Chapter 21

Alitha's POV

Acquaintance Party

Looking at myself in the mirror makes me wonder that Mommy was so beautiful then. When Aunt Caroline saw me earlier, that was the first thing she said. That I looked like my Mom when she was young. My hair was curled by the make up artist Glaiza hired. She came here after lunch with Bennie, the make up artist.

My beauty floated away wearing a beige and yellow gown. Glows when hit by light. I look like a fairy from the forest and I'm stuck here inside the house. I remember the famous actress who played as Aurora in Maleficent. I look like her now.

I was stunned earlier when I looked in the mirror. Even Aunt Caroline and Uncle Dan were the same. Especially Glaiza who applauded even more excited to see me. She said she did not make a mistake in choosing the gown for me. She even praised Bennie for being so good at fixing my hair and doing my make up. I seldom put make up and use my curler so maybe they're surprised to see me like this. I still prefer the natural beauty and no lipstick and make up on the face. But knowing Glaiza, I knew she would fight me when I didn't obey her.

Even when I came out, our guards could not help but to look at me. They'll always looked at me and if I caught them, they would just nod and looked away as if they're ashamed of me. Glaiza is also beautiful in what she is wearing. She looked even more beautiful and sexy. Cedrick will surely shock and speechless later when he sees her.

We rode on a limousine Uncle Dan lend to us. He told us the we better rode this one than a normal car. For a magnificent entrance which I disagreed. I don't want to snatch anyone's attention tonight. I just want to attend this party for academic purposes.

There were already a lot of people when we arrived. I told the driver that I would only call him when Glaiza and I will go home. We walked to the venue. As much as I do, I don't pay attention to the people Glaiza and I go through. But I can hear them sigh and praise us especially me. I just ignored them while Glaiza was purely whispering to me.

"They're amazed at how beautiful you are, best friend. Their eyes almost pop out when they look at you especially the men."

"Leave them alone."

"No. I'm happy with their reactions. You're beautiful but you're even more beautiful tonight. Because they don't know who your Mommy is. When they found out, I'm sure their eyes might have fallen to the floor." She laughed out loud. I just shook my head because of her silliness.

If there are many people outside there are more people here inside. But it is not crowded because the place is spacious. Glaiza and I searched our table. When we arrived, we received a whistle from our classmates. Compliments from our female classmates and applauses from our male classmates. I nod and thank them unlike Glaiza who's smiling sweetly to them.

The program started and I started to feel bored. Just like last year. I almost slept in my chair. But it's different this time, Cedrick came over as well as his friends when the program was over and the party started. Most of our classmates were in the dance floor and some stood up and went outside when they came.

Our classmates were so scared of them. I hate the way they move. They look arrogant and scary that's why there's a lot of people are scared of them. Cedrick approached Glaiza. Just like what I was thinking earlier, Cedrick's lips parted and couldn't believed what he's seeing. His eyes were gaping and wide as he looked at Glaiza.

"Hell! You look hot and gorgeous, sweetie." He said his eyes while walking towards her. He sat next to Glaiza and just like what happened in the cafeteria, he kissed her. I almost choked on what I saw. So I quickly avoided looking at them. Cedrick's friends whistled. Others laughed and were shaken by what they saw. I can't say that Cedrick did nasty because from what I can see, he seems to be very anxious, hungry and uncontrollable by what he felt toward her.

"Hello, Ali." His friends greeted me. I didn't see Nikolai and I also didn't expect to see him here tonight. I just nod at them.

"You look really gorgeous tonight." Jigger said.

"Thank you." I simply answered him. They're arrogantly look but somehow they're nice people. That's what I've proven the few times I've met them.

"It's a pity Nik isn't here yet. "

Why? Where is their friend? That beast! He hid from me. He said nothing or didn't even explained to me. I hate him! He's really disgusted! Didn't show up just to hide from me? Huh!

I am angry but why do I feel bad not seeing him for how many days now? I miss him and I want to see him again. I cannot understand myself. It's like I have bipolar disorder. Because every time I think of him, I get angry but that will be replaced by loneliness all of a sudden. What is happening to me? I'm confused. I told May what I am feeling but she said, I like him already. I don't believe her. How can I like that person? I hate him, don't I?

Besides, he was exploitative. I considered him a friend but what did he do? He got angry, he ignored me, talked to me as I'd nothing happened, and then ignored me again. He's a mess, a total mess! Maybe he also has bipolar disorder by the way he acted.

"Won't you ask where he is? "Andy asked me.

"No."

They must have been surprised by my straightforward answer. They didn't seem to expect that either because they were all staring at me with an unbelievably look.

"Why not?" He asked again.

"Why should I?"

"He told us that you were friends."

"Exactly. Were. Past tense. We're not friends anymore." I said.

