Chapter 14 – Twenty Questions

Ellie

I wasn’t sure if Austin was joking or not but after hearing him say that he has fallen in love made me flustered and nervous in the same time. I don’t know the particular reason why but I’m sure that the girl that he has fallen for is not me. Besides, why am I expecting that he’ll like me back? It’s not like I want to be with him even if I had admitted that I like him. I already know what I want, and that is to be friends with Austin and remove this feelings I have for him and to get closer to Matt because he’s the guy that I like from the first place.

Time went by quickly, I didn’t really noticed it until lunch has passed. Our lunch break went the usual, boys have their conversations on the upcoming football game next month and I and the girls kept on talking about school stuff and how I and Lila are excited on the soccer game before November. I asked Casey to keep my feelings for Austin as a secret, meaning—she don’t have to tell anything to Lila. Lila is really a nice friend and all but I’m not really confident to tell it to her yet especially when I remember she used to point out that Austin likes me when clearly, it’s not.

After the lunch break, on Tuesdays, I have a class on Physics. I don’t like Physics because like Math, there are formulas and solutions that make my mind go insane. I don’t really like solving mathematical problems and I find Physics just the same as Math. Another reason why I really hate it is because Austin is my classmate. I used to have the idea of skipping class because of it because Austin loves to tease me even if I haven’t had the feelings for him. Even if I hate it, I can’t skip classes so what I do in order to keep my distance from him is to wait for him to find his seat and when he does, I’ll probably look at the farthest seat, so I’ll be away from him.

The only difference now is that I like him, I already considered him as a friend and not an enemy so I’m pretty conscious on how should I do right now. Should I stick with Anti-Austin or naturally friendly?

When I enter the classroom which is half full, I try to find where Austin is, I will probably act the Anti-Austin because if I did it on a naturally friendly way, he’ll probably know that something is off and being the cocky guy he is, he might think that I like him.

He wasn’t on the classroom yet, they’re probably talking with their coach to arrange their practice schedule. I find a sit on the back and walk towards it for me to claim before anyone who hates Physics as much as I do get it.

I plop down my things on the floor and place my physics book on the table, and my pencil case. I’m really neat and ready even if I hate this subject because I still try to focus so that I won’t fail.

The guy seated next to me is from the basketball team who I don’t really talk to. He’s hair was messy and he’s sleeping on his desk without any care in the world. I’m kind of relieved that he’s not snoring right now because if he is, I will probably be focused on his snoring and not on Mr. Spencer’s teachings.

Austin walks through the door frame with his bag slung on his shoulder, he met my eyes for a second before he lands his attention to the seat next to me. Obviously, he has the thought of wanting to seat next to me so that he could annoy me more but to his dismay, the seat has been taken.

There’s a slight irritation on his face but he tries not show it. He plops down on the seat which is three seats away from mine and took his book from his bag. After a couple of minutes, Mr. Spencer arrives with a small box, his laptop and his bag. He greeted us with a smile and something tells me that whenever he smiles, he has something on his sleeves. It could be a pop quiz, an oral recitation or a research project. He’s really a kind teacher but when it comes to giving assignments, projects, test and grades, you’ll probably think that he’s not that kind at all.

“So—“ He started while he opens his laptop, “We’re going to have a research project.”

Everybody groaned and I was included, “Since I don’t want anyone to fail in this class, I’ll give you all a favor to do this research project.” He places the small box beside his laptop with a grin. I think that he’s going to give us a huge favor if he tries to make his test a lot easier.

“To make it easier,” He sits down on his desk and took the small box, “I’m going to get you paired up so that you and your partner could help each other,” He stands up, “It will make your research project easier to deal with and the submission will be next week.”

I wish that I’ll be partnered to a responsible and smart student so that I get to breathe a little. Please answer my prayers, I don’t really want to fail.

“This box will hold your destiny,” He chuckles softly, “I’ll be taking a name from the box and that person will come forward to draw another name and that will be his or her partner, to make it fair.”

Half of the class wants the idea and the other half wants to choose their own partners. But Mr. Spencer doesn’t really love the idea of choosing their own partners so he decided to continue to draw.

