Chapter Forty-Five: My Heart Pounds Fast
"Did you already contact the pastry shop?"
"We need paper plates guys!"
"Can anyone sing or perform before the auction?"
"Where are the black curtains?!"
"Are everyone's costume complete?"
"Everyone sure is busy," a voice chimed in from beside me with a water bottle in their free hand.
I nod, staring at the chaotic scenario in front of me. It makes me feel like even standing still is a crime. It's not like I'll be of any help anyway. I might even bother them.
Tomorrow is the school festival, so I understand why they're going back and forth. Preparations are really a hassle and needs to be well thought of.
"Are you excited for tomorrow?" Emily turned to gaze at me, a smile etched on her lips. She looks quite fired up for tomorrow's event—like she'd probably never get a wink of sleep tonight.
I huffed, crossing my arms. "No. I'm pretty sure no one would come onto my booth. If anything, I'm sure the attention would be towards the auction and cafe with pretty girls in their maid outfits."
"Avery," Emily stared at me, like I was so weird that I grew a second head. She trailed off. "---you mean to tell me... that you want attention too?"
"No!" I immediately defended myself, a small blush made its way onto my cheeks. I didn't mean it that way. I mean not to say the least.
It's just that it would be a waste. For Leila and May who had sewn the clothes I was going to wear; for everyone who worked on the props on my small booth and for keeping their expectations. Ugh, what's wrong with me?
Since when did I care about other people anyway?
Emily chuckled, enjoying my blunder. "It's not bad to admit it, Avery. We all want some attention one way or another."
"Easy for you to say," I snorted.
"Well, I'm excited tomorrow," she replied, tucking a hair behind her ear. "---I'd be this cute maid girl with an adorable costume."
"Am I even surprised?" I murmured, casting a side-glance at her. "---you're pretty, so anything---even rubbish would look good on you."
"Avery," she playfully slapped my shoulder, making me stagger a bit on where I stood. "---I'm not that pretty."
I smirked, teasingly eyeing her from head to toe. "Stop being so humble. Just admit it. I even saw that locker of yours had a love letter or two."
Emily's face flushed red, a hint of scowl on her lips. "Hey! You weren't supposed to see that!"
"So?" I raised a brow. "---did you reply to any of their confessions?"
She sighed, running a finger down her curled-up locks. "I haven't...yet. I mean, I'm just not sure if I want a relationship right now."
"They're really nice, but I don't have the heart to reject them," she sourly smiled.
I clicked my tongue. "Well, that's up to you. But I'm pretty sure if you get together with one of them, a little birdie would be sad."
Her brows perked up in slight interest. "And who would be?"
My lips stretched into a small, teasing smile, kicking my legs from my seat and heaved a short tone. "It's for me to know, and for you to find out."
"That's so unfair!" she pouted, acting like a child throwing a tantrum. I chuckled, amused by her childish tendencies.
I could just imagine Lance ripping my hair off my own scalp when he finds out that I told her. I'm pretty sure Emily can't keep her mouth shut and it's not really my business to tell.
Emily intensely gazed at me, waiting for me to crack open and say a small clue but I'm not budging. I instead shifted my attention to the various people pacing back and forth with chairs and tables set aside and circular tables positioned across the room.
Our classroom is starting to take its form. Our room is big, housing 46 students so there was enough space to separate it into three different themes. The cafe, which is the main attraction, took the biggest space; my booth, which was at the farthest corner with black curtains and cardboards covering it took second, and the auction for guys was near the chalkboard, with a small stage that was borrowed and a speaker beside it.
As if on cue, my eyes darted to the loud opening of the door.
Everyone stopped and paused with their duties, eyes strained to the figures hovering by the front door. Then one by one they entered, garnering squeals and screams from the female population.
My eyes landed on the guy entering last and somehow, I looked away. Why did I even look away?
I couldn't find the answer because Emily was busy nudging me by the sides aggressively, a squeal escaping her lips like every hormonal girl in class. "Oh my gosh! They're so hot! Avery, look! Look!"
I pursed my lips, pushing her elbows far from my ribs. It hurts you know? Really. I sighed, not bothering to spare a glance as Emily kept on rambling like she saw some magnificent god-like creatures.
"Avery, you better auction for Tom," Emily murmured under her breath. "—or else some savages would take him away."
"---who knows what they'd do to him.'"
A sarcastic chuckle escaped my lips. "You make him sound like a poor helpless rabbit trapped in the circle of foxes."
"Well duh," Emily rolled her eyes. "---that's exactly what will happen once they see him like that! That handsome creature!"
Well he is popular with girls. That's a given.
"Avery," Emily tugged at my hand enthusiastically. "---Tom is coming close. I repeat, prince charming is coming close."
I rolled my eyes. "I swear, you're acting as if you don't know him."
"Pretty guys overwhelm me," she replied in a hushed squeal, then removed her grasp from mine and took a step back.
I raised a brow, then realized why. I could feel a presence hovering in front of me, but I didn't need to look to even know.
That lemon scent of his was enough to tell.
"Hey."
"Yo," I nonchalantly replied, at least tried to, as I stared at the marbled tiles like they were some abstract piece. I can't seem to bring myself to look at him.
"Do I look okay, Avery?" he asked, his breath sounded heavy.
"Yeah, you look okay," I calmly brushed him off, wishing he would just accept it and leave.
That spot in the center should be mopped. It's distracting.
"You're not even looking," I could sense disappointment course through his tone.
"I can already tell without seeing it," I lied.
There's a small speck of dust by the right corner. I should mop that later.
"Can you at least look at me?" he pleaded.
"Oh Tom, I bet Avery's shy," Emily chuckled from afar, waving her hands enthusiastically. "---her heart would probably flutter once she looks at you."
I hissed, a scowl forming my face. "No!"
"Then why aren't you looking?" she retorted smugly, crossing her arms at me in victory.
I pursed my lips. I can't let Emily win. It's not true. I can prove it.
I'm not hesitating at all. With a deep breath, my eyes slowly trailed upwards and finally locked eyes with Tom. It somehow took me so much courage and urge not to look away.
His usual ruffled bangs were slicked into a neat hair style. His lips were glossy--probably from some Chapstick and he was wearing those prince-like costumes.
My fingers were clenched tightly and looking into those olive eyes entranced me the more I stared into it.
He smiles and I took that as an excuse to look away, my heart frantically defying my mind.
It's just pressure. That's all. Emily was putting malice into a situation that's totally normal. Yeah, it's not because I thought he looked handsome.
Totally not the reason why.
"I bet you you'd get the highest bid, Tom," Emily uttered in the background and they both started conversing with one another.
Why couldn't I look at him without feeling uneasy? Just that thought was enough to bother me for the rest of the day, so much that I mindlessly helped my classmates without even questioning it or be bothered by their shock at me lending a hand.
This is weird. Something is wrong about me today.