chapter 16

I was trying to evaluate why I felt so furious when Alex called her bitch, and when George looked at her with dirty gazes, my heart was aching. Something was wrong with me but I ignored that feeling and entered the restaurant.She was writing an order on the notepad, her wavy hair was tied up into a messy bun, some little strands of her hair were touching her cheekbones, and I could clearly read the annoyance on her face.If there would be another girl, she would be happy with the cute baby hair that makes her look cute but you can't expect the same from Lia, I've already been defeated that she was different."Someone is liking my old place so much, I'm bemused if the food has become more delicious or any girl has become more interesting.I've never seen you following any girl but…," Mrs. Fennimore gave me the look of an investigator.Here, the battle between my mind and my heart was not finished yet, and Mrs. Fenninmore was giving me more burden to carry on my mind. "You are right, Mrs. Fennimore, your chef makes really so yummy dishes that I just can't resist myself coming here, I hope you won't mind seeing my ugly face more than thrice in a week, will you?" I exhaled after completing all the best excuses I could make up.Mrs. Fennimore grinned like a wise lady, no doubt she was a wise lady. Running the old restaurant solitary was not a cup of tea although the restaurant was always overflowing with customers."You are such a sweet talker, boy! You like to hear your praise, right? Ugly and you?" She chuckled, "welcome, Mr. Casano! This place is always open for you.""Thank you, Mrs. Fennimore! I'm just an eighteen years old boy, please, don't call me Mr. Casano! Call me Jason or Jay, after all, you are friends with my family," I pressed my lips inwards just to act up as a cute little angry boy, never mind! I was so damn cute that my mirror had a crush on my cuteness."I'm not friends with your family, boy, I'm just friends with your mom. Your dad and I have never met each other, your mom and I were best friends since childhood. She still comes here sometimes," she started the talks of Mrs. Casano, and I just rolled my eyes and whispered, "can you accompany me in having lunch? I'm starving, Mrs. Fennimore," I growled."I've already eaten my lunch, Mr.," she stopped, "Jay, you please eat first," she walked me to the table and called a waitress.Before the other waitress could come to take my order, Lia came forth, "sorry, Emily but he is my guest, I invited him to discuss our assignment. Well, you can take the order of both of us since I also haven't taken lunch today," she pulled the chair with a swift move and placed herself.Mrs. Fennimore was standing beside me like a statue, she looked at me and left with a chuckle on her lips."One chicken noodle soup, shrimp tacos, and sweet potato fries for me, what would you like to eat Mr. Casano?" She looked at me after giving her order to Emily.I was not good at ordering food, I always ordered either pizza or burger nonetheless for a change, I wanted to try something new, "same as her," I told Emily who was gawking at me.Immediately diverting my eyes from Emily, I took the bottle of water and started nipping it down through my throat expeditiously.Lia snatched the bottle from my hand, no wonder my shirt got wet by her sudden bossy act, "you never should drink water before eating something, it's not good to digest your food, haven't you learned about our digestive system in seventh grade?" She scowled as a teacher."You sound like a teacher, and you should be sorry for this," I pointed my finger towards my wet shirt and expected an apology."Are you stupid or what? Do you even know what happens when your food isn't digested properly? How many diseases will you get?Your handsome face will be full of pimples, and I bet you won't like your face anymore," she smirked."Thank you!" I pouted and waited for her question."If you would have studied properly in seventh grade, you wouldn't need to say thanks to me.""Wait, let me clear this! You said that my handsome face will be full of pimples that means you consider that I'm handsome, right?"She giggled, "haha! You're not welcome! Someone has told you before that your mind has left your body, huh?" She was smart and wise, she got it without any explanation."Not before yet just now, have you accepted my apology, Lia?" I crossed my finger and closed my eyes as she was about to declare my result."On one condition only," she crossed her arms.I opened my one eye, "what is that condition?" My head was tilted up in anxiety."You are my senior, I'm your junior. We received the assignment to collaborate with our seniors on a nature project, I didn't know that you were my senior unless I saw you in the class. So, I thought if we would work on the project, I'll consider your apology," she shrugged her shoulders."Oh, just because I'm the topper of the class, you want to collaborate with me, right?"Â"What? You and topper? I don't believe and let me tell you I don't need any topper senior, it's just because the professor has declared that we have to work with our seniors but I think, I need someone…" before she could complete, I got it and interrupted her, "no, I'll be your partner."Â"Project partner," she clarified, and I nodded.The literature professor gave us the same assignment, too. Our group was also wondering about the partners, they were about to select a girl from junior class but I denied because I didn't want to hang out with a girl.We decided that we would approach some junior boys nonetheless, Alex and George were upset because they got a chance to flirt with girls. I was in a dilemma then, how would I explain all the things to them?I refused at first, and I still chose to work with a girl, the same girl who already made them doubt that I was falling for her.Jesus, give me the strength to handle all this.First, I really want her to accept my apology, and second, I don't want her to work with someone else hence why I hastily told her that I'll be her partner.Emily brought lunch, and we started eating."Congratulations on your first date, Lia! Your boyfriend is so handsome but don't worry, I'll see him as a brother-in-law," she murmured in her ears but it was loud enough for me to hear.Hey, readers! How are you doing? I hope you all are fine in this pandemic, please, take care of yourself and your loved ones, stay safe!And if you are liking this book, please, drop some lovely reviews which definitely make my day. I would love to read your thoughts about the characters, and please vote.Keep reading, keep encouraging me, so that I can give you more updates. *( I'm already giving you at least one chapter in a day.😅)*Your love & support is what I want. Thank you! Lots of love,Jasmine♥