I looked around and tried to make out where the source of it was. It shouldn’t be far from here…
“I really, really like you.” The voice said again. This time the voice was clear. I scanned my eyes around, only to realize that it was from inside an empty room just across from me.
No, specifically, the school clinic. I peeked from the clear glass windows. The figure of a girl, standing in front of a tall guy caught my eyes.
I let my eyes trail to the guy, he was facing the girl so I can only see his broad back. His jet black hair, and just seeing the guy’s familiar plain black backpack, I don’t have to look at his face to see it’s Eion.
My eyes turn to the girl, it was that annoying stupid girl again! Ugh, can’t she escape? It feels like she’s everywhere! It’s too much to see that irritating face for my poor eyes to take.
There’s this feeling inside me that wants to intervene, walk inside, and break this moment. There was silence, and I could sense a tension lingering in the air.
I should leave, but I can’t bring my feet to move as I stayed rooted to my spot, creepily watching the two of them and wondering what their next move is, or more specifically, what that girl’s schemed evil plan is.
I realized the girl said something to Eion as she was looking at him with big, ‘adorable’ eyes, expecting something, and nervous at the same time.
Eion stood still, probably just staring at her with blank eyes. He sighed, starting on packing his books and sliding it to his bag.
Then Eion moved, making a way for me to see his reaction. And I saw that there was a smile on his face now.
Wait, a smile?
“It seems you’re fine now. I gotta leave.” He started to walk off towards the door where I stood creepily but the girl ran towards him just enough to stop him.
“No.” The girl said, hugging him from behind. “Stay.”
Eion froze.
As I took in what just happened, my eyes widened. Her, confessing, him leaving, her hugging him. Is she that desperate? I gagged at the sight. There was this strange feeling inside me. It’s strange. It’s new.
I removed my eyes from the scene, I can’t handle it. I can’t handle it anymore. I feel like… someone just stabbed me. Stabbed me in the heart.
My mind exploded with thoughts, as my eyes clouded with… tears.
I swallowed, shaking my head. What is this feeling? Why am I feeling this? I took a step away, and another one, and slowly but surely, I ran as one by one I regained my feet’s consciousness.
Crying and running? Why is my body moving on my own?
I heard shouting, shouting from his voice. “Snow? Is that you?”
I ignored him and continued running. I have to get away here. I need to. Just because of my curiosity something happened like this. There was the sound of footsteps echoing from behind me. “Snow!” Eion called.
“Please stop.” He said. I stopped instantly, my body overtaking me and not listening. Why am I stopping? I really need to getaway!
Slowly, I turned around to glance at him. He was just a few distances away from me, looking at me with… worried eyes? Is it just my imagination?
I shook my head to clear away my thoughts and looked at the ground. I can’t bring it to meet his eyes. “Then please stop it now,” I said. Why am I saying this? Why?
“Stop what?”
His voice sounded confused. I don’t understand myself today. But there’s this feeling. This is a strange feeling. And I can’t even do something about it. I don’t have the power to control it.
“I see you getting more popular now… especially to the girls,” I said, my voice straining. I tried to look up at him, he was smiling. Still, his smile did not matter, but he did smile. And that effort alone is enough for me now. I smiled bitterly, feeling so weak right now.
“What are you talking about? I just did what you told me…” he trailed off.
“So you like her back?” I asked. It was a stupid question. Gosh. In order to avoid embarrassing myself more, I added, “Good…you can say everything to me. I can give you more advice…” I said, hitting his elbows playfully. Say everything, even if it will hurt me.
His forehead knitted, looking at me strangely. “What’s wrong with you now? You’re acting strange.”
Then as though seeing something strange in my face, like I was a strange creature, he reached out and caressed my cheek.
I gawked, my eyes widening in shock. The action alone is enough to make me shut up, but as he caressed my cheek, his eyes held something, staring at me with his deep and penetrating gaze, piercing deep into my soul.
It was hard for me to look away as he fixed me with his gaze. So I met it with my own blazing eyes. And there, I could see it. Inside, a genuine, gentle boy, who just wants to be better. “You’re crying again.”
Crying? I looked at him in confusion. I guess I forgot about it… He shook his head, wiping it away with his thumb as he slowly caressed my cheeks.
The scene was breathtaking for me to handle, so much that I’m afraid I would melt right then and there if it didn’t for the fact that the main reason why I am like this is because of him.
I slapped his hand away and turned away from him, gulping down. I huffed, “Glare at me. Or ignore me.”
“What?” He asked.
“Change back!” I yelled. At this, he was frozen.
I paused, lowering my voice. “It’s not you anymore. The normal you won’t do all of this, all these things to me.” I continued, pointing at myself.
“Running to chase me, always scolding me and glaring at me when finding out I let my curiosity out and mind other’s business. He won’t talk to me and instead, just ignore me. I was the only one who initiated a conversation. Even smirk when seeing me crying and suffering, not caressing my cheeks. And he doesn’t worry about me. Worry that I feel so weak. That he looks down on me..” I mumbled.
“Don’t pretend, like what I did. Don’t imitate me. I like this side of you. But I prefer the real you.”
Realizing what I said, my pride got the better of me. Maybe he will get the wrong idea! I scrunch my face, as though I’m disgusted. “You’re now pretending that it’s so sickening to watch.”
It seemed like he was waiting for me to stop to retort to me. “But you’re copying me also, having this facade on your face, and hiding all your emotions when in reality you’re so easy to read like an open book. So it’s fair.”
I gasped at what he said and thought for a comeback, “You-“‘
He raised his finger to shut me up, “You were the one who said that I should open up more, smile more, and be nice to everyone. That’s what I am doing. And you’re telling me that I’ll stop?”
He looked at me incredulously. “I don’t even understand girls.” He mumbled in a low voice.