Love Aint Always Pretty

Chapter 12: 12 Tsundere

Tsundere (ツンデレ)

- describes a person who is initially cold, combative and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing their warm side over time

Origin: Japanese

"Sorry about the inconvenience last night Savannah." Billy says while he takes a drink from the coffee.

"It's alright. You really don't have to be sorry Billy." I said to him.

He stared at his fingers. "I'm quite embarrassed by what happened last night."

"Anybody who gets drunk makes stupid mistakes and becomes not themselves. It's okay. Really."

I could see how embarrassed he is and I actually don't know how to make him okay right now.

"How's your bum?" I asked, so he won't feel a little ashamed of me.

"Killing me. It feels like my ass have been gunshot thousand times."

I smiled. "You need to put ice packs on that. I'm sure it'll be a very big purplish-bluish bruise."

"I know but it's okay. Nick said I'm an official brother now. And thank you so much for saving me. Nick told me you came and saved my sorry ass." He shied.

I smiled at him.

Nick already left early. Billy said he left when I was still asleep and he didn't want to wake me up cos there was no reason to. And I still have a problem with this book that needed to be returned to the

library. I never tend to forget things and this is actually the first time I returned a book late. But on the bright side, Billy looks a little better now even though he still looks embarrassed for what happened last night, aside from his stinging with pain on his bum from all the hazing last night. I was glad that he just collapsed cos he was drunk and not from all the beating and he didn't get asthma attack. And, I'm glad he didn't throw up last night unlike Nick.

"I really owe Nick too." Billy blurted.

"Why?" I asked. Not really sure why he owes Nick. I mean for what?

He pulled his head up and smiled at me. "Right before he was about to haze me, he actually whispered something to my ear."

Right. I almost forgot about that. Nick did say something to him.

"He said he won't hit me hard unlike the other hazers doing on the other recruits but I still have to endure it." Billy said.

"He said that?" I asked, disbelief. I never thought he'd actually be that thoughtful to him. I thought he hated Billy. I imagined Nick to be the one hurting the recruits harder than the others cos well he's insensitive and he's the president.

He nods. "It was painful but it didn't hurt much. I swear. I think he did that because of you Savannah. I think he felt sorry for calling your lucky coin stupid. And he knows we're friends."

I bursted into laughter. "Me? Because of me? Billy please Nick is the most heartless guy I know."

"If he was really a heartless guy as you say he is, why did he guard you all night here when he knows you're inside a room with a drunk man? Why did he help me? Why did he tell me ahead of time that he won't hit me that much?"

I paused cos Billy has a point.

"Nick isn't heartless Savannah. People just say that against him cos it's what they see and it's what he shows them. But Nick is really nice deep down inside that tough exterior and hard as rock expression on him." Billy added.

"Why do say that?" I asked.

"Cos he is. I see it behind his cold eyes. And he even got your lucky coin from Baxter." He brought it up.

"How'd you know that? Wait, how did he get it from Baxter anyways?"

"I really don't know the details but that's all I heard from the other recruits yesterday. They said Nick was going to see Baxter before the frat party to get something that doesn't belong to him so I was thinking it was your coin."

I showed him the coin and he smiled.

"See?" He says while smiling.

I'm smiling. Why am I smiling?

"Well he said last night that he got it back from Baxter by Fracas." I said.

His eyes dilated. "Fracas?"

I nod.

"You mean he actually had a fistfight with Baxter for your coin?" He asked.

I was shocked momentarily. "Fracas means fistfight?"

"Yeah." Billy answers.

Holy cow. He brawled with Baxter just to get me my coin back. That's unbelievable. That's totally unlike Nick. I thought Fracas was a person. But he did it... For me. Obviously for me cos it's my coin. Oh my god Nick. I even said some mean things to him last night. Well at least I thanked him. I think I thanked him last night.

"You see, he's not heartless. He's just very moody and he doesn't like answering a lot of questions. I even like Nick more than Harrison." He says to me.

"Harrison?" I asked.

"You know, Aries. He's a real womanizer Savannah. Don't fall for that charmer. He's acting all high of himself cos he's the Vice President."

Aries' name is Harrison?

Suddenly my phone started ringing and I quickly grabbed it. Crap, it's Cameron! I gazed at my watch, it's already 8:45AM!

"Where the hell are you? We've been waiting here for almost forty minutes now!" I hear Cameron speaking on the other line.

I totally forgot!

"I'm on my way down in a minute. Just a second." I hang up.

"I guess you gotta get going now. My brother and little sister is here to pick me up." I say.

Billy finishes his cup. "Thanks for this coffee and everything last night. I owe you one too. See ya around Savannah."

I walked Billy to the door and I quickly grabbed new sets of clothes on me. I wore a black body hugging shirt, pairing it with my favorite white shorts and a pair of flats on my feet. I perfumed myself so I won't smell smoke and drink from last night's party. I packed a few clothes with me since Cameron told me we'll be spending the weekend at a hotel and then the novel. As soon as I walked out of the room, I crossed path with Tracy and Clyde.

