CHAPTER XLVI: Honest Clichés

I breathed in and took out a piece of cookie.

After relishing its flavorful goodness, I finally found my resolve.

I could still hear her screeching voice, persistently trying to go at it with Ross. It was really irritating.

I don't know what specifically snapped in me but the next thing I knew I was confidently striding to where they were showing their annoying display of unwanted affection.

From where I could see, she was wearing a short, super short, skirt that allows you to see her Lacy underwear every time she bends.

She was also sporting a crop top or bralette, I don't really understand which one, that obviously goes against the university's school dress code, even though it was not that strict to begin with.

Yeah, women can wear whatever they want, but she's making it seem we shouldn't.

"I feel like we could go far, especially since we look good together. Don't you agree?"

"I-"

"Not really."

The both of them turned towards me in surprise.

Well, I planned to cut in in a more elegant stance but what she said just seemed infuriating.

"Uhm, who the fuck are you?" She crossed her arms and gave me an intimidating stare down.

Well, if that's what you really call intimidating.

She just looked like she's forcing her eyeballs to pop out of their sockets with how much effort she's using just to make it big.

She really needs to get proper education on how to be menacing because with what she has, she'll definitely go nowhere.

"It's not in me to introduce myself to dogs who only know how to bark and go into heat."

This made her eyebrows furrow in disbelief.

"You're the one who intruded in our conversation!" She pointed her cheap manicured finger at me.

I ignored it and tilted my head in boredom.

"It's not like he wanted to talk to you. You were making the poor man suffer from all your shrieking." I shrugged.

Ross, who was standing behind me, leaned in unexpectedly near my ear.

"Poor man?" He whispered. I could already guess that he was grinning from his tone alone.

"Shut up, you flirt." I whispered back.

He thinks he can get away with his nonchalant flirtiness.

Ha, think again.

I'll get back at you for stirring up my emotions like this.

But first, I have to deal with her.

"Who gave you the right to insult me, huh? Bitch, you're the one who's disturbing us." She took a step forward and glared at me with all her might.

I didn't stand down, instead I gave her an even more sinister glare that made her flinch visibly.

"You're the one who's been intruding in his personal space yet you're the one barking here?"

"Barking?!" She shrieked, again.

"It's the best compliment I can give you. Take it or leave it." I said whilst soothing my aching ear.

Before she could retaliate, Ross stood in between us and pushed us apart.

I scowled. She was the one who kept on moving forward. Why do I have to be pushed away too?

I gave the back of Ross' head an annoyed glare.

"Ross, baby, can you tell her to leave us alone?"

YUCK! Baby?!

I almost laughed.

Ross turned towards my direction and gave me a silent warning to keep my mouth shut.

I tried to cough away the incoming laughter in me but I couldn't do it so I just diverted my sights towards the window to calm myself down.

That was so cringy that I could chills run down my spine.

"I think we should just all go along and continue with our day."

"But I wanna spend it with you." Argh, her whining is so vexing.

"Sorry, but I have an appointment with this lady here." I was stunned momentarily when Ross wrapped an arm around my shoulders and made me face the girl in front of me.

She looked like she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

I think she couldn't quite grasp how Ross picked me over her.

That's just natural.

It's me versus her.

She could never compete with me in the least.

"What?! Her?! Do you think I'll believe that?"

"No one's forcing you to." I commented.

She sneered at me.

"Why her?! She's plain, boring, and doesn't even look good in bed! I could even tell that she just lays down there like a lifeless fish!"

My eyebrow twitched at that.

"What did yo-"

"I've been letting your fruitless advances slide but I'll not tolerate anything that comes out from that rude mouth of yours when it comes to her." Ross stood over her as he said that.

I don't think I was the only one who was startled.

The girl was frozen stiff. I think she could pee herself any minute now.

This was the first time I heard Ross use that daunting voice.

Instead of feeling scared, it somehow made me feel giddy.

He looked cool especially with that strong back shielding me from the unnerving person on the other side.

Wait a minute…

What the heck is wrong with me?!

This was not the time to be fawning over him!

Loving is so hard.

It makes you go crazy, literally.

I grunted in my head because of that thought.

"Why are you taking that's slut's side?!" She pointed at me.

"Now, I'm the slut?" I said as I moved her disgusting finger out of my face.

She really loves to point fingers, doesn't she?

"You look like one, apparently." She smirked.

"OKAY! THAT'S ENOUGH!"

Shocked, I was forced to step back after Ross shouted.

He looked really angry. It's a sight I've never seen before.

Ross was always kind and refreshing. That's why seeing this…makes me wary.

"Ross, baby, sh-"

Ross swatted the hand that was about to grab and uttered in harsh tone, "Fucking stop it! Can you get the hell out of here?!"

The girl was taken aback by the threat behind his voice.

She turned her gaze back to me and gave me the deadliest glare she could muster.

"She started it! Why are you making me leave?!" She desperately tried to talk to Ross.

"I said get away from me! Don't you even dare say another word!" Ross moved away and held my hand to pull me along with him.

Ross dragged me towards the garden without turning back even though that girl was still persistent to call him.

I tried to pull my hand away but he wouldn't budge at all.

I even tried telling him to stop but he's ignoring everything I say.

We even passed a fidgeting Haru who doesn't understand what's going on.

After a few moments, he finally stopped near the rock formations where I first saw him in the garden.

"You know I can handle that right?" I said and shook his hand off.

He grabbed my shoulders, "Why did you even interrupt us?"

"So you really wanted to talk to her?" I shrugged off his hold and gave him a repulsed state.

"Of course not! But you shouldn't have butter in it."

"Wow. Sorry? I'm sorry for going in between your stupid confessions in the middle of the hallway. You really should have picked a better place for that." I rolled my eyes.

"You know that's not what I meant." This time he looked more solemn than he was before.

Still, I was the one who's furious now

I placed my hand on my hip and raised my eyebrow, "Who knows what you meant."

"I was happy you came to my rescue but not at the expense of her ridiculing you by calling you a bitch and a slut."

"I can endure that much."

"I know but I couldn't take it, okay?"

This made my heart beat faster.

I wanted to scold it because it was seriously not the time for that.

I want to be angry for now.

Yeah, let's be rational.

"Don't you believe in me? I'm stronger than I look."

"I know that. I'm the one who knows that best." He gazed at me softly.

Thump.

Again, not now.

"How smug of you." I smirked to hide the heat creeping up to my cheeks.

He probably thinks my mood has gotten better because he simply chuckled after.

"Of course. I'm very confident when it comes to you, my lady."

I pinched his rib and crumpled my face, "Do you call all the women you see as ladies? And here I thought I was special."

He grinned and leaned into me.

"You are special. Because…

…you're MY lady."

Yeah, my heart can't handle it anymore.

The butterflies flew rapidly in my stomach.

My mind grew hazy.

My face warmed up.

Amidst all these cliché uprisings, my feelings proved to be more honest than what I failed to see.