Chapter 8 - what's not to like?

"Hey. You eating with someone?" Xavier takes a seat beside Aster with his tray in hand.

"Hey, yeah, with Rhiane, she just went to the restroom for a while. Anyways, whashup?" Aster asks, munching down on the pork stew her brother made.

He had his usual resting face on, "I've been listed as a candidate for Vice President."

"Wait, really? That's awesome, you should've told me you were running!" She beamed.

"I wasn't planning to run. My mom urged me to. For college credit or something."

Aster had a worried look on her face, "You know... You should just tell them if you don't want to... do some things. I mean, you're already doing great as a student. You win competitions left and right, you also do sports, and now you're entering student council? You should live a little."

"I'm doing this for myself." He mutters.

"Are you happy with your accomplishments?" She looks him in the eye.

He doesn't say a word.

She pinches his cheek, "We're not gonna stay high schoolers forever! You always think of your parents' happiness, and that's admirable, really! But don't forget that yours matter too."

He stares at her, for a little too long. Aster's face flushes, she speaks up in a fit of panic, "Uhm? Are you okay?"

He extends his hand and touches her cheek.

"I'm back! Oh, woah." Rhiane stood awkwardly at the other side of the table.

They both jolt up, "There- There was pepper on your cheek." He murmurs.

"Oh. I'll be more careful next time." They both look down in embarrassment.

Rhiane sits across Aster and whispers, "Are you sure I'm not interrupting anything? I can just sit somewhere e-"

"NO!" Aster interjects, "You're not interrupting anything, I swear."

"If you say so." She gives her a tensed smile.

"Rhiane right?" Xavier asks.

"Yeah! We're seatmates." She beams at him.

Rhiane opens a can of soda, "You're the childhood friend? Xavier, is that right?"

"Yes." He answers briefly.

Rhiane stares at him and anticipates for a continuation, a minute has passed and he still hasn't spoken, "Oookay. That's... Nice to know."

Aster's body is tense. If the awkward atmosphere surrounding them were to be any thicker, it could suffocate.

Suddenly, she feels a hand cover her eyes, "Guess whooo?" Khai says in a deeper tone.

"What do you want?" She deadpans.

"Haha! I just felt you rolling your eyes." He takes a seat next to her.

Her brow furrows, "Who said you could sit there?"

"As far as I know, the school canteen is a place of liberty." He speaks with dramatic hand gestures, "And so, I think I'm free to sit myself wherever I like, Aster."

She freezes, "WHO TOLD YOU MY NAME?"

"Oh, I was right? That was just pure guess! We must be soulmates!" He grabs his lunch box and brings out a small carton of Almond milk. He then holds it as you would a ring box, "Will you, Aster, take this unbelievably expensive carton of milk I bought at Wallmart and marry me?"

"Woah." Says Rhiane.

Her heartbeat picks up pace at the mention of her name. "NO! ANSWER MY QUESTION."

"I believe I just did, now answer mine! It's much more important." He replies with a stern look on his face.

"NO!"

"Aw, maybe next time." He heaves.

"There will be no next time." She glares at him.

"That's not for you to decide."

She grunts, "It's a no for your next hundred attempts."

"I'm assuming you're gonna say yes to my 101st attempt then?" He grins.

"NO!"

"Hey, you're not playing fair! No almond milk for you then." He steals the carton to put it back in his bag.

She snatches the carton of milk from his hands, "It's mine now. For being annoying."

"You just took the milk for me, does that mean you accept?" Khai gasps, Aster's stomach whirling against her will.

"Ten-ten-tenen, ten-ten-tenen~" Rhiane hums the Bridal Chorus.

"I'm so happy I could cry." He sniffs and wipes fake tears.

"Rhiane, what the hell!" Aster's face was so red it could rival the apple on her tray.

"Oh come on, you guys already fight like a couple! It's so cute!" She grins.

"Right? I'm glad you support our engagement. You'll be the maid of honor for sure! What's your name? I'm Khai, with an h!" Khai beams at Rhiane.

