Chapter 10 – What Am I Doing?

Ellie

Spend time with me? Is he losing his mind? Why would this jerk want to spend his time with me? There are a lot of questions floating inside my head and I couldn’t even find any answers.

1. How did he know that I’ll be here at the bonfire party?

2. Why is he even observing on what was happening between Matt and I?

3. Why is he asking me to spend the night with him?

He must be seriously out of his mind telling me this.

“Are you out of your mind?” I snap, “Why are you even doing these things to me? Why can’t you just leave me alone?!”

He laughs at my outburst and stand there with my dress hung on his shoulder, “Chill baby, it’s a wonderful evening, no need to be grumpy and ruin it.” He wiggles his eyebrows, “Now what do you say? I’ll give it back if you spend the night with me?”

If I spend the night with him, the chance of being close to Matt will disappear within an instant and he’ll probably get the wrong idea if I ever spend the night with Austin. But, if I ever didn’t get to have my dress back, I’ll be walking in the cold night with just my bikini on which I’m not comfortable with.

“Fine!” I retorted. His mood lightens and he finally speaks, “Fine what? You’re going to spend the night with me?”

I started laughing, “You’re kidding me right?” I rolled my eyes in irritation, “As much as I want to have my dress back, you can keep it than I spend the night with you.” I started walking away from him and he follows me from behind, “Fine, suit yourself then.”

“I will.” I argued.

“What did you see with that douche anyway? He’s not even the hottest guy in the campus.” He exclaimed.

I snorted, “So what? At least he’s nicer than a guy like you!” I retorted.

“A guy like me?” He sound offended, “I’m hot, handsome, the football captain, most of the girls love me, popular and by just having that, I have the whole package.”

“Let me see, you’re a bad boy because you always cause trouble, always in detention, a playboy who breaks girls heart and treats me like his own pet.” I said bluntly, “Even though you have the whole package, you still have some things you need to sort out and by just that, it means Matt is much of a nice guy than you.”

“I don’t cause trouble, it’s just that they send me in detention for doing something I don’t know that it’s inappropriate,” I doubt that though, “It’s not my fault that girls throw themselves at me and it’s bad to refuse when they want me, and I don’t treat you like a pet.” He retorts, “And stop comparing me with that nerd because I’m much of a guy than him.”

“I can’t deal with you right now, I have someone waiting for me.” I said annoyingly.

“Who? Matt?” He hisses, “Trust me, that guy is not someone who you deserve because he only notice you when you change your appearance, and by just seeing that, he’s not someone who you need to be with.”

“Austin!” I called out his name in a high tone, “Can you please stop this! What do you even care? It’s my life, I can do whatever I want, so please, stop annoying and confusing me!” I blurted out.

“Where are you going anyway?” He changes the topic and kept his cool. I can’t believe he’s being a complete idiot. Isn’t it evident that I don’t want to be with me?

“None of your business.” I said annoyingly.

He didn’t respond and after minutes, I turn around to check if he was still there but he wasn’t. Am I too harsh on him? Why did I have the sudden feeling of being guilty when it’s his fault that I became mad anyway? I shake my head and try to remove his existence in my head. I should head where Matt is, I promised him that I’ll be there.

--

There’s a huge crowd where Matt and Hunter headed before they left me. They said that there’s some sort of game they were going to play. I walk through the crowd shouting and cheering names that I couldn’t understand because it was so random. As I made pass by the crowd and I was able to be in front of them, I saw Matt and his friends on the other side of the line. The line was placed on the middle and it’s some kind of rope to separate them from the other team. On the other side, I saw Elliot. Wait, Elliot? Elliot and our friends, including Austin.

“Excuse me?” I directed my attention to the girl beside me. She’s somehow familiar, I know that she goes in our school but we don’t talk that much.

“Yes?” She asks.

“What game are they playing anyway?” I questioned with my eyes settled on Elliot. He is currently talking with the guys and Austin is beside him, staring at Matt’s group with a look that I couldn’t describe.

“Well, a while ago, the game was just supposed to be volleyball and it’s just Matt’s group of friends,” She said confused, “And then minutes later, Elliot and his friends show up, asking for a game.” She folded her arms on her chest, “I heard that the losing team will have to do what the winning team asks.”

My eyes widen in shock. What is going on? What are these idiots thinking anyway? I am referring to Elliot and the others.

I started calling out Elliot’s name but he was too busy talking to Ivan and the others. I start to wave my hand, making myself noticeable. But instead of Elliot, it was Austin who notices me and he started chuckling. What the hell? Does he think I was referring to him?

I raise an eyebrow and he winks playfully. Is he insane?

