Chapter 18 – Just Another Deal

** CHAD’s POV **

“You underestimated me too much, Treyson.” She said with a proud tone.

“I know” I replied, chuckling in the process. “But at least now, I got to know you better.” Now where were those words coming from?

“Have a knowledge about the background first before knowing the person behind the mask?” She was smiling like a Cheshire cat that I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

I thought for a second that she would be annoyed, but surprisingly, she wasn’t. She was just looking at me as if she was trying to figure out something in me, with a smile on her face of course.

This made me stop and found myself looking at her. As in really looking at her. She was pretty, that’s for sure. Since she was being blunt about it since day one. And it was indeed a fact since she was the most popular and sought girl in the school.  But I wasn’t the type who looks into that. For me, it was always important for what was inside. 

But then I couldn’t help but wonder why I was being drawn to this girl. After all the things she pulled on me not so long ago, from the pranks up to ditching me on our supposed meet up at the backyard, I find it very strange on my part to even talk to her.

I was always permitting her to redeem herself without even letting her work hard on it. Not a single sweat was being shed.

“You’re looking at me like that because?” She immediately caught me off guard with that question. Making me out of my musing.

I was quick to think and produce the most convincing answer for her query. “Because it was still a mystery to me as to how I found myself amused at the way you justify Poe’s poem. You sure are a fast learner, I must say.”

I saw a smirk starting to tug along her lips. “You haven’t seen the half of it yet. Or should I say, you haven’t seen what Courtney Collins is really capable of doing.” Her tone was full of pride. She must be feeling proud of herself with the things I just said.

“Oh. Getting ahead of ourselves now, are we? Almost winning an argument with a certified geek like me is still not enough, Collins.”

“You said it yourself, almost. Meaning, if I somehow take things seriously, I might get something I want in the end. Don’t you think?” She raised her brows at me humorously.

“Such confidence coming from such a puerile girl.” I told her with a complacent tone.

I heard her scoffed and irritation immediately took over her. “Such arrogance coming form… from…”

I could see she was almost fuming, not because of what I told her a while ago, but for the lack of words of insult she wanted to let out. This almost made me laugh. Okay, not almost because I already let out one, a loud one I might say.

“Annoying geek.” She finished.

“Very original, Collins. You could do better than that.” I said mirthfully.

She sneered and let out a childish pout. “You really enjoyed my foolishness, do you?”

“Always made my day.” I admitted right away, making me smile widely from ear to ear. She stared at me with wide eyes and immediately looked away, as if realization drowned into her.

She muttered something inaudible and I couldn’t help but ask her about it. “What was that?”

“Nothing. Atleast for once, Mister Chad Treyson, knew nothing.” She said in a deadpan voice.

“And we’re back to bickering.” I said not in an irritated tone, but more of an amused one.

She turned to me and scowled. “And I bet you’re enjoying every bits of it.” She said sarcastically.

“And I’m guilty as charged.” I confessed.

“You enjoyed torturing a girl!” She accused.

“Only if the girl is cute.” I almost regretted saying it the moment it came out of my mouth.

Her horrid expression a while ago suddenly softened. Her face rapidly lightened and a smile started to form on her lips.

This is not good. I figured.

She would most definitely get the wrong idea and we wouldn’t want that to happen now, would we? We wouldn’t want her to think that I find her cute, she would definitely use that against me.

“You find me cute?” She asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Funny. When you’re all scowling and frowning, I won’t hesitate to say yes. But now…” I narrowed my eyes at her, as if scrutinizing her look. “Nah.”

“You are so unbelievably unbearable Chad Treyson!” She snapped.

“Now that’s cute!” I told her, just to piss her more. And I succeeded. Now she was hitting me with a book.

“Aye not that. That’s my favorite book.” I told her and immediately snatched the book, but she was too quick. She stood up and hid the book behind her back. I did the same and walked towards her direction. “Now stop being childish and hand it over. You might rip it off.” I said so calmly as if I was talking to my five-year-old sister.

“No!” On second thought, she was worse than a five-year-old girl.

“You’ll regret it if you don’t give it back.” I threatened her.

As if I had it in me to hurt a girl.

“I’d like to see how far you’d go.” She challenged.

Unbelievable. I couldn’t believe I was having this kind of argument.

“I had my ways and you wouldn’t want to see it, trust me Collins.” I said in a humorous tone.

