Chapter 6 - Beating For..?

Kendrick took a glimpse of me while driving, smiling. I could see how it came from deep inside to light his eyes, the kind of smile that made you feel happy.

“The first time hanging out with boy besides Ross?”

“Oh.. right.. first time” I suddenly feel nervous talking to him, don’t feel like enjoying the music from the radio. I gaze back to the window, leaning my head by the glass. Why is my heart beating so rapidly? Why do I feel nervous everytime I talk to him?

“Finally!” Kendrick stopped his car. I could feel my heart pounding hardly inside my chest, even staring at him become completely nervous. He leaned his body forward, then he smiles. “You forgot your seatbelt” clicking the seatbelt off, again he made me blushed.

“Are you going inside?” asked Kendrick as he clicked the car door open.

“Oh!” please stop me being weird.

Inside the shop, Kendrick confusedly looking at the full shelves around the shop. He scratches the back of his head, staring at his phone with eyes narrowed, then the shelves, then his phone over and over again.

I walk closer to him, peeping at his phone, “Do you need help?”

Kendrick tilts his head, startled and says “Ah.... will you?” he smiles, throwing his face away. I did stand too close to him so I step backward and then Kendrick clears his throat, mumbling confusedly “Umm.. this is what Ross sent me” by hand over his phone.

The text is:

DIY Birthday Surprise Box

Short -Solid -Clear

Is this guy crazy? He didn’t explain anything to this clueless boy, who seems to be inexperience with such things.

“Cih...*sshole” it just came out from my mouth soon as I read the text message.

Kendrick flinched, “What?” and snorted a loud laugh.

“Ehh” I just ruined my own reputation in front of this guy. Damn it.

“Let -let me help you” I stammered. I walk past him, hiding my face. This is so embarrassing.

I help him choose the materials since I believe that sshole will never say a thing. Kendrick was lucky he brought me here.

At the cashier, a young woman with big mole on her nose starts counting our items as we can hear bip bip bipfrom the machine .

“300.000 rupiahs” she doesn’t smile and looking unpleasure, like she’s on her period, but I still wish to pay her shts.

Kendrick pulled his wallet from his jeans and pay.

“Ah..gonna pay you back when we arrive home” I said, since I have mine with him too. I bought a lot of things since I love doing DIY during my leisure, gonna let Freya choose what to make for our project.

Kendrick paused when we stood right in front of the shop entrance, he turned his body and say “Do you want to stop for an ice cream?”

I look at him, did he just asking me out?

Then I smile, “Oh, sure sure” throwing my face away again, this is going to be awkward, I can no longer control my heart beats.

Kendrick clicked his car key “Let’s go” winking at me. Damn he is a real life manhwa character! Did I just admire him all of sudden?

At the ice cream shop, we sat down facing each other. I choose Seasalt flavor and Kendrick chose Caramel which is his only favorite. We talk about DIY things, about how I love origami, carton and beads. After only a few minutes the ice cream had begun to melt, I quickly pulled a tissue before it reached the top of the table. Kendrick poke them with his finger and put it on my nose.

“Heyyy!” gave him the deadliest glare of mine.

He puts his palm on his cheeks, smiling happily “I love it when you make that expression”

“Weird” I chuckles while busy taking another tissue to wipe my nose, “Boys usually like it when girls smile” I added, read them from novels and comic, I’m inexperience.

“Of course I love it too when you smile” he shrugged, “But happier when you are not nervous talking to me”.

He smiles, the blush of roses, that peek of champagne pink on his cheeks. The color infused cheeks dimpled with the blossoming smile. He is... blushing, right? My heart racing again, I could hear the great pounding, this great pressure, every beat inside my heart. What is this? Why can’t I keep still? My heart beats painfully with every move he makes. And this is not the first time. My heart racing like its about to burst, and stings as if its being stabbed whenever I think about him. This is.. No I never once dared to utter such a word before..

LOVE

Irene, you are really out of your mind...

***

Ross standing in front of the door, his eyes are sharp and fierce, gazing right at me, “Where were you two?”

I quirked an eyebrow. What is wrong with this guy? Kendrick was busy taking the DIY shopping bags from his car trunk.

I peep inside, seeing Jimmy on the couch, Jimmy then turned his head and wave his hand at me.

“Hey. I’m talking to you” Ross insists, still glaring at me.

“Oh.. we..”

“Ross! Hey! Sorry, we went to an ice cream shop for a while” Kendrick appeared with 2 paperbags of DIY shopping. I feel relief for a while. Dude, this guy is so creepy..

Ross stood aside and we both walk in, I peep from the side of my eye, Ross still glaring at me. I don’t remember do anything wrong to him.

“Where’s Freya?” I asked Jimmy. Jimmy tilted his head again, mumbling “Ummm.. She’s still inside your room right? Hasn’t seen her since you leave” with an eyebrow lifted.

“Oh” I almost forgot, I let her stay inside my bedroom.

Oh noo... I forgot.. Did I lock my computer? How about my scattering underwears or bra? Nooo, this is so embarrassing.

Freya was kinda startled when I slammed the door too hard. “Hey!” she looked at me “Are you kidding me?” she added.

She was playing with her phone. Freya isn’t into people stuff, is she? But after all, my computer is locked, and there’s just anything like dolls or books on the bookshelves, and my clean underwears flipped tidily on the dressing table -inside the pinky box which isn’t transparent so Freya won’t notice they are actually underwears inside, my bra is inside the wardrobe. Ah, I was too worry about my belongings, she doesn’t even notice it, I guess....

