章節 12: Play Dates
The mysterious birthmark, once a contorted shape, has metamorphosed into the stunning silhouette of a sharply pointed mockingbird.
Darker shades of catastrophic lines were etched onto the soft alabaster skin of her back until it eventually fluttered its inky wings spreading in a delicate arc across from her nape to her shoulder blades.
Dull orbs survey the reflection in the mirror to delve deeper into the incompleteness of the illustration, intuitively still waiting for the final stroke to bring it to life.
With grimace, luscious lips parted to draw back a snarl. "You just ruined my body," trimmed nails scratch the dark lines causing them to bloom a cherry tint of blossoms. Her gaze strayed to the right in the mirror pair of amber eyes contained. Again she scratched the blushed skin till it turned red from the harsh treatment.
"I didn't." Lilith 's pacifist impedes suffuse tension, hands clasped behind warm stares move to side eye down to the exposed back, then up as Eliena clutches the top close to hide the front. A faint smile plays at the corner of her mouth. " It was always there, you haven't noticed it."
Her birthmark pulses. Liar. She scoffed tight-lipped.
Lilith raised a brow, but her gaze remained refusing to look away; she allowed the wide grin to spread on her lips. " Unlike you. I never lied, not to you Darling,"
While the beautiful warm sights gaped, Eliena gave an eye-roll and turned her head away as her cheeks and neck tinged a darker color, to which the woman callously scampered about how much her sugary terms affected the student who now slipped into the clothes and gathered the belongings to avoid her existence. "Alas you are running away. Again," her avowals remain unheard as ever. "Like always."
Eliena rubbed her temples and progressively made her way to campus, the familiar hustle surrounding the scuff of her shoes lost in the bustle noises of the students who were going to their classes.
The metal handle of Room 273 shot a cool sensation twisting it gently she pushed the door open ushering herself into the classroom the professor turned from the whiteboard and extended an affable greeting wherein she inclined a bow before drifting her gaze to the sea of faces among them Waverly's scornful glance while some eyes glued to her she shrugs off and took a seat beside Eunji, her environmental study partner.
Kim Eunji was surprisingly kinder than the rest of Moonyoung 's friends, a little bit clumsy and still the sweetest person.
However, Eliena never vocalized it, probably because she didn't want to get to know Eunji more than a classmate. The only reason they are sitting together is their collaboration on the group project bridging the gap between them. While Eunji works on basic topics Eliena meticulously curated their notes.
A notebook is handed out to her; she grasps it while Eunji continues to focus on the professor as he teaches oblivious to the silent beliefs cast their way.
Meanwhile, the whole class couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, and she knew it wasn't Lilith 'cause every time whenever she would turn, the trio, Waverly, Nari, and Soyeon, would look directly into her, mumbling something to themselves.
Her eyebrows knitted. Moonyoung indeed has strange choices when it comes to her friends. Except—her frown softened as she glanced at Eunji, who was still busy listening to the professor, excluding the icy stares of her friends.
' At least you're not like them,' she thought silently, admiring the genuine warm aura until eyes looked up at her.
"Did you say something?" Eunji's soft inquiry met a quiet denial. " Don't mind my friends," the corner of her eyes crinkled as she offered a smile.
Eliena tilted her head heavenward. Just deal with it.
Suppressing a soft yawn of boredom, her gaze stays upon the library door anticipating someone's arrival.
A pencil twirls between her fingers the back of her other hand lifts to cradle her chin, eyes perceiving the soundless footsteps of the intrigue a spiritual presence in the hallowed space no utterances verbalized trifling duration of time stands motionless as the woman in delicate grace moves amongst the towering bookshelves phantom digits caressed the spines each one.
From where Eliena sat she could only be a silent audience to behold the ethereal ballet spinning around a sense of wonder wrapped here and there.
She was still trying to figure out why her emotions seemed to lose whenever her senses would light up. Lilith 's company distinguishes so familiar, so seraphic so gentle to live with…
Live with…
Something began to flash before her eyes, a tumultuous recurrence as she closed them. Rough, desperate clutches on her forearm, tears welling up forcing someone to choke on words before they could be spoken: "...we are not different, we are one…," they plead holding back a cry
Her hand gripped the pencil as if an unseen force was tearing into her chest, eyes squinted to see the vivid white figure's face; their words poured onto her soul, something pressed through her. "Live with me…." they offered.
"Aren't you hungry?"
Abrupt, gentle query stabbed in haze, stirring her from reverie to present. She peered up as Lilith stared back.
"I—"
"Eliena !"
The click of heels reiterated straight toward her along with a rich fragrance. " Sorry to keep you waiting," the girl apologized, her breathy tone amended to whisper as the librarian gave both pairs an indignant look.