"Hey. Wow! It's the first time I see you in short shorts. Going somewhere?" She asked me.

"Yeah. My brother and little sister are here to pick me up." I answered.

"When will you be coming back? Are you out for the entire weekend? But you promised me about party tonight."

"I'll try to catch up." I said.

Tracy smiled. "You should. I heard from Alec that Nick invited you tonight."

I blushed. He did.

"And Clyde told me what you did last night. I'm glad Nick didn't do anything foolish when you stopped the initiation. I think my brother is under your spell, Savannah. Don't you think Clyde?"

I gaped.

Under my spell? More of like I'm under his spell every time he's near. What is she even talking about?

"Yeah. I guess so." Clyde smiles.

"There's no casting of spell here. And I really think your brother still loathes me a little." I answered them.

"I think he doesn't really loathe you cos he already invited you to their frat party twice. The first time you didn't show up and if you'll miss it the second time, your ass will be burned down." She says then bursts into laughter when she saw my expression and Clyde joined her

"I was kidding." She grabs my arm.

"Well I'll see if I can make it okay? I need to go, my brother is blowing up my phone." I say as my phone keeps on ringing.

Tracy hugged me quickly, "Take care."

I hurriedly rushed outside of the dorm. I ran towards Cameron's car and got inside the passenger seat.

"Annie!!" Ingrid chimed happily and quickly hugs me.

"I missed you!!" I said happily.

"You are such so slow person. Did you know that?" Cameron whined.

I gave Cameron a quick hug. "I missed you too brother. AND you better take me to some place where there's delicious foods. Cos. I am star-ving."

"We were planning on going to Cibo. Up for it?" Cameron asked.

I nod. "But I need to drop off this book to the library first." I said.

After dropping the book off, we headed straight to Cibo for breakfast. Our fave place to eat. Ingrid kept talking about her experience with mom and dad while they were away. Cameron kept teasing her that she was still a thumb sucker and I just laugh at them cos I've been terribly missing them. I missed this with my siblings. We arrived in Cibo and started eating up all the foods he ordered for us. The thing I

liked about Cameron is that no matter how much he says he hates me, his actions are so different from it.

"Do you have new friends Annie?" Ingrid asked.

"Uhh, yeah. I've met a few people." I answered her.

"Have you been staying away from frat men?" Cameron asked seriously.

I gulped. "Yeah."

How can I stay away from frat men when my roommate's brother is one?

"Do you remember Kurt?" I asked him.

"Yeah. The gayest man in our batch in high school." Cameron chuckled.

"Ron he's my best friend. Have a little respect." I hissed.

He smirked. "Okay fine. The most masculine gay ever."

"Ron!" I called out again.

Cameron laughed softly. "Okay. Sorry. What about Kurt all of a sudden?"

I doubt if I should tell Cameron about this.

"Did you know that he has a younger brother? Same as my age?" I asked anyways.

He took a quick drink from his water, "I don't remember cos we weren't really close."

"Well his brother goes to WSU too." I chimed.

"Is he also gay?" He chuckles.

I hit Cameron's arm as he kept on laughing.

"What's with you and gay people? You're such a dick." I whined.

He smirks.

"Can we go to the beach? I wanna go to the beach. Can we go? Please? Can we go Cameron? Can we? Can we? Let's go Annie. Please." Ingrid begs.

I gazed at Cameron. "Yeah. Beach would be nice."

"Yes!" Ingrid chimes.

We bought a few foods right away since Ingrid wanted to go the beach so badly. I think she really planned for this cos she even brought with her a bikini. It's always a fun time with my siblings and most especially that I'm the middle child. Cameron was by the shore and just kept talking to someone over the shore while I was busy playing with Ingrid. I built sandcastle a with her and since I suck at it, its just pure rubbish.

"Cameron! Could you at least help us?" I called out to him.

He told me to wait and I still helped Ingrid putting the sand into the pail. Finally he joins us. "You both suck at this. That's not even a castle."

"Annie made that." Ingrid says while pointing.

"I knew it. Plain obvious. Move aside for the pro." Cameron boasts.

I rolled my eyes at him and paved way for the sandcastle builder. He starts building castles with Ingrid.

"Wow. This could've been your course Cameron. You could've taken bachelor of science in sandcastle building." I said.

Ingrid laughs.

"It's called being artistic." Cameron fired back at me.

•••••

Around eight, the three of us were finished having dinner together and since dad told Cameron that he needs to come home tomorrow for business related golf game with Mr. Trenton, they had to drive back. I wanted to spend the night with them but then I guess we can't. Cameron drove me back to the dorm, Ingrid was fast asleep on the back seat so I just kissed her forehead.

"Thanks a lot for today Ron. Thanks for visiting me." I said.

"Anytime little sis. Love you."

"Love you too. You gotta get going now, it'll take you hours to get back home. Have a safe drive." I said.

