Alex took a deep breath and continued, "I want you to stick with us if possible during the competition."
"What?!"
And just as predicted, Julia reacted.
Alex was slightly surprised by her reaction even though he expected it. The look they received from the patrons in the cafeteria didn't help the issue either.
He looked to Ross for help, but the guy just watched silently. He was not the one who brought this suggestion. Many times, Alex did things impromptu without giving them any prior explanation.
Julia on the other hand did not understand what Alex saw in the girl to warrant his attention like that. She feared Alex was showing too much interest in a girl who had nothing she didn't have. Was she not enough?
Her eyes grew slightly moist when this thought flashed in her head.
Abigail and Ethan also noticed this, and they exchanged glances with each other and saw the surprise. This was the first time they had seen anyone react like that. It wasn't even a date and she was acting like this?
'Are all rich girls this possessive?' Ethan wondered and made a mental note to stay away from a crazy person like that. If she could get this defensive from her partner talking with another girl, then what would she do if she found one flirting with Alex?
'That can't be good.' The thought frightened him and he turned his attention to Ross.
Alex's heart skipped a beat when he noticed her expression, and this scared him a bit. He got up and said, "Julia, come with me for a second." He said and gave her his hand to hold.
Julia quickly regained her composure and took his hands.
"Excuse us for a bit." He informed the others and guided Julia away to a secluded spot where they could talk.
Ross and the others watched as they slowly disappeared from view.
'Be man enough and do what is expected before she does something crazy.' Ross thought silently and then turned to Ethan and Abigail.
"Sorry about that."
"No worries…" Abigail muttered mostly to herself as she was just as confused. How bad was what Alex said that made her react the way she did? She wondered if all rich girls acted that way, and if so, then she had to keep her distance away from them.
'Maybe I should reject his offer too… It's not like I can tag along during the entire event.' She then looked at Ethan who sat there quietly sipping his drink.
'If anything, he should be the one in the main competition.'
Ethan noticed her guess and turned to her, his raised eyebrows asking why.
"Oh, sorry about that." She quickly regained her composure and munched on her snacks and drink.
...….
Alex found a quiet place where they wouldn't be disturbed and turned to face Julia. He watched her quietly before sighing.
'This is as good a time as any.' He thought and his heart began racing slightly. He swallowed nervously as he watched Julia focus on him.
With Alex's current height and build, he looked like a man in his twenties even though he was now getting to seventeen years old.
Alex observed her long flowing silvery white hair simmering like strands of silk. Her eyes sparkled with an enchanting blend of curiosity and warmth, drawing Alex in like a moth to a flame.
Her lips parted slightly, and her face radiated an effortless charm that made his heart race as she looked at him. Her brows arched in a gentle manner and the way she tilted her head looking up to him made him realize how lucky he was.
'Well, I'll be damned…' His resolve was crumbling with the passing second as he began getting cold feet, but he knew this was the moment.
"Are you alright?" He asked, his voice laced with concern. He was still stumped about what he saw back there, but the first order of business was to find out how she was feeling.
"Yeah... I'm fine." She replied with a nod, her gaze lowering in blushing. She realized how her behaviour earlier was uncalled for when she exclaimed at the suggestion Alex made.
"Mm…. Care to tell me why you did that?"
He raised her chin with his right hand to look directly into her eyes. Even so, Julia tried to shift her gaze away from him.
"Julia… Look at me." He gently urged her to focus on his eyes. For what he planned on doing, Julia had to keep eye contact with him.
Julia slowly returned her gaze to Alex and looked at him, her face gaining a small blush. She momentarily closed her eyes and released a breath she was holding in.
"I Just… I just don't understand why you want to keep that girl close to you. Am I no longer interesting to you?" She muttered with her voice tinged with unshed tears.
"Shush, shush. It's okay…" Her expression broke his heart the moment he understood what she was worried about. Of course, he had an idea before and that was why he planned on reassuring her the only way he believed would.
It was long overdue, and he was the only reason they hadn't proceeded to the next stage of their relationship.
Alex pulled her in, hugged her tightly, and gently rubbed her silky hair. Julia held him in response, burying her head in his chest. He could tell she had tears in her eyes as her body shook subtly in his arms.
"I'm sorry I made you feel that way…" He whispered, his voice laced with resolve and emotions.
"And I can assure you, Abigail has nothing on you. The suggestion I made earlier was an on-the-spot decision as she qualified due to the help I gave her."
Getting to this point, Alex withdrew from the hug with Julia still within reach. He held her face in his palms to make eye contact and wiped her tears away. He needed her to see his sincerity when he confessed.