In Love With The Wrong Guy Chapter 4

         That Saturday night didn’t come too long. It was Winnie’s birthday, and I promised I would come. I haven’t talked to Nick since that Math class, so I was terribly nervous about going. It was four o’clock, and I was already dressed. Well, I just wore my favorite shirt, jacket and shorts, all of them of violet. That’s my favorite color. I wore my boots that reached up to my knee.

         Mom was not home, so I was basically bumped at home, a little scared. I tried calling Laura, but she wasn’t answering. I didn’t know what to do. I told Laura I would pick her up by seven, but I didn’t know what to do with Nick. He was totally speechless after I denied him in front of Alex. I felt so sorry for him, but I couldn’t help but leave it like that because I didn’t it to somehow affect Alex. I was frustrated with all that had happened, but I couldn’t help but get excited. I felt like Alex was totally in to me especially after he asked Winnie about me, having a boyfriend. I was filled with thoughts as I was feeling buried down our couch.

         I was just about to flood myself with further anxiety when I heard a knock at the door. I didn’t who it was. I just thought it could be Laura. But Laura’s house wasn’t nearby, so I still wondered. When I went and opened the door, I was surprised to find Nick. He was wearing a black sweater. It didn’t take long for me to realize it was the sweater I gave him before for Christmas. He shot his hands into his pockets as he smiled and said, “Hi.”

         “Nick!” I gave that as a response. “Hey!”

         “So, you up for the birthday?” he chuckled buoyantly, like there was nothing bugging him. That got me wondering. I thought he was still mad or something, but somehow, I felt glad that he was fine.

         “Yeah!” I smiled back, hoping it was all okay. “I was just waiting for Laura.”

         “Okay. You mind if I go with you?” his smile went down, but it didn’t seem like a bad thing; he just seemed shy.

         “Sure!” Finally, I had to do him a favor. I pulled the door open and said, “Come in! I’m sure Laura’s on her way.”

         “Thanks.” His smile went back up as he walked in.

         I closed the door and walked him to the living room. He didn’t seem to be up to something, or maybe I was just taking myself too high. I just thought a casual conversation could work.

         “So, how’s the baby?” I started as he sat on our living room couch. “I mean to thank you for doing it for me.”

         “It’s okay, and the baby turned out fine and easy to deal with.” He smiled.

         “Really?”

         “Yeah,” he shoved a chuckle and started to explain how the baby works, “It was actually just in the mechanics of the baby. I talked to our neighbor who graduated in Neptune High, and he said they were given the exact same assignment last year by the SexEd teacher.”

         “Wow,” I gave as a fake reaction though I truly didn’t care. “Pretty sneaky.”

         “Well, what’s sneaky is that I got those things figured out.”

         “What? The dolls?” Suddenly, I was interested.

         “Yeah,” he laughed and slapped his thighs. “You see, the baby has a timer in it. You are graded based on how less the time of crying the baby does. The bottle reacts like a signal or whatever, but it stops the baby from crying. So, what I did was find the battery and take it off. That way, the baby won’t be doing any crying.”

         “Oh,” I was amused. Nick really went far for me. I smiled and felt lucky to have been his friend. I felt like regretting that I ever wanted him off my life. He was a perfect friend. He was always there for me even when I didn’t ask him. I just thought I owed him my gratitude, “I really don’t know what to say. Thanks, Nick. I really owe you big time.”

         “That’s no big deal. I can always do it for you.” Somehow, he seemed like he was trying to be charming with his unusual smile, but I just thought it was something good. Before I could have said anything which could have been random, my phone rang. I did a quick shove to my pocket and saw that Laura was calling.

         “Where are you?” I answered her call.

         “Hey, Liyah! Can you pick me up?”

         “Where are you?” I insisted that she answer my question first.

         “Just by the pizza house.”

         “Okay. Why are you there?”

         “Had a date.”

         “You had a date, and you didn’t tell me?” I kidded. Of course, Laura wouldn’t really tell me who she’d date because she always liked guys that are somehow annoying to me. Her types were exactly the opposites of mine.

