Honey, why?

8. Skinny Love

October 2009

It's Math Week! The first major event of the year. I haven't slept much over the weekend but that's okay. It's just what I need. Fatigue. Dam Peeta Mellark and his dam confession. I read through that chapter until I finish the whole Part II: The Tributes and reach Part III: The Games. I drank coffee this morning, twice.

As much as everyone is either busy with reviewing for the Math Academic Contests or preparing for the Math Games, the Student Body Organization is busy already preparing for the upcoming three-day Halloween festivities for next month.

It won't be as easy to prepare for as the other events since there'll be a lot of work with the fair and the rides. Not to mention my idea of Horror Film Theatre got picked up. So we have this week to finalize everything and the next two weeks to oversee the building of the fair while reviewing for our exams. Great.

"It was a really brilliant and such a refreshing new idea, Ace," Johanna Batallion, third year class representative of Class B, had complimented me for my film showing idea when we had our meeting last week.

"It's what my babe is good at," Charles had added, shameless about all the commotion he's rousing with all his babe comments regarding me.

However, he didn't hear what Johanna whispered to the freshman rep sitting beside her while I unfortunately did.

"We always have to build her up even if her idea is totally s**t. She's mental, everybody knows that."

The babe comment didn't go unnoticed, though. Before I know it, the whole school is buzzing with this "Babe Fever", as Chadi had begrudgingly named it.

I see a lot of girls roll their eyes at me or snicker right after they smile to my face. Last time I check, it's eight months past the month of Janus, so I don't know why there are a lot of two faced people all over the place.

Charles doesn't seem to worry at all and I'm not gonna be thrown out of my game because of this so I acted like it's not such a big deal. Because it isn't. Really. Or is it. No, it's not! Get a grip on yourself, Ace!

While barking commands at my classmates about which color to use for our class shirt, I'm also on my phone, on hold, trying to get in touch with Windsor Engineering for the construction of the rides for the fair. My dad actually recommended them.

"Hello, madam," the woman on the other line finally comes back.

"Gold on the alpha, eggshell white background," I shout gently at Viv, before stepping out of the room and getting back on my phone. I almost bump a few students on my way at the corner of the crowded hallway. "Yeah, yeah? Can I please talk to mister Adams now?"

Pause. "I apologize, madam, but Mr. Adams could not be reached as of now."

There is a thud thud thud sound at the other end of the line and I thought that maybe it was just because of the connection so I just brush it off.

"Can I just set a meeting with him instead?" They should have been told that I am calling today. Daddy said the company has been working on a huge project but that he had given them a head's up. Guess our high school isn't the only one busy with events.

The pause is longer this time and I hear a low grunt before the secretary speaks again. "I am transferring you to Mr. Windsor, madam," she tells me, and somehow, her voice sounded tight. Like she's been holding out a cough.

"Oh, no. I wouldn't want to bother Mr. Windsor -"

"I'm talking about Mr. Windsor's son, madam. He's handling other affairs - aaaah..."

Now, I'm certain there's something fishy going on. "Hello? Are you alright? I can call back again if -"

When she speaks again, her voice sounded tired, but then again, it could be just the static messing with my hearing. "Transferring you to Mr. Windsor's office now."

And then the line goes back to the music playing when I was on hold. Sheesh.

I need to seal the deal with this now because next week will be our monthly exams and I don't wanna sacrifice my study time for this. Why do I have to open my mouth and say that my father is in business with an engineering company? I should've signed up for the food committee.

"Hey, babe."

I turn around facing Ali and Ash making kissing sounds with their puckered lips, arms around each other. Gross.

I inhale deeply, closing my eyes as I do. And when I open them, I breathe out loudly to them, "SOHCAHTOA."

The two of them immediately scramble back to the classroom mumbling apologies and promises that they'll study now for the second round of the academic contest.

I still can't believe they messed up the questions regarding sine, cosine and tangent in the first round. Thank God there'd only been three questions about it and those are their only mistakes. I swear, they could've done better.

A muffled sound brought me back to my own worries. "Hello? Hello?"

I almost drop my phone in my haste to put it back on my ear. Mr. Winston Jr. wouldn't be entertaining me if I don't seem serious.

"Hello, Mr. Winston," I answered with finesse. What a save, Ace. Facepalm.

