Chapitre 12: Chapter 10: In the Shadows of Green
As I walked through the campus gates, I felt the warm breeze, the kind that hinted at an uncomfortably hot day. Adjusting my cap, I pulled my mask up to cover half my face and proceeded towards the school garden. Other students were arriving too, most carrying pots, trays, or bags filled with their vegetables, chatting among themselves as they made their way to the registration area where they would mark attendance.
I spotted the group forming near the garden beds. Quietly, I lined up, waiting for my turn. Amara was up ahead, already animatedly talking to Fiora and Violy. I knew my own group would be gathering soon, and I was preparing mentally for a day filled with dirt, sweat, and the occasional awkward moment when we'd be forced to socialize. I had become good at navigating around these scenarios — blending in enough to avoid attention but performing well enough to get things done.
When it was my turn for attendance, the teacher smiled. "Ethan! Lettuce, right?"
"Yes, po," I replied with a polite nod, lifting the small crate that held my neatly cultivated lettuce plants. I quickly wrote my name down and glanced around, scanning the faces in the crowd. My group members were starting to appear, one by one, gathering near our designated area in the garden.
After everyone finished with attendance, the teachers signaled us to start cleaning the garden beds. I headed toward my group's assigned plot, where Fiora, Finn, Anes, Violy, Kaori, and Selma were already beginning the day's work. The plot wasn't large, but the soil looked like it hadn't been properly turned over in months. Weeds poked through the dry earth, and there were dead plants we had to clear before we could even begin planting.
"Ang init sobra," Anes muttered, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand.
"Grabe talaga," Violy replied, pulling on her gardening gloves. "Di ko in-expect na ganito kainit."
I silently agreed. I could feel the heat baking the ground beneath us, the sun's rays beaming down on our exposed skin. Even though it was early in the day, the intensity of the sun made the work difficult. I crouched down to begin pulling at the dead plants and weeds, methodically clearing the soil for our lettuce.
"Mas ok siguro kung magkakaroon tayo ng konting shade," Fiora remarked, glancing at the nearby banana tree that stood tall just a few meters away. The broad leaves provided a comforting shadow on the ground beneath it, making it an ideal spot for resting when the heat got too unbearable.
But before we could seek shade, there was work to be done. I worked quietly, concentrating on the task. My lettuce needed a good environment, and the soil had to be perfect for planting. The rest of the group occasionally made small talk, mostly complaining about the heat. I wasn't much of a talker, so I stayed focused, pulling out weeds and turning the soil with a spade.
As I worked, I couldn't shake the feeling that some of the other students were glancing in my direction. It didn't faze me; I had become used to it — my lean physique, the defined lines of my face, and my generally quiet demeanor often attracted attention. Even though I didn't seek it, it always seemed to find me.
But this time felt different. I sensed someone staring more persistently. I didn't react. Instead, I kept my gaze downward, concentrating on the task at hand. Years of being under observation had trained me not to respond. Whether people were intrigued by my appearance or curious about my quiet nature, I didn't bother to wonder. I was here to plant my lettuce, finish the task, and move on.
Finally, after what felt like hours, we were done. The garden bed was filled with freshly planted vegetables, and our task was complete.
"Finally, tapos na rin," Fiora sighed with relief, stepping back to admire our work.
"We did it! Mukhang maganda rin yung pagkakalagay natin," Amara added, clapping her hands together.
"Nice work, everyone!" I finally spoke up, nodding at the group. They all smiled, proud of our accomplishment.
After cleaning up our tools and making sure everything was in place, we headed back to the school's lobby. The heat had taken a toll on us, and we were eager to rest and rehydrate.
Inside the lobby, there were bottles of water lined up, and we rushed to grab one. I took a bottle and leaned against one of the walls, taking a long, refreshing sip. I was tired but satisfied. The day had been exhausting, but our hard work had paid off.
Just as I was about to take another drink, I noticed a familiar figure walking towards me — Kael. My pulse quickened for a brief moment, but I quickly masked any sign of discomfort.
