So what happens next? Find out! 
Chapter 8: Happy Ending?
After a short moment of silence
"Is there something bothering you?" I asked.
"No, it's nothing." She shook her head. At that instant, I knew
that there was something, but she just didn't want to tell me. I
turned back to look at the 2 girls. They gestured to me to talk to
Mint somemore.
"Thanks for inviting me tonight." I said, trying to get her
attention onto something else. She looked at me and smiled.
"You're welcome." She said in a soft voice. I decided to take this
as the topic to divert her mind away.
"Your friends have been very nice to me." I complimented.
"Especially, the girls." At the sound of this, Mint shot a
petrifying glare at me.
It could have turned even the bravest of guys to stone. Obviously I
had said something wrong. But I was clueless as to what.
"Err
" I struggled to remedy the situation.
"If you like them so much, why don't you go talk to them instead?"
Mint's outburst shocked my senses. Luckily, the others didn't hear
her.
"I...I'm sorry Mint. I didn't mean it that way." I tried to appease
her. She didn't say anything.
"I mean I treat them as friends only." I explained. "Please don't
get me wrong."
At this, she cooled down.
"Could you leave me alone for awhile? I just need to take some time
off." She mumbled. I nodded and left to join the others.
Compared to yesterday, today shows a completely different side of
her. Can't help but wonder why can't we be ourselves like
yesterday?
By now, everyone including the guys had crowded round me to get my
'live' report. Slowly, in bits and pieces I related what had just
happened.
"She's jealous?" Ace wondered aloud.
"But why?" Luis questioned.
"This question is best left to the pros." Ace concluded and turned
to the girls. All eyes turned to Pepper; she seemed to have alot of
experience in relationships.
"The reason why she's behaving like that." She said after thinking
abit. "Is because she has feelings for you. After all, if you mean
nothing to her, why would she be so agitated over such a small
matter?" Her question left me contemplating awhile.
"Come on man! You got to get a slice of the pie, a piece of the
meat, a...a." His voice began trailing off, as everybody glared at
him.
"Heh heh." He laughed sheepishly. "Just a joke. Don't take it so
seriously."
Each person offered advice, encouragement and told me more about
Mint's character. Luis even surprised me by encouraging me. Perhaps
I had been wrong about him all this while? Guilt began creeping in
slowly, as I realised that I had misunderstood him all along.
Perhaps he treats Mint like a sister only?
By then, we had already reached the bus stop. I watched as each of
them, boarded their buses. Leaving only Mint and I left.
My bus screeched to a halt 5 minutes later. I took a last wistful
glance at her.
As Mint walked off, I turned to board the bus. Suddenly, I heard a
cry.
"Ouch!" She laid on the ground, clutching her ankle and wincing in
pain. I whirled around and rushed over to her side.
"Are you ok?" I spoke gently, bending on one knee.
"I think I just sprained my ankle." She moaned. "Tripped over that
stupid rock."
"You better see a doctor." I advised.
"But I can't walk." I really sympathised with her. So I offered to
carry her piggyback. (Remember chapter 4?)
I gestured to her to climb on.
"Err...I think I can manage." She said, looking shyly at me.
Obviously she couldn't manage right?
"Aiya, it's going to get worse if you don't let me take you to see
a doctor." Finally, she relented. I felt sheer exhilaration
energise me. This is the first time I'm this close to Mint. Better
not get any funny ideas, I told myself.
There was a 24-hour clinic nearby. As it was getting late,
naturally there weren't many patients. As I sat down to wait for
her, I began recollecting her friends' encouragement, Eve, and
everything else that had happened.
I thought it through and decided that it was time to let go and
move on. Why cling onto something of the past? I should be living
for tomorrow, not for yesterday.
But will I able to muster up the courage to tell Mint I like
her?
15 minutes later, the door swung open and Mint came out looking
positively better, her ankle was bandaged and she had difficulty
walking. After taking some medication, I offered to see or rather
carry her home.
"I was thinking about the game just now Clint." Mint said, while we
were halfway home. "All the things you said, did you mean
it?"
This question came even more suddenly than I had expected. As her
hand was neatly placed over my chest, I wondered if she could feel
my heart beating faster than ever.
What will happen if I tell her my heart's desire? Will I get
rejected? I mentally prepared myself for rejection, and prayed for
success. I braced myself and made my intentions clear.
"Yes." I spoke trying to stay calm. "It comes from the heart." By
now, I was sure she could feel my heart racing. Her grip tightened
after I had told her my feelings. She propped her chin on my
shoulder and whispered into my ear.
"Me too." My eyes widened in disbelief. The feeling is mutual? I
couldn't believe my ears. A wide smile spread across my face.
We basked in the warm light of each other's newfound companionship,
whispering sweet nothings, as I trudged along.
Just then I realised that I had missed the last bus.
"I think
I just missed the last bus home." I said slowly. Mint
chuckled at my blur expression.
"Why don't you stay over at my house?" Without hesitating I quickly
say yes.
"Would your parents mind?" I asked.
"Nah, they don't even know, because they're overseas." She
revealed.
Maybe I should have headed to 7-Eleven to buy that thingy...who
knows, maybe we'll... Hey! I had to consciously stop myself from
thinking so far ahead.
"I know what are you thinking of." Mint teased. What the?! How did
she know what's up my mind? A woman's intuition?
"Sorry." I apologised. She simply gave me a light knock on the head
and laughed it off.
"Hey you're pretty heavy." I remarked, panting under the
weight.
"Then hurry up and let's get home!" She ruffled up my hair while I
walked on helplessly. She grinned at my new hairstyle.