         “You’ll the shit out of me if I told you.”

         “True.” I said. “Who are you with anyway?”

         “Get over here so you can meet him.” She said. I heard a giggle, like she was cuddling with someone.

         “Fine. We’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

         “We? You with Nick?” she sounded like she was teasing again. I tried not to care.

         “Yeah. He’s here.” I tried to sound normal so she wouldn’t say anything annoying.

         “So, was the sex good?” she teased, and I realized I failed with my attempt.

         “Hell, we didn’t. Shut up or I won’t pick you up.” I said. Nick remained quiet. He probably figured out who was calling and what she was calling for.

         Laura laughed before spouting another word, “Okay! See ‘ya.”

         “Let’s go.” I assumed Nick understood what Laura asked me to do, and I was right.

         On the way to the pizza house with my mom’s car, Nick was silent. He sat next to the driver and left his window opened. He was laying his arm on the opened window as his hair was brushed by the wind. He remained silent as he was staring up at the dark skies. Somehow, I thought it was a bit weird. I did a few turns of head to Nick, but he still wasn’t talking. He’d always been the one to start a conversation, so I thought I should be the one to start that night.

         “I like the sweater.” Well, I thought it was the best way to start a conversation.

         “It’s the one you gave me for Christmas.” He said, and I was sure he was smiling even when my eyes were on the windshield.

         “I know. I was just making you realize that I have good taste in sweaters.” I kidded.

         “Yeah, you have.” He chuckled. “It’s my favorite sweater. It’s cozy compared to the others.”

         “Thanks.” I smiled back, remaining my look on the road. “I actually took the time to choose that.”

         “I never realized that.” He said. Usually, I’d get displeased if someone told me that, like I never take time and effort for someone, but for someone like Nick, I’d say he had all the right to say that because I had been treating Nick like shit even when he did everything to help me out. Nick just acted the way people act towards presents and said, “But I really appreciate this. Thank you.”

         I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t feeling angry or anything. I think I was just feeling lazy or discouraged to talk. He didn’t talk either. Seconds passed by the silence, and we were still not talking. He was turning to me, waiting for me to saying something. I felt a bit awkward, so I thought I should talk to break the awkward atmosphere, “Thanks for taking care of the doll.”

         “No sweat.” He said, and I didn’t realize we were getting near the pizza house. I guess I was a bit disturbed by Nick. I didn’t know what that weird feeling was. It was always awkward with Nick, but that night was especially awkward.

         “There they are.” I pointed to Laura as I saw her with a guy on the side of the road. Nick leaned to see the guy better. I couldn’t see him either until we got near. I slowed down to them, and I felt the weirdest shit ever when I saw Laura was with Harvey Tan. I stopped the car beside them, and from Nick’s window, I leaned to them and said, “What the hell, Laura? Why are you dating this jerk?”

         “Hey!” Harvey reacted. “I’m not that bad!”

         “Stop over-reacting, Liyah.” Laura laughed as she pulled Harvey’s hand to the door of the back seats. “I know you’d dance over Harvey’s spinning stick around your mouth.”

         “You’re disgusting.” I said. Of course, I didn’t care about what she said. Laura was actually quite a whore, but she just didn’t care. She found enjoying everything most important, and that was –according to her- having sex with attractive guys. Well, Harvey wasn’t really attractive if I was to be asked, but I gotta say he’s quite good-looking. He was just so far from at least being my type. Anyway, I just told them to proceed, “Just get the crap in the car.”

         “Thanks, beautiful.” Harvey complimented me. He never meant any complimented he ever said. Of course, I did not believe that, nor did I get flattered. Maybe if it was from Alex, I would have blushed.

         “Whatever.” I said as Laura pushed herself in the backseats, and Harvey followed her in.

         “Isn’t the gentleman supposed to help the lady get in the car?” I teased.

         “Oh, shut up, Liyah.” Laura laughed. “He did that for me when we got to the pizza house.”

