Casper flinched and closed his eyes.
âYou don't like horror movies? I didn't knew that. âSam said and took Casper's hand in his.
Casper laughed embarrassed.
âSorry...âhe said looking at the floor.
âHm? For what? You shouldn't be embarrassed, it's alright to be scared at horror movies... I chose a pretty scary one after all. Here, hug my arm if it's helps or we can leave. â Sam said smiling understanding.
Casper looked at Sam grateful that he didn't made fun of him.
âLet's stay... you payed for the tickets, it would be a waste to leave so early. âCasper said, still avoiding the screen.
Sam gently pulled Casper's head onto his shoulder.
âYou don't need to look if you're scared. âSam said and kept his hand on Casper's head.
Casper blushed and noticed how good Sam smells.
âAre you sniffing me? âSam asked laughing.
Casper got embarrassed again and hid his head in his shoulder.
âDon't be shy, I was teasing you a little. Truth is... I hoped you'll like my cologne when I put it on. âSam explained with a slight blush.
Casper got even more embarrassed at Sam's flirt and stood silent with his face buried in Sam's shoulder.
Sam smiled and turned his gaze back to the movie. Casper calmed down completely and raised his head, his face a few inches from Sam's.
Sam noticed and turned his head to face Casper, their noses touching.
Casper got lost in Sam's eyes and held his breath.
âYou look very kissable right now, Casper. âSam whispered.
Sam's breath on Casper's face made him regain his sense and pull back coughing a few times embarrassed.
Sam giggled amused by Casper's shyness. He found it very cute.
âI don't like being teased... âCasper said.
âTeased? How did I teased you? âSam asked clueless.
Casper blushed again and turned his head to face the opposite way.
âWhy are you hiding now? I was serious earlier, you looked kissable. â Sam said getting close to Casper.
âThe movie, let's look at the movie. âCasper changed the subject and turned his head to face the screen only to freeze in shock.
Someone was being eaten alive in the movie. Casper covered his mouth, his stomach wishing to vomit.
Sam stood up and took Casper out of the cinema room. Casper took a few deep breaths and calmed down.
âThat was really gross. Do you like this kind of stuff? âCasper asked looking at Sam.
âMore or less. I've seen once how these type of scenes are made and my disgust vanished. âSam explained.
âOh, that makes sense.â
Sam tilted his head to look Casper in the eyes.
âWhat if we forget about those gross scenes and go at the arcade? â Sam suggested.
Casper smiled and nodded his head a few times, he loved to play at the arcade.
âLet's go then. Do you want to take my hand? âSam asked offering his hand.
Casper looked at the hand in front of him for a few seconds and then hesitantly held Sam's hand.
Sam smiled and the two went to the arcades.
___________________________
âI had fun today... thank you for walking me home. âCasper said with a bright smile.
âI had fun too, let's have another date soon. â
Casper blushed at the word date and avoided Sam's gaze.
âMhm. Good night... âCasper said and turned to enter the apartment complex.
âDream about me, Casper. See you soon. âSam waved and left.
Casper rushed inside his apartment where Zhia Xiang was relaxing on the couch with a face mask.
As soon as Casper saw Zhia Xiang, he groaned.
âI forgot to buy food... I'm sorry. âhe said taking his shoes off.
âI ordered chinese take out, there is left in the fridge if you're hungry. âZhia Xiang said pointing to the fridge.
âOh, thank you. âCasper said and took the food from the fridge and warmed it in the microwave.
âHow was your date? â Zhia Xiang asked.
Casper coughed in embarrasment.
âGood, I had fun. Sam is very sweet... âCasper said thinking about Sam and how respectful he is.
âAny plans for a next date? â
âNot yet. âCasper replied taking the food and sitting on the other couch.
Zhia Xiang took the mask off and massaged the remaining oil into her skin gently.
âI'm glad you had fun. âZhia Xiang said looking at Casper.
Without realizing, she began to consider Casper as a little brother. She always wished to have siblings she could play with, but thinking about her family it was better she didn't had any.
âYou look sad... âCasper said noticing the look of loneliness in her eyes.
âDon't mind me. âZhia Xiang smiled, took the remote and started the TV.
Casper began to tell her about the date and what he did with Sam.
âHe really seems like a nice man.âZhia Xiang said taking a cracker, biting it.
âYes... when we said goodbye he said "dream about me". âCasper repeated Sam's words, blushing.
âA flirt too. Look at you becoming a tomato. âZhia Xiang said laughing and pinching Casper's red cheeks.
