Chapter 87 - 87: Girl Talk

(Michelle POV)

"Then Anthony suddenly stopped the ball with his bare hand so that Michelle won't have to crawl under the table! Gosh! I personally think that he really likes Michelle here. What do you think Kate?" Lara regaled, exaggeratedly summarizing what happened in the owner's cabin after she left.

Kate looked at me. "What did Anthony say?" she asked.

If I were to listen to Lara's story I would 100% believe that Anthony likes me too! But I was there… "He said that he did it for Andy." I admitted.

"And you believe him? I've known Anthony for 18 years; he has never done anything like that for Andy ever! I guarantee he did it for you!" Lara contradicted.

I blushed. Honestly, I also want to believe what I am hearing now. 

"I think we need more context to this than just the hook up and the instance in the owner's cabin. Michelle, have you and Anthony interacted before what happened yesterday?" Kate asked.

Wow, Kate's really good at this. Like a love guru. Looking back, though it's just been less than 3 weeks, I had a lot of memories with Anthony already! 

"Well… ok, so we're classmates and seatmates in English. One time, when our prof caught me not listening, he provided me with the correct answer through a piece of paper. He also walked me to my class once. Then, uh we have the same dismissal time from PE. So, one time, when it rained, he lent me an umbrella, but I insisted we share it instead.

He helped me look for my car and driver, and when we didn't find him, he lent me his phone to call my house, then seeing that it's dark already, instead of making me wait for my driver, he sent me home. 

Then, there's also this time when I brought him breakfast in school, and he placed a viand on my meal. And…" well, there's more like me getting his number from my mom's phone and having his YM ID and we video called one time. OMG!!!!!! "Do you think… does he… really like me too!?" The more I say, the more convinced I am myself! I tried not to scream like a banshee! My girly heart!!!!! 

Kate nodded her head. "Everything you just said are in line with Anthony's character. He has always been the gentleman of the group. It's a little tricky as normally, a guy would only do those for the girl he likes. Still, Anthony sending you home and agreeing to have… what? you made him breakfast? And he agreed to have it with you?"

"Uh… well… kinda, I mean… ok, I'll just say it. I used my mom as an excuse and told him that she insisted to cook for him and I'm the delivery girl? But I prepared it all myself. I mean… I got his number from my mom's cellphone because, remember? I used his phone to call her?" I explained.

Kate had her mouth slightly ajar. Recovering, she said, "Lara, are you taking notes? I think you really should. Michelle here is a pro."

Lara was also staring at me wide eyed. "Michelle, I had no idea. How come you never told me about this? I'm actually pretty amazed. I feel bad for Andy now."

I smiled shyly. "I didn't have the guts to tell before…" I explained, then asked, "Andy? What's he got to do with this?"

Lara shook her head then grinned, "Nothing. Anyway, you already know that I suspect Anthony likes you. Kate, what can you say?"

"Well, I think there's potential. I'm not sure what he thinks but there has to be something there. I mean, Anthony would never go out of his way for just some girl of mutual acquaintance. Everything seems to be moving in a fairytale kind of way between you two until the tension suddenly exploded on the dance floor. Although I don't want to get your hopes up too much, it's undeniable that there's a chance that your feelings might be reciprocated." Kate said sharing her thoughts. "Now the question is, what do you want to do about it?"

"What else does Michelle want? Obviously, getting Anthony to be her boyfriend!" Lara answered for me. "Right Michelle? Hehehe! Don't worry, I'm on your side. I like you for Anthony too!"

Like idiots, me and Lara interlaced our two hands and shook it like the girls that we were. "Thank you, Lara! I hope it works out!"

Kate cleared her throat. "Ok, so how do you plan on achieving that?" 

"Waiting and getting him jealous seems effective." Lara answered excitedly like she was answering for recitation.

"But what if he misunderstands?" I asked.

Kate shook her head, these two… "didn't you guys even think of the term dating first?" 

"Dating? Who goes with dating? That's just an excuse for a polygamous guy that doesn't want to go exclusive!" Lara pointed out.

Kate facepalmed. "Lara, Michelle have only ever known Anthony for 3 weeks and vice versa. Don't they have to get to know each other better first before jumping to a more committed relationship? Unless of course this is just something casual. There's the label but nothing deep, only superficial. I don't see any problem with that, we're still young, so that can work too."

I swallowed. Kate was correct. "But… how could I get him to date me?"

Kate hummed. "Hmm… actually, Michelle, there are two ways you can go about this. You can wait for Anthony to make the move while you continue to act normal around him, or you can continue cultivating good feelings between you two by taking the initiative. In either approach, there are both pros and cons. Do you want to strike while the iron is hot? Or do you want to let it cool a little so you both are thinking straight?"

"If you were me, what would you do?" I asked.

"If I were you… well, to be honest, I would not go for a serious committed relationship right away. Falling in love happens eventually, but now, I think everything should be superficial. Rome wasn't built in one night, you know. Also, guys our age… ugh, all they think about is getting under a girl's skirt. It's all the same…" Kate replied.

"Not my Steven though!" Lara interjected.

Kate did an eyeroll, "yeah, your Steven is really a special case."

I tried not to giggle. Lara was mistaken on that one, then again, maybe he's just a late bloomer. 

"Anthony also…" Lara tried to add.

Kate raised her brow, "Last night proved otherwise Lara. Anyhow, Michelle, it's up to you which approach you want to take. We can't decide for you. But again, if it were me in your shoes, I would wait and see what Anthony will do first. Now, moving away from that topic, on Saturday, 2 weeks from now, my parents will be holding a charity event. I'm not sure if your family is invited, but no matter, I'll send you an invite."

I tried to recall if we were ever invited to that specific charity gala in the past. I can't remember but maybe not. Kate's family never had any business transactions with ours.

Anyhow, I nodded my head and smiled.

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TBC