Chapter Twelve

So, how should you react if the person who has been torturing you since the day you met suddenly asked you to the winter formal?

“Excuse me?” I gaped.

“Will you—” he started out but I cut him off. I do not want to hear those words again coming from his mouth.

“Oh look at the time,” I suddenly said. I took the mug from his hands and started pushing him to the elevator, “I think your parents or Blake are back already,” I pressed the button and when the doors opened, I shoved him inside, “I’ll call cab a for you.”

“Wait!” I called out but the doors were already closing. I waved goodbye to him until the metal doors finally closed and I could no longer see his body.

“Want me to run a bath for you?” Jazzy offered and I nodded immediately.

I rubbed my temples in frustration, my life used to be so simple. What happened to you Celeste? Oh yeah, you became popular.

This was starting to become a horrible weekend. What I needed was a nice soak in a bubble bath and a good night’s sleep.

If I could even find it in myself to sleep tonight.

*

*

*

“Good morning, Celeste,” Jazzy greeted as the usual protocol. She served me some eggs with a side of toast but I couldn’t find it in myself to eat.

“Your parents called. They said that they want you to check on the new café they’re investing in,” she said to me as she handed me a steaming mug of coffee.

I seriously need the caffeine; I’ll be looking like a zombie all day if I don’t drink it.

“The rare time my parents call me and it’s to overlook a business,” I grumbled under my breath, chugging down my coffee.

“They really care for you,” Jazzy tried to reassure me but I only rolled my eyes at this. I’m not even sure if I’ll be seeing them this Christmas.

“I’ll be going now,” I told her, standing from my chair and my maid frowned as she eyed my untouched breakfast. I couldn’t find it in my system to eat so I just left it.

I drove to the café with the directions texted to me by my lovely parents. To tell you the truth, I even forgot how their voices sound. I usually see them in business magazines so I still know what they look like, but I don’t even know them anymore.

When the café came into view, a sign that was up in the air stated One-Eighty Degrees Coffee.

The café gave you a homey feeling just by looking at the exterior. It gave the illusion that it was made with wood and the glass windows showed the inside of the café in full view.

It was packed as seen through the windows. There was even a sofa near the door for where people can sit while waiting for a table.

Well, my parents did a good business deal on this one.

The parking lot was packed but good thing there was a car leaving a spot. I quickly parked my car and stepped inside the cold. No wonder the place was packed; people were practically begging for some hot beverages in this weather.

The bell rang when I entered the café, gathering the attention of the waiter. The bell signaled a customer just went in but everybody was staring at me.

Oh right, I was the daughter of one of their biggest investors.

“Miss Graham,” The man I presumed who was the manager greeted quickly, rushing to my front. He snapped his finger and various workers magically cleared a table and sat me there.

The manager handed me a menu and a waiter came with a glass of water, “Y-your waiter w-will be with y-you in a moment,” he stuttered out nervously before scampering away.

I resisted a giggle from escaping my lips. I have yet to utter a word and a man who’s in his forties is about to pee his pants.

A boy started to approach me but I didn’t mind him. I looked through the menu and decided on a regular cup of Joe.

“Welcome to One-Eighty Degrees Coffee. May I- hey!” I lifted my head from the menu to look at the server and I gaped at who it is.

Drew Everett.

I don’t know why but all stress and frustration suddenly left my body. As I stared into those pools of green, I felt nothing but warmth. When I heard his voice after so long, I felt so much comfort. God, I miss him.

“Drew!” I blurted out in surprise; loud enough for everybody to look at us.

The manager rushed to my table, “Is there something wrong Miss Graham, is this waiter troubling you?”

“No,” I shook my head, waving my hand in a form to dismiss him. He got the message and walked away though I knew he was intently listening to our conversation.

“So this is where you work,” I pointed out the obvious.

He nodded with his face holding an emotionless expression. I missed his smile, I truly did. I wanted to see it again; I want to hear him chuckle or a smirk, either could do. Any form of emotion could make me happier than I could ever be.

“May I take your order, ma’am?” he asked, lifting up his notepad and pen.

Okay Celeste, it’s time to stop moping around and finally do something about this situation. You’re deteriorating without Drew’s presence.

“Yes, two regular coffee,” I ordered and he nodded, writing it down on his notepad.

“Anything else?” he asked and I shook my head.

He spun on his heel and started retreating to place my order. The ache in my heart finally seized when I finally talked to him. Even if it was in a professional tone, I’m ecstatic over it.

I need his company more than ever. I have Jessica and the other girls but my happiness is different when I’m with Drew.

Drew came walking back to my table with a tray of two mugs of coffee. He laid down the two white mugs on my table, “Enjoy.”

When he made a move to leave, I spoke up, “Stop.”

He froze and I looked him in the eye, “Sit down, we have a lot to talk about.”

“I’m on the clock,” he said. Hah, I think he’s forgetting who I am.

I raised a hand and in a heartbeat, the manager was standing next to Drew, “Yes Miss Graham?”

I saw Drew roll his eyes and I couldn’t blame him. His boss looked like a lost puppy right now.

“I need to talk to this waiter, is it alright if I borrow a little bit of his time?” I asked politely.

“Oh of course,” he immediately answers, “Take as much time as you want, Miss Graham.”

