Chapter 19: Chapter 19

I couldn't deny that Romeo's words made me feel butterflies in my stomach. The way he stood close to me and whispered the words slowly into my ears made me feel weak in the knees. I loved the way his breath was tickling me.

"I am going to apologize until you accept my apology and me." His words rang in my ears.

Why did he sound so perfect?

Why was he making my heart flutter with his sweet words?

Enough! I needed to get a grip on myself. I was beginning to fall for his words. I was beginning to fall for his charms.

And, that could be dangerous. He would end up breaking my heart again.

I shut my eyes for a few seconds, using that moment to control myself and my subconscious mind.

I gazed at him."Don't bother to escort me. I don't want anyone to disturb my peace of mind," I utter.

"You think, I am going to disturb your peace of mind," Romeo said, picking his words after the other.

He didn't seem like he was hurt by what I said. He only had a blank look on his face.

"Yes," I blurt out. "That is because you will continue to tell me to accept my apology. I need to think. I don't want anyone to bother me,"

My lips trembled. The cold was having a strong effect on me already. Unfortunately for me, I was wearing a soft material. A black tank top and a jean trouser.

His eyelids dropped."I want to escort you since you said I shouldn't give you a ride. I won't bother you. I promise," He vowed.

I started."I - "

"Please," He cut short my words.

I swallowed hard. It was hard for me to ignore his pleas. I couldn't ignore his eyes that were begging me.

Why did he have this effect on me? I didn't know why it was hard for me to say ' no ' to him.

The only time I said 'no' to him was the day we nearly had sex. It took all of me to say it that day.

"Okay," I muttered under my breath.

I wrapped my arms around my body, as the cold breeze kept attacking me.

Romeo's eyes lit up."Wait for a minute. I need to get something in my room," He said.

He didn't wait for me to say something, he dashed into their house.

This was supposed to be an opportunity for me to ditch him. I should be going to my house but I found myself waiting for him. I couldn't move my legs.

I was indeed a finished girl for Romeo Sparks.

"Wear this," Romeo's calm voice jolted me out of my thoughts.

I turned to look at him. He was holding a white hoodie.

He was literally telling me to wear his hoodie. Maybe he sensed that I was suffering from a cold. That was so sweet. So sweet. I almost blushed.

But, I shouldn't fall for his sweet actions. He only wanted me to accept his apology and him.

I shook my head."I don't need your hoodie," I blurted out.

Romeo's mouth curved into a little smile.

I frowned. Why was he smiling? I wondered what was funny.

Romeo moved closer to me and cupped my face with his palms, looking into my eyes."Don't go hard on yourself, Ivy. I know I messed up and I am ready to do anything to get you back. But, you shouldn't make yourself suffer from cold or trek because of me," He rambled.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I mumbled, avoiding his eye contact.

I wished I could stare into his eyes but I was unable to do so. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to control myself. I might fall for his calm composure. I wouldn't be able to get a grip on myself. I might kiss him or something.

I didn't want to look into his eyes or catch a glimpse of his lips.

"You do, Ivy. You know what I'm saying. Let's forget about it. Wear this hoodie and let me give you a ride," He offered.

"No," I said calmly.

My voice failed me. It ought to come out as a snap but I sounded like I was pleading with him.

"I will force you to wear it if you don't want to," His voice echoed in my head.

I gazed at him. His eyes had turned a shade darker. I knew he would wear the hoodie on my body, if I refused again.

"Okay,"

I snatched the hoodie from him and put it on. His hoodie smelt like him. Now, I like wearing his hoodie. But, I wouldn't open my mouth to say that. Never! I would pretend like I hated that I was putting on his hoodie.

Romeo smiled."It looks better on you. You can have it, if you like," He said.

"I don't want to," I blurted out.

He shot me a wink."But, I know you won't return the hoodie,"

I rolled my eyes. It seemed like the cocky Romeo Sparks was back.

My lips curled in fake disgust, as I stared into his forest green eyes which were gleaming brightly."I will return it. I don't even like the hoodie. Not my style plus I don't want anything from you," I snapped.

