The plan to catch Venice's attention was more difficult than anyone could imagine. That girl has a hectic schedule. We were lucky enough last Monday that she attended school.
What am I going to do if she's not around? Think, London. Come on.
Think!
All right. I have an idea.
During break time, I was in the library to meet the irritating guy named Paris. Fates must have heard my pleadings when I met Scot in the library looking for some books. I was thinking if I could help him.
Scot Richards is the man in every girl's dream. He's too nice for his own good and a real gentleman. Smart and funny. He can sing. He can dance. He can act. He can do sports. He could be anything he wanted to be, except for being my boyfriend.
Reason number one, he's my best friend. Reason number two, Venice was in love with him. Reason number three, Venice is a bitch. Sorry to say, but right now I have to do everything I can to make him fall in love with me. For the sake of my academics, I would do anything. My life depends on it.
"Hey, what are you looking for?" I asked, eyeing some books.
"Nothing special," he gave me a quick smile and turned away, "Just a book that I read for spare time."
I laughed, then shook my head. "Don't say that, Scot. Every book that we read has something special that caught our interest." I said, stating those words like it was some fact. I moved on to the next shelf and tapped it as I passed by.
I don't like how I sound when I'm flirting. Well, anything to catch his attention. I have to do this.
He nodded. "Sure they have, bookworm." He sighed. "Can you help me then, London? You always know your way around libraries."
"Hmmm—In one condition," tapping my forefinger on my chin.
"What condition?" He smirked.
"I'll tell you after we found the book. Believe me, it's nothing you can't handle. You're Scot Richards the Great, remember?"
We both laughed.
"Yeah, I remember. I used to say that in grade school believing that I'm some kind of a knight in shining armor riding on a white stallion." He said between the laughs.
"Honestly, you were a knight during those days. Saving me every time I'm in trouble."
"If it wasn't me, then who would've saved you, Miss Troublemaker? But for someone shorter, you were brave enough to kick asses of guys from a higher grade."
I rolled my eyes. "Enough with the reminisces. What was the name of the book you are looking for?"
"It was "Last Letter". A romance." He said with a smile.
My brows raised at his statement. "You read romance? I didn't expect you're into romantic stories." I eyed the book titles arranged alphabetically.
He leaned his elbows on the shelf beside me.
"You underestimate the power of romance over a guy. The reason that I'm into romance is that it was something I dream to have."
"Oh, I think I found your book. Last letter? You say?" I turned around to show it to him.
In a second, he was so close. He smelled like mint. His hot breaths were hitting my skin. As he was about to move closer and closer, someone's hand dragged me away from Scot with brute force.
"Paris? What are you doing? Let go of me!" I whined, trying to escape his grip.
He was dragging me the whole time. He released my hand when we reached the rooftop.
"What were you thinking?" He said in a cold tone. "You're supposed to meet me there to come up with another plan."
"What are you talking about? I could sense it was a good chance to make some progress with our plan. If I make Scot my boyfriend he won't bother Venice anymore. What's wrong with that?"
"Are you asking me what's wrong?" He said as he turned to me and stared angrily. "Now, you're lacking common sense. It's extremely wrong, London. Ain't scared to lose him forever, because you're starting everything with a lie? Don't play with other people's feelings."
I snorted. Look who's talking about other people's feelings.
"Perhaps, are you jealous?"
"Are you seriously flirting with Richards?" Paris asked, brushing his hair backward while trying to calm himself.
"Don't answer questions with another question, Paris!" I snapped.
"Just answer me!" He yelled with fury.
It took me a while to answer. I couldn't grasp what was going on.
"Yes! I'm seriously flirting with Scot. So what! Don't tell me you're jealous—"
"Yes! I'm jealous and I don't know why." He abruptly admitted.
There was a brief silence between us. He exhaled.
"Let's end things here. If you want to report me cheating. Report me. I don't care anymore." I turned away.
He shook his head. "No. If you will continue to flirt with Scot, then do it. I won't bother you. I won't do anything. But do it after our plans are accomplished. Agreed?"
"You just said that you are jealous of Scot. You like me?"
"I-" Then everything was dark.
"Wake up! London, wake up!" The voice said, shaking my shoulders.