A chuckle can be heard from the other line. "No, this is Parker. Parker Adams. Good thing you answered. I was beginning to think that you might also be -"

I wait for him to finish but he changed what was he about to say after clearing his throat. "So, you're Rigardo's little girl, huh?"

So my father has really been in touch. That explains the casualness in his tone. Like I'm an acquaintance or something.

"Yes, Mr. Adams. I'm Ada -"

"Ada Corinne." The way he says my name send creepy crawlers up my back. "I know, honey."

I don't like how he sounded, still I try and keep the conversation all business. "Correct again, Mr. Adams. I'm calling to ask y-"

"Please, call me Parker."

Can he please stop cutting me off?!

"Parker," I grit out of my teeth. "I am calling to ask you -"

"I'm sorry for interrupting, honey, -"

No you're not.

" - but I already know what is it you want. The problem is I cannot have this talk right now."

Greeeaaaaaat. All this waiting for nothing.

"Can I invite you to dinner? Tonight? 7pm at Le chez nous de la Homard. I'll pick you up at home."

Woah there. I didn't think I'd get a meeting with him this easily! Though I have to admit that I feel a little uncomfortable about this...

But I can't go with him tonight. We'll be studying for the academic contest. They'd be goofing around if I don't keep an eye on them. Not to mention, I have to finish helping Bash for his science project which is due the day after tomorrow.

Thus the tug-of-war begins. What to do...

"Actually, Parker, I have school until that time. Maybe we could just set another meeting at your office?"

I hope my voice doesn't sound as nervous as I am feeling and I sure hope that he'd reconsider. If he won't, I guess I'll just have to ask someone to cover for me later.

He is quiet for a bit, as if mulling things over. Dear God, I hope he wouldn't say something more uncomfortable than those he just did.

"I'll pick you up at 7pm in your school. I have to go now, it's a busy week for the company and the schedules have been really tight. I expect you understand." He emphasizes the word, as if telling me indirectly I'm lucky enough to be getting a meeting with him despite his being so busy.

I don't know how but I can feel him grinning at me. Well, I have to settle this now. I have too much on my hands already and it's better to just get this over with. It's gonna be difficult getting another appointment with him.

I let out a breath. "Alright, Parker. I'll see you at seven."

With that, we hung up, and I press my hand on my forehead and close my eyes for a moment. I can do this. I'll just have Teddy review Ali and Ash. I have to go talk to her now. Why did I agree for this task again? When I could've just been all chill working on the food booths.

"Breathe, babe."

I almost smack the person's arm thinking it was Ali or Ash if I hadn't recognized the voice at the last second.

"More like choke," I sigh. Oh, crap no! "Argh!" I bury my face in my arms.

Charles chuckles, wrapping an arm around me, giving me a small shake. "Relax! You'll be fine. What can I do to help, Ms. President?"

Heh. I still get a bit shy around the nickname my classmates had given me, but it sounds extra special coming from him. Ms. President. The name sounds all prestigious and highly but what people doesn't know is all that behind the curtains, I always almost lose it every single day.

I look up at Charles and the change of look in his eyes, from playful to worried, tells me my face is clearly displaying distraught.

"Charles..." I sob. Oh no. I can feel it. It's almost blurring my sight. No, Ada. It'll be fine. Don't - don't-

"Ssshhh," Charles whispers as he pull me close. And it's his scent, his strong arms around me, his hands firmly holding me, his cheek pressed to mine, that made the tears fall. "Oh, baby. Ssshhh. It's okay, baby," he whispers as he stroke my hair. "Come on. You need a break."

With that, Charles guides me away from the hallway, and when I open my eyes and rub at them, I find that he led us to the Student Council room. He prop me up on the meeting table, sitting beside me. An arm around me, his hand goes to the side of my head, letting me lean on his shoulder. I can feel his lips on top of my head, and his hand gently stroking my arm.

I sniff, rubbing my nose. "Sorry, Charles."

"Hey, you don't need to apologize. We're all stressed out. You just need a moment from all of this. I knew it would be too much for you..."

"You - you knew?" I look up at him, probing.

A hint of red creeps up his cheeks and he stare at me for a second before his eyes dart in different spots across the room, avoiding my gaze. "Well... I, ah... I - I," he stammers. He rub the back of his head with his other hand, huffing sheepishly.

I wait patiently until he continues, looking me in the eye. "I should've put Brie with you, but instead I listened to her pleas in wanting to help me with the band we're trying to get, even if I know for a fact that her father is in the constructing business.

