Chapter 15

I'm really really sorry for the EXTREMELY long wait. I haven't been really motivated to write for these past few months, due to me moving to another province for school, getting used to being alone, personal stuff, etc. But I'm back to writing now! Yay! Sorry if my writing seems different or rushed, I want to finish this story because I want to start a new one! Sorry if it gets boring and bland D:
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After moments of pacing around campus, I finally decided to go home. I was going try to take the advice the girl in my lecture gave the whole class. On the way home, I kept taking my phone out of my pocket and reading Johnny’s text over and over again. I felt a little bad, because he was probably still at school waiting for my answer.

Sighing, I got off my stop, walked to the door of my house, and gasped. It was Johnny.

“Lina, why didn’t you reply to my text? Is everything ok?” Johnny walked up to me and hugged me. His sweetness made me want to cry. “Yeah, everything’s fine, I guess I never got your text. Sorry”, I tried to keep a straight face even though I was lying to him. “It’s no problem, I was going to ask you if you wanted to go eat something after school”, he pulled away slightly and looked at me with a hopeful face. I hesitated for a moment. How should I reply? I did want to go… but I also wanted to test out my new experiment. “Um, I’m sorry I can’t. I have a lot of homework to do!” I tried to look apologetic. “Aw…” Johnny looked disappointed and I instantly felt bad. “Anyway, I’ll um, talk to you later?” I said awkwardly as I walked up to my door. “Yeah! Good luck on your homework” Johnny smiled, but I could tell it wasn’t genuine. “Thanks, bye”, I moved up the steps. Johnny didn’t move and I lingered a bit. He was looking and me hopefully and I knew he wanted a goodbye hug. Fight it Lina, fight! “See you tomorrow”, I stammered and ran into my house.

I didn’t stop running until I got to my room. Dropping face first into my bed, I thought about what I just did. I didn’t do anything wrong right? This is how it has to be if he wants to prove his love for me. I’ll just have to swallow any regrets and play along. I can do it! Smiling at myself, I got to work and thought about other ways I could get Johnny to show his devotion.

Throughout the week, I continued to decline any invitations from Johnny, making up new excuses everytime. I was really getting good at this! Our one month was coming up and I knew I had to accept whatever date he’d set up for us. I was thinking about how to reply to him when he’d ask one day in Chem tutorial when he suddenly shot the question at me. “So Lina, you know what’s coming up right?” he smiled his sweet smile and I instantly melted. No, Lina. You have to stay strong! “Uh, our second Chem midterm?” I asked, dumbly. “No silly! Our one month! So where do you want to go? I’ve already kind of set up everything, but if you have a specific place you want to go, I can change it!” Johnny reached around me and hugged me. “Um, I don’t really… care. You can pick,” I said, trying to sound like I really didn’t. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Scott staring at us with what I thought was jealousy. I stifled a laughter. “Oh, um, are you sure?” Johnny replied with a disappointed tone. “Yeah, sure whatever!” I said. “Ok then,” he sounded hurt. “I’ll pick you up at seven on Friday then?” I was about to reply, but our TA came in and I was spared answering. I gave him a quick nod and pretended to be attentively listening. I have to do something big! Something that could really prove his love once and for all… but what? Well I don’t have to decide now, I still have a few days!

Chapter 14

Authour's Note: Sorry for the delay! Writer's block hehe xD

“Alright, listen up everyone! We will be discussing a very interesting topic today”, my Psychology prof said, a few days after our first date. I could barely hear him because I was daydreaming about Johnny. Our 1 month anniversary was in 2 and a half weeks, and I was wondering what he would get me – if he would even remember! I sighed in happiness as I replayed our first date in my head.

After the movie was over, Johnny went to get dessert for us and came back with ice cream sundaes and a single rose. I asked him what the rose was for, after staring at it for what seemed like hours. “I’ve decided to give you a single rose every time we go on a date. Think of it as something that represents a day of happiness with each other”, Johnny said, handing the rose to me. I took it and could feel tears welling up in my eyes. “Johnny, this is so sweet of you. I…I don’t know what to say. Thank you”, I hugged him tightly. Johnny hugged me back gently and whispered in my ear, “I hope I’ll have enough money left after I give you your 1 millionth rose”…

I’d put the rose in a huge vase in my room. I was planning to make dry flowers once the vase got too full. Then I would press them into a book and create an album of all the dates we were going to go on. “Today’s lecture will be on love”, my prof said. My head snapped up and the whole room became quiet. “Haha! I knew that would make you guys quiet down. So yes, today’s topic will be on love, how one falls in love, and on infatuation.” Immediately, I grabbed my pens and opened my notebook, ready to take lots of notes.

