Day: 1
Jarin
Since that moment, that one split second when our eyes met at the stairs that one played-out school party, I knew that I was going to stalk him the next day. However, it has been seven days since that night and also the last time I saw him.
I was even hoping to see him today since it's Monday. Walking in peace, my eyes turns to the pond on the right side of the road. There were lotus leaves floating on the mid part of the round pond. From what I know the elderly people from the shrine said, lotus is a symbol of reincarnation.
It's because of its abilities to submerge itself at night in the muddy water and blooms beautifully in the morning. Its daily resurrection makes lotus more fascinating.
Without noticing, I bumped myself against a tall and sturdy figure who was wearing a senior high uniform. Oh, how I missed those years in high school when it was a lot easier to top in class rather than the college life I have that was giving me suffering for three years already.
"Sorry! I wasn't looking-"
My apologies were cut off as my heart started racing on its own after the boy's head turned sidewards and threw a look at me.
Out of all places, I never thought I would see him walking on the same path I used to go to school. On the bigger note, he's still a senior high student!
He didn't look like one with his mature, cold-charming face and that height and physique in such a young age, who could've guessed right?
"It's you... I saw you a week ago at the college party-"
My words were stuck under my tongue. He just left me like I wasn't even here. Like a bad air needed to avoid in such way. With his long strides he's already a few meters away. My palms started sweating and I could feel my blood boiling inside me.
How rude of him to not say anything and ignore me in such manner after I apologize?
Furious, I exhaled and continued my way towards school. Nothing gets better after an ugly morning scene.
Not today satan, not today.
I groaned silently and suddenly a question popped inside my head. If he's only a senior high student, how come he's present during our college-only party?
--
The senior high school building was only in front of our building, the agricultural and science colleges building. I was enrolled as a veterinary student because I find it amusing to give importance to animals in such way both humans and the animals can benefit with helping each other.
It was lunch time and my seat was beside the window when I saw a tall figure down the entrance of the neighboring building. He looks like he was instructing some students who're probably his same grade too.
Even this far, his cold expression was visible so as his handsome features. Staring at him this long won't kill him, right?
"If you're planning to eat him with those hyper-sexual eyes of yours, I suggest you go get your plate so that you can eat before you go to the dean's office." Guinevere's sweet voice broke my trance. Her laugh was a little bit insulting yet she's too pretty and innocent-looking to be mad at.
That's what we called 'power'.
"Stop it Gui!"
"Well, staring at Greg for that long means you're checking the menu." A winked from her hazel eyes, I cringed.
"Greg?"
"Yeah, short for Gregory." She snickered and went beside the window pane to glanced at the said man. I hesitated but I did too anyways. This girl knows everything about everything to know.
She's that kind of friend. Guinevere only needs one detail from gossipers and it will be broadcasted to all students after an hour or so.
Yes, she is that kind of friend we have.
Tall figure, manly face and a good physique. Oh Guinevere said it right. I've been staring at a menu. My eyes were having fun watching his face getting arrogant although, he looked mad yet he looks cute. I don't know, maybe I-
I quickly jolted away from the window when he turned to our direction and caught me staring at him. Guinever didn't budge, instead she even waved.
"He's cute but he's such a jerk. No respect and such..." I blabbered, Gui turned to me.
"Hey, don't be so mean. How can you say that without meeting the person?"
Gui and I only became friends for a few months and God, I didn't know she could say good things at times like this.
--
The dean's office. Not my favorite place actually because every time I go inside that wolf den, I usually go out with tasks in my hands to finish immediately. I opened the door and our Dean quickly threw me a smile. This old man smiles only because I have something to do again for him.
"Mr. Sorrowsweet good thing you're here in instant knowing how Ms. Shadowmere is gullible and a slacker, I expected she wouldn't reach you soon."
I wish the same sir.
Yes, my name is Jarin Sorrowsweet. How emotional my name sounds like right? I closed the door behind me and never bothered to sit because I feel irritated actually. Our Dean was 6ft-tall and I felt so small with my 5'5ft height.
My curly hazel-colored hair was hanging low above my eyelids as I blew it away to see our Dean clearly. He was talking and talking and oh, I was spacing out alright.
The sunlight from his open window was burning against my porcelain skin that I found alluring to stare at until I finally heard the task that I was supposed to do.
"by helping the senior high students to fix and decorate their venue for their upcoming ball. Since you're the one who help our college's student council to do the whole setup from our last college party, why don't you lend Gregory some helping hand Jarin?"
My ears perked up and my muscles tensed from hearing an specific name.
"Gregory?" My lips asked and his face instantly brightened up.
"Yes! You know him Jarin? He's the vice president of their student council back there so he's in-charge for their event."
