(Warning: This chapter is too happy until stuff happens, hehehe. And please read the author's note at the end. It's lengthy but it's my heart being poured out <3 enjoy!)

Chapter 28 - Classy and Fancy.

Oliver

He took a minute or more before he replied, but it came swiftly.

Khalid
Yes, it's been a while since we last talked
And I'm wondering why it is so.

I read the text more than twice to really understand what he meant and not kid myself. If he truly was wondering why it'd been so long since we talked, then I must've been on his mind.

Maybe not because he likes me, but because he still considers me as a friend even after seeing the kiss.

Me
Same, I've been wondering as well.
You just kind of stopped talking to me since Sunday.

I replied, feeling happy when the blue tick appeared immediately. It meant he was lingering on my conversation and was just as interested in texting as I was.

Khalid
You hurt me.

It came instantly, bold and clear, I read it in utter shock.

Bitting my lower lip and getting a bit nervous now because the conversation was just starting to heat up, I came up with a combination of stupid words over six times. Typing and clearing, over and over.

Me
Umm how do you mean?
Explain to me please.

Finally stringing the right words together and making that first sentence, I added the last part quickly.

Khalid
The last time we spent time together was on Saturday at the garden.
I called you to join me.

He italicised the word 'I' maybe to create emphasis. I wasn't really seeing the point he was trying to make yet.

Me
Yes that's true.
It was a beautiful night btw. Thank you for showing the garden to me.

I thanked him. I didn't quite understand what he meant by 'I hurt him', I had lots of theories. One of them being that maybe I wasn't showing enough appreciation, so I tried to change that as easily and as quickly as I could.

Khalid
You're welcome.
But after that I didn't see you anymore. We decided to meet up at the party but I didn't see you, and you never called or texted to meet up.

I froze after reading. I was beginning to see what might have gotten him so upset.

Me
You left before I did.

Regret came over me the instant I sent that. I couldn't believe I was still trying to defend myself when I should be apologising. I proceeded to type another reply when another text from him came right in.

Khalid
We left a bit early because Chris and I were going to pick Shirley up at the school dorms before heading into the city.
I was going to tell you before we left but I decided against it, thinking I was going to meet you at the party.
But you never called or texted.

He repeated the last part to create emphasis.

If I didn't have sirens blaring in my head, I would've sworn he sounded a bit hurt. But sirens were blaring so violently in my head and I was running speechless and out of excuses to make, not that I needed anymore excuses to defend myself.

Well, he'd already mentioned that I hurt him and that was the reason he hadn't spoken to me for days now. I was starting to see how I might've hurt him.

Me
I'm so sorry.
I was going to call you but things didn't go too well with me.

Sending that, I realised I just apologised but swiftly made another excuse to make him feel pity for me.

My heart tied when the blue tick came on but there was no sign of him typing yet. I bit my bottom lip harder, inflicting pain on myself and punishing myself for being so full of excuses when I needed to be apologising.

A minute passed, two minutes passed—well over five minutes had passed and there was no reply from him yet. I languidly released my phone, letting it fall to my chest, I let out a sigh afterwards.

My phone vibrated and dinged, signalling a new message. The speed at which I picked it up was almost extramundane. Unlocking it, I found out it wasn't a text from Khalid. I groaned, and a stab of guilt clamped my stomach for feeling disappointment when I found out who the text was from.

It was a text from Mason.

Since we sorted things out between us and I told him I was going to try my best with him, we had been texting a lot more than we used to. Especially since we've been less busy this week. He planned to come visit sometime this week but he'd been too absorbed by school work and getting ready for our matriculation ceremony, so texting was all we had.

And we did quite a lot of that, but right now he really wasn't the person I wanted to text with. I replied him, nonetheless.

The second I replied Mason a text from Khalid came in and I left Mason's and went straight for Khalid's.

Khalid
I guess what I'm trying to say is I've been the only one initiating a conversation between us, I feel like I'm bothering you.
It would be nice if you called me instead of me always calling, and I really thought you were going to do that on Saturday at the party but you never did.
So yeah that's how you hurt me.
Sorry I'm being too cheesy.
I'm not always like this, I promise.

He sent the last part with a laughing emoji.

My eyes lingered on every single word Khalid had sent to me, it was too beautiful. He sounded genuinely concerned and hurt, he sounded like a kid and that was utterly adorable.

