It’s only ten in the morning but I’m feeling the heat already. Worse, I’m sweating like a pig and it doesn’t help my situation that an old lady literally crinkled her nose in disgust at me before walking out of the store.936Please respect copyright.PENANATN01BHBji1
936Please respect copyright.PENANA7k5DdT9WPr
“Well, try having to stand in front of the oven retrieving freshly baked pies and we’ll see who-“936Please respect copyright.PENANA7ulITsMAVP
936Please respect copyright.PENANAgUsQee1ZVo
“Are you talking to yourself again, Frances?” someone said next to me.936Please respect copyright.PENANApds8WnNJWi
936Please respect copyright.PENANAPYtEyg80jB
I jumped in surprise and turn to my left only to find my boss, Bass looking at me disapprovingly. I sighed inwardly.936Please respect copyright.PENANAEEaf9IYdq5
936Please respect copyright.PENANAsQkVQfTspT
My employer, Bass Graham doesn’t like it when his employees slack off during their shift or talk to themselves, although I’m not the only one who does this. Jenny, our cake artist do this quite frequently as well. She claims she’s having a pep talk and I totally believe her. Our boss probably doesn’t even like us breathing but oh well, that’s just Bass when he gets grumpy or anxious about something. But he’s also responsible and passionate about what he’s doing and I know this because I’ve been working here the longest, besides Jenny and two other co-workers at Bass Bakes for almost two years. Still, that doesn’t mean I’m not intimidated by him, especially with his burly physique and quick temper.936Please respect copyright.PENANAI8Z8mDUPJ4
936Please respect copyright.PENANA3qSl8CTjqi
I stuttered out, “S-sorry, Mr. Bass.”936Please respect copyright.PENANAt5i9Fb6SAt
936Please respect copyright.PENANAxBo3Tcf2TW
“Sorry doesn’t get you anywhere , Francesca. And why are you standing in front of the oven? No wonder you’re sweating.” he barked before walking off to probably scold some workers in the back.936Please respect copyright.PENANAzeO3pYK2VG
936Please respect copyright.PENANAybaa5Exjzg
What? You literally told me to go retrieve some bloody pies, you oaf! 936Please respect copyright.PENANADbnMRmA0da
936Please respect copyright.PENANA9BX2AQ0uwF
Sighing, I look at my watch and noted that it’s already my break time so I walk out from the store and stand outside, breathing in the fresh air. It’s also slightly windy and cooler and I really don’t want to go back inside anymore.936Please respect copyright.PENANAdV6URjCdha
936Please respect copyright.PENANAht5IG1B96l
Fridays never seem so dull to me right now. Usually the store gets busy with customers and orders but today seem to be an exception. The bakery looks dead and with Mallory and Jake on leave, the other two co-workers who have been working here before I did AND were part of the reason why the bakery gets so busy and going, the boss might as well close it down for today.936Please respect copyright.PENANAjrEVqsyPVV
936Please respect copyright.PENANA9mhyehpFWs
But then again it’s only ten something in the morning.936Please respect copyright.PENANA9v5EEIooFr
936Please respect copyright.PENANAtCCTH2h0CI
The air started to get more cooler and I really appreciate this ‘cause I needed to dry off the sweat. I thought about going home to change but I doubt Mr. Bass would even spare the thought of it. Doesn’t he care about his employees’ well beings?936Please respect copyright.PENANAURAZUDvWME
936Please respect copyright.PENANAzjn74zoM3J
Not only is it very uncomfortable but it’s also unprofessional of us to work in environments like this. Sometimes I wonder why I can’t even utter something to defend myself without quaking in my shoes.936Please respect copyright.PENANAIkLdVH3sSd
936Please respect copyright.PENANAqlRY8T6RE2
Oh yeah, it’s ‘cause the money that he pays, despite the brute he is, is pretty good. And as a broke college student, I really have no choice in this matter. That, and the fact that the cakes and pies are so delicious. For real.936Please respect copyright.PENANABuTzz5ZNYV
936Please respect copyright.PENANASAKP1EUnZX
I was brought out of my trance by the sound of an open, creaking door before my boss yells at me. “Frances, what are you doing out there? Get back in here!”936Please respect copyright.PENANA80c3wZBiOt
936Please respect copyright.PENANAp59HcDocS8
Ugh. “I’m coming.” I muttered reluctantly.
