Chapter 5: Poker Face

Georgina panicked when she saw Matthew coming closer so she puts her hand between them. “No. Stop right there. I can do this.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “If you say so.” He went back to his seat, crossing his legs while holding his sketch pad and pencil, waiting for her to start stripping.

But his intense gaze looked like he already undressed her down to the last one of her clothing even before she did. She finally reached the zipper on the back and she’s holding her breath as she slowly pulls her dress down.

She glances at him thinking that he's probably seen a whole lot of naked women. Maybe even prettier and sexier than her. A sudden pinch of jealousy pained her heart. She wanted to jump out of the window with her thoughts. Why would I feel hurt thinking he's seen other naked women? Ridiculous! What does that had to do with me?

She placed her right arm across her chest while her left hand covers her groin as she glances at him, studying his face and trying to figure out what's inside his head now that her last clothing is on the floor.

Blank.

Nothing.

That poker face.

She swallowed, discreetly—trying her best not to show how his stare intimidates her. He has the most gorgeous eyes, drawing her in as if he casted a spell on her. She knew he’s cute as a kid and during in his teens. She knew he’ll be handsome when he becomes an adult but she wasn’t prepared with this kind of hotness! Her gaze traveled down to his mouth, his heart shaped red lips. She can see it moving as he talks but she can’t understand what he was saying exactly.

"Bubblegum!"

Georgina snapped out of her thoughts when she heard that word. “S—sorry. What?”

Wait! Did he just call me Bubblegum? He was the one who gave me that nickname.

For a moment she didn't feel conscious being naked in front of him. It felt like they were close friends again, like those years back in first grade.

His chest lifted as he breathes in some air and released it soundly.

Wait! Did he just smile as he was placing the pad and pencil on the table next to him?

She blinked her eyes. She wasn’t sure if he was because as soon as he stood straight, he had the same serious look on his face earlier.

He walked towards her and she stood there, frozen. ”I said I need you to sit on the couch." His minty fresh breath fanning against her cheeks when he leaned closer, sending shivers on her spine.

She nodded stiffly, still feeling light-headed with all that's happening. She swallowed hard as she sits on the couch, her heart pounding so loud. Why did he have to call me that? Why’d he have to get that close to me? Geez! I’m only reminded that I’m really butt naked in front of my childhood friend!

That thought made her blush and she couldn’t look into his eyes. Her mind goes back to that childhood memory when their friendship started.

She was crying silently as she waited for her mom to pick her up when they were in 1st grade. A big fat bully named Bob put a gum on her hair during their playtime. She was a shy child so she didn’t want the anyone to know because it would be embarrassing.

Matthew was upset seeing what happened but he chose to console her by telling that she's still pretty even with a bubblegum on her hair. She stopped crying when Matthew asked to play with her.

Her mom then arrived to pick her up and Matthew was left waiting for his dad. The next morning, she was excited to play with Matthew again but he and Bob weren't around in class. And during recess, she saw Matthew at the principal's office with his dad. He smiled at her through the glass walls even though his upper lip and right eye were swollen. She was worried and learned later that day from her mom that Matthew looked for Bob and punched him after she left school yesterday. Her mother then became friends with Matthew's dad, Mr. Larson. Even Matthew's dad calls her ‘bubblegum’ whenever they see each other.

Matthew calls him bubblegum since that time until... his parents got divorced when they were in fourth grade. He shut everything out of his life—even her. He was too hurt and he hated the world.

I always wondered how he was coping all those years.

She knows she's the worse friend when she couldn't help him. But then how can you help someone who doesn't want to be helped?

All these memories and thoughts filled her mind, not realizing that she was sitting on the couch and staring at nothing until she heard Matthew sighing roughly in frustration. "Look," he puts the sketch pad and pencil on the table next to him again as he stands up, resting his hands on his hips. "We'd be doing this all day if you won't start feeling comfortable with your naked body in front of me!”

"You should also do something about that bad temper of yours and just help me out!” She snapped back. “It’s my first time doing this.” She mumbled to herself.

"Fine." Matthew said and walked towards her.

“W—What are you doing?" She asked with panic in her voice as his right hand reached out and only a few inches from her waist.

“What? You just said I should help you out.”

"You don't need to touch me for Pete's sake! I'm already naked as it is. You can just tell me what to do!”

He withdraws his hand. “Oh, I'm sorry.” His lips twisted into a sarcastic smile. “I didn't know you’re a virgin." His smile widened, obviously teasing her.

She’s flustered. “J—just tell me what to do.”

"Are you?"

"What?"

"A virgin?” He asked with a straight face.