What would I expect? It's impossible for people to ignore me with my red showy outfit. Thanks to that great supporter of this game, Mezakiel Art Soren.
While heading straight to the classroom, I could not help but to roam my eyes around just in case Aspen's existence could be reached. I just hope this strategy would work on him.
"A-AAH! K-Karin?!" I stopped from walking when a surprised girl dashed near me. She was very startled to see me on this dress.
"A-Are you sure you're fine?! Maybe you're sick," Coraline worriedly consulted as she put her hand on my forehead. I took her hand off and confidently walked ahead.
"I'm doing great of course! What made you ask if I'm sick or anything?" I answered, chuckling but deep inside, I was imagining how she got shocked to see me like this.
"W-Well, it's not that you wear dresses like this usually. So I wasn't used to see you like it today," Coraline commented while scratching her cheek. She gasped and elbowed me suddenly. "H-Hey, what if you're acting like this because of Aspen?!"
I clicked my tongue simply and avoided her sparkling eyes. Coraline just got it that easily. Obviously, everyone will suspect that as the reason.
"Who knows? Ahaha," I stated. She tilted her head and creased her brows.
"Huh? Who knows what? That just means it's because of Aspen!" Coraline even shook my shoulders to force me from admitting but I only sighed and made a face on her. "You know I still can't get over him, right? Coraline?"
She nodded. "I understand you. But you're pretty good on your red outfit to be frank."
I just hope so. I tried believing that I fit on this red dress Mezakiel brought. Maybe it did look good on me and I could have the chance to catch Aspen's attention. Nice way that you've thought of, Mezakiel.
Until the class started, I've seen no Aspen. Not even his shadow appeared near me. It's just making me feek disappointed that maybe Aspen got freaked out like a startled cat that day so he began to avoid the possible places I am at.
I was just overthinking stuffs but I guess that's not the case! If ever Aspen really avoided me too much from that day, I still have Mezakiel to support me since we're participating a wager. I need to meet Aspen today and find a way to at least get his attention.
A class breaktime arrived, most of my classmates went to do something they like. I was about to sneak out and find Aspen when Coraline called me from the Teacher's desk.
"Karin, I-I need your help!" she requested amidst her struggle to carry the towered books.
"Come on, you can handle that! Where are you suppose to bring those many anyway?" I questioned her.
"To our teacher's faculty room. She ordered me earlier to bring these back but who have the thought that I could handle it on my own." She started carrying the books. "Mind helping me then?"
If I will help her now, I won't have enough time to head straight to Aspen's clubroom, expecting he's there.
"Are you sure you don't want?" Coraline assured and she's already standing by the door. I crossed my arms and headed towards her. "You're pushing my conscience to its limit!"
Coraline just chuckled. I was busy taking some of the books from her when a familiar figure of a man caught my attention from the hallway. Those eyelashes that danced as he blinked. That firm pose of walking. It's Aspen.
"K-Karin! Oh, so it's Aspen?" Coraline reacted while I could not throw my eyes away anymore. Aspen was carrying a pile of books as well so I made up my mind. I immediately took all the books from Coraline that made her stop me.
"K-Karin?!" I winked at her and smiled. It's my time!
"I'll be doing this! Expect me to bring this to the faculty safely, Coraline!" I stated to her with my excited voice but she just sighed and allowed me.
I carried the heavy books as much as I could while catching up to Aspen. Even if it will be awkward or weird, I must have a move to him today.
I successfuly caught up from his walk which made Aspen turn at me. He looked at me and I noticed how startlement flashed across his eyes when he saw me beside him.
He reacted when he saw me on this red style!
"H-Hi, are you going to the faculty as well?" I tried my best to sound fine. But deep inside, my heart, it was racing and my fingers, they were shivering!
Aspen didn't make any weird reaction, he then looked at the ribbon on my hair. "Yes, I'm heading there to bring these books."
I swallowed a dry saliva. It's like he's trying to be comfortable.
I faked a chuckle, we're already walkin by the walkshed as the baseball players could be seen practicing by the playground. "Ahaha! Me as well. Who would've thought that we'll go to the same place."
Right, what a lie! I purposely made it happen.
I simply glanced at him and he smiled, he nodded too. He actually looked more innocent in a close up angle. Not to mention how tall he is.
"What a coincidence, right? You look so red while carrying those books," he commented as he swiftly gazed at my eyes. My lips parted out of surprise.
"R-Red? I look so red?" How obvious! I really looked red with this dress.
"Yes, are you sure you can carry that heavy load until we make it?" he questioned. He sounded really concerned but he's looking at my ribbon.
