Chapter 4- Moving Forward

“Ysabel, I want you to stay away from me.” Those nine words hurt, those were the words out of his mouth as he drove me back to my apartment. The lunch was wonderful but the ending did not exactly scream perfect.

I tried to understand what he was trying to say. He wanted me to stay away from him. Did I come off as someone desperate? I wanted to understand why. I wanted to slap him when he said those nine words but I couldn’t find enough reason to do it.

So here I am, back in my apartment and screaming profanities at my pillow. I most likely smeared my make up on my pillow but I didn’t care. I called my best friend and she said she’s on her way.

“What happened?” Amy asked as soon as she stepped in my apartment with half a dozen beers in each of her hands.

“Nothing.” I muttered. She knows me too well, she knows I will spill everything to her the moment I have alcohol in my system.

We sat comfortably in the couch, as comfortable as I can be. I’m still in my dress. I’m too worked up to function properly.

Three hours and six beers later...

“Amy!” I whined.

“No.”

“Give it to me!” I tried to reach for my phone in her hand but she wasn’t as drunk as me.

“No! You’re drunk!”

“Am not!” I said rather petulantly.

“Am too.”

We continued our pointless banter a couple of times before I landed on Amy’s lap and she was stroking my hair.

“Care to tell me what happened?” I hoped she would let this go but she has been constantly asking me what happened, I think I’m drunk enough to tell her what happened.

“Basically, Sarah played match maker between her ex and I. She thought her ex and I would be perfect for each other, so she arranged for us to have lunch together.”

Amy didn’t say anything so I continued. “We had lunch at a five star hotel, everything was perfect, except for the fact that I kissed him.”

My bestfriend’s eyes widened at this but she still didn’t say anything. “Then he told me I should stay away from him and he dropped me off then I called you.”

“Why would you kiss him? I never pegged you as the first move kind of girl.” She teased me which caused my cheeks to redden.

“I don’t know what happened. We were fine one minute then I was kissing him the next.” I slurred.

“Ysabel! He got scared, you scared him away. I suggest you call him and apologize.” She poked my cheek and I gave a small nod.

“Isn’t that what we were arguing about earlier.” I tried to smirk but seeing as all my senses have gone numb, it came out weird.

“Yes but I want you to call him when you’re sober, not drunk out of your mind.” A cold drop of liquid landed on my face and I glared at my bestfriend. She was still drinking and as for me, I am wasted.

Maybe I’ll call Seth in the morning and apologize.

*-~*-~*-~*-~*-~*-~*-~*-~-*~-*

I woke up with another banging of my door. Dammit! What is with these people and waking me up so early in the morning? I let myself drop to the floor and I tried to crawl my way to the door.

As soon as I unlocked the knob, I am now wide awake. Someone just dumped ice cold water on me in the form of Seth. Why now? He chuckled at my form on the floor and I got up abruptly. My hangover hit me like a ton of bricks. I should not have done that.

“What do you want Seth?” I let him in the apartment and I regretted it, beer bottles were everywhere and my bestfriend was missing.

He looked around the room until his gaze fell on me. “I just wanted to explain why I said those words yesterday. It wasn’t right to say those words and leave just like that.”

“Okay.” I drew out. I went to the living room and tried to arrange the beer bottles, it was embarrassing.

“Let me help.” Seth offered and I gave a small nod. My eyes lit up with realization and before I could take back my nod he already held up what my bestfriend was playing with yesterday. “What’s this?” His face turned to amusement at my reddening face. This is exactly why men are not allowed to attend an all women party.

“I-I-, w-we, I-. Shit.” I can’t rack my brain for any good excuses except for. “My bestfriend played with it.” He looked around, probably looking for my ‘bestfriend’. Where the heck is she?

“So you’re imaginary friend was playing with a c*ndom?” He was trying hard not laugh which made it more embarrassing.

“Shut up.” I fixed the last of the mess and sat down on the couch. Seth sat down with me and he shifted to remove something he sat on. Goddammit!

“It’s not what you think!” I raised my hands in exasperation and I covered my face.

“What’s to think? I didn’t know you were kinky.” He was getting a kick out of my embarrassment. Why does this happen to me? He was holding out pink handcuffs, Amy thought it was hilarious to use that together with the c*ndom. I don’t know what she did exactly because everything is a bit hazy.

“Seth, that really isn’t mine.” I tried to say but he having none of it. Right on cue, Amy got out of my bedroom, her hair sticking out in all directions. She made a beeline to the coffee maker and then she turned to us.

“Ysabel, why is there a hot guy manikin in the living room?” I almost laughed at her, clearly her vision is still blurry. Seth was trying really really hard not to laugh.

Amy rubbed her eyes and she looked at us once again, “Ysa, why is there a hot guy in the living room?” She finally realized her words and she slapped her hand to her mouth and locked herself in my bedroom.

“So that’s the bestfriend?” Seth turned to me and let out the laugh he was trying hard to contain.

“Yes, that’s her.” I pointed to my bedroom.

“I see, I’m so sorry to come on such short notice. I will call in the future to prevent any surprises.” He chuckled at the word ‘surprises.’

“Seth, you came here to explain?” I said with all the composure I could muster.

“Yes, I wanted you to stay away from me because I don’t want to hurt you.” Why would he hurt me? I’m not even remotely close to in love with him or like him.

“Don’t I have a say in this?” I slumped on the couch.

“Ysabel, I don’t want you getting hurt. In some way, I will hurt you. I always hurt the people close to me.” He looked down to the floor.

“Seth, I’m not saying we’ll end up as a couple. I wanted to be friends with you. Nothing more. Nothing less. I’m not asking you to fall in love with me. Yes, we will become close but its normal for friends to fight at some point. You shut people out, I can see that. I can help you and you can help me. Keep this in mind, I’m not one of those girls you parade through the media, I will be your friend.”

“Ysabel, I don’t know.” He was playing with his fingers and I placed my hand on top of his and he shifted his gaze to me.

“Seth, it’s your choice. And as for the kiss yesterday, let’s forget about it, it was a mistake.” I gave him a small smile which he returned.

“If you insist, Ms. Crest, let’s be friends.” He gave a smirk and I gulped.

“Okay Mr. Morgan, let’s.” What am I getting myself into?

“Meet me tonight, I have to show you something.” He winked at me and before I could ask where we’re going, he already left my apartment.

-----BETTER-----THAN-----DREAMS-----BETTER-----THAN-----DREAMS-----

A/N

Hi!!!! So this is another rewritten chapter. This is the last rewritten chapter of better than dreams, I’m not changing anything else. Please tell me if you like this one or the original one. Thank you!!

Please Comment!!!

-G