“—Mr. Ryder,” Mr. Spencer called out Miles who is seated on the second row, he stands up and takes a paper on the box, “Ms. Silvia,” Mr. Spencer called out, “Mr. Ryder will be your partner.”

Miles lighten up to find out Freya was his partner because Freya is really smart and Miles is an average so meaning—they could really work together.

“By the way class, after the getting your partners, I’d like you to go seat with each other and discuss the project that I’ll be writing on the board,” He states, he took another paper from the box and called, “Ms. Smith,” He calls the attention of the girl who is seated on the front row. After minutes of name calling and taking a paper from the destiny box which I call it, Austin’s name made me direct my attention to him, other girls who are not yet picked has their eyes all over him. I bet they’re praying that their name will be called because as how I see it, they look at him like he’s some sort of candy or trophy.

“—Mr. Prince.” Mr. Spencer offers the box at him as soon as he reaches his desk, “And who’s name’s on the paper?” Mr. Spencer asked and I could see a smile forming on Austin’s lips. Something’s tell me that he’s happy because he’s partnered on the hottest girl in our class which is Stacy, they’ll probably do more physical activities than school work. Thinking about it makes me cringe and somehow irritated.

“—Ms. Reed.” Mr. Spencer says, told you, it’s Stacy. They’ll probably bang on her bed and forget the school project. That’s why Austin was smiling like an idiot. “—Ms. Reed?” I really can’t help but to feel irritated at Austin for being such a playboy. Can’t he focus his attention to school works before girls?

“—Ms. Reed?” Wait, Ms. Reed?

Everyone on the class laid their eyes on me, including Austin and Mr. Spencer who was calling me three times and I spaced out without realizing that it was me all along.

“Ms. Reed, Mr. Prince will be your partner.” Mr. Spencer stated. I nodded before Mr. Spencer starts to call names again. There’s a small part of me liking the fact that he’s my partner and a huge part of me wanting to ask Mr. Spencer for another draw. I think I’m going to fail this project. Heavens, please help me.

--

“Hey,” Austin greets me as soon as he has taken the seat that was occupied before him. He has a grin plastered on his lips and it gives me the feeling that he’s the only one who finds enjoyment on this idea, “So when should we start?”

“Like you care?” I ask sarcastically and the look on his face looks like he was somehow offended.

He brushes off with his chuckles, “I care because if I don’t do well, my football career will be at stake.”

“You sound as if you’re playing football the moment you were born.” I rolled my eyes in irritation, I can’t really accept the fact that he’s my partner because I, who hates Physics plus him, who lacks interest in any subject is equals to failure. This can’t be it, I don’t want to fail.

“Don’t look down on me, I may be smarter than you if I just focus.” He turns his chair facing me with his arms against his chest, “I may look like the student who doesn’t really care about his grades because I go to parties, do whatever I want, loves to hang out with ladies and is usually in detention—“ I cut him off, “You don’t look like it, you’re exactly like one.” I corrected.

“Whatever, all I’m trying to say is that I always pass my subjects so no need to worry if we’re going to fail or not,” He stated, “So, are we going to do this project at my house or yours?” He asked with a serious look. He seems really focused on the project and I never really thought that he’s actually like that.

“I have football practice until six’ o clock, so should we do this at six thirty?” He added.

I have gone at his place before but it’s only the time when his parents asked us for dinner and the only time I went to his bedroom was the party incident. I would want to do the project in our house but I think it is also okay to do it at his place. Besides, our houses are just next to each other.

“How about alternate, today we’ll do it at your place and tomorrow at our place.” I said, “And we’ll do it after your practice, only until the project is over.”

“Fine by me, unless of course if you can’t get enough of me, you’re welcome to come by at my place anytime.” He flirts, ending his sentence with a wink.

“Stop it.” I said annoyingly.

“Suit yourself.” He says.

--

Waiting for six thirty to strike at the clock is really nerve wrecking. I hate waiting and doing this wait thing is already killing me. My body is comfortingly lying on the couch while my eyes are drawn by the television screen and the clock on top of it. It’s already six fifteen in the evening and I’m already ready to go at their place but I’m sure he’s not yet ready because he probably just got home.

“Well hello to you too.” The familiar voice said as soon as I heard the main door burst open with a bang.

“Elliot, can you please open the door in a normal way?” I ask.