"No need. I just arrived," she assured, offering a small smile whilst tenderly returning Moonyoung 's possession. " Your book,''
" Right, how could I forget?" Moonyoung 's hands rose, pupils dilated, eyes bore to hers, lips curving into a wistful smile. "So did you get your answers ?"
Nodding quietly her gaze drifts to where Lilith is amble. Truth to tell she has gleaned some answers that woven a strange bond. The woman held power yet it's restricted unless Eliena allows it.
Without her permission, there's no use.
And those reminiscences sometimes felt like they had happened in real life; barely those figures are still waiting to reveal themselves.
They tormented her; she could feel their pain, their echoes resonating while being in those memories. Maybe her body was present at this time hence her soul wasn't. They're still a mystery that no book solves unless the woman answers her questions which probably she won't.
As Lilith has said, every answer to her questions is in herself. She has to wait to find those memories.
"....what do you say?" Moonyoung waves her hand in front of her eyes. " Eliena ? Eliena ? You're with me?" her voice broke through a gentle uneasy concern with brows drawn together.
With a blink, Eliena shook her head and turned her attention to Moonyoung . " wh—yes?"
A triumphant grin emerged on Moonyoung 's lips, her teeth gleaming in the soft light. "You're coming," she declared. Her hand gripped Eliena 's forearm sending ripples of shockwave. " I even invited Isabelle. We'll have so much fun bowling ," being infectious and joyous she probably couldn't feel although…
Eliena could as Lilith approached them, she withdrew her hand away from the grasp ." I've got to place the books back." she tried to excuse herself.
" Oh, umm, kay I'll help you." Moonyoung offered eagerly.
"But—" Eliena began, her resistance cut short by Moonyoung 's insistence.
"No buts. Come on, everyone is waiting for us," Moonyoung urged gathering a few books ahead
Having no choice thus to follow, Eliena accepted Moonyoung 's help. As they placed the books back on the shelves, Moonyoung 's eyes lingered as she asks. " Did you read 'em, all?"
"Most of the chapter, yes, not all. There's still a lot to finish."
A subtle beam forms as the girl moves closer. " Such a determined bookworm you are," she remarked softly.
Oblivious to their increasing proximity, Eliena put the last book on the shelf and replied forthrightly." You can say that, when you study history, you've to go through everything, every detail. Sometimes it's fun gaining knowledge of someone's misery and stupidity."
The creamy citrus scent enveloped her. Moonyoung moved even closer. " Charming," she whispered, brushing her fingertips against the middle area of Eliena 's back, almost near her birthmark, eliciting a warm tingle sensation. " I've never dated a historian. Will you change that?"
The words bathed onto her skin. Reflexively, Eliena flinched away, shuddered a breath, and turned away looking anywhere but the girl behind her.
"Are you cold?" Moonyoung asked, her eyes sparkling with a mix of worry and something else Eliena couldn't quite place.
"No, just...," she stammered, feeling her cheeks flush and her breaths coming into short gasps. She gulped, steadying herself before she looked back at Moonyoung . " Surprised a little."
Moonyoung smiled purposely, her expression enduring for a moment. "Well, you've not answered my question Miss Warner should I take the silence as yes," ever so gently in playful tease, she poked the latter's nose taking her time to admire the rush of blooming red with a mellow smile so enthralled was she by the response, neither did she register the dark presence of the woman standing still, watching them with narrowed eyes and a curt smirk. The woman cocked her head intently looking straight, power radiating from her.
The shelves rattled, causing a few thick books on the top shelf to tip forward precariously. The noise earned Eliena 's attention. She glanced at Lilith , who raised a single finger down, then up at the perched books that were about to fall. In a beat of her heart, she clutched Moonyoung 's shoulder and pulled her closer as the books slammed down onto the floor with loud thuds, raising a cloud of dust
"That was a quick save," Moonyoung laughed, trying to set aside the silence.
Eliena loosened her grip and stared at the thick books on the floor, realizing the potential danger. They could have seriously hurt Moonyoung , causing her to bleed or have a nasty bruise.
She felt Lilith 's eyes on her, quiet for a long, tense moment; she observed the phantom and saw the same angry look, clenched jaw, flighty gaze, but what was with those eyes why they were welling up with tears?look so betrayed ?
No. No. Eliena told herself. These are all restless mannerisms, that's all, they can't be tears.
"Eliena ?" Moonyoung 's voice brought her back. She looked up and saw the girl smiling gratefully. "Thanks."
"What happened here?" The librarian's voice drew their attention as the old lady walked through Lilith 's form.
Moonyoung was the first person to speak. "Sorry, Miss, we'll—"
"No need. You two can leave. Miss Carter is looking for you, Miss Warner," the librarian said, her tone softened as she addressed Eliena .