“Oh.. Sorry”

Freya eyes then popped up wide. “What did you…”

I lifted the plastic, “I am so into DIYs, so.. I bought many things. We can discuss what to make for the project”

Freya nodded her head, “Sure..” she stood up and help me out with the paperbags. “I thought you didn’t discuss it to me first”

“No.. don’t get me wrong”

Freya chuckles, “I was just kidding”

She is pretty when smiling, why doesn’t she smile often? Jimmy, her crush might like her back if she does.

Freya got more comfortable talking to me and so do I. She smiles a lot during our project making. We are making pop up book for Valentine’s day.

“I think I’m gonna make one for Valentine’s day later. Is it going to be awkward?” she said as she busy cutting the paper.

I am not an expert, I have never had a date before, I hate romance movies or stories, what can I do? “Um..” I want to help her, but Ross doesn’t even like to talk to me.

“I think.. it’s a great idea..”

“But” she cut me off immediately. I tilt my head looking at her, waiting for her to response, she suddenly looked down. The cheerful Freya is gone “I don’t think I can do it”

“Why?” I was wondering why love is so complicated.

“Just.. forget it..” she muttered under her breath.

I don’t understand

knock knock knock

“Mom?”

knock knock knock

“Quit guessing, get used to an urgent call! Now get out!!”

Dammit, Ross has always been so straight forward to me. I took a deep breath and exhales it, as Freya stood up immediately, still confused by Ross’ attitude.

I saw boxes of pizza on the table, the pizza Jimmy and Kendrick bought on their way here. I tilted my head to Freya, she’s cute when blushing. She doesn’t speak a word but Jimmy tends to be so friendly with her.

Kendrick moved and sat beside me.

“Do you like it?” asked Kendrick.

“Ohh..” I nodded, “You mean the pizza, right?” since I’m eating a slice of it right now. Kendrick nods and smiles.

“Hmmm..mmm.. this is extremely good. You chose the right flavor”

Jimmy puts the glass on the table, laughing “Seriously? Kendrick? Flirting with Ross’ sister?”

My eyes widened, what the hell is wrong with this man?

Kendrick laughs and angled Jimmy, Ross doesn’t say anything instead of glaring.

Our friends went home. It’s 5 something in the evening, mom and Mr.Park haven’t show up, a quiet late for a Saturday half -day work. I miss talking with mom.

“Where’s mom and Mr.Park?” I asked. I took the dirty glasses and put it on the dishes, while Ross busy washing them.

He took a glimpse of me, “Dating” then he quirked an eyebrow. Ross stepped forward and drew towards me with eyes staring at me. We are definitely only 15cm each other, until I can smell the sweet scent of his t -shirt. I first thought he never wash it.

And then, somewhere below this –my heart reacting. I stood stiffly. Ross pokes something from my hair.

“Is this a fly stuck in your hair?” he narrowed his eyes, looking at the fly

dying on his fingers. Ross? Did you actually do that purposely?

“Wash your hair, dirty girl”

This boy is so annoying, “Hey.. may.. I..” I glared. Ross stepped backward and continue the dishes.

“Thank me, frog princess. I saved your hair” he implied.

I rolled my eyes, not even worth to respond that.

Ross tilted his head, looking at me with flat expression “Hey, princess. Stop daydreaming and please at least be useful”

I took the cloth from the countertop, begin wiping the table. At the same time Ross finished the dishes.

He leaned by the wall watching me “What do you want to eat?”

“What?” I lifted my head. Ross’ eyes gazing to the clock above the TV, means use your eyes and don’t ask too much.

“Oh..” I found the numbers 18:09 glowing in green.

Ross still not moving, waiting for my answer. I lifted my head looking at him

again “Really? I don’t know..”

Without saying anything, he turned around, start rummaging the fridge.

30 minutes later Ross finished his cooking, with me helping him preparing the

orange juice as he requested. I think he will never let me sit down without doing anything while he is busy doing something, he is trying to make me his slave.

We both sat down on the dining table. Then Ross puts his spoon down.

“Hey, frog princess”

Damn it. I hate that name.

“Really? With my name please”

“Frog princess” he repeated, his expression is still flat.

“Irene” I said.

“Frog princess” he repeated again, he will never call me by my beautiful name.

“Why in the world with that name?” I moaned, then I say “Irene” one more time I hope this is the last one.

“Frog princess” he shrugged.

I looked down and exhales, “Up to you” I’m tired of arguing with this rock headed boy but I can’t just leave, his cook is too delicious. Then.. when I lifted my head, I caught him smiling. Ross looks more handsome when smiling, then our eyes met each other and he stopped, “What?”

I rolled my eyes, “Seems like you are too shy to show that you can smile” I sneered.

Ross’ eyes popped up wide “Are you trying to hit me back, huh?” then he gulp the orange juice I made and he coughed.

His eyes wide gazing at me “You kidding me? Frog princess?” he raised his voice.

“What?”

“This is insane!” his face looks like just biting lemons.

“You blend the whole orange? Without peeling?”

I nod my head “Yes..” I haven’t try my juice, but is it that bad? “Isn’t it work that way?” I added. I gulp the orange juice and feel the same, it’s tasteless and weird. I feel like eating dirt with lemons.

“That’s why I called you frog. It suits you!” he stated.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***