I once dismissed him again and I gestured to the seat across from mine. With a glare at his boss’ direction, Drew sat down on the wooden chair.

I pushed one of the mugs to him before I took mine, “So tell me Drew, how’s life going?”

I’m actually shocked how calm and collected I am. I was in the midst of a break down before I came here.

He let out a snort before taking his mug and taking a sip of the beverage, “Much better after I stopped talking to you.”

Ouch.

Stay strong, Celeste, he doesn’t mean it… I think.

“I see,” I nodded, taking a sip of my own, “Why didn’t you tell that you worked here?”

“It’s a real shame to say I’m one of the slaves of the Grahams,” he said with a harsh tone.

So that’s it. We started this whole argument because he had too much pride to admit he indirectly works for my family.

“Then why don’t you work somewhere else?” I snapped.

“This is the highest paying part-time job that I can get,” he bit back.

“It is not, there a lot more places that can offer you more money!” I practically yelled. I didn’t even care if people are staring at us.

“There are but this is the only place that can offer a schedule where I can balance school, family and work!” he screamed, standing up from his seat, “I wouldn’t need to do this if it isn’t for your filthy money!”

Yup, we certainly have the attention of the whole café now. I stole a glance at the manager who looked mortified with the fact one of his employees and the daughter of one of the investors are having a fight at the middle of the café.

“It’s your fault your father is stupid enough not to pay the debt!”

A pained expression crossed his face and my heart sank with guilt. There it was again, the expression of hurt that I caused him.

“Drew, I…”

“I was an idiot,” Drew muttered under his breath, “I actually thought you had a heart.”

Ouch, I deserve that one.

He turned on his heel and started to walk away but there was no way in hell I was going to let history repeat itself.

I quickly moved and wrapped my arms around his waist. I pressed my face against his back and I felt his body tense. Drew was never the touchy type of person.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, “I’m sorry for everything. I didn’t mean a word I said.”

I finally released him and he slowly turned to me, “People are staring,” he whispered.

Seriously? I apologize to him and that was he says.

This is Drew Everett we’re talking about. With a sigh, I pulled some cash from my purse and handed it to him, “For the coffee.”

Without a second glance, I started to walk out the café, ignoring the constant apologies shot to me by the manager.

“I’m so sorry Miss Graham. I assure you that he will no longer be here during your next visit.”

“I will make sure you’re homeless the second you fire him,” I threatened and he seemed to be taken aback by this, “Do I make myself clear?” he nodded vigorously.

 *

*

*

A note fell when I opened my locker. I picked it up from the ground and I felt a sudden surge of relief when I read it.

Meet me in the classroom after school

The paper looked like it was just torn from a notebook but it made me smile. It was no brainer that it was Drew who sent this and the classroom he was talking about was clearly where the both of us got locked in for the first.

The fact he’s actually trying to come to terms with me makes my heart melt. The bell rang and the halls suddenly started to clear out. I grabbed my bags and turned around only to slam into a hard chest.

“Hey!” I snapped and when I looked up, my breath hitched.

There in all his pride and glory was Lucas Smith and boy, does he look angry.

“Hey to you too,” he scowled with his arms crossed.

A nervous smile made it was to my lips as I sheepishly tried to step around him, “Well it was nice running into you but I have a class to attend.”

He grabbed my arm to prevent me from moving any further and I started to panic. Now, I’m no longer in doubt that Lucas likes me and he obviously won’t hurt me anymore but you can’t blame me since I ended up with a cast five times because of him.

“Celeste, I asked you a question last Saturday,” he gritted out.

Cue hyperventilation.

“Lucas,” I started out softly and when he noticed the look on my face, a pang of regret fleeted across his face. He released my arm and started caressing my cheek with one of his hands.

“I’m sorry,” he told with all sincerity, “I’ve been terrorizing you since we were kids.”

So this is the ultimate apology. The one where he tells me that all those years it was a mistake. See, I told you my life is a walking cliché.

“I was an idiot; you were always the prettiest girl in the world. When Blake broke up with you, you were crushed and I wanted to murder my own brother,” he breathed out, looking straight into the eyes, “I was so crazy for you and damn, I still am.”

Contrary to popular belief, I’m not going to cry my heart out and tell him that I feel the same way. Nope, my heart belongs to someone and that someone is just not Lucas. I may not know who the guy is that will make my heart race just by the sight of him, but I’m positive Lucas Smith is not it.

I hate Lucas, I admit that, but he still is one of the people who saw me whether I was invisible or not yet never changed the way he acted. Yes, he just admitted he likes me, but surely it was because this was the only time we saw each other once again after hitting the stage where we both started to be driven out by hormones.

“Please don’t reject me,” he pleaded, “Just give me a chance to show you that I’m no longer that person who used to bully you.”

So how do you respond to this? That hopeful look in his eyes was too precious to shatter so quickly so I just nodded my head.

One simple gesture, yet it was enough for a smile to break into his face.

Lucas Smith, you’re just full of surprises.

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Who do you love for updating two times this week? Ha! Don't worry Drew lovers, you'll see a normal conversation from Celeste and Drew without all the screaming and yelling soon enough.

Question: How did you guys ever discover this not-so-lovely story of mine?

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