Chapter 12 - Sweet Treats

Ross eyes staring at me intensely, his eyes searching mine, trying to understand what I am thinking. I can’t help but notice his face, there’s something I don’t understand but I want to know so badly. Our eyes met and my body froze, I can hardly breath properly. I feel like the whole air was absorbed by his odd stares.

He snorted, “You are so ugly when confused” he said.

I clicked my tongue and turned into the scary looking me, “Ah! Come on! Stop making fun of me! It’s so awkward!” I blew a harsh breath.

Ross rubbed his forehead but still giggling. Again, he stares me.

“WHAT?”

He smiles, “No, I was just looking at you..hmm” rubbed his chin as he mumbles, “You actually look prettier with the pink dress”

I groaned, “You told me it was UGLY!”

“I said that because it was too short. You can only wear that while hang out with me” he said with a shrug.

“That’s … not fair!”

Ross gives a shrug, “I know. But you got no choice since I am your big brother”

“How can you be so sure that you are my big brother?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Cause you are the little sister” he cringed. The more I talk to him, the more I got frustration. I clicked my tongue, staring him with disgust.

“I’m so sorry” he scoffed. “I peep your ID when you take a bath, that time when you leave your wallet on the counter top”

My eyes widened, “You saw my ID??” my picture is so ugly. OH MY!

He nods, “You look so ugly in that photo”

“So you know? When is my birthday?”

He nods again, “Do you want to know mine too?”

“Of-of course” I stammered, “When?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Really?” I sighed. What is so fun to tease me like this.

“Then count yourself, I am 3 months older than you”

“Date?”

“Count –your –self”

“14 February? On Valentines’ day?”

“Yep” he looked at me with an eyebrow crooked, “Why do you mention Valentines’ day?”

“Cause, it’s easier to remember?”

“Is it so hard to just remember the dates and the month without mentioning the others?” he turned into the critical looking Ross.

“Okay, you got me! Sorry! 14 February, not Valentines’ day. Happy now?” I collapsed onto the passenger seat.

Ross snuggered, then he says “I don’t know it’s going to be raining so hard” as his eyes gazing straight, watching the rain bathing his car .

“Ah, its fine.. Totally fine”

PING

Kendrick: IRENE!! I’M SO SORRY! I WAS IN URGENT JUST NOW! I AM ON MY WAY!

“Kendrick?” he stretches his neck to peep my phone. I answer “Yes, how did he know my number?”

“I told him” Ross sniffed a smile, “And I asked him to come here as soon as possible or he should head back and can never ask you out anymore”

I laughed, he is so cute as a big brother.

Ross clears his throat “I saw you are really interested with him”

“Ah..that” my lips are tight, it looks like I swallowed them.

Ross leaned his head on the seat, closing his eyes, “You know what the rain means for me?”

I tilted my head, “What is it?”

“It means, flow. Let your problem flows with the rain”

I chuckled, “What do you mean?”

“You don’t have anything in your head, do you? Argh.. jinjja (really)”

“Hey, by the way what is “jinjja” means? I heard you speak that a lot”

He gave me a death glare, “Find them from Google. Why so lazy..”

“What kind of brother are you” I pouted.

“Hey, I am being nice to you, I bring you here and watch the rain together”

I fold my arms, leaning my head on the window.

Seeing the rain makes me think –flow(?). Is that what he has inside his head whenever the rain comes?

About 5 minutes later the rain finally stopped. Then my phone pinged.

PING

Kendrick: Kendrick is here\~ I’m coming for you!

“Has he arrived?” he took a brief glance at me.

I nod my head.

“Then, let’s go”

It was drizzling outside. From the far I saw Kendrick waved his hand and smiling so widely at us.

“Forgive me big brother, I have urgent..” he wrapped his arm around Ross, tapping his shoulder several times. Ross ceased him away, “Don’t do that again next time, be responsible.. My gosh”

“Yes of course!” he cheerfully answered.

Then Ross turned around, saying “I’ll head home now”

I feel bad, he dressed up to cheer me from the almost –cancelled date so I stopped him, I hold his sleeve and he turned his head. I wish I could bring him together with us.

He smiles, “It’s okay, I’ll cook something you like when you arrived home”

Recently he smiles a lot to me, sometimes I wonder how many smiles he gave along his life since he always looks scary to everyone.

“Please come home before dinner” Ross glared at us before walking too far.

“Whoaa. Your brother is so responsible” said Kendrick.

I give him a light punch on his arm and smile, “Yes, he is” that’s why I became adore him. I’m slowly comfortable with Ross by my side. I wish we could be like this forever, with Ross as my brother.

Our date is just a normal date like most people had. To be honest, my heart is pounding since I saw Kendrick waving at us. I afraid I made mistake so I tend to be so careful when talking to him. Kendrick cocked his head and smiles widely at me, “Do you forgive me?”

Well, when a guy with a cute smile like him apologize to me like this how can I say no, is this really happening to me right now? Urghh, I am obviously fall in love with Kendrick.

“I’ll bring you to the nearest cafe, they have a lot of chocolate cake and coffee. You love chocolate right?”

“Oh, y-yes I do” I nod my head. Why did I speak hesitantly? Please calm down, Irene. Suddenly, Kendrick grabbed my hand, his strong hand pulled me gently. My heart racing, it can’t stop bumping on my chest. But he keeps me wanting to hold him like this forever.