"Y-Yeah. I can manage it, let's hurry," I responded as calm as I could now that my cheeks were starting to get red as well!
I tried walking faster and it's a surprise that Aspen caught up. Should he be avoiding me?!
"It's good to hear then. You're strong," Aspen stated at me with his genuine smile. I could not tolerate showing my face in front of him! I kept on imagining the image when that scene happened.
Should I be opening that topic up now?
My chest was starting to get tightened.
"D-Do you feel comfortable these days?" Finally, I started the topic. Aspen just smiled while staring at our path. "Since the day I made that scene, I know it made you uncomfortable already."
He heaved a sigh and didn't look at me. "How about you? How have you been these past few days?"
Eh? I halted from walking and gawked at Aspen. He even turned around to look at me. He avoided my question and he asked it back to me?!
I thought he's going to avert me right away earlier when we're walking but he even initiated a conversation to me. No, think about it! Do not misunderstand this, self! He's still feeling the awkwardness but Aspen pushed himself to talk to me. He just didn't want to be rude.
"I haven't seen you after that day as well so I started to get curious about what happened to you," Aspen informed but he looked away. His face was not shy nor digusted but he seemed to be honest.
Me? Curious about what happened to me?!
"You're curious? And, and you noticed how I lack to show up in the Academy too?!" I questioned like an accused innocent person.
Aspen's lips parted and gave me an alarmed face. "Do not misunderstand! I was just curious if what I responded was too offensive!"
"So, how have you been?" he added while staring at my ribbon.
I could not believe this. To think that I'm now talking to him, reacting to the words he's saying right now. I was never wrong about Aspen's personality. He's indeed the nice type of a guy.
Those eyes he has kept on looking at me with wonder, glancing at how beautiful the red designed in me was.
I stood up and walked closer to him. I hugged my books and deepened my thoughts. Should I tell him that I'm not actually fine?
I stained my eyes on his eyes and performed a bright smile as the wind danced my dress and our hair.
"I'm totally not fi---"
"H-Hey!"
My answer got cut out when something so hard hit my head. It was so strong and hard that I almost wanted to lose consciousness. A baseball hit my head!
"A-Are you fine?" Aspen worriedly came closer to me which even made my dizziness worsen. He became two in my eyes but I still tried to balance myself. I must not lose balance here.
I tried my best to stand up straight until I felt two hands holding my shoulders.
"Stand still." A gentle voice?! Aspen's helping me! He's too close, I just wanted to pass out.
"Ahaha, no. I could still walk. It just made my head ache a bit," I stated. "Let's just head on."
"I'll take you at the clinic as well."
What?! Aspen?! He's worrying too much!
To be honest, I could still manage to walk and carry the books with me despite committing a bit headache yet here we are. Aspen insisted to bring me at the clinic after we put the books to the faculty."I'm fine. You don't need to waste your time aiding my head here," I repeated but Aspen was lending deafened ears. That ball's impact was not even enough to lose my consciouness off. Although I was slightly walking in zigzag with the books and Aspen was behind me, watching if I ever lose balance.In the end, I succeeded from heading here with him since he insisted. Aspen's too worried, I just wanted to go home and squeal like the luckiest girl in town.I wast sitting on a minobloc chair while Aspen's busy finding the pain reliever ointment from the first aid kit."Here, close your eyes and lean sideward," he ordered with a gentle voice. My lips even trembled in startlement when Aspen leaned closer to my face.I could cle
I started to panic when his knocks on the door became faster. My heart pulsed like it's about to win the race when I didn't know what to do.And what I should settle right now is to hide Mezakiel. After fidgeting my fingers on my lap, I rapidly pulled Mezakiel's wrist while he was busy munching the cookie."H-Hey! You're too rough!" he complained but I marched him towards my bedroom then pushed him inside. He was very shocked that I'll lock him there. "W-Wait, slow down. You're very early for this."What?! What is he talking about?! He's aware that Aspen's here so he must cooperate."Shh! You're too loud and I'm dragging you to hide there, that's all!" I replied with a worried tone but Mezakiel lied down on my bed as he waved his hand."Bye bye, then!" This guy! He's not even worried that Aspen will see him here, in my apartment. I closed the door and immediately opened the main door for Aspen.And, right.
