It's Not Him, It's You

Chapter Five: The Party Pooper

My eyes slowly opened. I’m in my bed with my clothes yesterday. Wait, was it yesterday or earlier? I jump up from lying down and my head quickly snaps to my wall clock.

It’s 2 am in the morning. What happened last night?

My forehead creased as I try to remember everything. But as I was in the middle of my reminiscences, my bedroom door opened.

I shrieked but quickly covered my mouth with both of my palms as I saw Scion.

Wait, Scion?! What the hell is he doing inside my apartment?!

I shove the blanket off me and got out of bed as quickly approach him. “What the hell are you still doing here?” I ask, annoyed. “Did you sneak in?” I added.

“What are you talking about? You got knocked out last night. You were exhausted and slept on my chest, standing. I carried you here inside,”

I opened my mouth to say something but I think my tongue was cut off. I don’t know! I am confused a while ago and now, I am so embarrassed now that I remember what happened.

“Are you planning to close your mouth? Or do you want me to devour it?” he suddenly said blatantly that I didn’t even think twice of closing it shut.

Devour it?

What the hell am I thinking?

I cleared my throat, “So? What are you still doing here?” I raised my eyebrow and placed my arms on my chest as I impatiently wait for his response.

“Just because”

“What a comprehensive answer coming from you,” I sarcastically uttered. “Seriously? Don’t you have anything to do tomorrow morning? Don’t you go to class because I do and I have to—” I paused as I realize that I got myself busted. I pursed my lips and my eyes mischievously fluttered.

He smirked, “Just preparing, huh? Nice try, lady. You’re busted now. So, tell me, where do you study?”

“So, you can stalk me all day? No thanks,” I snap back. I looked away as I try to conceal my flushed-red cheeks from him.

“If that’s the only way I can get back to you…I will,” he suddenly said with that serious tone. I got goosebumps as I felt his hands on my right cheek. He made me look at him again and, trust me, I felt like I am so captive by his touch.

“You’re blushing,” he said as he stares at my cheeks. I fought hard not to shut my eyes as he rubs his thumb into my cheek. But as soon as our eyes meet, I wasn’t able to resist and I gave in.

I leaned my cheek into his palm and felt the rush of blood throughout my body. I opened my eyes and gasps as his other hand grabs my waist to pull me closer to him.

My heart is beating so hard as he leaned closer that our lips are almost touching. I’m pretty sure that the air conditioner in this apartment wasn’t faulty but I feel so hot right now.

I raise my head slowly to meet his lips with mine when my stomach grumbled loudly. I heard him snickered and I can’t do anything but purse my lips and close my eyes to embarrassment.

The heat fades away and I have finally felt the cool air in my apartment as he moves away from me. “Do you have any food on your fridge? I can cook you something,” he said casually like nothing just happened between us.

“I have leftover from yesterday,”

“Right. Then, I’ll heat it up to you,” he said.

Before I could reject his offer, he had left to the kitchen with a smirk on the face. I was left in my room half crying, half annoyed to my stomach.

“Why do you have to grumble that loud?!” I choked. I pulled my hair in frustration and silently yelped crazily. I have never been embarrassed by someone before! I can’t believe it has to be him!!

“It’s almost done,” I heard him called.

“Y-yeah! I’m coming,” I pulled myself again and went out of my bedroom.

The foods are ready when I arrived at the kitchen island. I sat down on the high stool and watch him liberally use my kitchen. I can’t believe that he’s here in front of me getting busy preparing me something to eat.

“Okay, eat up,” he placed the last dish on the kitchen island. His hands are grasping the edge of the kitchen island as he leans himself.  His sweatshirt sleeves were rolled up revealing his veins that give so much s*x appeal.

“I don’t mind if you join me,” I curtly uttered as I start to stuff my mouth with food. I felt him sat down beside me. My eyes peaked at him eating silently. I quickly look away as he caught me watching him.

“My stepdad will be mad at me if I tell him that I just ate a leftover,” he chuckled with his deep tone.

