressed a laugh as he sighed.

“You too?”

“I’m sorry, but hey you look great.”

He smiled, but didn’t seem to agree with me. “And you look amazing.” He took my hand in his and slipped a shiny gold ring into my ring finger. “It’s ok to wear it now, right? I’ve been wanting to give it to you.”

I don’t know why but ever since the day of Maya’s birthday he’s been much nicer to me. As if he’d completely changed or something.

 
“Thank you,” was all I could say. I mean, it wasn’t like he was confessing his love to me.

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One week later…

“Clare!! Get up and get ready. We still haven’t picked out your wedding dress. It’s the only thing left to do,” mum pulled the covers off me and nudged me to get up. “CLARE!!”

 

“Yes, yes mum. I’m up.”

“Robin’s going to pick you up in half an hour. Get dressed and come downstairs for breakfast.”

I shook my head groggily and walked to the bathroom. Honestly, I felt sick and very sleepy. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, combed my hair, and tied it up into a ponytail, and then I walked to my messed up closet.

Too many clothes, most of which I hadn’t even tried on yet. I could open a shop really. I grabbed a blue top and navy blue skinnies. I got into my new white flats, grabbed my phone and hurried to the kitchen. The smell of honey waffles filled my nostrils.

I grimaced. Usually I’d love eating them, but today I just felt sick. “I’m not hungry…”

Mum seemed to pick up on that and put a hand over my head. She frowned immediately. “Well, sorry to tell you Clare, but you have to eat whether you like it or not and then you are going to get some medicine to avoid getting sick,” she gave me a sharp look when I opened my mouth to say something, and that shut me up.

So I forced down the food and got my medicine and by then Robin was here. He sat with my mum while I went to wash my face and put on lip gloss.

“Where are your parents?” I heard mum ask him.

“They’re picking out dresses,” he said. For me, I’m guessing.

“And auntie…where is she mum?” I said as I walked in.

“She took Ben to shop for some clothes. She’ll catch up with us in a while. Shall we go now?” she asked. I sighed and nodded. If I could, I would have just slept throughout the day. I could already feel a headache creeping up.

“It’s ok if you don’t want to go today,” God, Robin would have saved me if not for my mum telling him that we had to go.

So we drove in Robin’s BMW to the bridal shop. When we got there my mum hurried to Brenda’s side while Robin and I stood awkwardly at the side. “Think it’s ok if we got them to leave? It will be embarrassing since I know what my mum will be doing,” I muttered.

I could feel Robin tense beside me, as if he hadn’t expected me to say that. “Well, I wouldn’t wanna see you getting tortured into a lot of dresses by my mum either.”

I smiled, and we both walked into the shop. Robin forced them to leave to the nearby coffee shop while we finished choosing a dress without their help. Apparently, they didn’t mind leaving us to ourselves.

We walked around the shop until the woman helping us chose a beautiful white sleeveless dress that had flowers ornated at the bottom. I liked it and although Robin protested on and on about how it wasn’t all that nice I decided to try it on.

He glared at the poor assistant for picking out this dress and I tried to suppress a laugh. “I’m wearing it…not you,” I said.

So, when I got it on and walked out to show it to Robin he wouldn’t look. “Come on, you’re not just here for nothing,” I sighed. He shrugged, but still wouldn’t look. “Help me choose. If you don’t like it I won’t take it, ok?”

He finally looked at me and then quickly turned away. I was disappointed for a while until he said I could take it. “You make it look pretty,” he muttered. I laughed. It was this simple to pick out a wedding dress without having our mothers getting me dresses after dresses to try on.

We got the dress and went to the coffee shop but they weren’t there. I was already tired as hell and I needed to go home to rest but of course when I called mum she told me to hang out with Robin until they’re ready to leave.

Where were they to begin with?

“I’ll take you home. You don’t have to stay,” Robin said. I shook my head. It would be rude to leave him here especially since he had stayed with me.

“Let’s get something to drink.”