After an hour and 15 minutes of lecture, my notebook was filled with interesting things and I was still adding extra points here and there. “So before class dismisses, does anyone have any comments or questions about the topic we’ve just covered?” my prof asked. “I do!” a girl raised her hand. “Yes?” my prof nodded at her, giving her the signal to talk. She stood up. “Ok so, this is for all the girls here to know. So like, I have a boyfriend and when we were first dating, I wasn’t really convinced how committed to me he was. Like he was really sweet and all, but I had to be convinced, you know? So like, about a month after we’ve been going out, I started giving him the cold shoulder, to see how much he wanted to ‘make up’ to me and to see if he cared at all. I broke up with him several times and he always begged me to give him another chance. Well, after about half a year of doing this, I finally stopped because I was more than convinced that we would end up together forever. So girls! I suggest you do this as well if you have a boyfriend, if you want to know if he’s the one for you!” Murmurs were heard right after she sat down and some guys boo-ed her. My prof cleared his throat. “Well, um, that’s a very unusual way to mess around with a guy’s feelings. But I think you should just be yourself when you’re with him, and if he doesn’t like you for who you are, then he’s not the one for you, not only that, but giving guys the cold shoulder also drives them insane”, my prof muttered the last part to himself, but it could be heard because he was using a microphone to talk. “So, *clears throat* that concludes today’s lecture. Have a nice day everyone!”

I walked out of lecture with my mind in deep thoughts about what the girl said. My phone suddenly vibrated and I took it out of my pocket.

Hey, Lina! Are you free after school today? Wanna go get something to eat? Please say yes! – Johnny.

Hitting the reply button, I wrote,

Sure Johnny! I missed you like crazy! See you soon ^^ ~Lina.

My finger moved to the “Send” button and I was about to press it when I stopped. I thought back to what the girl said and looked at the message I just texted. Hmmmm…

Chapter 13

Authour's Note: Sorry for the wait, I've been at camp and other stuff happened that kept me from writing...sorry if this chapter's boring and short and not as well-written.

I couldn’t help smiling for the rest of the day. What were the chances that Johnny would like be back? Heading to Chem tutorial with him the next day, he gently took my hand and turned to smile at me. I blushed and smiled back, I had never held a boy’s hand before and my hand felt tingly and warm in his. “So…I wonder how Scott is gonna take this”, Johnny laughed as we were walking down the hall. “What do you mean?” I asked, confused. “You don’t see how he acts around you?” Johnny asked, still laughing. “Uh, no? What are you talking about?” I frowned. “Nothing, nothing, I can’t wait to see his face”, Johnny cackled evilly. Uh, ok?

Stepping into the room and taking our seats, Johnny was still laughing and I glared at him. “What?” he asked, innocently. “You’re not gonna tell me why you’re laughing, are you?” I asked. “Na, you’ll know sooner or later”, Johnny wiped tears of laughter from his face. Scott came into the room momentarily to and his face brightened when he saw us. Ok, when he saw me. “Hey Lina! How was your week?” he asked facing me. “It was awesome! How was yours?” I asked. “It was normal”, Scott answered. “But I think it’d be way better if I asked you to go dinner with me on Saturday night, you know, as a hanging out thing.” What did he say!? That’s a weird way of asking someone to dinner… I was about to open my mouth to answer when Johnny said, “Actually, she’s going to be watching a movie with me Saturday night, sorry.” Scott and I stared at him. Ok, he did NOT tell me about that. What’s he trying to do? “Oh, um, ok then, next time Lina?” he asked me, shooting a cold glare at Johnny who was trying not to laugh. “Uh, yeah sure!” I stammered. Awkwardness filled the air during the whole class. When tutorial was over, we stood up and got ready to leave and Johnny took my hand again. Scott was packing up and looked up at me to say bye when he noticed our hands, looked at Johnny, then at me, and walked quickly out of the room without a word.

“Uh what was THAT?” I demanded to Johnny when we walked out of class. “You know he has a thing for you right?” Johnny asked, taking my hand. “What? He does not!” I exclaimed. “He does! It’s like, written all over his face”, Johnny smirked. “Ok, well, what’s this about a movie on Saturday?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Oh yeah, about that, it’s gonna be our first date and I wanted it to be a typical first date event sorta thing. Is a movie ok?” he asked, smiling. “Um, it’s fine, what do you want to watch?” I asked. “Guys never choose you know,” Johnny chuckled. “Oh um, how about Dear John?” I suggested. “What’s with girls and chick flicks!” Johnny groaned. “Well, you told me to choose!” I smacked him. “Ok ok, if it’s for you, I’ll watch as many chick flicks as you want,” Johnny surrendered, pulling me close. “Alright then! You said it!” I smiled as I hugged him.

Chapter 12

30 minutes later, I was in Psychology class, tears silently pouring down my face. My thoughts went back to half an hour earlier, to that scene at the end of Chem lecture…

“We can’t be friends anymore”, his voice echoed in my head. The second he said that, I couldn’t breathe. It was like he’d taken my heart right out of my chest and flung it across the lecture hall. I just stared at him with watery eyes for a long time. I then realized he had opened his mouth again, possibly to explain why, but before he could utter a single word, I turned my back on him and ran up the stairs, my tears flowing freely. I ran to my Psychology class, not caring who saw me and collapsed in a seat.

