Chapter 3: Cold as you

Megumi

I woke up because of my alarm... Ah crap, I was too mesmerised yesterday, I forgot it's Monday today... the first day of the school week. It's another school and another set of introductions.

I went lazily to the bathroom, took a bath, fixed myself and wore my uniform... ugh, new school, new classmates, while they're all already close, here I am, clueless about that school but I doubt that it'll matter.

After one semester, I'm guessing I'll be changing schools again. I just have to survive through this semester.

I clipped my bangs with a cute ribbon, grabbed my bag and a piece of a toasted bread along with my bottle of juice

"I'll be going now, mom." I stated

"Okay, dear, take care." My mother gently reminded, "Wear a coat, it's still cold, winter have just ended."

"But you told me my coat wasn't washed yet."

"Just wear your dad's."

"But it's too big for me." I complained

"No it doesn't, it looks cute on you." My mother complimented as she wrapped dad's coat on me cheerfully teasing me.

Then I walked my way to the train station and rode it as I sat beside the exit. By the second stop, I finished eating and drank some juice.


"Is this seat vacant?" Someone asked as he points beside me, I looked at him from toe to head, He's from our school?... well, he is wearing the uniform.

I spit out the orange juice I drank the moment I saw his face, It was Henry. The guy from yesterday from the concert!

Ahhh, I messed up, the juice stain was stuck on his coat, it looks pretty expensive too...Ah... talk about meeting him again. This isn't exactly the scenario I had in mind.

"Ah, sorry, I really didn't mean it... ah yeah. It's vacant." I bowed my head down in embarrassment.

Henry removed his coat and said coldly, " I changed my mind, I'm not sitting beside a clumsy girl."

I mouthed, "Sorry..."

"Coat." He said as he offered his palm, "Give me your coat."

And so I did, I removed my coat and gave it to him. It doesn't even compare to what he had earlier.

"Let's trade coats for now." Henry sighs as he demanded after he wore my coat and gave me his coat, " Make sure it's clean by tomorrow. It's my favorite coat."

Then before I could even utter a word, he puts on his earphones.

So cold... And now that I'm sitting here, thinking it through, I've never been anywhere cold as you, Henry... Is he really the shy guy from the concert? What if this is some kind of kdrama where it wasn't him and he had a secret twin?

Ah. I'm definitely overthinking this, aren't I?

After a while, the train stopped and we went out.

We walked a few miles towards the school, we walked as the cold breeze touched our skins, Cherry blossoms started to bloom and some were falling due to the wind, Spring has surely come, huh?...

Then, it suddenly occurred to me... Doesn't he remember me?... Maybe I was no one for him to remember.

"Uhh, what class are you?" I asked

"4-A." He removed one of his earphones from his left ear

"I'm 4-B." Ugh, close enough.. Can't the stars align just a little for me here? 

"I didn't even asked." He put back his earphones on

We went to our classroom without even exchanging gazes, every girl's gaze was reserved for Henry as he walks past them...Can't be helped... he's too handsome to ignore.

But just as I walked inside my classroom, my classmates were staring. The guys complimented, "Wow, a cute girl...Does she go here?" while the girls immediatelt noticed the coat that I was wearing, "No way... is she wearing Henry's coat right now? Who does she think she is?"

I lowered my head as I sat by the first vacant seat I was able to spot. I sat beside the exit door to see every time Henry walks past our room.

I have a hopeless crush on someone who doesn't even know or remember I exist.

I just got in this school and eyes are already on me- especially the girls'. Crap, so much for wanting a quiet and normal semester.

Henry

After a long period of orientations, introductions and boring speeches from the teachers that we already heard for the past years in this school, we had our break time... I walked past class 4-B's classroom, no one was there... Our adviser let us out late.

I went to my usual eating place, the courtyard, I averted my gaze at the rooftop as usual...  Surprisingly, I saw her there, she was standing still as her hair was blowed by the wind leaving some fragments of the sakura trees on her hair.

I went up to the rooftop and hid there at the door to stare at her.... I never thought she was this cute, I barely looked at her last night... Ah she's still clumsy and messy. That's only trouble for me and her.

...Megumi Ai Park...huh?... 

I went near her and lied, "Gumi, didn't expect anyone to be here...I was supposed to be eating here."

I wasn't going to eat there. I never did and despite knowing that she's a waste of my time, here I am initiating conversation with her. This is stupid.

She was surprised, "You... remembered?"

"It was just last night, I'm not that forgetful, idiot." I teased

"Ahh, sorry, I didn't know you'll be eating here, I'll be leaving then." She walks away

I grabbed her hand, "Since you're already here.. Let's eat together."

Then we sat down beside each other and started to eat... as soon as we finished, I stood up to leave.

"Ah, actually it's Megumi." 

"I know. I like Gumi more so I'll call you that."

Seriously, what a lame excuse...

"Then can I call you Henry?... from now on...?" 

"You just did." I replied

"Can you tell me more about this school?"

I lied, " I'm also a transferee here so I can't." 

Suddenly I heard footsteps occurring to the rooftop, it must be the principal, it's really prohibited to go in the rooftop.

I hesitantly held her hand and ran towards the side of a small room and hid ourselves there.. this reminded me of last night at the concert.

And since we don't have enough space, I hugged her tightly while blushing and looking away from her.

Megumi

I'm blushing... my face's so red... My heart's beating like crazy...

After a while, the principal left... Henry let go of my hand, " Be careful not to get caught."

"Yeah... thanks..."

"Twice." Henry remarks

I look at him clueless so he continued, "That's the second time. I'll be going now... bye, Gumi." Then he left


I wonder what he meant by that?

I went back to my classroom too... we're in different class but something about Henry stood out to me. It must've been his gorgeous face or the way that I met him last night or his gentle nature behind his cold mask or his dazzling eyes as he look at me.

Or maybe, it's everything. All at once.