Winning

“What now, Kirsche?” pissed Cove asked. I ignored him and continued collecting my things. It’s our free cut today and so I chose to just go home. I heard him heave a sigh. After that day I told myself that nothing will change since what he said was vague. The message wasn’t clear and so I told myself not to conclude anything, but my actions won’t match my words.

Since early this morning I tried so hard to divert my attention onto something else every time he was trying to talk to me. I tried for it to seem like a coincidence but who am I fooling? It was so apparent that I’m avoiding him. I just can’t process what he said last night. It was shallow or so I think. I was in the doorway when he blocked my way, I turned to my right but he blocked it too, I turned to my left but he did the same thing. I knew this nonsense wouldn’t stop and so I stopped and face him, his forehead’s creased and seriously looking at me. And here goes my heart beating fast.

“You’re blocking the way, Cove,” I said despite knowing that it wasn’t what he wants to hear. He didn’t budge though; he remained standing and still staring at me. I stared back; I will not lose in this staring battle.

“This is about yesterday, that’s why you’re suddenly acting weird.” He said as a matter of fact and not as a question. I shook my head after hearing his statement; I don’t want to discuss this matter. I’m not ready. I don’t know what to say to him. I don’t know how I will act after he drops the bomb, but it seems like he read what’s on my mind because of what he said.

“I like you, Kirsh. What’s so surprising about that?” As soon as I heard what he said, I choked regardless of not having water or food inside my mouth. What’s so surprising about that? Was he serious? But his expression didn’t change, the bubbly Cove was gone. All I could see was his seriousness and so I collected myself.

“Like comes in many forms, Cove. Of course, you like me as your friend. You need not say that.” I chuckled trying to lighten up the atmosphere but it was to no avail. For pete’s sake! If only my heart could break out of my ribcage it would because of this confrontation!

“I like you, Kirsh. Romantically, not in a friendly way. So better stop avoiding me because it’s nonsense. I will stick with you whether you like it or not. I will win you over,” he said with finality. That doesn’t give me quite an option, huh. What if I want some space? Time? To absorb everything and to figure out if what I’m feeling is the same as his.

“I don’t know what to say,” I admitted. He nodded at me and smiled; now I can see the Cove I knew.

“You need not say anything. Just because I said I like you doesn’t mean you need to reciprocate it. There’s no need to be pressured. Take your time. I just really want to say those things to you because you’re quite dense,” and he chuckled.

He told me not to be pressured but I’m seriously pressured right now! Screw this guy for messing with my system.

He smiled at me and he tousled my hair before leaving me there, dumbfounded.

Days passed and Cove was still the same but only he was more caring, him being a gentleman after that confession, flooding me with messages, and all those cheesy things that a “suitor” do according to him.

At first, all the things he did for me was so awkward. It was so cringe but he told me that I’m just not used to it since I haven’t had any suitor in the past. And so I just let him be and that was his only request to me; to let him do things for me because just like what he said, I can take my time.

“Gosh, Kirsche that guy’s a real catch? Will you still not answer him? Just give him to me,” said Rya when Cove brought me lunch.

“Right, sis. I mean, what’s not to like? He’s gorgeous, kind, smart, and don’t get me started with the muscles. Ugh,” added Kaiei. I just shook my head as an answer to their sentiments. Sometimes I wonder how we become friends and how we agree on things. They were actually my classmates last semester and one-day they approached me, we talked, and later on, we just stick with each other. I learned to be more open to people thanks to Cove, he taught me how to socialize. For some unknown reason, conversing wasn’t that hard, I can actually converse pretty well with others. Once I’m comfortable with them, it all comes out naturally.

And these girls were giving me their piece of mind about my relationship with Cove. Randi said that I take all the time that I need. Kaiei, Rya, and Cosima told me to grab the chance for the reason that blessing is literally coming after me and I’m still saying no. Eli on the other hand just gave me a shrug, said that it’s my life so it’s my call. But I’ve been asking myself what I should really do. Sure, it hasn’t been a month or so since Cove started courting me but I know him ever since class starts. And if you were to ask me, he wasn’t trying to impress me, well, he was trying to impress me in some ways but not to the point of pretending to like something he really doesn’t like. He’s become more transparent to me and he became more outspoken with how he feels. And I like that. I’m happy every time he confides in me or him just ranting about little things. The things that annoy me before are the things that I find cute now.

Maybe he’s winning already.