| LEXI MICHAELSON |

The pool fun was amazing to say the least. Half the time, I was admiring Blake's physical appearance, and half the time we spent talking or playing with an inflated pool ball.

I got to know so much. Like how Blake sensed that I was gonna fall into the pool so he ran towards me as fast as he could into the water. How Madison was not around when it all happened. How Blake knew I was not fond of swimming. But as we got out of the pool after good two hours, when I was drying myself by the towel, I found Blake staring at me time to time. His eyes were intense and I felt butterflies in my empty stomach. I even asked what the matter was with him, he just shook his head in denial and walked off to dry himself.

Finally, here we are. Me, Blake and Madison, perched on the floor, eating pizza because everyone left and party was over. As soon as pizza arrived, we all started eating but not before Blake handed me a slice. It was enough for me after two slices even though Blake insisted on eating another.

"Blake, no. I can't eat another slice..." I requested through my eyes.

Because Madison didn't know about me being an ex-anorexic patient, and I intended to keep it hidden for as long as I could.

Blake seemed confused but after few seconds, he nodded his head understandingly. "I get it. But you need to eat more or else-"

"Blake, please." Feeling a bit annoyed, I got up and left the area where we were sitting and walked up to Madison's room to collect my things.

I took out my phone to text Isaac to pick me up because it was past seven and plus, I didn't bring my car. After I was finished texting him, I felt someone's presence behind me.

"I'm sorry." Blake's raspy and low voice rang through my ear and I noticed his hands sliding across my waist from behind, and his head rested on my left shoulder. He was basically hugging me from behind.

"It's fine." I replied shortly.

"I didn't mean to upset you..." His breath fanned my neck and I gulped.

But I moved away before anything could happen. I cleared my throat and spoke, "I do not want Mads to know, yet. I opened up to you, but it doesn't mean you could tell it to anyone else."

Blake looked at me dumbfounded. "I did not tell anyone."

"I know. You were making a situation where I'd have to tell Mads." I said, not knowing where this boldness came from.

"I was not. Now, please let's not make it an issue. I'm trying to make things work between us." He said, his eyes solemnly showing sincerity.

"Please, do me a favour. And forget I ever opened up to you."

My tongue just wouldn't stop speaking!

I regretted the moment I let the words out because Blake's mouth was opened in utter shock.

"You-... You can't just make me forget, Lexi. It's printed on my mind." He walked closer to me. "Lexi, I don't know if it's your fault or not, but the thing I know for sure is that you can only lure me in with a blink of your eyes. You can't just command me to forget whatever we had, Lexi. I fell for you. You hear that? I fell for you."

"I know! Damn it! I know, but you can't also command me to fall for you too. You have to understand... It's too difficult." I said lightly between annoyance and frustration.

"Difficult? What's difficult? Giving someone a chance is not really difficult, Lexi. What are you so afraid of? Tell me." Blake's voice was not hushed or felt frustrated. He was calm and talking normally. Whereas, I was getting a frustrated mess.

But before I could reply, Madison's loud voice boomed through the room.

"Lexi! Your brother is here to pick you up! Come downstairs!"

I just smiled, and looked back at Blake who had a thinking face on. "You're leaving?"

"Yeah. And probably will. There's no chance for us, Blake. You need to accept that. Not until the end of the university anyway. And I know, you wouldn't exactly wait for me to finish university." I smiled sadly. Wish he would.

"Lexi wait-" Blake held my elbow and I turned back. Disappointment clouded his eyes. "Just... Why? Why isn't there a chance for us?"

"I can't let go of the twenty years of strong relationship for just one year of relationship." I nodded meekly and then left the room.

***

Isaac nodded at me when I walked downstairs and met a grinning Madison.

"Until next time! And, oh my Gosh did I tell you that I'm going on a trip to Spain?" Madison hugged me.

"Really? In the middle of semester?" I said.

"Well, my great grandmother is sick. Mama and papa are visiting while I get to enjoy!" She squealed.

"That's amazing!" I said grinning. But my smile faltered when I saw Blake walking downstairs with a subtle smile on his face.

"Uh, hey!" Blake extended his hand towards Isaac to shake. Isaac did without any trouble and looked at me in confusion.

"Oh, Isaac, this is B- Blake. And Blake, Isaac my brother." I hesitated for a while because my brother knew who Blake was by name.

"Ahh, Blake Adams. Heard a lot about you." Isaac said in a sarcastic manner.

"All good things, I hope." Blake flashed a full smile to which my body reacted by raising goose bumps.

"Let's go, Isaac." I lowly whispered.

We were still standing by the door step. Madison was quietly examining the situation while I was just hoping they wouldn't start some sort of drama.

Isaac turned to me and smiled. "Yeah. Um... Until next time." And we were dismissed.

Through the car ride, Isaac just teased me for the latter back at Madison's home. I grew annoyed after few minutes because I was already frustrated over mine and Blake's conversation. The whole situation got me thinking, was it all worth it? Do I want to move on already, or just be happy in general that I fulfilled my parents' wish? But the thing I was hoping for was Blake to not be upset. I did not like making anyone upset. Guess you could say it was one of my difficult hobbies. But that's just how I am.

Me and Isaac went home and to our separate rooms. The moment I stepped into the room, I broke down into tears. I sat down on the carpet and started sobbing.

I didn't know what to do. My mind was running per mile a minute. I was literally stuck between my parents' and my choice. I wanted to make my parents happy but I could just not let Blake go. I didn't know what happened to me. Just until the last year of university, I never had male friends or even crushes. My only Best friend was in another city so I never bothered making one. It's like some pretty bird just flew by and caught my heart. My mind never stopped thinking about Blake ever since I met him.

His eyes were just those beautiful ones that capture your whole soul in one glance. I was reminded of the night I spent at his place. Also, the thought that he was interested in me, got me on the cloud nine. But what could I do? I wanted to make my parents happy. Nor could I let him go. The thought of Blake kissing another woman itself brought more tears in my eyes that I just cried and cried.

Until I felt myself drifting off to sleep.

***

Another update! Enjoy!
Please vote and comment on your favourite part!
Later,
-F. xx