•••

•SALOME ALAN•

We laugh our heart out, backs landing on the bed as we do, facing the ceiling which look a lot like mine. I place my hands on my belly to stop myself from laughing. It gradually reduce to giggles. I turn sideways to see him already staring at me, hooded eyes boring into mine like it's the first time he's looking at me.

"What..." I squeal, heat creeping up my neck. I shyishly raise my palms to over my face but he softly put them down, eyes not leaving mine. My eyes blink up to his, indulged in his honey ones.

"You're ethereal," He says, honey orbs drilling into mine, it causes my heart race to accelerate. I swallow, my lips parting yet no word spilling out.

The warmth around my arms make me realize that he's still holding my arms with just one hand. I glanced down at his caramel bigger ones, letting my eyes linger on it.

"I love who I am around you, Salome." His words drag my eyes back to his face. He sigh softly, letting go of my hands. "You don't have to try hard to make me laugh too and that's like... so amazing."

I blush at that, pursing my lips. This is a awesome moment I won't trade with anything. Apart from his peach lips doing the talking, I can see just how deep his words are by staring in his eyes.

He slowly brings one hand to my face, but stop Midway. I can tell he is seeking validation through his questioning eyes so I nod my head, giving in.

His hand goes to my hair line, calmly training his fingers through. My body automatically relaxes to his touch, my body raising and falling in deep breaths.

I didn't know when I shut my eyes to the intensity of just his hand, even when it gets to my cheek, and down to my nape. It's like a sleeping dose in form of flesh, I don't know when I let out a shaky exhale.

"Salome,"

I hum to the sound of my name, too cut in on how his hand feel on my skin, piercing down to my soul. Like leaving plasters and beautiful marks.

"Salome," He call again, but my eyes are heavy with vulnerability. He brings his face nearer, and my heart starts thundering against my chest.

"Happy birthday!"

My eyes fly wide open, my body jolting me to seat up instantly. I stare around my room, my blurry vision clearing at once. Lilac roses, lilac balloons hanged on the ceiling, bunches of gift boxes, and cards, with a huge neatly wrapped cake seating on my reading desk. I rub my eyes with my hands, taking a deep breath, just to hear my aunt's voice.

"Surprise!" She squeals blissfully, laughing.

Soft sounds of chuckles escape my lips as I drop my hands, memories of my wild dream, couple with my aunt dressed in a short multi colored feather dress amazing me at once. She looks like a damn princess, except she's not putting on a crown, her natural black hair falling down her shoulders. She isn't on makeup, but her glowing brown skin isn't missed.

"Happy birthday princess," She laughs, settling beside me, and wrap her hands around me. "You looked like you were having the best dream, but..." She trail off, releasing me. She smells like candy. "The birthday girl has to wake up."

I giggle face down, raising my head up almost immediately. I have to take a glance around my room again because what?! My aunt must have done all these while I was asleep.

"Also, for me to do all these and you still were your dream land without moving at all? Wow!" She exclaim, her reaction emitting nothing but laughter out of me. If only she knew who was in my dreams. To be honest, this wasn't my first time of dreaming about Mr. Alex, but I think I love this the most.

My eyes almost water as I take in the effort she made in decorating my room, turning it to princess lilac setting. I climb down from my bed, almost startled as she rush to bring my flip-flops closer to my legs before I could step down.

I smile up at her, and she shrugs, stepping back to give me way.

"Anything for the birthday girl," She sings, turning around to leave. "Waiting for you downstairs!" She says with a wink, bouncing out of my room.

I watch her leave, my heart swelling with mixture of emotions. I don't know which to feel more. I feel loved, cared for, admired, appreciated, everything... I take another look at my room, making squealing sounds at the littlest difference she made.

Lexi comes rolling his body on the fluffy rug. I shake my head at his cutest, he's been awfully admirable these days, and truthfully, I feel more responsible taking care of a dog. Means I could take care of something bigger. I don't know what I'm saying but oh well...