I changed my clothes that evening.936Please respect copyright.PENANAO9975DKFYv
936Please respect copyright.PENANA6DwEAnBZ7a
Thankfully, the boss had to run an errand elsewhere and Jenny brought some extra clothes from our dorm. Did I mention that we’re dorm mates? No? Well, there you have it.936Please respect copyright.PENANAjxnRB1ia6q
936Please respect copyright.PENANAdtiwhMOETu
We tied an apron around our waist and get to work. Since Robbie, our delivery guy is out on an errand, there’s only Jenny and I in the bakery now. While Jenny is working on arranging the pies and cakes neatly in the display, I started on washing whatever’s left in the sink. Since the kitchen and the front that consists of the little oven, a cashier counter top and cake showcase are just beside each other, I could see what Jenny is doing while we converse. An hour after cleaning and tidying up the place, I swept the floors before arranging the tables and chairs properly. Jenny was halfway on telling me about her date with some guy two days ago when we had a customer.936Please respect copyright.PENANAR3M5h9Fudp
936Please respect copyright.PENANAHMvUF0FTdi
A guy with tousled brown hair walk into the bakery wearing a button up flannel and skinny jeans. He looked up from his phone and I caught his gaze. My breath got hitched in my throat because it’s Kyle Samson. My crush.936Please respect copyright.PENANADjuae5hvyL
936Please respect copyright.PENANAhCO2OB4Bjv
Oh boy.936Please respect copyright.PENANAc1iAasUKsm
936Please respect copyright.PENANADp59llgW3V
Kyle was in one of my classes and I had noticed him the moment he decided to grace us with his presence in class. Remember that slow-mo scene that happens whenever you’ve caught someone that interest you and suddenly you felt like melting onto the floor? Yeah, that happened to me. But I did not, however, melted onto the floor. Or fainted at the sight of him. Jenny knows about my crush on him and as I glance to where she stood, I saw that she had a wide grin plastered on her face. I roll my eyes at her (I could feel the heat creeping up my neck already) before looking at the object of my affection.936Please respect copyright.PENANAeWfQyNFMPB
936Please respect copyright.PENANADf0S6Ikx5C
Kyle.936Please respect copyright.PENANAkxuOpmp4Fp
936Please respect copyright.PENANAnW7b8yc46t
With his soft and wavy hair, his beautiful green moss-coloured eyes, dimpled cheeks and crooked teeth. Not only is he one of the talented kids in school and captain of the archery club, but he also had the warmest smile that could melt anyone.936Please respect copyright.PENANAGrwydCuGUP
936Please respect copyright.PENANAL9rs9HZGE9
He smiled at me. “Hey, Francesca.”936Please respect copyright.PENANANs14dfTHJ2
936Please respect copyright.PENANAR6YIKVqsle
I was glued to my spot and in that moment, my mind went into a frenzy.936Please respect copyright.PENANAPkVNmIiua3
936Please respect copyright.PENANA0KImKtvOLV
He knows my name. How does he knows my name? I’m pretty sure I haven’t talk to him before, much less say my name to him. Unless-936Please respect copyright.PENANAe8IMwbUuBW
936Please respect copyright.PENANAAFKeyOjvM3
Three fingers were slowly waving in front of me and I was brought back to the sudden reality. I blinked. “Huh?”936Please respect copyright.PENANADW4A0pyRi0
936Please respect copyright.PENANAOenp1ccaxK
Kyle looked concern. “Are you alright? You kinda spaced out there.”
936Please respect copyright.PENANAihxjzeI2r9
Putting on my best attract-the-customers-smile , I beamed at him. “No, I’m fine.”936Please respect copyright.PENANATm7bCb5aGC
936Please respect copyright.PENANAWdKekEsfYe
He look skeptical but I convinced him. “Really.”936Please respect copyright.PENANAePFh0P1Gg6
936Please respect copyright.PENANAhpfSOZhmeb
With a courage that I could muster (I seriously hope I won’t stutter), I ask, “So what are you doing here, Kyle?”936Please respect copyright.PENANANK380k3K98
936Please respect copyright.PENANAHSHDrqvOfq
I didn’t stutter! I did a mental victory dance at that.936Please respect copyright.PENANADrgOsecZzn
936Please respect copyright.PENANA6s9Un8sQzL
I’m such a loser, I know.936Please respect copyright.PENANAqZ7wfQNOux
936Please respect copyright.PENANAT7x3iKxHT8
He tilt his head confusingly before letting out a chuckle. “I’m here to get some cake?”936Please respect copyright.PENANAeYVB0IJaFb
936Please respect copyright.PENANAD02yb2uMtw
Oh. Of course.936Please respect copyright.PENANAuGvJ0Dm0Ga
936Please respect copyright.PENANAJAgQc2LNRS
“Right, right! Okay um, you can go and choose some on the displays over there or if you want a newly bake one, then Jenny can-“936Please respect copyright.PENANA3v3UEYC1AL
936Please respect copyright.PENANA5ferFzTh9O
I glance to where Jenny was only to find her smirking at me. “Actually, I think I have to go deliver some cake. It’s Robbie. He forgot about the other cake. Again.” She laugh before walking to the kitchen.936Please respect copyright.PENANAup6vObxllB
936Please respect copyright.PENANApfqYt92joW
Kyle just smiled politely and said okay.936Please respect copyright.PENANAfUO3smYuXq
936Please respect copyright.PENANAiAvikV2zGE
“Uh, just a moment please.” I said and excused myself from him before going after her.936Please respect copyright.PENANAk9TIMVPn9i
936Please respect copyright.PENANA6FpcXoaED1
I managed to get to her as soon as she got on her motorcycle and put my hands on the hip, giving her my best glare.936Please respect copyright.PENANAqrBBrtp0FH
936Please respect copyright.PENANAgsIQKmVSqU
She rolled her eyes. “Oh please, you and I both know you can’t look menacing with that glare. Besides, I can see the way you look at him so you should totally thank me for this opportunity.” Jenny flashes me her charming grin. Then she said, “You better get in there quickly before he finds another bakery.” Jenny revved her engine and took off, but not before I heard her say above her laughter, “Not that there’s another bakery in this town anyway!”936Please respect copyright.PENANAASgDJ1PqY4
936Please respect copyright.PENANAY34ykVuVxQ
I shook my head at her as she turn around a corner. Well, that part is true.
