Edited

"Morning Miss Valerie," My eyes flutter open because of the sunlight.

I slowly open my eyes and found Matilda in my room, it's a routine for her to be in my room every morning. My eyes feel weird, I try to move my body then I realize that I've slept with my make up on. Even I'm still wearing the same clothes from last night.

"You better get ready for Gabriel's Birthday surprise today," Matilda suddenly said.

"It's his birthday today?" I asked with a crapy voice.

"Uhuh, I've called him this morning to wish him a happy birthday," She said while cleaning whatever the mess I made last night.

Matilda has been working with my family since I was a little, so she's like our own family. She's also my mom's left hand, especially when my mom isn't around.

"I should call him," I got up then lean against the headboard, after trying to reach my phone that lay on the night stand.

"should I wash this?" Matilda asked.

I look up from my phone then see the black jacket that Apollo gave to me, that jacket reminds me of the way he made me feel safe last night.

"No, it's fine just put it there," I said then she smiles in response.

"Don't forget to eat your breakfast okay," She said.

"Thank you Matilda," I said.

I text Laura and asking her about Gabriel's surprise plan cause I don't really get it. She has actually told me about it but not in detail. Because every time she tried to tell me about the plan, Gabriel always sticked around us. She did text me about the plan but just like what I said, it isn't really clear.

I got a lot of text messages from my friends but I really need to take a shower, this clothes and my ruined make up feel uncomfortable. So I left my phone on the bed then get into the bathroom to take a shower, to clean myself up.

After taking a shower I put a clothes on then back to my phone, I know Laura will be asking me to come over in an hour. I feel useless but I really don't know what to do. I feel so hungry so I make my way to the dining room since Matilda has told me that breakfast is ready.

Matilda always makes a really tasty breakfast everyday so I never really skip breakfast, unless it's urgent or I'm running late. I was enjoying my food until I got a FaceTime call from Laura.

"Hey babe," Laura greeted.

"Hey sister," I said.

"Sooo Gabriel is out at the garden doing whatever, I have a plan with his friends tonight in here" She said.

"So what's the plan?" I asked her.

"I've told you right?" she asked.

"but I don't really get it," I said.

"I'm going to go to the hospital for a check up today at 5 pm and probably going to be back at 6"

"Our friends are going to decorate and prepare some stuff while we're gone," She said then put the phone on one of the drawer in their room.

"Then what should i do?" I asked her.

"Can you pick up the cake from the cake store near your school?" She asked.

"Of course," I said.

"Okay thank you Lana, Bye" she said then hung up.

The cake store near my school is really famous because of their ice cream cake, I know it is Gabriel's favorite.

Right after the FaceTime ended, my thumb started to scroll on my text messages. I found so many texts from the girls's group chat.

Yesterday

Diana Alley :

Lana where are you? Sarah are you with her? where are you?

Diana Alley :

I'm so fucking worried about you Lana are you safe? You okay?

Today

Sarah Rawls :

Lana you okay? Heard that something happened to you last night?

Diana Alley ;

Are you really okay?

Diana Alley ;

I heard Apollo punched Bruce right on the nose?

Sarah Rawls :

Oh my god? What did actually happen?

Diana Alley :

Lana you okay? Did Bruce hurt you?

They've been texting me since yesterday and I just open my phone like right now.

Avalana Valerie:

I'm okay guys, Bruce tried to touch me but, but Apollo he saved me. I tried to push him away but he was too strong, and I think he was drunk.

Avalana Valerie :

Sorry for making you all worried I love you.

I texted them then close the group chat, I know both of Diana and Sarah are a late reply people. I can tell that the three of us don't really open our phone all the time.

Thalia Ginger :

Hey Lana it's me Thalia, I just want to remind you about our English project. The deadline is on Monday, don't forget about it! Thanks Lana.

Shit, I forgot to bring it home.

I left the paper in my locker when she gave it to me yesterday. Guess I should take that paper from school while taking Gabriel's cake. Right after I finished my breakfast, I changed my clothes then ready to go. It took almost an hour to get to school because of the traffic today. The parking lot is quite empty, I only see about 10 cars that parked out here.

I locked my car then get in, I'm walking through the empty hall while looking around. I took the paper from my locker for a couple minutes then went out. I don't like when school feel so empty cause it's kinda creepy.

I arrived at the school lobby and there is when I see so many guys are there. I do recognize them, they are the football players. It looks like they're just finished their practice, and ready to leave school.

My eyes land on Apollo Who's looking at his phone on his hand. He is carrying his sport bag with his hand while the other is holding on his phone. I was looking at him when his eyes look up at me then catch me looking at him.

God, stupid me.

It is so awkward!

