The Wallflower's Revenge

AWR CHAPTER 12: Torn between two decisions

“You know what? Sometimes, I’m thinking that what we’re doing is not right anymore,” Leylah sighed as she sat down beside Walter. He’s looking at her like she’s the most beautiful girl on campus. Sometimes, she’s not getting used to her boyfriend’s gestures.

“Why not?"

"You know, the hiding and stuff."

"What do you exactly mean by that?"

"I guess the more we try to hide all these things, many people will be affected." Walter chuckled.

"Is there anything fun to what I said?"

"No. It's just that you're just acting weird sometimes."

Leylah looked at him and sighs. Now, she prefers to look down as she tries to think deeply.

"I don't know if you get what I mean."

"Sorry if I easily react this way."

"I guess you'll not understand what I feel so, never mind."

"Sorry. I'll be listening now. Promise I'll be patient. You can tell me the things that bother you right now."

"Many girls like you, even my best friend likes you, okay? It makes me feel guilty." Walter smiled at her and pulled him closer to his side. They were sitting next to each other on the concrete platform located on the rooftop of that old science laboratory building. It always serves as their hideout.

"Love, it's just normal. I think for me, it is."

"I don't get the world of the popular, but isn't it very hard to stay lowkey when you know that many people could know where you are?"

"Please don't think about all these things too much. You'll be stressed if you keep on thinking about it." He assured her.

"I guess I don't understand it because I'm not as popular as you are."

"I'd like to correct that. You're also popular. One of the things I loved the most about you is your love for learning a lot of things."

"Yup. And you're even using me as your literal human dictionary."

"I can't help it! My girlfriend is smart. Who will not be proud of that fact?" Leylah giggled while putting her pointing finger on Walter's lips. He attempted to bite it that's why she laughed even more.

"That's why I don't want you to keep on stressing about a lot of things. I just want to make you happy and enjoy everything while we still can."

"Thank you, Walter."

"I know you're thankful to God because He blessed you with a handsome boyfriend like me."

"You're lifting your chair quite so high," She replied between laughs that Walter couldn't help but to chuckle too.

"Yeah, maybe. Can you blame me? I had the best girlfriend ever!"

"Shhh! What are you doing?"

"Sorry," He covered his mouth right away. Leylah finds it very cute for Walter to do.

"Hey love, can I borrow your phone for a while?"

"Sure." He handed his phone to her right away. She was able to access his social media accounts right away. What Leylah liked about Walter is his being honest about her. She reached Twitter and she posted a peach emoji and a heart. She smiled as she returned Walter's cell phone to him.

"What was that?"

"I just posted some emojis on your Twitter if you never mind."

"If that could make you happy, why not?"

It could make someone's day for sure.

----

When Leylah went to school the next day, she saw Lea smiling. It's quite unusual because it's as if Lea's normal face is a happy, smiling face now, instead of that usual 'poker face' she's wearing.

"Oh my goodness stop it, Lei. You looked creepy." Leylah nudged her shoulders to her as she moved her eyebrows up and down. Lea laughed at the Q hallway moment when they pranked Eveelia. 

"It doesn't matter. Let me be this kind of happy even for today."

"I hope you'll not stay like that forever. You looked disturbing now." Lea chuckled because of Leylah's joke.

"You see, Walter, posted a peach and a heart emoji."

"So? What about it?" Leylah tried to stay cool because of what her best friend told her. She knew it. She knew she would react this way.

"Peaches are my favorite fruit! At least you're the only one who knows that, right?"

"Gosh, your happiness is too shallow. Can you please take a hold of yourself once in a while?"

"Nope. I can't do it!" Lea exclaimed as she giggled.

"What if he only posted it in his very random mood? What if it's only nothing?"

"Duh! What is nothing if that post is everything for someone?"

Leylah shook her head. She expected that her move would make Lea happy but she never saw her any happier than this ever since she met her for the first time. Lea is the ‘too introverted’ type of person. She’s more than aloof even if they share the same when it comes to personality. However, she knew Lea for being silent and for always wearing a poker face. Leylah is even happier compared to Lea and she knows to herself that she's more open-minded compared to her best friend.

"Alright, I get it. Now, what's your plan?"

"I am treating this as a sign. I will always study harder from now on. You should be scared, girl. I'm coming your way." She pointed to Leylah's chest. She held her pointing finger and brought it down as she chuckled.

