Shaine and I are currently climbing upstairs, heading to the second floor of the school building. As we are taking our steps, being careful not to slip, she kept on taking selfies. I don't know why she's fond of doing that almost every time that we are on the stairs. Is it coincidence, or she really wanted to take a selfie while climbing upstairs?
Whatever it is, I only remained silent. It is not my thing to take selfies at school, specially when climbing upstairs. I would rather prefer taking selfies at home, flexing mom's plants and her never-ending love for greens.
It is not new for me anymore to met group of students along the stairs. But today's kinda different. They would usually stand by while playing online games or having chickas. Some would even stay there to look for handsome guys. But at this moment, they are whispering into each other.
My forehead furrowed when I caught someone pointing her finger at me.
Then the students started screaming as we are getting closer to them. What the hell is going on here?
“Shaine, I think someone is going to propose here,” I muttered, looking at the red petals on the floor. It was scattered everywhere, just like what we often see in romantic movies. I wonder what is this drama all about.
As we are walking, I can feel many pair of eyes staring right us. I ignored it as I continued my pace, just bowing my head while looking at the red petals. It somehow reminds me of love. Yes, love.
“I don't think so.” My friend shook her head as I shot a curious look at her.
Really? But it's obvious that someone's preparing a surprise here, or should I say romantic surprise. The red petals can already prove that.
“If not, then what do you call this thing here?” I whispered. Many students are lining on the side like they are waiting for a moment to happen. They kept on whispering to each other, some looking on our direction.
Do they have any idea how embarrassing it is to think that all attention was fixed on you? Even when you simply walk, there are still some who can't stop staring. And it's making me super uneasy.
“You would rather say that a guy wants to see you,” Shaine said in her usual teasing voice.
I got confuse. “What do you mean?”
Our conversation was truly interrupted when a defeaning noise illuminated the hallway. When I lifted my gaze up, I saw a guy walking toward our direction. From a far away distance, he started his pace toward us, as the noise got louder.
It went like a slow motion. The student's mouth froze from screaming as I can only see the guy smiling at me. My eyes blinked, only once or twice in this very rare occasion.
What on earth is going on here? My heart is beating rapidly as he is now five steps away from me. Having a closer view of his face made me gulped. Is he going to talk to me? But I don't even know him.
He cleared his throat, which snap me back to my senses. I can hear the screams again, ringing in my ears. “Ari, right?” A guy wearing the same uniform we have stood in front of me, his smiles almost reached his ears.
From his physical appearance and outside looks, no one can deny his charm. That pointed nose that any girls there could have wanted. Red kissable lips that creates his sweetest smile. That moreno skin that fits the box. He had the looks but still, I can't appreciate it right now.
“Yes. And you are?!” I responded but slightly raising my voice. I turned my gaze on Shaine who is now teasing me. Hey, can anyone tell me what's going on here?
“Hi, Ari, it's nice meeting you! By the way, where are my manners?” he paused, chuckling. “I'm Raven, a senior high school student like you.” He stretched his hand for a shake, to which I quickly refused to accept. I only stared at his hand while waiting for it to go down.
I remained silent as the students around kept on screaming. Care to know who is their leader for creating such a stupid noise? It's Shaine. Oh, shoot. She ordered those students to kept saying that word "ayeahhhh!”
“Ari, why don't you accept his hand? Go, best friend! We support you!” Shaine cheered, making the students follow her.
“Oh, sorry. You might be confused why I'm here and how did I know your name.” He lowered his hand after I ignored it.
My eyes narrowed into slits, trying to remember the moment we first met each other. I know for certain that this is already the third time. He became familiar to me. “It's you again,” I muttered, eyes squinting.
I can't be mistaken, and my vision is still clear. The guy standing in front of me is none other than weirdo. Remember a few days ago when I entered the coffee shop? It was him. How about during the pool party in Rihanna's place? Uh-huh! He is that guy.
“Yes! I'm glad you still remember me.” He maintained a three steps distance from me as I got uncomfortable in my position.
Well, how can I ever forget him when the grin across his lips never faded? That was a hint I always try to remember. Once you saw a smiling guy out there, that's weirdo! But what the hell is weirdo doing here?!