"Huh? Where am I?"
I blinked my eyes twice. I was confused that it was a different scene.
Why am I not on the rooftop? Was that a dream?
"You're dreaming."
At last, I saw his annoying face. After that dream, I would avoid Paris as much as possible but look who's here hovering around me.
"What? Did you say? Dream?" My eyes narrowed.
"Yeah, you're dreaming. What are you dreaming about anyway?" He said, grinning.
"Secret. Glad it was a dream." I stood from a chair.
Determined to get out of this situation, I started to dash my way out of the library.
"Why? Was it bad?" He stood as well and followed my tracks.
It is a hundred percent bad because you were in it, jerk. If only I could say it to his face. But I can't stand to see him any longer. I continued walking the path on the open field keeping a distance from Paris. But he was following like a dog. The world must be witnessing a new record in history about Paris, a playboy tailed by thousands of girls chasing after a girl. This guy must be crazy. I was hoping someone I knew would pass by to keep him from getting near me.
Good thing I saw Venice and Scot from afar. The heavens must have seen my suffering being tailed by this stupid playboy. I glanced from Paris's direction before waving my hands towards my friends. I was so waiting for them impatiently like a man who needs to pee. I was about to run to meet them when Paris reached for my hand pulling me towards his chest. I can't believe that it was happening right in front of my crush. I'm embracing another guy in front of the guy I like.
"Sorry, this was not supposed to happen. Just stay still and let me talk to them." He said, panicking as well.
"Why would I believe you? You're a playboy. Your mouth spills lies every time you talk." I was hitting his back but he didn't budge or complain.
He hushed. "Shut up. They are coming."
I wanted to show him what an uppercut is, but I was there frozen in the current situation with my head resting on him. I want to move but my feet won't let me. I could hear loud beats from his heart like an enormous drum. What's wrong with this guy? Why is his heartbeat so loud? Is it because of me? Or is it because of Venice?
"Oh, hey guys!" Hiding me behind his back.
"Isn't that London?" I heard Venice's sweet voice.
Once again someone pulled me that drew me out behind Paris. It was him. Scot. Scot Richards pulled me out from the devil's arms. I could feel my stomach fluttering. I tried to hide my smile.
"What are you doing to London, Paris?" Scott interrogated, grabbing Paris's shirt while his right arm was about to punch.
"Why does it concern you, Scot?" Paris teased, grinning like an evil.
Venice sensed the extreme tension between the two alpha males.
"Guys, just chill. There must be a misunderstanding," Venice said coolly, trying to separate them, "Scot, no need to be violent."
Then Scot withdrew from his attack.
"Did he hurt you?" Scot glanced in my direction.
I immediately shook my head to say no. My heart was thumping like crazy. One of the scariest things in the world is when Scot is mad.
"Paris, I'm sorry. I think Scot misunderstood it. He's always like that. Always protective."
Venice was still asking for forgiveness and explaining this and that to Paris. I could see his face was confused all the time.
"Always?", he said in a thunderous voice, "He's always like that? Is London's boyfriend?"
I see what he was trying to do. Irritate Scot and he succeeded.
"I'm her friend trying to protect her from a playboy like you!" Scot retorted.
"Shut up!" I roared.
It was the first time I raised my voice in front of Scot. I've never done this before. But I can't bear to listen to their nonsense conversations. Their eyes were staring at me. They were surprised by what I just did. I don't care.
"Scot, I am glad that you are always protective of me. But for how long are you going to stay protective? What if you have a girlfriend? What if I will have a boyfriend?"
"Why? Is he your boyfriend?"
I stared at him. I want to answer "no". But I can't tell where this conversation is going.
"So what if she's my girlfriend," Paris said with pride.
I looked at Paris with my eyes at their widest.
"Paris, what are you talking about? Are you crazy?"
"No, they have to know." He insisted.
"No. No. No. He is not my boyfriend. Over my dead body, Scot. We are not even a thing."
There I said it.
"If he's not your boyfriend, why are you embracing him earlier? Don't tell me you're just playing along with him."
"No, just hear me out. Don't listen to him." I was about to explain what happened.
"Why do you need to explain what happened, London? There's nothing wrong with embracing your boyfriend," as he emphasized the word boyfriend.