“That made me more curious as to---“

Her once arrogant tone was gone in a brief second, so as her upcoming statement. The reason being, well I grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to me. My free hand was snaked around her waist. Drawing her closer to me.

For the time being, I prayed that my Mom or Cindy wouldn’t choose this time to barge into my room, because they would definitely get the wrong idea.

I looked down at Courtney and noticed her wide eyes and flushed face. Now that I was seeing her closely, I got the chance to actually look at her.

Her eyes were a shade of blue as a deep ocean. It was clear and shinning like when a sun was hitting the surface of a water. Her lashes were long and curled, I wondered if it was natural or she did something so that it would look that way. And down to her cheeks, it has a tinge of red, probably because of her make up or the rosiness of embarrassment taking in her features. And then her lips, it was a shade of pink and slightly parted. I wondered if it was soft like how it looks.

Woah!

Hold up there, Chad Treyson!

Calm the hormones down. What the hell are you thinking! You perv!

And with that realization, I immediately let her go and stepped back. I grinned at her just to mask my awkwardness. I just hoped that she wouldn’t get the wrong idea that I was harassing her or something.

Good thing she didn’t suspect anything. She was still gaping at me, and her completely shocked expression was still written all over her face.

I held out my right hand and waved the book she was holding not just moments ago in front of her. Trying to change the ambiance, I guess.

“I told you I had my ways.” I stared at her triumphantly.

She cleared her throat and looked away, obviously avoiding my stare. “I hate you.” She mumbled.

“Now, now. Aren’t we here because we ought to make one of us fall for one another?”

“And you’re quite making a good job on that one.” She said as she turned to me, glaring.

“Wow. So it means I’m winning?” I teased. I know for a fact that she wasn’t true to what she just said. It’s just that, I wanted to see her rile up.

“I was being sarcastic!” She fumed.

“That’s fine. No need to be defensive. Now I’m off to the next stage then.”

“I said, I was being sarcastic! You’re not getting in there. Not even close. You’re just making it worse, you know. You treating me like this, ugh. As if, Treyson. Good luck making me fall for you!” She was obviously outraged. I was wondering whether my Mom was hearing all this. This girl sure was loud. “And what do you mean by the next stage.” She crossed her arms, waiting for me to answer.

I couldn’t help but smirk at the situation. Who would have thought, huh? Courtney Collins in a distress situation? Such a sight to behold.  

“The next step would be, making you admit it to yourself.” I know I was stepping out of my boundary here, this was so not like me. To act cocky and stuff. But I couldn’t help it. Especially if the outcome was to see Courtney like this.

Courtney scoffed. “I wondered where was this all self-confidence coming from.” Now the look in her eyes suddenly turned suspicious. “Surely, for someone who was supposed to be a geek, you sure have a lot of guts and cockiness in stored.”

She was trying to read me, I was certain. The way she narrowed her eyes, she was onto me. Although the intentions were unclear, I still have a gut feeling that she was trying to imply something.

“And what were geeks supposed to act, if I may ask?” I asked, feeling intrigued about what was this all about.

“Books and grades. Someone who lacks confidence and afraid of the bullies. Someone who choose to lock themselves out of the world and just sulk in their own world.” She said. I could feel that she was somehow careful around her words. Maybe in hopes that this wouldn’t offend me?

“And how many geeks have you known? I mean you know personally.” I queried. She furrowed her brows at me, which was a definite sign that she was out for words. “Exactly.” I told her hoping that she got what I was trying to convey.

“Geeks, jocks, loners, popular and queenbees. Different individuals with different personalities. But at the end of the day, they’re all humans. The confidence of a jock was not entirely made just for them. So as the brains of the geeks. Who knows? Maybe one of the popular kids possesses that kind of brain, even more clever than Einstein. They just choose to hide it, because in a society called high school, you can’t wear two titles at the same time. You only have one. It’s either you’re a loser or a ruler.” I told her.

“So, you’re saying that you’re a jock who chose to be a geek?” She asked, her tone was masking with incredulity.

“No. I’m a geek who doesn’t give a shit.” I simply pointed out. “And just so you know, I, once, was locked up in my own peaceful world. Until obviously you came and dragging me out of it.”

“So you put the blame on me?”

“Obviously.” I answered almost immediately.

“Then why not go back to that peaceful world! Jeez!” Now she was fuming, again.

