The Cat and Mouse Chase I
The Cat and Mouse Chase
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Noelle
Noelle Saunders. That’s my name and Alice Gaskarth was my roommate in college. Together, we’ve been through those agonizing years of journalism. Then, on the day of our graduation, we ate dinner at a fancy restaurant to celebrate. There, her fraternal twin brother that she hasn’t seen for a long time, Alex, crashed our fancy dinner.
That was months ago. Since then, the three of us, has been close. Well, Alice is always away writing travel pieces for a travel magazine.
I, on the other hand, am writing for a music magazine about this road show where bands tour America and perform. Bottom line: since I follow that road show, I get to see more of Alex who’s a vocalist of a band named All Time Low who happens to be part of the road show.
Then, I got fond of him.
Then, I got infatuated with him.
Then, I was falling in love but I ignored it all.
Then, one night, we were having a nice cup of coffee at this coffee shop at this new city destination.
“I wonder what it would be like to live in Spain. I want to move there.” I said.
His lips form a frown. “You can’t!” He exclaimed.
“Of course!” I said. It was just a dream. I don’t have money for Spain.
Then, he grabbed my hand as I was about to explain that it was just a daydream. He held my hands and said, “You can’t because I don’t know what I’ll do without you and I don’t want to lose you.” He let go of my hand and looked down. “I love you, Noelle.” He whispered.
I froze. That was beautiful. Cliché but beautiful. I want to cry!
I open my mouth. “I-I-I…”
I was about to say that I feel the same way but he cut me saying, “I can’t believe you fell for that!” He goofed and laughed so hard. “You! You! You’re so… Oh my God!” He said through fits of laughs.
“I can’t believe you actually believed me! I mean, it was a joke and you were on the verge of tears for a stupid lame joke!” He said still laughing.
I can’t believe that he made a fool of me. He humiliated me in front of him and myself.
“What am I, a joke to you?” I said standing up. “You are such a jerk! Get a life!”
I said in anger. Tears cascade my cheeks. I then walked out.
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Alex
I walked in the tour bus where the whole band stays. I walk past the mini living room, past the bunk beds, to the large lounge.
“You guys know Noelle?” I ask the three men in that room.
Zack, the band’s bassist, who was watching TV, turns his head towards my direction. Rian, the band’s drummer, and Jack, the band’s guitarist, look at me too. They were using their computer side by side.
“The friend you brought during thanksgiving?” Rian asks. He happens to be a roommate and he made the word ‘friend’ sound so sarcastic.
“Exactly!” I said in triumph. I’m glad they could relate with me. I’m not glad about Rian’s sarcasm though.
“What about her?” Zack asks focusing to the TV, again.
“I think she hates me.” I tell them as I nodded.
“She can’t hate you, Alex.” Rian says smiling slyly.
“She does. I told her I love her then I told her it was a joke and she was so funny falling for that joke and she called me a jerk and walked out on me.”
“Why did you even joke about that?” Jack asks.
“Well, it wasn’t a joke. It was true.” I say softly feeling ashamed.
“I knew it!” Rian says beaming at me. I roll my eyes at him.
“Why did you lie to her, then?” Jack asks. I ignore Rian and look at Jack.
“Because it was a mistake telling her I love her and I had to undo the damage.”
“A mistake? Why was it a mistake?” Jack asks.
“Because it was so cheesy and stupid and I looked like a loser. Plus, the looks on her face says that she is going to reject me and I can’t have that.” I said.
“You and your ego.” Rian murmurs under his breath.
“I heard that.” I said.
“You misinterpreted her look.” Jack says.
“I did not. I don’t misinterpret girls’ looks.” I defend myself. True, I don’t. Or maybe I do.
“The fact that she walked out and called you a jerk means she likes you.” Jack says.
Okay, maybe I do. Maybe I did make a mistake but she really did look like she was going to reject me. Or was that just plains shock?
I sigh aloud and leave that lounge. I plop myself on the bottom bunk. Then, I stand up and head back to the lounge and sit beside Jack.
“Jack, what do I do?” I ask.
“What do you want?” He asks.
“I want her!” I shout.
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Noelle
I hate him. No, I love him. But now I hate him! I still love him but I can’t help but hate him! I still love him, yes, but I don’t want to see him again! No talking to Alex Gaskarth for me!
I hate him!!!
My mobile phone’s locked in a drawer. My house phone is too.
Let him call and call and leave more voice mails. Let him suffer! Let him suffer for nothing because I am not picking up the phone!
Neither am I going online! On anything!
A good night’s sleep, that’s what I need.
So, I turn off the lights and get one.
It was a really good one, sleeping to the sound of the raindrops on your roof. I’m telling you, it’s relaxing and revujinating. But then, what happened that morning, cancelled out that relaxing feeling!
I open the front door of my small tour bus the magazine paid for, ready for a nice jog. There, I see Alex, sitting on the steps, soaked. I think he’s shaking or something.
Gosh, can’t he leave me alone after that night? After he made a fool out of me? After I walked out? After I’ve implied that I’m angry and I don’t want to see him again?
I leap over him. Then, he wakes up.
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Alex
Ouch! My back hurts! I feel cold! I’m shivering! Where am I?
Oh right… I’m camping out Noelle’s camper.
Then, I see her in tight jogging pants and a sleeve-less athletic shirt. “Noelle!” I called. She didn’t turn around. She just kept running. When I thought that she’d ignore me, she gave the finger, her back still turned.
At least there’s progress.
Okay, Alex, avert your gaze from her ass. I said avert it!
There she goes, farther and farther. Too far out for me to see her ass.
I’m going home. I’m going to make myself look presentable and I’ll be back here and this time, I’m bringing an umbrella!
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That’s just part one. This isn’t going to be a one-shot after all.