"Lexi..." I squat and lift him in my arms, smiling bashfully and stroking his fur while staring at my bedroom. "I can't believe I'm eighteen, I feel older." He whine in my arms, probably saying something like, 'Of course you're older!"

I chuckle softly, putting him down. He wastes no time hurrying down, his nose going down in at instant in sniffing.

Wrapping my arms around my body, I strut to my reading desk, peeping at the huge stepped lilac cake. My heart melts at the written text on top.

'A year older, more goddies to you. Maria.'

I can't believe she made this for me.

I stare at the spiral shape cake, my body dissolving with joy at each blink. Slowly, my lips stretch in a smile as I turn around to my bathroom.

•••

I keep admiring the girl in lilac cargo pants, and white round neck crop top in my full sized mirror, smiling, curly back hair packed in a low bun.

She is smiling back at me, and it make me smile more. I glance at my outfit, wondering how my aunt got my exact size of cargo pants. About the color, she made me pick out of rolled papers the other day, saying the one I pick would be the 'colour of the day.' She didn't tell me the lucky colour I picked though, must be lilac.

It's cute.

I can't stop myself from smiling as I stuff my legs in my purple flops, advance to the brown door and pull it open, aromas of spices flooding my nose. Today better prepare itself and be good because I don't plan on forgetting a scene.

Lexi appears beside me as I leisurely walk down the stairs, beaming brightly. I tug down the hem of my top, walking down as elegantly as I can. The second I raise up my head on getting to the last step, my eyes land on Sean. Like he feel my eyes on him from where he's seated in the couch, he raise his head from his phone. My insides bubble up with bliss instantly.

"Sean!" I squeal loudly, rushing over to meet him. He's already on his feet before I get to him and I practically throw my hands around him. "You came..." I tap his broader back, giggling as I depart from him.

He smirk at my act, shoving his hands in his pocket. He's putting on a purple combat trouser, and baggy white round neck shirt. One thing I've noticed about Sean is that he loves baggy clothes. And well, it suits his muscular-not as Mr. Alex-body.

"Yes, as you can see," He casually smiles, bobbing his head a bit. "Happy birthday, stubborn head," He raise his hand and tap my head. He's so tall...

I try to squeeze my face in a frown, but fail horribly and end up laughing. "Yeah yeah, thanks. You of all people know that part of me."

He turn to walk away, mumbling something like, 'if only he knows that too.'

I sprint to his front, blocking his way with my eyes squinted inquisitively. "Hmm? You say?"

Sean stare me and down, then sigh down. He dip his head to my height. "I. Said. Nothing." He cut his words, standing full and looking up, above my head.

"Finally she's here."

I look over my shoulders to the sound of my aunt's voice. She's walking towards us, her feather dress moving according to each step she takes. I give Sean a stern look before moving to meet her. The boy never complete his words!

My aunt wrap me in a warm hug again. "Happy birthday once again, cutie pie." She says, rubbing my back. I relax in her touch, smiling like a five year old.

"Thank you so much, aunt Jenny." I manage to say, heaving a satisfying breath.

She releases me, openly beaming up at Sean who's still standing, staring at us with a small smile playing on his lips. He jerks a thumb back.

"I'll quickly check my sis, be back soon." Sean says, and my aunt nods understandingly. I pout, folding my hands beneath my bust. He laughs softly, turning around to head for the door.

He calmly close the door behind him, then I finally turn to face my aunt. She stir her eyes to me, her eyes glistening with pure happiness. After our chat about dad, I actually got to realise a lot about him, my misconceptions. But yet, still wasn't hundred percent clear to me.

Also, he has work and wouldn't be around for my birthday. Honestly, I understand. I mean I have to understand, right? There are things to be done, and this isn't my last birthday so... I can't believe I'm also beginning to sound older.

"I'll go grab my phone," I quickly remember I have a device, and would definitely be getting calls from my friends. My aunt rolls her eyes at me as I pass her, racing up the stairs to my room.