Oh, please shut up. I'm saving my love life here. Even if there's no us.
"So he's your boyfriend." He concluded.
"Yeah, I'm his boyfriend," Paris answered.
"Guys! Please hear London first." Venice said.
Then they were both silent. I shook my head at their obedience towards Venice. Just look at these two. Are you guys, Venice's dogs?
I turned to Scot.
"Can I talk to you, Scot? Please."
Paris was about to protest, but Venice dragged him away. I guess deep inside him was doing jumping jacks in joy.
Scot was silent for a while, so I asked him first.
"Scot, why are mad right now?" I began.
"I'm not mad."
"You are angry."
"Fine. I'm angry. You've said it," folding his arms and looking away.
"For what reason, Scot?"
"I'm angry because I want to keep you away from that playboy." He said pointing at Paris.
"You know what he does, right?"
"I know." Then nodded.
My answer made his fist clench and his jaw tighten.
"But why are you doing those sorts of things with him."
"Why does it bother you so much, Scot?"
I was keeping eye contact observing every reaction of his body.
"Because I want to protect you."
I snorted. "Why do you want to protect me?"
I know he was hiding something and Paris made a way for him to unveil the truth. I didn't know this playboy was helping me this much.
"He is going to hurt you in the process. If you will end up with that kind of guy you will be," he paused like choosing the right words to say, "-unhappy."
I took a step forward, challenging him. "With whom will I be happy then? Tell me, Scot."
"With me," as he took my hands looking at me with those vivid eyes, "Why can't you just stick with me?"
"With you?" I puffed a heavy breath. "How can I be happy with you, Scot," retrieving my hands from him, "Did you believe me when I told you I am not his girl? You didn't listen to me when I was about to explain what happened. Now you're telling me I will be happy with you? How-"
My voice was hoarse in anger as I uttered every word, "How can I be happy with you? When all this time I am just a friend."
"I don't know." He looked at me shaking his head.
My brows crumpled. "Why? You should know."
He bit his lower, then sighed. "Yes. I should know, London. I should've known all the while you were longing for us to be something more than being friends. I made you feel that way. It was my fault since I didn't act to pursue you. And here I am getting mad and jealous when you are with other guys." Tears sparkled from his almond eyes.
"So, you got jealous for nothing. Because nothing is going on between me and Paris."
"He's not your boyfriend?" He looked hopeful.
"Yes, he is not. So, please, let's give us a chance." I sounded begging for love.
"I can't like you, London," looking at me painfully, "You know that I am engaged to someone, right?"
I was astounded. I looked at him with my eyes wide open. It felt like something was gripping my chest.
"No, I didn't know," there was an intense pause due to hesitation, "To whom?"
My whole body could sense the pain in his words. I feel like I'm dying. I gasped for air trying to breathe. I tried to keep my body standing though I was trembling.
He shook his head.
"I didn't know yet to whom I was engaged. The fact that I have a fiancée was the reason I couldn't voice out my feelings. I can only express them in my actions. Because I know I will not stay. I know I have to leave your side someday. I'm sorry, London."
He tried to reach for my hand, but I took a step backward which made him fail to do so.
Hearing those words I can't help but cry. I stopped crying since the day my parents beat me. But today my tears won't stop flowing.
"Don't. Please, don't cry. I don't like it when you cry." He said as he wrapped me in his arms, "I want to be London's boyfriend. But I like you so much that I want to be the person who will make you happy. Every day I want to make you smile because your smiles were like the sun on my rainy day. But I can't be that guy. I will bring you nothing but tears and I can't forgive myself if that day will come."
I was speechless. I want to say that he is wrong that I will be the happiest if I will be his girlfriend. But in my mind what he was saying might be true. He was worried I would be unhappy by his side. He's anxious that I would struggle at the hands of the people against our relationship.
"London, I can't stay here any longer." He whispered in his mournful voice.
He pulled away from the embrace and took my hand. He made me hold on to something that seemed like a book. I wasn't looking because I was busy wiping my tears. When I was done fixing myself, I was in awe to see the book in my hand.
Reading the cover it was the "Last Letter", the book I helped Scot to find. Was that not a dream?