My mouth gaped open as I read and reread. I saw meaning in what he had just said. All the time we'd talked and spent time together, he'd always been the one calling to link up. I suppose he didn't notice my tentative gestures of going through the long hallway with the balcony to my room, all in the hopes of seeing him at his usual spot.

And if he thought he was bothering me, he was doing the exact opposite of that. Hell, if only he knew what I've done with a naked, strip dancing image of him in my bathroom.

Me
I'm really sorry. It never crossed my mind that you would be bothered by this.
Don't even think you're bothering me, because you're not in any way. Your company is the best company I've had since I arrived at Denberg.
You have absolutely no idea.

I tried to get emotions into a sincere apology without saying too much. That was very difficult by the way, I almost typed; and I like you.

He read the message and his reply came in seconds. It was the blush face emoji, which I giggled at. I never knew Khalid could be this cheesy, and this cheesy side of him was too beautiful.

Khalid
Excuse my rant.
The main reason I texted you was to inform you about our little group excursion to the boutique tomorrow, but you were online and brought up the topic so I decided to voice my feelings.
You're coming with us, right?
Wait scratch that. You're coming with us, definitely.

The widest grin formed on my face and my stomach fluttered at his messages. I kept getting notifications from Mason but I was too engrossed in this chat to leave and reply any other chats.

Me
Chris told me about that. Apparently you told everyone else except me.
I was beginning to think you didn't want me there.

Khalid
And that's exactly what I was trying to avoid, I knew you would think that way.
Gomen'nasai.

He replied and I chortled at his very bold and successful attempt at writing Japanese. He didn't even watch animé as much as I did, so this was commendable.

Khalid
And fyi I did not use Google translate to get that.
That's how they say sorry in all those anime you watch right?

He added quickly before I could reply.

Beaming at his text and admiring just how cheerful Khalid could be, I brought myself to reply after a while.

Me
It's fine. Apology accepted.
But that's only because you said it in Japanese.

I teased with a laughing and a winking emoji.

Khalid
Fine then, I guess whenever I offend you I'll apologise in Japanese.

I laughed at that. Minutes later he sent a voice note explaining how tomorrow was going to be to me. I could hear the sound of video games and voices in the background. I recognised Chris's and Mako's but there were a few more others. I shoved the thought aside before I could dwell any longer on it and realise that Alex was probably in his room with all of them.

We continued texting, and I finally got the chance to reply Mason who seemed to be waiting for a reply from me, so I texted the both boys simultaneously whilst ignoring spam messages from group chats.

I really should leave these crowded group chats, but they were fun at times, and they sometimes sent memes so I stayed.

Almost everything was settled between Khalid and I, but almost wasn't exhaustive.

We still hadn't talked about the kiss which I'm very certain he saw. After a few more messages, the chat was starting to die and we were both getting sleepy so I decided to bring it up.

Me
You saw what happened on Sunday, right?

I almost added that it didn't mean anything, but I couldn't disrespect Mason like that.

Khalid
What happened on Sunday?

He threw the question back at me and my eyes widened at his response. If he was going to play dumb that was completely fine by me. I'd rather we not talk about it anyway as long as we're a hundred percent around each other.

Me
Nothing at all.
Nothing important happened on Sunday.

We eventually concluded our chat and said goodnight to one another. Mason was still eager to text but I was tired, so I wished him a goodnight as well. He cheerlessly sent a lazy goodnight and I went offline and plugged my phone in to charge.

Melting back into the earthly comfort of my bed, I let out a sigh as everything felt completely right, now I'd settled things with Khalid. Sleep came to my eyes in seconds, and a smile dwelled on my face as I recalled my text with Khalid.

In the midst of my euphoria was a flicker of guilt. I felt guilty because I wasn't being fully truthful with Mason.

I liked Khalid, so much more than I should and despite the fact that I wasn't in the know of his sexual orientation or his feelings towards me, I felt hopeful. I kept looking forward to a bright future for us.

And Mason liked me, a lot more than he should, and I promised to try my best to see him the same way, but I couldn't. I hadn't tried my best in that endeavour but I just knew I couldn't see Mason as something more than a friend. A very good friend.

Still I wasn't ready to make any decisions yet. I had time, despite Jess being on my neck about making a decision soon.

For now the only thing I cared about was my feelings for Khalid. I liked him way too much and I knew it was just a matter of time before I did something I would regret.

Slowly drifting off, I fell into a peaceful dreamless sleep.

