The Eighth Breakup ✓

Chapter 16 I Was Serenading You, Nolan

Chapter 16: I Was Serenading You, Nolan

"Is it safe to put hand sanitizer on my lips?"

"Are you serious?"

I sighed and shoved the hand sanitizer back in my jeans pocket. I didn't need to take a risk of accidentally getting sanitizer in my mouth or dry lips or skin issues.

I clutched my phone tighter next to my ear and gazed out the window at the dark, empty streets passing by. The stupid bus was taking forever to get me home. Dark normally surfaced around five in the evening during the winter. It was already six thirty.

"Paris, just tell me what to do next," I said.

Fortunately, Paris had actually responded back to my text immediately after I had gotten out of the hospital. I called him and briefed him about the events. So far, he had only listened.

"Keep going with it," he replied on the other end. "Keep dropping subtle hints that you're interested in him--"

"It makes me sick--"

"Listen," he interjected, "I know you don't like him. That's not the objective. Like I mentioned before, keep going with what you're doing as of right now."

"Fine," I said, tilting my head back against the seat.

"Valentine's Day is next week, you know," he said casually.

"So?" Didn't he say he had a girlfriend?

"If Nolan doesn't do anything by then, then you should," he paused and continued after a few seconds, "confess your--fake--feelings for him. If he doesn't like you by then, why bother making more and more efforts?"

Okay, so he brought up Valentine's Day for Nolan and me. All in all, his statement brought some relief. I could eliminate Nolan out of my life by next week on Friday . . . or help him somehow.

I preferred the former.

Paris and I chatted about upcoming plans before he had to go. Although I was grateful for his help, it still bothered me why Paris was doing this. He never appeared fond of Nolan.

I reached home later than expected. My parents showed their concern over Nolan's health. I simply told them Nolan--being the dimwit he was--ate the wrong medicine. Lying to them was only saved for special circumstances. We had a quiet family dinner and minded our own business. As usual, I focused on my homework and afterwards, drew out flow charts with actions and consequences.

The following day at school Nolan ignored me.

What the hell!

He wouldn't even look at me! He probably took the cheek kiss too seriously (did I mention I brushed my teeth ten times because of it?)

"Nolan!" We were sitting together at lunch as usual in the school courtyard benches. "Are you on your special day of the month?" That question earned me a glare, but his cheeks turned ever-so-slightly pink. Pale people issues. "What's wrong?" No response. "Did I do something wrong, Nolan?" I asked innocently.

"I know you are my fake girlfriend, but stay within your limits, Helen," he said coldly.

So, it was the kiss.

"What're you talking about?" I pretended to be confused.

"How much hand sanitizer did you use your hands and . . . lips, yesterday?" he asked, his gaze moving from my hands to my mouth. For some reason, it suddenly felt stuffy. He had caught me . . . or so he thought.

"Nolan, don't be ridiculous." He was being such a girl. Couldn't he drop the kiss, which could hardly be considered a peck?! All those relationships messed up his brain. Since he brought it up, I had to "drop subtle hints" that I was "interested" in him. "Sorry if I offended you or something."