         “Hey, Laura’s a feminist like you, ‘ya know.” Harvey said.

         “She’s not. She’s sometimes as helpless as shit.” I said.

         “Hey, I’m not!” Laura denied. We were obviously trying to keep the humored atmosphere up.

         “And I actually find it a little weird that two people date in a pizza house.” I continued to tease Harvey. “Doesn’t that like break your romantic moments?”

         “She chose the place.” Harvey said. Of course, he usually covered for himself.

         “Yes, I did.” Laura said as she leaned over the front seats. “I find it helps make the date more erotic.”

         “How does that help make it erotic?” I turned around to Laura.

         “Nothing. It’s just my type.” Laura answered.

         “You two are such-”

         “Hey, I thought we were going to Winnie’s?” Harvey interrupted me and demanded that we go.

         “Yeah! I think we’re blocking the way!” Laura added.

         I found that a bit true. We were blocking the way, so I guessed it was best to get the car moving. And with what Harvey had just said, I felt a bit excited to go to Winnie’s. Somehow, I felt like I needed to be on top of Alexander. I felt all slutty again. I used to get that all the time whenever I was with Laura, and that night was with Harvey, so I was a tramp to a whole new level. I just looked forward to seeing Alexander, resisting my urge to hold him around my arms.



         We got to Winnie’s house for about half an hour after we picked up Laura and Harvey. Well, they made the ride a lot noisier. Nick still didn’t talk the whole time. It was just me, Harvey, and Laura that were making conversations, but I thought it wasn’t a problem. Just when we parked on the side of the road of Winnie’s mansion, Harvey started saying stuff about not going.

         “Are you sure about this?” he said.

         “Why? What was that thing you three idiots were talking about the other day about Winnie?” I turned to see him. Of course, I wanted to know more about that.

         “That’s nothing!” he laughed and tried to make a joke out of it. He just laughed while Nick, Laura, and I remained in a silent curiosity. Somehow, the atmosphere became serious.

         I just thought for a second and I tried to get Harvey alone, “Nick do you mind escorting Laura in first? I think I have something to talk to him with.”

         “Why? What’s up?” Laura interrupted.

         “Okay, Liyah. You’re really making a big deal out of this.” Nick said.

         “Nick.” I faced Nick. “Please?”

         “Fine.” Nick rolled to his side and opened the door out. “Come on, Laura.”

         “What’s this about?” Laura was confused. Of course, she knew nothing about what we were talking about.

         “I need to talk with your boyfriend for a sec, Laura.”

         “Well, he’s not my boyfriend.” She corrected.

         “What? Really?” Harvey reacted to Laura.

         “Well, not yet.”

         “I thought you were my girlfriend since our first date.” Harvey stated.

         “So, this wasn’t your first date? How come I didn’t know about this?” I claimed. Some part of me rushed, like I wanted to see Alexander as soon as possible.

         “Because you were busy having sex with Nick.” She kidded with her slut voice. That didn’t really offend me since Nick didn’t hear… hopefully.

         “Shut up. Get the hell out. Nick’s waiting outside.” I pointed her out the door.

         “What fuck!” then, she decided to obey and just get out.

         “Why the heck are you serious about this?” Nick closed the door as soon as Laura went out.

         “Hell, I’m serious. What happened?”

         “About what?” He laughed and sounded completely like he was hiding something.

         “What the hell were you talking about Winnie the other day?”

         “That’s fucked up.” He continued laughing.

         “Okay. I’ll just ask Alexander about this.” I rushed to get my phone just on top of the drawer.

         “Hey, don’t! Sander’s gonna think I’m such a dick if he’d ask Winnie about that, and it’ll spread!”

         “What will spread?”

         “All right.” Harvey sighed. So, I was able to confirm that it wasn’t just my exaggeration. Something DID happen between them. “But you must promise not to tell anyone. It’ll kill me.”

         “I’ve kept a thousand secrets. Tell me.”

