Chapter 29

"Will you go out with me?" The elevator door opened as soon as Tristan said those words. "Yeah, sure. Let's go out," I said and walked out of the elevator. He followed me out and before I could walk to the unit, he called my name. "Justin." I turned to look at him and gave him a questioning look.

He suddenly burst into laughter and that only made me more confused. "Why are you laughing?" I asked. "W-Wait." He tried to stop laughing but he couldn't, so I had to wait until he was finished.

What's so funny? I don't get it.

"Date me," he said as he smiled. I blinked a few times as I kept my mouth shut, trying to process what he just said.

Date... W-W-What?!

"D-Date you?" I said, almost yelling, all flustered and red. He chuckled and said, "Yeah. I just asked you out earlier but you must have thought I asked you to get off of the elevator with me." My mouth gaped open because of my realization. "That's why you were laughing at me!"

Before he could laugh again, I took a step closer to him. I tiptoed and leaned my face closer to his until I felt his soft and warm lips on my. After kissing him, I moved backward and smiled. "We're dating then," I said and winked at him.

He looked so shocked. His eyes were open wide and his mouth fell open. His face turned bright red as he blinked multiple times.

"I-Is that a 'yes'?" He asked as he looked at me with his eyes that were sparkling with anticipation as he waited for me to confirm it. "Would you rather take it as a 'no'?" I said and tilted my head a bit and smirked.

He shook his head aggressively and raised his voice a bit as he said, "No, no, no! Not at all!" I laughed because of his reaction. He's just way too cute.

We headed to the unit and he just stood by the door. He said that if he went in, he might do something. "I'll get going now," he said and hugged me. I felt my face heating up as I felt his warmth enveloping my body. "Take care," I whispered. He kissed the top of my head and whispered, "I know I've never said this before but..." He let go of the hug and lifted my chin so our eyes would meet.

"I love you."

*****

"I love you... I love..." I kept mumbling those words over and over again as I stared blankly at the window. "Hello? Earth to Justin!" Daryl said as he waved his hand in front of my face. "What's with you? You've been like that since last week," he said and took a sip from his coffee.

My phone vibrated because someone sent me a message.

'Why are we texting?'

"And why are you so far away from Tristan?" Daryl continued as he raised his brow. I smiled awkwardly and glanced at Tristan who was sitting at another table that was far from ours. "I feel kind of awkward," I said, almost whispering. Daryl rolled his eyes and said, "You were fine before you guys started dating."

I decided to reply to Tristan's text. While I was typing, I heard a phone ringing. It must be Daryl's.

'Just because.' I replied.

"Hey, I'm leaving. My dad's calling me. He's probably gonna ask me to come," Daryl said as he looked at his ringing phone. I nodded and said, "Okay, take care." He smiled. "Thanks."

After Daryl left, I was showered with texts from Tristan. My phone kept vibrating nonstop that I suddenly felt nervous.

How am I supposed to face him today? For the past few days, I kept avoiding having physical contact with him. I can't face him right now because I somehow feel really shy whenever he's around. I was alright before we started dating. Why am I suddenly acting like this?

"Hey, why are you avoiding me?" I flinched when I heard his voice behind me. He sat on the chair Daryl was sitting at earlier and looked straight into my eyes. He tried to catch my eyes, but mine kept straying all over the place because I feel so nervous around him.

"What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?" He said as he leaned forward. I leaned against my chair and covered my face. "D-Don't come any c-closer!"

Ah, seriously... What's wrong with me?

I flinched when I heard him laugh. My tensed shoulders relaxed as I slowly removed my hands from covering my face.

His cheeks turned red from laughing so hard. I felt my whole face heating up because of embarrassment. "Why are you laughing?" I said, almost yelling. "Hey, don't raise your voice," he said and chuckled as he wiped a tear from his eye. I scrunched my eyebrows and pouted as I glared at him. "Come on, don't pout like that. You just looked so cute earlier. Do you feel nervous around me?" He said as he leaned against his chair and crossed his arm while he smirked.

Oh no, what happened to the Tristan who always gets flustered? Why does it feel like pur personalities suddenly got swapped? It was supposed to be the other way around!

"Shut up." I looked away and rolled my eyes.

I felt something warm on my chin—it was his hand. He lifted my chin so our eyes would meet. "You don't have to be shy around me, darling," he said as he smiled.

What...?

"D-D-Darling?!" It felt like my heart jumped out of my chest because of what he called me. I felt my face burning up because of blushing. My eyes were wide as I watched his lips curve into a smile and his smile turned into a hearty laugh that I felt more embarrassed.

"Okay, that's it! I'm leaving. I hate you so much!" I said and took my backpack. I walked to the glass door of the cafe and left. I heard his footsteps from behind me, so I picked up my pace and walked even faster.

"Justin, wait!"

What does he want now? Isn't playing with me enough? I feel so embarrassed right now that I can't face him.

"I said wait!"

"Justin!" I felt his hand on my arm. He pulled me so hard that my face got buried on his chest. His arms wrapped around my body, giving me a familiar feeling.

He feels so warm.

"I'm sorry, I won't tease you anymore," he whispered.

I could hear his heartbeat as I buried my face on his chest.

"Jerk," I whispered.