“By the way, have you received my messages?” he asked. Shaine and I exchanged glances as we got a confirmation from my mystery texter. So, it's him? How the hell did the thought never crossed my mind?
“Actually, the messages you've sent me are all nonsense.” There's no need to inform him that his number is already blocked.
"Anyway, that's not the reason why I'm here.”
“There's no need for you to give me further explanations. Just go direct to the point,” I said with a hint of strictness in my voice.
“Hi, Ari! Before anything else, let me—”
“First of all, how many times do you have to say hi?” I asked, annoyingly.
“Oh, sorry for that. I went far—”
“Not only that, but you're really annoying. How about that red petals on the floor? Is that your trick too?” I cut his words for the second time, shooting an irritated look on him.
“Red petals symbolize passion and love, Ari. And I want you to feel that you are one of a kind. That you are one of those petals. You're special and loved,” he said, still smiling.
“I find it nonsense and a waste of money. You must have spent a lot from your savings just to prepare of all of these,” I commented, feeling pity of the petals. Sorry, but I didn't appreciate it at all.
“It's not about the money. If you truly want to make someone special, you will definitely going to ignore the amount you spent just to make her happy. Seeing you already weighted my efforts with gold.” The smile in his lips never fades as the screams grew louder. What the hell is this guy talking about? Feeling close, eh? We're not even friends.
“How can you say so? You don't know me completely and yet you're already saying stuffs which is only intended for couples.”
“It doesn't depend on how well you know the person,” he argued.
He revealed the bouquet of red roses that he's been hiding on his back since the moment we arrived here.
I only stared at the flowers, wondering how thick his face is. Just imagine how embarrassing it is on his part to be totally ignored. Question is, did he at least feel the word “shy”? I even cut his words and insulted him in front of many people. But still, he didn't mind it.
“I don't accept flowers from strangers.”
“If that so then I'm going to talk to you every day for us to be friends, so you will going to accept this when the time comes. For now, you're free to ignore this. I won't force you until we became friends like you mentioned,” he cheerfully said as he hid the bouquet behind his back.
“You're so annoying,” I remarked.
“As long as you don't accept me as your friend, every day I will be annoying in your sight,” he said, smiling. As I watched him, his face grew thicker.
“Is that so?” What should I do to avoid this man? I'm sure he'll come back again tomorrow. Maybe I should raise my voice and just embarrass him always.
“Yes! From now on, Ari, you will be loved.” He was still smiling.
“Really?” I was even more annoyed.
“Mark my words, you will be mine soon,” he whispered to me. His voice crept on my skin, leaving me uneasy. “Let's go, boys! Bye, Ari, see you around!” he smiled and waved at me as his minions followed him.
I breathed, more than what I needed. It was as if my head was broken for a few minutes because of the thickness of his face. Stupid! How did he know my name?
“Another guy interested in Ari,” Shaine teased, pinching my nose. We immediately headed to our room before my head explodes here.
“And that is the problem now.” I irritably seat on my chair as I crossed my legs.
“Problematic, eh? Other girls want it when there are guys who are interested with them. Don't tell me you don't feel the same? I mean, if a guy likes me, I will definitely appreciate it.”
“You will because you're a bitch,” I jested.
“That was blunt, huh? This is just the first time that you guys met. We know you might like him too when the day comes, don't we?” she said with a smile. Why does she seem so sure of what she's saying?
“That Raven is just like the other guys who tried to get my attention. Pity on him because he will never make me in love,” I said with confidence. This is not the first time that I encountered scenarios like this. All the guys before who show motives to me have gave up right before courting. I always make sure that they will not benefit even a single attention from me.
“What if Raven will be the first one to tame your heart?” Shaine smiled from ear to ear, asking me a definitely irritating question.
“Actually, there is already someone who made me fall in love. And I will never replace him,” I muttered along with a bitter smile across my lips.
“Oh, crap! Shan again. Question is, have he shown you the attention same to what Raven has given to you?”
“Why does it sound to me that you are giving him all the votes? We just met that Raven, and you're acting as if you already known him for long.”
“Because Shan and you don't have any chance. I can see that Raven is already the one for you.” I can hear the assurance in her voice, like she's willing to bet anything for it.
“How can you be so sure?” I annoyingly asked.
“I trusted my gut feeling so much.”
“Whatever.”