         “Okay.” Harvey took a breath as I sat better. “You probably don’t know that I had a huge crush on Winnie since I was in elementary.”

         “Really? You do?”

         “Yeah. And I more than like her.”

         “You’re in love with Winnie?” I asked. Somehow, that sounded convenient probably because that can possibly get in the way of Alexander and Winnie just in case.

         “Yes. I’m serious about it.” Harvey started to sound serious. I haven’t seen him talk like a man before. I guess I was too judgmental. “I never had a crush on any other girl. Even if the other girls including Laura look so hot, I never want to hold anyone else more than I want with Winnie.”

         “Oh my God.” I reacted. Harvey suddenly was this keeper guy. “Are you lying? That doesn’t sound like you at all.”

         “Hey! Guys aren’t normally supposed to talk like this.”

         “Well, that’s true.” I agreed. “Go on.”

         “Well, Winnie had this birthday party last year. I don’t think I saw you there.”

         “No. I wasn’t there. I lacked the motivation to go.”

         “Since I got a bit closer to Winnie back in junior high, she asked me a favor to bring Dante Parker to her birthday. He’s Winnie’s crush, and she was too shy to invite him.”

         “Dante Parker?” I reacted with disgust. Dante Parker was one of the quarterbacks of Neptune High. He was a popular senior back when we were in junior high. He was really popular for being good at football and being good-looking at the same time. All the girls wanted one of those popular and muscular quarterback boys as boyfriends. Well, not me. Anyway, Dante already graduated though.

         “Yes. She asked me to bring him to her last year’s birthday, and I promised to bring him.”

         “You didn’t, did you?”

         “Of course, I didn’t. I can’t stand to see the girl I love cuddle with some guy that barely even knows her! Anyway, I still made her think that he was coming.”

         “How?”

         “I told her he would be running a little late, so she anticipated his arrival ‘til the end of her party.”

         “She waited?”

         “Of course. There were a lot of people there, so she was pretty occupied, but she kept asking me again and again if Dante was ever there. Since he wasn’t coming, I kept saying that he wasn’t there yet.”

         “Then?”

         “Then, she was starting to worry that Dante wasn’t coming. I kinda’ figured something out so she’d stop worrying, so when the party ended, I said I had a surprise for her.”

         “What surprise?”

         “The 10-minutes-in-heaven game… ever heard about that?”

         “No.”

         “Jason, Samuel, and I told her that she’d go in a blind fold in her closet and Dante was going in with her for ten minutes.”

         “Oh, that scheme. She believed that? So, what happened.”

         “She was blindfolded. She thought the guy who went in was Dante.”

         "Oh my God.” I reacted. “Did you make out with her in their closet?”

         “Yes. I made out with her. It was the best kiss of my life. It wasn’t just that. She was getting a little hot, and we started to get a little dirty.”

         “Did you have sex with her in our junior high in a closet at her birthday party?”

         “Well, yes. In a way, no. She thought I was Dante, and I pushed it a little far. You know, how guys aren’t able to stop their urge to have sex when a hot girl is there?”

         “No. I don’t know that feeling at all. What else happened?”

         “I did what I could to keep her blindfold on.”

         “You two got naked, and she didn’t even bother to get her blindfold off?”

         “Well, we weren’t naked.” His voice sounded a little shy when he continued, “I pulled her panties down.”

         “You are so dirty!” I felt a little angry though I didn’t really care that much.

         “I’m sorry, okay?” Harvey said. “I couldn’t help myself back then! It’s not like you’re able to resist having sex with a guy that you like so much.”

         I was a bit stunned. What he said was true. I probably wouldn’t be able to resist sex with Alexander. I just tried to understand him and just appreciated that he told me something, “Okay. I understand. Thanks for telling me.”

         “You’re welcome.” He made it sound a little sarcastic.

         “So, how did she know it wasn’t Dante having sex with her?”

         “I thought she wasn’t going to know, so I never told her it was me.”

         “Idiot!” I said. “How did she know it wasn’t you?”