***

I woke up happy and on the right side of my bed the next day, which was Thursday. After a good night's sleep, I was excited about going shopping with everyone today.

Since I became good friends with Shirley, Kevin and the people around me here in lighthouse, I'd been a lot happier than I had ever been. Khalid was a very huge factor in my new found joy.

Aside from the other day Khalid and I had visited the lake, I hadn't experienced another night of sleep-crying. It was either just a dreamless, peaceful sleep or I had some weird, funny dream even on nights I wasn't feeling too happy.

The girls and I had breakfast and we spent half of the morning singing karaoke. Jess started it then Yadiri joined, they were having too much fun without me so I had to join as well. Despite being against the noise at first, I eased into it under five minutes and instantly abandoned my worries about being too loud.

We all had showers and got ready to leave after Khalid had visited each room to urge us to prepare. He really took it upon himself to ensure today was fun and successful, and I appreciated that. It was the one time we all had to hang out together before school gets too intense after our matriculation ceremony.

It was around 1PM now and we were all in the garage, ready to leave.

"Ummm," Khalid started, "I'm guessing we're all here now?" He scanned with his eyes to be certain.

"I guess so," Chris spoke idly, fixing Shirley's hair.

Those two were too smitten with each other and it was incredibly admirable. This was her first time in lighthouse, she didn't even come to see me when she arrived, she remained in her boyfriend's room. I only just saw her when we all got down to the garage.

I was still faking annoyance at her, but I knew this was how it was going to be from now on. She did inform me when she arrived though, she sent a text on WhatsApp.

"You're not even paying attention," Alex scoffed, "don't talk if you're not sure," he cautioned Chris who immediately stopped what he was doing and turned to him, piqued.

"Pardon?" The annoyance was audible in his voice.

Forgive me, but I got a bit expectant and excited for a verbal lashing on Alex because Chris had already confirmed to me that he did not like Alex that much. Knowing Chris the little I did, I could tell he was utterly blunt. Alex wouldn't even stand a chance.

My agitation disappeared just as quickly when Khalid interrupted Alex who wanted to voice a reply. I felt disappointed.

"Okay great, we're all here so how are we going?"

"Shirley can ride with us," Chris suggested, turning to Khalid.

Yadiri slowly pulled her away from Chris. "Sorry lover boy, but she's riding with the girls," she sang, arching a brow at him.

"No," he feigned a sad expression.

"This is stupidly cheesy," Alex sassed under his breath, but it was audible for all of us to hear.

Khalid lightly smacked his arm, looking at him disapprovingly. He just shrugged and looked away.

"Calm down babe," Shirley giggled stroking his stretched out hand, "I'm riding with the girls."

"I'm not a girl," I quickly stated and Alex scoffed loudly again.

"I'm riding with the girls and Olly," she corrected herself, smiling at me and completely ignoring Alex who deserved to be ignored.

"You might not be a girl but you are prettier than many, that's for sure," Mako complimented, making me flush and send my gaze to the floor.

Khalid burst into laughter, it sounded forced and feigned. It didn't sound like his usual soft, hearty giggles. He stopped laughing seconds after realising he was the only one who took that as a joke.

"Fine then, I guess it's Chris, Alex, Patrick and I then Justin and Mako," clearing his voice and looking in every direction, Khalid announced.

I came to observe that among the nine of us in lighthouse, Khalid, Jess and Justin were the only ones who owned a car. I spent the next few seconds observing each and everyone of us in lighthouse.

It was proper for me to surmise that we were all well-off, not filthy rich, but comfortable. Well, except Yadiri whose aunt was just that: filthy rich.

From the way everyone carried themselves, I just knew I was amidst a group of individuals with class. We had close to the most recent iPhones, if not the latest, we mostly wore real designer clothing and I mean this.

Alex had and Mako for one, their fashion sense was top notch and copacetic.

"Then Shirley will come with us and Olly," Jess completed for him.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't annoyed that Alex was going to ride with Khalid and Chris in Khalid's car, but I shook the thought and feeling off completely. Alex shouldn't be a bother to me, albeit he was trying so hard to be.

"I'm going with Justin and Mako, by the way," Patrick spoke up, following them to Justin's car.

"You sure bruv?" Alex asked his roommate and he nodded.

Heading over to our various rides, the girls were all chatting and giggling about stuff but I zoned out of their conversation as I watched Alex walk behind Khalid to his car. I wondered why he didn't just follow his roommate, why he kept sticking close to Khalid.

