Thirty-six

Thirty-six
Eve

That question was still unanswered as I walked out of the last class I had for the day, with my laptop in my arms.

No matter how hard I tried to find the answer to that question, I just couldn't.

Or maybe I knew.

I just wasn't ready to acknowledge it.

My phone dinged and I pulled it out only to find a text from the handsome devil that has been on my mind all day.

“Your last class just ended. Meet me in my office so we can go over the story.”

A frown creased my face.

Does Charles know my schedule? Well, why am I even surprised, considering how he knows literally everything about me?

“Will be right there.” I typed out the words and hit send.

I returned my phone to my pocket and was about to keep walking when I bumped my head into someone's chest.

Taking a step back, I glanced up, only to meet Cameron's dark eyes.

My heart jolted at the sight of him.

I haven't seen him since I poured that hot soup on him, and he hasn't returned my texts either.

He had shaved all his stubble, and his long hair was tied in a messy bun.

“H-hi,” I said nervously.

He didn't respond.

He just kept on staring down at me, making me feel more horrible than I already was.

I exhaled, “Cameron, I'm so sorry…”

“No, I'm sorry.” He cut me off. “For everything. Using you, cheating on you, saying all those things about you and then trying to humiliate you by visiting your parents’ restaurant and recording you without your knowledge… it's just… I know it's not an excuse, but when you said that thing you said about… you know, it bruised my ego so bad, so… I wanted to get back at you… I clearly wasn't thinking…”

“I know all that.” I cut him off sharply. “You don't have to explain yourself. And I'm also sorry for pouring that soup on you. It was irrational of me.”

“I think I kind of deserved it, though.” He chuckled slightly. “After everything I did to you, that's a very little punishment from you.”

I smiled at him, “So, we're good?”

“We're good,” He nodded.

“I have to go.” I tried to sidestep him, but he blocked me.

“Wait!”

“What?”

“You were only just trying to bruise my ego when you said that my… you know, was small, right?”

“Oh, yeah.” I couldn't help but chuckle slightly. “Yeah, I said it to bruise your ego.”

“All of them?”

I nodded, “All of them.”

He heaved a sigh of relief, “That's good to know.”

“Yeah,” I made to sidestep him again, but he stopped me… again.

“Are you heading somewhere?” He queried, “Actually, I was thinking we could hang out.”

“Oh, I'm…”

Crap, I don't know how to lie.

And he knows that.

“Meeting him?” He asked, and I paused to regard him in confusion.

“Who?”

“Him. Your new boyfriend.”

Boyfriend? I don't have a…

Oh, crap! He must have seen the post I made!

“Oh, yeah, right. Him.” I said without thinking, “I'm meeting up with him.”

“Who is he?” He questioned enthusiastically, “Is he someone I know? I want to meet him. You should introduce us.”

Um, yeah, that's a bad idea with a capital very.

“Maybe another time.” I faked a smile. I need to get out of this conversation. “I need to go.”

“Hold on…” He blocked me again. “Is he someone I know, though?”

I opened my mouth to say something when my phone began to ring.

Great, it must be Charles.

“Aren't you gonna pick it up?” Cameron asked, and I groaned, pulling out my phone from my pocket.

Turns out I was right after all, it was Charles.

“Hi, Babe,” I said into the phone, trying to sound as enthusiastic and sweet as I could possibly be. “What's up?”

“You do realize I'm waiting for you, and you're over there, talking with your ex boyfriend.” His voice came through the phone, making me glance around the premises.

Is he seeing us?

And how does he know that Cameron is my ex boy… yeah, I forgot, he knows everything about me.

“Oh, I'll be right there, Babe,” I said cutely. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Cameron was here, so I needed to make him believe that I was actually in a relationship by playing the cute girlfriend.

Or was that why?

A part of me knew that I only wanted to make him jealous for playing me.

Oh, and he looked jealous, quite alright.

“I don't have all the time in the world,” Charles said coldly. “Get down here now, I have places to be.”

Gosh!

“Alright, Babe,” I said cutely, maintaining my fake smile. “I'll be right there.” I disconnected the call and glanced up at Cameron, “I need to go.”

“Alright. Maybe you can introduce us another time.”

Yeah, that's not happening.

“Maybe, bye.”

I finally sidestepped him and began to walk away, my heart pounding against my chest.

“I'm really glad we had this talk.” Cameron's voice halted me on my tracks, making me turn.

I gave him a smile. “Yeah, me too.”

“So, friends?”

“Friends.”

Things will never be the way they used to be when we were best friends.

I've read all these web novels with the falling for your best friend trope and always thought they were cute.

They would eventually end up together and live happily ever after.

But this is real life, and happily ever after is just a fairytale.

I've learned my lesson.

And what I've learned is to never fall for your best friend, no matter what. You might end up dating him, but once either of you mess it up, that best friend bond you both have… or used to have, can never be repaired.

Just like us… I don't see Cameron and me going back to being best friends… or friends at least.

Things will always be awkward between us.

Now, I have more bigger problem.

I think I have a crush on that psycho Charles Herman.

Stupid Eve!

Oh, you fall so easily!

You said you have learned your lesson, but you clearly haven't, have you?