"Okay but don't take too long, breakfast is almost ready!" I hear her yell from behind me.

"Sure!" I reply, disappearing into the rails at the top, and into my room. My lips widen in another whole full smile on seeing my perfect adobe. I eye search my phone, going over to raise my pillows up. I just have drop it...

Ding ding ding!

It began to ring from my reading desk, alerting me on it's location. Aunt Jenny must have placed it there because I have a sole habit of sleeping with my phone. I grab it, absentmindly settling in my reading chair. ID caller, Zara.

A small smile grease my lips as I tap the green ball to answer.

"Hey, Zara..."

"Happy birthday to you, Salome!" She yells from her end, her voice vibrant and energized. I chuckle softly, playing with the hem of my textbook on the desk, while my right hand hold my phone to my ears. "You're a year older today girl, I know I... You know, fucked up but I have to bring myself to wish you all the good life has to offer from this New age of yours."

I nod with smiles all over, humming and listening to her. I miss hearing her talk to me this way. I miss us in general.

"Also, I want to ask if it's okay I come around today?" Zara questions, sounding skeptical this time like she's not sure I'll accept.

"Yes of course! I'd be so glad," I tell her, hearing her squeal happily on the phone. "Thank you so much for calling."

"Hmm, thank you too." She says, and I slowly pull my phone from my ears, waiting for her to cut the call, just to hear someone's voice beneath from her end, saying something like, 'I'm ready for you.'

My brows furrow in utmost confusion, but before I raise my phone back to my ears, she already cut the call. Okay... what was that?

It was a male's voice, and I'm not quite sure who it belonged to. My phone dings on my hand again, frantically snapping my attention back to the fact that I have loads of birthday messages to reply to.

I start with Kenny's text, finding myself laughing even before I tap it open. Just as I start reading his best wishes for me, my phone begins to vibrate, in no time popping up to be a WhatsApp video call from-

"Mr. Alex?" I grasp on seeing his name on my screen, my phone furiously vibrating on my hand. My heart thunder against my chest as I stare at his caller ID, not knowing if I should accept or decline.

"Oh my god, what do I do..." I whine, my chest thumping against my rigcage in curiosity mixed with fear. My fingers goes up to my mouth, and I chew on it, sweat threatening to break out on my forehead.

The ringing stops, and so does the fast beating of my chest. I blow out air from my mouth, calming my heart by placing my palm on it, just for my phone to start vibrating all over again. My stomach flip at the sudden sound, and I place down my phone with fidgeting hands. He's calling again.

I should pick, I know I have to. But why is it so hard...

"Okay okay, I can do this. It's the same face, it's still him. I'll just..." I suck in my lips, adjusting my phone to stand properly on my arranged textbooks. Dragging in a long breath, I plaster a nervous smile on my face and slowly swipe to answer. I gulp hard as it gradually connect.

Butterfly foam in my stomach the second I'm openly met with Mr. Alex's face on my screen, and it doesn't take two seconds before his eyes connect with mine. His sleepy eyes.

"Hey birthday girl," He smiles a bit, but I am too indulged in his appearance to say a word. It's like something is stuck in my throat, barricading me from voicing out. "How are you?" He asks, voice so calm and alluring. His black hair is looking curler this time, yet neatly carved in all edges. He looks really intimidating, trust me. And his lips...

I open my mouth to talk just as he adjust himself on his bed, sitting up. The view changes as he takes his phone from where he placed it and hold it closer, now sitting on his bed, head rested against his white headboard.

I tear my eyes away for a second, nodding and trying to smile. "I'm... I'm fine, thank you so much." I don't know how my voice sounded but he sure didn't make it more awkward for me. He rubs under his eyes tiredly, heaving a deep sigh. I almost melt on my seat, my head taking me back to his plans for me. I mean, seeing his face is turning me to melted butter talk more of his... plans.

"Can see you got an amazing surprise today, hmm?" He seems to be staring at the interior of my room, making me glance back at my aunt's work of art. Smiles bubble on my lips as I nod, fully smiling toothy.

