09

9

He leaned over to me and kissed my cheek. It felt like his lips had stayed on my cheek for an eternity. I pulled back and looked him in the eye. His gaze is not as usual. It's more… intense. I looked away and opened the door but he was still holding my hand. I questioned him with a look, and he answered me with a simple sentence.

- Go out with me.

And shit! I said it out loud. What a jerk! Already she just agrees to talk to me and I tell her that? But she will run away!

- Uh… I. No. Sorry. I... I have to go.

- Hold on ! I shouted at him.

But she slammed the door. So. I made her panic… She's not like the others, I really should put that in my head! I really am a jerk...

I went home, still thinking of the same person, and Thibault was waiting outside my apartment.

- Do you ever answer the phone? I've been trying to reach you since yesterday!

I say. I was just too busy thinking about anyone other than you, silly.

- Sorry, I didn't pay attention.

He followed me inside and helped himself to a drink. He has always had the habit of making himself at home. Fortunately, because it's not me who's going to serve him a drink!

- What was so urgent? I asked him, collapsing on the couch.

- Yesterday I wanted you to take me to Steph's. She's my new girlfriend. And new ex-girlfriend by the way, since she dumped me because I couldn't come to her place. She thought I was with another girl… Anyway. Thanks !

- Ah OK. Sorry, I replied casually.

- That's all ?

- Well yeah. You don't want me to get down on my knees so that you forgive me? Besides, I'm sure you only like her when she's in your bed.

- It is not false. But still ! You suck.

He grumbled for a few more minutes while drinking his beer and I was staring at the wall in front of me. I would have liked to tell him about Jess but although he is my best friend, I don't know how he will react. Besides, he's probably going to fuck with me so I'd rather wait a bit to see if it's going to move forward with her. Although I'm not getting too much hope...

- What made you so busy this weekend? he asked me suddenly. Got a new girl?

- Nope. I was just… busy, I replied vaguely.

- Well then? Do you have any secrets for your best friend? he said to me, laughing.

- Yeah. Big secrets, I answered ironically, giving him a wink.

- Don't ever wink at me again! You're scaring me ! exclaimed Thibault, slapping me on the shoulder.

I then went to get some food while he turned on the TV and the Xbox. So he's not going to leave now. Me who wanted to call Jess was missed. Anyway, she wouldn't have answered me. I was sure of it. I sent him a message anyway.

' Sorry for being so blunt earlier but I really meant it. I don't want to scare you. If you could just reconsider your rather… blunt answer from earlier… Think about it for a few days. Please. See you Monday? I would really like to talk to you. '

Yes I know, it's not very classy by message, but I had no choice with the other idiot next to me. I don't want him to know. For now at least.

- I thought you didn't know how to use a phone anymore? he asked me when he saw that I was sending a message.

- Oh shut up!

- Who is it ? he wanted to know.

- What the hell are you doing?

He didn't answer and just laughed. That's what's good about him: when I don't want to talk, he doesn't bother me, that's all. And I do the same on my side.

He decided to leave shortly before midnight and I looked at my phone again for the twentieth time that evening, but I went to bed without having received an answer to my message.

The next day she did not come to the cafe and she still did not answer my messages and calls. The next two days either. I knew that was going to scare her away, and yet I opened my mouth anyway. So she didn't talk to me anymore.

On Thursday noon, I therefore decided to wait for him when he left school. I saw her with a girl heading for the door. When she met my gaze, she quickly said goodbye to her friend and came over to me. I had imagined that she would run away again when she saw me and that I would have to chase after her, so I was really glad I was wrong.

- What are you doing here ? she threw at me coldly.

- You didn't answer me and you don't come to the cafe anymore. I had to see you.

- I don't really have time. I have to go, my mother is waiting for me.

She wanted to leave but I held her back.

- Can we see each other this weekend?

- I am not here.

- Well I'll come anyway and I'll wait like an idiot downstairs until you come back then, I told him smiling softly.

She gave me a quick glance and walked away. I only got in my car when she was out of sight

And so, on Saturday, I was actually waiting like an idiot downstairs. I think I'm starting to go crazy. She's driving me crazy. I had already sent four messages to Jess in twenty minutes but she did not answer me. I was now sending him the fifth.

'If you don't come down, I'll ring all the inhabitants of your building. I will eventually find you! '

It only took a few seconds to call me.

- So, are you coming down? I asked him immediately.

- I'm coming. But I'm warning you, you better not ring the bell.

- I'll be waiting for you by my car. You have ten minutes before I ring the bell.

I hung up smiling. I knew she was at home and that she had lied to me only to not see me. Four minutes later, I saw her walking in my direction.

- It's not good to lie you know, I reprimanded her gently.

- It's not good to harass girls you know, she replied in the same tone.

She nervously fiddled with the bottom of her black vest and looked everywhere around me, deliberately avoiding my gaze.

- Why don't you want to talk to me anymore? It has something to do with what I told you I guess? I questioned her without wasting time.

- Yes. And I already gave you my answer so now I don't want to talk about it anymore.

- Why do not you want ? We both get along well, don't we?