I was occupied for the past three days because the preparation for the Campus Festival's just a week ahead. The President of our class was assigned to help the higher officials of the school and as the second person who occupied the position, I was tasked to lead all my classmates for work. With all my exhaustion, I let put a massive breath and settled down on my seat. It's been three days since the last time I saw Aspen. The las time we met was when we went out for dinner and stayed at the Park. I'd never seen him because he's too busy and same as me. Badly, I couldn't contact Mezakiel anymore. He didn't see my texts nor answer my calls two days ago. That guy, he advised me for so many times that I just need to contact him if I need something and he's out of reach now. But it's okay! I don't need him for now anyway. I can handle myself, and there's no time making a move for the stake these days. "Hey!" Coraline tapped my shoulder and she still looked so lively even uf we're both
I properly dressed myself to accomplish the best look I could display for a dinner with Jasper. It's not a special dinner date or anything that gives malice between the both of us. We just wanted to talk about something so necessary. I went outside the building and even the Landlady, Miss Acosta let her mouth agape. She was too stunned to see me in my red dress again. "Good night Miss Acosta!" I greeted happily but she was too stressed to look back at the TV screen of the lobby. "You better go home early! Kids these days in a date couldn't be trusted, you kid!" "Thank you for your concern!" I replied and waved my hand but she just pouted like she didn't care. I left the building and my eyes caught Jasper's figure. He's wearing his casual shirt and pants like it's just a usual errand at all. "You dressed up very well, you're very formal!" he commented when he let me hop into the shotgun seat. He revved the engine. "I don't just go out with a not-so-presentable look." He let out a s
I quickly exited his car when his questiom surprised me and I was so reckless to leave him. He caught me up when I was busy marching away. "Karin!" He pulled my arms and made me face him. "He treated me because he's so happy that all of you will have the best performance today." I gulped when his stares deepened and he slowly loosened his grip on me. Why's he so bothered about it? And he discovered our so-called secretive meet up last night! "I-I was just curious, I'm sorry. We were just worried why Jasper didn't show up to our party last night." He shrugged and we continued walking. "And I was about to ask you on your place. You were together yesterday too so I thought you might know."I lowly gasped and looked at him. Unlike before, he couldn't look at me in the eyes, unlike the previous talks we both had, he's always smiling and straightforward. He's changed---no, he's odd today. "Y-You saw us together yesterday?" "Because Jasper wasn't with us the whole day. And I saw you wit
I didn't even send him my reply when loud knocks coming from my door alarmed me. I got no choice but to dash all the way to open the door and a tired- looking face of a guy welcomed me. "M-Mezakiel!" He landed his hands on my shoulder. They were so heavy, he's lost all his energy but he still tried his best to visit me here. "Out of the way, I miss my couch!" he excused and pushed me a bit. I glared at him when he excitedly sat. Wow, he missed the couch, not me. I sat, parallel to him. Gosh, he's really exhausted. What did he just do after all those days that he's been piled up?! "Do you know how mad I was when you didn't even text me when I needed you?!" I complained. He just smirked! "Oh, I'm sorry about that. I didn't expect that I'll face worse problem." He even shrugged. "And at least, you survived even though I wasn't there to help you."Yes, he's correct. I handled my own self even if he wasn't there to just listen to my rants and when I needed his advice, his comfortation
I was very frustrated when I saw two people, facing each other by the couches of my apartment. Even silence let us all exchange stares when I found Mezakiel and Grandma. "G-Grandma?! Why are you here? And you should've informed me about it!" I complained and my chest's about to burst because I was too shocked, Mezakiel's here right now! And Grandma might've seen him staying here. I just wanted to explain right at this time.Grandma just chuckled in his usual loud way before giving some space to my couch. "Come on, dear! Were you this scared that I'll catch your boyfriend? Living here with you?" Oh, good. This was always Grandma, the naughty type of woman who would love to tease her granddaughter about lovelife. She didn't even bother to reply on my question. Mezakiel and I exchanged glances. "This is not my boyfriend!" "Oh, lying's a rude thing a lovely granddaughter could offer her grandma!" She playfully tapped my head. And what did they talk about when I wasn't still here? Loo
"Spill, you're making me really curious," I blurted, leaning on my lap as we shed under a huge umbrella. "First, I want to apologize. You know? For those days of my absence instead of helping you," he replied and gave me a forced smile. My lips went open, Mezakiel's been very bothered with it. I told him that it's not a trouble to me at all, this time. I breathed out heavily. "You're such a pain, does it look like I'm still sulking about it until today? Get over it, and whatever was your reason to leave? I understand it." "That's the point. I wanted to tell you the reason why I wasn't there, helping you even if it's actually my job to be on your side." He added a fake chuckle. "My job on this gamble we participated in was so simple, simplier than yours but I could not even do it. But I at least want to tell you why I couldn't comply." My brows met in annoyance. I was surprised, actually? That he also had this kind of sensitive consciousness. That he's overcaring.I elbowed his arm
Of all people who I wished to interrupt the conversation between Coraline, me and my cousin? Why would it be Wren? And what does he want from me? Why's he even here in the first place?"You are?" Kiana questioned. None of her hands were pointing at Wren but we all know who she was referring to. Wren politely gave Kiana a smile as his formal greeting. "Pleasant evening, if it isn't the daughter of the Ruiz?" Kiana didn't even give Wren a nod but we knew that she's the person Wren's saying. My cousin slightly smiled back. "I return a greeting." Oh, small world for people who were living under businesses. Of course, I would not be surprised to discover that these two knew each other. It's just that I didn't expect their paths to cross here. Coraline and I didn't do anything other than throwing glimpses on them, one by one. My feet were starting to get cold with this pressure between Wren and me. Wren coughed after our eyes met. "Pardon for the interruption? Can I excuse Karin Ruiz?"
