Chapter 04

Since I took a step inside the Academy, a lot of heavy glances and stares darted on me. They looked at me like it's their first time seeing a newly-discovered creature. But that's not my issue here, they reacted like that with their thoughts that I finally made physical improvements after getting rejected by Aspen. 

What would I expect? It's impossible for people to ignore me with my red showy outfit. Thanks to that great supporter of this game, Mezakiel Art Soren. 

While heading straight to the classroom, I could not help but to roam my eyes around just in case Aspen's existence could be reached. I just hope this strategy would work on him. 

"A-AAH! K-Karin?!" I stopped from walking when a surprised girl dashed near me. She was very startled to see me on this dress. 

"A-Are you sure you're fine?! Maybe you're sick," Coraline worriedly consulted as she put her hand on my forehead. I took her hand off and confidently walked ahead.

"I'm doing great of course! What made you ask if I'm sick or anything?" I answered, chuckling but deep inside, I was imagining how she got shocked to see me like this. 

"W-Well, it's not that you wear dresses like this usually. So I wasn't used to see you like it today," Coraline commented while scratching her cheek. She gasped and elbowed me suddenly. "H-Hey, what if you're acting like this because of Aspen?!" 

I clicked my tongue simply and avoided her sparkling eyes. Coraline just got it that easily. Obviously, everyone will suspect that as the reason.

"Who knows? Ahaha," I stated. She tilted her head and creased her brows. 

"Huh? Who knows what? That just means it's because of Aspen!" Coraline even shook my shoulders to force me from admitting but I only sighed and made a face on her. "You know I still can't get over him, right? Coraline?" 

She nodded. "I understand you. But you're pretty good on your red outfit to be frank." 

I just hope so. I tried believing that I fit on this red dress Mezakiel brought. Maybe it did look good on me and I could have the chance to catch Aspen's attention. Nice way that you've thought of, Mezakiel. 

Until the class started, I've seen no Aspen. Not even his shadow appeared near me. It's just making me feek disappointed that maybe Aspen got freaked out like a startled cat that day so he began to avoid the possible places I am at. 

I was just overthinking stuffs but I guess that's not the case! If ever Aspen really avoided me too much from that day, I still have Mezakiel to support me since we're participating a wager. I need to meet Aspen today and find a way to at least get his attention.

A class breaktime arrived, most of my classmates went to do something they like. I was about to sneak out and find Aspen when Coraline called me from the Teacher's desk. 

"Karin, I-I need your help!" she requested amidst her struggle to carry the towered books.

"Come on, you can handle that! Where are you suppose to bring those many anyway?" I questioned her. 

"To our teacher's faculty room. She ordered me earlier to bring these back but who have the thought that I could handle it on my own." She started carrying the books. "Mind helping me then?" 

If I will help her now, I won't have enough time to head straight to Aspen's clubroom, expecting he's there. 

"Are you sure you don't want?" Coraline assured and she's already standing by the door. I crossed my arms and  headed towards her. "You're pushing my conscience to its limit!" 

Coraline just chuckled. I was busy taking some of the books from her when a familiar figure of a man caught my attention from the hallway. Those eyelashes that danced as he blinked. That firm pose of walking. It's Aspen.

"K-Karin! Oh, so it's Aspen?" Coraline reacted while I could not throw my eyes away anymore. Aspen was carrying a pile of books as well so I made up my mind. I immediately took all the books from Coraline that made her stop me.

"K-Karin?!" I winked at her and smiled. It's my time! 

"I'll be doing this! Expect me to bring this to the faculty safely, Coraline!" I stated to her with my excited voice but she just sighed and allowed me. 

I carried the heavy books as much as I could while catching up to Aspen. Even if it will be awkward or weird, I must have a move to him today. 

I successfuly caught up from his walk which made Aspen turn at me. He looked at me and I noticed how startlement flashed across his eyes when he saw me beside him. 

He reacted when he saw me on this red style! 

"H-Hi, are you going to the faculty as well?" I tried my best to sound fine. But deep inside, my heart, it was racing and my fingers, they were shivering! 

Aspen didn't make any weird reaction, he then looked at the ribbon on my hair. "Yes, I'm heading there to bring these books." 

I swallowed a dry saliva. It's like he's trying to be comfortable. 

I faked a chuckle, we're already walkin by the walkshed as the baseball players could be seen practicing by the playground. "Ahaha! Me as well. Who would've thought that we'll go to the same place." 

Right, what a lie! I purposely made it happen. 

I simply glanced at him and he smiled, he nodded too. He actually looked more innocent in a close up angle. Not to mention how tall he is. 

"What a coincidence, right? You look so red while carrying those books," he commented as he swiftly gazed at my eyes. My lips parted out of surprise.

"R-Red? I look so red?" How obvious! I really looked red with this dress. 

"Yes, are you sure you can carry that heavy load until we make it?" he questioned. He sounded really concerned but he's looking at my ribbon. 

"Y-Yeah. I can manage it, let's hurry," I responded as calm as I could now that my cheeks were starting to get red as well! 

I tried walking faster and it's a surprise that Aspen caught up. Should he be avoiding me?! 

"It's good to hear then. You're strong," Aspen stated at me with his genuine smile. I could not tolerate showing my face in front of him! I kept on imagining the image when that scene happened. 

Should I be opening that topic up now? 

My chest was starting to get tightened. 

"D-Do you feel comfortable these days?" Finally, I started the topic. Aspen just smiled while staring at our path. "Since the day I made that scene, I know it made you uncomfortable already." 

He heaved a sigh and didn't look at me. "How about you? How have you been these past few days?" 

Eh? I halted from walking and gawked at Aspen. He even turned around to look at me. He avoided my question and he asked it back to me?! 

I thought he's going to avert me right away earlier when we're walking but he even initiated a conversation to me. No, think about it! Do not misunderstand this, self! He's still feeling the awkwardness but Aspen pushed himself to talk to me. He just didn't want to be rude. 

"I haven't seen you after that day as well so I started to get curious about what happened to you," Aspen informed but he looked away. His face was not shy nor digusted but he seemed to be honest.

Me? Curious about what happened to me?! 

"You're curious? And, and you noticed how I lack to show up in the Academy too?!" I questioned like an accused innocent person. 

Aspen's lips parted and gave me an alarmed face. "Do not misunderstand! I was just curious if what I responded was too offensive!" 

"So, how have you been?" he added while staring at my ribbon. 

I could not believe this. To think that I'm now talking to him, reacting to the words he's saying right now. I was never wrong about Aspen's personality. He's indeed the nice type of a guy. 

Those eyes he has kept on looking at me with wonder, glancing at how beautiful the red designed in me was. 

I stood up and walked closer to him. I hugged my books and deepened my thoughts. Should I tell him that I'm not actually fine? 

I stained my eyes on his eyes and performed a bright smile as the wind danced my dress and our hair.

"I'm totally not fi---" 

"H-Hey!" 

My answer got cut out when something so hard hit my head. It was so strong and hard that I almost wanted to lose consciousness. A baseball hit my head!

"A-Are you fine?" Aspen worriedly came closer to me which even made my dizziness worsen. He became two in my eyes but I still tried to balance myself. I must not lose balance here.

I tried my best to stand up straight until I felt two hands holding my shoulders. 

"Stand still." A gentle voice?! Aspen's helping me! He's too close, I just wanted to pass out. 

"Ahaha, no. I could still walk. It just made my head ache a bit," I stated. "Let's just head on." 

"I'll take you at the clinic as well." 

What?! Aspen?! He's worrying too much!