Stout Little Heart

Chapter 12

After that brief encounter with Len in the AVR, he avoided me like a plague. I was hurt but I would rather die than show what my real feelings are. I smile every day, laugh when Meiko throws some jokes, grumble about too much homework, fight when I needed to. In short, I acted normal. Waaay too normal. It's a good thing no one noticed.

Well, as I have said, everything was back to normal except that Gakupo seems to become my tail. He follows me everywhere, even to the point of going into the ladies' restroom just to comfort me when I had a stomachache. But of course I had to shoo him away. It would be sooo embarrassing plus it would ruin his reputation as a 'nice guy'. Two years ago, I would have been thrilled by the idea that Gakupo likes me but now, it annoys me. Well, I am flattered too of course. But, who would be happy when someone, especially a guy, keeps on tailing you from your home to school then back? My parents even noticed it and, unfortunately, they had this weird idea that Gakupo and I are together. They even invited Gakupo once for a family dinner. Family dinner my ass. We don't even sit together except for the holidays.

"But Mom! When did we ever have a family dinner?" I exclaimed when she told me one night.

"During special occasions." She answered casually.

"And do you consider this a special occasion? What's so special about it?" I asked ruefully. She better have a good reason for this or else I'd tear the house apart. Seriously.

"Yes, of course. You see," She motioned me to sit on a chair. I obeyed, reluctantly. Anything to let her finish her speech quick. "It's not every day when you're daughter has an admirer as handsome, smart and nice like Gakupo. Especially if the daughter is like you." She raised her eyebrows.

I have never seen a mother as discriminating as mine. I sighed, hurt.

"Mom, that hurts. If you want to know." I walked upstairs silently. Man, how I want to change my family.

Upstairs, I was thinking about what my mother just said. Maybe it's good to invite him to dinner and give myself a chance to like him again. Now that Len avoids me and hurt me like hell (even though he doesn't really know…. or does he? *shrugs*), maybe I must open my mind and heart to all possibilities. I really am very lucky to have a guy like Gakupo to be my suitor. I sighed. Yeah, that's what I will do.

The next day, as usual, Gakupo picked me up 10 minutes earlier. I decided I would ask him then so it wouldn't create much commotion.

"Uhhh, Gakupo. Would you… uhm.. like to stay for dinner later?" I asked without looking in his eyes. Damn, it's hard to look at people when you really don't mean what you say.

Somehow, he misinterpreted my behavior for shyness. He beamed at me. "Oh, sure! It'd be my greatest pleasure! Now, now, don't get shy, it's okay." He rumpled my hair and kissed me on the cheek. Instead of feeling thrilled, I felt somewhat disgusted and kinda flattered. He was my first kiss.

Oh wait. My first kiss on the cheek. Len gave me my first on the lips. I smiled when I remembered the first moment he kissed me. Gakupo must have thought the smile was for him because he also smiled at me. A very very very bright smile.

Like a flash, the smile from my face faded. I turned my back from him and said, "Let's go now. I don't wanna be late for class."

Gakupo's smile dimmed at few watts. I swear if he's going to make an electric company using his smile, he can light up the whole city of Tokyo. Even Japan. "It's not even 7:00 yet. And I'm earlier by 10 minutes so don't worry about getting late." He smiled again and put his arms around me. I gently took it off.

"I know but I still have to do something at school." I lied. I really am progressing in my lying capabilities. HAHA! They may come handy in the future.

He shrugged. "Okay." He shouted his goodbyes to my mom and dad. They're kinda close already.

"So… what will you do here at school that you need to come so early?" He asked when we arrived at school.

I was alarmed. Oh shoot, what am I going to say? I looked around and an idea came up to my mind.

"I was going to study for the finals. I still need to ace the exams." I smiled brightly to hide my uncertainty. I hope he doesn't notice the change in my mood or else I'd be doomed.

It's either he's really dumb or just acting to be dumb because he actually asked if he could help me. At first I refused but because of his inborn talent of persuasion, I reluctantly said 'yes'. So we spent the whole morning learning about the stuff that I studied last night. Psssshh. I never knew while we were studying together, a pair of eyes was watching us, probing.

The day just passed with a blur and before I knew it, it was already dismissal. How time flies so fast especially if you have so much in your mind. While walking home from school with Meiko, a car ran past us, almost hitting me. I felt red hot rage fill my body. I screamed at the top of my lungs.

"HEY YOU DUMBASS! WATCH OUT!" I was about to say something more when I noticed the car looked really really familiar. A red Mustang. I peeked in to see who the driver was but all I can see was a silhouette. It was a lean man. No, more like a boy with a messed-up hair. He looks like someone. He looks like Len! I peeked more but before I had the chance to see his face clearly, the car sped up and turned right.

"Hey Rin! Whatchu lookin' at?" Meiko asked, tapping me on the shoulder.

I mumbled a "Nothing" and distractedly went on my way. Am I that obsessed with Len to the point of seeing him when he's not around?
Imagining things like he was that guy for example? INSANE!

"Hey, what's with you today?" Meiko asked, obviously annoyed. I looked at her confusingly.

"Why?" I asked, totally clueless.

"I've been babbling here for about a minute now and I've got no responses from you." She sulked. I pinched her cheeks and smiled.

"Sorry. I was just thinking of something." I let go of her and resumed my way.

"What?" She asked, her interest now waking up.

"Uhm… About my mother's invitation to Gakupo to eat dinner with us." I said without looking at her.

"Whaaaa-?" She squealed with delight. "What's the matter with that?"

"Well… I really don't know what to do. I'm nervous." I replied.

She laughed again. "That's just first-date jitters girl. Don't worry, everything's going to be fine."

First- date jitters? Hmm.. Now that I've thought about it, it really makes sense. It's the first time that I've invited a guy over dinner with my parents and my first time having a suitor. I felt a little bit calm already, having known what the reason was why I felt so anxious about the dinner.

Dinner. I was still inside my room when the doorbell rang. I felt my pulse quicken. I took a deep breath and started downstairs. At the front door, I saw Gakupo, looking so handsome in his suit and tie. Wow, talk about formality. I myself wore a white dress (the first time since my 10th birthday where I had a dashing party) with a V-neckline emphasizing my well-endowed chest (because of the fats). I smiled at him. Appreciation was evident in his eyes. He smiled at me and held out his hand, which I took, shyly. And we went to the dining table hand in hand.

I noticed my mother was all energy and there was a hint of sparkle in her eyes but my father was obviously faking happiness. I wonder why….

"So, Gakupo, did you and Rin already has plans of marriage?" My mother asked put of a blue at the table. I almost choke down the food I was chewing.

"MOM!" I shrieked. "I don't want to get married yet!"

My mom looked at me at raised her eyebrows. "Why not? Isn't it a blessing even one guy wants to marry you?"

My eyes went warm and my vision started to blur. I bowed my head to hide the tears from them but my voice betrayed me. I choke back sob and ran to my bedroom. How could they humiliate me? Their own daughter? Damn it!

I was crying my heart out when I heard the door open. Thinking it was Mom, I threw my pillow and sobbed loudly. I was surprised to hear a man's voice.

"Rin, are you okay?" It was Gakupo. He pulled me up and hugged me tight. I could feel that he really loves me. I hugged him back and vowed to myself to try to love this man. I released him and looked at him deep in his eyes. "I love you…"

Gakupo seemed surprised but then he regained his composure and smiled at me lovingly. "I love you too." He kissed me. I expected it to as mind-blowing as the kiss I had shared with Len but all it felt was pleasant. Simply pleasant. There was no spark or something. He released my and hugged me tight again. "I will never hurt you. I'll love you forever."