I look away from him then started to walk down the stairs to get into the parking lot. It feels like I just want to disappear right now, it is so embarrassing I feel like a stalker.

I was rushing down the stairs until a hand suddenly reach my arm which makes me stop from running away. I turn around and found that the hand belongs to none other than Ezra.

God, it freaks me out!

"Lana why are you running away like you just saw a ghost?" He asked.

Shit,

"Nothing it's just I'm quite in a rush," I lied.

"Oh, are you okay? Did bruce hurt you?" He asked.

I remember Ezra was there after Apollo punched him right on the face, I mean did he see what Apollo did to me?

My cheek feels warm when I think about what happened last night, somehow it makes my tummy flip.

"Uhm yeah, I'm okay," I said then put one of my hands inside of my pocket.

"Apollo" Ezra suddenly called his name, which caught a lot of attention from the other football players.

Apollo just give him a glance without a single moves, he just act cold like he is.

"Do you want to talk about last night?" Ezra asked him.

"There's nothing to talk about Ezra, I'm in a rush" I said.

"Ooh okay then, bye Lana stay safe," Ezra said.

"Bye," I said.

I got into my car then drive away. On the way to the cake store my mind keep thinking about the memory. He has something that makes me feel safe and comfortable and I had never felt like that before until he treated me like that.

I arrived at the cake store and parked the car right in front of the store. When I get in there isn't so many costumer inside. I asked for the cake then they said I have to wait for like 15 minutes. So I take a seat on one of the sofa alone. I pull my phone out of my pocket then read the message from the girls,

Sarah Rawls :

Oh my! I hope you're okay Lana I'm sorry I wasn't there to comfort you.

Diana Alley :

I'm sorry to hear that Lana, I promise i'll never leave your side when we're on a party next time.

Diana Alley :

But I'm glad Apollo was there to help you, never seen Apollo act like that.

Sarah Rawls :

What? he did? but I feel thankful that you're okay really.

Avalana Valerie :

Thank you guys, I'm thankful.

Avalana Valerie :

I think I'm not going to go to any party for a while.

Diana Alley :

That's understandable.

Diana Alley :

We should look for another positive activities than just partying.

The bell on the door of the cake store suddenly rings, my eyes look up and see that Apollo is at the door. I look down to my phone then pretending that I got something interesting on my phone. I try my best not to make an obvious move that will caught his attention.

A moment later he suddenly take a seat right in front of me. I look up at found those blue eyes are looking at me, I can also smell the smell of fresh men's shampoo. He always smells the same, he always wear the same perfume so when he comes closer I always do recognize his scent.

"Are you following me?" I asked him and I kinda feel stupid for asked him that.

"No," he said.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"Apollo! , Dark chocolate with an almond fudge right?" An old woman with a white short hair suddenly greet him from behind the bar.

"Yes" he smiles then the lady started to scoop an ice cream for him.

"I always come here every Saturday after the practice," he said.

"Is it okay to eat an Ice cream after you burn your calories?" I asked him.

He threw me a glance before standing up to pay and get the ice cream from the old lady, I locked my phone then put it on the table.

"What are you doing here?" He asked after he got back to his seat.

"I'm picking up Gabriel's Birthday cake," I said.

"Happy birthday to Gabriel then," he said before started to eat his ice cream.

"Thank you, I'll tell him," I said.

"No I'll tell him by myself, Laura actually invited me to the birthday surprise," he said.

Wait what?

Laura invited him?

Why didn't she tell me about inviting Apollo to Gabriel's Birthday party? Great, it is going to be so so awkward.

"I'm surprised too," he said like he just read my mind.

"I met gabriel a couple times in my dad's office," he said.

It seems like Dad's plan run well to set me up with Apollo so he'll get a chance to build a bridge to Apollo's family company, what an awesome brain.

"Miss Avalana," I suddenly hear my name being called by the old lady.

"Yes," I got up from my seat then making way to take the cake.

I turn around to look at him while he's already looking at me with a spoon in his mouth,

"Guess I'll see you at the party," I said.

"Guess I'll see you at your house?" He said.

"What?" I asked.

"I'll pick you up at 4," he said.

"No thank you I have my own car," I said.

"And a personal driver if I wan too," I smile after rejecting his offer.

"I mean I don't know where Gabriel's house is,"

"I offer you so you can show me the way," he said.

I suddenly feel embarrassed for thinking that he would pick me up cause he just wants to.

Stupid Lana,

"Okay then good excuse," I said.

"That's not an excuse that's a fact," he said.

"Whatever," I said before walking out of the cafe by my own.

It's weird when he can be so nice and gentle the other day and now he acts so arrogant and flat.