Chapter 26 - Confession

When he returned, he was carrying food. He treated me. Asher is really kind, who wouldn't fall for someone like him? He's just so friendly. And he's very calm. He knows how to stay calm in every difficult situation.

After we ate, he took something from his bag. I was surprised when he handed me the sandals he bought for me. The sandals I left at Hannah's welcome party.

"I wasn't able to save you yesterday, but I was able to save this poor pair of sandals you left behind." Asher said with a laugh.

I laughed too. My eyes sparkled as I took them from him.

"Oh, I'm really sorry. I was so drunk yesterday. My feet were hurting so much that I just took off my sandals and left them. But I was planning to look for them... they're really important to me." I said.

"It's okay. Sometimes when we're drunk, we don't know what we're doing. I understand. It's a good thing I found them." Asher said.

"Good thing, indeed." I said, unable to wipe the smile off my face.

"Aria, can you promise me something?" Asher suddenly asked.

"Hmm, what is it?" I asked.

"Please, never ever get drunk again when I'm not around." he said seriously. I just stared at him, unable to answer immediately.

"O-okay." I finally said.

"Good, because I go crazy every time something bad happens to you." Asher said, looking into my eyes.

Then he ruffled my hair and patted my head. I couldn't speak anymore. My heart was racing, and I couldn't understand what I was feeling.

"See you around, I have to go now... we have practice in the music room. There's an upcoming event next month." he said with a smile. I just nodded, unable to say anything.

"Good, because I go crazy every time something bad happens to you."

What did he mean by that?

Should I start assuming? Ugh, no, I can't. That would be embarrassing. Asher is just really friendly. I have to be careful not to fall for him. Asher left, and I was left there, lost in thought about what he had just said when suddenly...

"Hey, what are you doing here? I've been looking for you." I heard Cairo shouting as he approached me. I was jolted back to reality from my daydreaming.

"I was looking for you, but you weren't at the cafeteria." he added.

"Why do you even care?" I said irritably. I was still mad at him for tricking me about his so-called project.

"Whoa, why do you sound like you're the one angry here?" he said.

"Did you think I wouldn't find out that you were just lying to me about your project? I talked to Denzel, and it turns out it's not true, Cairo. You just wanted to make things difficult for me, I'm so tired playing your stupid games." I said angrily.

He paused for a moment before speaking.

"Where are the drawings?" he asked.

"I threw them away."

"What? Why did you throw them away?" he said, annoyed.

"What use are they?"

"Ugh, you're so frustrating! Okay, I admit I lied to you, but you shouldn't have thrown them away." Cairo said.

"Why did you do that? Don't you know I stayed up late to finish those? You really love messing with me, huh?" I said, still annoyed.

"I just didn't know how to give the art materials to you. So, that was the excuse I came up with, just so I could give you the materials." he said. I glared at him.

"Ugh, thank you so much! Really, thank you!" I said sarcastically.

Then he handed me some food.

"Here, so you won't be mad anymore, just eat." he said.

"Do you think my anger will just go away that easily?" I said.

"You're so annoying. What do I need to do?" Cairo asked. I thought for a moment.

"You'll do whatever I say?" I asked.

"Yes." he said.

"Please, stay away from me, Cairo. Don't come near me ever again. That's what I want." I said.

"Are you serious?" he asked.

"Do I look like I'm joking?" I replied sarcastically.

I want him to be the one to stay away on his own. Hannah likes him, and if he keeps bothering me and coming closer, Hannah will just get angrier with me.

"Why, Aria? Do you really think so badly of me? I'm sorry if I can't change right away. It's not that easy... but can't you see I'm trying my best? I'm doing everything I can, Aria. Is it still not enough? Why does it have to come to the point where I need to stay away from you?" Cairo said.

I looked at him, and I could see the sadness and sincerity in his eyes. I averted my gaze.

"Yes, Cairo, I really am annoyed with you... so please, just stay away from me. Don't come near me again." I said while looking down.

"Damn it, Aria! I don't know why you have to do this to me. Can't you see that I like you so much?" Cairo shouted at me, which startled me, and I looked at him.

I saw tears welling up in his eyes, but he tilted his head back to stop them from falling. Then he looked back at me.

"What did you say?" I asked in disbelief.

"I like you so much that it's killing me inside... Are you really happy seeing me in pain?" he said.

"And I don't even know why I like you. I'm getting frustrated with myself. You're not even my type, but damn, I can't stop these feelings... I wish you knew how hard this is for me. The more I try to stay away from you, the more I desire to be near you, Aria." he continued.

"C-Cairo," I could only say his name because I didn't... I didn't know what else to say to him.

"So please, don't ask me to stay away from you, because I can't." Cairo added.

"I'm sorry, Cairo, but forget about your feelings for me, if they're even real... I'm not the right person for you. Not someone like me. There are others out there who are a better match for you. Just open your heart." I said.

"I DON'T WANT ANYONE ELSE! IT'S ONLY YOU WHO'S MADE ME FEEL THIS WAY! I ONLY FEEL ALL THESE THINGS BECAUSE OF YOU, CAN'T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT? I DON'T WANT THEM, ARIA! DON'T PUSH ME AWAY!" Cairo shouted at me.

"Sorry…" was all I could say before I ran away.

He didn't follow me. I headed straight to the restroom and looked at myself in the mirror, unable to understand what Cairo saw in me. I'm not as beautiful or as sexy as Hannah, not even like the other girls here at the university. I don't even know if I measure up to the average beauty standards. I'm just a girl trying to get through this university for better job opportunities in the future.

I hadn't realized that tears had started falling from my eyes. I was shocked to see them in the mirror. What does this mean? I asked myself in confusion, wiping them away immediately.