He closes the door with a bang again, completely ignoring what I just said, “Oops, sorry.” He says teasingly. Sometimes, there are these moments when I hate him. “What’s your deal anyway, it’s not like you’re not used at me doing this.” He places his bag on the coffee table and sits down on the couch beside me, placing my feet on his lap.

“I’m patiently waiting for six thirty to strike because I and Austin have this project going on, and I hate the fact that I’m partnered with him.” I blurted out.

“Are you sure this is a project or some physical project that I don’t know of?” He asks curiously but he has a look on his face that looks like he was teasing me.

“Seriously Elliot!” I groan, “It’s the physics project with Mr. Spencer, if I fail this, I don’t think I could even pass this subject considering physics is one of my hatest subject.”

“You’re not going to fail,” He comfortingly said, “Austin’s good at subjects like Physics or Math, he just looks like he doesn’t when he really is.”

“How come I don’t know this?”

“Because you’re too focused on hating him before than to actually get to know him.” He clarifies nonchalantly. He stands up from the couch as he took his bag on the table, “Anyway, good luck with the project, I still have to do my homework.”

--

It’s six thirty one in the evening as I land my feet on the Prince’s household. Am I too early or should I be back by six forty so that it won’t look like I’m excited or I’ve been waiting like forever just to get here?

I should shut up right now. No more questioning and thinking about things that aren’t going to happen and things that I’m not supposed to be thinking.

I breathe deeply for a couple of seconds before I press the doorbell, seconds later, I was greeted by Suzy, Austin’s mom. She’s a chef. We tend to have dinner on their place sometimes and I must say, you’re surely going to love the food because of her mom’s cooking. Though even that I enjoy it, I really dislike having dinner with them because I and Austin tend to bicker a lot. But right now that we’re starting to get this thing we have going on before, the so called hate relationship, I don’t know what to expect.

“Oh, Ellie.” She greets with a smile, “Surprise seeing you here, never did I thought that you’re going to visit here all alone.” She chuckles, “Considering the fact that you and Austin don’t really get a long.”

True that. Our parents and his parents know that we’re not the kind of people to be in the same place on the same time. At first, they were really mad at us for acting so childish but as time passes by, they were used to it that they just laugh us off.

“Yeah,” I chuckle, “Good evening Ms. Prince,” I greeted her in a polite manner, “We kind of trying to get along right now, especially we have this project thing.”

“Really?” She chirped, “Well that’s good to hear! I would love to see you and Austin gets along.” She signals me to come in, “I would love to say thank you to that teacher of yours.” She says cheerfully. Her mom is really cheery, since the beginning that they moved here, never have I ever saw her in a displeased mood.

“No need to do that, I’m sure our teacher thinks that we’re grateful for giving us this project.” I sarcastically said, she chuckles and later responds, “Austin’s at his room, he just got here a couple of minutes ago. I’ll come on up later after I prepare the snacks for you guys.”

“Oh no need Ms. Prince, I’m not really that hungry,” I respond politely and she chuckles, showing her bright smile that we always see whenever we greet at her, “Don’t be such a nobody, I’ll come on up later and Ellie, call me Suzy.”

I smile back at her, “Thank you Suzy.”

She nods and signals me to come up before she went to the kitchen to prepare us our snacks.

The hall on the second floor was still familiar since I was here after the party last time. The last door in the hall is where Austin’s bedroom is found. I went straight ahead and knock on the door three times just to alert him that someone is coming in. I don’t want to see him on his boxers, heck, I don’t want to see him naked. I twisted the door knob after three knocks and I found Austin seating on his bed with a phone at hand.

“Hello.” I greeted, alerting him that I was here. Didn’t he even hear the knocking?

He diverted his eyes away from the phone and at me, “Hi.” Seconds later, he gave attention to his phone again and not me. Seriously, if he’s going to make me feel invisible and let me do this project on my own, I will probably go home and tell Mr. Spencer tomorrow that I want to switch partners. I’m sure any girl would love to be with him.

I place the books and envelope that I brought with me on his study table with a bang, trying to earn his attention. I saw him form a smirk on his lips and it’s getting me really annoyed.

“Seriously Austin?” I said in an annoyed tone.