Then I pushed this meeting during Math Week when you're so busy with the class. Hell, I'm not even able to help you guys out that much because of the work I have. I'm so sorry, Ace. You're under this much pressure because I let you do this by yourself."

I purse my lips and stifle a cry. "No, Charles. You're just doing your job. I always keep telling myself I can handle it, I always talk big and then I - " I huff. "I'm so sorry. This isn't even your problem."

This is embarrassing. In my history of public crying and breaking down, I've never been ashamed than I am now losing it in front of the guy that I like.

Despite how our flirty conversation ended last week, I tried not to get up close and personal with him again. It kinda saddened me, him shutting me down when I attempted to talk to him about his ex-girlfriend.

Okay, it saddened me a lot. Okay, it basically depressed me but seeing him unaffected at all by it, by what he had hurtfully said to me, well it made me pick myself up and stop moping around it too much. If he can do it, I can, too. When we were in the class, I pretended that I'm not flustered at all by his endearments and thoughtfulness but who am I kidding?

"No, baby. Please, don't think that," Charles says. "It's okay. I'm here."

My cheeks feel hot and I feel like my snot is about to come out of my nose. I grope for my handkerchief in my jacket pocket only to find it's not there. Bananas!

People always say the same bananas.

I straighten up, and Charles's arm drop from my shoulders.

"What is it, baby?"

"My," Hic! Oh, crap. "Handkerchief," I manage, snuffling loudly. Hic!

Charles gets off the table and goes to the fridge to get me some water. He pours it into a mug shaped like Darth Vader's head and brings it to my lips. "Here, drink this first."

When I finish two huge gulps, I gently push the mug away, taking in a deep breath, shaking a bit. "My hanky..."

"We'll find it, baby," Charles tells me, and if it's not for the constant feeling of dread that I have in the pit of my stomach, I'd have gotten gaga over him calling me baby all this time. If it isn't for that...

"But first," he continues, standing in front of me, his front pressing on my legs. He cups my face in both hands and I try to pry away, all the more embarrassed of how I must look like, but I feel too weak from his firm grasp.

"Hey. Look at me, baby," he prods, making me face him.

Now, I'm a wee bit familiar with the spatial rules between two friends of the opposite gender but clearly, Charles doesn't mind invading my space. His thumbs wipes the tears under my eyes and I'm pretty sure that my cheeks couldn't get any hotter than they already are from the warmth of his skin on mine. My brown eyes look straight into his green ones, and never before I'd felt an electric current run through the bottom of my spine, up and then around my chest and stomach.

No, Ada. You should've learnt your lesson. He won't even open up to you, he even pushed you away! Don't be so dumb. Don't be such and i***t. Once is enough for the wise...

Charles smiles, but the intensity of his glare never wavered. "I need to know you're okay," he says softly. "We're gonna get out there, I'm gonna help you find your hanky, and I'll help you make it through this day. But I need to know you're okay. Yeah?"

Maybe this is his way of apologizing? Maybe he's not ready to talk about those stuff yet. Should I give this, whatever this is, another shot?

One more sniff, then I nod my head. "Yeah," I answer weakly.

He kisses my forehead, then he press a soft cloth against my nose. "Blow," he commands softly.

Honestly, I cannot breathe properly anymore. And it just added to the pain in my temples. So I don't need to be told twice and blow my nose in his soft and clean, expensive white handkerchief. He pinches my nose, to make sure to get it all out, then wipes again at my eyes with his thumb.

"Alright. Deep breath in," he says but I don't respond. Floor, please swallow me right now. Please. "Come on, baby, in..."

Whoop, there it is. Again. That word.

I follow suit and breathe with him. We hold our breaths for a few seconds before he finally says, "And... out." We do this three more times, in the nostrils and out the mouth, before he fiddles with my hair and help me get down the table.

Charles is just adjusting the collar of my jacket when the bell by the door of the room rings, and I turn around to see Marica from the other senior class staring wide eyes at us.

She closes her gaping mouth, opens it again, then closes it, before doing a coughing sound. "I didn't know this room was occupied." Her voice sound kinda funny.

"We're just leaving," Charles tells her, grabbing me by the wrist and leading me out past her.

"You can stay as long as you want to, Charles. I didn't mean to pry," she calls out but Charles and I already round the corner back into our classroom where our classmates are too engaged with the Math Week activity to realize that both of us has been gone for almost half an hour.