I made a quick decision, turning to Finn, who was standing nearby. "Finn, have you submitted our project file for PE?" I asked casually, moving toward him to avoid any awkward interaction with Kael.
"Not yet," Finn replied, glancing up. "I'll finish editing it tonight, and I'll send it over so you can upload it to the GDrive."
"Cool, let me know when it's done," I responded, making sure to keep my distance from Kael, who was now lingering somewhere in the background.
The rest of the group continued to chat and rest, their spirits lifted after completing our task. I, however, remained quietly observant, aware of the subtle tension in the air. Though I didn't engage with Kael directly, I knew the feeling of being watched hadn't completely disappeared. Still, it didn't bother me. Not today.
As the day came to a close, I gathered my things and prepared to head home. The task of planting vegetables had been harder than expected, but it was done. I waved to the group as I made my way out of the school, my thoughts already shifting to my next set of responsibilities — preparing for my BPO interviews, managing my classes, and perhaps focusing a little more on my eating habits.
Kael's POV
The sun beat down on us as I arrived at the school, the familiar sensation of anticipation fluttering in my chest. Today was the day we would plant our cultivated vegetables, and while I was looking forward to the activity, a part of me felt restless. I had been thinking about Ethan a lot lately—his smile, the way his eyes sparkled with determination during class, and how effortlessly he engaged in conversations. I had noticed him in the hallways, often surrounded by friends, but we had never exchanged more than a few casual glances.
As I made my way to the designated area, I could see Ethan's group already gathered, preparing their plants. My heart raced a bit as I caught a glimpse of him. He was wearing a simple white shirt, and the sunlight illuminated his features, making him look even more appealing. I felt a pang of longing and quickly diverted my gaze, reminding myself that I wasn't here for that.
"Kael! Come on, we need to get started!" called Rico, one of my group members. I snapped back to reality and joined my group, which consisted of Jana, Leo, and Tara. We quickly organized our tools and got to work, but my mind was elsewhere.
I couldn't help but steal glances at Ethan's group as they busily tended to their plants. They looked cheerful and enthusiastic, and I noticed how Ethan was chatting animatedly with Amara, who I recognized as one of his close friends. The sight made my heart ache; I wanted to be the one talking to him, sharing jokes, and enjoying the day together.
As we started to clear our area, shoveling dirt and pulling out weeds, I kept my gaze on Ethan. It was hard not to admire him from a distance. His movements were fluid as he carefully planted the lettuce, and I found myself captivated by the way he focused on his task. I couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to be a part of his world, to talk to him, to know what he thought about when he looked at the plants.
"Hey, Kael! You with us?" Leo's voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see my group members looking at me expectantly.
"Yeah, sorry! Just a bit lost in thought," I admitted, forcing a smile.
"We need you to shovel this patch over here. Can you focus for once?" Tara teased, and I laughed, nodding as I picked up the shovel and began to dig into the earth.
As I worked, I felt the heat of the sun on my back and the sweat beginning to form on my brow. But the discomfort was a small price to pay for the chance to watch Ethan from a distance. I couldn't help but let my thoughts drift back to our shared classes. I admired how effortlessly he grasped complicated topics, especially during our Earth Science lessons. I had overheard him discussing atmospheric science with such passion, and it inspired me to engage more in class.
"Kael, you need to take a break!" Jana called out, breaking my concentration once again. "You're going to wear yourself out."
I chuckled, realizing I had been working harder than necessary, but all I could think about was Ethan. "I'm fine! Just trying to get this area ready for planting," I replied, my voice lacking the enthusiasm I usually carried.
"Come on, let's grab some water," Leo insisted, nudging my arm. I nodded and followed my group to a shaded area where we could hydrate.
As I sipped my water, my gaze was involuntarily drawn back to Ethan. He was standing with Amara, both of them laughing at something. My heart sank slightly, knowing that I was merely an observer in this moment. I wanted to be the one making him laugh, sharing a connection that seemed to be just out of reach.
"Why are you staring at them?" Tara suddenly asked, her eyebrow raised teasingly. I quickly turned my head, a faint flush creeping into my cheeks.