We both sat in the car since my headache was worsening and I found myself falling asleep with the coffee in my hand. Robin took the coffee from me and pulled the seat into a sleeping position. I didn’t dare open my eyes as his cheek brushed mine.

It felt as if my temperature increased by another 10 degrees and I hoped he wouldn’t notice. He gently kissed my cheek and I could feel him staring at me with worry in his eyes. His warm hand held mine while his other hand ran through my hair until I slipped into oblivion…

Chapter 9

 

  I was shopping around for a dress with Lena at the mall. The party was in 2 days, and I still didn’t know what kind of party it was. Honestly, it was something that could take my mind off other things for now so I was excited for it. 

Yea well, I was excited until I actually got there. I had gotten a tight knee length off shoulder purple and pink dress and dark purple heels. Robin held my hand the moment we got out of the car and we squeezed our way through the crowd of partiers.

Once we actually got inside the villa I noticed it was a birthday party. A girl stood at the entrance greeting everyone coming in and accepting presents. She had on a short over the knee white dress and matching white heels.

Once we got closer I noticed her. Maya… It was Maya’s birthday party. She was beautiful…I couldn’t deny her that, but she was evil too. Once we got to her she hugged Robin and whispered something to him.

“Come over when you’re free. I got something for you,” he told her, amusement flickering in his eyes.

When she saw me she also gave me a hug which surprised me, but I was sure she was up to something. “I like your dress, but hey…don’t think you can keep him for long.”

I just stared at her blankly until Robin pulled me away. “Do we have to stay here for long?” I asked him. He shrugged. “An hour or two. Why? Bored already?”

“Well, Maya isn’t really my friend. She doesn’t like me,” I said.

He squeezed my hand and took me over to group of people standing at a table. I recognized the long blue dress immediately…

“Lena!” she turned and gave me a huge smile. “You didn’t tell me you were coming.”

“Oh well, I wasn’t. I only came because…”

“She didn’t want you to feel bored. She’s your best friend after all,” Robin interrupted. Lena shook her head and was about to say something when I saw Gabriel walk towards me.

“In fact, your fiancé made us come…saying that you would feel lonely. He knows that he doesn’t have the ability to make you happy,” he wasn’t really looking at me when he said that. His eyes were piercing into Robin’s. There was an intense moment of hostility between the two until Gabriel turned to me with a smile.

“You look beautiful,” he remarked. It put a smile on my face. He’s being himself again. The silly, sweet Gabriel I knew. Robin put an arm around my shoulder and pulled me towards him. I gave him a questioning look but he kept his eyes on Gabriel…he looked angry.

Someone else joined us. Sophia. We spent some time together last year when she was just new and had no friends, but after a while she got in with the popular girls. She’s a very sweet bubbly girl and thinks of me as a friend although I barely hang out with her anymore.

She gave me a tight hug and asked how I was doing. She apparently was one of those girls who didn’t know about my upcoming marriage in a month or so. Graduation was only 2 weeks away after all.

She dragged me and Lena away from the boys and we walked out to the swimming pool were everyone was playing around. It was crazy. People were throwing each other into the pool, some were drunk, and others were playing around.

I was determined to stay out of the crowd. Did Maya even know all these people? I doubt it.

“So tell me, how did you manage to get him?” Sophia asked. I gave her a puzzled look. “I mean Robin, silly. He barely goes to any girl. How did you get him to be your boyfriend?”

It was forced. I mean, it’s not like he really has any feelings. We’re the same as two people who are doing something out of duty. He wasn’t even my boyfriend…he was just my fiancé, but I couldn’t say that.

“Well, he fell for her. Clare is beautiful and she has a good heart,” Lena said.

Oh yes, very. I wasn’t as beautiful as Sophia who had short shoulder length jet black hair and big beautiful brown eyes. She wasn’t pale, but just right and she was tall and sweet. Popular as well. Also, I was not pretty and cute as her friends, or gorgeous but royalty like Maya.

“Now that I think about it, he did always look at her when we were in PE, and he seemed to bully her and challenge her a lot. The thing is, he never let anyone else bully her or even make her sad. Isn’t that saying a lot?” Lena exclaimed. Her eyes shone as if she had just made an amazing discovery.