I marched my way inside the dorm wearing my newly set of black shorts and a yellow sleeveless. All of a sudden I crossed path with Tracy and Penny.

Sigh. I was even hoping I won't bump into Tracy cos I really don't want to go back to the frat house after what I did during the initiation.

"Wow! You are looking hotter today than a while ago, Savannah!" Tracy says and I think Penny disliked what she complimented me.

"Thanks Trace."

"And since you're already here, let's go to the party!" Tracy chimes.

I went along with them anyways. The entire drive was smooth and was filled with music. It was already ten thirty on my watch the minute we arrived the party and the place was all packed. I see Billy talking to some men from the house and I'm happy that he already have friends. He waved at me when he saw me and I have to smile back. Tracy dragged me and we passed by the couch where we usually sit down.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked.

"Clyde is about to play beer pong. We'll be watching and I'll be cheering for my baby of course. Cmon."

We passed through a few people and I feel so suffocated like there was no air around this frat house. I found myself on a room, still on the first floor, where most of the frat men were around while their arms were wrapped on some women's bodies. I see them preparing red cups and piling it all into a huge triangle on the edges of the long table.

"Baby good luck!" Tracy hugs Clyde and gave him a quick kiss.

Nick just arrived inside the spacious room and was standing right across me with Alec next to him. Then I remembered what Billy told me a while ago then about my coin. But he doesn't have any bruises if he fought for it. He looked same as usual.

"Wow looking good Savannah." Alec said with a warm smile.

I almost forgot that I was wearing some clothes which were showing off too much of my skin. But I smiled back at Alec, "Thanks."

The minute Nick caught me glancing at him, I looked away and stared at Clyde's opponent. Even though I'm not looking at Nick, I can still feel his eyes looking at me from my peripheral view. Clyde's

opponent was another frat man too with some tattoos on his arm.

"Next game is doubles." One declared.

I've seen Cameron and his friends play before, but only once. Clyde and his opponent already had ping pong balls on their hand and they did some stretching. They were obviously goofing around and we sort of laughed at them.

"Alright let's start playing!" Another man declares out loud.

The beer pong started and Clyde was so good at this. As he keeps throwing the ping pong ball across the table, it keeps landing inside the cups he's aiming to. Tracy was busy cheering for her lover and she looked so supportive. Alec and Nick were talking to each other, they were obviously focused on the game.

But when Clyde missed one, I think the opponent was better than him cos even though he drank about five cups, he can still shoot the balls well into Clyde's red cups. Tracy looked devastated right away when her lover was starting to drink from one cup to another.

"What's happening Clyde? You're losing now." Alec teased with a smile.

I see Nick half smiling while looking at Clyde then glanced at me for about three seconds.

"Don't tell me you're going to lose this against a recruit, Clyde." Nick blurted.

Alec laughed and he whispered something to Nick and both of them laughed. Oh god Nick laughed. It was the first time I saw him laugh like that. Nick laughing is actually adorable. I don't see him laughing and smiling a lot but that laugh was so natural. The way he cocked his head backwards and the way his eyes slanted while laughing deeply made him even more hot. I wish I could've taken a video of it.

"I won!" Clyde chimed, punching his fists to the air.

Tracy ran to him and hugged him. Clyde carried her up on his arms while her legs spreading wide open against his body. I love how they act so sweet in front of Nick and how he's approved of Clyde for Tracy. I see the drunken opponent handing money to Clyde, now I see why they were taking it seriously.

"Who's up to play for doubles?" The announcer, who I automatically called announcer cos he's been announcing since a while ago, tried to persuade others to play.

I see Penny grabbing the hand of this handsome frat while she was busy raising her hand. "We will play!" She repeats and emphasizes on the we.

"So Penny and Troy will be playing. Who's going to go against them?"

"Me." I raised my hand.

I'm so competitive and since I hate Penny to the bones, I want to shove it to her face that I'm not just a pretty-faced-rich-girl-Jamie Sullivan-incarnate. I want to show everyone that I can play too, that I belong on this kind of people. I could tell Tracy and Clyde were shocked by my acknowledgement.

"Are you sure Savannah?" Clyde asked.

"Yeah. I want to make that bitch look sorry assed." I said.

Tracy laughs. "You go girl. But have you tried drinking before?"

"Nope." I admitted.

Her face falls. "Well I hope you're good at shooting pingpong balls."

"Who's your partner then? It needs to be from the opposite sex." The announcer asked me.

Ugh, as if someone from the opposite sex would want to pair up with me.

"How about me? I would play with her if she'd sleep with me tonight." One frat called out with a grin.

The others started laughing while I see him disgustingly winking at me.

"I'll play."

My eyes moved to Nick as he starts walking towards the table while the some freshmen were busy setting up the new cups to be used and clean pingpong balls. He looks over at me.

"C'mon it's just one game." Nick said to me while cocking his head.

__________

SFTC:

Not Made For This World - Tove Lo