Chapter 7: This is so Awkward

Kate

We went back inside the cinema and I on the other hand, acted normal. I heard Beth said to them that I went to the comfort room which I didn’t even gone to but still, I thank her for the alibi.

I sat comfortably on my seat and relaxed myself. I exhaled and let everything inside my head to vanish. It’s the only thing I can do because if I can’t, it will be a bother.

“Are you okay?” He said in low tone of voice.

I nodded and kept my eyes focused on the big screen. I didn’t said a single word and act as if I was watching the stupid horror movie that I don’t even liked at all.

“Dylan, aren’t you going already?” I heard Ryan’s voice, saying those words to Dylan who was just beside him.

Why is he going? I shake my head and removed everything that was starting to formulate in it. What do I care? I don’t care if he’s gone. I would prefer if he’s out of the picture, it will make this hang out fun. What is my description of fun anyway?

Whatever. Whether if he is here or not here, I don’t care. It is because I’ll just ignore him, it’s just that simple.

Just like the times he used to follow me or start a conversation with me. Those memories are the classics. It is because at that moment, Kate Hughes is the Talk to The Hand kind of person.

“Nah. I’ll just stay with you guys. It’s not like Lindsay won’t understand.” Dylan replied.

Lindsay huh? Another collection of his Barbie dolls. What a douche. I won’t ever date that guy ever and guess what? I think my feelings for him are starting to fade.

The movie ended with an expecting ending. It’s like any other horror movie. It’s not scary and good thing that I didn’t spend my money on those tickets because if I did, I don’t think it was worth it.

We went outside and stood at the corner. It’s deciding time. What I meant was, it’s time to decide on where we shall eat dinner.

I kept my mouth shut and waited for their final decision. Not that I was expecting, the question lands on me and I doubt that I will answer an appropriate answer on their question.

“So Kate, where do you think shall we eat?” Austin gave me his pleasing smile.

I scratch my nose and diverted my eyes, I can’t think of anything and I don’t know where shall we go and eat. Why don’t they just decide? They are the ones who are going to pay the food.

“I don’t really know where. Anywhere else is fine though.” I tugged a smile on my lips.

“Okay, let’s just eat on a pizza parlor.” Ryan said, making the final decision.

We all agreed and decided to eat there. Everyone loves pizza and it’s impossible not to love it.

I sat down beside Beth. I’m glad that I was able to make the first seat before the guys because if I don’t, I’ll be sitted with either Ryan or Dylan. Worst case, both of them.

They ordered two boxes of pizza, pepperoni and cheese. As we waited for the waiter to serve the meal, Ryan started the conversation and all I do was seat still. Plus, keep quiet.

“We’ll be having a soccer game on Saturday, you guys better come.” Ryan said in a boastful manner, “Dylan and I were the best players on the soccer team.” He claims.

I doubt that.

“So, you’ll come right?” He lands his eye on both of us. Me and Beth.

“Yeah, sure. Definitely!” Beth said excitedly.

She tugs my jacket gently, getting my attention. “Uh-yeah, sure.” I said.

“Pizza’s here.” Dylan said surprisingly.

The pizza was served on our table and it was delicious when I take the first bite. I love pizza, since the time we moved here. It is because my mother usually let me cook by myself but then again I don’t know how to cook, that’s why I’ll just place a call and order pizza for myself.

If my father was here, he will totally scold me. He wants me to eat proper food rather pizza. Like vegetables and fruits that I rarely eat. He treats pizza as a bad food for the health. Pizza is good for the taste buds! Okay, I’m not funny.

“So, Kate. Why did you moved here?” Austin said. He was eating his pizza when he launched the question. Manners? Doesn’t exist in this kind of world we live in.

“Oh, I-uhh.” I wiped my mouth with the use of the tissue that was beside me, “My mom, decided to move here because of her work.”

“Your father?” Ryan continued the questioning. He leans his elbow on the table as he place his hand on his face.

“City.” I glance at him, he still waited for me to add my sentence, “Separated. Both.” I said and smiled weakly.

“Sorry!” Ryan surprisingly said. I flinch because of his loud and unexpected words. “I didn’t know. Sorry.”

Dylan makes himself noticeable by coughing. We all looked at him and then he placed a smile on his face. He pointed the jukebox who were just beside us. Ryan was smiling like an idiot and he exchange gestures with Dylan.

“Let’s do some Karaoke! It’s not yet late, isn’t it?” Ryan said, smiling like a weird cat.

I don’t want to. I think it’s best to leave rather than staying here. I don’t feel comfortable, I’m not comfortable hanging out with them especially when Dylan Winters is here.

“I’m sorry guys but I think it’s better if we do it some other time, we both have a curfew.” Beth said.

Thank god she heard me. That’s one of the things that I liked about Beth. She is the kind of person who doesn’t think about herself but also, she thinks about the person who is with her. She’s not selfish and I liked her for being that. I wish she won’t ever change and stay that way.

Austin checks his watch, “Yes. I agree. Let’s just finish this and let’s drive them home.”

Ryan is the one who doesn’t keep his mouth shut when we’re eating and I can now described him as someone who can’t stand talking with just one minute.