I rolled my eyes in irritation and hurriedly made my way towards them. As soon as I reach where Elliot is, I pinch him on the ear, “What the hell is wrong with you guys?!”

“Hey, let me go!” Elliot said annoyingly, “Are you trying to embarrass me in front of this huge crowd?” I let go off his now redden ear and he looks at me, “We’re just playing a game. No need to worry.”

“And what is this dare you’re planning to do if you won?” I raise an eyebrow and Austin speaks, “Why princess? Afraid that your nerdy prince and his minion lose?”

“Shut up Austin!” I retorted.

“Relax, it’s just a game.” Ivan pats me on the back but he later smirks, giving me a feeling that something is fishy.

Ace started laughing, “Just watch this little game called tag of war, and cheer on our team will you?”

Alex starts to whistle, “Guys, it’s about to start,” He diverted his attention to me, “El, go back on the crowd, don’t forget to cheer on us, okay?”

Something is definitely going on. I just can’t put my finger on it.

--

The game didn’t turned out as a normal game at all.

“Austin!” I shouted his name as soon as I saw him land a punch on Matt’s face. What the hell is going on!

“Elliot! Stop!” I don’t know who to turn to, Elliot started to punch Jesse on the stomach.

Everything was a mess. The game of tag of war didn’t ended fairly. Matt’s team loses but they obviously think that Elliot’s team was cheating. Austin was so mad for accusing them that he starts to lose his temper. And then a fight started because Austin throws the first punch on Matt when he wasn’t even the one who is accusing them but Hunter. Elliot was mad that he started to punch Jesse. The others completely lose their minds and started fighting each other.

I started shouting, telling them to stop but no one is even listening to me.

I took my phone from my bag, I started calling Casey, I wanted to ask her help. Her phone started ringing but she didn’t even answer.

“C’mon Casey, pick up.” I said, I’m really nervous right now. What if the cops get here? They’ll probably end up in jail.

“El!” Casey came from behind me, “What the hell is going on?!” She said in a high tone of voice.

“I don’t have the time to explain, but could you help me stop it? The crowd isn’t even helping at all.” I could see blood on Austin’s lips and Matt has bruises on his cheek. Elliot was on the ground and Jesse was on top of him.

“No,” Chase said, “I’ll handle it.” He went to talk to some guys on the crowd and minutes later, Chase and the guys that he has been talking a while ago started to pull each guy out of the fight.

Chase is really good at this. He should be a cop or a referee. What the hell am I saying?

Elliot was so pissed off that he starts to walk away from the crowd with Ivan following him.

“Elliot!” I shouted his name but he didn’t turn his back to look at me.

Ace and Adam shoots a glare at Matt’s friends before they start walking, following Elliot. Jesse is currently helping Matt stand. Hunter was about to charge Austin but Chase immediately pulls Hunter and backs him away from Austin.

I should be running towards Matt and help him but I was so caught up on Austin’s lying figure. He started it, I should be mad at him but why am I not that angry at him, especially when I saw him punch the guy I like.

“Hey,” I take a hold of his hand, “Are you okay?”

He slowly opens his eyes, his lips were bleeding and there’s a bruise on his cheek. He seems to be in pain and it was evident on the look of his face. “I’m okay.”

“Can you get up?” I ask worriedly, he nodded in respond.

“El, take Austin with you,” Casey said after she approach us, “I have to help Chase.” I nodded in respond and she left.

I help Austin get up and he throws his arm around my shoulders. He was holding his stomach with the use of his other free hand, “You know, you’re seriously an idiot.”

He chuckles softly, “You know, if this is the only cause that will make you spend the night with me, even if it hurts, I’ll do it every day.”

I can feel my cheeks redden because of what he just said, “Shut up Austin.” I retorted. Before we could start walking away from the crowd, I could see Matt slowly standing up with Jesse helping him. I hope he’s okay.

I’ll just have to message him later.

And besides, maybe the reason why I turn my direction to Austin even if I don’t like him is because no one decided to help him when Elliot and the others run off, leaving him. While Matt has Jesse on his side. That must be the reason. It’s not like I like Austin. IMPOSSIBLE.

“Hey, you’re lost in thoughts again.” He started chuckling.

“You know, for someone who got his ass kick and for being the one who started the fight, you are cocky.” I said annoyingly.

He laughs it off, “The fight wouldn’t start anyway if they didn’t accuse us of cheating.”

“But you didn’t have to punch someone, especially Matt when it’s Hunter who accused you guys.”

He hits me lightly on the head, “You’re taking care of me, so please don’t worry about that asshat.”

“Austin!”