âDon't you tease me as well! âCasper said.
âAlright. Let's get to sleep now, I'll take the couch. âZhia Xiang said.
Casper's apartment had only a bedroom since he's living alone.
âI feel bad letting you sleep on the couch... take the bed. âCasper said.
âNo arguing, child. You need to have a good rest for school, go to bed now. âZhia Xiang said ruffling Casper's hair.
Casper sigh and stood up.
âGood night. âhe said and left to sleep.
Zhia Xiang sat on the couch making herself comfortable.
Casper changed into his pajama and got under the thin blanket when his phone light up.
He extended his hand and took the phone.
What are your plans for tomorrow? Sam texted Casper who smiled upon seeing the message.
Why aren't you sleeping? To answer your question, I have school until 11 and after I'm free.
I can't stop thinking about you so I decided to text you hoping you're also thinking about me...
Let's meet after you're done then, is 12 alright?
Casper re-read the text and threw his phone embarrassed.
âThis guy... thinking about me?âCasper spoke a little to loud and upon realizing he covered his mouth hoping he didn't disturbed Zhia Xiang.
Casper took the phone back in his hands and texted back.
12 is perfect. Let's meet at the Daichi restaurant.
Amazing! See you tomorrow, sweet dreams. ð
Casper squeaked at the kissing emoji and put his phone back to charge.
The next day Zhia Xiang accompanied Casper at school as usual.
âWhy are you so quiet today? You seem distracted. â Zhia Xiang said looking at Casper who was looking at the canvas with his hand stopped in the air.
âSam texted me last night...â
âAnd?âZhia Xiang asked intrigued.
âWe'll meet at 12.âCasper said smiling.
âThat's good! That's why you are with your head in the clouds? You have a crush, how cute. âZhia Xiang teased.
Casper turned his head to the embarrassed. He coughed to regain his calm.
âAnyways... I was thinking about places we should go to. We're meeting at Daichi, but I don't want to just stay in a restaurant. â
âValid point... hm, why don't you go to the amusement park? Sounds fun. âZhia Xiang suggested.
Casper thought about her suggestion and nodded smiling.
âIt's a good idea, I hope he will like it. Thank you. Oh... I kind of feel bad that I'm leaving you alone again. âCasper said looking at Zhia Xiang with a trace of guilt.
He asked her to stay here longer and he's leaving her alone mostly of the time.
âWhy don't you come along? I'm sure Sam won't mind it. âCasper suggested.
âAnd be the third wheel? âZhia Xiang said crossing her arms in front of her chest.
To be honest, she was interested in going to the amusement park as well.
âIt's alright, it won't be that bad. Pleasee.âCasper grabbed her hands and pulled the puppy face.
âYou're really using the puppy face on me? â
Casper pouted even more making him look so sad and pitiful.
âAlright, I'll tag along. âZhia Xiang said sighing hopelessly.
âThank you~ I'll text Sam. âCasper said taking his phone out.
Zhia Xiang excused herself and went to the bathroom. On her way out of the bathroom a certain vocalist stopped her.
âCan you move? You're in my way. âZhia Xiang said.
âYou're Casper's cousin, right? âJack asked looking into her eyes.
âYes, why? â
âThen you must know why he doesn't want anything to do with me. â
âMaybe I do. This isn't information that I'm allowed to say. â
âWhy? Don't you think it's my right to know why he doesn't want to be friends with me out of blue? â
Zhia Xiang scoffed and looked at him with a dangerous grin on her face.
âDo you think this pitiful act will get him back? Maybe he learnt a secret of yours... something you hide deep. âZhia Xiang in a cold and chilly tone.
Jack's eyes widened.
âThere is no way he could have learnt about that, right? She must mean something else. â Jack thought.
âAlright, you don't want to tell me. Then at least help me out. âJack said calming himself down.
Zhia Xiang raised a eyebrow.
âYou're close to him, right? Talk to him, I just want to be friends with him... â
âHe doesn't. âZhia Xiang shortly replied.
âI'll pay you... or be your servant for a year. Just help me. âJack said grabbing her hand.
âWhy are you so desperate? âZhia Xiang asked annoyed.
âWhy...?âJack repeated.
Why was he so desperate? For revenge... right? Or?
âIf you disturb me again I'll beat you up. âZhia Xiang said pushing Jack's hand away and leaving him confused.
âWhy am I like this? Humiliating myself to get close to him? Why do I feel wronged that he doesn't want to be my friend when I'm the one with intentions to hurt him? Why? âJack's confusion increased even more.