Chapter 107: Just Getting Started
"Why? You didn’t enjoy it?" Ace asked while cleaning up.
"Not really. I just want to spend my last school festival with you guys."
Andy giggled. "Sure, let’s watch the concert together. My favorite band will be performing." He said and I nodded. Even though I’ve been waiting to spend this day with them, why do I feel guilty because I left Night like that?
’Why?’
After we were done cleaning up, the three of us went to the field where the stage was built. There are already lots of students there and I can see Carla and Maris from afar. The music’s getting louder and I can hear loud cheers from the students.
I smiled as I listened to the band singing on the stage. Some girls were already squealing to their heart’s content while I just nod and jumped to the song. It’s a hype song and everyone’s having fun.
The smile I forced became genuine as we enjoyed the night with all the fun songs. "I’ll be getting some food and drinks." Ace said.
"Let me go with you. Is it alright for you to wait here?" Andy asked me and I just nodded.
I looked at the stage and saw the vocalist sparkling while he sings. He looks like he’s really happy.
"How nice."
"What is?" I looked behind me after I heard that.
"You surprised me," I said as I sighed out of relief. It was Kaoru. "Where have you been?"
Kaoru tilted his head. "I’ve been following the lady the whole day." He said making me raise an eyebrow. There’s no way he’s following me and I didn’t notice it.
I just shook my head as I was about to pull my handkerchief out of my skirt’s pocket because it was getting hot here. ’Wait, where did my ring go?’ I looked at my left hand and saw that the ring I’d been wearing is missing.
’So that’s why I feel weird.’ I rummaged through my pockets but I can’t find it. "Where did I put it?"
"Put what?" Ace asked as she gave me a drink. Her eyes landed on my hands and asked, "Where’s your ring?"
"T-That’s what I’m searching for."
I remember! I think I placed it on that white dress I wore for today because I need to hold Night’s hand at that time. "I’ll be back," I said as I rushed towards the building and Kaoru was about to follow me.
"You don’t have to follow me. There are still students inside the campus." I told him, and despite having doubts, Kaoru listened to my words.
It won’t take long anyway since I remember that my ring’s in that dress’s pocket. Unless they put away the dress and placed it somewhere far.
"Ericka!" I called for Ericka who was coming out of their classroom.
"Oh? What happened?"
"I left something in the dress’s pocket. May I able to borrow it a little?"
Ericka looked at me weirdly. "It’s fine." She said as she let me into their classroom. Turns out she’s the only one left inside the classroom and her classmates are either on the school field or went home already.
"What did you forget?"
"It’s my ring. It’s a gift from my father." I rummaged through the dress’s pockets and it was as if a thorn was pulled out of my throat, I sighed in relief.
"It’s here. Thank god."
It would be really bad for me if I lose this. It’s the only gift left that my father gave me, there’s no way I’ll let myself lose such a precious thing.
"Is that all? I’ll be going to the field now." Ericka said. "Do you want to go with me?"
I shook my head. "I’ll be going to the restroom first," I said and we parted ways.
The nervousness almost ruined my bladder since I rushed here before going to the toilet.
After going to the toilet, I noticed how the hallway became darker since there were only a few lights on. ’I’m not afraid that a ghost might appear in front of me. I’m more afraid of that masked man.’ Thinking about that made me freeze from where I was standing.
That was until I heard voices coming from an empty classroom. ’Huh? It’s the same empty classroom Night and I came in this afternoon.’ I thought as I peeked at the people inside and saw silhouettes of a man and a woman.
"I want to say it to you, Night." I immediately hid behind the door after hearing that. ’It’s still him. He’s still here.’
"I like you."
My eyes widened. It’s not Bethany or Francesca, it’s another girl. She’s well-known, just hearing her voice makes me know who she is. I competed with her in that beauty pageant yesterday and she was the first runner-up. Her name is...
"Who are you?"
I peeked to look at them after Night asked her that. ’He doesn’t know her? The most adorable girl at school! She’s Annika Reyes! She’s said to be the most adorable because of her loveliness and gentle nature.’ How could he just ask her like that?
"My name is Annika, and I’m from Class 3-D." I saw how she fidgeted. "I-I really like Night, and I finally dare to confess."
If it’s Annika, I think she might have a chance with Night. ’Who else would have a chance if not her?’ I thought.
"I already like someone else."
Right, he already likes Tomoe. "I know that," Annika said. "But I took the courage to tell you how I feel for you."
"What do you want me to do about it?" Night’s really not letting Annika’s cuteness get to him, huh?
"I-I just want to say—"
"Why would you want to say that when it’s futile?"
"B-Because I want to get into an understanding that Night will never like me." I feel bad for Annika. She got rejected and now she’s explaining why she confessed.
"It’s something I don’t understand."
"I-I guess so. I’ll leave now." Annika rushed out of the room and I saw tears coming out of her eyes. When she saw me, her eyes widened and she hurried away.
"Until when are you going to eavesdrop?"
I sighed as I entered the classroom. "What’s with that?"
"With what?"
I rolled my eyes and walked towards the window. "You kept hurting Annika’s feelings on purpose, didn’t you?"
"I don’t understand."
Of course, he’ll say he doesn’t understand. "Never mind then," I said as I sat on the desk near the window. "I thought you went home."
"I was watching you from afar."
I raised an eyebrow. "That’s a creepy thing to say."
"Said by a former stalker."
I shook my head as I looked out of the window. "Past is in the past. Can’t you move on? I’m over you now."
"But I’m just getting started."
I glanced at him and his eyes were staring at me filled with emotions. Unlike his usual emotionless eyes, this one is sparkling.
"I like you."
He said and soon after the fireworks started lightening the sky and I was dumbfounded. ’Did he just confess to me?’ With how he’s looking at me, I might believe him if it wasn’t for my control.
"I know you’re only doing that because you hate me," I said as I looked at the fireworks behind us. "If you’re doing this because you want me to fall for you so that you could discard me later, don’t bother. I won’t fall for you, so stop playing around." Not this time.
Night suddenly placed his hands on the desk and leaned his face toward me. "Who said I’m playing around?" He said with such a deep voice and it caught me off guard. His face was only inches away from mine, but I gently pushed him.
"Stop it."
"Stop what?"
I sighed. "Stop fooling around. I know you don’t like me."
"I hate you." He said. See? That’s an honest confession right there. "I hated you. It was in the past." Night added. Who would believe that when what he said the first time felt like there are still lingering feelings.
"Yeah, right." Say what you want, but I still won’t believe you.
"You’re still going on a date with me tomorrow, right?"
I rolled my eyes. "I am obligated to do so since you won our prize."
"It’s the first time I felt great being talented."
It’s annoying that those words came out of his mouth, even though it’s the truth. The way he’s smiling, it’s annoying me.
"Why are you scowling?" Night poked my forehead making me roll my eyes at him.
"It’s none of your business."
"I see."
I looked at the fireworks and thought that this isn’t bad. Being able to converse like this with Night, if he only doesn’t hate me, then everything will be perfect. We could become friends, and pretending like we’re lovers would have been fun.
"There’s no way that would happen."
"What?"
I sighed. "It was nothing."
