Chapter 48
"Thanks so much, Tripp," I said to Tripp as we danced. There was a cotillion where supposedly Drake was supposed to be my partner, But since he wasn't there, Tripp was my partner. Luckily, he knows how to dance. What if he didn't? Drake already ruined my debut, and it'll be even worse because Tripp and I will be embarrassed in the middle of the dance.
While Tripp held my waist, he whispered to me. "That's enough thank you, you've already earned a lot."
"Well, thank you very much..."
"Tsk. That's the last thank you. I don't want to hear another thank you from you."
"Huh? So what can I say? I'm sorry?"
He laughed a little even though I didn't know what was funny about what I said. "No. Next time, I want you to smile. Can you smile? For me?"
I smiled at him even though it was hard. Of course, I had been holding back my tears for a while. I don't know how I held back my tears when I told mommy that Drake wouldn't come and that Tripp would be my partner. I knew they noticed my crying because my eyes were red but luckily, mommy didn't pay attention to that.
The cotillion is over and we're sitting down. I was already tired. There were so many programs that I was standing for a while.
I went to my family's table. Tripp, first went to Sheen's table since he knew Sheen. I think he was the only one he knew here besides Dad.
"Where's your boyfriend?" Dane suddenly asked me.
I just looked at him. "I don't know, okay. We'll talk about it tomorrow," I said. It's a good thing mommy and daddy left because they went to see Aunt Sara. I don't want them to see me cry once I break down in front of Dane because he insisted on asking me where Drake is.
"You know, if he's this jerk towards you, ditch him. You're my sister and you deserve nothing but the best."
I smiled at him. Who would have thought that Dane was just hiding some maturity?
"Why do you know so much?"
He shrugged. "I don't want to see you crying, Alys. We'll meet again sometime, you'll cry. Where would that put me?"
"I'm not crying..."
"Yeah, who are you fooling? Anyway, when will you tell me where's that noble boyfriend of yours?"
I calmed down and told him what had happened earlier. From his text that he was on his way to his U-turn, his wave, his call, and the time he left me. I knew... He used to tell me that promises are meant to be broken. But of all those promises, why the promise to come to my debut? Doesn't he know that he's so disappointing?
"You know what, Alys. As your only brother, if he's hurting you that bad, don't you think it's time to forget him and move on?"
"You, Danel Who's really older than us? How old do you think you are? I'm just reminding you, you're only 141" I said to him. He shook his head and stood up.
"I don't know," he said and left me. Look at this! He said he was going to leave me at the table alone!
Since I was alone at the table, I moved to Aya's table.
"Besh! You look beautiful today!"
"I'm just beautiful now? It's making me cry!"
They laughed at me. Wow! I'm a comedian now!
"Happy Birthday again, Alys," Sheen and Kent greeted me. How funny! Even Kei, who is in Russia, sent me a gift! You think we're kind of friends?
Dinner was served and we just talked. I couldn't relate a bit because they were talking about SCA. I was really out of place!!
Tripp snapped at me. "Oh, why?"
"Can we talk?" he said.
"Uhh, we're already talking, right?"
"No, I mean, outside?"
I nodded to him. "Let's eat first, okay?" He nodded and we ate first. The program was over. The picture taking was also over. Later, there was an after party at the house. I don't know.
We finished eating. I looked at my phone.
5 missed calls from Drake.
Why... am I not happy?
I tumed off my phone and Tripp and i went out like we had planned. It was a good thing I had changed clothes. I couldn't possibly leave the hotel in a white gown and look like I was about to get married.
Tripp and I went to the garden.
I looked at him. "Tripp?"
He smiled at me and walked back. "He prepared this for you, Zyril. I'm going back upstairs. If he explains and you really don't want it, you know where to find me." He said then he went inside the hotel and left me here.
I looked around. Is this what... he's busy with? Is that why he doesn't have time for me?
I sat down on the chair at the table. Candle light dinner. Should I be happy even though he hurt me so much earlier when he left without saying anything other than 'I'm sorry and Happy Birthday?'
(play the song on the side. Hmm?)
-I keep getting scared because I love you
I worry that you might get farther if I get closer
So I can't even talk like a fool-
I felt someone walking behind me. I didn't even have to look to know who it was. Who else could turn my life into a rollercoaster? He was the only one.
"Happy Birthday."
I didn't turn around. I didn't want to see him. I still felt bad.
He hugged me from behind. Is this really Drake?
"I'm sorry I bailed out on you.... Something just came up."
I'm not even talking yet. Reasons, reasons. Just reasons.
He removed the hug and sat on the chair in front of me.
-My heart grows faint at the thought of you
I just let out sighs and randomly laugh and cry
It hurts because of you-
He smiled at me. "Am I too late?"
I smiled at him as tears rolled down my face. "You're late... You're so late, Drake. Do you know why? Because you've hurt me so much... You're too late for me to forgive you..."
He held my hand on the table. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm here now, right? Don't cry anymore..."
I tried to take his hand off mine. "Drake, don't you understand? I don't want it anymore, I don't want it anymore."
"You're just mad, Alys."
-Because it's you, because it's you that I love
I can hold it in several times
Because I only knew you from the start-
"I'm not angry, Drake. I'm hurt."
"Please hear me out. I just have to go... I didn't meant to leave you."
I laughed as I wiped my tears away again. "That's just how you are. Every time you hurt me, you always have a reason, an excuse. Why are you like that?"
"I don't know. I'm just like this, Alys. This is how I am. Understand me."
I stood up.
-Because it's all you, because it's you that I miss, I love you
It hurts so much, it's so hard but because it's you, I'm okay.
As I always have worried
I look at you, I wait for you and get exhausted
Because of you, I get sad-
"I understood you. Now, understand me too. I don't want to."
I was about to walk away but he grabbed my hand.
"I thought you loved me? What was that? Your personal version of a joke?" He said, looking annoyed by what was happening. Wow, shouldn't I be the one annoyed? I was the one who left! I was the one who looked stupid! I was the one who begged his own cousin to come with me so I wouldn't be embarrassed. I should be the one annoyed, not him!
I tried to pull his hand away from mine. "When I said I loved you, I meant it, Drake. Now, I said I don't want you anymore. I mean it too."
He just looked at me, I think we were still trying to see who would click first.
-Because it's you, because it's you that I love
I can hold it in several times
Because I only knew you from the start-
"No, I'm not breaking up with you."
"It's not even an option for you anymore, Drake. We're over and done with."
I walked quickly. I don't want to be here anymore. I'm just going to cry a little, I don't want to cry in front of him. I don't want to. From now on, I will never cry in front of him again. I don't want to. I'm fed up.
"I love you."
I stopped. I almost laughed in front of him. I love you?
"I love you, Alys. Please don't do this to me. I don't wanna get hurt again..."
I still have my back to him. I don't want to face him. I don't want to give myself a chance to get hurt again. Not anymore.
-Because it's all you, because it's you that I miss, I love you
I keep getting greedy, I keep crying
Because its you, because it's all you-
"I love you, Drake. You know that. But if this is how I will always be hurt because of that love, don't stop. I don't want it anymore. It's enough," I said to him lastly before I entered the hotel. Back to Tripp...