“How do you call someone who came running back to a bitch who exchanged him for passion?” Shaine pointed her forefinger close to her head, acting like she is thinking.
“Stop that thing,” I warned her, running my fingers through the books in the shelf.
“You won't let this thing happen, will you? Well, it's okay if you won't fight for him. Raven's ready to catch you.” I glared at her after she said those. “Aw, sorry!”
It's just the two of us here in the library since the librarian excused herself for a moment. She even asked us to guard the library while she'll do her best to return quick. Basically, we are free to create a noise.
“You know what, you can be a good writer because you always want to make stories,” I jested.
“And my story's genre will be gossip, right?” Oh, look how fast she was able to ride the joke.
You guys might be wondering why we are seeking books now. Well, to be honest, that's not our real intention as to why were here. I asked Shaine to accompany me here since just like what I said before I love being at the library. We lied to the librarian, so she'll give us the permission to stand by here. To support that excuse, we pretended searching for books while talking.
“Most of the books here are all about science and technology,” Shaine muttered, pouring a look on the shelf.
“Care less about it. We're not even here for that.”
“Right. We're here for the peace of mind that you wanted. We're not here to read books.”
The atmosphere here in the library is much more peaceful compared to our noisy classroom. Here you can breathe the fresh air. You can have a good quality time to relax and chill.
Well, thanks to my friend who for all I know is just forced to accompany me here. Even when she doesn't want to, she had no choice but to come. Who said she supports her best friend again?
“Where should I put these, ma'am?”
“Let me take care of that. Just place it on the table.”
“Okay.”
“Thank you so much for helping!”
“Of course, no problem. You're welcome, ma'am.”
Shaine and I exchanged glances as we are now hearing voices. Right from where I'm standing, I can see Shan entering the door, the librarian following him behind. He is carrying books, and he was asked to place it on the table. Oh, shoot. I thought I'll find peace here? Yes, but not anymore when he suddenly arrived.
“Shaine! Ari!” It was late for me to hide because he already saw the two of us. I was reluctant to face him, not until he walked toward our direction.
“Shan, what a surprise!” Shaine was able to give the quickest response. I remained standing, not knowing what to say.
“What are you guys doin' here?”
“Uh, we're just looking for books,” my companion replied. Minutes ago, we are talking about him. And now he's already in front of us.
“Is that so? What kind of books are you two looking? I can help,” he insisted, smiling. Shaine and I exchanged glances again, telling her telepathically that I refused to.
“Uhm… we're actually leaving now. Bye, Shan!” I said in a hurry and grab Shaine's wrist for us to leave the library.
“Wait—”
I'm not interested to listen anymore. I ran down the stairs, and I only halted when I made sure of it that we're already away from his eyesight. I don't wanna see him. Because every time I see him, the pain kept coming back. Yes, he didn't do anything bad to me, but it still hurts.
“Avoiding my crush for a day!” Shaine chuckled while I was busy wiping the sweats on my face.
“Do I look like a fool when I did that?” I asked.
“Not really. You are more like a runaway bride who escaped from her groom because she's not yet sure about the marriage.”
“That's a different story. Mine is all about avoiding the person because I don't wanna be hurt anymore,” I said, staring blankly at the way before us. The noisy students in the hallway didn't help me to ease my mind.
“It's still the same story of running away,” she argued, chuckling.
I didn't talk anymore to avoid having a long conversation with her. She's really talkative, like a type of girl who never ran out of topic. But she's actually fun to talk to, and she makes me smile. It's just like I'm not in the mood today.
“Hi, Ari!” A cheerful voice caught my attention when we arrived at our classroom, making me turn. Judging the voice, I already know who it is. And my blood started to boil again.
The stupid guy who always gives me nothing but unluckiness in life is here again! Very much irritating, why now? I swear his face is thick, and he doesn't know how to be ashamed of his self.
“What are you doing here?” I raised my voice, as he only reciprocated it with a smile.
“Visiting you.” He halted in front of me, his jolly face making me annoyed.
I shot an irritated look on him while he's just smiling like shit. How I wish that lips of him will be torn apart. I swear he looks like a clown.
“I didn't ask you to visit me, so why are you here?”
“Because I just thought so?” he replied, the grin from his lips only grew wider.
“How thoughtful of you to do that. But sorry, your presence is not asked. Can you please leave? You're ruining my day.” I raised my brow, telling him to go.
“Ouch!” He held his chest, chuckling. But knowing this thick-faced guy, all was just none taken for him. “By the way, I'm here to ask you if ever you want to come with me this class dismissal.”
