Chapter 10

“Honey, why don’t you finish your food already, it’s getting cold,” My mom said, cleaning up the table.

I nodded as my response. She gave me a kiss on top of my head and left me. I finished my food afterward and cleaned my plate. I went up to my room and plopped down on my bed with a long sigh.

I stared up at the ceiling, as if in a trance. I felt guilty and bad for getting pissed at Lucy. Especially when she didn’t know why I was glaring at her. It wasn’t fair to her, and I owe her an explanation and an apology. I didn’t even know why I believed the rumor, knowing her for more than a month already. I’m always with her, and I should know her better by now. But I didn’t know why I was disappointed when I heard what the two girls were talking about a while ago. When I got in my car, Lexi knew that something was off and asked me why I was quiet. I just told her that I was sleepy. Right away, she knew that I was lying. She just didn’t push it. And that’s one of the things I appreciate about her.

Snapping out of my trance, I decided to go for a walk to the park. Whenever I’m stressed out or sorting things out, I always go to the park. It’s the best place to go and think other than in the shower. I got up, taking a glimpse through the window beside my bed. Lexi was dancing with Kayla, twirling her around while they’re laughing freely. I smiled to myself, feeling happy for the lovebirds.

I grabbed the hoodie that Lucy gave me when we were in the theater. A hint of coconut was still lingering, and it reminded me of her even more. And because of that, my guilt was even stronger than it used to be. I made my way down and outside of the house, closing the door slowly and silently, hoping it won’t wake my parents up.

It was a cold windy night, leaves falling from the trees as I walked quietly. The wind was messing my hair, so I placed the hood on my head to avoid it getting more messed up. The park wasn’t that far, and it’s in the middle of my house and Lucy’s.

The place was always packed in the morning, and empty at night. There’s this big lake, and in the middle of it was a wide bridge; street lamps were in both corners of the bridge, and there was a bench placed under a big oak tree. This was where I would always sit and spend my time to think. There’s no crime rate here at our place, so it’s safe to wander around at night.

Crossing over the bridge, a woman was sitting on the bench, her face was covered by her hands. I was shocked because this was the first time I found someone here at this hour. She removed her hands, figuring she heard my footsteps and looked up at me, eyes wide.

“Amber.” She gaped.

“Lucy,”

“What are you doing here?” We both asked at the same time. I chuckled awkwardly as she motioned me to answer first.

“I uh… I couldn’t sleep. You?”

“Same.”

“Wanna make room for me?” I pointed at the small space on the bench.

She scooted over and patted the space beside her, waiting for me to sit down. As I sat down, silence fell over us. The wind howled and brushed against our skins, strands of hair blocked my face and I tucked it behind my ears.

The awkward tension grew, and Lucy can’t stand it. She turned her face and body to me, finally spoke, “You’re thinking about something, aren’t you?”

I nodded. “I was thinking about you,”

She raised an eyebrow, smirking a bit. “Are you now?” Her expression turned lighter than before. It’s like all her worries disappeared.

“Not like… That kind of way that you’re thinking, b-but like thinking about you in a like a uh… Friendly way, do you know what I mean?” I stammered.

She laughed, dimples showing on her features. “I was just teasing you,” I rolled my eyes while she pinched my cheek. “I was thinking about you too,” she added.

“I know.”

“Cocky, aren’t we?” She teased.

“Shush!” My cheeks and ears heated up in embarrassment.

She grinned, nudging my shoulder with hers. “But I was thinking about what I did wrong that made you look at me like that awhile ago. It was stuck on my mind. And if there’s something I’ve said or done…” She stopped and stared at me before continuing, “I’m sorry, Amber.”

I bit my lips, feeling so awful. I’m an awful person. “Look, Luce… You don’t have to be sorry… In fact, I should be the one to apologize.” I winced as she looked to me with her knitted eyebrows.

“Go on.”

