Professor F novel Chapter 66

The concert ended and August was about to tell her parents that she'll go talk to Pierre but her parents told her that she should go to her Aunt Ruth backstage because she needs her help. They went ahead and told her she can ask her Aunt Ruth to drive her home.

The crowd also started to leave the concert grounds while she made her way to the backstage to meet Pierre and Aunt Ruth. She was waiting behind the railings separating the crowd from the tents where the artists stayed when she saw Pierre coming out from one of the tents while holding his phone. He's already wearing his University jacket.

He looked around and smiled as soon as he saw her. He told the security personnel to let her in and they went to the corner to talk.

"That was an awesome performance! Congratulations!" She told him with a big smile.

He smiled back. "Thanks. I'll just get my cap then we can go."

"Sure." She waited for him to come back.

"Ready?" Pierre asked when he got back wearing his cap. "How about we grab dinner, too?"

"What time will you leave with the band?"

"Actually—" He paused. "I told them I'll stay behind. I was thinking maybe we can go back to the University together?"

"Oh! Y—Yeah. That should be fine. I can ask my parents to let you stay tonight."

"Oh, no! I'm extending my stay at the hotel."

"W—What? That would cost so much money. You can stay in our house so we can leave together tomorrow."

He looked glad. "Sounds like a plan. I'll get my things later then."

"I'll come with you." She smiled when she noticed him trying to hide his face from the crowd. "You're a celebrity already with that face of yours! I'm not sure if that's a blessing or a curse!" She teased.

He chuckled shortly, still lowering his gaze. They heard a group of girls talking about him, one of the girls was looking for him. "I was advised that they're still here backstage. We can go and have a picture with him!" The girl said with excitement.

She was about to joke about it when he reached for her hand and hugged her tight. "I'm sorry. They might see me." He whispered.

"S—Sure." She stayed still. "Are they gone now?" She asked after a few minutes.

"Yes. I think."

"August?" She heard her Aunt Ruth's voice.

She turned around, smiling. "Congratulations for the—" Her smile faded when she saw her Aunt Ruth standing next to Flynn who is holding a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

"F—Flynn?"

Flynn was quiet and his face dark. He clearly isn't happy about what he saw. She's speechless and numb. Flynn walked towards her and handed the bouquet of flowers. "I came to surprise you."

She opened her mouth but words won't escape her. She could feel, for the first time, that he's going to be upset—to her.

"I c—can explain."

"There's nothing to explain." He said calmly and started to walk towards her Aunt Ruth. "Thank you for everything, Ma'am." He said and walked away.

She could feel the tears in her eyes. She ran after Flynn. "Flynn!" She called for his name, leaving Pierre behind.

He didn't stop his steps. She then grabbed his arm and stands in his way. "Let me explain."

He looked away. "Not now, August. Please leave me alone."

She clenched her fists as she cried silently. "No. I won't."

"August—"

"Listen to me, please." She interrupted. "We're just friends. Nothing's going on between me and Pierre. Believe me."

He sighed and stepped forward. Her tears continued to flow from her eyes. She's starting to feel numb and the night breeze just became colder. He reached out to wipe her wet cheeks. "Stop crying."

She sniffed hard. "How can I not cry when you're ignoring me?"

He pulled her for a hug. "I'm sorry. But I think—" He paused. "—this is for the best. I think we should give each other some space."

She felt that stabbing pain on her chest as she closed her eyes. The thought of him liking someone else won't stop from filling her head.

"Why? Is there somebody—" Her voice broke and unable to finish her question.

Asking herself whether she's even ready to hear his answer?

He released her from his hug and looked into her eyes. He took a deep breath and sighed. "Y—Yes."