He stands up from the bed and gave me his phone without a word, “What’s this?” I ask in a harsh tone.

He sighs and said, “I’ve been searching about our project since I got here and here’s some ideas I found.” He points at his phone. I scan the contents that are displayed on his phone and I have to say, I think he’s more prepared than I am. I really didn’t know that he has this smart and responsible attitude. He used to be in detention and I know that he has low grades that are just enough to pass but not enough to brag or show to people that he’s smart or responsible enough.

“Okay,” I say, “We could do this.”

“We sure will because I researched that.” He commented nonchalantly as he heads over his closet to pick a shirt to change because he still has his jersey on him.

I laugh softly, “And I thought you’ll never help me on this.” I sit on the chair and started to organize the papers that we’re going to write on and the ones we’re going to used for drawing.

He stands beside me with his new shirt on and leans down to look at what I’m doing, “Austin, can you please move a little bit far away from me. I need some space, have you heard of that?” I spoke seriously and he snorted in return, “No, because as far as I know, girls love me whenever I get close to them.”

“Well clearly, this girl is not really into you.” Lie. Total Lie. But will everything change even if he knows about it? Clearly, a big no, so I should continue to show him that I have no feelings for him.

“Really now?” He asks in a flirty manner and he starts to move closer, he was moving closer towards my face and I wasn’t even looking at him. “Even if I do this? Don’t have I any effect on you?” He challenges, I could feel my heart starting to pound fast and any second now, my cheeks are going to be as red as a tomato. But instead of showing how I truly feel about him, I told him off, “Austin, if you’re just going to pull these flirty tricks on me, again. I’ll make sure we’re never going to talk ever again, I’ll head home right now and you’ll have a new partner by tomorrow who will be glad to flirt with you as long as you want.” This time, I face him with a serious look and he snorted, he moves away from me and went back to his bed to sit. “You’re no fun.” He comments.

I turn the chair around as I face him, “We’re not here to have fun, we’re here to do the project.”

“Aren’t we friends? Can we at least loosen up and not be so strict about this? We have at least a week.” He lies down on his bed comfortably and before I even say something so irritating, his mother burst out of the door after a knock. “I brought you guys some sandwiches and drinks.” She says in a cheerful manner as she places them on the table which was beside his bed.

“You guys get along now, I don’t want to hear any bickers on this household.” She warned but she ended it with her usual smile before she closes the door.

“Why didn’t you have that nice and cheerful character?” I teased and he scoffs, “Shut up, girls won’t dig for nice guys.”

“Well they sure will because I dig for them.” He’ll probably reply me off with another bashing towards Matt but he didn’t, instead he replies smoothly, “Whatever, it’s not like all girls are the same and you’re different to most girls.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I raise an eyebrow and he chuckles, “Not in a good way?” He teases. I took the textbook on the desk and aims it at him but he manage to catch it before it even lands on his handsome face.

He stands up from the bed and take the two small plates on the tray and handed me the other one while he takes his, “Can we eat first before we do this project? The practice really is tiring and I could use a little bit of food and us not arguing?”

“Wow,” I scoff, “Like I’m the one who started it.” I murmur as I took a cookie on the plate and started to munch on it.

“Twenty questions?” He offers after finishing one cookie on his plate, “C’mon, it’s not like we have more things to do as we eat.”

I rolled my eyes, “Fine, I’ll go first.” It’s not actually a bad idea. At least I could get to know him and find out the things that I want to know. “Why do you always try to tease me and annoy me a lot since the first time we met.”

A smile forms on his lips after he takes a bite from his cookie, “Because I enjoyed the look on your face whenever I do it,” He replies smoothly, “My turn.” He hums for a couple of seconds before he finally replies, “What do you like about Matt?” And there I thought, he’ll never bring him up.

“Why do you always bring him up?”

“Because I still can’t understand why you’re into this guy.” He said plainly.

I sigh and spoke after a couple of seconds, “He’s smart, a nice guy, athletic and does not toy around girls.”

After a few minutes of silence, he burst out laughing and I can’t understand why. Is he mocking me? Does he think he’s better than him? Because clearly, he’s a jerk.

He calms down after I try to earn his attention, “Why are you laughing?”

