CHAPTER 3 : THE CONFESSION

 TORI's POV **

   

"What do you want?" Zach asked impatiently. "Don't waste my time. This better be important." Now he sounded annoyed too.

Even I don't know how to start this conversation. We're in an empty room, the class has already started and I can sense that he's kind of pissed right now. I dragged him from the parking all the way here for nothing? How am I going to start this? How am I going to convince myself that I like him? I haven't confessed to a guy before. I should have thought this through.

"If you're not going to talk, I'm leaving." He stated clearly. He stood up and headed to the door. He's leaving. This is not good. I have to stop him.

I quickly grabbed his shirt and tried to stop him. "Wait!" I then protested.

He glowered at me and then he shouted "What!"

I stepped back and look at him straight into his eyes. This is it Tori. Do your best.

"I know I'm not the type of girl that you usually go out with. I'm not sexy, I'm not attractive and I'm no fun. I'm plain and boring with no charm at all. The only thing good about me is probably my brain, which everyone finds boring. But I must ask you this..."

I took a deep breath and gathered all the courage I had to say the words that I never thought would ever come out of my mouth. I just hope that I'm doing the right thing and this will be the best solution for everything.

"...Zachary Anderson, can I be your girlfriend?" I whispered timidly.

Everything was so silent. He didn't speak. He didn't smile or laugh, instead he frowned. Is he angry? He walked closer to my direction, I stepped back. He appeared anxious and dangerous at the same time. Did I say something wrong?

He continued to step closer until he cornered me. He slammed his fist in the wall, and that made me jolt up in shock. He's definitely furious. "Are you fuckin' kidding me? You think this is funny! Yesterday you told me you didn't like me! Now you're saying you wanted to be my girlfriend? Don't mess with me Peige!"

Nathan was right. Zach's really scary when he's angry. What am I going to do? "Say something!" He punched the wall again, angrily. I was startled and speechless.

There's no turning back now. If I take back the words I told him, he might hurt me. "Zach, calm down." I touched both his shoulders trying to cool him down. And then I continued. "I'm not kidding. What I'm saying is true. I like you. I want to be your girlfriend, I always have." I looked straight into his eyes, hoping he won't get a hint of the lie.

He stepped back and sat on the table. He continued to examine me and wait for more explanation. And I take that gesture as a sign to continue.

"I hate to admit it but you're right. Maybe the reason why I hated you so much is because you always ignore me." I'm such a liar. I looked at him and then I saw him starts to grin. So he believes me? I should go on. "I thought about it last night. And I realized that I really like you. I always admired you and envied the girls you were with." This time, I looked away so he won't notice that this is total crap. I really don't like him and as if I'd be jealous of those skanks!

He's still not talking. Maybe he wants to hear a lot of compliments coming from someone who despises him a lot. Well, this is the final blow; I hope your big head burst!

"Do you believe in the saying that there's a thin line between love and hate?" I asked as I walked into his direction. I looked straight into his eyes and continued, "The more you hate someone, the more you secretly want that person. Maybe that's what I'm feeling right now."

He stood up and walked towards me. He looks scary, not angry-scary but perverted-scary. Oh my, what's he up to? "You like me, huh? So why don't we just hook up?" He suggested. You're disgusting Zachary Anderson! What to do. What to do!

I cleared my throat before answering. "Look. I'm not that type of girl. If ever I'll be doing that I want it to be with my boyfriend. Not with some random guy." I said shrugging. Everything is true except for the boyfriend thing. I really want it to be with my real boyfriend that I love not some fake boyfriend.

"You're right. You're innocent... boring! So how do you expect a guy like me to like someone lame like you?" His words came out more as an insult. I should have expected it coming from this unbelievable, imbecile and egotistical jerk!

I should think of a good come back to that arrogant statement. Think fast Victoria Peige! 

"Yes. I know. I just wanted to give it a try. Aren't you curious what it feels like to have a quiet type real girlfriend? Not some slut who dates you for popularity?"

He's silent for a few seconds. Contemplating on the smart reply that I just muster. After a while he eyed me and smirked. "You have a point. But you see, I'm not the type of guy who settles for one girl. I'm friendly and affectionate to others; it's how I treat some of my friends, which is of course, misunderstood by my girlfriends. So, I leave them, they don't trust me."

