One od Two?
861 Words
"She's a friend from the Music Club," Eustace answered, his voice steady but his eyes betraying a hint of unease.
Gavin and the group of Eustace's fans collectively exhaled, their shoulders relaxing. "What a relief!" Gavin exclaimed, his face lighting up with a broad smile. "Let's get back to cheerleading practice, Tine," he added, grabbing her arm. Tine's expression, however, was a storm of frustration and disappointment as she was dragged away.
The next day, in the university cafeteria, Tine ordered an Iced Americano, still feeling the sting of yesterday's events. As fate would have it, Eustace had ordered the same, and she mistakenly picked up his cup. "That's for Eustace," the waiter pointed out, glancing at the name written on the cup.
Before she could correct her mistake, Eustace appeared. "That's fine, I can drink this one," he said, reaching for the cup in her hand. Tine clutched it tighter, her eyes rolling in exasperation.
As she started to walk away, Eustace's voice stopped her. "What is wrong with you?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Do you really have to ask?" Tine shot back, her frustration boiling over. "What did you tell Gavin yesterday?"
"You told me to be flirtatious in front of him," Eustace replied, his tone defensive. "But—"
"But your fans were there. You could've just said 'Yes, we're dating' and dealt with them later! But no, all you care about is your image and popularity. I get it," Tine snapped, her voice trembling with anger.
"You don't get it," Eustace insisted, his eyes darkening.
"Don't get what?" Tine challenged.
"I'll make you get it," he said, snatching the drink from her hand with a determination that startled her.
Later, at the study shed, Tine sat with her friends, trying to focus on their report. "Olivia, have you found the meanings of the terms I sent you?" Fleur asked, noticing Olivia scrolling through f*******:.
"I'm searching for information here," Olivia defended herself, but then her eyes lit up. "Wait, guys, look at this," she said, showing her phone to the group.
"Nice cup," Fleur commented.
"Yeah, nice cup that I want to drink that coffee, my ass," Olivia replied sarcastically. "I'm not asking you to look at the cup. Look at the username. You think it belongs to Eustace?"
"He doesn't have f*******:," Tine said, confusion is obvious in her face.
"Yeah, but his friends are commenting on his post. Here: 'Eustace broke his own rule and created a f*******: account to hit on someone.' It says here."
"Is that you, Tine?" they asked, noticing her cheeks turning red. Phil teased, "She's blushing."
"It's not," Tine sighed in frustration. "He humiliated me in front of Gavin and his fans," she added, feeling a wave of helpless anger wash over her. "Let's just finish the report."
After completing their work, Tine and her friends decided to eat at a nearby restaurant. They settled at a table near the exit. "What should we eat? Carbonara? Or maybe a hot pot?" Olivia suggested.
"Just the three of you decide," Tine muttered, her mind elsewhere.
"Look, it looks like Eustace created his IG as well. Here's his new post," Olivia said, showing it to Tine.
"One or two? What's that even supposed to mean?" Tine asked, puzzled.
"Why don't you just ask him," Phil suggested, pointing out Eustace outside with his fans.
"Why is he here?" Fleur wondered aloud.
"Senior Dan asked him to promote the music festival we're having. Just ignore him," Tine said, her voice tinged with frustration.
Before they could decide on their order, a waiter brought them an array of dishes: pasta, steak, ice cream, and strawberry milk—Tine's favorite.
"Hey, we haven't even ordered yet," Tine said to the waiter.
"Someone ordered these for you," he replied.
"Who?"
"Sorry, I've been told not to say," the waiter apologized and left.
"I think I know who it is," Fleur said, noticing Gavin approaching.
"Hi, Tine—"
"Stop it, Gavin. Why did you order these?" Tine asked, cutting him off.
"Order what? I didn't order anything," Gavin said, genuinely confused. "Who ordered this food for my beloved Tine?" he added, looking around.
Eustace approached them. "Eustace, did you order this food for Tine?" Gavin asked.
"Yes. I wanted to," Eustace said, his gaze fixed on Tine.
"But, why? You said you're just friends?" Gavin asked, bewildered.
"And your friends said you created a f*******: account to hit on someone. Was it Tine?" one of the fans interjected.
"One or two?" Eustace asked, looking directly at Tine.
"One or two, what?" Tine asked, confused and reluctant.
"Just choose," Eustace urged.
"Choose what?" she repeated, still hesitant.
"Just choose," he insisted.
"One," she said, almost defiantly.
"Two, means I'm hitting on you—" Gavin started to interrupt, but Eustace cut him off.
"One, means you are hit on... by me. Both mean 'I like you.' Do you get it now?" Eustace said, his eyes boring into Tine's.
Everyone around them was stunned by the revelation, including Tine herself. She stood there, caught between disbelief and hope, struggling to understand if this was real or just another show.
- Writer