         “Well, she kinda’ talked to Dante before his graduation, and she found out.”

         “You should have told her. She could have understood how you felt only if you had explained.”

         “Yeah.” He nodded and stared. Then, he started talking again, “But I guess she can never accept me after she started thinking that I raped her.”

         “Well, you did.”

         “I know, and I wish I could have turned things around.” Harvey really seemed sorry for Winnie. I could see the regret in his face. His sad face resembled something, like Nick’s expression when I broke up with him.

         I was a surprised. I never expected a guy like Harvey to be someone so serious about a girl. I was wrong about him, and I definitely admitted it. My hands clenched as I processed my thoughts. I felt so left behind. After all those time that I thought I was so mature in love, Harvey was something more. I hated myself for thinking that. I felt so below everyone.

         “I’m sorry,” was all I could say.



         Harvey and I awkwardly made our way to get inside Winnie’s house. We were both silent. I was shocked with what I had just heard, and he was still bummed by past. We started to hear the noise from the party just as soon as we stepped foot on their lawn. I noticed Harvey to be walking slower as we get nearer. Even when I strike looks at him, his eyes were glued to the windows upstairs. I stopped, and he did, too, but he never took his sight off from above.

         “Remembering something?” I asked as I reached down my pockets to get some warmth on my hands. Somehow, I was a little nervous, too- not just because of Alex, but because I was with Harvey.

         “Yeah,” he said quietly, his eyes still glued on the window. “From that window, I can see the room where that closet is.”

         “You know, you don’t have to go.” I said. Of course, I was concerned with what might have happened. In any way, Laura could still have been involved.

         After a slight moment, Harvey finally paid his attention to me, “Really?” he said in a faint and weak voice. I could see he was serious, not the usually Harvey I used to see everyday.

         “I mean. I get it.” I tried to explain. I looked down and back at him, trying to make the words sound okay. “You don’t want to hurt Winnie. I don’t, either. I know maybe begging for her forgiveness is the best thing to do, but maybe not tonight. It’s her birthday. It might ruin her night.”

         “Okay.” He replied. “But I already tried about a dozen times for her forgiveness, but she still hates me.”

         “You know.” I started. “I’m in no position to give advice. I’ve never been in any situation like that. I’ve never been in love before. So, maybe just decide what you’ll do.”

         “Well, I made it here for a reason, didn’t I?” Harvey smiled again. It seemed like the old him was back. And I think I preferred it that way. The serious version of him was too awkward to deal with.

         “You made it here because you used my best friend to get here.”

         “Hey! That’s not true!” He denied. “I like Laura. She’s just so inspiring.”

         “If you mean inspiring by sexually dirty, then you’re right.”

         “That’s true.” He chuckled. “But that’s not why I think she’s inspiring. She’s just happy and carefree all the time. Sometimes, I wish I could be the same.”

         “Yeah. I get jealous of her sometimes.” I stated.

         “It’s true, right?” he chuckled. “She’s so bright.”

         “Yes, she’s so happy. Please try not to change that.”

         “I won’t.” he talked like normal again, with that teasing facial expression. “That’s why I’m coming in.”

         “How about you try to avoid Winnie inside?”

         “I will.” Harvey started burning in confidence again and started walking to the door. “And because I’ve been in her parties before, I know exactly how many people there are to avoid her.”

         “I know, too.” I followed to the door. “There’s a real bunch since that’s a mansion.”

         “Yeah. Winnie’s a real big time.” He said as we stopped in front of the door and pressed the doorbell.

         About five seconds later, someone opened the door. The noise was much clear when the door let it out. I recognized the girl who opened the door. She’s someone from school, probably friends with Winnie. It’s without a doubt possible that Winnie has like hundreds of friends at school since she was amazingly friendly and cute, pretty much like Alex. I realized how exactly good they are with each other, and I couldn’t help but feel downed and jealous.

         “Hello there, Harvey!” the girl greeted Harvey and soon faced me. “You’re Liyah, right?”