"Okay, okay. I am always ready to be in the top two if you'll be the one who will be the top one. I need to see your name there, alright?"

"You better watch out, dear. I know what I'm doing and I am very sure of studying until I reach my goal."

"Wow! I believe the 'Walter effect' is too great for you."

"I'd love this kind of effect forever, bestie!" For the first time, Leylah heard Lea telling her about what she felt. For Lea, she's already her best friend. Deep inside, she felt happy because she's helping her best friend to be at her very best, especially in academics.

“I am always here to support whatever makes you happy, Lea. I promise.”

“Yes, I know. Thank you for being supportive of me, bestie! I promise if I will get Walter as a boyfriend someday, you’ll be the first to know!” She said between giggles. She awkwardly smiled and nodded. She drank some water because her throat got parched all of a sudden.

Guilt instantly seeped through Leylah’s conscience.

I’m so sorry, Lea. I have to keep everything a secret, although I am willing to tell you about Walter. I guess it’s not yet the right time for everything.

----

“I’m glad that we found our purpose in life.”

“Yeah, it’s been a long time since I last saw you.”

“Me too.”

“Are you still single?” He asked her as he looked straight into her eyes. She just smiled as a response.

“Why do you even ask that? Please don’t make me feel uncomfortable.” They both laughed.

He realized that her ex-lover turned best friend never had a boyfriend after they broke up because she’s always thinking about her career above all…

“Carson?”

“Huh?”

“Are you listening to me?” Sean chuckled when he waved his hand in front of Carson’s face.

“Ah,”

“Dude, where are your thoughts going?”

“No, I’m alright, Sean. Thank you for the concern though.”

“Is it about the things that we’re dealing with, lately?”

“Sort of, but never mind me.”

“Don’t stress yourself too much. The office needs a lot of “Carson” at this point in time. Crimes are rampant in our streets now. We have to have a presence of mind all the time.”

“Thanks, buddy.” He answered as Sean handed him a bottle of water. He knew that he’s not going to accept a can of soda, that’s why.

"Not a problem." Sean tapped his shoulder again. He left after a few gulps of soda. He followed Sean through his eyes. He saw him going outside the station to do tasks assigned to him. Carson, on the other hand, can't help but to think about Nova. And the thing that bothers him right now is the encounter that she had with her without Stella even knowing it.

He closed his eyes and massaged his forehead. He has decided to tell her these things as soon as possible to clear his conscience above all. Anyway, he loved Stella as his wife. Nova is all about his past. He should move on by being true to his present this time.

Later that afternoon, it is normal that Stella, Leylah’s mom will be the first to reach their house. As she parked her car in their garage just outside their house, Willow, one of her female neighbors came to her with a smile.

"Hello Mrs. Hacke." She greeted her. Stella awkwardly smiled at her. 

"I couldn't see your husband. Where is he?" She asked her but her eyes were glancing inside their house. 

"He's still at work, Ms. Willow." 

"Oh, I see. Are you not scared, Mrs. Hacke?" Ms. Willow smiled at her. She simply glanced at her watch. It's quarter to five in the afternoon and she needed to get inside to prepare for their dinner.

"Scared of what?"

"Well, your husband is good-looking. Do you really trust him so much?"

"I'm sorry, what?" Stella just wanted to make sure. Willow just chucked in response as she shook his head.

"Mrs. Hacke, it's just a piece of advice. You have to keep an eye on your husband. You never know, you might be losing him in a blink of an eye."

 "Ms. Willow, I know my husband. He loves me. I don't have to keep an eye on him because I trust him with all of my heart."

"I am just concerned about you and your family."

"Thank you, but you don't have to, Ms. Willow. You can stay out of this."

"I understand," She smiled as she looked into her eyes. However, Stella could sense something from the way she grinned at her.

"I just want you to be aware of these things. You know, sometimes, life could shock the hell out of us. At least you're prepared somehow."

"Well thank you, Ms. Willow. But then you see, I have to get inside the house. I'm so sorry if I have to go now." She emphasized her first sentence to Willow to simply warn her to back off. Stella, as pissed as she was, she preferred to nod politely. She headed towards the entrance to their house. 

She pulled her keys to the pocket of her jeans and got inside the house, shut the door as slowly as she could, without looking back at her neighbor who just talked to her about supposed 'personal' matters.