章節 11: Stranger
"So, what do you say?" asked a young man with blonde hair and dark blue eyes, a charming smile tugging at his lips.
"I'm not ready," replied the girl walking beside him as they made their way to the lecture hall.
"Oh, come on! You've been saying that all of last semester—and even the one before that. What's stopping you? Or… are you crushing on someone else?" he pressed, frustration seeping into his voice after her repeated rejections.
"There's no one. I just… I'm not ready for a relationship," she said softly, her lustrous black hair swaying in the wind. Her calm bluish-green eyes remained focused on the path ahead.
He sighed. "Just be straight with me," he said, stepping in front of her and placing his hands on her shoulders. His gaze locked onto hers. "Do you feel anything for me?"
Her lips parted, but silence followed. His heart sank.
"I…" she began, but before she could continue, he let go and shook his head. "Don't say anything. I know I won't like the answer anyway," he said, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Bitterness lingered beneath.
"…Sorry," she whispered and continued walking forward.
"You don't have to apologize. Just give me a chance, and I promise you won't regret it," he said, stepping in front of her again, this time gently grabbing her hands.
She hesitated, guilt starting to creep in. He had been chasing after her since their college years began, and rejecting him was becoming harder each time.
"Hey!" she suddenly gasped, her eyes widening at something behind him.
Before he could turn around—
BAM!
"Oh, damn!" he yelped, realizing he had knocked someone to the floor.
He spun around to find a young man sprawled out, face down, books scattered everywhere.
"Sorry, bro—" he started, reaching out, but froze mid-motion. His eyes widened. "It's… you," he muttered, taking a step back as he recognized the other guy's hazel brown eyes and unruly white hair.
"What do you mean, 'it's you'? Help him," the girl said, crouching to pick up one of the fallen books.
Just then—
Woop!
"Ah!"
A hand shot out, gripping her wrist tightly. She looked up, meeting the young man's hollow brown eyes. They seemed to pierce straight through her.
"Leave it," he said, his voice low and detached.
"Let her go!" the blonde-haired boy growled, yanking the stranger's hand away from her.
The young man regarded them both silently, then calmly gathered his belongings and walked off without another word.
"Did he hurt you?" the blonde asked, concern in his voice.
"Not really… and I guess it's my fault for not asking first," she replied with a wry smile, shielding her wrist, which had reddened from the stranger's grip.
"You sure?" he asked again, though his mind was already plotting something.
"Yeah," she said, forcing a smile.
They resumed walking, but her thoughts lingered on the encounter.
"You seem to know him," she said after a moment.
"…Yeah. The guy's a creep. Don't let him get close to you," he warned, avoiding eye contact.
"What do you mean?" she pressed, curious now.
"It's best if you don't know," he replied curtly, quickening his pace.
She slowed down, lost in thought.
For reasons she couldn't explain…
she wanted to see him again.
....
....
"DUDE, WAKE UP!"
A voice jolted me awake, and my eyes snapped open.
What was that?
A dream?
Sigh.
I'd been having dreams about her lately. Could it be a sign she's close?
"Hey!" someone nudged my side. I blinked, finally registering the voice that had woken me up.
Wait. When did I even doze off?
I sighed, turning to see a young man with green hair and matching eyes. He looked panicked, gesturing frantically ahead.
I followed his gaze—and froze.
The entire class was staring at me.
"Your name, young man," the teacher called out, her voice cutting through the awkward silence.
I groaned internally, realizing I'd made a fool of myself.
"Hehehe," came a barely perceptible giggle. I followed the sound—of course, it was her. Ariana.
Our eyes met, and her expression instantly turned cold.
Crap.
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