"Yes, uh, my aunt did it for me actually." I tell him, apparently loosing up a bit. He purse his lips and nod, honey eyes twinkling brightly due to the late morning sun slipping through from his thick curtains above.

"Wow, that's sweet of her." Mr. Alex comments, taking another look, before averting his gaze to me in a second. My heart skip a beat at that, wondering if keeping eye contact would be good on my side. He smoothly runs one hand through his thick black hair, and I get to see the true length, not long yet not as short.

"Yeah..." I drawl, fiddling with the tip of my red pen. "She did it this morning before I woke up." While I was in my Dreamland about you. Can't tell him that though, don't have the balls.

He does the most low key attractive thing, perching his head on his folded knuckle while his hand rest on his lifted knee. I let out a shaky exhale, keeping my eyes on his obvious silver ring on his middle finger.

"Hmm... you also have a cozy looking room too." He adds, eyes blinking as slow as ever. Did he just wake up? Because I've never seen anyone who woke up looking this good.

I take another look over at my room, darting my eyes front almost in an instant. "Really? thanks, I just..." I shrug, suddenly short of words, but then notice how still and collected his brown curtains are. "Yours too, looking professional like you." The rest of my words are more to me but I guess he heard me.

Mr. Alex laughs head down, the phone shaking a bit. I take the opportunity to mentally tap my hand on my head. It feels great making him laugh. What am I saying?

I smile weirdly when he adjust himself again, revealing the whole of his white round neck, thin silver chain peeping out of it.

"Okay... thank you, but why did you say-"

"Salome?"

Shit.

I advert my eyes to my room door in a instant. Aunt Jenny said I shouldn't be long but here I am talking with my teacher on screen. The door knob shakes a bit, and her face is revealed.

"What are you doing?" She ask, staring at me up and down.

I force a wide smile, shaking my head. "Uh, nothing, just..." She's already walking in while I blubber. If she finds out the person on my screen, I don't know how she'd react.

She bob her head, trying to see my phone. "Talking with your friends?"

"Y-yes, I am." I press my lips afterwards, taking a peep at Mr. Alex. He's relaxed, staring at my unsure gestures. How does it have to be so weird...

Aunt Jenny halt right before she get close enough to see and spin around. "Okay, just came to check. Breakfast is ready and served just for you." She winks, then walk out of the door. I smile wildly, nodding and watching her shut the door behind her.

Okay that was close.

I stir my eyes back to my teacher on my screen. He smiles at me, and I scratch my head, not knowing what to say.

"You should have breakfast, I'll text you later." He says, looking up for a second. I wonder what caught his attention.

"Hmm okay."

And he ended it.

My body automatically slouch on the chair I'm seated on, and I drag a long calming breath. That was... I don't know, but I liked it. I really did.

I get up with weak legs, turning around just for my eyes to catch my pink cotton panties folded and laid on my bed. My whole body falls weak as I stare blankly at it, not knowing if I should fall on the ground, or yell. My insides scream in embarrassment, my breathing coming out hitched. Please me he didn't see that, please don't tell me Mr. Alex saw that because if he did...

"No..." I cry out, burying my face in my palms. "No, no, no, no..." He must have seen it, but why didn't he react?

"Ugh..." I growl, peeling my hands off my face and matching to bed to grab my undies from my bed and tuck them in my wardrobe in a harsh manner.

•••

"Okay I know I don't deserve to smile at you after everything, but here," Zara pout, stretching a brown gift bag to me. "Happy birthday Salome."

I stare at her, down to the brown bag in her hand before taking it from her, smiling. "Thank you so much, this is..." I drawl, watching her purse her lips and take her seat back on the high stool. "So sweet of you."

Apparently, Zara kept her promise and came over shortly after breakfast. Aunt Jenny had to run because work called, and Sean is surprisingly still in the living room, tapping away on his phone and giving me and Zara our girls time at the mini bar. I already introduced the two of them earlier.

