Chapter 22: Chapter 22

At house,

While i was eating my food at the dining room table,

Dad asked me, "Did you pack your bag with everything you needed?"

I said, "Yes sir. I packed it as soon as I got up."

I looked up and answered him with my mouth full of food.

"What time did you wake up then?" he asked again.

It took me a second to remember why dad would have this question. It's probably because he thinks that I don't like to leave home for school. "Seven o'clock,"

"Please, take caution with every step you take."

"Yes, dad."

"If you're uncomfortable in college, don't be afraid to call me."

"Yes, dad."

"And…"

Mom intervened and said to him, "Let her eat right away. Later, you can speak with her."

Dad nodded his head and continued eating the food on his plate.

He whispered to me, "You'd better not forget anything."

Mom, "You appear gorgeous today. Did something good happen?"

"Nah, just a movie I watched last night."

"Guess you liked it very much since you're grinning all day."

I carried on eating while reflecting on Andrew's kiss. I'm not sure if he can recall it. Even though it was business-related, he still gave me a kiss, helped me recognise my emotions, and gave me hope that I would have a shot too. I ought to discuss this with him later. I'm going to confess my feelings for him today. I've been spending every night with him lately, so even if he rejects me, I'm okay with it too since I have a lot of memories with him. Except for him recognizing my love for him, every desire of mine has come true. I'm not sure how he'll react, but I have no doubt that he won't harm me. I guess.

After today, our relationship will finally have a label.

I can't believe I only needed one kiss to fall in love with him. Physical contact really does bring out the emotions we store inside and bury. And it's not just physical affection either, there is also a deeper emotional connection as well. My feelings were revealed and my love for him was realised after that kiss.

The thought of being able to kiss and be kissed like that has never left my mind ever since it happened. It has made me forget about everything I've learned from studying literature, music, dance etc.

I can't believe Ash's predictions turned out to be accurate. I did end up falling in love with Andrew in the end.

"Wait, I'll drop you at the college" Dad remarked as he was leaving the house.

"Dad, I can go by myself."

"I'll drop you off at college, not. Being in this circumstance makes it unsafe to ride the bus."

"Okay."

I said farewell to mum and followed dad out of the home.

I turned on some music for dad to listen to while he was driving.

"It's been weeks since I last heard you play the guitar," he remarked.

"Yes, I could have kept playing if I were ambidextrous, but I'm not, therefore I couldn't."

"Do not attempt to appear to be doing well. Aren't you sick of acting as though everything is fine?"

"I guess I adjusted, dad,"

"What?"

"We reached the university. Goodbye, dad."

"Okay, I'll ask Ash to pick you up because I have stuff to do."

"Yes, dad."

"Good luck with your day, honey." He said, "Be careful too," as I started to leave the car.

When will he stop making me seem bad? He was gone when I turned around. I believe he went. I exhaled a breath of relief and carried on toward my classroom.

"AMELIA!"

Caleb, a senior, called out my name which startled me a bit since it was sudden.

"Hi!"

He gently hugged me and enquired, "How are you?"

"I'm OK. How are you doing? I've heard that you miss having me around. Senior, was it really so?"

He cackled and remarked, "Kinda. But in the music club, I really missed you. How's your hand doing now? It appears that you have a splint? Does that imply that it will recover soon?"

"Yes, it is recovering fairly well."

"Are you on your way to class right now?"

I replied "Yes" while nodding.

"I'll be there with you then."

"It's been days since we've walked together like this," I said as we were en route to the class.

"Yes, you are correct. How did you stay at home for months? Didn't you feel bored? If it was me, I would be."

"Nope. Dad had a television installed in my room, so I could watch movies all day and night. In less than two weeks, my brother took me frequently to watch his games, so I didn't spend all my time at home."

"Your brother looks out for you very well. It's a blessing that you have a brother like him."

"Just take him home if you like him that much. Do you realise how worn out I am after every game when I go home? Being an introvert person, I have little interest in playing and watching outdoor games. Even though I wanted to enjoy the game like everyone else, I was unable to do so because of the loud cheers coming from all around my side. All I did was eat because I couldn't sleep. I believe that's why I put on weight…"

While I was speaking to him, he laughed.

Hannah, "Amelia! What time did you arrive?"

"It has probably been fifteen minutes. It was, senior?"

"Seven minutes," he stated after taking a glance at his phone.

I answered, turning to face Hannah, "Has the teacher shown up?

"Not yet, no. Let's leave."

She walked while holding my hand.

I turned to the senior and bid him farewell while waving.

"How's your hand," Hannah asked me while we're on the way to our classroom.

"Yeah, things are OK now."

"I was surprised when you called and said you were coming to college today. Is your hand getting better? I know from your mother that you will be attending college next month."

I gave her a nod.

We attended the lecture. Everyone was interested in my hand injury and wanted to know how it occurred. I was exhausted after telling them what had happened to them again.