"See you there, Jess," Alex called out before he entered the backseat of Khalid's car.

Jess stopped in the process of unlocking the car door, looking up and sending us looks with a flushed expression before answering.

"Uhh, yeah sure. See you at the boutique," she stuttered a bit, feeling a bit shy that Alex had spoken up in front of everyone.

She opened the car and we all got in, but my eyes dwelled on her. Jess was never shy so this was new. It's either she liked Alex back but wasn't ready to admit it, or she didn't at all and was embarrassed when he called out to her in the presence of everyone.

Yadiri got into the passenger's seat, Shirley and I relaxed at the back while Jess drove.

Khalid was the first to pull out of the garage, then Justin before Jess followed as well. The guard with the Belgian accent opened the gates for us, beaming and waving like the cheerful man that he really was. His manner of approach professed a gaiety I'm sure he always felt.

"So you know where this boutique is in the city?" I asked cutting into their conversation. Shirley seemed to really be in her zone being around Jess and Yadiri.

Yadiri most especially, she loved and complimented almost everything about her, quite frequently, it was funny to watch.

This second she was complimenting her hair, the next second she was cooing at her shoes or her nails.

"Uh no, why?" Jess directed the question back to me.

My eyes grew wider in shock, "you don't know and you're just driving?" I crowed, titling my head to the side to get a good look at her.

"Calm your tits, I'll follow closely behind them," she informed, huffing.

"And if we lose them?" I begged the question. She didn't seem to take that into consideration.

"Baby Olly, I don't know if you're aware but this is the twenty first century. We have GPS and we know the name of the boutique. We've already typed in our destination, it's like an hour drive from Denberg University and that's exactly where we live, so like Jess said; calm your—"

"Don't say it," I cut Yadiri off before she could finish, narrowing my eyes at her.

"Sorry," she muttered an apology, bitting her lips to stifle her laughter.

She understood the look I sent her. They kept using these terms, which were totally fine by me, in front of Shirley who didn't know about my bi-curiousity. Apparently they weren't aware, but they were now so hopefully they'll know how to address me in Shirley's presence.

"What are you guys shopping for?" Jess asked us after that had left the air.

"I'm getting new heels, ear rings and maybe a necklace," Yadiri answered, checking Google maps on her phone.

"You're not getting those gold arm bracelets anymore?" Jess directed her question to Yadiri, taking a turn.

We had already lost the guys, and I was panicking but the girls were all chill so I relaxed in my seat. I wasn't scared of getting lost or anything, pfft, I'm a grown man.

"Oh yes those gold arm bracelets we saw in their display online, I'm definitely getting those. It'll go so well with our dress." Yadiri assured with a cheerful smile and a confident look on her face. "You're also getting one, right," she turned to Jess.

"Yeah sure, of course. We're twining on that day with our similar dresses anyway, so we have to try our best to look it," Jess approved.

"Wow, you girls already have dresses," she awed and noted to herself. "I do but Chris promised to get me another one because I told him I wasn't sure about the one I have anymore. I do have heels though," Shirley chipped in.

"We do have dresses, my aunt took Jess and I to a very fancy, foreign boutique in another state before we resumed," Yadiri answered.

"By fancy and foreign you mean exotic and expensive, right? How much did you get your dresses?" She inquired but Yadiri scoffed and turned to look at her.

"Trust me babe, you don't wanna know," she replied, shaking her head.

"Wow," Shirley awed again.

"I wish your aunt was also my aunt," I giggled, gently prodding Shirley who was still in awe.

"And I wish your dad was also my dad. He's rich," Jess bragged on my behalf.

"Meh," I brushed it off, "it's not like he's always around anyway," I sent my gaze outside the window.

"I mean, I don't really mind as long as he replenishes my credit card every month," Jess admitted with a laugh.

She knew about the almost unfamiliar relationship I had with my dad, and always tried to get me to see the bright side. The bright side being; he didn't get to take us all the place which meant we could remain best friends till the end of time.

If it was highly possible Jess could be a fairytale. She believed in them even more than she believed in reality.

We weren't spoilt kids with rich parents, or guardian in Yadiri's case, at least I liked to believe I wasn't spoilt. I never shoved my financial status in anyone's face and I never for once bragged about it to anyone. I even used to help a few people in highschool, discreetly anyway. I hated that kind of attention.

They continued to chat as Jess drove and eventually turned on the radio to help boost the mood.

