14 CAN WE TALK?

***

“Can we talk Mitch?”

Rick was done with their practice when she perceived that Mitch was dancing on the auditorium. He asked his friends to go ahead and he had to stay a bit longer because he needs to wait for someone. When the two knew that he was referring to Mitch, they left him alone. After her dance practice, Rick waited for Mitch until he asked her if she can devote her time for him.

At that moment, Mitch wanted to talk with him. As a matter of fact, she missed him so much. Nonetheless, the fact remained that she was becoming too prudent in regards with her own emotion and feeling. She had learned a lot from her past mistakes and heartache. She was also certain that avoiding him would save her from future peril.

Mitch grabbed her clothes and bag. She had no plans talking to him but Rick was too persistent. He chased her and grabbed her hand. Mitch asked him if she can leave her along. The man uttered his growing desire towards the girl. He mentioned that he could not sleep every night, he was always thinking about her and promised to be with her side.

“I am done with promises Rick.” She whined.

After hearing those words which sounded like a pleasant music to her ear, Mitch was too determined with her decision as well. She said that she would allow her to talk with him if he tried to fix himself and his relationship.

“I thought you weren’t like Austin. Then, prove me wrong Rick. Prove, I am wrong!”

After saying those bold words, Mitch left Rick.

***

After a month, Vanessa proved that she was wrong about his assumption to Austin. She was ready to know him more and eventually allows him to be part of her life. While reading the novel book she received from him, she couldn’t stop thinking about him. She was trying to recall the moments when she started following him. It started when one of her co-officers in the school publication got hurt because of Austin. She shared everything she knew about Austin which made Vanessa more affected than hers. She began growing grudges towards him and that was the time that she cursed that guy.

She tried to gather more information to know that he was really an asshole but her way of knowing this guy became a path of knowing who he really was. She never expected that the man she hates the most became the man she likes the most. Vanessa was really sure about her feeling that’s why on that night, she decided to disclose his feeling to him.

Vanessa called Krist to ask for help. She didn’t even know where his apartment was. Then, Krist mentioned that he knew his place because he went there once. The girl was puzzled of what she heard and asked him back the reason why he went there. Krist put himself on the situation where he could no longer lie. So, he started telling her the truth. Vanessa easily forgave him because her love for Austin was bigger enough to be mad to someone.

“So, help me how to get there!” She asked.

“Sure!”

After the deal, Vanessa took a shower and suddenly wore beautiful clothes and put some make-up – it was not actually necessary but she wanted to look more beautiful, appealing in front of him. Afterward several minutes, Krist was calling her because he was waiting for the lobby. Then, Vanessa mentioned that she was almost there.

“Shit! Where are you going?” Krist asked.

He saw his friend wearing a nice red clothes and a make-up – not her usual self. Laughing loudly, Krist couldn’t help himself but to laugh because Vanessa put more effort in disclosing her feeling to the man she formerly hates the most.

“Let’s go!” she commanded.

While she was in the car, she was memorizing her lines as if she were a reporter uttering the entire news to the public. She asked Krist to choose the best words to say but Krist was still laughing. He mentioned that was his first time seeing his friend with that kind of joy. He teased her that she was meeting that boy he hates the most who turned to be the love of her life. He imitated few words Vanessa used when she was cursing him.

“Enough Krist!”

“Enough, please!” she begged.

When they arrived on the apartment, Vanessa was so nervous. When they stepped their feet on the lobby, Krist mentioned the room number of Austin’s apartment. “It’s 3rd floor, 312” he shouted. Krist decided to stay on the lobby while Vanessa paved her way to accomplish her mission. Vanessa’s heart was jumping too fast as if it wants to come out from her body. Luckily, she knew how to compose herself. While heading her way upstairs, she was uttering a mantra which helps her to feel okay. When she reached the room, she breathed heavily, unsure of what to say, uncertain of what will happen but she knew that she couldn’t wait any longer to divulge her real feeling.

When she tried to knock on the door, she noticed that it was slightly opened. She was just puzzled about certain things: first, why the door was not closed properly, second she felt a bit nervous and third, would she knock or let herself in. Since, she couldn’t decide well, she slightly touched the doorknob and slowly pushed the door.

The room was not dark and it was not too bright. She gradually walked in and tried to check if Austin was there until he heard familiar noise.

“Am I hearing it correctly?” she was talking to her mind.

She moved slowly to check the noise she just heard but the more she gets nearer the louder the noise. She held back because she was thinking that she entered to a different room number. When she closed her eyes, she tried to recall the room number and she was certain. It was 312. When she opened her eyes, she saw a photo of him on the wall. At that time, she was certain that it was Austin’s room.

Then, she dared herself to walk just to find where Austin was. Then, she was gradually walking to his bedroom. She saw a man lying on a girl’s body. She unintentionally screamed and she closed her mouth using her hands. She was not sure about who those two were but she was just shocked seeing an actual sex. When they heard the noise, the two stopped and suddenly, Vanessa heard his name.

“Vanessa?”

“What are you doing here?”

Austin took his towel and covered himself with it. Then, suddenly he went on to explain everything to her. Vanessa needed no explanation. She walked away and Austin followed him. When she grabbed her hand and he immediately hugged him. Vanessa started to cry uncontrollably. Austin was trying to defend himself but Vanessa was too hurt of what she saw that’s why she was too numb to hear anything. Her pain was too powerful to hear any words from him. Vanessa moved herself out from his embrace and she said, “I thought, you’ve changed Austin.

“I was too foolish to make myself believe that someone like you would change. But I was wrong!”

After saying those words, Vanessa left Austin!