He didn’t want any newly baked cake and that’s okay because I can’t bake to save my life-all the best bakers were on leave today. Isn’t that suspicious?936Please respect copyright.PENANAtiZDZJgODR
936Please respect copyright.PENANA4nmDdTICwf
“So for today we have an orange cheesecake, blueberry black forest, red velvet vanilla, ice cream fruitcake, vanilla pudding ice cream cake and coffee cheesecake. Which one do you prefer?”936Please respect copyright.PENANAWDXvLMOKXH
936Please respect copyright.PENANAtrlBtzhEd3
He looked at all the cakes that I mentioned before pointing at the one he wanted. Kyle grins at me. “I love orange cheesecakes.”936Please respect copyright.PENANAc0DNK061MP
936Please respect copyright.PENANATgCQAYTFnt
Those dimples are going to be the death of me. “Yeah, me too.” I smile back.936Please respect copyright.PENANA3mayW0UMnX
936Please respect copyright.PENANAFliSJxqTG7
Putting his hands in his pocket, Kyle smiled that dimpled smile at me. However, he looked nervous and before I know it, I opened my mouth. But as luck have it, he opened his too.936Please respect copyright.PENANAyP6hj9itwI
936Please respect copyright.PENANAEiynP73FIv
“Hey, are you-“936Please respect copyright.PENANAA8TKrVUZ8O
936Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZZ4QVOmjM
“Francesca, are you free tonight?”936Please respect copyright.PENANA9bvER2hXsb
936Please respect copyright.PENANAOpFfinD6YK
Silence.936Please respect copyright.PENANA5uDCR1BJrQ
936Please respect copyright.PENANAEGpOy0SUJF
It took me ten seconds to process that. Did he just asked me what I think he did? Is this it?936Please respect copyright.PENANAZmosNYuqWz
936Please respect copyright.PENANAojnFJivqeN
IS KYLE SAMSON ASKING ME OUT?936Please respect copyright.PENANAJDDhPppPfn
936Please respect copyright.PENANAWj2hSpIxzs
I must have looked alarmed because he’s getting red faced and at the verge of a breakdown. Stuttering out the words hastily, he said to me, “No, i-it’s my birthday today and I’m having a birthday party so what I’m saying is, do you wanna come to my birthday party? I mean please come-WAIT, I MEAN YOU’RE WELCOME TO COME.” He yelled out in frustration. After realizing what he did, he became flustered and look away. “I’m sorry about the outburst.” Kyle apologized sheepishly. I nodded mindlessly as my mind contemplated what just happened.936Please respect copyright.PENANAuS1Spf7VLg
936Please respect copyright.PENANArt2AaTQLWT
Okay, so he’s not asking me out. And that’s okay because he’s invited me to his party and that’s better than anything. As of now.936Please respect copyright.PENANARwuTpeN1sy
936Please respect copyright.PENANAmTyRNzobI4
Kyle was about to say something and because he looked like he felt stupid and almost regretting what he said, which I’m hoping might not be the case, I beat him to it.
936Please respect copyright.PENANAGFnm2tZeQZ
“Yes, I would love to.”936Please respect copyright.PENANApLMSbWLtp3
936Please respect copyright.PENANA2tPs6hOpjI
In that moment, I thought his smile couldn’t get any bigger as he was practically grinning from ear to ear.
After buying the cake, he left and I immediately called Jenny. Turns out, she’s just riding around the block, that little witch. I told her about what happened and we both couldn’t stop grinning as I shrieked in excitement.936Please respect copyright.PENANAd4V18V1ppO
936Please respect copyright.PENANAMvPtchCjQm
“I can’t believe it! I just got asked out.” I said in a daze.936Please respect copyright.PENANAjC2QJWnEm8
936Please respect copyright.PENANA6uk6ogJjt6
Jenny laughed and said in a matter of fact tone. “Technically, he asked you to come to his party.”936Please respect copyright.PENANAw8j2GSu6QP
936Please respect copyright.PENANA32B2cf437L
I laughed and dismissed it with a wave of my hand but the excitement was soon short lived as I realized something important.936Please respect copyright.PENANAp4S1Y9SsyF
936Please respect copyright.PENANAHTPqjiu1Ke
I have a full shift tonight.936Please respect copyright.PENANALh43GFaET1
936Please respect copyright.PENANAZPC23L9ci8
I voiced my concerns to Jenny, panicking. “What do I do now? Here’s a chance where I get to be with the guy that I really like and now…now there’s this.”936Please respect copyright.PENANABq2DSVxHj3
936Please respect copyright.PENANAW1SCKXP9wN
Looking over to her for help, I was quite surprised and annoyed to find her grinning and shaking her head at me like I’m the world’s biggest idiot.936Please respect copyright.PENANAV2kf7BBgTu
936Please respect copyright.PENANA4zMOFxLCPl
“What?” I frowned.936Please respect copyright.PENANAT76KZszPba
936Please respect copyright.PENANAM186zG5SRa
Putting her hands on her waist, she raised an eyebrow at me. “Do you realize that your shift is only until nine? And what time is the party anyway?”936Please respect copyright.PENANAvmraOKOJi4
936Please respect copyright.PENANABWERKeGf4o
Before Kyle left, he told me the time and address to his place. “…Ten o’clock.”936Please respect copyright.PENANAbSVuOS72MG
936Please respect copyright.PENANAtX4Jp35syb
Now that the realization has dawned on me and I have all the reason to feel like a complete dolt.936Please respect copyright.PENANAD6WZ0Zc9gV
I must have looked sheepish because she slapped my shoulder before pointing to a clock.936Please respect copyright.PENANAXndT2huQ62
936Please respect copyright.PENANAwXq9x7sp4I
8:57 P.M.936Please respect copyright.PENANA2yyZ6ipGwH
936Please respect copyright.PENANAIHgPwbn1ii
I nodded vigorously and went back to grab my things when I remembered something.936Please respect copyright.PENANAt5kMKXQ89s
936Please respect copyright.PENANADvzN4VOgmX
“Wait, Jenny. Will you come to the party with me?” I asked with a hopeful expression.936Please respect copyright.PENANAiThNXWqf4n
936Please respect copyright.PENANA8GAm8VtPKQ
“Sorry, but no.” Jenny answered casually.936Please respect copyright.PENANAcs07gn3kZm
936Please respect copyright.PENANANAGvnOztq1
