CHAPTER 35: This boy is the trigger to my asphyxia

I never knew Caleb Anderson and I being in a ladies' washroom together and alone would be termed off as a minor affair by my mind. I guess it just became accustomed to seeing Caleb everywhere I go. And as it is my innate talent to push people away, I took upon that action and decided to just ignore his random invasion in a washroom he clearly doesn't belong to, and make a run for it. I'm pretty sure I can bypass him this time.

Abandoning the thought of cleaning up the rest of my face, I walk past Caleb only for him to block my way like a bulldozer.

A huge, very built, bulldozer. Accompanied by some drool-worthy biceps nevertheless.

I make a mental note on getting my brain activity checked upon. Although taking into account the past few weeks, it will only register one name.

"What are you doing here, Caleb?" I wonder how I just got those words out considering I'm a few inches away from him. His cologne hits me right in my senses and I struggle to not close my eyes and fully inhale it. It's definitely milder but better than Jason's. My forehead reaches his chin and I notice how abnormally tall he actually is compared to me. I continue staring at the silver chain he had around his neck while his hot breath still fans my face which is probably as red as a spring rose by now.

"Are you upset? With me?" I'm taken aback by how calm his voice is. But when I look up, his jaw is clenched and his eyes are stuck on the wall behind me. Giving up after a few seconds, I sigh and take a step away from him. That still doesn't bring back his gaze at me.

What is wrong with me? I have a problem when he looks at me with those intense eyes and now I also have a problem when he doesn't?

Talk about split personality disorder.

"I'm talking to you, Summer." My eyes slightly widen at his scary, calm voice as he again invades my personal space and stands inches away from me. I gulp, trying to remember words to construct a coherent sentence. Am I upset with him?

I don't know.

"You do realize this is a place where you're not supposed to be, right?" I cross my arms, ignoring his question and trying my best to look unaffected.

"Of course. The famous ignoring. Okay. Maddie said you'd be here. And that you're angry at me. So, being the nice person I am, I came here to check on you."

As if on cue, my phone dings and I see a message from Maddie.

Mad hatter: Don't be angry... just sort it out with Caleb. The guys took Spencer out so you have all your time with your prince charming!!!!

I sigh at all the exclamation marks plus her overuse of heart emojis. I quickly stuff my phone in my pocket before Caleb had a chance to see that my best friend had already planned our wedding in her head.

"Right. You know what? I am upset. What the hell got into your head for you to come all the way here knowing that Spencer and I were coming here too?" Even if he was hurt, he didn't show it one bit. Instead, he yelled even more.

"That's not the point! You, of all people, came on a date with a guy you barely know. So, tell me what the hell got into your head that brought you here with him?"

"Why does the fact that I'm on a date with a random guy matter to you?! Can't you just mind your own goddamn business for once?" By now, I'm fuming at his ability to dodge all my questions and throw his own at me. I just hope that no one has the urge to visit the washroom.

"Are you even hearing yourself right now? You sound ridiculous!" His grey eyes widen with every sentence that comes out of his mouth but I still don't budge. In fact, I respond with an even angrier reply and lots of glares.

"Oh, I sound ridiculous?! Says the one who intentionally sabotaged my date!" I don't know what possessed me to say that Spencer is my date but right now, the only thing on my mind is to make sure Caleb doesn't have the upper hand in the argument like he always does every damn time.

"Your date, huh? The guy's a total dick!"

"You don't even know him!"

"Do you?!"

I open my mouth to say something – anything – but nothing, absolutely nothing came to my mind. He's right. I barely know the guy. All I know is his name and that he's a soccer player from Silver Crown high.

That's it.

My internal organs cringe at the entire situation and I look down at my feet, wondering what on earth I'm doing here in the first place. I'm supposed to be at home with Maddie, gulping down my favorite wine, and starting off a movie marathon in celebration of our soccer victory.

And yet, here I am, out with some random guy I met a few hours ago and currently in a ladies' washroom fighting Caleb.

Before I know it, Caleb is already by my side, his hand stroking my shoulder in a relaxing manner. I almost lean into his touch but I resist the urge to and instead look at him apologetically.

"You...you're right. Uh...I don't even know the guy. I don't know what came over me." I genuinely say, still avoiding eye contact with him, and I lean on the counter with my arms over my chest. His hand skeptically leaves my shoulder and he sighs.

"Um...I'm sorry for yelling."