What? Did I just hear him correctly? What a full of crap! Friendly? You're the worst guy ever. Who would trust a guy like you. But then I didn't let these frustrations I had inside to let out. Instead, I remained calm and collected.

"I know you're friendly and popular. Girls like to be with you because you're fun to be with. If you let me be your girlfriend, I'll be the most understanding and trusting girlfriend you'll ever have. You're free to do whatever you want with your life."

Yeah I really don't care if you have girls clinging to your arms or if you're making out with them. As I said last night, no emotional attachment involved right? This is all fake. This is all for the sake of keeping him busy and occupied. This is all for my dear friend, Chloe.

"Why? Why does being your boyfriend matter so much? What's the point if you don't care if I have girls around?" He questioned curiously.

"Look, our teenage years are almost over and I, at least, want to know what it feels to have a commitment with the guy I like. I've never been in a relationship before so, I wanted to give it a try. I don't really care about the girls interested in you because I know that I'm your girlfriend and they're just flirts. In the end, I'm still the official and the titled girl, right?" I gathered everything I have to give him the sweetest smile that I can produce and then he did smirk as well.

This is easier than I thought. I never thought he'd believe me this fast. "Fair enough. But do you have any idea how it's like to be my girlfriend? The consequences? Girls might do bad things to you." He said proudly. This guy is really so full of himself.

"Yes. I know. You'll protect me, right? I'm your girlfriend after all." I assumed as I let out another fake sweet smile.

"I haven't said yes yet Peige. And I won't be around all the time you know." I summoned all the self-control I have to not roll my eyes at his conceited response.

"Well if that's the case, I still have Chloe and Nathan to protect me." I defended.

"What if they're not around?"

"I can manage myself. I'm not that weak you know. I can defend myself. You worry too much."

"You really want to be my girlfriend?" He queried with amusement obvious in his tone and I nodded impatiently. "Okay. I'll give you my answer later." He said with a knowing grin in his face.

"What? Why don't you just give me the answer now?" I asked eagerly.

He stepped closer and touched my chin. "Be patient. Remember, I don't want a nagging and demanding girlfriend." He reminded me as he gave me another smirk.

He walked out the door and left. What's it going to be? If he refuses, then everything was for nothing. I set aside my pride just to confront him like that.

Zach, why the long wait?

* * * * * * *

It's already lunchtime and I was spacing out. I kept on thinking what would happen if Zach rejected me. What would be his answer? When will he tell me? I'm going crazy! It's not like I'm excited or anything, I just want to put my plans into action. I want him to be busy so he won't bother Chloe and her boyfriend anymore.

"Tori!" Chloe called my attention.

"Chloe I'm sorry. You were saying something?"

"Earth to Tori. You back? We've been talking to you. You okay?" Nathan asked worriedly. And may I note that it made my heart race. The worried-look on Nathan's face really made me feel very important to him, but I know he's just doing this because I'm his friend.

"I'm okay. You don't have to worry. I'm just sleepy. I didn't have enough sleep last night." I explained. Well it was true; I didn't get enough sleep last night trying to compose the words I was going to say to Zach.

But my problem now is Zach's answer. I should have given this more thought.

"Hello my lady." A familiar voice came from my back. I glanced back and saw Zach. Wait what's he doing here?

"What are you doing here?" Nathan inquired with a surprised tone in his voice.

"What do you want, Zach?" Chloe questioned. Surprise is also obvious in her tone.

"I don't have business with you two. I'm here to give my answer to Victoria." He gave me a wink after he said my name. Wait. Don't tell me he's planning to give me the answer in front of Chloe and Nathan? No!

"What is he talking about, Tori?" Nathan eyed me carefully.

I stood up and tucked Zach's shirt. "What are you doing?" I whispered.

"Relax. I'm here to give you the answer you've been waiting for." He flashed me a cunning smile before turning away from me.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please." Zach cried-out. He wrapped his right hand around my shoulder and drawn me closer to him.

"This girl here is Victoria Peige, the heiress of the famous Prestige Hotels, she's my new girlfriend." 

---END OF CHAPTER THREE---