I was about to counter why when she continued. “My date’s coming over later. You know, Robbie.” She grins at that.936Please respect copyright.PENANAnchvXJ6mH6
936Please respect copyright.PENANAoGv8Fcj4yT
I got confused. “Wait, Robbie the delivery guy?”936Please respect copyright.PENANAmkPBBJSnGm
936Please respect copyright.PENANAZpTklc4FhF
She made a face. “No, it’s a different one. The guy whom I had a date with two days ago.”936Please respect copyright.PENANATKQmU1Hvsk
936Please respect copyright.PENANAKifrwjJUGj
“Oh, okay. Well, I hope your date goes well.” I nodded and smiled as I gave her two thumbs up.936Please respect copyright.PENANAdySuIqqtGP
936Please respect copyright.PENANALt6QKiW9Ia
“Thank you for that and for the invite, Frances. Now, get your cute little butt out of here. You’ve got a party to attend-AND please don’t wear that hideous top we bought as a joke to each other to the party!” she slapped my bum as I got ushered out of the bakery.936Please respect copyright.PENANA6wlnSpuFF6
936Please respect copyright.PENANAKOq8hLUrtY
Ah, the green strapless blouse. Of course, I would never have considered it.936Please respect copyright.PENANAFLdv7vBhF2
936Please respect copyright.PENANAc6YWbgdKeI
Really.936Please respect copyright.PENANA717nf1mxov
936Please respect copyright.PENANAIpU7c6wpOC
I stopped in my tracks and gave her a hug. “Thanks Jenny!”936Please respect copyright.PENANAzfm9lZ9scU
936Please respect copyright.PENANAbplQwF8QqY
She laughed. “Not a problem.” And before we parted ways, she added with a grin. “I hope the party goes well too. You know, with him.” She winked.936Please respect copyright.PENANAkVD6RiEkSP
936Please respect copyright.PENANAizIdasQGz0
I rolled my eyes but grinned back. I hope so.936Please respect copyright.PENANAGLokB3HUke
936Please respect copyright.PENANAt9YQKDb0J3
His house is huge.936Please respect copyright.PENANASjeqDTI1Eu
936Please respect copyright.PENANAmIN6ZlY1K4
Not like a mansion or a castle on a hill but huge as in I could hardly tell the difference whether it’s the building itself or the people milling in and out of it. Man, I knew he had so many friends and acquaintances but this is like having a party for celebrities. I thought it was going to be a normal celebration with some friends from high school or things like that but I guess that’s not happening here.936Please respect copyright.PENANAIFuEg708iv
936Please respect copyright.PENANAjWyIgKg8nM
I’m starting to feel insecure now because everyone’s dressed up for the occasion and then there’s me with my tattered jeans and long sleeve striped shirt. Also, I don’t see why I should even feel like this. It’s a birthday party for music sake, not a gala or something! Perhaps I could back now and he won’t even know that I came here….but on second thought, that would be a totally shitty move considering how I said I would come. And I just love the way his smile lights up his face. He would probably be bummed.936Please respect copyright.PENANAzn98QoXr6P
936Please respect copyright.PENANAor8HW8AbRq
Gah, I’m hopeless. 936Please respect copyright.PENANAq0sCD5NyRi
936Please respect copyright.PENANAHf5PHMywMm
I’m totally blaming it on the atmosphere here.936Please respect copyright.PENANA5JjDAKNGCm
936Please respect copyright.PENANAUQomxe0Q8f
I must have stood in front of the house for quite sometime now because a guy looked at me weirdly. “Are you gonna come in or…?”936Please respect copyright.PENANAwWQByNIKSH
936Please respect copyright.PENANAM4eGg15yLZ
I flash him a smile and nodded. “Yup, right about now.”936Please respect copyright.PENANA5lTWHV8Fny
936Please respect copyright.PENANASs7lvLnmZd
It’s just a party with people having fun and my crush is inside there. No big deal, Frances. You’re going to go find him and wish him a happy birthday even though you already did earlier and it’s gonna be fine.936Please respect copyright.PENANA6WGiAehBxE
936Please respect copyright.PENANAZjUMUO1lBl
There’s people everywhere. It’s literally a room full of people grinding on the dancefloor to the upbeat hits. Flashlights beaming everywhere. People making out passionately and impatiently at each and every corner. I started to feel the traitorous blush creeping up my neck so I looked away and pushed my way through the crowd. I spotted a line of table at one corner where there’s cool drinks, snacks, sweets and a huge bowl of fruit punch. Since the music is so loud and my head is starting to throb, I took a cup and poured myself some drink before heaving a sigh.936Please respect copyright.PENANAa2F5UBExAn
936Please respect copyright.PENANAS24Tvp4yzd
“You came.” Came a voice from behind me.936Please respect copyright.PENANAkzA8H2ew5a
936Please respect copyright.PENANAAnPdiqQ1Bx
Startled, I almost drop the cup but managed to get a grip on it before turning around…..936Please respect copyright.PENANAmCbGuCBBD3
936Please respect copyright.PENANAC82VjOk9rX
…and boy am I glad I did because it’s Kyle Samson.936Please respect copyright.PENANATHtlXqLsIz
936Please respect copyright.PENANAZTVLtioyp3
Dressing up real nice with a long navy blue sleeve shirt that’s rolled up to his elbows and new jeans (at least I thought it looked new), I didn’t think he could look any better than he already did, not to mention he also smelled good. Was it something akin to vanilla? 936Please respect copyright.PENANAXfSfr4055S
936Please respect copyright.PENANAI2cNcJSk2m
Kyle also looked relieved as his eyes lights up and his smile widened. Or maybe he’s just happy because well, it is his party after all.936Please respect copyright.PENANAxnxibk59HU
936Please respect copyright.PENANAAhznJ9zPDx
As if I have lost all thoughts as my mind tries to get them to work in order, the first thing I blurted out is, “Happy birthday, Kyle!” with a beaming smile.936Please respect copyright.PENANASRyY0xVhUi
936Please respect copyright.PENANAO4iWSFqByE
Chuckling, he nodded. “Thank you, although you’ve already wished me that earlier, Francesca. You look good, by the way.”
