11.0 From 'Pretend' to 'Real'

It was finally Friday and the weekend was just around the corner. Eloise was walking home alone since Katherine had work piled up with the fashion show nearing. As she walked, she somehow ended up in front of the music faculty building.

"What are you doing here?" murmured Eloise after coming to her senses. She immediately rushed off hoping nobody saw her, especially that jerk, Nikolai. "That jerk is just toying with you, Eloise. He is probably with another woman at this very moment. Don't be stupid and just ignore him," she said to herself, again, brainwashing herself. "Eloise?" Casey called her out. She heard him but she pretended not to in case Nikolai was also there. However, Casey went after her and grabbed her arm gently so as to stop her. "Hey, Eloise. I was calling for you," he said with a bright smile. "Oh, is it? Sorry, I was thinking of something so I didn't hear you," she made up an excuse. She took a glance around to check if Nikolai was around.

"Is Nikolai not here?" Eloise asked cautiously. "Nikolai? He already left. I think he said he needed to go somewhere," replied Casey. "I see," she replied with a tone that was somewhat depressing. "You came all the way here to see him?" asked Casey cheekily. "What? No! Impossible! Never!" replied Eloise dramatically. She then rushed away after bidding farewell to Casey. Her face was flushed and her body started heating up. "I really am crazy. I am going crazy. Eloise, you have already lost it!" she kept murmuring and slapping her cheeks as if punishing herself. Her power walking led her all the way to the café just in time for her part-time job. Hank noticed immediately that she was bothered by something.

"Are you free after work? Let's have supper together," Hank suggested in hopes to be able to help ease her disturbed mind. After work, they closed the café and ordered Chinese street food delivered for supper. "So, what is bothering you again?" he asked as they began eating. "Nothing in particular," Eloise answered. "Eloise Washington, are you going to keep lying to yourself?" he asked. His question brought her to realize that she might have just been running away and denying reality. "Is this about a boy?" he continued to pry. "What if it is?" she replied with a question. "A freshman? Or a senior? Which department?" Hank asked, showing an enormous amount of interest. "Music faculty freshman," she replied after letting out a sigh. "Why are you sighing? Does he not like you? Did you confess?" Hank asked, slightly concerned.

Eloise was silent for a while before saying "It is complicated." This statement perfectly described her situation because Nikolai clearly asked her out but at the same time, he was meeting with other woman. That was why she became troubled. "So, are you two official or not?" Hank asked. "He asked me out but I don't think I am the only girl he is meeting," replied Eloise. Her answer caused Hank to be filled with rage as he punched the table. "This jerk! How dare he toy with my Eloise?" said Hank, clearly overreacting. "Um, Hank, calm down first," said Eloise who didn't want him to get worked up. "Call him up. Let me talk to him," Hank said, determined to protect Eloise from this jerk. "We did exchange numbers but we never texted nor called each other before," she replied to show her reluctant attitude in regards to calling him.

Back at home, after she took a refreshing shower and have calmed down, Eloise took some time to think about her relationship with Nikolai. "Why did he not text me after getting my number?" she murmured as she repeatedly pressed his contact. Her finger suddenly 'slipped' and she pressed the call button. Eloise freaked out and began smashing the 'end call' button but it was too late. "Hello?" said Nikolai over the phone. What could she do now? She took a deep breath and said "Hello. Sorry, I pressed the wrong number." Hoping he won't realize it was an excuse she wanted to hang up the call but she heard him say "I have been waiting for you." Upon hearing this, she did not know how to respond. Part of her thinks that he is toying with her but part of her felt happy.

"Why didn't you call me then?" asked Eloise who was putting up a front so as to hide her embarrassment. "I didn't want to disturb you," replied Nikolai. "Then, end the call. It's late already. Good night," she said before ending the call. Her heart started beating like crazy. She murmured "Is it just me or is his voice even deeper through the phone?" Eloise scrambled onto her bed and covered herself fully from head to toe with her blanket in order to hide her flushed face. Over at Nikolai's place, he was grinning from ear to ear even after Eloise ended the call abruptly. It was as if he found her actions cute. "I guess it is time…" he murmured with his sweet and deep voice.

For the next few days, Eloise noticed that she would run into Nikolai quite frequently which never happened before. However, they do not talk even when they crossed paths. She did feel him gazing at her though. Again, during lunch, Eloise noticed Nikolai at the main cafeteria which was quite far from his faculty. "Katherine, is it just me or are we meeting that jerk more often nowadays?" she asked out of curiosity. "Nikolai? We do bump into him more often. Why do you ask?" replied Katherine. "Is he…stalking me?" asked Eloise carefully. "Stalking?!" shouted Katherine but her mouth was immediately covered by Eloise. "Sorry, I was surprised. Then again, why would he stalk you? Or is there something that I don't know about?" replied Katherine after calming down.

Was it time to share what she had been hiding? Before Eloise spoke, Nikolai came over to her and hovered over her causing her to freeze and stop talking. Their eyes met and Eloise just kept quiet. "Let's date," said Nikolai as he looked straight into her eyes. She was surprised since this is the second time he asked her out BUT he seemed more serious this time around. "So, what do you say?" he asked, waiting for her to reply. Eloise just nodded instead of replying with words. He smiled and patted her on the head. He reached out for her phone and typed in his phone number - pretended to at least. Then, he called his own phone and said "I'll call you after class today." With that, they are now OFFICIALLY a couple, witnessed by many. Eloise remained stunned even after he left. She was trying to process what just happened. Katherine on the other hand was ecstatic and could not hide her excitement that her friend has finally gotten her first boyfriend.