Chapter thirty-five | Not The Jealous Type

"Can I call them now?" I asked for the umpteenth time, staring at the contact on my phone.

Cynthia huffed in annoyance and crossed her arms.

"Not now. How many times do I have to tell you that you need to let them calm down?"

I gave her a guilty look, but the churning of my stomach didn't cease.

"It's just, I-I can't..." I trailed off, not knowing what I wanted to say.

Her warm cocoa eyes melted to a lighter shade as sympathy danced through.

"I know. The guilt and fear of losing your best friend are scary and consuming." At her words, my mind went back to her confession about sleeping with Jacob.

Was the guilt the reason she decided to make a plan? I wanted to voice my question, but her words cut off the train of my thoughts.

"You need to apologize, but that can only happen when they are ready to accept your words. I called, and you heard how angry and disappointed they were, right?"

My head hung low in disappointment and shame as I recalled Cynthia's call with Connor. Andrea had successfully informed us that Navya was pissed enough that she couldn't bear hearing my name.

So, when I urged Cynthia to try calling Connor hoping to get his forgiveness, he straight out declined to talk about me.

The mere statement was enough to feel like absolute shit.

"I know," I mumbled, wringing my hands.

With a sigh, Cynthia leaned against my side and wrapped her arms around my shoulder. The video game playing on the television was long forgotten, even if I was nearing the end.

"So, when should I?" I stared at my spiderman socks, wiggling my toes in a nervous gesture.

She hummed for a moment, thinking about the response.

"Maybe on Monday. Let them cool off for the weekend."

I gave her suggestion a thought and then nodded in agreement. "Ok."

I leaned forward to pick up the controller again, but she swatted it away from my hands.

I gave her a slight scowl as she glared my way. Placing her hands on her waist, she tilted her head to a side.

"You have been cooped up here all day. You need to get out."

My eyes flew to the clock hanging on a wall, noticing it was near half-past six in the evening.

"But it's almost dinnertime? Where do you think we should go, especially when a storm is approaching?"

As if on cue, the clouds rumbled in agreement, and lightning crackled across the inky sky.

I raised my eyebrow in question as if saying 'see?'.

Cynthia rolled her eyes and tugged me closer to her. A sudden burst of her fading perfume assaulted my nose, making my heart beat faster.

"We could always grab some dinner.," she suggested with a bright smile.

I groaned in disapproval, not feeling like getting up from this couch.

"We can order-" My words cut off as she gave me a heated glare. With a grimace, I averted my eyes.

"Geez, ok. We will grab some food. Give me a moment," I muttered, making her squeal.

I rushed up to my room and pulled a fresh shirt over me, taking off my loose GOT one and grabbed my wallet.

For a moment, I paused in my steps as my phone pinged.

With hope and excitement rushing through my blood, I clicked on the test banner.

Dad: 'Please avoid getting the extra key lost too.'

My heart sank, not only from the lack of any correspondence from my friends but dad's newly formed lack of trust in me.

Nowadays, my parents expected that I attended a party every night, even if it sounded physically and mentally impossible.

I couldn't blame them because I had been really irresponsible these past few weeks. Trying to fade into the bad boy persona, I had somehow hurt everyone around me.

Elias: 'Ok.'

I turned my silence after that, not wanting to indulge in the digital words and overthink anything. There was already a lot going through my mind.

"You took you damn time," Cynthia commented as I descended the stairs. I rolled my eyes at her statement.

"So, where do you want to go?" I asked, giving her a look from the corner of my eyes.

Mentally, I couldn't help but appreciate how beautiful she looked in the simple dress, sporting that naturally flawless look.

"There is this restaurant nearby. They have a really nice dinner menu," she replied, matching my pace.

We got in the car, just in time to see the sky turn bright for a moment.

"I'll most probably rain tonight too," Cynthia commented, gazing out of the window with interest.

With no response, I pulled out of the driveway.

We found ourselves in a cozy restaurant within minutes. The insides were bright and warm, unlike the cackling darkness outside.

"You never told me about this girl you like, Eli," Cynthia commented, sounding interested as we waited for our food.

A bloom of red threatened to break out on my cheeks as I ducked my head downwards.

"I-I don't know what you are trying to say," I stammered.

She raised a sarcastic brow in questions, lacing her hands together. "Sure, you don't."