"Hey hey hey, Kevin is calling me on facetime," Shirley scooted closer to me, tapping me and getting my attention.

"Answer it!" I cheered, brightening up because it's been a while since I last spoke with Kevin.

She picked it and his video came on, instantly revealing his smiling face.

He had headphones around his neck and was twirling the eraser end of a pencil on his cheek.

"Hello Shirley," he waved, adjusting himself on the bed.

"Hello," we both greeted back and I came into view.

"Oh my God you're with Olly? And you guys are at a…" he paused, squinting his eyes and leaning closer to his phone, "a car party or something?" He asked.

I then realised that the volume of the radio was too loud and inconvenient for him because he was using headphones, although they were around his neck.

Gently tapping Yadiri on the shoulder, I motioned for her to turn down the volume of the radio a bit.

"Sorry," she whispered, complying.

"No, it's not a car party. Apparently everyone in Olly's dorm is going shopping at this boutique in the city and Chris invited me to come with," she answered and his face fell into a frown.

"And no one invited me, you're bad friend Olly," he mumbled, pouting at me.

Shirley shook her head at me disapprovingly, supporting him.

"I know, I know," I whined, "I'm so terrible at keeping friends," I face palmed myself. "But don't worry, I promise to make it up to you. What do you want me to get you Kev?" I offered with a sincere apologetic smile.

"Keep your money to yourself, you've broken my heart," he faked a sad expression and looked away.

"But I'm sorry!" I squealed.

"Are you? Are you really?" Shirley raised her eyebrows at me, teasing.

I gently shoved her aside and apologised again.

"If I didn't call Shirley I probably wouldn't have known about this little excursion you guys are having… without me," he emphasised.

"I'm gonna make it up to you whether you like it or not, I'll get you something," I said with resolve.

"It's fine," he giggled, "but if you're getting me something make sure it's as expensive as you," he flattered.

"Oh my God, I'm not expensive," I argued and he scoffed.

"Tell that to every new shoe you wear every single day of the week."

I didn't have anything else to say so I just pressed my lips into a line in an attempt to hide my smile.

"So what about you? What are you doing?" Shirley asked him.

"Umm nothing really," he waved the pen in the air and looked down at the books on his bed, "I was just listening to Melanie Martinez whilst trying to solve these problems on stellar dynamics and evolution, and also the few our astroparticle physics lecturer gave on Friday, before I called you," he announced, holding up a page of his book to the camera.

And Oh my God! It was filled with calculation, lots of calculation and solving in both pencil and pen. My mouth unintentionally fell open and I stared at his face when he brought the book down.

"Goodness Kevin, take a break," Shirley gasped.

"Take a break from what? Melanie Martinez or these questions that are making me go crazy? Because if you're telling me to take a break from Melanie Martinez, I'm sorry but we can not be friends any longer," he chuckled.

I chortled and shook my head at his statement. I now had two friends who were totally obsessed with musicians; Khalid who was obsessed with Khalid and Kevin who was obsessed with Melanie Martinez.

Not like I didn't have my own obsessions, I was completely crazy over BTS and so many other western artists so I guess we're all in the same boat.

"Not Melanie Martinez," Shirley chuckled, "I value our friendship. I'm talking about a break from school work and all, we're on our lecture free week, for Christ's sake." She tried to persuade him.

"It's our lecture free week, alright, but do you know how much work load they're going to put on us after our matriculation ceremony? You've absolutely no idea," he scoffed, "and someone in our group has to do these assignments, and that person is me. I'm sure Olly hasn't gone beyond the philosophy biography project," he finished, raising an eyebrow at me as if asking me to prove him wrong.

There was no proving him wrong, he was completely right. Except I haven't even completed the biography on Plato.

"You're wrong, I've gone beyond that. I checked the assignment on astroparticle physics yesterday," I lied.

I totally did not.

"Mhmm," he hummed, "I'm sure you did," he agreed, dubiety staining his tone and I gave up trying to persuade him.

"It's good you're doing it. If you don't finish it we'll all do it together on Monday," Shirley mentioned.

"You mean you'll copy off me on Monday?" Kevin corrected, arching his eyebrows at us.

"Definitely," Shirley answered immediately, pointing at him.

"You're so right there," I agreed and we all laughed.

The assignments weren't that difficult, I could solve the questions if I put my mind to it. They were just numerous and lengthy, and I could just be an indolent student sometimes.