"Sweet? Me?" Zara rolls her eyes, sighing. "Oh please... I'm honestly still appreciative of the fact that you actually still want to talk to me."

I rest the bag on the smooth counter beside me, and turn to her. "Well, I think it's rational enough for me to want to know your reasons."

Zara nods, her head dropping down to her hands on her laps. She's engulfed in a white summer dress that ends below her knee. I noticed that, because the Zara I knew loved skimpy to the core.

"Uh, I hate to say this, Salome." She finally raise her head, heaving a heavy breath. I adjust in my seat, giving her my undivided attention. "You... you make it seem all perfect, like there are no problems in the world, and no matter what, still manage to rock the universe on your back weightlessly.

I blink at her, my fingers twirling the robe of my trouser in my hand. I make it seem like it's all perfect?

"It got to me," She says, her eyes holding some sort of regret, eyes heavy she divert them from my stare. "And I didn't know how to handle it. I'm sorry."

I swallow, nodding. I don't know what to say at the moment, but I'm surely glad for knowing her mind after all these days. But for me making it seem like it's all perfect? I had no idea.

"No matter What's up with you, you still chin up and smile at everyone, and that's something I should have appreciated." Zara elaborate.

"Yeah..." I mutter, doing a reminisce in my head on the number of times I've acted like it's all lovey dovey. But I can't. It really hasn't always been that way. Has it?

"I'm really sorry, Salome." Zara sounds so remorseful, her tone dropping at every word. I honestly wasn't annoyed with her, I just wanted to understand.

I gulp, biting down my lips as I stare at her sudden pale face. "I'm not mad at you, Zara. I just wanted to understand why, and I do now."

She duck her head, probably checking to see from my facial looks. "Really?"

I nod, smiling a bit. "Yes," I gesture to her with my hand. "You just made me understand. I may seem or look like it's all good, but sometimes..." I trail, taking a deep breath. "I mean, I really can't tell you how to think, but it's really not all perfect with me, or anyone in this world." I declare, because it really isn't.

Zara chew down her lips, her eyes going from my face to her palms.

"I'm glad we could talk about this, really, because I almost freaked out," I spill, making her raise her eyes to me without breaking contact. "Yes, I didn't know what exactly to think."

"Oh..."

"Hmm," I hum and bounce down from the high stool. "Be right back."

I reach for some slices of lilac cake and ice cream, and hand over to both Zara and Sean who didn't notice my presence until I placed the white plate beside him, chuckling and peeping at whatever he's doing on his phone. He easily duck his phone from my view, stiring his eyes up to me as if to ask, really Salome?

•••

It was nice having Zara around, even though her energy was a tad low and there were more of apologizes than our regular girly conversations, i feel a lot better after it.

Right now, it's just me at home and it's currently... I think 3:00pm?

I glance up at the wall clock to see that it's truly 3:01pm. I think I just discovered my talent for time guessing. Hehe.

After Zara and Sean left about an hour and half ago, I've been trying to reply as much messages as I can, yet there keep coming in, even from people I barely talk to in class. I rest my back against the couch, shutting my eyes for a bit and dumping my phone beside me. I reach for my blueberry smoothie and slurp in with the straw, rubbing the side of my eyes, the bright light from the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon almost affecting my eyes.

Can't remember the last time I've been on my phone for this long.

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

Messages notifications keep popping up on my screen, and I swallow the think liquid in my mouth, and pick my phone again, folding my socks covered legs on the couch to get comfortable. While I continue replying birthday texts, my mind slowly drift back to the dream I had, and my teacher's face on my screen. He looked so fine... I can't believe I still drool this much even with how much I've seen his face.

My chest jumps when a text comes in from you know who. I press my lips to stop myself from smiling as I tap our chat opened. To be honest, I've been waiting for his text. But that's between us, hehe...

Mr. Alex; Would you be chanced to go out by 5? If no, it's completely fine..

Oh hell yes!

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