Chapter 32
HAILEY
"And is it a bad thing?" I frowned. He must have noticed the tone in my voice.
He lifted his head and stared at me with brows knitted in confusion. "Did I mention it's a bad thing that I met you?"
I dropped my gaze with a shrug. "I don't know."Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
He faked his yawn. "Know what? Before we fight over something nonsense, let's sleep, Lee." He moved on his side and pulled me into a tight hug. I loved it when he called me Lee because no one did. It felt intimate, and he made me feel special.
I did not move a muscle even if I was already crushed. It was even hard to breathe, but he smelled good. He always did.
"Hailey." He groaned.
"You faked your yawn. You can just tell me if you don't wanna talk about it," I told him the truth.
"We agreed on sharing, and this is what I'm doing even if it hurts because I believe in us, that we can make this work no matter how big our differences are, and even if I'm a lost cause and we're still healing for our losses." "You agreed, but it doesn't mean you have to talk and share about it when I want to."
"Jesus." He was getting mad. "No one can force me to do something against my will, Hailey. Even my Grands told me to see a shrink because it would help me cope with losing Emma, but I refused. I still don't want to." "Why are you doing this then?"
"Sometimes, you're so dumb. Good night, Hailey." He quickly loosened his arms around me but was also quick to pull him back.
"Don't go."
"Not running away if that's what you think I am doing. I said I will put you to bed, then that's what I'm going to do." This was one thing I admired about Percie. He kept his word.
"I'm sorry."
"Night."
I didn't respond. I didn't move.
Minutes passed, I was still wide awake. Percie's breathing slowed down, but I couldn't sleep. I made him angry before going to sleep. Jeez, why was I making everything difficult for both of us?
Minutes more had passed, and I couldn't take it anymore.
"Percie?"
"I'm awake, sweetheart."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry."
"It's okay, Lee."
"Night then."
"Night." He kissed the top of my head before we sleep. I hoped this time was for real.
***
"Lee, can you start the car. I'll be there in a minute."
I caught the key he threw to me. "Sure."
"Did you bring your coat? It might rain today." He was still biting his toast. He woke up earlier than me. When I woke up, he was already gone. He was Facetiming with his grandma. "Don't know you're a weather enthusiast."
He chuckled. "You wouldn't believe it if I tell you that Grandma told me about the weather here."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Now, go and get your coat. I have an umbrella in my car."
I grabbed my coat on the rack before I went to kiss him on his cheek. "See you down." I still wasn't getting used to showing off affection in public, but Percie didn't seem to care.
A few moments later, I was in his car that smell strawberries my favorite, and the music blasted in the sound system. It sounded like a girl group that I could not understand a word of it. I lowered down the volume. "What the heck?"
Before I could move out to the passenger seat, Percie was already there. "I don't mind if you drive."
My eyes widened in surprise. Guys like him with their cars were very territorial. "Really?"
"Just you." He leaned closer to kiss me on my lips. "You."
I grinned like an idiot before I pulled out of the parking lot. "What's with that music?"
"I don't know either."
"Is it Emma's?"
"Yeah. She and the Kpop."
"Kpop, huh?" I heard about Korean Pop, but I hadn't gotten a chance to listen to their music. That was why the lyrics didn't sound familiar. "Korean Pop."
"I know, Percie. I still live in the modern world."
He gripped my knee, causing me to startle.
"Sorry." I focused back on the road. We both had a bad experience on the road, that was why I was a little bit careful.
"Sorry. I don't know you're ticklish." I could feel his gaze on me, penetrating my bones.
"I am not."
"So you're only ticklish for me."
"Don't flatter yourself."
"Glad to know."
"I said "
"I heard you the first time, Lee. I was just messing with you. I'm just glad you trust me."
I stole a glance at him. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you seem comfortable talking to me now, and we kissed, we slept in the same bed="
"And nothing happened." I rushed my words out. Blood rushed up from my chest to my neck, and I was sure my face was crimson right now. I remembered waking up, and his junk was awake as well. I swallowed hard. "Oh, there will be."
I kept my mouth shut.
He instantly noticed my silence. "Lee, we need to be comfortable talking about it."
I rolled my eyes. "Sex. You can say the word sex, Percie."
"Sex. Fine."
"It's you that made me speechless, okay?"
He turned his head to me. "Why?" He seemed serious with his question.
"I'm driving, and you know my skill is a little bit rusty."
"Come on, Lee. It's just me."
I glared at the road, and it didn't require me to answer him anymore.
Thank God we arrived. I needed some air. The tension in the car was so thick I could slice it. I pulled out the key and threw it to him. Even by surprise, he managed to catch it. Did he play balls?
I shut my eyes close and breathed deeply once I was outside his car. I gasped in shock to open my eyes. Percie's nose was already merely an inch from mine. With wide eyes, I stepped back until my back hit the door of his car. "W-what are you doing?"
"Tell me, Lee. Are you scared of me?" He stared at me with his fierce gaze, making me squirm.
"N-no?" Oh, crap.
"No or No?"
"You're being ridiculous. We're on campus, Percie. A little space, please?" I bit my bottom lip, and his gaze dropped. I released it right away.
Before I could get my back my footing, he pressed his lips against mine. A gasp escaped my lips. I was about to kiss him back, but his lips were gone. All I could do was touch my lips like a stupid. "Come on, Lee."
"You could ask nicely," I said with a little dismay.
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"Why would ask to kiss my girlfriend?"
"Not about the kiss, silly."
"So you like my kiss." I knew he was teasing me, and he won.
"Of course, I do."
"That's what I wanna hear. Come on." He wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "So why do I make you speechless, Lee?"
"Can we not talk about it?"
"We'll talk about it sooner or later, Hailey."
"Whatever."
"I'll see you later, sweetheart." And here we go again, he just kissed me in front of my friends.
***
After class, I found missed calls from Percie and a text about four hours ago.
Percie: Damn it, Lee. Answer my call.
Hailey: Percie, where are you?
I waited for a minute. He did not reply. My message wasn't seen either. I started to worry. His text seemed urgent.
I dialed his number when he did not reply. My call went directly to his voicemail. What's going on?"
When I went outside the building, the rain was pouring. Crap. And I forgot my coat in his car. So much of him reminding me of the weather. "Where's Percie?" I was startled by the voice behind my back. Sometimes, he gave me a creep.
"Can't reach his number."
"It's raining. And he left early."
I stared at Remy. "Why?"
"Do you think you should be the one to know his whereabouts?" Good question. "Let me help you to your car." He showed me his umbrella. "It's okay. I'll wait for him here."
"Look, I'm just trying to help, okay. He must have an emergency. He didn't finish our class, and he excused himself to the professor. I'm sure he tried contacting you." "He did, but my phone was silent."
"So, let me help."
I looked at him, searching for his motive, but he seemed sincere. "I rode with him."
"Of course. I forgot you're his roommate. Then at least let me send you to your apartment."