I settled in. Jack questioned me, "You made a wise decision by going alone and not waiting for the rescue personnel. You resembled a superhuman."

"Yeah."

"But in the end, you were hurt." He made fun of me.

I disregarded him.

Hannah, "Why are you inspecting the classroom as if it were your first day?"

"Because to me it feels like a new day. Weeks have passed since I last attended the class at the college."

She grinned before going to check her phone.

"Hannah, where were you when the celebration was still going on? I was trying to get away and I was looking for you but I couldn't find you."

"I was also inside the house."

"Oh, I missed you, I'm sorry."

"Since there were numerous people present. It's difficult to locate one another. I looked for you too, but I couldn't find you. It's fine."

I smiled and replied, "Yeah."

Peter and Harry took the seats next to me in the cafeteria as I waited for Hannah, who had gone to get supper for us both.

Hannah caught my attention as she waited in line to purchase lunch. I didn't say anything and waited for Hannah.

Peter, "We came here to apologise to you"

Harry, "Yes, we recognise our mistake and apologise."

"It's alright,"

"Don't you hate us? Do you not want to chastise us?"

Without saying another word to them, I simply shook my head.

"Why don't you speak?"

"What?"

"While tossing your head in search of solutions, you remain mute. Does that imply you are angry with us?"

I sighed and replied, "No, I'm not." I questioned, "W-Why are you apologising to me all of a sudden by the way?" after staring at them for a long time.

"Andrew told us that you are a friend of his, and he requested us to apologise to you for treating you badly."

I was surprised by that.

"Andrew asked you to do that?"

When both of them nodded, Peter stated, "We apologise for acting that way. You are also a buddy to us."

I gave them a smile and answered, "Okay. Thank you as well. I hope we get along from now on."

They both got up from the table and left.

Since when does Andrew tell people that we are friends? It's sweet. So no more running away, huh? I grinned internally. Okay, I'll stop hiding too. I'll let you know that I also like you.

"What are you smiling at?" Hannah questioned as she touched my shoulder.

"Nothing. Just some ramblings in my head."

"I recognise that face. Something is being kept from me by you. Tell me now. What is it? Your face conveys that it is something..."

I took the beverages away from her and promised to inform her later because I had to go right now.

"Where are you headed?"

"You don't have to be aware of it."

"Will you be seeing that senior of yours?"

"If you want to, keep it that way," I responded with a smile.

In order to locate Andrew, I left the dining hall. Where could he be right now? to his faculty? No, a break is in order. He will miss his class. What if he is present in class? If he wasn't in his class, I'll merely walk to his faculty and then check the music club.

I arrived at Andrew's class and searched the area for him, but I was unable to locate him. What happened to him? I believe he is in the music club for sure.

I made the long trip just for him to the music club. I overheard Andrew and Jacob, a senior, talking to each other. This is him. Like I had guessed it.

I entered the music club to speak with Andrew. A female arrived and clutched his arm and rested her head on his shoulder as I was approaching him. That person. Was she a classmate of his who knew him since I've never seen her at the music club?

The music club's members Serene and Olivia were chatting while focusing on Andrew. Do they have rumours concerning Andrew? I ought to stop them. "What are you two doing here?" I moved over to them and questioned.

Olivia, "With Andrew, we're talking about that girl."

"What are you discussing? Do not spread rumours about them unnecessarily because they are pals."

Olivia asked Serene, "Serene, Don't you recognise her?"

"A friend?"

"Not a friend but his girlfriend."

"What?" I asked them.

"Yeah, we're as shocked as you are. She approached us as I was working with Olivia and inquired about Andrew in the class and whether he was friendly with any of the club's female members. We answered her no and then we questioned who she was to inquire about him. She said that she was his girlfriend and they had been dating since high school. The news is shocking to us because Andrew was never by himself. We questioned if she was telling the truth or if she was joking when she said they had been dating. She said she was on an exchange program for the last three months and returned this weekend."

I couldn't believe what she was saying about Andrew while she was discussing their relationship with that female. How could this be possible? He had no romantic partner to my knowledge. I'm totally confident in this. How and when did this occur?

After observing them near to one another, I left the area and left the music club. Andrew's smile was unlike anything I had ever seen before. He was grinning at the girl as if she meant the world to him. How did I not know that he was actually in a relationship? Does that mean they're in a relationship? Does that mean Andrew likes her back? How about the affection I felt for him? I've had a dumb crush on a man who is already committed to someone. Why did I miss this? If you're dating someone, why the hell did you kiss me in the first place? I flung the drink away out of rage.

Sh*t! Without my knowledge, I tossed it at someone who was passing by.

I ran over to him and questioned, "Are you okay? I'm really sorry. I was unaware that you were approaching."

That guy suddenly reached out and grasped my hand while wiping his face with the other hand.