“Why? I’m jealous.” What did he just said? Jealous? Oh please, he’s just messing around. My heart started pounding fast, I couldn’t even look at him right now. He’s confusing me. No, he’s just messing around.

“Did I make your heart flutter?” He said softly, giving me goose bumps.

I rolled my eyes, “Seriously Austin, if you don’t shut up right now, I’ll leave you on the cold sand.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll shut up.”

--

I was supposed to deliver Austin to where Elliot and the others were staying but Elliot did not pick up his phone and the room that they were supposed to be staying was lock. Like as if, Elliot and the others weren’t there. I had no choice, I didn’t really want to but I let Austin stay in my hotel room.

“Easy there tiger, I don’t want to get laid when I’m in this state.” He teases.

I push the door in front of me after unlocking it with the key, “You know, I think I might put a duct tape on your lips if you won’t shut up.”

He didn’t respond and chuckle instead. I help him get on the bed, he was seriously in pain and I can tell by just looking at him.

I was too occupied helping him that it didn’t cross my mind that I was just on my bikini and he was just on his board shorts. Why did I feel hot all of a sudden?

No, no, Ellie, don’t think about crazy thoughts.

“Don’t worry I’m not going to take advantage on you.” He teases, making me feel nervous.

I rolled my eyes in irritation and hit him with a pillow. He grunted in pain and I laugh, “I’ll just get the first aid on the bathroom.”

“There’s something bugging inside my head right now and I want you to answer it.” Austin calls out as I took the first aid kit in the small cabinet on the bathroom.

What does he wants now? I stare myself at the mirror, my hair was messy but my look fits what I’m wearing right now. Casey is definitely good at picking the right clothes for me to wear.

“Why did you end up helping me instead of your knight and shining armor?”

I felt my chest sank after hearing that. He was right. Even I, myself, couldn’t figure it out.

I went out of the bathroom and stare at him as he lies down at the comfortable bed, “Because, because—“

“Because what?” He looks at me with a smirk on his face, he always makes me nervous without putting any effort and this is seriously dangerous.

“Because you look more hurt than him and no one seems to be helping you.” I said. That’s right. That’s the real reason. Right Ellie?

I sit down beside him and open the first aid kit, I put the medicinal fluid on the cotton and started to apply it on his bleeding lips. I was being gentle because I don’t want to hurt him. “Ow—gentle—ow” He says complaining.

I rolled my eyes in irritation and retorted, “Will you shut up? I am gentle.”

His eyes were staring right at me with a smile that I want to tear off, “You look hot by the way.”

This guy is seriously making my heart pound and explode, why do I feel these kind of things towards him? I shouldn’t be feeling any of this. He’s Austin Prince. The popular guy in the school who is a ladies’ man, a bad boy and the guy who makes fun of me for the past years since the day we met. Why would I ever fall for this guy?

“Cat got your tongue?”

I didn’t respond and took the band aid on the kit and place it near his left eyebrow with a scar on it. It was small and I think it would heal in a matter of days. Let’s just hope it wouldn’t leave a mark.

“Ella, talk to me. I’m bored.”

“Talk to yourself, I’m busy.”

“Busy taking care of me?” He chuckles, his laugh was genuine and by just looking at him makes my heart pound like crazy. This is wrong. I shouldn’t be feeling this way. He’s a nobody. He likes someone else, and falling for this guy is wrong.

“You know Ella, since the day we met, I really think you’re beautiful.”

I felt like my heart just drop on the floor and I need a heart transplant. Did I just heard him right or I have a lot of dirt in my ear?

“You are really something,” He smiles and took my hand to his, “And I thought the guy who you would fall for or will be with you is somehow lucky.”

“Austin, can you shut up? Are you drunk?”

“I wish I was drunk so I could tell you my secret is,” He smiles, “But it’s not yet the time.”

“What are you talking about Austin?” I said annoyingly, “Can you speak normally and not mysteriously?”

He shows me his signature smirk and exhales seconds later, “Ella.”

“What?” I respond softly.

He holds my hand tightly, as if he wants to tell me something but words were not escaping from his mouth.

“I—I, I Ella.” He stutters, he starts to avoid my gaze and he was getting nervous of something that I couldn’t even understand what.

“What Austin?”

He pulls me towards him, closing the gap between us. I was on top of him and our faces is just inches apart. It was making me uncomfortable because my heart was skipping so fast that I am afraid that he could feel it. His other hand cup my cheek and it definitely surprise me.

“Austin, what are you doing—“ Before I could finish my sentence, his lips met mine. He kissed me. Austin Prince just kissed me.

I like Matt. And I definitely think that I like Austin too. What the hell am I doing?!