“He does not allow you to eat leftovers?”

“He’s a doctor, so I understand him being health conscious. Besides, it’s quite a thing to our family not to left some food from the last meal. We finish what is served,” he looks at me with that warm smile.

I gulped, “How…how’s your mom?” I hesitated and slowly turn my head to him.

“Good, I guess? They just arrived from a 3-day vacation in Palawan. They brought my two younger brothers,”

I can’t help but smile, “Why did you not come with them?”

“I want to visit my cousin here, so…,”

I nodded, “You have relatives in here?” What should I expect? This is such a small world to play hide-and-seek.

“My mother’s older sister lives in here. I came to visit them. It’s has been a while since I visited,”

So, he will not stay long in here?

 I just nodded and didn’t say anything more after he said that.

It was so silent that I felt so awkward suddenly. I stood up and got a beer from the fridge. I returned to my seat and clawed with my index finger the opener of the can. It sizzled for a while and I took a large gulp.

“You drink now, huh?”

I look at him. He’s smirking as he forked the nuggets and munch it slowly. I took another gulp, “For a change,” I said as I put down the can on the marble surface.

“What do you mean?” he looked at me with a curious expression.

“My grandfather has this vast grape farm. We export them to different wine manufacturers here in America and they send us sample products every now and then. I got sick of wine and just wanted to try something new. When I met this certain friend, I learned to drink beer,” I chuckled as I remember the goofy face of Jessica when she saw my face distorted due to the foreign taste of the beer to me.

“That’s interesting,”

“What about you? Don’t you drink?”

“I’ve been drinking since twelve. I join Dad sometimes whenever he wanted to get drunk, so I can regulate his drinking,” I smiled at the memory.

He said, Dad. Not stepdad.

I gulped again and saw him look at me through my peripheral vision. I held the can to me him after, “This is a honey beer. Wanna have a taste?” I offered.

“Sure,” he said.

I gasp as my eyes widen when he suddenly leaned down on me and captured my mouth with his. Taking advantage of my slightly opened mouth, his tongue explored the inside of my mouth and quickly pulled away.

It happens so fast that I wasn’t able to react. I am nailed to my seat with my hands still held out. I nearly dropped the can.

“It tastes good. It’s my favorite beer from now on,” he said casually and he even licked his damp lips that dried my throat abruptly.

“I-It does, doesn’t it?” I stuttered as I try to pull myself together.

He got off from the high stool, “I had a great meal. Do you want me to help you fix up before I leave?” he said while looking just so fine.

He’s leaving?

“N-no! I can do it myself. Uhm, thanks for bothering to heat those up for me,” I said and got off from my chair.

“You are very welcome. Then,” he awkwardly taps his lap with both of his hands.

“I’ll show you outside,” I said and we walk together to the front door.

“Bye,” I muttered as I was about to shut the door close when he held it open suddenly. “What is it?” I ask as I open again my door to talk to him properly.

“Can I ask you a favor?”

All of the sudden?

Though baffled, I said, “What is it all of the sudden?”

“Tomorrow and in the future,” he started. “If I visit your place, I want you to open your door for me,” he added.

I was surprised by his favor but nevertheless, I nodded. “Sure. I’ll come and fetch you in the lobby. Let’s be friends again,” I said. I saw a slight sad recognition in his eyes but quickly fade away.

“That’s a relief, “he said. “I’ll get going now,” he added and started to walk near the elevator. When I saw him get inside the elevator only then I shut my front door shut. I leaned on it for a while as I close my eyes.

The first thing that got into my mind was the moment in my bedroom, and in the kitchen. Suddenly, I’m waiting for that feeling again. And I am the one who wanted us to be friends again. What the hell, Nikola?

Two days have passed by and he hasn’t stopped by ever since. I mean, it’s not like I always expect him to come and just appear on my doorstep, it’s just that it feels lonely again. But nevertheless, I am so engrossed studying for the last examination this very morning.

Since it’s still early before the examination starts, I stop by the bookshop to talk to Janice.

