Carl couldn’t muster the courage to go back to Florentine’s room that day, he was already livid that the girls had caught him by her door so he didn’t want to take any chances. During the weekend games he found himself unable to take his eyes off her, especially with the way she was dressed that day. Her attire accentuated her features more, she looked a lot younger than what her usual style made her be. She let her hair fall and it was beautiful, having a loose wave to it.
She just looked different and better. He really couldn’t concentrate on the game and it wasn’t just because of the way she looked that day.
Ever since that night he had harrassed her, his mind was never at ease and like karma, he began to see her at every corner he turned to. Almost like he was being reminded that he was yet to give a proper apology to her.
Today, he decided to meet her by every means possible. He wasn’t going to let anything distract him so he came to her room once again.
He landed a knock on her door and when she asked to know who it was he remained silent. He knocks two more times before the door suddenly t
yanks open. Florentine is shocked to see Carl and fear creeps up her eyes. She tries to close her door but Carl stops her by wedging it.
“Florentine, hold on, please….” He begged still holding the door. Her expression is filled with fear and he hates himself for making her feel that way. He wasn’t a terrible person, but she treated him like one and it was his fault.
“What are you doing here?” She asked and one could sense the fear in her voice. Back at the tennis court, she didn’t see him as someone she should be scared of, instead she had a different kind of interest in him, one that she was yet to put a name on. All she knew was that his stares made her heart flutter.
“I came to see you.” He said desperately.
“I don’t want to see your face.” She said and tried to close the door again but Carl’s grip on it was too firm that she couldn’t match his strength. She finally leaves the door, giving up on struggling with Carl.
“What do you want from me? I already told you I don’t want to see you.” She said sounding irritated.
“I need to speak with you. Would you let me?” Carl pleaded. He really needed it otherwise his conscience wouldn’t let him rest.
“I’m not letting you in, not after what you did the last time.”
“Then let me make it up to you. I beg you….” Florentine freezes with the way he spoke, he sounded really remorseful but she was skeptical.
“How do you plan to do that?” She says folding her arm across her chest. “Or have you come to finish what you started?”
“You think I’d be out of my mind to try anything stupid knowing everyone is around?” He said but in a calm voice.
“I don’t trust you Carl.”
“I don’t deserve your trust Florentine.”
“I don’t like you….” Carl paused and stares at her deeply then she blinks feeling uncomfortable. He observed her then chuckled while wiping his jaw.
“You don’t have to like me but we can take a walk and talk properly.” His lips curved into a smile he didn’t realize looked inappropriate to Florentine. It was flirtatious. She gulps hard and looks away from him, her heart had started racing. She chose to believe it was because of the anger she felt just now. Her emotions were fired up.
“It’s nine in the night.” She said after what seemed like a minute silence.
“Everywhere is still bubbling but I don’t think you take much walk at night. You should try one today.” Carl was right, taking a stroll alone at night only made her feel lonely, so she stopped doing them.
She didn’t know why but she felt she could actually trust him. There was an aura of warmth around him which made her feel safe and something in her wanted his company. Something exciting was running inside her.
“I’ll grab a jacket.” She said to Carl’s surprise. He had only hoped she would accept but didn’t expect her to. She comes out shortly with a jacket over her night wear.
He rakes his eyes over her body which gets her uncomfortable and her heart leaps excitedly. She didn’t want to believe the thought that crossed through her mind just now. Was she looking attractive? Because his eyes spoke those words.
“What is it?”
“I was thinking you’d cover up more properly. The night is really cold.” Her excitement dies down instantly, she felt embarrassed. Why was she feeling guilty now, she wasn’t trying to seduce him or show him that she had a nice body. She nodded and changed into a sweat pant, a top and the jacket over her shoulder.
“Didn’t know you had such clothing in your wardrobe. You always wear dresses or skirts.”
“Are you here to scrutinize my dressing or do you want a walk?” She spoke rudely but Carl chuckled feeling amused.
“I want a stroll.” He spoke in a low voice lowering his gaze to her lips. Was he intentionally picturing parts of her body he shouldn’t or could his eyes not resist settling on those parts? Her thoughts kept going wild.
“Then let’s walk.” She said and shut her door. Carl showed her the way and they began walking. He took her outside and they stopped just at the stairs.
“Where do you want us to stroll to?” He asked and she shook her head not having an answer.
“You brought me out here, shouldn’t you be the one to choose?” She was harsh again but Carl didn’t mind. Her temper was something he could handle.
“I was thinking we’d go to the tennis court.”
Florentine looked surprised. “Why there?”
“You left the game before it ended and you seemed pissed off. Was it because I had been participating?”
“Everything isn’t about you Carl. You’re not important at all”
“Okay….” He said, his tone conveying his mood. Florentine feels guilty thinking she might be overreacting. “Shall we?” He says stretching forth his hand for her but she scoffs and walks before him.
“You’re a joker. Do you think I’m a kid you could just walk hand in hand with?”
“Is that your major concern or that people will see and talk?” She stops and glares at him.
“If you’re going to piss me off throughout this walk I better go back in.” She says and tries to walk past him but he blocks her and almost bumps into him.
“Hold on…. Okay I’m sorry if I pissed you off. I was just concerned.”
“No, you were making fun!” She scolds glaring daggers at him. He remains silent and rubs his forehead as if stressed out.
“Okay, I’m sorry.” He apologized again weakening her. She thought she would get a defensive response so that she could react back and leave him to go back to her room but with each response he surprised her causing her heart to leap.
“Can we go on?” She eyes him and turns around walking ahead of him but feels uncomfortable walking alone without him by her side. She noticed she needed the warmth his closeness provided. Was she that hard on him that he was scared of walking beside her?
While she was in her thoughts she felt him walking in a haste towards her till he stood beside her.
“I’m not going to say anything if you don’t want me to.” He said and all she could feel was joy. Why was this feeling in her heart. It was nothing, she was certain it was just the joy of walking with someone. She would feel this way even if it were any other person.
“Lies.’ the voice in her head spoke but she ignored it. She could feel her heart beating loud and fast and it was because Carl was close to her.
She had noticed him watching her throughout Saturday general games and that was when the sparks she felt seemed more noticable. She had noticed it on the first night but brushed it off and now this night, the feeling seemed to be growing.