         “Right!” I tried to fake a smile for her since she seemed really nice.

         “Hey, Katrina!” Harvey greeted back. “How’s the party?”

         “Katrina Elise?” I repeated, trying to give a fuck. “You leaded the school play last year?”

         “Yes, that’s me. And the party is great!” she quickly reached for our arms and pulled us in the house. The music became louder and clearer for me. We both got a sight of all the people that were dancing and talking. They were all in delight. The pop song that was playing matched up the pink lights that were flashing.

         “Come! I’m sure Winnie’s waiting for you!” Katrina tried to pull us further into the crowd.

         Harvey pulled his hand off from Katrina’s force when he heard that. He stopped and kinda’ freaked out, “It’s okay!” he said nervously . Katrina stopped pulling us and listened to Harvey. She let go of her grip on my arm. Harvey just explained, “We’ll find her on our own. Thank you.”

         “Okay.” Katrina agreed and smiled. “I’ll see you around, then!”

         “Okay!” Harvey repeated, and Katrina left.

         “What now?” I asked him. It was actually good that he can hear me with the loud music that played.

         “I thought we were supposed to meet Laura?”

         “Yeah. We are.”

         “So, we go and find her.” He stated in a kidding manner.

         “Why not call her?” I asked.

         “I don’t have her number.”

         “You were dating, and you don’t have her number?”

         “Hey, we spoke a lot in person!” he said.

         “And I didn’t know about that.”

         “Then, why don’t you call her?” he threw the question back to me.

         “I left my phone at home.”

         “What?!!” He over-reacted. “What kind of girl leaves her phone at home when going to a party at this time of night?”

         “Strong women. I left it on purpose.” I answered straight on. “So, we’ll just have to find her.”

         “That’s such a drag! This is supposed to be a party night, not a search patrol.”

         “Oh, come on. Let’s just split up. We’ll find Laura quicker and Nick.” At first, I said that because I tried to make it sound like we needed to cover more distance to find Laura, but I actually said that because I wanted to see Alexander, and I thought I wouldn’t be able to do that if Harvey was on my tail, so I walked away from him before he could have denied to split up.

         “I don’t think-” Harvey tried to say before I walked away into the crow. I left Harvey to his own.

         I tried to search every part of the house to where Alexander was. First, I picked into the room of gamers. I saw people cheering for that video game that they play with that surf board. It was like a wii with a surf board as a remote. I thought it would have been fun to play a surfing video game, but I also thought that it would have been enchanting if I find Alexander right away, so I just proceeded on trying to find him. I figured Alex liked crowds since he was a friendly guy, so I tried to find crowds and see if Alex is there. Unfortunately, I didn’t find him.

         I searched everywhere for like half an hour. Winnie’s house was really big. I mean, it was a mansion, so there could have been tons of places Alex could have been. I even searched in their Jacuzzi, hoping to see Alexander there, half-naked, but still no luck. I went to Winnie’s room, but not even Winnie was there. I searched everywhere, but I didn’t see a glimpse of Alex. I got a little tired after searching for more than half an hour, so I decided to have a seat upstairs at the balcony where Winnie and I used to hang out before just so I could get a little quiet time. I crossed past their third living room before getting to their balcony. It was dark there, and there was barely even noise. I felt the wind chill me even with my jacket on, so I crossed my arms. There wasn’t much light while I walked to the balcony. There was just that light from the street post. It became a little unexpected when I saw a shadow on the floor of the balcony. I couldn’t see it before I slid the balcony door open. Then, I saw a guy turn around slowly to see who slid the door open, a guy I never anticipated to see there. I saw Alex. I was dazzled.

         Why is he here? What should I do? Why is he alone? Should I ask him? But what if it’s personal?

         A lot of questions that I couldn’t ask popped up in my head. I was about to say something until his smile took my breath away. I thought that moment was given to me for a reason. I made a quick vow to never screw it up. My thoughts kept shouting: This is your chance! Fight! Fight! Fight!