“Nothing.” He smiles in return and it really annoys me, “Why are you such a playboy?” I ask my next question and he shrugs, “Because guys have needs.”

“Well you have a lot of needs.” I mock and he brushes it off with a chuckle, “Aren’t you uncomfortable of the make up that you’re wearing and the clothes that you’re not used of wearing?” He sends the next question.

“Personally, I think it was really uncomfortable but I kind of getting used to it because I’m a girl anyway, I should be really acting and looks like one.”

He displays a face that I couldn’t distinguish and he signals me to ask the third question, “Don’t you think that the girl who you have fallen for will think that you’re just going to toy her feelings just like ho you toy around other girls’?” I remember what he said at school earlier today and I really can’t get it off my head.

“All I can say is that, right now, I really like her and it’s up to me how will I show it and how will I prove it to her because right now is not the right time.” He says, “What do you want to do after you graduate from high school?”

I was surprise after hearing him ask that, I thought this game will lead just lead to arguments and flirty comments of Austin but it was really different from what I thought it was, “I’ll probably go and study college in the city and pursue the course of business.” He nods at my reply and I instantly follow it with a question, “When’s the right time? I mean, the right time you’re going to tell this girl that you actually like her?”

He chuckles softly, “Someone is really interested in my love life.”

“Well, it’s not like a lot of people will believe a playboy who actually fell in love.”

A smile forms on his lips, “I don’t know. There is really no such thing as the right time, it will only be the right time if you’re caught up on a moment and you decided to tell her.” He says, “That is the right time.”

“I don’t really understand but why do I feel that you’re secretly hoping true romance to come in your life?” I laugh and he looks embarrassed, “Is that the fourth question?”

“No, I’m just teasing.” I stick my tongue out and he lies on his bed comfortably, “If you were to like another guy besides Matt, who will it be?”

I can’t say him but I could reply with something that is impossible, “Mr. Spencer.” I joked and his eyes widen in shock, “What the actual fuck?”

“Yeah, I mean he’s really a nice guy.” I blurted sarcastically and he has a disgust look written on his face, “He’s like ten to fifteen older than us?”

“Yeah and it’s not like age matters in terms of love.” I admit, “And it’s not like it’s true anyway.” I laugh and I can see that he was relieved after hearing me say that.

“Who is this girl you’re into anyway?”

“Ms. Foxx.” He cheekily said, “I mean she’s hot when she shuts up.” He replies smoothly but it was evident that he was just joking. “Seriously Austin?”

“What? You told me you like Mr. Spencer, so what’s bad about liking Ms. Foxx? At least she’s much younger than Mr. Spencer.” He says truthfully but I knew that he was just joking around.

We were asking random questions about school and things that we like and dislike that I have forgotten to ask him things that I want to know. It was really fun having to play this game and we really forgot what time it was and what we’re supposed to do on the project. After a lot of questioning, we’re on the last question and I decided to ask first again, “Is Alexandra the girl you had fallen for?” This time I was serious. What if it was really Alexandra? I mean it’s okay if it’s not me, as long as it’s not Alexandra.

He started laughing so loud that it actually made me startled, “Austin!” I called out his name to calm him down and he starts to calm down seconds later, “Fuck no!” He says, “Even if she’s the last girl on earth.” He shakes his head in disapproving way, “I’ll probably cruise around the world just to get rid of her on my sight.”

It sends me relief after hearing him say that. Even if it’s not me who he likes, I’ll still accept that as long as it’s not that evil bitch Alexandra. “My turn,” He starts, “I want you to answer me honestly,”

“Yeah sure as long as it’s a decent question.” I laugh but he send me a vibe that he was serious, “Ella.”

“What Austin?” I somehow feel nervous, that this question is going to be the death of me.

“Do you ever feel any romantic feelings towards me?” His blue round eyes are looking straight at me and again, it was giving me a nervous feeling. I can feel my started to beat fast and it makes me feel like he’s going to hear my heart beat if it didn’t calm down.

“Ella?” He asks again. He has a stern look and it makes me want to tell him the truth.

“I—“ I want to say something but nothing came out, “I—“ Should I tell him or should I lie like I always do?

I really don’t know what to do?

Should I tell him that I like him or should I tell him that I don’t?

I’m really confuse right now.