Chapter Nineteen
1804 Words
Some Path I
“Well, you look great. You look like you had the best night of your life.”
The insult of his obvious-sarcastic compliment wasn’t making me feel better. He was only making my headache worse. My head was throbbing more than ever. “This is all his fault, that stupid sushi!” I shouted in frustration. I leaned back to my chair, devastated of the occurrences.
“What happened to you?" He asked, almost in a disgusted tone. "You look like a mess. Did you stay up finishing your drawings or something?” Aiden asked in worry.
“I did so well. SO WELL and he just ruined everything, like he even contributed anything to the team!” I exclaimed, unable to control my hatred for the game that miserably ended in defeat last night. “God, I hope I don’t get paired with such terrible teammate ever again!” I yelled, kicking the vacant chair in front of me with so much angst steaming out of every stinking pore in my skin. “My frustration and hatred for that sushi player is taking over my veins. My blood boils just thinking about it!”
“Okay, calm down…” Aiden took the seat I kicked and pulled it closer to me, paying close attention to me with a worried expression. “What is this exactly about? Your eyes are red, and your bags are all dark and wrinkly. Did you even sleep?” He asked.
I leaned closer to Aiden grinning like a psychopath. “Right?” I remained close to him so he can clearly see my dark bags. “I stayed up all night to join the stupid game only to fail.” I said not moving my lips and my eyes twitching in lack of sleep. I’m not sure how I did that but I did it anyway because of how frustrated I am.
“You’re getting angry over an online game..? That’s low, even for you, Gwynn. When did you get obsessed with playing online video games with strangers anyway?” He commented, shaking his head in disappointment.
I balled my fist tighter, remembering my awful night. If that sushi didn’t attack so recklessly, we would have won but thanks to his stupidity— “ARGH! I HATE THAT PERSON” I grunted, unable to keep my thoughts sane. “I swear to God, if I get paired with that player again, I’m gonna snap! I’m gonna snap the trees, my neck, your knees. Everything!” Imagine, I stayed up that long to finish the game and not be rewarded at all. It feels so unsatisfying. I just want rip all my hair out in frustration.
I heard Aiden chuckle. “You can stay up for a game but you can’t even sacrifice an hour for an essay. How is that living right and making right decisions?”
I blinked. My head hurts. My head hurts so much. I wanted to sleep and just forget about what happened last night because every time I remember it, it just hurts my pride and ego. I sniffed, grabbing Aiden’s arms, resting my face over it. “You’re so soft, Andy.” I snuggled closer to his arms in comfort. “Be my bed today and I’ll date you for a day, I promise.”
He huffed, but my eyes were already closed. I was getting too snuggly in his arms, and I already felt my eyes about to bail on me. I’m ready to sleep. Yes, I’m ready to sleep. He pulls my head closer, and caresses my hair gently, making me fall asleep even more. God, I’m so lucky I have someone to sleep on without hearing them complain about it. “I’m waking you up when our teacher arrives.”
Just a nap…
I don’t know how long I was asleep for but when my eyes slowly opened, my eyes were in sore. I could feel how buffed they were. Nap wasn’t enough to make up for the amount of hours I spent on the computer for the stupid game, but a small nap was better than no sleep at all. I looked around and I was still holding onto Aiden’s arms. I was still leaned against his chest, cooped up into him like a baby. I looked up to him, my eyes barely opened. “What happened? Where am I?”
“You got lucky.”
Lucky? Did I won the lottery so I’m lucky?
“Our teacher had something to do, so he just left an assignment to be passed tomorrow. I was supposed to do it but I worried I might wake you up.”
Oh…
Oh, that lucky.
God, my head feels so heavy still and I can barely open my eyes. They sting like a mad horse who couldn't stay still.
My muscles even felt tired from holding onto his arms for that long. I stretched my back, yawning in relief. That was the best nap I’ve had in years. I turned to Aiden who was turning and massaging his arm that I used to sleep on. “I can massage it for you.” I offered when I realized how awfully uncomfortable it must have been for him to have my head on his arms for so long. I can only assume it’s even numbing at this point.
