Love Is Second Best — Chapter 24: CARMELLA’S CHANCE

Carmella’s POV

Some of those words I just kept everything myself. Even how excited I am, I know I can't tell Hope about him. I don't want her to ask some questions about how I meet him.

I don't want her to eventually ask me about how I feel towards the guy. I am afraid that I might mess at everything. I would tell Hope of my true feelings for him when that time will come.

I don't want to assume things that are only starting. I don't want to assure myself of what I feel is true this time. I am most certain that I can ever be so sure about his feelings for me too.

I am used to heartaches and disappointments around me. This time, all I want is an exemption. I want to think of Andrian as my happy pill without expecting something in return.

I know, the more I expect that he'll return the favor, the more I'll be hurt once the opposite will happen instead.

"Is that fried chicken so delicious that you were left speechless all of a sudden? Hey..." I blinked when Hope waved her hand in front of my face as if making my wandering thoughts go back to where it is supposed to be.

"Oh, yes...what are you saying?"

"Gosh, the fried chicken is indeed delicious you forgot you're talking to me. I should try that, wait a minute." She chuckled as she stood up, carrying her plate with her.

I followed Hope with my eyes and I noticed she went to the chicken dishes again. She had another serving of chicken tinola and got a piece of fried chicken. As she came near me, I almost choked on my food when she ate the fried chicken as she held the leg part. Many people looked at her and they were shocked, too.

She giggled and mouthed 'sorry' and some people smiled at her because of amusement. Imagine a beautiful woman suddenly did that.

She sat down on her table in front of me, still munching the fried chicken that she's holding.

"My goodness, this is one, crunchy and delicious chicken leg. I guess I can eat four of these more."

I laughed because of what she said. She looked really cute and charming, I am like watching a television advert of those people who encourages the viewers to eat fried chicken.

"You still looked gorgeous. Did they hire you as a model of their fried chicken?"

"What?" She said between chuckles. She munched some more that I am encouraged to also take a good bite from my chicken leg, too.

"I was just joking but I hope they'll get you as their model. You looked good as you eat that one."

"You're making me happy too much. Thank you Carmella."

"Well, I am your number one fan." I said as we proposed cheers using the chicken leg instead. After that, we took a bite at the same time and we did a high five.

We spent another great hour non-stop talking. I am glad that Hope liked the experience, food and place I recommended her. I noticed she was just so happy all throughout the time. I invited her to a nearby park and we played there.

"Carmella? Wanna know your weight?"

"Huh? There's no weighing scale here. How can I know it?

"Come, let me show you." She grinned as if thinking of something new.

"Here." She proudly tapped the metal ladle-like seat at the end of the seesaw.

"What?" I said between chuckles. Instead of talking to me more, she positioned the metal ladle between her legs as she sat on it.

"Go to the opposite side. We'll play this. If my seat goes down, it means I am heavier than you. If I will go up, it means you're heavier than me."

"Gosh, that made sense!" I smiled as I hurriedly followed her instructions. We both laugh when we're both suspended at the center of the seesaw as we ride on it.

"Well, this only means one thing."

"Our weight is exactly the same. That's really weird." We got off from the seesaw as we did the high five.

"Let's go to the swing. I really miss that!" She pointed at the metal swings that's attached on poles using bigger chains.

"Yep. We're still kids. We should enjoy these moments in the possible ways we can." Hope said that made me turn to her as she sat on the swing beside me too.

"Gosh, your being sentimental often creeps me out, Hope."

"Why?" She softly giggled as she gave me a curious look.

"Sometimes, talking to you means talking to my grandma, too. I mean, most of the words are too deep."

"Thanks to Shrevakhuk."

"I forgot you're weird too. Silly girl," I laughed as I heard her mentioning her favorite author and poet again.

"Well, I am just thinking...what if we're gonna be old and have our own families? Can we still have these kinds of moments?

"I think, yes?"

"Hmm...you may bring your children here, even your grandchildren but you can never bring back the chance of you, yourself playing these kinds of equipment and places where your childhood remains."

"I know where this is going. Do you want us to play in this place often, right?"

She grinned and nodded as a response. I held her hand and we both smiled.

"Let's enjoy our childhood to the fullest!"

"Yeah!" I put both of my palms open near my mouth to let out what I am feeling. I can't help but to shout with her on the football field near the park. Because of the spacious landmark of this park near our school? People will not easily hear us because it's not a secluded place, too.

She's holding both of the chains of the swing as she moves it slowly with her body. She controlled the movement of the swing by the use of her feet.

"Do you want me to push you?"

"Sure!" I stood up and went behind her. I held the big chains as I gently pushed the swing. She let out an excited shout as I pushed faster this time. I can't help but laugh because her expression is really epic. I guess she's not used to being surprised all the time.

We parted ways at exactly four in the afternoon. They still have to go to the mall with her dad. That's why, I am left alone as usual.

I was about to go outside the school when someone covered both of my eyes using his hands as he stood behind me.

"Guess who?"

"Ian?" I chuckled as I heard him groan. I guess he expected that I would say the name of another guy in school.

"Hey, that's not fair!"

"What's not fair?" I said between chuckles as I faced him. He almost looked at me down because he's really tall. He's 5'9, taller for his age. When I meet his gaze, I can't help but to lock my attention to the curve of his lips. The shocking thing is, we're like only one breath away from each other!

"Am I the only guy in this school that you already knew it was me? Can't you not befriend any guy there?"

"All the answers would be yes." I smiled.

"It's not fair because I even changed my voice just for you to not know me right away!"

"Gosh, as if you're good at it. Try again next time." I chuckled as I pinched his nose which made him get my hand off his nose and held it longer as we walked side by side with each other. I can see some of my schoolmates looked at me with judging eyes. Some even looked at me from head to toe and then shifted their gaze at Adrian, who is like a very handsome greek god.

Gosh, I guess they can’t believe this kind of handsome guy will date someone like me. Of course it is possible!

"Are you going home?"

"Yep, but I am thinking of going somewhere because it is still early."

"Hmm...can I go with you? I bring my car and driver with me. We can go anywhere."

"You know what? I am still feeling awkward whenever you invite me to go with you."

"Why do you even think about that? Do you want me to also think about it whenever I see you? Do you want that?"

"I'm sorry. I think I am still not getting used to this."

"Well, right now, you should be," He said, even winking at me. "Remember, we're friends and there's nothing to be awkward about."

I smiled as I looked into his pair of lovely eyes. We got in his car and he told his driver to drive us to the nearest mall in school.

We had endless window shoppings. We even get inside the elevator going to the third floor of the mall.

"Let's go." He pulled me by my hand as he held two buckets of popcorn and a white plastic that contained two cans of sodas.

"Huh? Where?"

"Please watch a movie with me," He asked, smiling. That exact smile she's showing many people for them to not say 'No' anymore.

"I promise. It is only one hour and thirty minutes. We'll be going home at five thirty in the evening."

"Ok, fine. I am still okay if I will go home at six."

"Oh, it's a deal, then?"

"Most definitely." I nodded as I smiled.