I just kept on smiling on what he was saying even though I really don’t know what he was talking about.

I kept my eyes away from Dylan, doing that will make things for me easy to take in.

And by easy to take in, the fact that we’re strangers and we’re just keeping our distance.

When we all finished our food we went on the parking lot. We haven’t done much and I think this hang out thing wasn’t that fun and productive.

Sorry Austin but your hang out thing wasn’t that fun.

“So, we have two cars. Mine and Dylan’s.” Austin pointed out their cars who are parked beside each other.

Of course I won’t let Dylan drive me home because if I did, I think the aura will be difficult to take in.

They were all talking at the same time that I find it difficult to understand.

“Okay, let’s go Beth.” Austin placed a smile on his face.

Beth gave me a peck on the cheek, “See you tomorrow okay?” She hugs me and went inside Austin’s car.

Wait, what? Why didn’t they asked me what car should I be taking?

“Let’s go Kate.” Ryan pats my shoulder and directed me towards Dylan’s car.

Dylan was already inside of his car, he’s just waiting for us to get in.

I won’t join them. I don’t want to and I don’t like to.

“I forget something, I’ll just take the cab.” I gave him my best smile. It was fake.

“What? I’ll go with you if you want or we’ll wait for you.” Ryan said.

I shake my head, “No. I’ll be meeting my mother here later.” I wave my hand, “Bye.”

I didn’t heard what they said and I just decided to leave. Without saying a word with Dylan.

I heard Austin honk his car, getting my attention. But I didn’t look at him and decided to head my way back inside the mall.

I’ll just kill some time and wait for a little more minutes before I head back.

I think this is the best rather than going with Dylan.

If I want to help myself, I should start now.

Because if I did, everything will be back to normal.

I roam around the mall and it took 45 minutes. I’m just making sure that I won’t be able to see them when I got out of the mall.

I buried my hands on the pockets of my jacket as I head outside. It’s 9 o’ clock in the evening and the mall is about to close.

I can’t see any cabs, all those cabs that were passing by has already passengers in it.

I sighed in the thought that I should’ve not join this awful hang out.

I started walking and decided not to wait for a cab. Because it was already late and waiting for a cab will took me several minutes. I’m sorry but I am an impatient person.

It will take an hour before I arrived home and my mother won’t even care. She didn’t even texted back when I told her that I’ll be at my friend’s house.

When I was walking, the car who was right behind my back was honking. I didn’t look at it because I don’t think that it was me. Maybe he or she just saw a cat.

But my conclusions were wrong, as I started walking further it kept on honking and honking that it almost destroy my eardrums.

I exhaled and kept my cool. I came to face my back and look whoever that person that was driving the car.

It was no other than, Dylan.

He stopped as soon as I faced him. He got out of his car and open the other side of the door for me to get in.

“I can manage.” I refused.

I turn to face my back and he take a hold of my wrist, stopping me to move an inch.

“Just get inside, please.” He said in an impatient tone of voice.

It made me angry and startled in the same time. I faced him once again, “Why should I get inside? I told you that I can handle myself.”

I removed his hands that was clasp around my wrist and started walking. I heard him making an irritable sound and I didn’t faced him anymore.

I heard him walk towards me and I think he knew that I will still say no.

But in my surprise, he carried me. Placing me over his shoulder, like as if he was carrying a sack of rice.

I started hitting his back, “Let go of me.” I exclaimed.

He didn’t bother and just took me inside of his car. He placed the belt and hurriedly went inside.

I was complaining and he didn’t bother. He locked the doors of his car so that I won’t escape.

I don’t know if he’s being a gentleman or just a stupid kidnapper.

Ryan wasn’t here, maybe he was with Austin.

I rubbed my temples, I was irritated and in the same time, angry.

I don’t know why he kept on doing this. He should have ignored me and went home.

“Why are you even doing this?” I said in a high tone of voice.

He kept his cool and just focused his eyes on the drive way.

What is he trying to prove?

What does he want?

Why can’t he just ignore me?

Why does he have to do this?

I have many questions and none of it were being answered.

The sound of the engine and the air condition of the car was only the sound that I can hear.

It was making me go insane, none of it was helping me.

“Can you please drop me off here?” I said, calmly. Even though inside, I was irritated.

“Can you just wait until we’re at your house?” He said.

It’s annoying. He’s annoying. Everything else here is annoying.

This is awkward and annoying.

I don’t know what to do and what he was doing for me wasn’t helping me to erase those little feelings I have for him.

I kept my eyes on my side of the window, I can’t face him.

Facing him will only cause me trouble.

I can’t wait to go home, to get away from him and to forget about him.

I hereby pledge that as soon as I got home, I won’t be thinking about him and do my best to bring everything back to normal.

I do help and pray that I can do this.

Oh almighty, please help me.

He stopped his car, we’re in front of my house. He didn’t unlocked the doors and kept his mouth shut.

“What are you doing? Can you let me out already?” I tried opening the side of my car but it won’t open because it was still lock.

He exhaled, “Can we be friends again?”

I was startled by his question and I slowly turn my head to face him, “What?”

I heard him but I was making sure that what I heard from his mouth was true.

“Can we be friends again?”

Oh Kate, what should I do?