In Between

Chapter 5

"S-sorry... I... I didn't mean to offend you." I said awkwardly in a lowered tone of voice, looking away from him. I felt shy, as I'm not usually one to apologize, having never really hurt anyone's feelings before. Except him, now.

"No, it's fine," he said, chuckling, but not in the same way he usually did.

"I'm sorry if I've forced myself on you. It's just that... you're the only person I thought could be a friend," he added, making me look at him. We fell into an atmosphere of silence before he continued, his voice seeming lower and sadder.

"The thing is, when I first came here and saw you in the cafeteria, I thought it could be possible, but it seems like I'm now being an annoyance. From the first day, you already told me to stay away from you, but I kept annoying you, making you talk harshly to me. I think I'm just really numb for not seeing that you really don't like my presence, and I'm sorry," he said, looking at me, then gifting me a thin smile before standing up and taking steps away, leaving the cafeteria.

Following his figure, I let out a deep sigh as he finally vanished from my sight, and I felt an unexplainable emotion born inside me. I admit, I really did make a wrong move today...

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Vivian Pov.

I headed towards the pool area. Yes, I had come here to apologize again and make it up to him. I knew I had crossed a line between us, so I felt it was necessary to do so. Honestly, it's not that I don't like friends or didn't want him as a friend; it's just that I'm not comfortable having them around, especially after my past experiences. I've been a victim of toxic so-called friends who only befriended me for study purposes.

I had shared answers with them and done some of their homework when we hung out, but once I realized that was the only reason, I couldn't bring myself to try again or make new friends. However, with Theo, he really seemed kind and genuine about being friends. The fact that even his famous, he's kind.

I realized I shouldn't compare him to the friends I had before. As I approached the pool area, I saw him sitting by the side, lost in thought, gazing at his feet splashing in the water. I took steps towards him, and suddenly he turned his gaze, noticing me nearby. He felt my presence and glanced quickly at me before looking back at the water.

As I approached him, maintaining a safe distance between us, I cleared my throat to get his attention. However, he didn't bother to spare me a glance. "He's totally offended, isn't he?" Shut up! I'm already here to apologize, right?

"Theo..." Those were the only words I uttered, but he still didn't respond.

"U-uhmm... um... I... I'm sorry," I said hesitantly, stuttering slightly. This time, he did look at me.

"It's fine. You can go now." Was he really mad at me? He didn't usually act like this when we talked; he was usually more accommodating than I was.

"Look, I didn't mean it that way. Please forgive me for that," I pleaded.

"I said it's fine. You can leave now." he replied curtly.

"Are you being cold on purpose?" I said, feeling slightly irritated by his behavior, which now felt like a change from our usual interactions.

"And so? Are you the only one who can be cold too?" he said, staring at me with an unusual expression, looking serious.

"And that's why I'm apologizing now. I'm sorry, I have reasons too. So, please don't make it hard for us." I uttered, simply lowering my head. I hoped it conveyed sincerity, as I really felt sorry for how I had behaved.

Soon as I heard his deep sighs.

"Drink the pool water first," he said, and his words reached my ears as I looked up, seeing a playful smirk on his lips. Noticing my blank expression as I processed his statement, he burst out in chuckles.

"Just kidding! Of course, I'll forgive you, my beautiful Vivian," he said, gifting me his usual smile. As he stood up and walked towards me, his chuckles grew louder, and I could see the playful aura back to normal.

"I hate you! Are you playing tricks on me?" I said, complaining to him.

"Ah-ah, don't try being rude again if you don't want us to fight," he said, teasing me as he grabbed the towel and dried his head.

"Then how dare you tell me to drink the pool water, huh?" I said, glaring at him, earning a chuckle from him, which was his usual cheerful expression.

"Obviously, it was a joke, since you can't," he said.

"Stop laughing."

"I couldn't control it, as I saw your eyes go wide at my words," he said, re-acting my earlier expression, and we both fell into laughter. I unintentionally smiled. Soon, we realized we had laughed so much, and staring at each other, we felt awkward, so we stopped and exchanged thin smiles.

"So, friends?" he asked, making me stare at him for a while.

"Well, for Pete's sake. I hoped we can" He added laughing.

"Whatever," I managed to utter, gifting him a small smile.

"Anyway, you really came here just to say sorry to me? How sweet you are, Vivian," he said, smiling and giggling, looking genuinely happy about the thought of me coming to apologize.

"Well, that's the right thing to do. I'm sorry, again."

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On the road, taking his way to drop her off at her condo, as he had offered her a lift and this time she couldn't find a chance to refuse, having promised herself that she wouldn't make the same mistake again with him. Vivian sat in the passenger seat while Theo drove, and they both remained silent, finding the atmosphere somewhat awkward.

"I didn't know your apartment is kinda near my house," Theo said, glancing at her, and she did the same.

"Really? So, where's your house?"

"It's just some meters away from yours. Good thing, because you can visit me if you miss me," he commented, chuckling, while she shook her head in disbelief and chuckled.

"You made me shiver with your words," she replied with a soft laugh.

"I didn't know you could laugh," he said.

"Huh?" she asked, confused by his words.

"Well, I'll laugh because I'm human, though," she added once she realized his point, and Theo smiled, turning his gaze back to the road.

"Then why is it so rare for you to do that?" Vivian fell silent, sinking his words into her thoughts, grasping the main point he conveyed. She couldn't find the right words to reply or answer him.

"Because I've grown to be like this, and I suppose there's no need to change what I'm used to," Vivian managed to reply in abstract terms.

"You should be Vivian, you should used to smile or to laugh. You didn't know how beautiful you are when smiling." he said, glancing at her and chuckling, which made her smile once again.

Not bad being with him... Vivian's thoughts drifted as she turned her head to face the window.

****************

Soon, they reached her apartment, and she got out of the car after he opened the door for her. As they stood outside, they exchanged farewells.

"Goodnight, Vivian," he said, smiling at her, and she smiled back before speaking.

"Goodnight." After that, Theo got back into the car and drove off, while Vivian headed inside the apartment. As she entered, she noticed Dada eyeing her.

"Is there a problem, Dada?" she dared to ask, confused by her gaze.

"Did you already get a boyfriend?" Her eyes widened at the question. She headed to the table and pulled out a chair, while Dada continued to look at her.

"Stop gazing at me like that, Dada. I don't have one, okay?" she replied, gifting a thin smile before heading to the shelf to grab a plate and spoon, then returning to the dining table.

"Whatever. You're not my daughter, after all, for me to act this way. Anyway, once you're done eating, head straight to your room and sleep early, okay?" Dada asked, and Vivian nodded.

Afterward, Dada went into her room and closed the door. Vivian finished her dinner, washed the plate, and then headed to her own room. She went straight to the bathroom for a quick bath before doing her homework, and afterward, she drifted off to sleep, entering dreamland.

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To be continued....