We got to the boutique after about forty-five to fifty minutes of driving. The city was busy and colourful as usual, with different types of people going about their daily businesses.

Parking side by side in the driveway, we all got down and walked into the boutique, making small talk here and there. Alex was particularly talking to Khalid and I was just too infuriated by that, he was like a social leech.

A stupid, annoying social leech.

I personally was awed by the exoticness of the boutique's interior. Like the premium glass windows weren't fancy enough. I started wondering if we could afford anything in this place as we walked up to the receptionist.

"Welcome to Apple Blossoms boutique," she took a short pause scanning all of us, "lads. Are you all together?" She finished with a very posh accent, and I'm not joking about that.

Her voice and her accent could make a man want to spend all of his money in this boutique just to please her. But then I was bi-curious, definitely not a confirmed gay or bisexual, and wasn't attracted to her so her melodic voice had no effect on me.

It seemed to really work on the boys because they started murmuring and whispering about how beautiful she was to one another. Khalid and Mako were the only ones mature enough to step up and answer her question. Well Chris didn't utter a word about her beauty either because then Shirley would've slaughtered him.

"Yes ma'am, we're here together to shop for clothes and accessories," Khalid answered with an equal bright smile on his face.

"That's marvellous! I would love to inform you that you're exactly at the right place, Apple Blossoms has the best collection of designers, ranging from clothings to accessories. I hope you're satisfied with our  display." She went ahead to do exactly what she was being paid to do; make you want to spend all your money.

"Sure, we searched for the best boutiques in Jega, Apple Blossoms was one of the top ten and it was closest to the university in town. So here we are," Mako answered.

"Oh," she beamed at all of us, "you're all students of Denberg University and you're getting ready for your matriculation ceremony tomorrow, I surmise."

"That's correct," Khalid answered, nodding his head.

"You're not the first to come here, you'll definitely find satisfaction with us. Please lock your bags and purses in those cabinets over there, take the specific key to the chamber your bag is in with you," she instructed, pointing towards the colossal wall of cabinets and keys.

"Thank you. Will do," Khalid returned her smile.

"You're most welcome and I wish you a happy shopping experience," she gushed.

We all did as we were told, I didn't have a bag or a purse, just my credit card, so I waited for them as they locked theirs.

"Umm the womens' section is that way," Jess said to me, pointing at a sign that said: womens', "are you coming with us?"

"Uhhh," I mused, finding it a bit difficult to decide.

"What are you shopping for, by the way?" She changed her question.

"He's shopping for an expensive wrist watch, because he doesn't have an expensive wrist watch to go with his expensive Blue Suede," Chris called out, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

I just scoffed and waved his words aside. His hands were around Shirley, as usual.

"So you're going with them?" Jess pointed at the boys who'd already started walking towards the mens' section; Patrick, Justin, Mako and Alex. Khalid still stood beside me.

"Yeah he's coming with me," Khalid grabbed my hand and entwined our fingers.

The warmness and softness of his touch sent a shiver down my spine, and I had to fight to keep the redness and heat rising within me, out of my face.

"Ummm yeah, sure. Wh-why n-not," I flushed, staring down at my feet.

"Okay then we'll meet here again in like two hours, make sure to get your shopping done before then. We want to be back in town before it gets late," Khalid instructed.

"No problems, dad," Chris garbled the last word, making fun of it.

We all laughed at it and went separate ways. Chris went with Shirley and the girls while Khalid and I walked to the mens' section to join the boys.

Khalid was shopping for a suit and so was Alex, Mako, Patrick and Justin. The lines and rows of suits of different quality, colours, brands and styles mesmerised my reasoning. It was way too baroque.

After spending almost an hour helping Khalid pick out five different suits, we all headed straight to the changing room to get them checked out. The others had also picked out two or three suits themselves to test out.

It was one hell of a shopping montage because Alex kept sending glares my way every time Khalid and I made a joke and laughed out loud. I tried my best to ignore but I couldn't help but wonder why he was being this way.

"Help me get it on appropriately," Khalid requested, turning to me.

"I really like this one," I commented, straightening the lapels and quarters of the suit jacket.

"That's exactly what you said for the last three suits I tested," he chuckled letting his hand hang by his side and making it easy for me to take care of him.

"I mean, what can I say? Everything here is just too fancy, are you sure you can afford this suit?" I chortled, taking care of the wrist buttons.

He gasped, "are you belittling me right now?" He exclaimed in shock.

