Chapter 06

Eliana’s POV

“Thanks, but you don’t really have to,” I told Hugo after he pulled a single beige colored chair for me to sit myself into. It’s a big puzzle for me why, of all people, Hugo seemed to grow an interest towards my existence although I can consider myself as the most not approachable looking and gregarious living thing in our class. We just clearly met two days ago but he’s already managed how to make a friends and how to get to know them well. He clearly knows what to do to make the people around him be aware of his existence. Unlike me, who’d been here for two years, but allow myself only to speak with two best people with that span of years. It’s like I’ve reached my limit with that. It's sucks, but nonetheless, I am truly grateful.

Hugo smile and raise his hand in front of me, indication for me to wait for his reply. I can clearly hear the popping sounds of the lollipop he has in his mouth and decided to chew when we got here in LA NATURE. “It’s no biggie, El,” flashing his known cheeky smile that formed  crease beside his eyes. I was taken aback by the name he’s came up and call me with that but I quickly pulled myself up and manage to take my chill back in my senses.

I nodded my head and gawk my eyes towards Kate, who’s been sitting across our seats beside Lucas’. She really wants me to get at ease in the thought of befriending Hugo. It’s not easy for me to do but she seemed really interested to this new guy for me. It’s the first time in two years since I’ve met her. She’s not in any way forcing me, though. I am her best friend so I am confident that she lean more on the thought of me, learning the things I haven’t did before, in my own pace.

Kate gave me a peace sign and smiled in mischief. But what worries me is Lucas’ eyes, it’s like he’s affected in some ways of what’s happening. What’s happening?

“What do you guys order here as your usual?” Hugo asks, looking at me exactly.

“It’s grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup, and fruit tea for drinks, for me. And for dessert, it’s none other than the top tier and most wanted by every human being, strawberry ice cream!” Katelyn said. Suddenly has her taunting tone of voice on the last part of what she’s said—clearly taunting Lucas to throw a banter. But Lucas is clearly not in the mood to make argue with Kate on this stupid topic, again. For, like, nth time.

I still in my seat and check what time it is in my wrist watch. “She actually has no usual order. She prefers to explore their food in here, so… no specific kind of dish they are serving here is she orders. She based what she orders what she thinks her body needs to eat,” It’s Kate who did all the talking and suddenly, I am struck with this uneasiness. I feel like I am making it hard for her. I feel like I am burdening her with something. Though I know she didn’t think of me like that, I feel like I am responsible to initiate a conversation or at least do a talk.

So I form a sentence in my mind to have something to say no. “Ah, yes. I really want to explore and differentiate the types of offerings they sell here. I kind of almost try all of them. You could ask me for recommendations but it still depends on your taste bud,” Wow. That was, like, the longest sentence I’ve said to Hugo. Maybe it’s not that bad; to come out from my shell, little by little.

I heard Kate’s approval and saw how wide her grin is. I saw Lucas smile, but not reaching his cheeks. And I thought I saw his right brow rose a little. Hugo, on the other hand, has his smile plaster in his face. I want to wipe it off badly, but my mind says otherwise; it’s such a view.

My cheeks redden a little because of Hugo’s eyes. The grey shade of his eyes compliments with his long lashes and dark brows. “So what do you recommend, El?” Hugo asks. I nod my head twice, clasped my hands , and proceed  to start stating the foods I’ve tried eating and  the best one I’ve tasted yet so far. At the end, he decided to order the food I said I would be ordering.

“Do you mind if you order my food, too? My feet’s kind of feeling numb. Here, it’s on me,” Lucas suddenly said just as Hugo was about to ask to go with him.

Hugo’s jaw clenched a little, but not so little to not notice. I thought he’ll not agree with what Lucas said but then again, he nodded in a cool way and get up on his seat. He didn’t get Lucas’ money though.

“His true color’s showing, did you guys see that?” Lucas said right after Hugo left to make an order.

“Maybe he’s just surprised. Because as you should know, that’s the first time you’ve talked to him. Not a good start if you’d ask me.” Katelyn said firmly, but not mad.

Lucas’ face contorts a little but disappeared when he looked in my way. “I… just feel like… it’s too early for him to earn my trust—to earn our trust,” Lucas looks away from my eyes and bury his eyes to the ornament that was placed in our table. “Am I not allowed to have a say? You guys are my friend, it’s totally normal and it’s also my responsibility to protect my friends to the guys we didn’t even known that long,”

I feel the need to suddenly feel guilty but my mind can’t seem to see the reason to. But I can see why Lucas is having his second thoughts to trust Hugo well. Maybe just like me, he’s not used to be surrounded by new people, even though I know he’s more easy to be with, unlike me.

Katelyn suddenly reach Lucas for a hug and pat his back in a soft way. “Aww, Sorry, Lulu, if you feel like we’re easy to trust him. It was like, I remember Eli from him when she’s all by herself, minus the talking that Hugo does, of course. I just don’t want to see a person feel like they’re alone. But still, thank you for always protecting us. You know if Hugo’s a bad guy, I will be the first one to kick his ass first,” she said while slapping her fist against her hand.

“You should know that I don’t give my trust easily, Lucas. I appreciate you, protecting us to everyone else. But Hugo… I think… he’s a nice guy—just like what Kate had said” I caress his hand to shake his worries.

He intertwined his fingers on mine and caressed it subtly. I smiled at him, reassuringly, and pulled my hand back.

Not long after, Hugo called Lucas’ name “Lucky” to help him carry our food. I hold in the giggle sound that badly wants to break through my mouth. “Lucas. What I mean,” Hugo corrected with a mischievous smile.

“I made your tiramisu twice,” Hugo, flashing his white teeth in his smile, said.

I crane my neck to see the two oreo tiramisu standing perfectly in the tray, looking too beautiful to eat. I didn’t know that I missed tiramisu that much that I actually gave my  wide smile to Hugo with my cheeks flushed from the anticipation to eat those sweet desserts. “Thank you so much. How did you know my favorite dessert to eat here?” I asked him while giving my onion rings to Lucas.

Hugo’s frowning a little while his eyes are on my hands. He shook his head and mess with his hair, subtly. He looks really good with his dark hair a little messy. It complimented perfectly his pale skin, just like mine. But his are beautiful, I don’t want to talk about mine. “Miss Frida in the counter suggested that that is your comfort food. I hope it’ll comfort you even after you finish it,. Don’t let your tooth ache, OK?” He said jokingly and pull the chair beside me to sit.

We talk about the hobbies we have. The places we’ve been. Where do we want to spend our summers. It’s mostly me and Hugo who’s talking. Katelyn nodding her head and sometimes contribute to lengthen the talk. Lucas… he’s busy with the book he’s reading and to the food he’s eating. Sometimes sneak to say a word about the bond of the three of us had on this particular event we went together once. He’s still indifferent but I know he’ll get use to Hugo’s presence later in the future. We talk about our lives; me, trying my best to fake it and hide my secrets inside me. I made my ears active as Hugo talk about his life back to the place where he had been, before he move in here.

I reach for the second batch of my oreo tiramisu and took a big spoon to shove it in my mouth. For the people who haven’t tried eating this, they’re surely missing a big part of something in their life. As I quietly eat my dessert, Hugo’s eyes were focused on me, again. He’s eyeing me intently and I didn’t know I have this consciousness in my physical appearance before.

I wonder what those grey eyes sees and why can’t he pull his gaze away from mine. They seemed to be so engrossed… so powerful.