He put up his hands in defense."Okay. Okay, Ivy. You can return the hoodie. But, I will give you a ride,"

"Whatever! But, don't try to start any conversation," I scoffed.

I didn't bother to refuse a ride from him, knowing that I also didn't want to trek home. The cold would kill me, before I reached my mother's house.

"Okay. I promise." He agreed, nodding his head slowly.

Romeo really kept to his promise. The ride to my house was silent. He didn't start a conversation with me and I was glad.

I needed moments of silence.

I needed to think. About me. About him.

"We are in your house," Romeo's voice jerked me out of my thoughts.

"Okay,"

I was about to jump out of his car when he pulled me back, looking into my eyes.

"What?" I queried.

"I regret hurting you. You are the first girl who made me feel that way,"

"So?"

I shrugged, pretending like his words didn't have an effect on me. Like, I didn't feel like turning pink.

"Nothing," He muttered.

"Good."

I got out of his car. This time around, he didn't stop me and I was glad.

THE NEXT DAY…

"Hey pretty,"

I looked up from the mystery novel I was reading. The corners of my mouth lifted when I saw that it was Xander.

"Hey handsome," I hailed.

"Do you have someone sitting beside you?" Xander asked, smiling from ear to ear.

I glanced at the seat beside me and shook my head.

"No. No one is sitting beside me. Do you want to take the seat?" I asked back.

"Yes. But, I need to get some books from the library," He replied.

"Oh okay. You should be fast then. The calculus teacher may come inside soon," I told him.

"Sure. I'll be back in a jiffy,"

Xander patted me on the shoulder and walked out of the class.

I couldn't stop staring at him. Xander was handsome. Really handsome.

He was nice too, unlike that arrogant jerk.

Romeo was a nice person too. Just that, he was annoying and bad. He was too bad for me. I thought I could handle a bad boy like him and maybe, change him like those bad boy stories. I guess I was deceiving myself.

I was stupid for thinking that I could change Romeo. I should know that no one was capable of turning a bad boy into a normal boy. I was stupid for losing my guard.

A good girl like me should not mingle with a bad boy. It wouldn't end well.

Bad boys should hang out with their kind. Like Samantha.

Samantha was a bad girl but she still got her heart broken by Romeo. Then, what kind of girls should be with bad boys?

"A penny for your thoughts?"

"I don't have a penny," I muttered under my breath, without even knowing the person who asked the question.

"I guess I'll have to top up your account balance,"

"If you like,"

"Spent all night thinking about you,"

This time around, I turned to see the person. My mouth fell open. I had been engaging in a conversation with Romeo without knowing.

"What are you doing here?" I questioned, still shocked.

Romeo lifted his shoulder in a half shrug."AP calculus. I'm here for a class," He answered.

I frowned."What are you doing beside me? Someone else is sitting beside me,"

"I saw no one here," He muttered.

"Xander told me to keep this seat for him," I almost shouted at him.

I hated how I was already frustrated by the little conversation I had with him.

Romeo's eyelids dropped. But, he quickly covered it with a blank look on his face.

"I don't care," He blurted out.

"What is he doing on the seat, Ivy?"

I heard another voice in front of me.

Xander was here. Surely, another drama would begin.

I faced Romeo."Go to another seat, Romeo,"

"I sat here first," Romeo stated.

I swallowed a gulp down my throat."Xander told me about his intention of sitting here first," I retorted.

"I don't want us to cause a drama. Let's settle this. Who do you want to sit beside you, Ivy?" Xander chimed in.

I swallowed a gulp down my throat. This is what I hated and I have been avoiding. I had always avoided having to choose between Romeo and another person. Now, I had to choose between Romeo and Xander.

I stared at Xander, then turned to Romeo.

The moment I stared into his bright green eyes, I recalled all the stupid things he had done to me. He had hurt me badly. Maybe, this was an opportunity for me to hurt him too.

I cleared my throat, staring away from Romeo."I want Xander to sit beside me," I said.