936Please respect copyright.PENANALipyb8LTLj
Feeling a sudden heat of blood rush to my cheeks, I stutter out, “You can c-call me Frances.” I mentally slapped myself and added as an afterthought. “And thank you. You look good yourself.” I smiled.
He lean against the wall with his arms crossed, smiling that gorgeous dimpled smile of his. Kyle was about to say something when his attention shifted to another as someone called out to him.936Please respect copyright.PENANAzqbXDSQ5di
936Please respect copyright.PENANASWZdOiMZSY
“Hey Kyle! Sorry man, but something came up and we need your help.”936Please respect copyright.PENANA7ae2tkS520
936Please respect copyright.PENANAeYxbFKmwCg
He nodded at that person before looking back at me, reluctant as he excused himself from me. “Uh, sorry but I need to go check what’s up. I’ll be right back.” And with one last smile, I watch as he walk towards a group of guys as they discuss something before heading upstairs.936Please respect copyright.PENANA8OEMzcAFh5
936Please respect copyright.PENANAeacBagEx0I
Figuring I should probably busy myself so I won’t look like a friendless person, I tried engaging some people into a conversation but that only lasted for about five minutes before they found some better things to do. So I walk away and into another room to an empty couch. The place is pretty vacant as most of the party going on is in the main living room and the room I’m now in is mostly for people who wanted some privacy with their partners or whatever.936Please respect copyright.PENANAdkeDMKI1n1
936Please respect copyright.PENANA7x5wRNPcdd
Minutes turn to hours (okay, maybe not hours because I’m pretty sure it’s only been twenty minutes but it sure does felt like it) and I couldn’t sit there on the couch watching two people making out enthusiastically so I got up and decided to walk around. There’s at least four rooms, a dining room, a huge kitchen which overlooks the backyard with a swimming pool and a balcony, that I’ve counted.936Please respect copyright.PENANAvMxxkJyJwy
936Please respect copyright.PENANA8AZJAHfyH9
So far I’ve amused myself with people’s antics especially the piss faced ones but all of that has to come to an end anyway as I was forced to realize that Kyle is nowhere to be seen. Maybe he ditched me. Maybe he forgot about me, I don’t know.936Please respect copyright.PENANA2pM6gawSzw
936Please respect copyright.PENANAcbqzsqFqmc
But what I do know is that I’m not going to sit around and wait for him to come back. I mean, yeah the party is great but I’m not and I feel like I do not belong here so what exactly am I waiting for now? With a mission set in mind, I walk towards the stairs that I last saw him at. Standing at the last top of the stairs, I noted that there’s a huge but long hallway that has rooms on almost every sides. The hallway ended with a different and spacious room around the corner. As I walk through it I thought I heard some faint music but the closer I got to the room, the louder the music became. And finally I came across it….936Please respect copyright.PENANAm3I29WEivg
936Please respect copyright.PENANA0ilUxb7LJn
….only to abruptly halt in my steps.936Please respect copyright.PENANAoSc9mhJ8VO
936Please respect copyright.PENANAsHI4oiLItQ
I had to blink my eyes several times and as I did so, I felt hot tears started to pool in my eyes. Is my eyes deceiving me? 936Please respect copyright.PENANAv2MYMYf4Np
936Please respect copyright.PENANA5BDZgbTXmw
In a room full of guys and girls (I supposed this is one of those lounging space where people play video games and such), there stood Kyle who seemed to be passionately making out with one of the girls there on the couch. His lips moved slowly against hers in a sensual way as everyone cheers them on. I also spotted several bottles of beers.936Please respect copyright.PENANAouyBs3hqbL
936Please respect copyright.PENANARv39jYt08B
Huh. So this is where he had been. Great. 936Please respect copyright.PENANAGjMKxI1n5V
936Please respect copyright.PENANAH5uslqfAXv
I know I shouldn’t harbor any jealousy towards him because he’s not even my boyfriend and he can do whatever he wants but still, it hurts because only now do I feel like an absolute fool who’ve been making a fool out of herself with foolish thoughts and notions about him. Funny how things got real so quick the moment you’re heartbroken. 936Please respect copyright.PENANANzDGXYgLKZ
936Please respect copyright.PENANAXzkCQa8KXo
And I couldn’t get over the possibility that what if he had planned that encounter slash moment with his friend as he excused himself earlier because “he had to go check what’s up”. If so, that’s a great play right there. 936Please respect copyright.PENANAg1jJEOJPHP
936Please respect copyright.PENANA4RLahVl6D5
I must have let out a loud sob because several people turn to look and were alarmed at the sight standing before them. I don’t know how I look at this moment but I’m pretty sure I would be alarmed as well. Kyle too looked over and what I saw broke my heart even more. He looked at me with such indifference that I wonder how this guy could be the same Kyle that I met earlier. I guess some people are just good at pretending.936Please respect copyright.PENANAi3TZpxYIU8
936Please respect copyright.PENANAW2atnsHorO
Too embarrassed to even utter a word, I let out another sob before racing through the hallways….and tripped myself. As if that wasn’t enough, I had to crash into one of the doors in the hallway.936Please respect copyright.PENANALdrAwI7wpi
936Please respect copyright.PENANA8gwqiaQS3u
As soon as I landed on my rear with a thud, everything went pitch dark.
