When Love and Hate Collide

Chapter 13- Someone Else's

CHAPTER 13- SOMEONE ELSE'S

TANNER'S POV

I was getting myself ready to ask Kisses to be my partner for the prom. With a bouquet in hand and courage to back me up, I walked up to her to the dining table in Matheson Bldg. Girls looked at me, some of them were the ones who walked up to me to ask me to be their date. Swoons and sighs can be heard and some glares from the guys. I wanted to use some curse words when I saw that Barber was there, watching, challenging. I know very well that Prof. Roth wanted them to pair up this coming prom night but a part of me was still hoping that Kisses be against it. Another part of me was also scared because of the lack of word war between the two.

I took a sharp intake of breath as I walk towards their table. She had her back turned against me and I saw Maymay bouncing on her seat and tapping her hand, directing her to look at my direction. She turned her head to me, mouth slightly agape as she saw the bouquet of flowers in hand.

I was already in front of her. I held out the flowers to her and smiled. A confused look crossed her face. "Tanner, what's this?" she asked.

"I, I was wondering, will you allow me to be your date for the prom night?" my heart was pounding in my chest. This was make or break and everyone was watching but I didn't care about that.

I saw Maria mouth an "Oh." Maymay squealed. Yong leaned his back on his chair.

Kisses looked bothered and sorry at the same time though. "Can we go out for a while Tanner?" she said. Barber snorted, seemingly amused with the situation. Kisses shot him a stern look. He just shrugged it off and went back to his food.

She placed the flowers on top of the table and we walked out of the building, out of everyone's ear shot. As we stood in the roofed walkway, she faced me and said, "Tanner, I'm sorry."

"I guess it's a No." She nodded. "It's okay. I actually expected it." I smiled at her, just so to alleviate whatever guilt she might be feeling for rejecting my proposal.

"Huh? You already expected it?" she said.

"Yes, Steph and I overheard Barber and Professor Roth's conversation. I know both Heads of the Prom Committee will be each other's date for the Prom. I guess I'm just too stubborn for my own good."

She took my hand and gave me an apologetic look. "I don't really know what to say now."

"You don't have to say anything. It's okay. You can't control it." I paused for a while and suddenly I don't know what happened but I suddenly burst. "One more thing, i don't know how I can keep this anymore. I was planning to tell you this on Prom night but well you are not my date, so it's better to tell you this now." I breathed deep and held her by the shoulders. "I'm in love with you. Ever since we were young I always did. I haven't told you before because I was afraid I'd lose your friendship but I really want you to know now."

I felt her tense underneath my touch. She looked dumbstruck and later on another sorry look etched her face. It took her a few moments to actually speak. "Tanner." She shook her head. "Tanner, look. I, I love you. I really do but not in the same way you want me to."

Double whammy.

Pain crossed my chest as I processed her words in my head. Not in the same way I do love her. I just got bestfriendzoned. "I'm sorry, Tanner." I got back to reality as I heard her voice again and it was shaking, as if trying to control herself from crying.