" Okay," Eliena answered quietly, casting one last glance at the scattered books before following Moonyoung out.
"Thank Lord, finally after a decade!" explained Isabelle drastically as her gaze lifted from the phone she was holding her steps stride to Eliena , clutching both of her friend's shoulders. She learned to keep their conversation surreptitious. " I think Aylin is ignoring me again."
Eliena could guess the reason Isabelle sometimes is overly dramatic: Pedagogy exams are hard to obtain qualified certification. It takes hard work and time. Though she had never met Aylin in person she had noted much about her persona from enthusiastic stories Isabelle would speak more often about her girlfriend.
From what she had gathered, Aylin Kittirong was diligent, mature, composed, methodical, and disciplined, likely older than Isabelle. It seemed that despite the demand for academic curriculums that girl put efforts to keep her lover happy.
Only God knows how those long-distance relationships work, but somehow, in this one, it did.
Even though they have different personalities, different cultures and religions,their connection is strong enough despite Isabelle being overly complaining and sometimes childish. Aylin handled the situation somehow. But for now.
Oh lord.
"Please don't be a sulking monkey and come with us."
Like I ever have any other choice, Eliena ponders, a wry smile edging at her lips.
Tugging her hand around Eliena 's arm, Isabelle 's lively chatter quelled her worries.
They walked down the corridors. But the burn behind her back near the spot where Moonyoung once touched itched persistently. She moved by her friend's side, keeping a distance from the girl.
The familiar, comforting scent of chamomile wafted through the air, soothing her nerves with every breath. Cheerful laughter calmed her restless thoughts.
Outside the campus, she saw Moonyoung 's friends lounging on the grass, engrossed in their conversations. Even though Waverly's brows had a soft frown, she didn't question much.
Both pairs began to walk, following Moonyoung 's group at a leisurely pace. "I must admit. I think Shin likes you," Isabelle whispered, making sure no one could hear them, she nudged her shoulder against her friend blithely. "Is there something going on between you two?"
Eliena shook her head, her eyes roving to Moonyoung 's friends who were now intently listening to Eunji. "You're disillusioned. There's nothing," she dismissed.
Isabelle, of course, didn't believe it. She smiled cheekily. "Trust me, Lia. I've seen that look before, and that look never lies."
"What look?"
Isabelle spoke pensively. "Mmm, how could I explain it? It's..It's like …," she paused searching for the right words. " Like…see that look!" She pointed at Eunji who was walking by Moonyoung 's side.
Eliena raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical at Isabelle, who rolled her eyes. "You don't get it. Dang, I know you've never been attracted to someone, but dude, you need to work on your observation."
Eliena ignored her and began to process long steps, causing Isabelle to pace after her, holding her shoulder back as she guided her. "Okay, okay, now look carefully… Kim Eunji's eyes, how they become tender whenever she looks at Moonyoung ."
She did look, and genuinely, there was something. Was Eunji harboring feelings for Shin Moonyoung ?
"But it must be attraction or admiration. Nevertheless with you…" Isabelle continued, "Moonyoung looks at you like you're the most fascinating person she ever came across, like she wants to know every part of you. There's a desire in them."
Desires..
Her eyebrows puckered in thoughts, replaying moments with Moonyoung in her mind. She had noticed the lingering gazes, the way smiles seemed to reach those eyes when they were together.
Nonetheless, she had brushed it off, attributing it to Moonyoung 's naturally warm demeanor or it must be for that Secret Admirer Shin Moonyoung is looking for.
Eliena needs to clear that misunderstanding before it brings more trouble. Possibly tomorrow, she would tell Moonyoung everything and explain that she wasn't the one who wrote those notes. Then, there wouldn't be any adoration in those eyes.
Don't be selfish. It is not you who she wants, a voice whispered in her head
Mind raced, torn between doubt and the subtle thrill of Isabelle's suggestion."You're imagining things, Belle," she murmured, though her voice lacked conviction.
Isabelle laughed softly. "Maybe. But I know what I see. And I see someone very interested in you, Warner."
Once she knows the truth, she'll be the first to leave, the voice insisted again.
Perhaps I was born to live alone, the young lass sighs. Before leaving the campus, she veered her head around, almost looking for someone. It could be the woman who always assists her everywhere, but this time, there was no one. Where is she?
" Liena?" Isabelle took hold of Eliena 's wrist and began to walk, feeling something hollow growing inside.
As they walked, the comforting scent of chamomile seemed to fade, replaced by a gnawing uncertainty.
Her environs crowded with life and laughter, felt strangely detached. Each step further was heavy, laden with eccentric uncertainties and the barrenness of underlying emotions. She took a deep breath.
Just deal with it, deal with it, rebound in her beliefs.
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