He turned to me laughing. “No, thanks. You might break my arms if I let you.”
I hissed. “Joke’s on you. I’m a good masseur.” I crossed my arms, confidently offering my services for my stupid best friend whom I appreciate.
“It’s masseuse.” He corrected.
I rolled my eyes at his know-it-all replies. “They’re both massage people. It doesn’t matter. They make up stupid words to sound smart.”
“It does matter. A masseur is a man. Masseuse are women.” He explained. Not that I really wanted an explanation be he likes being smart which he really was anyway. Smarty pants, he was. “You’re going to embarrass yourself if you go to a massage salon and ask for a masseuse when you really want the other one.” He said.
“Which we both know…” I paused and he raises a brow. “Is absolutely true. Fine, masseur, masseuse, whatever.”
He laughed at this.
I stood from my chair, stretching my legs this time. Then I arched my back after. It always feels good stretching after a good nap. “I’m going to the cafeteria. I’m hungry and I haven’t had breakfast. Do you want anything?”
“If I told you, would you actually—”
“No.” I smirked at him teasingly, not even giving him the chance to finish his sentence.
He shook his head and looked away before proceeding to write in his notebook. He was always writing and jotting things down on his notebook. I wasn’t sure if it was for classes or simply for leisure. Though I would say he was doing it for both. He was a good writer after all. Even if I barely read his works, I knew he was good.
“Fine,” I hissed. “What do you want?”
“You.” He looked up, saying it in a serious tone.
I stared back at him with a grin. He was getting way better at this that I anticipated.
“Can you give that?”
I remained quiet.
“See? This is why you don’t ask for people’s desired because you won’t be able to give it to them.”
I snorted loud. “Have me then. Here! Have it all you want!” I spread my arms and leaned to him, playfully wrapping my arms around him, but he crouched away from me and we both laughed at what happened. “If you don’t want anything from the cafeteria, I’m going.”
“A drink! Buy me any drink!”
I raised an okay sign in the air and stepped out of the room. The cafeteria was pretty near from Aiden’s department compared to mine so it’s doesn’t make me lazy to come here and buy things to eat when I want to eat. Quite convenient to reserve classes with him so I can have a quicker access.
When I got to the cafeteria, there weren’t many students considering it was still early. I’d bet most were still in their classes and like Aiden said, we were lucky our teacher wasn’t able to meet us today. It gave me the chance to take a small nap and go eat. I walked towards the counter looking for something to eat. Pudding looks good. I’ll just have pudding.
“Good morning, Miss Bartel.”
I flinched at the sudden greeting. As I turned to see who came up to greet me, I saw library guy smiling and patiently standing behind me. “Hi, good morning!” I greeted back, guilty that I couldn’t remember his name for the nth time. I was sure it was an R though.
“Early lunch?”
I chuckled, abruptly shaking my head. “Just here to get some food.”
He nodded in understanding. “Breakfast then?”
“Bingo!” I snapped my fingers, then chuckling. “I came to school with an empty stomach, and I fell asleep, so now I’m hungry.” I shrugged, showing my already full food tray.
“Would you like to have breakfast with me?” He suddenly asked.
I flashed a smile, bobbing my head in acceptance. “I mean, yeah! I’d like that. It’s lonely eating alone too so.” I teasingly said.
“Okay then. I’ll just get something to eat too. Do you mind waiting?” He asked politely.
I shook my head as a response. “Not at all.”
He nodded and we both picked our food from the counter. We took a seat across each other and started eating as soon as we settled and fixed ourselves comfortably. I still didn’t know his name though. I wish I could remember now. Was it Reagan? Ronnie? If we start talking and I still don’t remember his name, I might end up calling him baby for the rest of this unannounced breakfast date, and I’m pretty sure that was going to make him feel uncomfortable.
“How’s engineering? You look tired. It must be exhausting.”
Right. My bags were still here. “Yeah… projects left and right… And minor activities to be finished. Then I have to stay after class for training. It’s a lot, really.” I lied. Of course, I’d lie. No one would know.
Unless of course, Aiden butts in again and ruins everything for me.
- Writer