I couldn’t pay attention during the whole class. Maybe I should’ve waited for his answer before I ran off… maybe I should’ve heard his reason first. How can I ever face him again, after all this? Taking out my phone, I told Ginny what happened through a long text. She replied back a few minutes later.

Lina…I’m so sorry to hear that happened. Why would he say that? Sweetie, I’ll wait outside your class ok? And pay attention! Your marks must not suffer because of him! I know it’s hard to accept all this… maybe he didn’t mean it that way? Don’t lose hope Lina! Love you! See you soon~

My heart felt warmed up a bit after reading her reply. Ginny was such a great friend. I wiped my eyes and sat up straight. I was going to forget about Johnny and everything that had happened between us.

After Psychology class, my eyes were puffy and red from all that crying. A strange emptiness filled my heart. Walking out of the lecture hall with a dazed look, I spotted Ginny right away. “Lina!” Ginny called, moving towards me. The moment she was right in front of me, I hugged her and cried new tears. “It’s ok Lina, it’s ok…everything’s gonna be ok”, Ginny patted my back. “Ginny, I don’t know what to do”, I cried. Ginny was about to say something when I looked up and gasped.

Stepping away from our hug, I fixed my eyes on a figure a few meters away from me. Johnny. What was he doing here? Doesn’t he have class? I was so surprised, I didn’t know what to do. Glancing at Ginny, she seemed to know who this guy was, even though she’d never met him before. I turned my gaze back to Johnny, who was staring at me. We had a stare down for a few minutes. Then suddenly, (I’m not sure who acted first) Johnny said “Lina…” and at the same instant, I ran towards him as fast as I could. Throwing my arms around him, he caught me and held me close. I don’t know what made me do it, I just wanted to be in his arms again, to feel cared for, to be protected, to feel loved…

After hugging each other for a moment, I met Ginny’s gaze and saw her beaming. She made a texting action and hurried off to her other class. Giggling, I turned to look at Johnny who was smiling at me. “So are you going to wait for me to explain now?” Johnny chuckled. “Yes, please do”, I replied. Letting me go for a bit, he held both my hands and said, “Lina, we can’t be friends anymore because I want to be more than friends. Lina, ever since you dropped that pen during the first day of class, I’ve never stopped thinking about you. I’m sorry I was so rude and mean to you during our first lab, I was in denial. Seeing you cry when you saw your midterm mark broke my heart and made me realize t hat I had feelings for you. I never want you to be sad again. And I hope you feel the same way? I’m so sorry for making you cry earlier in Chem, please forgive me?” I blushed, my heart glowing with happiniess. “Yes, I forgive you Johnny”, I replied, smiling like crazy. “Ok, then, there’s one more thing I would like to say”, he said, avoiding my gaze for some reason. “Hm?” I said. Looking up at me with something I couldn’t understand twinkling in his eye, he said, “Lina, will you be my girlfriend? I know we haven’t known each other for that long but I feel like I should ask this. You know, it’s a really hard question to ask, it seems so easy to ask someone that in movies, dramas, and other stuff but –“ I cut off his rambles. “Yes, I will Johnny”, I laughed. “Oh, what? You will?” he looked like he couldn’t believe his ears. “Yes I will Johnny!” smacking him on the head.

Pulling me close for another hug, I laid my head on his shoulder and sighed in happiness. Johnny felt the same way about me, Johnny is mine! I was the luckiest girl in the whole wide world.

Authour's Note: This isn't the end of the story.... >=)

Chapter 12 Prologue: Lina's Thoughts

Love. What a funny word. What is love anyways? Why do I feel so confused? I don’t know what I’m supposed to do, I don’t know where I’m supposed to go. It took me so long to realize that I really really liked you as more than a friend. And today, I found out that I’ve liked you all along. Not a minute passes without a thought of you. I’ve tried so hard to get you out of my head, but it’s just so impossible. I’ve tried hard not to fall for you every time we talk, but I end up liking you even more. Being able to see you for only a few seconds already makes my day, and it’s also enough to turn my whole day around when I’m sad. What’s wrong with me? The way you smile, the way you look at me… I just can’t stop thinking about you. I’ve wanted to tell you that I like you for so long… but I just can’t bring myself to. I’m scared it’ll ruin our friendship. I’m so sure you don’t like me the way I like you, and I’m not asking you to. You’ll just always be one of those people I will never have. I just want to know, if you’ve ever considered liking me as more than a friend, or if even a single thought of me ever crossed your mind. Just knowing that you’ve thought of me at least once is good enough. Then maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to let you go sooner…