"You should be." My lips twitch in amusement as he leans on the counter as well, right next to me.

"You hate apologizing, don't you?" He chuckles and I scoff.

"Of course. It's not my fault." I look at him accusingly and he opens his mouth and exhales.

"Boy, it's hard to argue with you."

I grin at his statement and pull at my imaginary collar, clearing my throat in the process.

"I know." I smugly say and he smiles at me, his eyes lingering on me a tad too long before they go back to staring at the floor.

"I don't know why I came here," he says and my eyebrows furrow before he continues, "I just saw you with the guy and then Noel told me about this place. So, it's like I came on instinct."

I draw in a sharp breath as I ponder upon what he just said.

Instinct?

"Yeah. I don't know.... The guy seems..." I look at him, challenging him to say something.

"Fine. You win. There's nothing wrong but still, that doesn't change the fact that you went out with a random guy."

"You know, that's not really me. I'm not the kind who just decides to go out with a guy I barely know. It just sort of-

"You don't have to explain anything. I know. And yes, I do know you're not that type of girl. That's what makes you special." I turn my head at him, my eyebrows scrunching in confusion. Did Caleb Anderson just call me special?

"I'm not special." My whisper wafts into the now silent atmosphere and I feel his gaze trailing up and down my face. He stands up straight and I do too. I think he's about to walk out but all of a sudden, he's so close to my face. His eyes move around my face and then capture my eyes so fast that I don't realize his hands are on my waist. My breath hitches in my throat as he moves impossibly closer to my face, our noses a few centimeters away now. The rough touch of his light stubble grazes my rosy cheeks and I close my eyes at the gentle brush of his thick eyelashes. I feel his lower lip brush along my ear and I gasp slightly at the tingles all over my body.

This boy is the trigger to my asphyxia.

His grip on my waist sends heat all over my body and I know if it wasn't for his tight hold on me, my knees would have already given way.

"You don't think you're...special?" I tilt my neck as his hot whisper sends electricity to my brain, making it useless to even think. All I can feel is Caleb's touch right now. My right hand rests on his built torso which feels rock hard and I tighten my hold on his t-shirt as his continuous hot breaths tickle my ear.

I don't know if I'm special. In fact, I don't think I am. There is nothing about me that makes me special. I have no talents whatsoever. I dress like a guy who's depressed with life and all that revolves around me is Netflix and food and wine. My life has nothing interesting and special in it and yet here you are, Caleb, calling me special.

Despite my mouth wanting to spew all that nonsense I just blabbered in my head, the situation that I am actually stuck in with Caleb has rendered me speechless and stripped all common sense out of my mind. After a few moments of total silence and our short breathing sequence rhythmically moving around the room, he moves his head and now stares at me with his bright eyes. I can strongly sense his gaze sweeping my face but my eyes remain closed.

What if all this is a dream?

I don't want it to be one. All these feelings awakened inside of me all of a sudden have only one name prescribed on them – Caleb. He's indeed the only one who makes my senses go haywire and sends excited tingles all over my body.

The lights suddenly go out and all I see is pitch black. The reality of the situation kicks in and I jump away from Caleb, my back slightly hitting the wall. I wince and rub the back of my head slowly, cursing inwardly at my goofiness.

"You okay?" Caleb asks and I nod until my imbecile self realizes he can't see me and I mutter a yes.

"What's wrong with the lights?" I ask and walk slowly, my hands trying to find the counter.

"I have no idea but I guess we should get out and find the rest."

"Uh...actually, it's just us. Maddie and the boys left with Spencer." I mumble as bits of our fight regarding the whole Spencer thing comes up in my mind but I push it away as I hear the slight scuffle of footsteps alongside me.

"Oh."

I don't exactly know if that 'oh' is supposed to sound disappointing or what but I certainly don't like the fact that I'm so affected by his words. Our little washroom incident has to stay buried and far away from my head otherwise my mind is going to be clouded by Caleb's thoughts only.

As we emerge from the small corridor, I notice that the main area is dark as well. The only light comes from the streetlights through the tightly-sealed windows. The entire place is desolate and the usual buzzing of customers and workers is missing.

"How long were we in there for?" I ask but Caleb ignores my question and proceeds towards the door. He pulls the door but it doesn't move. At all.

"It. Won't. Budge!" He grunts as he kicks the door at last and runs a hand through his hair messily.

"We are locked for the night."