I don’t know how long I’m stuck in this dark and enclosed space that I assume is a room. All I remember was the shock of finding out about Kyle and his indifferent act before running off and falling. I tried feeling up the wall for any switch and banging on the wall but to no avail. All of these feelings and what’s happening now is too overwhelming for me as I started to panic and cry silently. I don’t know where I am and I’m pretty sure no one else does too because I just had to run and fall into this dark room. Hugging my knees to my chest, I thought of Jenny; about how her date would have gone well and she’d probably tried calling me but because I was getting ready in a haste, I forgot to bring my phone so now I’m contact-less. What time is it now? Is it three in the morning? Did anyone saw me in the hallway? Did-936Please respect copyright.PENANAhBdVpwap9T
936Please respect copyright.PENANAiIB1tqRUmW
The sound of heavy footsteps shook me from my stupor as I listened to any sounds or where it’s coming from. I’m desperate for any form of help as I need to get out of here so in hopes that someone would hear me, I started screaming, banging on the anything to make sounds so that I could be heard. And before I know it, a very bright light was shone to my face. On instinctive act, I shield my eyes from the glaring light as I tried to search the face of the knight who saved me. But relief quickly turned into horror as my mind tried to process who the person standing before me was.936Please respect copyright.PENANAWv4VmnO5TN
936Please respect copyright.PENANAkeilPLhOuC
It’s Kyle. And I wouldn’t have reacted as I did next if it weren’t for a carbon copy of Kyle Samson.936Please respect copyright.PENANAR7MsSw73V6
936Please respect copyright.PENANAMUdKuZHmy9
And because of the events that happened tonight taking its toll on me, I screamed.
They looked stricken by my reaction as one tries to calm me down while the other muffle their ears and glare at me. “For goodness sake, shut her up or I will!” The carbon copy of Kyle Samson said.936Please respect copyright.PENANASVEik28T6j
936Please respect copyright.PENANAkCNlnpDKPw
“What do you think I’m trying to do here, brother?” Kyle said in a tone of annoyance at the other guy. I’m not sure if that tone was directed at me but it looked like it was aimed for the carbon copy one.936Please respect copyright.PENANAkIx6JcXjIv
936Please respect copyright.PENANAOUvxOTRpOP
I would have kept screaming if it hadn’t been for that one particular information.936Please respect copyright.PENANA4Fj4xz180k
936Please respect copyright.PENANAFWrdKkxqA8
“Hold up! Brother?” I asked, astonished. I didn’t know he had a brother.936Please respect copyright.PENANAyhH3VZHIlt
936Please respect copyright.PENANACaFi8ssTGt
Kyle nodded while Kyle look-alike narrowed his eyes with an indifference at me which, come to think of it….looks similar to the one at the lounge area earlier. The realization dawned on me now that the guy whom I thought was Kyle is actually his brother…..and by the way he’s narrowing his eyes at me like he’s beginning to piece two and two together doesn’t help either. By the glint in his eyes, I think he recognized who I am now.936Please respect copyright.PENANA1ZrNWjWwGf
936Please respect copyright.PENANA6T4uiKDilF
The real Kyle chuckled, unaware of my discomfort. “This is Len, my twin. He’s older than me by two minutes.”936Please respect copyright.PENANAvlrEwP9Y9A
936Please respect copyright.PENANALxrGCMM1sM
Oh. My. God. Twins.936Please respect copyright.PENANAa4iiKOKSyr
936Please respect copyright.PENANAVfiSxhxltQ
“H-hi, I’m Francesca.” I wave awkwardly, feeling like I should at least introduce myself even though I just completely humiliated myself in front of him because I mistook him for Kyle.936Please respect copyright.PENANA7RqQvgsyUG
936Please respect copyright.PENANAY7JYSxLcl4
Len smirk as he look to his brother and back at me. “Francesca, huh. Interesting.”936Please respect copyright.PENANAIrlQISftHR
936Please respect copyright.PENANAOzPp3U1AT4
He still hasn’t stopped glancing back and forth from Kyle to me and that made the former feel a big uncomfortable as he rubbed the back of his neck. And I’m not sure if I’m imagining it but I think Kyle’s cheeks just went red a little bit.936Please respect copyright.PENANARy4uymGGv1
936Please respect copyright.PENANA1sUmQQ2vPQ
Kyle looked at me as I look away. It’s like we’re playing a game here.936Please respect copyright.PENANAIUWdHu2ZLa
936Please respect copyright.PENANAv2mOBkUf19
I brought my gaze to them both back and forth while they’re arguing about something, scrutinizing and finding some similarity or differences that could validate it and concluded that despite the height, hair colour and physical attributes, one difference that I noticed is their eye colours. While Kyle’s had been green, his twin were blue. Heck, their outfit isn’t even the same! Kyle wore a navy blue long sleeve shirt whereas Len wore a black fitted t-shirt with some band’s name on it.936Please respect copyright.PENANAP8GCQ90l7j
936Please respect copyright.PENANAPrWMIU4DJu