Before I could sprout any more nonsense to defend my ass, the server showed up. The twinkle from Cynthia's eye disappeared as I sighed in relief.

As I sliced into my steak, I felt Cynthia kick me under the table. Feeling startled, my eyes move up to meet hers.

"What?" I whispered.

She gave me a look and then moved her eyes around. "Why are you whispering?" Her eyes were wide with curiosity. "Also, we were interrupted. What does your mystery girl look like?"

I nibbled on my lips, thinking about my words.

"She is beautiful. Like very beautiful. Also, I think she is a pleasant person, just a bit misunderstood. I don't know what else to say about her?" I kept my details vague, observing her face for any change of emotions.

Is she jealous?

A slight irritation passed through her eyes, but I wasn't sure it was for me or the girl I described.

"She sounds nothing more than just a myth. Are you sure Eli that she exists?"

She exists. Sitting right in front of me, biting on her food delicately. I can surely say she exists, even if there are days when it feels like she is too good to be true.

Cynthia snapped fingers in front of my eyes, bringing me out of my internal monologue.

"You spaced out, Eli. So tell me, what does this beautiful girl look like?" she poked, ready for more information.

I looked around me, searching for an exit. She couldn't possibly expect me to describe her, can she?

She doesn't know you like her. My mind snarked.

"Uh-h. She is really gorgeous. Very beautiful-" My words cut off as my eyes fell on something behind her.

"Fuck!" I hissed, ducking lightly.

Cynthia was startled by my response and then whirled around to notice what I noticed.

With her blonde hair pulled up, Sylvia entered the restaurant with a small group of her friends.

The calm surroundings were suddenly filled with giggles and teenage gossip, making a few diners scowl at the noise.

Cynthia observed the scene with keen interest, not moving her eyes away for a few minutes.

"What are you doing? You will gain her attention!" I hissed.

Her warm eyes met mine for a moment as something flashed through them. Soon, the emotion was replaced by mischievousness as her lips curled up in a smirk.

"Yeah, my staring will gain attention, and a tall guy crouching wouldn't?"

A giggle slipped past her lips as I grumbled under my breath. To my utter relief, the band of girls took their seats far away from us, keeping me hidden from their view.

"Mind explaining?" she asked as I quickly vacuumed my food.

I gave her a heated glare, but she just laughed at my expense. "I think you already know, Sylvia. The girl you allowed to date me even if I wasn't interested." My words were sharp, making her laugh instead of cower.

I rolled my eyes at her antics and huffed under my breath. "I am not telling you," I grumbled, making her shake her head.

"Oh, please. I am curious, Eli." She grasped my hand in hers, giving me large puppy dog eyes.

The pout and the adorable look on her face made my heart race, even if she was failing horribly at reigning her amusement inside.

"That girl is a borderline stalker. She just doesn't get the message that I am not into her," I grumbled under my breath, thinking about all those times she kept texting me. "In the end, I blocked her, so she started following me around the school. This is all your fault!"

I wiggled my finger in accusation, making her laugh.

"Sure," she gasped out in between bursts of laughter.

We quickly finished our food and made our way outside the restaurant. I ducked my head as we walked past her table, trying to appear inconspicuous as possible. Cynthia just snickered at my discomfort.

Just as I thought we were safe, her annoying voice screeched behind me.

"Elias!" she called out, walking closer to me.

Grabbing Cynthia's hand, I tugged her with me towards my car. Her amusement had somehow vanished, letting way for annoyance.

"Can't she get the message? She seriously seems desperate," she muttered.

The venom in her voice made me stop. We were standing right beside the car as I whirled around to face her.

"You are jealous?" I voiced out, feeling hope bloom in my chest.

Cynthia's face colored red as her eyes widened in shock. She blinked rapidly, trying to ease her shock and bit her lips.

"I-I don't-" A gasp escaped her lips as I caged her between the car and my chest. Her palms flattened against my chest, just lingering, not pushing.

Her warm cocoa eyes met mine as they swirled with a wide range of emotions.

The thought of Sylvia was far away from my mind as I took a bold step and leaned closer to her face.

Our breaths mingled as our nose barely touched. Her soft body pressed into mine as my heart went wild.

Before I could second guess myself and come out of my stupor, I ghosted my lips over hers. The small contact made electricity rush through my veins and made my thoughts a jumbled mess.

Cynthia didn't push me back and shivered in my arms.

Taking this as a green flag, I connected my lips to her.