He is the senior that tormented me in my first year. He tightly grasped my hand when I attempted to yank it away. My other hand was in a splint, so I was unable to effectively use force to flee from him.

He started dragging me somewhere as he glanced to either side.

As I fought to get away, I questioned, "Where are you taking me, exactly? Release my hand, let go of my hand…"

He used his hand to cover my lips and lead me to an empty area.

"What are you doing? Let me go!"

He questioned, "Why did you throw the drink on me?"

"I-I didn't anticipate your arrival."

He questioned while forcefully clutching my cheeks, "Can't you see? Do you not see me? Are you blind? My shirt is ruined because of you!"

"I really didn't see you coming. It was an accident. Let go of me."

"I can't go out like this."

"So?"

"Give me your shirt as a compensation for spilling the drink on me."

"What?"

I pulled him away when he started taking my shirt buttons off, but he was too strong for me.

"Hey! Are you insane? Let go… Why are you treating me like this?"

While he was removing my buttons, I started crying.

When he was finished unbuttoning my shirt, he looked at me and questioned, "Do the girls have a chick physique underneath their garments that makes them appear svelte? You look hot underneath your baggy shirt. Can I touch it?"

I tightly closed my eyes and didn't feel his hands on me when he tried to hold them there. He wasn't there when I opened my eyes to see what was going on. What happened to him?

When I turned to look, I noticed someone severely beating him. I rushed over to them and attempted to break up the fight when I saw the face. Caleb, a senior.

"What are you doing? Quit battling him. What if the teacher sees you?"

I yelled, trying not to panic at the possibility that it was something bad.

Caleb stopped his fist and glanced at me, his eyes wide before he looked back down at him and punched him again. The person started punching him harder than ever, causing Caleb to start getting angry.

Due to the fact that they were both powerful, well-built men, I tried to break up the fight but was unable.

I stood between them as senior Caleb shoved the man to the ground and made an effort to dissuade him from attacking him.

"Stop it, please!"

I shouted, throwing myself into front of the two men. They stopped their struggle, both turning to face me in surprise.

My eyes found him in a panic as his mouth opened but nothing seemed to come out. He stared at me, his lips pressed together and not making any noise whatsoever.

The bullying victim remarked, "You look hot when you step up for me. Bet you look even hotter even without clothing."

When Senior Caleb and him started fighting once more, some guys came for assistance and separated them. That bully walked away after everyone left.

"What happened?" Senior Caleb asked as he began to button up my shirt after observing me undress.

"I unintentionally spilled my drink all on him."

"Did he harass you for spilling a drink on him?"

"No, Things between us haven't been going well since our first year in college. He was once suspended as a result of me. He was reported by one of my seniors for his interactions with me."

"Why didn't you mention this earlier?"

"I…"

"Does your hand hurt?

I gave a headshake.

He wiped my tears away and begged me not to cry, saying, "It hurts seeing you cry."

After spotting Andrew coming from this direction, I told the senior, "I-I have to go." and left that location quickly.

Why am I fleeing from him, I thought to myself as I stopped running in front of my faculty.

I collapsed on the ground and started sobbing. I refrained from crying because I had experienced bullying before. I sobbed instead for Andrew. I was unaware that he was dating. I followed him everywhere without looking. I had a preconceived notion that I knew something about him, but I don't. Why am I such a fool? Why am I a fool? I don't have a clear head when it comes to Andrew, so I just believe what I see. Why am I acting in this manner?

I became aware of my feelings for him after his kiss. I got to meet his girlfriend after not even being in love with him for a day. I tried to keep a distance from you but couldn't do it well. There is a saying that goes, "Don't say hello, if you're not ready for the heartbreak." Why did I sign up for the music group? Why did I pick you to teach me guitar? Why did we gather each evening? What made us talk? Why did we start to get along? Those things shouldn't have happened, but they did because of me. If I hadn't initially joined the music group. Other than having a crush, nothing would have transpired between us. I erred by falling in love with him. Why did I fall for him? No, this is incorrect. He is dating another woman. I shouldn't be in love with another girl's guy. I ought to quit liking him right now and right now. Because I'll no longer deserve you, I have nothing pleasant to say to you right now. I have to do it even if I have no idea how.

I came to terms with my feelings for him last night, and today I'm putting a cork in it. It's not like there are many other options. The only thing worse than having no chance with a boy who has a girlfriend is being admitting that I don't stand a chance. No. It isn't an option. At all. Not one.

I told myself that I was done being scared. No, not scared. Just... I need space from him for now, at least until we can work things out. We have our differences, and I don't think we should get so close just to fall apart again.

That concludes the story of my secret crush. The story that I thought was buried with every ounce of hope I had inside me at the tender age of eighteen. That is until this morning.

My eyes are heavy as they slowly open up to greet the sunset streaming in through the buildings.