And I needed to know something that’s been bugging me.936Please respect copyright.PENANAfdWTmSx846
936Please respect copyright.PENANALm3qHTefaf
“Hey, could you guys smile? Don’t ask, just do it.” I said in all seriousness.936Please respect copyright.PENANAaKqex7KEqv
936Please respect copyright.PENANAN4Wtt4ENtW
The twins gave each other puzzled looks before complying-although Len seem to be quite reluctant to do so that it looked like a grimace. But as they smiled, I concluded that while Kyle has dimples on both his cheeks, Len had a dent only on his right cheek.936Please respect copyright.PENANATAORTtYWNF
936Please respect copyright.PENANAIyLDtPW82F
“Okay…you’re both brothers. I believe you now.” I said with finality.936Please respect copyright.PENANAvQyjxdXGxq
936Please respect copyright.PENANA38RvxcZfzD
Len Samson gave his brother a disbelief look and said, “Is this chick for real?” Then looking at her, “We’re identical twins, for goodness sake! You must be pretty dumb not to put two and two together.” He smirked.936Please respect copyright.PENANAKrK18Rp2UL
936Please respect copyright.PENANABHcG9Fh9ge
Kyle protested at his brother while I huff indignantly. “Hey! I just happened to be slow okay…pretty slow to piece things up sometimes so beat it.”936Please respect copyright.PENANABrCkTWyEL8
936Please respect copyright.PENANACI8SbofZxy
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” Len said as he walk away. But before that, he cast us a mischievous look. “By the way, Francesca, you could just ask around about Kyle, you know.” Then he pointedly look at his younger twin. “The poor thing. She saw me kissing and thought it was you.” And just like that, the older blue eyed twin cackled as he walk way, leaving Kyle frozen to his spot and I to deal with the disaster Len has unraveled. I was stunned and speechless as my jaw went slack.936Please respect copyright.PENANAOvS6jN6B38
936Please respect copyright.PENANAS1Lp7UMqXv
I hate this guy already.936Please respect copyright.PENANA7KlZmUe3SB
936Please respect copyright.PENANAFoGjIsMdIr
So there we are, both of us standing in front each other, looking away as we ponder on how to approach this properly. I was thinking of ways to escape this awkward situation when Kyle spoke.936Please respect copyright.PENANAj2uQVXgOij
936Please respect copyright.PENANALLDGUFIiZe
“So…you were crying.”936Please respect copyright.PENANA2YokstpYv3
936Please respect copyright.PENANA51s63Q778B
I’m afraid to speak right now ‘cause I don’t know where he’s going with this. It’s quite the moment of truth, really because he probably knows how I felt for him now and it might be a yay or a nay. Either way, I think I’m prepared by whatever he’s going to say so I just nodded.936Please respect copyright.PENANAPPcxVIkt5a
936Please respect copyright.PENANAjarKTknI3D
“And you were looking for me?” He asked, this time meeting my gaze.936Please respect copyright.PENANAVHAFUf15qq
936Please respect copyright.PENANAMbwhel7UBN
I nodded again.936Please respect copyright.PENANAx3ejmIlkQF
936Please respect copyright.PENANA8rymFfbaCy
“Why?” What do you mean, ‘why?’936Please respect copyright.PENANAI9kLOZuX4L
936Please respect copyright.PENANAic5SKPRg0F
“Why what?”936Please respect copyright.PENANArFnPmNnsp2
936Please respect copyright.PENANADrLuwGMZ1e
“Why were you crying? Did someone hurt you or something?” He looked genuinely concerned yet a bit stiff. 936Please respect copyright.PENANAcOuZeUMbkD
936Please respect copyright.PENANAXCZxz4LPB0
Oh boy. I might as well say it now. If Jenny were here, she’d probably locked me in a closet or something with the guy that I like as she guards outside, whistling jovially as we demanded to be let out. My lips twitch at that mental image.936Please respect copyright.PENANA1Ugmd3NTuc
936Please respect copyright.PENANAJWUpZYD0Yk
I took a very deep breath along with the risk. “No, I…the truth is, I like you.”936Please respect copyright.PENANAF7Wuhbtww2
936Please respect copyright.PENANAxEDBCund79
Is it just me or he let out a relieved exhale?936Please respect copyright.PENANAvjRiCOxS9w
936Please respect copyright.PENANAQCm2KU3Ho4
Kyle’s eyes widen slightly as he opened his mouth but I beat him to it.936Please respect copyright.PENANAhl5ir4VhvG
936Please respect copyright.PENANAzry6jGydFM
“And I guess I thought you wanted to ditch me when you said you had to do something. Perhaps I was boring.”936Please respect copyright.PENANAAdhb4Kpdbw
936Please respect copyright.PENANABhjbxUNWEC
Kyle looked affronted. “Boring? You’re the coolest and interesting girl I’ve ever countered. Sure, you’re pretty quirky and all that but that’s what makes you who you are….Frances.” He was grinning.936Please respect copyright.PENANAUoFuHbQygJ
936Please respect copyright.PENANAUkj0kaEDvP
I noticed he called me Frances and not Francesca and I feel like there’s butterflies fluttering in my stomach right now. Squeal internally.936Please respect copyright.PENANA1vVlrFfbZe
936Please respect copyright.PENANAha7MpQKJT7