Oh I knew what she was thinking, but no. So what if he always sneaked glances at me during class? He might have just been contemplating on what to do with me next.

“Didn’t you say he also asked you out to the dance back in 8^th grade, but you refused? Didn’t all the bullying start from then?!”

“Yea…revenge is what you call it. He must have had a big ego, because he had me under his clutches for too long. He made my life hell,” I snorted. Sophia looked confused but didn’t say a word.

“You moron!” she hit my arm playfully. “He loves you!! I knew it!! Why didn’t I think of it from the beginning?!”

“Now Lena, that is just childish,” I sighed.

“But I think so too. He’s also jealous of Gabriel. Did you see how he looked like he would have killed him right then?” Sophia giggled.

We walked by the pool and I tried not to think about it. UGH! This is what happens when your friends are so good at relationships. Lena reads too many romance books, and she’d already had 3 boyfriends before, and Sophia? God knows how many she’d had. She isn’t really as innocent as she looks.

Someone behind me screamed and I flinched, and turned. I blinked, and for a moment I thought I was going to fall into the pool with her, but strong hands pulled me back. For a moment I thought everyone went silent, but that was just me. It wasn’t entirely wrong to say that some people stood by and watched.

I looked into ocean blue eyes that pulled me forward into his arms. Robin sighed before taking me back inside. He said goodbye to Maya who was busy chit chatting with some of her friends and then took me back to the car.

“What? Why are you so angry?” I snapped. I was glad he was there to catch me really, so I avoided the embarrassment of falling into the pool with my new dress, but why is he suddenly leaving? We were only there for half an hour. What happened? I needed to know.

“You’re lucky I was there. I heard you can’t swim, and I’m not angry. I just feel tired.”

I stopped, refusing to get into the car. “Already? Fine, but at least let me say goodbye to the girls.” I had a feeling all this had something to do with Gabriel.

“I’ll wait for you here.”

I walked back to the party were I found Lena and Sophia taking drinks. Lena took an extra drink when she saw me coming. “What happened?”

I grabbed the drink from her hand and shrugged. “Robin wants to go home.”

“That was close. Are you ok?! I would have hated it if something happened to that beautiful dress,” Sophia exclaimed. Oh yes, I wasn’t important…the dress was. I gulped down the drink and gave it back to Lena.

“Sorry guys. I got to go, and yea good thing nothing happened to the dress,” I hugged them both before walking back to the car. I was still contemplating whether to go back and check on Gabriel before leaving but seeing Robin, I decided not to.

All the way back home he remained silent. We didn’t talk or say anything. It was pretty awkward but looking at him reminded me of the conversation back at the party. Not that my mind was working too well now. The drink must have been strong since it got me feeling dizzy.

“What?” I quickly turned away from him, unaware of the fact that I was staring at him like an idiot.

“N-never mind…”

Chapter 8

“How about going to the bowling alley with the others later on?” Lena asked. I was supposed to be studying at the library but my mind won’t function, and I was just blankly looking at the same page for over an hour now.

“No thanks. I’ll pass,” I murmured.

Gabriel wrapped a hand around my shoulder and pulled me into a hug. “What’s wrong?”

I must have looked pathetic, cause it’s not normal for Gabriel to act so caring. Well not unless there’s something major going on…not that my situation was something major or anything.

“Nothing really…” I said. Actually, I was feeling pretty empty these past few days. I don’t know if it’s because of Maya constantly attacking me verbally or that Robin knows it and doesn’t really do anything about it, but I feel dead inside.

It’s true that Robin does almost anything to make me feel comfortable, but sometimes I feel like he deliberately distances himself from me.

“What are you doing?” Robin’s voice got me back to the present. By the time I was aware of the scene around me I was already hugging Gabriel back. Lena had a protective hand around my shoulder. When did Robin even get here?

“She’s hanging out with her friends, why?” Lena answered back, but Robin was glaring at Gabriel and totally ignored her.