I touched my chin and looked up, as if I was thinking. Just for a little bit of a show. “Hmm. Nah.” I said, before turning at her direction. “No matter what I do, I wouldn’t be back to the world with obvious reason. Besides…” This time, I smiled at her and she knitted her brows in pure confusion. “I ought to win the deal we made.”

I could see that she was about to protest when suddenly the door of my room opened, making me and Courtney jump in surprise.

“Mom! You almost gave me a heart attack!” I told her. She was standing at the doorway, wooden spoon on her right hand and concerned look written all over her face.

“I was worried. I thought I heard some screaming here.” She said. “You’re not fighting, right?” She gave me an unbelievable look. And I wasn’t stupid to not know what she was implying with that look.

As if I had it in me to hurt a girl, jeez Mom!

Good thing I was a foot or two away from Courtney, because if not, I know that at this moment, I was rushing my Mom at the hospital suffering from a major heart attack.

“We’re just debating, Mrs. Treyson.” Courtney suddenly spoke up.

My Mom’s glare suddenly softened and turned to Courtney with a wide smile. “He’s not giving you a hard time, is he?”

Courtney smirked at me, as if she was about to do something. Something that smelt trouble. I gave her a pleading look, saying that whatever she was planning, she better shrugged it off. Knowing my Mom, I would be a dead-meat if I ever tried to berate a girl.

My mother and my father raised me to respect women, and I was nowhere to disobey them in that matter.

Courtney turned to look at my Mom and gave her a reassuring smile. “Actually he’s being a sweetheart, Mrs. Treyson.”

“Good then. Dinner will be ready soon.” She gave Collins a smile before turning to me and grinned at me. Now that was something.

After my Mom left the room, Courtney cleared her throat. Making sure her presence was acknowledged.

“You owe me.” She said the second I meet her gaze.

“Owe you what, exactly?” I asked.

“Getting out of trouble, of course.” She told me in a proud tone.

“That’s not you getting me out of trouble. That’s me preventing you to lie to my mother.” I stated clearly.

“Whatever makes you think that I’m going to lie to your Mom?”

“Please Collins. The look you’re giving me a while ago, you sure have a diabolical plan cooking up your brain.”

Courtney snorted and raised her brows at me. “Just because I’m smirking doesn’t mean I was planning something. I’m not that evil, Treyson. And I wouldn’t dare lie to your Mom. Why would I? She’s such a darling and she definitely likes me, unlike you.” She finished her sentence with a scoffed.

Childish as always.

“What makes you think that my Mom likes you?” This time it was I who raised my brows at her incredulous remark.

The look that Courtney was giving me now was somehow sent shivers of horror down to my spine. She was definitely up to something.

“Want to bet on that one?” She let out a devious smirk.

“We are so not betting on my Mom!” I protested. What was running in this girl’s head anyway?

“Oh come off it. It’s not harmful and we’re not betting on her. I’m just up to prove my point that she like me.”

“What’s in it to you if she likes you or not?” I didn’t get where this conversation was going. What was her point in all this?

“Hmm. Satisfaction. At least some Treyson likes me.” She was smiling from ear-to-ear.

I narrowed my eyes at her, she must sensed it as a notion to continue.

“And there’s always a prize at the end of every bargain.”

Seriously? I never thought such girl like her exists. Witty and cunning. Not a good combo, I must say.

“You’re not bargaining anything.” I told her. She just ignored me and walked towards my direction.

“The prize would be you.” She definitely lost it.

“What? You must be delusional thinking that if my Mom likes you, I might like you back. We maybe share the same blood but we don’t share the same interest you know.” I spat.  

But Collins must be losing it. She wasn’t listening, she was just striding slowly at my direction with a sly smirk still planted on her lips.

She looked like a predator who was ready to pounce on its prey. And obviously, I was the latter.

“You will walk down at the school grounds without this hideous thing you called glasses.” She took my specs away and finished with a grin.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her advancement. This girl was something, I gave her that.

“And if she doesn’t like you---“

“I doubt that.” She cut me off but it was my turn to ignore her statement and continue with mine.

“---you’ll wear that hideous thing I called glasses instead.” This time, it was me who had the winning grin across my face. To top it all, the horrified look on her face made my grin even wider, if that was possible.

She immediately composed herself and stuck up her nose in the air. A gesture to redeem her pride, I guess.

“Deal.”

“Deal.”

And we sealed it with a good handshake.

--- END OF CHAPTER 18 ---