“Besides,” he continued. “I was looking for you too.” I didn’t realize that we were actually making our way towards the balcony until I saw that the party was actually over and there are some people that were either passed out or too drunk to care, loitering around on the mowed lawn.936Please respect copyright.PENANADqrmdRXQym
936Please respect copyright.PENANAXshPnNnwvD
“You were?” I asked as I look at him, leaning against the balustrade and him, looking over the houses.936Please respect copyright.PENANAZEp5PtrOqk
936Please respect copyright.PENANAp35PABDKYw
He glance at me before humming, “Mhm.”936Please respect copyright.PENANALAHL4xoHl2
936Please respect copyright.PENANAHpHyGhrybg
The atmosphere were beginning to feel pleasant and ease as we chatted about things for a while. Just then, he asked me, “What were you doing in the closet earlier?”936Please respect copyright.PENANAyUGAsXjbls
936Please respect copyright.PENANAHsKmyPjgzU
I blinked. Ah, so that space was a closet. And remembering that incident earlier was enough to make my face turn a little red. “I-uh…I tripped and crashed into it.” But come to think of it, right after Kyle helped me up, I noticed that the door was still intact as there isn’t any damage to it.936Please respect copyright.PENANAgu71SVsBT7
936Please respect copyright.PENANAZMgBxW18vj
My face must have looked puzzled because Kyle let out a low chuckle before saying, “That was a closet and the door is spoiled. See, we’re still trying to fix one of the doors because while it has some trouble opening, it's pretty easy to get locked out. I was taking some things out earlier before the party and I completely forgot about it.” He sheepishly said.936Please respect copyright.PENANAeqcq3b0WuD
936Please respect copyright.PENANANLvVPq7Z1g
I glare at him. “So technically, you’re the one who caused me to get locked in a damn closet for who knows how long.”
He laughed but apologized. I think the sound of it melted my heart a little bit but I kept I straight face, even though my lips were about to twitch.936Please respect copyright.PENANAqiv5exLBz1
936Please respect copyright.PENANAEbVKdX1Iqd
“That’s really menacing, Frances. Real cute, though.”936Please respect copyright.PENANAZ77Y13G5vf
936Please respect copyright.PENANAdbRYYNFPJ8
I rolled my eyes but giggled a little. We look at each other with smiles that reached the corners of our eyes and we couldn’t look away. Tonight has definitely taken a turn that I did not expected at all but somehow, I was kinda glad it did. And because of the mistaken issues earlier, I felt bad for saying mean things, being the weird person that I am. When I mentioned and apologized, he had laughed and told me he appreciated it, that I was forgiven-in a mock seriousness that he could muster.936Please respect copyright.PENANAD2GfVX4eKW
936Please respect copyright.PENANAOTTfICcEDY
“You know, it’s a shame you missed out on eating the cake though. We did that at eleven just now.”936Please respect copyright.PENANASrDvy8fRi4
936Please respect copyright.PENANAndI0DBiR6C
I gasped. “For real?”936Please respect copyright.PENANAT6I2rCVaUe
936Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4pgKZPp11
Kyle nodded gravely. “For real.” Before bursting into laughter. “Nah, I saved some for you.”936Please respect copyright.PENANArV5HkQerkB
936Please respect copyright.PENANAKqUgerdu2i
“For me? How do you know that I haven’t gone home already?” I asked, quirking up my eyebrow.936Please respect copyright.PENANAr92mN695zo
936Please respect copyright.PENANAUm7MjRtsf2
He nonchalantly said, “I don’t. I figured if you did went home, I’d just come over to the bakery next time and give you your share.”
I laughed. “How thoughtful of you.”936Please respect copyright.PENANAQ04Uf4ssaN
936Please respect copyright.PENANAEEz2sgLbbI
“Very.” He nodded vigorously, laughing as well.936Please respect copyright.PENANAIUdM0SKMJI
936Please respect copyright.PENANAcp6Rvu3AQ6
Laughter starts to fade and smiles starts to dim as Kyle and I held each other’s gaze. His eyes seek my permission to proceed while mine slowly starts to drift away from uncertainty. Body languages shifted as we got closer. And closer.936Please respect copyright.PENANAAJXOPX13Ey
936Please respect copyright.PENANAK3JJ4ZHJUm
Neither of us knew who leaned in or made the first move to kiss but we’re both aware of the change that’s about to happen between us as our lips touched. But before it did, Kyle murmured those eight words that made my heart skipped a beat as I smiled into the kiss.936Please respect copyright.PENANANrvy2LMG2v
936Please respect copyright.PENANA6uO8L6RvmN
“By the way, I like you too, Frances.”936Please respect copyright.PENANAZl8uSSXFt2
936Please respect copyright.PENANAjQFzRTEP90
936Please respect copyright.PENANAzmkRmCvGOl
A/N : This is a bit longer than I had anticipated, sorry! Also, I was hoping that I did not make any obvious or terrible mistakes but if there's any, feel free to tell me what it is or what you think of this story in general and every aspects as well :)936Please respect copyright.PENANAcEu0AF87V6
Enjoy!936Please respect copyright.PENANAkdt4rjWSR8
936Please respect copyright.PENANAyaEt8rc9Gs