"No no, definitely not. I'm also referring to myself when I say that," I confessed, taking care of the other hand.

"It's not too expensive, and even if it was, I'm sure everyone here can afford whatever they want to buy. I mean why would they come along if they don't have enough cash," Khalid turned and faced the mirror now to take a look at himself.

"I was going to follow without the intentions of buying anything. Chris was the one who convinced me to get a wrist watch," I informed, placing both of my hands on his shoulder and standing behind him.

My image seemed so little beside his in front of the gigantic mirror.

"You can afford whatever it is you want to buy in Apple Blossoms," he noted, laughing softly.

"No!" I protested, smacking his right shoulder gently.

These people really thought I was rich, I couldn't believe it. They really needed to meet Yadiri's aunt to know what rich and sophisticated really looks like.

He turned to me and took both of my hands into his, "so how do I look in this one?" He inquired, stepping back a little, my hands still in his.

"You look classy," I commented, tilting my head scrutinisingly.

"And fancy?" He asked.

"And fancy," I agreed. "You look classy and fancy."

"If I asked you to attend the school ball with me would you accept?" He asked jokingly and I hissed in air sharply, freezing and staring at him.

The butterflies in my stomach started fluttering around frantically and I felt hot all over again. My dreamy gaze fixed up at him and my mouth speechlessly gaped open.

"Well? Would you?" He gave my hands a tender squeeze, urging me to answer.

I would agree in a heartbeat.

"No, don't be silly," I shot out of my trance and withdrew my hands from his, looking away shyly.

"Ouch! I'm hurt," he faked a sad expression, holding his hands over his chest.

He turned again to face the mirror and I obliviously looked around, letting out a sigh of relief. But the second my eyes caught Alex's glare again, I stiffened.

Just like the first time I saw him looking at me that way, I was overcome by a sudden wave of dizziness and I got sick to my stomach. I thought I was going to puke my guts out.

Looking away from him the instant I became vertiginous, I couldn't quite place my hands on why he kept looking at me with maleficent eyes which bore so much hatred towards me.

"I'm gonna go visit the bathroom," I announced, rubbing my eyes and temples simultaneously. I needed to splash some water on my face or I might just puke my guts up.

"Okay, no qualms. meet back here," he replied unattentively, still fixing his tie in front of the mirror.

I quickly sped out of the changing room and went straight for the mens' bathroom, huffing and panting out of annoyance and disgust.

On getting to the bathroom I speedily approached a sink. Turning on the tap, I splashed water on my face twice before turning off the tap.

My breathing was heavy, my chest was clogged and my temper was rising rapidly as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. This was utterly aggravating and if Alex wasn't going to say what his deal was he needed to stop sending dirty looks my way. I was this close to losing every last bit of tolerance I had for his douche bag attitude.

As if the universe heard me, the door to the mens' bathroom opened and Alex graciously walked in. I watched from the side of my eyes as he leisurely walked up to me. My breathing still wasn't steady, and I hadn't gotten my temper under control.

Alex was sure to see the bad side of me if he says something that vexes me even more at this point.

"I don't like it," he spoke coldly.

Nimbly turning my head in his direction, I huffed once again.

"You don't like what, Alexander?" My eyebrows knit on their own and my gaze sharpened, I voiced the question with a tut.

"The way you touch and look at Khalid with this glow in your eyes, I hate it. Stop it," he demanded, his resting bored expression turning into something more intense.

"Excuse you?" I turned to face him fully.

Alex had managed to get on my last nerves, he was sure to taste my poison now.

I opened my mouth and got ready to speak.

_
AN: I would like to say a very, very big thank you to every tranquiler (as long as you've read and voted on this book, you're now a tranquiler like the rest of us and are now a part of our family!)

Can't Stay Tranquil has hit 7K in only 5 months of being published and I'm so grateful! Every vote, every comment puts a smile on my face. Even when I'm sad and going through depressive episodes, when I read the comments I always crack up or break a smile. So thank you so much for all the support you've shown Oliver and his few misfit friends.

I hope you're enjoying and readying yourself for what's to come by the way, it's going to hit big!

Thank you so much and please don't stop showing me love because I'll keep trying my best to entertain you readers. If you enjoyed this chapter please vote and if the suspense is too much, here's a Snickers from Oliver. *hands over Snickers* eat it till the next chapter gets edited and published.

Till next time! Stay happy, stay safe!
Love, DrillBurger <3