"I'm not staring! I'm just… looking at the plants," I stammered, trying to deflect the attention away from Ethan.
"Sure, Kael. Whatever you say," she said with a knowing grin, and I rolled my eyes, attempting to focus on the task at hand.
After a quick break, we returned to our work. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the thoughts swirling in my mind. I started shoveling again, digging into the rich soil, but my mind kept drifting back to Ethan. How would he react if we actually talked? What would I say? The possibilities spun around in my head like a whirlwind, and I struggled to concentrate on the task before me.
"Kael, look out!" Leo shouted suddenly, snapping me back to reality. I turned just in time to see a clump of dirt flying my way, thanks to Tara's enthusiastic digging. I ducked instinctively, and we all erupted into laughter.
"Nice reflexes!" Jana joked, shaking her head. "You could've ended up buried in dirt!"
"Very funny!" I shot back, but deep down, I was grateful for the distraction. I couldn't let my emotions get the best of me. I needed to focus on my friends and my work.
We continued digging and clearing the area, but I kept stealing glances at Ethan. He was now kneeling down, carefully planting the seedlings in neat rows. His concentration was admirable, and I found myself admiring the way he approached everything with determination. It was in moments like these that I truly appreciated how intelligent and capable he was.
As the sun beat down, I felt the need for a break again. The heat was starting to become unbearable, and I could see that Ethan's group was taking another pause under the shade of the banana tree. My heart raced at the thought of joining them, but the prospect felt daunting. Would he even want to talk to me? Would he feel awkward?
I decided against it and opted to stay with my group. But my curiosity kept nagging at me. I wanted to know what they were talking about, how they interacted. Every laugh that escaped Ethan's lips felt like a wave crashing against my resolve. I had to find a way to talk to him—somehow, someday.
After a few more minutes of working in silence, I noticed Ethan standing up and wiping his brow with the back of his hand. He took a deep breath, and for a moment, our eyes locked. I felt a surge of electricity at the connection, my heart pounding in my chest. I could tell that he was just as surprised as I was, and I quickly looked away, my cheeks burning.
"Alright, time to get back to work!" I heard Leo say, breaking the tension. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and focused on the task at hand. The last thing I wanted was to get lost in daydreams when there was work to do.
After what felt like an eternity of shoveling, we finally finished clearing our area. I looked over at Ethan's group and saw that they were also wrapping up. I felt a twinge of disappointment knowing that I wouldn't get a chance to talk to him today.
Our teacher gathered everyone to discuss the day's progress. "Great job, everyone! I'm impressed by the effort you all put in today," she praised, her smile infectious. "Remember to take care of your plants and help them grow!"
As we all began to disperse, I felt a wave of reluctance wash over me. I had come to the school looking forward to planting, but what I really wanted was to find a way to connect with Ethan. As we packed our tools, I noticed him moving towards the lobby, his back to me.
"Kael, let's go grab something to eat!" Leo called out, breaking my focus. I hesitated, torn between joining my friends and chasing after Ethan. But the moment passed, and Ethan disappeared into the crowd.
"Kael? You coming?" Tara asked, snapping me out of my reverie.
"Yeah, just give me a second," I replied, forcing a smile. I watched as Ethan's figure faded away, my heart heavy with unspoken words and missed opportunities. I knew I needed to find a way to talk to him, but for now, all I could do was follow my friends and hope for another chance.
As we made our way out of the school, the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the campus. I felt a sense of determination building within me. I wouldn't let this moment slip away. Next time, I would find a way to talk to Ethan, to bridge the gap that felt so wide between us.
The rest of the day felt like a blur. I laughed with my friends, shared stories, and ate lunch, but my mind kept drifting back to Ethan. What would it take to break the ice? I needed to come up with a plan, and I was determined to make it happen. After all, life was too short to let opportunities pass by.
As I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, I felt a mix of hope and uncertainty. Tomorrow was another day, and I would find a way to reach out to Ethan. I couldn't let fear hold me back any longer. I was ready to take that leap of faith and see where it would lead.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone