CHAPTER 33: Well, hello soon-to-come death

Slight change here... CALEB'S POV!!! Wanted to spice things up a little so here it is. Let me know if you guys liked it or not and whether I should do more of this. Enjoy!

***

People are always drawn to opposites, restrictions, boundaries and all that. It's always a challenge for the human mind to cross a certain boundary that the heart creates for the benefit of the person. At one point or another in life, we are always pulled toward breaking the rules just in order to have the one thing that we've never had. Or to experience a certain feeling.

The day I met Summer Jones was a particular day I hated to be disturbed. The pressure from Coach to do my best was already enough up until mom and dad filled my mind to the top. There was no way I was going to join dad's law firm to debate on some stupid cases for some assholes who can't handle themselves from doing illegal shit. So, because of that my already pissed brain almost exploded when someone hit my fucking nose with the fucking ball.

At first, I didn't feel anything when I saw her. Sure I admired her courage considering the fact that she's the only girl who decided to take up a challenge against many people by joining a boys' team. But the moment that sassy mouth of hers spewed shit at me, I lost it and decided to make her life a living hell. I hated her with all my might and that was wrong on my part I know. But as I said, we met under wrong circumstances. There was still a thought bothering me and that was why the hell she wasn't attracted to my charms. I couldn't keep away from disturbing her or annoying her just to see her angry, red face. But the more I annoyed her, the more the hope in my heart continued to grow. I wanted to annoy her every day. And the strange thing?

Only I wanted to be the annoying guy in her life.

Noel pretty much knows me inside out. He knows me well from my family life to my inner hidden feelings. We've been friends since diaper days because our families knew each other. And that, therefore, meant they were also rich and well off like us. But there is a stark difference there – his parents weren't assholes like mine.

Although he's the closest to me, that doesn't mean he is not annoying when it comes to Summer. The guy has been on my neck ever since I talked about that girl one time. One single time and he thinks I'm smitten by her.

Am I?

She makes me feel differently. I dated Veronica at the beginning of high school just for the sake of it. So did she. It's not like she's in love with me. Her father knows mine quite well and so she's always there at all his parties. Veronica is annoying and a stuck up bitch, that I will agree. We hooked up once at a party and that's when we started dating. I've been wanting to break up with her but she just becomes too much to handle that even a conversation with her will leave me panting for space.

And the urge to break up with her has never been so strong until Summer strolled in, declaring she hates that bitch. I don't know why my instincts acted stronger upon Summer's revelation of hatred for Veronica but I still wanted to do it. And I wanted to do it properly so she gets the hint once and for all. Also because she's been mean to Summer all along.

Getting closer to Summer on an emotional level was so overwhelming to me that day, I remember. It was just the two of us in front of that perfect view of the lake. I wanted to console her that night. Damn my feelings. But I did. I just wanted to hold her. But I controlled myself and just listened to her.

I shake my head and run my fingers through my wet, tousled hair. It's not the first time thoughts of her have crept up on me like this but it still feels new and strange every single time. I put on my pants and with my shirt balled up in my fist, I walk out of the locker room, my legs still twitching from the tiring game. She did it. She saved the fucking team from losing. I softly smile at how I found her and talked her into concentrating on the game. I still wanted to find out why she was crying like that in the locker room but I remind myself I can't get that close to her.

What is happening to me?

All of a sudden I'm turning into mush as soon as her teary-eyed face pops up in my head. Why do I suddenly care for a girl that I don't even know?

Walking toward Noel and the rest of the guys, I stop in my tracks as I see Summer talking to them. As if by default, her eyes meet mine as she waves at them and walks away.

Towards Spencer fucking Gilbert.

Captain of Silver Crown high.

What a dick.

I don't particularly know the guy but my fists automatically clench when I see him wildly grinning at Summer, who walks away with him to the parking lot.

What the actual fuck?!

I angrily march toward Noel and pull him away from the rest.

"Hey, hey, hey. What's the matter?" He pulls away from me and cautiously looks at Maddie and the boys, who don't really pay much attention here.

"Where is she going?"

He sighs and rubs his forehead. My impatient breaths slowly decrease, helping me to realize how desperate I just sounded. I pinch the bridge of my nose and take slow steps backward.

"Forget I asked that," I mutter to him.

"Listen. She's going out with...that guy. You know him... Spencer Gilbert." The hesitation in his voice confirms my doubts and just as I calmed down, I quickly frown and blink fast to process that information.

"They're going on a date... right. The two of them. Um... wow. Okay. I'm just gonna..." I walk away leaving Noel in the midst of our conversation.

"Wait." He pulls my arm by surprise, turning me to face him, "Don't run, Caleb. You told me that day, didn't you? She always ran from you and you didn't like that. Why the hell are you running from her then? From your damn feelings?" He lightly pushes my chest and I look at him.

"There is nothing, Noel. You're mistaken." I whisper, looking down at my feet. It's true. I feel nothing for her but at the same time, there is still something nagging me at the pit of my stomach.

"I'm not mistaken. You are! The girl literally just walked away with a neutral face which did not scream 'I'm going on a date!' to me. So, she either just likes free food or she doesn't really like the guy."

I start thinking about it and it all comes dawning upon me. Summer is not the kind to just meet a guy and go on a date with him. As far as I've seen, she hates flirts and she especially hates anything to do with dumb jocks who only have an interest in one thing.

I know this because that's how she saw me at one point. Or...still sees me like that.

"Thanks, man. Now, where the hell have they gone to?"

"Someplace called Snowflake...?"

"Then off we go."

After putting on my shirt and tolerating a lot of excited screams from the children I call friends, we all finally drive towards Snowflake. I visited the place only once with William, my driver when the car broke down once along that road.

"Bro, what about the get-together celebration slash huge ass party we are having?" Shawn asks.

"Don't worry, we'll make it on time. The main party would anyway start after 8 anyways." Noel answers and I nod at him from the rear mirror.

"This is our own celebration," I smirk at them and they break out in their own conversations.

Hopefully, I can confirm and sort this whole Summer thing. I actually have no idea why the hell I'm driving to practically sabotage Summer's date but oh well, I've been known to do worse. So this really won't go bad as I expect it to go. I just want to know if she likes the guy and if she does... then, of course, I will try and subdue my stupid, strange feelings.

The calm and cold wind rises the hair on my hands as soon as we enter the small ice cream shop. I almost whistle at how big it looks from the inside. The classic and pristine black and white tiles beneath me reflect the lights from above. The huge windows covered one entire wall and were the main sources of light. Opposite us, a full counter filled with various delicacies and ice creams stood, with a few workers rushing up and about, serving ice creams to customers. The colorful booths were situated exactly near the windows and added a beautiful pop of color to the shop. We all start scanning the menu banner right on top of the counter in order to start ordering.

After ordering a bunch of different milkshakes, we take a seat in one of the booths and I look around to find the reason as to why I'm here in the first place. Noel does the same but she doesn't seem to be anywhere. I figure they must have not reached and strange thoughts begin to settle into my mind. Snowflake is not very far from school and they should have reached before us considering they even left earlier than us.

She barely knows the guy. What if...

As soon as our milkshakes arrive, I clench my hand around it and try my very best to ignore all the what if's.

She can handle herself.

On cue, the glass door opens to reveal her walking in with Spencer tagging along behind her. Their eyes dart toward the menu banner and I wait for her to turn this side. I see them talking and him grinning at her like he's already smitten with her fully.

Ugh.

Maddie's shrill voice shouting Summer's name breaks me out of my staring trance and I look at her, waiting for her reaction. I smirk as I see the familiar blue eyes widening at all of us.

Well, hello soon-to-come death.