Love Is Second Best — Chapter 26: IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE

Carmella's POV

"Carmella...please watch a movie with me. “Pile Of Dreams” is showing now! Please! Please!" I look at her as she is persistent in my "yes" to her invitation.

If only she knew that we already watched it with Adrian. I never thought she'd invite me too since Hope already gained a lot of friends in our classroom.

"I thought you'll watch it with Thelma and Dani."

"Wow, when did you learn how to be jealous?"

"You're silly, Hope. I am not. I am just letting you enjoy the company of others."

Hope encircled her arms on my left arm as she smiled.

"Well, I don't think they can't relate about Shrevakhuk like you do. I want to watch with someone who enjoys the show more than I do."

I sighed as I smiled at her. "Well, who am I to say no if it makes you happy?"

Hope hugged me tight as she almost jumped with joy. I already pictured out her reaction to what I will say but I never thought it would exceed my expectations.

"Gosh, I think if I will ask you who's your boyfriend, I know the answer already."

I don't know but I guess what I said was misunderstood by Hope as a joke. She almost laughed out loud while tapping my arm.

"Not really. Shrevakhuk was already thirty-four years old when he died."

"Well, age is just a number."

"Yeah, I admit I really love him because of the impact of his stories and poems to me. It is really meaningful."

"Well, if I understood my friends and on how they love Harry Potter as a character, who am I to judge you when you love Shrevakhuk? I will support you, don't worry."

"Thank you so much, dear Carmella. My treat, don't worry. Father will be driving us to the cinema. He'll watch a different film that will start at four thirty this afternoon and will end at six."

"Is he not going to go with us? Anyway, Pile Of Dreams is rated PG and it is suitable for all audiences."

"Dad would rather watch action films than cartoons, Carmella. He's not into ``Pile Of Dreams."

"Oh, I see. So we'll have more time for ourselves."

"I hope you will focus on the story more rather than converse with me while the movie is playing."

Hope blushed a little. She looked at me and smiled in an awkward manner.

"I'm gonna buy some snacks." She said changing the topic while clapping her hands. Whenever she's busted, she would often do this.

We stayed more in the library for two hours before Hope called her father to drive us to the mall.

"But it is still very early. Why would you decide to go here already?"

"I feel like strolling around with you. Don't you like it?"

"Of course I do. I think it's just weird that after how many months of endless studying, we're able to enjoy this for a while."

"Yeah, we're having this one now. We have to seize the moment while our time does not demand from us yet."

I am following her right now when I received a text message coming from Adrian.

"Hey Charm. I am here at Halley's mall. Where are you?"

It made me stop walking right away and Hope noticed it. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I think I felt dizzy all of a sudden."

"I'm sorry maybe you're not really used to many people roaming around the mall."

"I guess so."

"Oh, it's already 3:30 in the afternoon. We'll just buy our snacks and we'll go to cinema 4 right away." Hope glanced at her watch to see the time. I nodded and held her arms.

We treated ourselves with chips and some sodas as snacks for the movie treat. As soon as we're done buying everything in the supermarket, we headed towards the cinema 4 right away.

"I just went to the mall with a friend." I replied. After less than two minutes, I already received a message coming from him again.

"Whoah, which mall?"

My goodness! I knew it! I should've never responded from his text message. This would lead to ruining all of my plans from the very beginning.

I slid my phone inside my pocket because we're heading inside the mall. It's amazing because this is the place where I went with Adrian yesterday. Exact cinema number of the show.

"My gosh, dear Carmella! This is it!" She let out a suppressed shriek as she giggled. Other viewers even shushed her because she caught their attention while sitting on their respective seats.

"It's not obvious that you're not excited. Don't worry." Hope responded with a giggle as they both sat down.

"Carmella, Pile Of Dreams is really cute. I think she's the apple of the eye of the family." Hope started talking to me. I tried to look at her, wearing my poker-faced reaction. I hope she'll get what I mean.

Hope grinned. "Sorry," She whispered. I can see her gaze returning on the widescreen as she slid her fingers on the bag of chips we bought. She looked funny when she ate the chips while her eyes fixed on the widescreen. She's so adorable and charming as she focused on watching the entire show.

I roamed my hands on the pocket of my jeans. When I felt my phone, I slowly pulled it off and opened my phone using my fingerprint. I observed Hope and when I saw her focused on what she's watching, I decided to reply to Adrian.

"Sorry...I'm a little busy."

Message sent. I sighed anxiously. I heard a beep tone and I knew it was him.

"Ah. Okay. Please take care." I can't help but smile from what I read from the text message he sent me.

"Carmella?"

"Huh? Were you saying something?"

"Are you watching the movie or not?"

"Uh...yeah. I am. Sorry, I just replied to some of my friends. It's an urgent message."

"Oh, I see." She nodded and returned her gaze back to the cartoons. She seems to be enjoying it so well.

After our movie watching, we held hands as we went outside.

"I hope you enjoy the movie, Carmella." She said as she smiled back at me. I snatched the bag of chips from her hands.

"Of course," I said as I got a piece of potato chip and chewed it in front of her. She chuckled as she also did the same by getting some inside the bag of chips I am holding right now.

"Pile Of Dreams is really a touching movie. I love Laura as one of the major casts." Her eyes glistened as she started talking about the main character from the movie.

"Yeah, she's exactly just like you, dear."

"Do you think Shrevakhuk dedicated it just for me?"

I laughed because Hope is really silly. I can say she's head over heels with one of the famous writers from a long time ago. It's a part of our literature lesson.

"I will always support you when it comes to Shrevakhuk. I will always be supportive with everything related to him."

"Thank you my dear Carmella. I know I can always count on you." I was a bit surprised when she hugged me all of a sudden. I hugged her back as I smiled. Hope is always sweet in nature. She's not afraid to show it that's why many people love her so much. She's approachable and amazing in everything she does.

"What's this all about? Is that all the lesson learned from "Pile Of Dreams"? Hope's father commented behind us. We barely noticed him because we've been talking about the movie, "Pile Of Dreams" as we expressed our own opinions.

"Yes, dad. It's a pity you missed it. You'll surely love the movie when the twist is revealed to you all of a sudden."

"Hmm, I should watch it online if I have time."

"Sir, I have a suggestion. Just let Hope tell the whole thing to you, you'll surely enjoy it more." Hope's father let out a hearty laugh after she heard what I said. We got inside the car and I am always thankful for the ride as soon as we reached the gate of our house.

"Thank you so much Hope." I hugged her and she did the same. I opened the car and slowly closed it. I waved goodbye to them as the car went away. I am still smiling even if I am already inside our house. I checked on my mom as I twisted the doorknob. The light of her room is still open. She fell asleep on her computer keyboard. Good thing she already shut down her computer before she slept. She looked really tired from her work. I slowly put her arms around my shoulder and stood up, trying my best to put her to bed with all my strength because mom's heavier than me. I lay her on the bed, facing the ceiling. Good thing she didn't even felt what I did.

I got her blanket and gently tucked her on her bed. I got the remote of our aircon and adjusted it to the ideal temperature that she always wanted. I sit on the chair beside her bed. I looked at her beautiful face and she closed her eyes. Who would've thought this woman would be able to hurt me most of the time when she looks innocent and harmless? Indeed looks can be deceiving.