Chapter 28: 15|Hating me isn't hard after all-2

I nodded in gratefulness. Dad informed me over breakfast that the dinner was re-scheduled. Apparently, this new business relation is very crucial and beneficial for dad's editorial as his new partners are owners of sport apparel company- Athelon. They are ready to sponsor and promote dad's magazine- The Team. Yes, my dad owns The Team magazine, the most popular weekly editorial purely based on buzz in sport world. Obviously we are well off. If dad wants, he can buy a freaking island and we three can stay jobless while still having enough to give a luxurious life to 4 coming generations. But my dad isn't like that. He kept us grounded and engraved humbleness in our very foundation. More than half of his money goes to charity or college funding of his company employee families while we still live in an old mansion where dad spent his childhood and saw us spend ours too. He is a busy man but he always squeezes time out of his schedule for his kids. He never gives excuses to bail out of his duties towards us. I wouldn't want it any other way. I am proud of him. ~~~~ After practise, I took a quick shower and changed before hopping out swiftly in order to avoid Alex. I am trying this new thing that Alex suggested me- resting after tiredness and the funny part is that I am testing it on him along with whole male population around me. I decided this when I was absolutely frustrated by Alex's texts to ask me the reason of skipping practise yesterday as if nothing's wrong. I ignored his texts and like the bitch karma is, Liam didn't answer my texts or post it's on his window. I knew better than going to his home again. That's why, I decided to ignore and give space to every male species in my 1 mile radius so that they can calm their tities down and make their damn mind. All these days when my brothers were gone, Alex or Neal dropped me. But today, I decided to skateboard home. I rejected their offer to drive me. I know you must be thinking that she is so rich, why can't she just buy herself a car. Well for the starters, I lost my mom in one. Asher and Aiden did too but they didn't get the front row ticket to see mom getting licked by flames. The horror of that single memory left a huge phobia of cars in me. It was horrible. I never settled to travel in the death machine and that's when dad gifted me my first skateboard on daughter's day, when I was 12. I used to bike before that. To say I was happy would be understatement of the century. Slowly but surely, three of them managed to coax this fear out of me. I still get panic attacks when I think of speed or being behind the wheel, so I avoid it completely with no plans to acknowledge it in near future. I lost my mom because of a damn speeding car after all. As I rushed towards my locker, I was greeted by astonishment. Liam was leaning against it. He was scribbling something hesitantly. I hid behind a pillar as he looked in both directions before pasting the post it on my locker. He gingerly stepped back and I saw conflict in his eyes. He wanted me to read it but he also wanted to remove it, which I didn't want to happen. I slid out of my hiding as if nothing happened and at that moment, I saw Liam jump behind corner wall to hide himself. I almost chuckled at this. Why didn't he go home? Was he waiting for me? I quickly brushed the thought out of my mind and tugged off the post it with a plastered confused look. 'I am sorry that you had to see me like that. I am still advising you to run away, Astrid.' I smiled as he didn't use 'give up' and yet again didn't sign himself. He knew that post-it's were our thing. "I know you're here somewhere. You don't need to be scared or ashamed of me in any way. The respect I have in my eyes for you can never fade away along with my care and determination just because of...the incident. I won't promise that I can stop your nightmares but I promise you, I won't let them haunt you alone." I answered back in a hushed voice, knowing well that he was just behind the edge. I waited for a minute but nobody acknowledged me. I sighed in defeat and opened my locker to get my skateboard. I however was surprised to see Liam standing behind the door as I shut it. I could see that he was still fighting himself to stand in front of me. I gave him a small grin before something hit me. I opened my locker again and searched for it. It has to be somewhere in here! "Aha!" I exclaimed when I finally felt the small round beads under my finger. I grabbed it and pulled it out of all the mess I have in my locker. "This is a Haematite bracelet. My favourite nurse gave it to me when I used to suffer nightmares after mom's death during my hospital time. I stopped using it once they ended. I kind of left it here once during practise and forgot. I hope it helps you." I bit my lip as I took in Liam's blanked features. He totally surprised me when for the first time, he initiated a hug. That too while being completely sober. "Thanks, Astrid." I smiled against his chest and wrapped my arms around his torso. Maybe I have a weak resolve but honestly, I don't care. I am happy. ~~~~ "This one looks alright?" I eyed the silver dress in Rose's hand. It had a cleavage barring V-neck with spaghetti strips and decently short skirt. It was beautiful but not for me. I shook my head no and Rose sighed before putting it down. We were wandering around in shops for an hour now and yet, we only managed to buy two dresses. First one was a beautiful maroon skater dress with full sleeves and a decent V-neck that was followed by maroon buttons up till waist. Second one was black sleeveless with a huge black bow on one side of the neckline and a ruffled skirt. It was a little bold for me but I was hopelessly in love with it. Black is definitely my favourite colour. By the time my watch ticked 8:00, I had my 5 new dresses in my hand along with matching footwear and accessories for them. The rest of three dresses were perfect too. One of them was a backless rose pink piece with halter neck. I bought a beige coloured dress with a lot of lavender gold embroidery on top. The last one was a high low dress with a jewel neck and spaghetti straps adjacent to halter neckline. It was ombre' blue with pleated tail. I was satisfied with my purchase and couldn't thank Rose more for putting up with my tantrums. I couldn't understand how I befriended someone so...girly. She was the heels, short skirt and mascara kind of girl while I am the sneakers and ripped jeans type. But no matter the contrasts in lifestyle, she never forced her choices and tastes on me. "Tell Alex to meet me at library tomorrow after practise for chemistry. I have a dinner to attend." I informed her as we walked towards her car while sipping our Starbucks. "Yes. This reminds me- why are you ignoring him?" I sighed. "I am not. No offense but I am tired of his mood swings. One moment he is all sweetheart and next instant, he acts all distant. I am done trying to figure him out." "He is been down, lately. He is worried about his best friend- Ian." I opened the passenger door and slid in. "Anything serious?" Rose glanced at me from corner of eye before starting the ignition. "No. His job is kind of risky and he got hurt pretty badly recently. That's why." "Oh." that was all I could manage to choke out. I felt guilty that I immediately assumed the worst and made him worry about me by ignoring him. Mental note- talk to Alex tonight.