"It'll be my pleasure! I'm Rhiane, with an H!" She beams back.

"Nice meeting you, Rhiane!" He grabs Aster's hand, causing her to flinch. His other hand holding his chest as he dramatically speaks, "You can trust me to take very good care of your friend."

"Lemon boy." They all look towards Xavier's direction. Aster's stomach sinks.

"Um?" Khai breathes.

Xavier pushes his chair back and walks away, "I'm heading back to class."

"Xav, wait!" She stands up, breaking free from Khai's hold. She calls for him again but Xavier ignores her.

She huffs and sits back down, finishing her food that has gotten cold.

"Hey, I don't know what that was about but I'm so-"

"I don't wanna hear it." She cuts him off.

"Oh, okay. I'm... I'm just gonna head back as well. Sorry for-"

"Just go."

He opens his mouth but hesitates.

"...Okay." He whispers, puts his hands on his pockets and walks away.

"Hey Aster, what was that?" Rhiane sits beside her, "I thought you and Xavier weren't together so I went along with Khai's jokes... Did I do something I shouldn't have? If so, I'm so-"

"Please don't apologize. It's okay." Aster gives her a reassuring smile.

Rhiane smiles back, "Okay."

Aster sighs, "It's true that we're not together... But we confessed to each other a while back."

"Oh..."

"He told me he's not ready for a relationship yet. So he promised he'd tell me when he's ready."

"How long has it been?"

"A little over a month?"

"I see. And what's the deal with the other guy?" She looks straight into her eyes, "You seriously don't feel anything for him? You should've seen how red you were." She snickers.

"That- That was from anger!" She pierces through the carton of milk and takes a sip.

"What are you a child?" She gives her an unamused look.

"What? You're the one going along with Khai's stupid antics earlier." She heaves, "Besides, I like Xavier now."

"You can like two people at once."

"That's weird."

"But it happens."

"Well, it shouldn't."

Rhiane finishes her food and stands up, tray in hand, "Hm, if you never confessed to Xavier would you have given Khai chance?"

"...Let's go back to class." She stands up.

Rhiane smirks, "Answer me, Aster~"

"I don't need to answer such a stupid question." She huffs.

"I'm gonna assume it's a yes then."

"It's obviously a no!" She glowers at her.

"Why? What's not to like about him?"

"He's..." She pauses.

She thinks of how he puts up with her attitude, how he always asks her how her day went, how he always compliments her taste in music and strikes up a conversation even if she tends to reply with only a few words.

That's the thing. She has nothing bad to say about him. He just showed up in the wrong time and that's not his fault.

"He's annoying! I hate everything about him. He's so irritating that sometimes his voice echoes in my mind giving me the urge to slam my head against the closest wall. And- And his eyes always look like he knows everything about me it's so... So vexating! And he never goes away even if I tell him to every. single. day. It's like he's one of those moles from whack-a-mole, he keeps on popping up again no matter how hard you hit it the last time. I just- I hate him so much!"

"I've read enough books to see where this is going." Rhiane nods to herself.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She sighs as they both return their trays.

Rhiane faces Aster and holds her by the shoulders, "You know what I think?"

She raises a brow, "What?"

"You're just trying to antagonize Khai every chance you get because you want to prove your loyalty to Xavier," She smirks, "Right?"

"It's not as simple as that." She averts her gaze.

"Then tell me why you despise him so much? And don't give me lame excuses like, he's annoying! or he's everywhere! Give me like an ACTUAL reason." She holds her firmly.

Aster grits her teeth, fighting the urge to jump out the hallway window to escape from this unanticipated interrogation.

She clicks her toungue, "How would you feel if you suddenly start having feelings for someone against your will?"

Rhiane stares in confusion, "Against your will? That doesn't make any sense."

"For you. Let's just please drop the topic?" She grunts, taking off Rhiane's hands from her shoulders.

She gives her a concerned look and sighs, "Okay. Sorry for being pushy."

Aster gives her a quick smile and they both walk back to class."