Chapter 8
1461 Words
Class had already started. I arrived early this morning since I had something to do in my office—just some paperwork I needed to sort out.
I saw Aphrodite earlier. She looked absolutely radiant, as always. And since Ef wasn’t around, there was no one to tease us today.
During recess, I spotted Meg and Aphrodite heading toward their lockers, so I decided to go straight to the cafeteria. I grabbed some food and went directly to my usual table.
A little later, Meg and Aphrodite arrived and went to get their meals. I walked up to them.
Just as I reached them, Meg almost dropped her tray.
“Godric! Seriously? You’re into jump scares now? Look what you did—I spilled my drink!” she huffed, but despite her complaint, she was smiling.
I glanced at Aphrodite and smiled at her. She smiled back.
“I’ll get you another one. Just go ahead and sit at my table—I’m alone anyway,” I offered before heading to the drinks counter to place an order.
While I was waiting, I overheard their conversation.
“I know that smile! Oh my God, bestie, he likes you! No, scratch that—he adores you,” Meg gushed.
“Ssshhh! Meg, what are you saying? He’s right there! He might hear you!” Aphrodite whispered in panic.
“He won’t hear a thing. He’s busy. And—by the way—I saw you smile back. So… you like him too, don’t you?”
“Meg, stop it! This is embarrassing. What if someone else hears you?”
“Oh my God! You totally like him! I knew it. I had my suspicions for a while now. Don’t even try to deny it—I saw you staring at him yesterday,” Meg teased, laughing.
“What? No! That’s not true! You’re making things up!” Aphrodite stammered.
“Yeah, right. Just admit it! It’s just the two of us here anyway.”
“Ah… umm…”
“What’s so hard about saying ‘yes’?” Meg teased with a giggle.
“Fine! I have a crush on him. But—you better not tell anyone! Especially him! Or I swear, I’ll die of embarrassment. I’ll jump off a cliff, or—or—”
Meg cut her off, laughing. “Relax! Your secret is safe with me.”
Wait.
Did I just hear that right? She likes me too?
Whoa! I feel like screaming.
This is amazing! But, of course, I had to act like I didn’t hear a thing. I turned to them casually and said,
“Are you two talking about something? I think I heard you.”
Meg and Aphrodite exchanged glances, as if they were trying to figure out whether I had actually overheard their conversation. As we walked back to my table, Meg quickly changed the subject.
“Oh, nothing. We were just wondering where E-prick is,” she said, laughing. Aphrodite chuckled along.
“Prick? Wow, you two never run out of ways to insult each other,” I joked. Meg and Efrick, despite being bound by blood as cousins, could hardly go a day without clashing. It was almost as if they were sworn rivals rather than family. Every conversation between them felt like a battlefield—sarcasm, playful insults, and relentless banter flying back and forth like arrows in an ancient war.
If one said black, the other would insist on white. If one wanted to watch an action movie, the other would demand a rom-com just to spite them. Their rivalry knew no bounds, extending from the simplest decisions—like who got the last slice of pizza—to heated debates over who was the smarter, funnier, or more talented of the two.
Maybe it was just their personalities—both headstrong, both fiercely opinionated. Or maybe, deep down, they actually enjoyed their never-ending squabbles. But from an outsider’s perspective, you’d think they absolutely despised each other.
Despite the constant bickering, though, there was an unspoken rule between them—no one else was allowed to mess with the other. Sure, they drove each other crazy, but if anyone outside their chaotic little world dared to cross a line with either of them, the other would be the first to step up and throw punches.
They might have hated each other’s guts on the surface, but at the end of the day, they were still family. And family, no matter how dysfunctional, always had each other’s backs.
“Che! As if you weren’t like this before. Good thing you changed,” Meg shot back, grinning.
“Haha… Oh, and about Efrick—he ran away. But he’ll be back tomorrow. He texted me last night, out of nowhere. I was surprised.”
I explained to her why her cousin left. Meg mentioned that her aunt had told her they were moving to London, but she didn’t know Efrick was included in the plan.
Well, my plan worked out better than I expected.
As we chatted, Meg brought up what Efrick had said about me yesterday while I was at my check-up. I felt a bit shy—especially with Aphrodite there. But then she started sharing about her life too, and I found it really interesting. Her story was somewhat similar to Efrick’s, except—well, my best friend is an i***t. Running away like that? Classic Efrick.
Before the bell rang, I gathered all my courage to ask Aphrodite something. I took a deep breath and said,
“Uhm… Aphrodite…”
Both Meg and Aphrodite turned to me.
“What is it, Godric?” she asked. Wow. Her voice—so soft, so soothing. I think I just fell even harder.
“I want to ask you out.”
Wait. Did I just say that? Out loud? I was just thinking about how beautiful her voice was, and now this? Adrenaline rush? What’s happening? There’s no fire—why am I panicking?
“You what now?” Meg almost shrieked, eyes wide in shock.
I saw Aphrodite—she looked completely stunned too.
I took another deep breath before continuing.
“I said… I want to ask Aphrodite out. Like, this afternoon. Lunch, perhaps? With my parents.”
“Oh Lord! I’m about to hyperventilate! That fast? Cupid works at lightning speed! It’s only been three days since they met, and now this?” Meg dramatically clasped her hands together, looking up as if praying.
I turned to Aphrodite again. “Aphrodite?” I asked, making sure she really understood what I was saying.
“Ah… well… um… I actually have—”
I cut her off.
“I’ll handle Mr. Robles. I’ll just tell him I brought you along to the PICE convention. It just so happens that it aligns with the event today, so it’s perfect timing. Please, say yes.”
“Ah… um…”
“We’re wasting time here. We still have to fix your hair and find you something to wear. Please? I already told my dad you’re Dean’s niece, and now he wants to meet you. My mom too.”
“Wow! A free makeover AND a designer dress worth a million bucks? Bestie, say yes! Godric rarely asks anyone out. This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing!” Meg nudged Aphrodite playfully.
She smiled at me, and I knew exactly what that meant. You and your smooth moves again, huh? Didn’t you learn from your last experience?
“Ah… um…”
“Oh my God! Enough with the ah… um… already! What is that, a new song?” Meg teased, laughing as she put a tune to Aphrodite’s stammering.
Half of me wanted to strangle Meg for being so pushy. The other half? Go, Meg! Help me persuade her!
“Uhm… Can Meg come too?” Aphrodite asked hesitantly.
“Oh, please! Tito and Tita already know me—we’ve known each other since we were kids. Besides, I have plans this afternoon. Just go with him,” Meg insisted.
“But…”
“I’ll even ask Dean for permission. I’m heading there now,” I told her, smiling.
“Oh, no need! Fine, I’ll go.” Aphrodite finally agreed, nodding shyly. I noticed her cheeks turning pink.
Meg and I exchanged glances—she winked at me. She knows. Thank God Efrick isn’t here, or I’d be dead from embarrassment. He’d totally out me in front of everyone. He lives for ruining my moments.
But… why didn’t Aphrodite want me to ask her uncle for permission? Now I’m curious.
Before the bell rang, Meg left for class, and I led Aphrodite to the parking lot.
Time to head to the mall.
- Writer