I took a deep breath. “While I was in the bathroom, I heard two girls talking about you and they said that you’re just hanging out with us cause you wanna get me. And I don’t know why but it made me pissed. Which it shouldn’t have, cause I didn’t even know if it’s true or not- which it’s not, right? I should’ve known better and ignored what I heard, because we’ve been hanging out and I should’ve known you better by now, but I was so stupid for believing that rumor. I feel bad cause I judged you and I’m not someone who usually judges. I feel so guilty and embarrassed, and now you’re here saying sorry even if you didn’t do anything and that makes me a bad person and I’m so sorry Lucy. I should-” My rambling was cut off with her finger on my lips. Eyes glistening under the moonlight with a faint smile on her face.

With that beautiful view, I forgot what I was going to say. I was lost in her eyes that’s like the color of the sky in a beautiful morning. Even when it’s dark, you could see how light her eyes were.

“What you heard was right,” She spoke. I furrowed my eyebrows. “Olivia and I were talking about you… But I was telling her how much I enjoy hanging out with you,”

“I’m sorry if I believed the rumor more than I believed you,” I scratched the back of my neck, looking at the ground in shame.

“It’s okay Amber, I understand,” She pulled my chin up and caressed my cheek.

“You should be mad at me,”

She shrugged. “It’s like this. Imagine if cactus is your favorite plant. It can hurt you with its thorns, but since you like it, it’s okay. You’ll let it pass,”

“What do you mean?” I shot her a questioning look.

She flashed a smile. “Nothing, I don’t need to get mad,”

“How can I repay you?”

“No need. At least I know that you’re sorry. That’s all I need. And your presence makes up for it,”

“Alright… Then this will be the end of us thinking about each other,” I grinned.

“Oh, this will be the end for you. I’ll continue thinking about you,” She winked.

I noticed that it’s getting late and we still have school tomorrow. I got up, reaching my hand out to her. “Come on, let me walk you home so I can owe it up to you,”

“But it’s late,”

“I insist.”

“Fine. When you walk home, call me if something happens, okay?”

“Yes, ma’am,” She accepted my hand and I pulled her up. Her hand gave warmth to mine, so I didn’t bother to let go.

This night didn’t turn out the way I thought it was going to be. Holding each other’s hands as we walked silently under the bright stars. We made small talks throughout our stroll, I asked about her day and their practice. But we enjoyed it more when we were just listening to what surrounded us. I guess we liked the lack of talking and just enjoyed the moment. This time, I enjoyed her presence too.

We stopped in front of her porch once we got to her house. It kinda made me frown when her hand wasn’t holding mine anymore. And because of the lack of warmth, I put my hands in the pocket of the hoodie.

“I should give this hoodie back to you,” I was about to remove it, but she stopped me.

“You can keep it for a while. It’s cold out here and I don’t want you to freeze to death,”

“Thank you, Lucy.” I said with gratitude. And so, I hugged her to let her know how much I appreciate her.

She was frozen for a second, but then she hugged me back. “Thank you too, Amber.”

I pulled away with a smile on my face. My face matched hers and I was just happy that we’re back to normal again. I carried on, but before I could go any further, she spoke.

“Are you forgetting something?”

I shook my head, knowing what she’s talking about. I turned around and said, “Give it to me.”

“On second thought, come here,” I pouted but did what she said. “You want to repay me, right?”

“Yeah…”

She tapped her cheek, definitely asking for a kiss. I rolled my eyes at her clinginess. “Or do you want me to be the one to give you a kiss?”

“Seriously?” She gave me a grin. I looked at her for second, before giving in. “Fine,”

She was surprised by my reply, but more specifically, she was happy that I agreed. She planted a chaste kiss on my cheek, leaving a tingling sensation.

“Satisfied?”

“Very.”

“Have a goodnight, Lucy,” I said, gulping. That simple kiss made my heart beat fast.

“You too, honey bee.”

I continued walking away from her and her house, then I turned on my back, walking backwards. “Thank god, I don’t have to crush your flying kiss today,” I joked.

“One day you’ll catch one of my flying kisses and that means you like me!”

“In your dreams, Luce!”

“Oh, it’s been in my dreams, Amber.”

I laughed. “Goodnight!”