The Heartless Frankenstein (XIV Series #2)

Chapter Twenty Five

Cafeteria Food Fight I

“When are we going to go out again?”

I sighed in boredom but I don’t let the other line hear it though otherwise I’d be blowing up my own cover for all these boys. I averted my attention elsewhere in hopes I could give this man the attention he craves for. “Soon, baby.” I said under my breath. Maybe that sounded a bit too bored and he noticed it, but I don’t really care, at this point. “It’s just a bit busy right now and I don’t want you to drive all the way here just to be with me and spend a small amount of time with me because I can’t give you all my time.”

“I’ll fly all the way to Mars just to meet you, Lois.” The sound of yearning in his voice was satisfying. I felt so much power in them. “You know that. I would get into the highest mountains, the deepest of seas, to be with you.”

My lips twitched. That sounded so bad, I almost wanted to puke my guts out but of course, he didn’t need to know that otherwise I couldn’t keep him under my palms. “And I would do the same if only the circumstances were fitting to our near meeting, my love.” Ugh, that sounded like Shakespeare. Why the hell am I talking like this? I’m not even proud of it. “I have to go, Jason. My class is starting. And I can’t slack or flunk them otherwise we’d be more restricted to see each other. You understand that, right?” I said, making my voice as gentle and soft as I could to appeal to his emotion.

“Please call me back soon. I love you.”

“Me too.”

Yeah, no. I ended the call and stretched my back, as I leaned over the bench in relaxation. No way, I’m talking to that guy for the rest of my vacant period. And yes. I lied again. I didn’t have any class. I’d rather just fish for a new guy than spend it with a guy I flirted with days or months ago.

My phone buzzed so I slipped them off my pocket and read a message from an unknown number. I was worried why I was getting so much text from unknown numbers but then again, this is all on me since I give them my personal number. Dumb move. But I couldn’t really be bothered to buy a new sim just to entertain the boys. That’s just out of my energy limitations.

Unknown number

Received 1:17 PM

U free? Hit me up soon x

And this is going to get a reply in two days. That’s how you do it ladies. Have them go crazy waiting for a reply until you yourself forget that you didn’t actually reply and did it on purpose.

I squinted my eyes scanning the park for a guy I can mess with within the period. I wonder how Snoopy’s doing. I suddenly thought as a man moved past me with the same stand and aura as him. “Let’s see…” I scowled at the guy that walked pass by me in front of me – nope. I see another man from a distance who looked fairly good enough. “You look tasty. I could flirt with you for the vacant period very well.” I mumbled to myself.

Rising from my seat, I was set to make my way to this guy when a hand suddenly stopped me from walking. Disappointed by the halt of my hormones, I turned back around and I was more surprised when I saw piano guy, whose name I forgot again but I almost remember. “Re…”

“River.”

River. Ah, yes.

River something.

I should write his name soon in my notebook so I don’t forget. “River. Hey. What’s up? Didn’t think I’d see you wandering around?” I asked. I almost forgot how much I wanted to put this man under my c-list, but it kinda just slipped in my head like every normal flirt relationship I have with other boys.

“I was searching for you, and thought I could ask you a favor…” he looked down as he spoke. It didn’t seem like he was anxious or giddy or excited. But it was a little nerve-wracking when I couldn’t read a man’s actions.

“Favor? Sure, anything!” I assured him.

“Would you come with me to the music room?”

I was a little surprised at the sudden request but I don’t say no to guys. That’s my rule. Especially if it’s from someone as pretty as him. River seemed not shy but a little shy which didn’t make sense, surely. It doesn’t make sense but that’s how I perceive him. Maybe he’s just being courageous out of desperation. Not to be with me but with my comfort for his music problems or something. “Sure!” I excitedly replied, a bit jumping on my stance.

As we were making our way to the music room, I couldn’t help but ask. “What is this about? Are you finally playing me the one you played while you were playing around?” I laughed joking, but hopeful that he would say yes and actually dedicate it for me. More big dreams, Lois. More and more.

He kept his gaze down but answered. “It is about that song.” He did bite onto leave-the-guy-hanging technique and I’m partly glad and surprised it did.

“Are you playing it for me to hear now?”

He chuckled, bobbing his head in conformation. “It’s funny.”

Funny what?

“I wasn’t going to join any recital for the semester until you showed up in front of me and told me to get out of my comfort zone.” He confessed. He didn’t seem shy about telling that like he knew he wanted me to know that. “Like you’re the sign I was asking from God.”

Godly man. I’m not mad. I mean I would have never thought of dating a religious man until him. Aiden was pretty religious too to be honest. He goes to church and plays his guitar there with his dad or something and their gathering would be like four to five hours of standing up, singing and dancing to God songs. It was fun the first time but I couldn’t do it the second time no matter how much I tried to convince myself it would help save me from my sins.

“Is that too much to say for a second meeting?”

I smirked. Trust me, this ain’t the second and your last, beautiful man. I sighed turning to him. “Maybe I was your sign. I’ll keep being your sign if you want me to.”

He turned to me, flashing a thin smile. “Maybe.”

“So why do you need me to go to music room with you?” I asked again.

He gulped before he replied. “I wanted you to hear it.” He paused. “I wanted to know what you think of the piece I’ll play for the recital, that’s why I’m asking you to come with me to the music room. Because I want you to hear it first.”

Oh?

Now this is more than what I was expecting from me. So straight-forward and so I like.

“Since you’re the one who initially convinced me to do it.”

I blinked in surprise. I mean, River doesn’t feel like a challenge but in time maybe he’ll come through that way. Right now, I feel like he just sees me as his sign or whatever. That doesn’t really say much about me having the chance of getting his heart. Because right now, I just feel like I was an important artifact for him. Nothing more. “It would be an honor to listen to your piece.”

When we reached the music room, he walked straight to the piano, sat across it, and looked back to where I stood. He patted the space next to him on the stool so I walked to the piano’s chair and sat next to him to his request.

“I haven’t fully furnished the song but I just figured you’d still—”

“Yeah, like the one you played while fooling around.” I joked and we both chuckled.

He took a deep breath before he laid his fingers gently on top of the keys and the music goes off. Sitting next to someone who’s about to play the piano for you always looked romantic to me and now that I’m experiencing it myself for the first time, I felt so accomplished in life. I felt like I could die happy any moment now.

He started pressing the keys and the song just played straight out of a music box. It did sounded a bit like the ones he was playing before when I heard him the first time but it was definitely better. It sounded more polished than when he fooling around.

It was so good, my eyes closed as I focused on the music he was playing.

When he stopped playing, I was deemed disappointed. Not because it was bad but because I wanted to hear more. It felt too fast yet slow but too fast because it was already over. “I’m sorry. I made a lot of mistakes. I don’t really play for anyone, directly to anyone really, before so I was nervous.” He defended shaking his fingers in the air to calm himself. I reckon his fingers weren’t numbing from the tension he was feeling.

“River,” I called out, staring into him intently. “That was so beautiful.”

He froze. His eyes were shaking as he tried to keep an eye contact with me. He was so adorable and cute. I feel like he could fit my pocket if I tried to push him in.

“I don’t know what you’re going through but I felt it with your piece.”

He looked down, gulping.

“Whatever you’re going through, I hope it doesn’t stop you from pressing your fingers over the keys.” I smiled at him, bobbing my head at him for reassurance which seemed to spark in him as his eyes glistened. “Your fingers were meant to press the keys after all.”