"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 clearly see his perfect face! This was embarrassing!
I looked away and followed his words. "F-Fine. But I could actually do it on my own. Just let me apply it by myself."
I tried taking the ointment on his his hand but he hoisted it upward. "I finally did it so there's no use if you decline."
"It's okay. J-Just let me do it," I forced and kept on snatching the ointment on his hand until Aspen swiftly held my head's peak. "You're moving too much."
My breaths became so tight and slow when he gently applied the ointment on my forehead. It's too cold, the ointment's too cold yet my face's temprature at this moment's contradicting it.
"Were you fine?" He ruined the silence and after applying it on my forehead, he put the aid back.
"Yes, I am fine now. Thank you." I was about to touch my forehead when his hand held my wrist to stop me. Stop doing unexpected actions or I'll be left here dying in heart attack.
"Oh, pardon." He smiled and let my hand go before sitting on the parallel chair. "I was asking if you're fine these past few days."
Instead of contonuing to touch the part where he applied the ointment, I parted my lips and fixed my hair behind my ear. "A bit I guess so? It's awkward to talk about it now."
My cheeks were till rising its temperature. The ambiance was getting heavier now that Aspen's eyes were all on me already.
"I don't want to think about it again," I added.
"You say so. It's really awkward," he answered. "You know, who would expect that you're going to confess from that moment."
I bit my lower lip while staring at my red dress. "It's my fault for doing that carelessly and making you startle. Let's just forget about what happened that time."
"And..." I intentionally whispered and turned my eyes into slits. Thinking that rejection moment will just become the total hindrance on the wager.
"And?" Aspen repeated that made me look at him. He's really darting his gaze on me.
"And please, do not feel uncomfortable when I'm around. It's not that I will expect further thoughts, I will just get bothered forever if you will avoid me, ignore me or become uncomfortable." His lips pursed when I was explaining. "Added to this, let us not make my confession a big deal but honestly, I like you so much. It was so careless of me to confess too early like that."
He stood up which made me do the same. Was there anything from what I've said offended him?
"You couldn't just abandon your feelings like that after what had happened. Knowing you expected that I'll treat you negatively, you'll erase that by forgetting what was done."
"I got rejected so that embarrassing moment will bug me longer," I responded but he jut walked towards the exit. "I didn't feel anything rather than getting surprised when you shout it out to me personally, to be honest."
I widened my eyes at him when he smiled while saying that. He's serious, right?!
"But I'm not telling this to make you expect furtherer." He blinked. "You look really good on red."
"Really? He did say that?!" Mezakiel reacted with so much dibelief so I only hugged my knees even more. To think that he honestly complimented me earlier! He did warn me to not expect further before saying the contradiction. I'll just fall for that guy even deeper!
Those moment we had earlier was likely decribed to be better than any dreams I had!
Mezakiel leaned on my couch and crossed his arms. "I thought you'll be the one to offer a compliment to him instead of him doing so!"
He added a 'pft' and took a cookie over the plate. I pouted. "I could easily compliment him if the image of embarrassment didn't keep on flashing!"
"But the point that Mr. Aspen Medina really is attracted to women in red?" He confidently raised his index finger while munching the cookie.
I then just hugged my knees and blushed. "That's indeed a fact. He reacted when he first took a glimpse on me. And that moment is something I would never get off of my head!"
I just wanted to squeal right now but Mezakiel's still here.
"Oh, really? Looks like you're the one who's enjoying the game here," Mezakiel stated in a bored tone while looking away. He suddenly looked bored.
I laughed to tease him. "Of course I enjoyed despite saying this is the first step, first attempt and the first day of our game," I responded but he only munched another cookie.
"Shouldn't you be happy that you'll just sit and relax, watching me do the work here?" I questioned with a knitting brows and it made him stop.
"By just sitting? Come on, it's not as easy as it is to gather informations about our target Medina." He swayed the cookie. "Knowing what places he wants to go, what kind of foods he wants and he's allergic with, if he wants to watch movies or not and his hobbies."
I puffed my cheeks due to how I interpreted Mezakiel's words as a rant. Compared to his role, mine's on another level.
"Moreover." He leaned his elbows on his lap and pointed me using his cookie. "You must be happy that you're one step ahead to that guy you like."
"Hah!" I closed my eyes and crossed my arms. "O-Our goal here is to win the reward."
"Yeah, you can say it that easily."
"Believe me! The reward is our priority!" I shouted but Mezakiel ignored my words, he pointed my head twice.
"Your ribbon? Where did you put it?" Eh? My ribbon? I held my hair and tried cupping my ribbon but I could not touch any.
My red ribbon! I lost it, I did not even take it off on my own meaning to show it loosened itself.
When?!
I began looking around my apartment while Mezakiel's watching me find it. It's better if he helps!
Not in the bedroom, not in the whole apartment! Which means, I dropped it.
"Stop looking for that. I'll buy a new one instead!" Mezakiel stated in a lazy tone but I shook my head.
"No, that ribbon's special to me already. By just seeing that ribbon, I will remember the moment we shared together!"
He just waved his hands like he didn't care at all. What would I say? All he cared about was the victory.
"Then if I'll buy a new one, make new memories in it agai---"
Mezakiel stopped from talking and we both glanced at the door when we heard three loud knocks and a very, very familiar voice.
My heart joined a race once again when the voice was Aspen. Why was he here? And Mezakiel's inside my apartment!
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
"Hey, wait! Stop, Karin!" When Mezakiel was done from being pulled by me, I quickly let him go when we recently crossed the road.I bit my lips that made him suspect. "If you didn't want to eat there, just say it! I'm starving!"He stomped and put his hands on his waist so I huffed. "Stop complaining about food for now. I saw Aspen inside."There's no need for me to hide Maddison and Amanda from Mezakiel. Mezakiel silenced himself and he gawked at the fastfood chain that we're facing right now. "Oh, then you should've told me to go away and you can head towards him."I crossed my arms before glaring at him. He didn't actually see Aspen because he's too focused from choosing at the menu. I was way more useful than him!"Easy for you to say because you didn't see any!" I returned back and got startled when he poked my forehead. That hurts, hello!"Ouch! What again?!""I should've seen it if you didn't