The bell jingles as I enter the shop and automatically, Janice's head jerked up in my direction.

“Oh! Hi! What brought you here? Buying yourself a book from your employer?” she heartily laughed. Janice is the owner of this bookshop. So, yeah, she just laughed at her own joke.

I smiled back, “Unfortunately, no. I came here to ask for a from you”

“What is it?”

“Can you cover for my shift tonight?”

“Sure! Finally, you asked! I’ve been worried that you’ve been working so hard lately and I want you to take a break once in a while,”

“That’s so sweet of you, Janice,”

“Well, I would appreciate it if you’re going to tell me what happen to you and your boyfriend? Are you having a comeback?” she asks with sparkles in her eyes.

Boyfriend? Does she mean—

“Ah! Yeah, yeah. We did,” I awkwardly nodded with a fake smile etched on my face.

“Thank goodness,” she sighed like her life was depending on the flow of my love story.

“Anyway, I have to get going. Exams,” I motioned to her my handwritten notes. She grimaced, “Oooh, right. You better get going if you don’t want to get your ass into trouble,” she waves goodbye as I shut the door close.

As soon as our last examination came to end, Jessica dive at me at the front door.

“What the hell, Jessica? You scare the s**t out of me!”

She laughed in her evil tone, “Guess what?”

“Guess ‘what’ what?”

“Lol, that’s funny. Well, remember that cousin I said I’ll introduce you tonight?”

“What about him?”

“He’ll come for a visit me. I’m going to introduce you to him,”

“And when is that?”

“Now. He just texted me that he's in the cafeteria already,” 

What?!

I abruptly stopped and acted like I was having a bad stomach. “Gosh, sorry. I think I have to hurry to the bathroom. I can no longer take this! I’ll just meet your cousin at the party tonight!” I yelped and quickly dash off to the comfort room.

I stayed in a cubicle for 30 minutes before I came out and fix myself. I can’t just meet a guy looking so stressed. I want to meet another guy. Maybe her cousin will help me forget Scion easily.

But not today! I have to look, I don’t know, maybe presentable?

Later, when I arrived at the apartment, Jessica texted me.

“It’s a bummer you haven’t met my cousin earlier today,” -Jessica

“It’s okay. Besides, I’ll be meeting him, tonight, right?” -Me

“That’s another bummer because he will not be coming to the party tonight. He said he’s meeting someone tonight,” -Jessica

What the hell?

“What? Alright. Then, it’s just me and you. *with a red lip emoji*”

“Yes, babe. Just you and me. We’ll be having fun tonight!”

She then sent me the address of the party. I took a 3-hour sleep before I started preparing myself for the party. I wore a black long sleeves turtle neck, a black leather skirt, and a knee-high boot.

When I arrived at the party, it was so loud and smells of alcohol and sweats. Couples are making out at every corner of the place. They are so f****d up.

I found Jessica drinking at the kitchen island. I tap her shoulders and she quickly turns around. She whistled playfully, “That’s my girl. Gosh, you look so different when you go to a party. No one would ever think you are such a geek in school,”

“Ha.ha.ha. Thanks for the compliment, Jess. I really appreciate it,”

“No, honestly, you look so sexy tonight,”

“Thanks, “

I sat down beside her and joined her. Together we drink, we danced and we drink again until I found myself exhausted already but still can walk straight. I have a high tolerance for alcohol, so I don’t get drunk easily. After that, she introduced me to her decent friends and they are welcoming.

But this b***h just drags me into a game upstairs. Do you know that game where you shouldn’t shoot your Ping-Pong balls on the red cups full of beer? Well, no matter how I try, there are just chances that I just can’t shoot it at the cups with water in it.

After that game, Jessica found her dessert. You already knew well what I mean. Without a word, I left her in the room with the other guys and went to a near bathroom to pee. After I peed, as I was trying to locate my way back into that room, I realize I am lost.

Shit. This house is quite huge.

As I turn to the left corner, I bumped into someone that I quickly raise my head to say sorry. When…

“What are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here?”