We finally stopped by a cute aesthetic cafe, with wood carved DOLCE CAFE above the entrance.

He choose the best selling chocolate cake for me and strawberry cheesecake for himself.

When I take a bite of the cake, damn it’s too good. My lips lifted upward itself once I shove the soft chocolate in my tongue.

“So, you like it?”

“Yes”

“That’s a relief, I thought you are still mad at me” he sighed, “My mom suddenly appeared, asking me to help her to the market at NOON” he said with a shrug, “And I can’t refuse to take her or she will, blab la bla bler bler bler until tomorrow” he continued

I snorted a laugh, “I understand, really..”

Kendrick is so cute while apologizing. Is he really that guilty? Should I tease him a bit? But, it is going to be so awkward, this is our first date after all. I don’t want to ruin my first date with my stupid jokes.

“So.. are we going to a movie?”

I flinched “Oh?”

“I didn’t say anything about movie stuff. But I honestly want to ask you.. for.. a movie..”

“Oh. What movie?” still busy taking another bite. This cake is too delicious to waste.

“It’s The Sunshine. Do you know that romance drama?”

I shook my head slowly, confused with the unfamiliar title. I love Sci-fi, Thriller, Horror, Mystery not Drama or Romance. So there’s an excuse for me to question about what Kendrick mentioned.

“You don’t like romance?”

“Oh… I-I like romance. They are- they are so sweet, you know. They made my heart beats so fast”

I just planned to ask but I ended up talking non -sense.

“Oh, I’m glad that you like it. Then, after this?” he became more excited.

“Sure”

Kendrick stood up, “Then I’ll do they payment first”

“Hey, I-I’ll pay mine myself” I stuttered.

“Just give me a sweet treats, you don’t need to pay something like this” he gives me a naughty grin. “Ken-Kendrick?” but he left.

1 km away from the park.

Kendrick stopped his car and tilted his head towards me,

“So.. where’s the sweet treats?”

“Sweet treats?” I flustered, don’t know how to respond him. My heart beats so fast, I feel like something thrilling is going to happen. Kendrick points his cheek, my eyes widened, I could feel the warmth of the blush as it crawled up my neck. What does he mean my sweet treats?

“You don’t want to pay me?” he sighed, “Then.. I guess. Hmm.. that’s fine” he pouts.

“I-I-I-I’ll pay that sweet treats!”

“Oh really??” he looks surprised all of sudden, but there’s a shy smile behind that quirky expression. I might say this is going to be so weird for me, I never kiss anyone else except my parents. He leaned forward so I quickly kiss his cheek. Damn, this is too awkward. I just kissed a guy in my age! This is a new thing to me. I know this is stupid but my heart told me to do so, plus I don’t want to disappoint him.

“Are we going now? My lady?” was the response and Kendrick’s blush deepened.

“Oh”

I feel the whole world melted away and I wish I could stay in the car with him for longer time. Are we that close now?

At the theatre.

“Irene?”

“Oh” his lovely voice jarred me out of his daze, and I blinked, turning to look at Kendrick.

“What do you want to order?”

“I think.. coke is enough”

“You sure?”

I nod my head and smile at him.

“2 coke, and large caramel popcorn, please” and he began to pay.

Inside the theatre, it’s just an awkward silence. At some moments he will laugh so hard at the scene while I don’t even think the scene was that funny. But wait, why all of them are laughing too?

This movie has a simple plot. The girl is an introverted school girl, nobody notice her until a boy from her classmate appeared to protect her from sudden bullies. Since then, they became close. The boy finally confessed during Prom Night.

Until the moment that makes me want to disappear.

When the male lead and the female lead start to kiss.

OH MY GOD!

THEY ARE REALLY GOING TO KISS! FVCK THIS IS AWKWARD!

I took a deep breath, peep Kendrick with the side of my eyes. He looked at the screen very seriously. And when they kiss, he tilted his head and our eyes met.

So I threw my face away.

After the movie, Kendrick starts to talk about how amazing the movie is. He loves romance and drama. I never knew someone strong like him love something like this. Kendrick lifted his hand to check the time.

“Gonna send you home before 7 or Ross will absolutely kill me” with a chuckle.

I didn’t say anything. I gave him a short smile and then looked down.

“You-you mad at me?” he bend a little to catch my eyes. I lifted my head and found him standing too close to me, I was startled, so I jumped a bit.

“I’m so sorry” my face starts to blush.

“Whoaa. You are blushing!” he teased. I was utterly speechless. My heart almost exploded. I walk quickly, leave him giggling alone behind me.

During our way home, Kendrick talked a lot. He has a lot of thing to talk about and has never out of topic. He talked about the Taekwondo, about his extracurricular with Ross and Jimmy, about his mom, etc. Kendrick is very bright and funny, I feel delighted talking to him.

When we arrived, Kendrick called me before I leave.

“Irene”

“Yes?”

“I hope we could hang out like this.. often”

When he does smile, there are dimples, there’s also a soft pink tinted blush on his cheeks, “And I am looking forward for more sweet treats” 

“Dreaming” I teased, my heart starts thumping again. He gave me too many heart strokes today. I was kinda grateful that I still alive.

“I want to dream more about it”

I give him the last timid smile before I leave his car, “Goodbye Kendrick”.

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