Seconds went faster when Maddison's far from Aspen and I as I was already stopped beside the waiting guy, on the car. All eccentricity's painted on my eyes when I kept staring at Maddison who successfully entered the Dining venue. "Hey, now. You came!" I shifted sight to Aspen when he suddenly tapped my shoulders. "Want to go somewhere else?" "What? What about the party? And, why are you with her? Where's Amanda?" My consecutive questions left him curious when his brows arched. Did I ask many? Or was my question about Maddison caught him? "Don't worry, let's count on Jasper from performing the song later. How about a dinner? The two of us?" My cheeks reddened, a sudden asking of date? Was that it? "And worry less!" Aspen added a chuckle. "I only drove Maddison here because we had a talk." "And what was your talk about?" I questioned, knitting my brows on him. Okay, what's my right to expect for a detailed answer and who was I to know their private conversation? Instead of givin
Tomorrow morning, after we went back home with our farewells, I prepared myself to face Wren and tell him that I'd be quitting the gamble. Mezakiel and I had dealt about my decision and he said it's not on his part to decide because what he wanted was for my sake as well. And it made me appreciate his concern and understanding to my side. Even if I couldn't grant his goal to pay back Sadie using the prize, he still didn't mind his failure. He focused thinking about what's best for me. Since he's the one who involved me. Yesterday, I used all my time explaining the complete story to Coraline to fix my problem with her. Or if we ever called that as a problem since on my part, we didn't fight. There was just a mistake I didn't try fixing with her immediately.So I mended what was needed to be mended between us yesterday. And it also felt so light to share her all the things I've been through. This day arrived, and my plan to meet Wren wouldn't change. There're lots of things I need
Our last and third day in this outing arrived and today, my plan was to talk to Coraline and tell everything to her when we get back home. And of course, I have a plan to talk to Aspen before he leaves and transfers.I wanted to tell him all my fault regarding the gamble as well so I wouldn't be keeping secrets to him anymore before we could even rarely talk and see each other.Yes, things happened so fast and unexpectedly. They happened too instantly that I didn't even get the chance to prepare myself and my decision. Everything occurred too rapidly that we both happened simply, fleetingly and it's hardly acceptable for us. We all went up early to wander the beauty of some rock formations by the beach and to have some viewing of the greatly-built windmills. The windmills were so pretty that we almost stayed for a couple of hours to just stare on it and learn a lot of things about it from our tour guide. And ever since I left our room earlier, Coraline didn't talk to me. I understood
After we enjoyed the speedboat ride, it was unexpected for the rest to try the speedboat and there, the awkwardness began. I introduced Mezakiel to them and Coraline was dead curious why I told everyone that he's a friend and not a frigging cousin. Great, because she knew Mezakiel as my cousin. "What on Earth? Liar!" Coraline pouted and darted me the darkest stare ever. "You lied, you said he's a cousin. Why?" "You know, why? Because it would be very hard for you to believe that he's just a friend to me that time. Who would believe that a random, stranger guy would be the one you'd see in my apartment?" And her lips twitched in annoyance. But I had a point, that time when Coraline caught Mezakiel in my apartment was very thrilling to the point that I just made up my mind, blurting out that he's a relative to me. So we would be far away from issues and suspicions."That still didn't sound good to me. That was a long-term lie," she added which made me very guilty. I held her hand. "I
As if nothing happened at all, like there was no misunderstanding. That we're okay, like normal friends who'd not look so sorry toward each other at all. That's what we looked like when we met by the van where we'd hop in for a ride. I did expect him to be here with the outing because it was Maddison herself who invited us all. She said it's a trip before they'd transfer and I believe I actually wanted to go because of the fact that I'd regret missing this one after sembreak. Knowing Jasper, Maddison and him would sooner transfer. And we didn't even talk properly to fix some sort of misunderstandings. And to fix what was needed to be fixed at the same time. So I hope, I could at least make a progress at this trip, as my opportunity."I have carsicks when I sit at the backseat," Coraline complained while paying the bags of chips. We're buying the snacks for everyone. "Then don't sit at that part. Try occupying one by the front part." "Will you sit with me?" she asked and why did she