“And why would I?” This guy I swear. He already knew I don't have any interest to be with him. But almost everyday he kept repeating it.
“Street foods, I guess? My treat.”
“Better do it on your own. I don't like to eat together with a stranger.” I covered my face using the book and acted reading. I just don't want to look at him.
“Well, I already introduced myself to you. I'm confident that I ain't a stranger anymore.”
Swallow your confidence. No one's asking you, idiot.
Thank god, our English teacher has arrived. Raven finally left our room, apologizing to our terror teacher for trespassing. I smirked. Annoying guys do get what they deserved.
I rolled my eyes, listening to the boring discussion. It is way better to stare on the white board while waiting for an important detail to take note than to hear Raven's noisy voice. I can endure the boring lesson but not his annoying face. I just can't! Ari's not into those guys, right?
“Ari, wanna ride?” I halted from walking when someone talked behind me.
Seems like my world stop for a while when he held my hand. My eyes blinked, not knowing if I'm nervous or thrilled. All I know is that I'm speechless. No words dare to come out from my mouth.
“Ari?” Shan waved his hands in front of me, which snap me back to my senses.
Oh, shoot. I avoided him in the library, now I'm gonna find ways to avoid him again. Seriously, how many times in a day am I gonna do this shit?
“Sorry, I beg your pardon.”
“I'm asking if you want to ride on my car,” he repeated.
“Oh, is that so?” I swallowed hard. I want to, but things aren't the same now.
“Shall we?” He motioned his hand to the door of his car.
“Actually, I have my car parked there.” I pointed out to a direction where my car is only ten to twelve steps away, if my estimation's right. “Maybe next time.”
“Sure. What about coffee? I can bring you to my favorite shop if you want.”
Oh, your go-to coffee shop where you spent your first date with Marga? Hell no.
Hesitations were visible on my eyes as I shook my head.
“Why?” he asked, still holding my hand.
“I still have something to do,” I reasoned out. Truth is, I really don't have plans to come with him. Who the fuck wants to when you know that person already had a girlfriend, right? Of course, I'm doing my best to avoid. I don't want to be the third party, even though I also have feelings for this guy.
“It's not like we're gonna go to the mall or watch a movie. C'mon, Ari,” he chuckled, forcing me to come. He already had a girlfriend. Pin that word on your head, Ari. You don't want to cause any trouble to the new couple, right?
Really, Ari? Why can't you just confess to him that you're hurt? Why can't you just push him away, tell everything you wanted to say, and leave like nothing happened? It's easy to say, but much hard to do.
“I'm sorry I have to go.” I was about to run away, but his grip tightened on my hand, causing me to stay still.
“Are you avoiding me?” he asked. I only stared on his eyes as I read the seriousness there. “Ari, I'm asking you. Are you avoiding me?”
I didn't expect it will be so much painful to the point that I wanted to avoid his presence. God, Ari! What is going on?
I tried to forget him before…
But my feelings only blossomed.
And now, I numb the pain…
I'm slowly taking the consequences of not letting him go…
“Ari, are you avoiding me?” he repeated the question as my eyes only blinked.
“Shan—”
“Answer my question first.” His voice hardened, cutting me off.
“Let me go.”
But he tightened his grip that my hand almost couldn't breathe.
“Answer my question first before I let you go.” I never see him being so serious like this before. The way he held my hand, the way how he talk to me… it's so different of him.
I want to tell him the truth and stop pretending for once. But many things are holding me back from doing it. I don't want to ruin our friendship just because I'm hurt. I just needed some time to heal my heart.
“Shan, just let me—” I cut my sentence when I saw someone running toward us, waving his hands from a far distance. His smile is visible, though he is many steps away from me.
“Ari, you're here!” Raven stood before us, catching his breath. I can feel the exhausted look in his eyes, but he still managed to show a wide smile.
Raven just saved me from his question. I can't help but to heave a deep sigh.
“Ari, who is this guy?” Shan asked, shifting his gaze from me to Raven.
“I'll properly introduce myself to you, but maybe next time, pal. My friend and I are in a great hurry. You know, we have an urgent project to do,” Raven butt in as he pulled my hand from Shan's grip. We ran away, and I only ask him to stop when we are already away from him.
Woah! That was close, huh?
I stared at the guy at my side, wondering why he did that. I know for a fact that we don't have any urgent project to make, and we're not even classmates. But he helped me to avoid Shan without me asking for it. Is it because he assumed he's gonna benefit from that action? I don't think so.
“Sorry if I interfered. I'm just worried about you. And about your crush… don't beg for it… you don't deserve such pain,” Raven spoke as he let go of my hands.