Episode 18

EPISODE EIGHTEEN

The next day, Arden didn’t come to school. I texted her dozen of time but she isn’t replying, I tried calling her but her phone was off, I want to go to her apartment and see if she’s alright but I know I shouldn’t do that anymore. At the classroom, I sat next to Jamie and told her what happened

“So you basically just told Arden that you’ve moved on?” Jamie asked while we wait for our professor to arrive

“No, Not entirely, I told her that I’m still on the process of it but I’ll get there” I replied “I just didn’t get why she reacted the way she did”

“Maybe she doesn’t want you to date Brooke”

“And why wouldn’t she want me to? Brooke’s a very nice girl. I think they’ll get along well once all this shit between Arden and I are over and we’re back to normal”

“Uh-huh, and speaking about Brooke, do you really like her or you’re just using her as rebound?”

“C’mon Jamie, you know I don’t do that and never will I do that” I reacted “I genuinely like-like Brooke”

“But you’re in love with Arden”

I sighed and nodded “but you know, it’s easy to fall in love with Brooke” I said “and I will, just have to give it time”

“Yeah, good luck with that” Jamie said with a doubtful tone “and just so you know, I don’t like Brooke, she’s too easy going”

“You say that about all the girls I’ve liked before”

“Not all of them, just mostly” Jamie grinned

The professor finally arrived and the class started

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After all my classes were over, I quickly called Arden, maybe she’ll answer this time, her phone rang, so I waited for her to answer it but after a while I was about to hang up when she suddenly picked it up

“Hey” Arden greeted

“Hey” I said “Why didn’t you go to school today?“

“I was feeling sick so I decided to stay in and rest”

“Are you okay now?  Do you want to come over?”

“No need, I’m feeling a bit better now, just need to sleep this off” she answered “I better go now bye”

“Arden wai-” But she already hang-up

The following days, Arden’s been distant, I would try to talk to her, She answers but quickly ends the conversation which left me so confused, she wanted us to be friends but she’s avoiding, I wish you’d just tell me what you think, what you feel, so I could know how to act when I’m with you

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On Friday afternoon, I decided to go and visit Brooke at her school, so after my classes, I texted Jamie and said that I’m leaving then I grabbed a taxi and went to Brooke’s school

When I got there, I walked around a bit then I saw Brooke and her dance mates at the field practicing their dance routine, I walked towards them while making sure Brooke doesn’t see me then I stood for a while and watch them finish their dance rehearsal, although I felt happy seeing Brooke having fun and enjoying herself, my head is still thinking about Arden, I can’t get her off of my head!

After the dance rehearsal is finish, Brooke went to her bag and grabbed her water bottle, that’s when I decided to approach her

“Nice moves you got there” I smiled

Brooke turned and when she saw me, her tired expression instantly lit

“Nicky!” Brooke said “what are you doing here?!”

“Just wanted to see you're university”

She smirked, moved closer and intertwined her hands with mine “and that’s the only reason why you decided to come here?”

“Yeah, pretty much” I joked

Brooke playfully raised a brow and lightly slapped my arm, “You’re mean!”

I laughed at loud “I’m kidding!”

She laughed with me as well

And when the laughter died down and only smiles were left

Brooke turned to me “but seriously though, why are you here?”

“I wanted to see you” I answered “it’s been days since we saw each other so I kinda missed talking to you so”

“N’aww, That’s sweet”

She then smiled as if an idea popped into her head and she quickly pulled me

“C’mon!” she said

“Where?”

“Just follow me”

“Wait, wouldn’t you get in trouble if you leave”

“We’re still on a break and I’ll be gone for a few minutes no one will even notice”

“Okay then, let’s go”

She smiled and quickly pulled me to the left side of the field, after running for a bit, we stopped at a green house full of different kinds of plants

“What’s this?” I asked

“My secret hideout” Brooke smiled and pulled me into the green house

Brooke and I started to wander around. As I walked around, I was in awe with the place, it looked so amazing inside, different plants and flowers are seen around, everything is so lush, it makes the whole place relaxing

“Isn’t this place great?!” Brooke said

“Yeah, totally” I answered, still in amazement

Brooke giggled “it’s the calm and light aura that actually makes your mood lighter doesn’t it”

I nodded “I totally get why you made this your secret hideout, it’s a great place to get your thoughts together and just relax” and I continued looking at every plant I passed by

After a while, I didn’t hear Brooke speak, so I turned to her and saw her staring at me with a smile on her face

“What?” I asked “Is there something wrong?”

She shook her head as she approached me, “no” she said “you just look so content, it’s so mesmerizing“

I stared at her and smirked

Brooke held my hand and looked straight into my eyes, she then slowly leaned in

I slowly closed my eyes, I could feel her breath on my lips as she moved closer, but just as I was about to kiss her, images of Arden flooded my mind and I involuntarily backed away

“I’m sorry” Brooke quickly apologized “I didn’t-“

“No, it’s not your fault, it’s just...” I didn’t finish it, what would I even say to her?

“Let’s just forget about it ok?” Brooke showed me a half smile “C’mon, let’s go back to the field before I get my ass kicked”

I giggled a bit and nodded, she held my hand and we went back to the field

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“You better go home” Brooke said “the rehearsal doesn’t end ‘til 8 pm”

“It’s okay” I replied “I’ll wait until you finish”

Brooke smiled and quickly kissed my cheek before running back to her dance mates, I found a nice place to sit and I watched them do their dance rehearsal, all the while, my thought are still about Arden

My mind wants to forget but my heart refuses to, damn it! Why is it so hard for me to move on from you??