Love Is Second Best — Chapter 16: TO LOVE AND LOSE YOU

Carmella's POV

After class, Hope told me to go home right away because she's not feeling well. Even if I wanted her to stay, I remembered her, having the entire library to their house.

Instead of stopping her, what can I do? I waved goodbye as she smiled back at me too, before closing the window of their car. I followed their car with my eyes until the car was out of my sight.

I was about to enter the library when I felt my mobile phone vibrate from my pocket.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Princess Diana of England." It was followed by a chuckle. I wasn't able to hide my smile anymore. All the passersby looked at me feeling so odd.

"Hello?" I suddenly panicked when I heard his voice again.

"Hi, I'm still here." I answered, and believe me, I am almost catching my breath. He chuckled as a response.

"I can imagine your reaction right now."

"You're really silly." I shook my head as I put my phone on my left ear. My smile is never fading this time.

"Are you free at this time?" My heart started to race.

"Y-Yeah. I am. Why?"

"I'm thinking of eating a burger and a cold drink for snacks. I'm really hungry right now."

"Wow. I thought only girls crave for food."

"I've been playing basketball with my team and the team practice is over. I am thinking of going home but I remembered you."

I can't help but to put my other hand to cover the widest grin the world has ever witnessed. How come he remembered me, of all people?

"Don't worry, my treat. Just come and eat snacks with me, please?" I can't really believe this guy. Of all the girls around, he's selecting me to eat with him. Is there anyone luckier than I am right now? Because I think there's no one. There's no other girl in the world luckier right now more than I do.

"How can I refuse if you're already making it too impossible for me to even say 'no'?" I said between chuckles.

I can feel my knees are a bit shaky as the bus stopped in front of the main gate. As it opens, I can easily see his smiling face that's making my heart beat like crazy. I ended his call as he came near me.

"Let's go?" He asked as he suddenly grabbed my hand as we followed the way going to the left of my school. There were a lot of restaurants in that area but I've never been here before.

"Let me introduce to you one of my favorite restaurants within this area."

"What? How did you know this place? Sorry, I've never been here before." I smiled as I roamed my sight around the place. It's cozy and the overall interiors were designed like we're in Hawaii. It's summer-themed. I also noticed that it has a lot of juices and coolers to choose from. We stopped from one of the tables inside near the bar counter.

He pulled one of the chairs for me to sit on.

"Thank you." I said as I smiled. I gently sat down, facing him.

"How did I know this place? Maybe I am a natural food lover. I also post food restaurants and recommendations on my blog."

"Wow! No wonder you know this place well."

"That's why Kara also recommended you as my friend because she said you're nice."

"That's weird. What did she say more about me?"

"Well," She shyly sighed as he scratched his head."She told me that you don't often go out to eat because you're too busy in the library."

"What? How embarrassing!" I covered my face as I heard that from him. Oh my, Kara! What did you do this time?

"No, no. Please believe me when I say that these qualities are actually admirable rather than boring."

"Yeah, sometimes I feel like I am too boring to be with. I seldom meet new friends because of it."

"You know what, Charm...it depends upon how people look at you. If they think that way, well I am definitely not like them."

"Thank you so much, Ian. What about Charm?"

"I want to call you Charm because you have a unique name. Your personality suits your name very well."

"Thank you, Ian"

"Look, I even have my nickname from you, too." He said between chuckles. I can't help but to laugh because he's being silly too.

That conversation was stopped for a while because the waiter already served what Adrian craves to eat for snacks. Two pieces of hamburgers and a cold soda drink.

"I am not giving you an endearment. I just called you that because that's your name on your facebook, right?"

"Yeah. I understand." He nodded as he continued eating like a hungry bear. I can't help but to smile as I look at him.

"Why are you not eating?" He suddenly stopped from what he's doing as he looked at me. I can't help but to smile because I can see that a pint of ketchup is seen on his left cheek.

I got a tissue and gently wiped it off. He held my hand as I was about to withdraw my hand off his face.

"Thanks." He met my gaze and smiled. I avoided it right away because I think I can't last it anymore.

"I will also eat now. I just find you really amusing."

"Why?"

"You ate the burger as if it is the most delicious food this restaurant could offer." He chuckled as a response.

"I will treat that as a compliment." He answered. When I take a bite, I am also amazed about how this burger tastes. The meat is really perfect. The texture, taste and flavor blended very well. I nodded as I chewed what he ordered.

"That's their smokey beef burger. That's one of their bestsellers."

"Oh my! I want to believe you now! The taste is to die for."

"I know right." He said as he smiled. We talked more about many things that I never noticed at the time. When I glanced at my wristwatch, it was almost 7:00 P.M.

"Oh my! I have to go now. I'm so sorry."

"I will go with you to the bus stop. I'm also on my way to our house."

"You don't have to."

"I insist. I am the one who invited you for a snack. It is my fault that you're going home late."

"Okay. If you insist then it's fine with me. Let's go?" He paid the bill at the counter and we left right away. Because it is already night time, he walked by my side. I was surprised when she held my hand as he smiled.

"Thank you for giving me the chance, Charm." I don't know why but it tickles my heart if he'll call me that way. Nobody ever called me 'Charm' that's why I really find it weird.

"Will this happen again?" He added out of the blue when we're sitting next to each other as we get on the bus. I am somehow thankful because there's not too many passengers that's with us on the bus on my way home.

I looked at him and caught him staring at me already. I chuckled and tapped his arms.

"Thank you, Ian. Of course. I will never say no to a friend who will always treat me." I jokingly said that made him laugh as well.

"Very well then. I will always bear this one in mind."

When I looked at the window, I realized that I was near the bus stop on my way to the street of our house.

"I guess I will go ahead of you." I said as I stood up. The bus stopped right in front of the waiting shed where I usually wait for the bus wherever I go.

"Thanks for being with me today, Charm. I hope to see you again on one of these days. Take care!" He even waved goodbye as I got off the bus and waited for it to go away.

I walked on the street on the way to our house with a smile. The happiness I feel today is three times more than having a full mark on the exams.

When I went inside our house, I noticed that my mom's room is still lighted. I guess she has a lot of workloads that she'll never notice when I am already here. I went straight to my room after a hot half-bath and sat on my bed.

When I opened my facebook, I noticed that he left a message for me. A message of thanks again. I smiled as I put my phone on my table. I took my bag and pulled several books as I sat on my bed. I started to browse our math activity book, got my scratch paper and pen as well.

I need to study for our math activity. What happened today is just a matter of a fully-loaded inspiration coming from Adrian. I just met him but I guess I am started to become hooked on his presence. I shook my head as I smiled.

Gosh, I have to stay focused. I have to focus on what I am reading now because I will be really doomed if the thoughts of him will take over my thoughts.

I have to stay focused, not distracted or I will lose what I have already started.