No one talked and Coraline didn't change the mad but curious expression on her face. I was just stucked, thinking what to answer and Mezakiel's waving his brows as if he's now counting on me.Who would expect that we'll get caught by someone who knows Aspen here?! Alright, Karin. Calm down and be practical by just dropping a handy lie.I faced Coraline who was glaring and tapping her foot on the floor. "I thought you're deeply in love with Aspen but you're already having a backup boyfriend!"I performed a facepalm and sighed. She's overreacting by saying that. And I need to explain."And who are you to stick yourself in Aspen and Karin!" Coraline added and Mezakiel even stepped bckward."No, Coraline! What are you saying? Calm down. He's my, my cousin!" I lied and looked at Mezakiel who was really, really shocked. That was the only way she'll believe us!Coraline pouted. "Cousin, huh? He's just
Coraline and I both made it to the Party venue and the bright and loud place welcomed us. There were lots of people and all of them were familiar since most of them were students from the Academy. "You sure you're going to be fine? Just enjoy, now that we're free to attend you know!" Coraline even whipped my back that I got even pushed away. I guess I'll try to enjoy. Especially when Aspen's shadow appears here, tonight. I nodded at her and grinned. "I will, you don't need to worry. Enjoy too!" "Pft, Karin! You're looking for him, aren't you?" I raised my brows on her. Acting like she's wrong but yes, she red my mind. "What? It's not like that. But honestly, I'm expecting for him to arrive." Coraline chuckled loudly as she continued walking. "Nah~ he will absolutely come. Want to look for him?" "No! We went here to enjoy the party!" I responded. But it's a half lie for
I couldn't stand this anymore! We've been frozen in the same position ever since Aspen dragged me in his car with him."What's going---""Shh!" Aspen swiftly covered my mouth with his hand and he hushed, drawing his face near my face. "I'm pretty sure she noticed us earlier so we must be sure that she won't catch us."His face was so close to me, I could almost feel his breaths. And I wanted to take his hand off of my face or else I will be caught burning in hot blushes! This is also embarassing.Still, I gently pulled his hand away from my face and Aspen noticed that he's been covering my it for so long. "Oh, I'm sorry. I jusy overreacted from... from her arrival."I heaved a very heavy sigh when Aspen drew himself farther. At last, a space."Who is she? I mean, why are we hiding ourselves from her?" I asked Aspen and tried to take a peek from the outside. Actually, I was preventing him to see
"I'm very pleased to meet you, Miss Karin Ruiz! My name is Maddison Flores," the nice-looking girl said, properly introducing herself because she's also lending her hand to me. I would look rude if I wouldn't accept it so we shook hands.A volt of electricity struck through our hands when they touched each other. Who would feel so calm here? I am actually facing the real girl I met by the mall. I was introducing myself to that girl who bought the same off-shoulder outfit like what I had bought! Maddison Flores. She's giving me the suspicious vibe.I gulped. "I'm pleasee to meet you too. And your twin sister Amanda," I shyly responded with a chuckle. We looked at the boyish girl or Maddison's twin sister.She's giving me her deadly glares right now. What did I do?"Oh my, pardon for my sister's cold treatment towards you!" Maddison smiled. "Amanda's just speechless because of the fact that we wore the same outfit tonight and she saw
"I couldn't answer that." I looked away since I was too nervous if he'll notice how I blushed too much. "Does that mean you like red?"I pretended like I didn't know what he's attracted to. Actually, I really didn't know that Aspen has a weakness when it comes to women's appearances and that is how the color red fits them. Good thing the red color suited me so well. All thanks to Mezakiel, I discovered such an important fact from Aspen."I'm surprise you didn't know that about me," he commented with a grin. "Then thanks to the realization. You know something about myself again, one point, Karin."Yes, one point for me. What about him? What does he know about me? I wanted him to discover more things from myself like my hobbies, the food I love the most and the things I don't put up a liking to.I chuckled out of the blue, he was clueless about that. "Honestly, I got more points already," I told him.
Morning came and I was more excited than the rising sun because I was already up before my alarm rang to wake me up. Well--- I actually wanted to prepare for this day, Mezakiel said last night that it's my advantage to become more motivated in continuing this now that I found closure to our target easily.When I entered our classroom, I saw Coraline. She's busy from tapping her foot on the floor with a smirk on her lips to show how excited she was to see me today."Hello! How's last night? Caroline?" I waved my hand at her but she just clicked her tongue and I was tickled when he poked my waist. "Now now, Karin? Look who's giving me some energetic mood today?!"I clicked my tongue out of expecting her reaction. She knew that Aspen and I spent the party together last night when she's busy enjoying by herself. "What do you mean? I had a good sleep, that's why!"She only gave me a 'pft' as we sat on our seats since we're s