I look at the dance floor and pretend that I will not listen or talk to them anymore. Maybe they also got my attitude so they didn't talk to me anymore. We just sat there and watched the dancers. Sometimes I hear them whispering that I just don't pay attention to.

My thoughts were interrupted when suddenly someone sat next to me. I was shocked when I turned around to see Nikolai looking at me and leaning back in his chair.

"Hi." He said softly enough for me to hear. I closed my eyes a few times and avoided looking at him. Suddenly I could hardly breathe and my heart jumped. The throbbing loud and fast caused me to panic inside. I could not answer him. I could feel him staring at me. "How are you?" He asked again.

I was even more nervous when he approached and he even clung to me. "Fine. Get away from me." I don't want him to hear the rapid beating of my heart.

"Why are you upset now?" Here he is again. He pretends that nothing happened. That everything seems fine. Did he forget the last thing he did to me? And how many days did he disappear? I'm not his girlfriend but he should just apologize for kissing me that night. I deserve an apology especially that I considered him as a friend.

"Okay. I'm sorry." I looked at him. Did he read my mind? Did he hear my thoughts? "Look, I'm sorry for what happened."

"What are you sorry about?" He sighed when he sensed my annoying tone. His eyes met mine and deeply stared at me. I fought his gaze even when my heart pounded so fast.

"I am not sorry that I kissed you that night." I swallowed. I don't think I can stare at him for long. I was afraid he could read my mind. I couldn't utter a word nor make a sound. "I'm sorry because I haven't seen you these past few days. That I didn't talk to you or even call you." I saw how his eyes became soft while staring at me.

"You don't have to. I didn't expect you to talk to me. I'm not looking forward to that either. I'm not looking for you either so don't bother." Really, Ali? You know how to lie now. Bravo! But I'm a great pretender. I know that.

"Even though. I still want to apologize to you."

"Woah. You're kidding, a Nikolai Johnson apologizing to me? What did you eat?" I even managed to smile even though I was feeling even more nervous. I just couldn't believe it.

"I'm serious, Ali." His stoic face became hard and more serious. It was as if he was having a hard time figuring out how he was going to say the next words he's planning to say.

"Okay. As what I've said, it doesn't matter. So apology accepted." Is it that easy? No. But I just said that so he wouldn't think I was waiting for him to come back. That I just said that to make him think that his kiss had no effect on me.

"Damn!" He suddenly slapped his hand on the table. The foods on plate, spoons, forks, glasses and even the vase with a flower in the middle jumped because of what he did. His friends even Glaiza looked at us. Even the students nearby. I looked at him. His ear is red. He violently combed his hair with his two hands. "Why is it so hard for you to talk?! You sound sarcastic. I know you're upset because I didn't show up to you these past days. Why don't you say it? You're a coward."

"Why do you think you know better than me? I have the body so I know what I want. I wasn't looking for you so shut up!" I gritted my teeth because the harshness he just did. Smashing his hand on the table in front of me? That's indecent!

"I can't sleep thinking of you. I can't eat because you are always on my mind. I want to see you but I'm embarrassed. Because .. Because I know this is what you're going to do." He looks frustrated. Suddenly I felt sorry for him. He reluctantly told me that. It was as if I had difficulty swallowing and something seemed to be stuck in my throat. He seemed to be crying while looking at me.

"What are you saying?" My voice also weakened. I don't want to think about it but it seems like that's what's going to happen. It was as if my heart was going to come out from my chest because of the speed of its beating.

"I like you, Ali." I gasped. I didn't expect this too soon. He surprised me that I couldn't say anything. My surroundings became silent and I couldn't hear anything aside from the thud of my heart. Thud! Thud! Thud!

Shit!

"Can't you feel that? I like you." He said again. His eyes full of pleading. Apparently waiting for a good answer. My lips still parted in shock.

"She likes you too!" Glaiza suddenly shouted at my side. I violently turned on her and scolded her. "Admit it, Ali. Nikolai is having a hard time. Can't you see? He's losing weight because he can't eat because he keeps on thinking of you."

"Y-you like me too?" I turned back to him.

"No."

"Yes. Glaiza told me this morning that's why I came here and decided to talk to you. I took courage because of what Glaiza said. That you like me too. Isn't it?"

"Tell him, Ali." Glaiza shouted again. I close my eyes because of embarrassment. She keeps on teasing and urging me. Jigger, Andy, Benedict, Jethro and the others with them did the same.

"I know you like me." He said. His eyes full of expectancy.

"She can't eat, she can't sleep, she keeps on thinking of you, Nik." I swear I wanted to punch my best friend right at this moment.

Niko's eyes suddenly came to life. It was as if he had found hope because of Glaiza. "Say it to me. Please? Please, baby?"

"Fine! I like you!"