บท 28: Deja Vu

"Are you kids alright?" Miss Carrein cleared her throat as she approached the two.

The two bolted away from each other. Alaena quickly averted her gaze. "I-I'm sorry!!" she stammered. She didn't even realize that she slapped Liechael's hand away. The girl quickly wiped her eyes, still feeling the warm touch of the boy.

Liechael then snapped back. He just made himself act without even thinking. He turned away and faced the lady instead. "Where are the lists, Miss Carrein?" He walked towards the desk, which made the lady follow him.

Miss Carrein immediately pulled the drawers and picked up the documents from the inside. She pushed it to the boy who's sitting across the desk. "Here are the records and lists." She took a pen and opened the folder from Liechael.

The atmosphere became quiet while the lady was busy putting Justin's record on her notes. It left an awkward atmosphere between Alaena and Liechael, who were standing side by side.

"Alaena." Miss Carrein lifted her chin and looked at the girl. "You know Mr. Adley, right?" she asked.

"Yes! He's my friend!"

Liechael's eyebrows met between his nose. "Friend?" he blabbed out unconsciously.

The girl looked at him with a puzzled face, "Yes, I am his friend, why?" her voice became a little stern, guessing if this boy bullies Justin or not. "Do you have any problems with him?"

Liechael shook his head. "It's nothing," he replied.

Seeing the glares between the two made Miss Carrein anxious. "My, my, kids, calm down," she chuckled nervously and faced Alaena. "As I was saying earlier, young master wanted to talk to you,"

"Y-Yes, Miss Carrein!" Alaena then replied immediately. Then she faced the boy. "It's my honor working with you, y-young m-master!" she greeted.

Surprised, Liechael also nodded his head. "Y-Yeah," he mumbled. Then he turned his gaze to the lady. "I want a time with her, Miss Carrein"

The lady nodded her head and stood from her seat. "If you don't mind, I'm going to excuse myself now, so that the two of you can talk properly" then she picked up the folders she needed before exiting the art room.

BAM!

Liechael hit the wall when Alaena pushed him. It made him stunned for a second while his eyes were fixated on the girl. "W-What?" he mumbled.

Alaena's calm face frowned as she grabbed the guy by the collar. "Did you tell Miss Carrein about what happened to us? What are you doing here?" she continuously asked.

"I didn't say anything"

Upon hearing this, the girl loosened her grip and turned around. "S-Sorry" she whispered.

Liechael stood straight and fixed his collar. He is still wearing this puzzled expression. He remained silent while asking himself if he did anything wrong with Alaena in this body. The boy tried to reach her shoulders, but quickly retracted. "D-Did I do s-something wrong?" he asked.

That question made Alaena jolted. "Ehh?" she became red in an instant, reflecting what she did to the male so suddenly. How can he even say that? Did he forget that he got kicked in the balls?

Alaena shook her head, 'Why am I thinking that?! Do I really need to remind him?' she thought. Come to think of it, Liechael would usually scold her and talk about the school rules, but why did he seem so different today? It's like he ate something he shouldn't.

Meanwhile, Liechael's still looking at the girl. He can't believe that he's seeing Alaena in her highschool days again. She's still wearing that confidence and bravery like before. She paints well and loves colors. How could he ever hate her before she left that day?

"D-Do you r-remember me?" He whispered.

It left a puzzled expression on the girl's face. "What do you mean?" she asked. Then she scowled secretly. 'Do I need to tell him that I kicked him in the balls because he stopped me from escaping?' she thought again. Then she shook her head, 'No, no, no! Why would I tell him that?'

"Is there anything wrong?"

Liechael tried to lean closer to her as he tried to take a peek at the girl's face. "A-Alaena?" he called out. It made him feel guilty because he approached the girl so suddenly that it made himself a little rude. Then he tried to at least make a small smile. "Is there anything wrong? I-I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable," then he bowed his head.

Alaena jumped and waved her hands in the air. "No, no, no! That's not what I mean! I'm also surprised," she averted her gaze, realizing that this is the best way to sway the conversation. She didn't want to talk about her embarrassment, either.

The girl cleared her throat, "So, Miss Carrein told me that you want to talk to me, I-I will listen.." she walked towards the empty desk with her flushed face.

The boy followed her and sat across the table. "I just want to ask you why there are no other members of-the-art class? Did the club have a fight with the faculties or students?" he asked. He somehow made his tone like a real student. He didn't want to scare the girl again.

'He's really clueless,' Alaena whispered to herself. She brushed her face and looked straight at Liechael's eyes. She hated it, seeing that expressionless and cold deep blue eye repeatedly. "Okay, I got it..I know that it's very rude for me to do such embarrassing things to you that day and I really wanted to apologize but what am I try---"

"Wait!"

Alaena tilted her head, cutting her words. "Eh?"

"I don't understand a single thing you're say---"

Alaena sprang up and slammed her hands on the table. "Fine! What I'm trying to say is I don't want this awkward atmosphere to remain between us. That's why I wanted to apologize that day when I kicked you in the balls just to escape the school! You know-----ehh?!" she jumped away as the embarrassment occupied her system, making her blushed.

Liechael also flinched from his seat, red cheeks. Then their eyes met for a second before averting their gazes.

The girl rubbed her reddened nape. "I-I d-didn't mean to s-say it o-out loud," she reasoned out. "I just don't want this art class to be totally taken down, even if it's by the school official's decision" her voice became pitiful. She looked down and bit her lower lip. "I love arts so much"

"The school officials?" Liechael pondered. "You're talking about my father, right?"