I caught Gabriel smiling impishly at him. I quickly pulled away from him and got up, packed my stuff, and grabbed Robin’s arm. I had a feeling he would fight him right here in the library if he could.

“I’ll see you guys later,” I said before pulling him out.

He stopped midway and wouldn’t budge no matter how I pleaded with him. He was set on waiting outside the library until I tell him why I was hugging Gabriel.

“I’ll tell you…when we get home,” I said…pretty frustrated now. He was supposed to pick me up half an hour ago, and take me home. My home…so I could get my laptop. I should have gotten my car but he wouldn’t let me, and now I’m stuck with begging him to take me home.

When I did get him to take me home, he was so pissed he would keep making weird comments on how I was being stupid, and haven’t changed ever since 8^th grade or something like that.

“What’s to be so angry about? It’s not like you really care anyway…we’re just getting married for the sake of grandfather,” I finally said, but I regretted it the moment I said it.

I saw pain flicker in his eyes for a split second before he threw the car keys at me and I caught it. “I’m leaving first. Come back once you’re done,” and then he was gone. I ran out and called out to him but he wouldn’t stop.

“How do you want to get home like that? Wait!” but he had already turned the corner and was out of sight.

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It was around 7 PM when and I was still at home. I’d decided to finish my assignment there before heading back. I was already done by 7:30 and drove to Lena’s house since it was on the way. Gabriel dropped by too and we watched a movie.

I was getting ready to leave at 10 when Gabriel stopped me. He looked worried, I could tell. He must have noticed I wasn’t being my usual self.

“What happened?” he asked. When I didn’t answer he pulled me into a hug. “I’m sorry, but if he keeps being so irresponsible then I can’t let you marry him. You shouldn’t force yourself.”

I slowly shook my head and tried to force back the tears threatening to come down. I was just feeling lonely. Robin seems to be distancing himself from me, and mum still hasn’t come back.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

He finally let go and I reluctantly drove back to the Hughes mansion. What caught me off guard was the fact that Robin was sitting outside on a chair, with his arms crossed against his chest…waiting for someone. I was guessing he was looking for me.

“Hey,” I said. He seemed to be deep in thought because he didn’t notice me until I sat next to him. “What are you thinking of?”

He finally looked at me, blinking. “You’re late. You got me worried,” was all he said.

I reached out for his hands and gave him his car keys. “Thank you…for this.”

He stared at the keys in his hand for a while before looking back at me. “I’m going to a party tomorrow. Will you…will you go with me?”
 

I smiled. He was being nice to me again…that was all I needed for now. “Of course.” I had to agree…no questions asked.

Chapter 7 part b

  I woke with a start and was drenched in sweat. I had a nightmare, a really scary one…and now I only remember bits of it…running away from something, that’s what I was doing but I don’t remember anything else.

I looked around my room and squinted as the light from outside got into my still sleepy eyes. When did I get here? I got out of bed and quickly stripped off my clothes and went to take a shower.

Then it got to me…Robin. He must have carried me to my room since as long as I remember, we were watching a movie after my embarrassing breakdown. I must have fallen asleep, but then where is he?

I finished showering in 15 min. then blew dry my hair, wore my white top and blue skinnies before walking downstairs to the kitchen. I stopped midway when I caught him leaning against the counter with plastic bags in hand.

 Robin had gone grocery shopping. Did he even know how to cook? I mean, I know and I admit that he is amazing in a lot of things, but cooking? I’ve never heard or seen Robin cooking.

 “Morning,” he said with a smile.

 I walked up to him and gave him a puzzled look. “What are you going to do? If you’re going to tell me to cook then don’t waste your time cause I’m not in the mood to do any cooking.” 

He leaned down and kissed my cheek and whispered ‘good morning’ again. Apparently he didn’t like the fact that I was ignoring his good morning. 

“Yea well, good morning,” and I know I was blushing both from the embarrassment of not answering him sooner and because of his sudden kiss. He seems to be doing it a lot these days.

“Don’t worry, I’ll do the cooking. It’s been a while since I’ve done any cooking anyway.”

I shrugged. “Ok…just don’t ruin the kitchen while my mum’s away,” I said before walking out to the living room.

Honestly, I still couldn’t believe that he could cook. He doesn’t look like one who cares much, but after 20 min. I was sitting at a table with blueberry pancakes, waffles, and my favorite orange juice. It might have looked like an ordinary breakfast but the taste was unique.

 I could almost taste every flavor in my tongue perfectly without ruining the original taste of the pancake. Ok, so I take it back…he’s amazing in almost anything. So, the next thing I said made him laugh…

 “Do you have something you’re not good at? Or…like a…weakness?”

“Hmm…yes actually, and it’s a very big weakness which I’m really not proud of sometimes,” he was trying hard to suppress his laugh but he ended up laughing anyway.

 “I thought you weren’t really proud of it…what’s making you laugh?” I snapped.

 “The fact that I seem perfect to you. It’s strange because people always point out something not good in me yet you see me as perfect already although I do have weak points…quite a lot of them actually.”

 “Really? Like…?” I was hoping to get something out of him but he wasn’t going to say it and I really wanted to know what weakened the guy who looks almost invincible in anything.

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

 Brenda ran up to give me a hug as we got there. She seemed disappointed that I hadn’t come sooner. I had to make up excuses like how I wasn’t feeling too good yesterday and that Robin was nice enough to stay with me.

She led me inside to the living room, leaving Robin in charge of moving my stuff to my new room. We were talking normally and enjoying chocolate frosted donuts with tea when she asked me if I had kissed Robin yet.

I practically chocked on my tea and had to drink water, but the coughing won’t stop. Even Robin had come to see if I was alright.

 “I must have shocked you; does this mean I’m right?”

 I turned beat red when Robin asked what was going on and she actually asked him if we’ve kissed. He shook his head disapprovingly at her. “Are you for real mum? Why would you even ask that?”

 Yea well, I’m sure she would have asked more than that if Robin hadn’t stopped her. Maya came over after that with a few other girls. She forced Robin to sit with them throughout the movie they’d gotten to watch. I wasn’t surprised when I found out she’d picked a horror movie and sat next to him.

I wasn’t invited to join them of course, although I knew she wouldn’t stop me if I did. She would just sit closer to Robin, and I was proven right when I came in with bags of popcorn. She held his arm and buried her face into his chest in an attempt to show she was scared, yet I could imagine the smile forming on her face.

Robin didn’t really look happy though. I mean with all that being stuck between four girls and one of them was already sticking to him while the others watched with amusement. So that’s what they call a ‘harem’.  

Robin noticed me standing there and I could tell he wanted me to stay. When I walked in he looked relieved. I sat behind him and after a while felt him reach out for me. His hand tightened around mine and suddenly I felt too conscious. I was glad the lights were off so no one could see me blushing like an idiot.

 After a few more minutes I decided the movie was too boring especially with all the unnecessary screams and blood, and decided to leave, but Robin wasn’t going to let me. His hands held me in place, and after a while he even pulled me to him and made me sit in his lap.

 Maya’s expression was priceless. She looked like she was going to kill me any second. The next thing I knew was that I was fighting her mentally to get Robin’s attention which was stupid and childish but I didn’t care.

 She kept pulling on his arm and she even whispered something to him which despite how close I was didn’t hear, but he looked bored. So, I found myself sitting closer to him. He wrapped his arms around me, and the next thing he said made me want to kill him.

 “Clare? How about you just tell her that you love me so you won’t have to fight to get my attention, cause I’m not really enjoying all the attention the others are giving me.”

So he did know I was having a hard time with Maya, and he was right about the other girls staring at us like we were idiots fighting over some guy, but I wasn’t really fighting ‘over’ him. I just didn’t want her to think that she could get whatever she wants…well, I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of jumping my future husband and fiancé like that.

But he had to say that, and make me feel stupid. I pushed him away and bolted out the room, knowing he’d follow me anyway…but the sad thing was, he didn’t really come and I was expecting him to.