He told me that there's no time to waste, so I dated him. I was affected by the pressure and fear he showed. Because I didn't want to regret that we didn't even have to go out properly before he'd transfer and live across a distance. Because I thought it's also the best way for us, to go out despite being in a relationship. But I was so lost, I was so confused and reckless that I accepted it knowing I've been yearning for a moment where there were no problems. Like, I just wanted to be with him where no one's stopping us. And the date was the only chance we had. But I thought it's too simple to let ourselves go with the flow before we're too late. I didn't even mind too much that we're just dating to not regret things even though we sincerely have feelings toward each other. That was so immature of me. And this time, I was kept on being bugged by his words that we need to stay like that. To keep what we're doing as secrets. And it stings me especially when I saw him with Maddison
Out of my surprise and curiosity, I had no doubts from approaching them both. Good thing their eyes also caught me, there was a flash of shockness in their eyes. Jasper was more puzzled to see me, and let me catch them, dating. If they're dating. "Hey," I called. They both waved and smiled. "How are you, Karin? My, news tells me that you and Aspen aren't still open for communications." Oh, okay. Even she was aware from that issue until now. But I hope she's not aware of Aspen's confession, and our secret date. I nodded but I simply stopped when my eyes caught their hands. They were just holding their hands! I just saw it correctly! They immediately let their hands go when I noticed them so I pretended not to see it. I coughed. "Ah, yeah, haha! But I think we're both okay. This problem between us will pass by." But yes, no matter how optimistic I am from my words, they know almost everything. Maddison's aware that Wren and Kiana were soon to be engaged. That Aspen's still ground
"What? He's merciless!" I complained, Mezakiel and I met once again and went out to talk about how Wren's going to handle the punishment. Mezakiel finished his glass of soda first. "Yes, he's not going to change his mind, the punishment is still running." I sighed. "Why is he so rough? What's the sense of the gamble if he's taking our suspension this long?" I asked, annoyed. He shrugged, it irritated me to see his calm situation. "I don't know, I think he's obviously showing that he doesn't want you to end up with his brother. That dude you like? I mean?""Gosh, I'm aware of that. It's because Wren's going to marry my cousin sooner, for sure." He didn't answer me, he remained silent and enjoyed his meal. Mezakiel's already updated thay my cousin and Aspen's brother who leads this gamble would become engaged soon. And it's hard to stop that. It's not like Mezakiel and I would stop the wedding so I could freely have Aspen and win the gamble. That's funny.Funy enough to annoy me.
A week passed by and the hassle examination finally ended. After the exam, sembreak's already waving and I am dead prepared for it. Gosh, if only I coud go out with my Grandma again to have a trip but I badly needed to find a way to talk to Aspen. The last time we talked was that night. When he confessed his feelings to me. When I realized I couldn't give him the perfect reaction. I was so dumb to run away out of the total startlement. Thank goodness I decided not to jump on the sea and just end my life happily when he finally said he like me. Gosh, that was so unforgettable, he didn't know how I didn't sleep that night! "You freak! Did you really study too much that you almost perfected all the subjects?!" Coraline complained. Of course, I was not surprised when I was one of the topnotchers in the exam's result in our batch! Who wuld I blame when I was too motivated in studying? I was recopricated! "That's odd for you to not believe! It's because I studied very well, unlike you."
As if there's going to be a chance for me to feel comfortable? Are my parents this serious? Of all places and chances for me to get away from the sources of my problems, why did it still follow me? Look, even if minutes alreast passed by, I was still getting suffocated by the intense ambience of the dining place. Despite the jolly presence reining because of the lively talk of our parents, I still could not make myself calm. I tried to swallow my food again and it's very, very hard to do it. Not because it's Kiana's not-so-pleasant cook but because of him. I dropped my fork and spoon before attempting to glance at him. He remained fixated on his food. Never have I ever caught him looking at me. And that's really suffocating me. I sighed again, I think I've been sighing for so many times since the dinner started. I caught Kiana who's already glancing at me and it's so clear that she could understand what's between me and the guy in front of me."Something wrong? Kiana?" Wren interrupt