Wait-Wait, is that why he looked like he's ordering a lot of students earlier?
"But sir, why me? Can't you get from one of the student council members?" I reasoned out knowing this would add to the pile of stress I have for our upcoming exams. The's Dean's face went stiffed.
"They're busy Mr. Sorrowsweet-"
"But I'm busy too-"
He went around his table and opened the door behind me. I stared at him for a good few seconds before he signaled me with his hand to go out. I never win in staring contest against him. For a second he would have this ecstatic face but then he could always transform to someone intimidating. I obliged with a sigh and heard the door closed slowly.
What a Monday.
--
My legs were wobbling the whole time while walking inside the senior high's building. Students were rushing out, some were talking to each other while there were some who was just standing there and they're all staring at me.
I swallowed, I instantly got conscious as I visualized myself in my mind. Am I standing out too much because of my college uniform or I looked so obvious that I was looking forward seeing someone?
I clasped my sweaty hands together behind me and continued inside the hallway. A student who was waiting at me beside the stairs told me to go to the gym directly and talk to Gregory.
Actually, I feel a bit intimidated. Our first meeting wasn't good but it wasn't bad either to not shrug it off. Maybe Gui was right. I was just being too judgemental.
As the doors open, my eyes caught the tall figure who was hanging decorations then scribble something on a paper after a few seconds. My steps were silent contrasted to my breathing.
"Hey..." It came out so awkward that I thought I heard some crows quaking outside the window. Do they even quack?
He turned his head to my direction and I anxiously stepped back when he walked in front of me. His face has sweats on it. He might be tired and must be fixing this place since early all by himself.
Greg's eyes were burning holes against my head if only that was possible. His eyes were so strong-cold looking that I nearly forgot to speak.
"I was the one our Dean sent from the-"
"Hang those things on the upper right and to the left also. After that, let's list some things we need to buy and continue tomorrow."
I was speechless and left on my place in silence. Now he's really being a jerk. He didn't even greet me properly yet he did not let me finish talking also!
I huffed and rolled my eyes against him.
What a waste.
He's evilness was hidden under that handsome face but too obvious with his icy attitude.
Yet, ignoring all the words he said. His voice was an eargasm for my ears. His voice was sharp and deep that I found myself shuddering after remembering how it sounded earlier.
"The clock is running midget."
Not today satan, not today.
It was not a lot of work actually. Hanging tarpaulins and colorful decorations as such was a child's work. Unlike Greg, he was hammering some nails and arranging the tables an hour ago and now, he looked like he's writing something again on the same paper earlier.
"What are you looking at?" I didn't notice I was staring at him for so long that he was doing the same.
"I, I can't reach that place." I reasoned out.
However his sharp eyes only stared at me like I was fooling him and I was just slacking off.
"I'm dead serious." I stomped my feet. A dead silence stayed for a good few seconds before he stood up, placing the pen down on the paper heading towards me.
My brows scrunched up after he stood up beside me. My mouth hanged open when he crouched beside me and tapped his own shoulders.
"Get a bunch of those and ride me."
My eyes widened and my heartbeat got louder in a second.
"I mean ride on my shoulder ." His voice was full of authority and I felt my knees acting on their own until I found myself trembling to get on top of him.
"A-Are you dead serious? You're plotting something evil right?" I said and bit my lip in nervousness. He's a very tall person and it'd be more frightening to be raised that high up.
Just the thought of it was giving me goosebumps.
"Stop talking nonsense and get on."
"No!"
"We still need to do a lot of things midget so stop acting like a child or don't wait for me to force you."
I stayed silent. There was a war waging on my head until I hooked one of my legs on his shoulder and did the same with the other. I got out of balance but Greg's large hand took my knees and I settled in.
Shit it's high but what's more alarming was how Gregory's hands were on my thighs and it wasn't a good idea to do so.
It's my sensitive spot.
I swallowed. I was getting uncomfortable with how my... mid area was actually on the back of his neck.
One wrong move from the both of us and it would result to a total embarrassment.
"What are you waiting for midget? Hang those things already, you're not that light you know." I gasped silently. How dare him! He just indirectly called me heavy.
"Not until you stop calling me midget." I blabbered.
"Then what do you want me to call you?" I was taken aback by his sudden question. I stuttered.
"My name of course." Feeling of falling, I held his hand on my thigh for support while my other hand was carrying the decorations. I flustered.
"You never told me your name."
"Because you never let me so!"
"Then tell me now."
I sighed and calmed myself before I already started hanging these green led decorations to avoid feeling embarrassed.
"Jarin." I muttered and hang another one.
The response I heard wasn't the one that I was expecting to hear from his insulting mouth.
"Cute."