Day: 1 [Afternoon]
I should've finished one case study, made a reviewer for the upcoming exams and I should've been taking down notes in my science subjects if it wasn't because of a certain task that our aging Dean gave to me a few hours ago.
Wiping a sweat off my forehead, I glanced at the tall figure who was counting something with the calculator in his hands who is consistently throwing me glances like I was going to run away.
If only I could then I already did or I might have went home straight instead of going here and plans to make excuses tomorrow that I got sick but I couldn't.
Gregory was looking at me every second might be checking if I was doing my work correctly gluing yarns and beads. Not an easy task, believe me.
He is handsome indeed but when he starts to open that ridiculous mouth of his, he transforms to a devil's spawn trying to make me suffer, in a very uneasy situation.
My ears heated up remembering what I heard from that unpredictable boy.
"Cute."
A hand cupped my right shoulder and I jerked up surprised that he was already standing behind me.
"Leave it for a moment. We need to buy some other supplies for the other category of the event."
I didn't move yet he left after he said he will wait for me outside.
My heart, It did stop for a few seconds. His hand, the warmth from his touch clutched my feelings in a way that is very foreign to me.
No...
I shouldn't or else Mom would get disappointed.
Shaking my head, I sighed before hopping off the table. I placed the things down on the table and went to where he's at.
That warm feeling I felt in that certain moment when my heart skipped a beat, could it be the start of an ending just like what happened to Mum and Dad?
--
We ended up gathering supplies in a merchandise store near our university. I was even surprised that this place exists. I even go to a farthest store every time I need to buy some paper because I never knew this store before. Why does this store is even situated in a very hidden location? Maybe they're selling illegal stuffs and Greg is a devil spawn and if he knows this place means he's a real devil spawn.
What a great conspiracy to judge a person Jarin.
I squeaked when I bumped against his back. I faltered and moved a feet away when he stared at me like I'm too stupid to crash against him accidentally.
Blame my thoughts not me.
I followed him and he was looking through shelves of table pins and ribbons. A specific color of ribbon caught my attention. It's the kind of yellow ribbon that is not too cringey and not to dark to begin with. It is easier to blend to other bright colors.
I reached for it but a hand blocked the view and I ended up holding Greg's hand. I slowly turned to him and he was looking at me. It's the kind of look that was unpredictable to know what he's thinking about.
I swallowed dry before removing my hand off of his.
His hands are large and long and so warm. I wonder if he can measure my face just with his hands. Thoughts about the wonders of his hands flooded my head until his voice pulled me back.
"Stop spacing out. Follow me." He said while continue walking and skimming through shelves. He was gliding his fingers through materials and it caught my focus again.
"I-I'm not spacing out. Will you stop ordering me? I'm not a kid and in fact I'm older than you." I retorted against his back yet my voice was wavering.
"You don't look like it midg-"
"Continue what you're about to say and I'll go home." He stopped and I smirked in victory. It doesn't mean that he's taller and larger in physique means he could make me submit to him. A big no no.
I was about to open my mouth when my eyes blurred out and my vision spun tremendously that I nearly fell on the floor but not before I clutched on his back crumpling his uniform, I could careless.
"Hey what are you doing? You'll end up ripping my uniform so stop it midget-"
My breathe was hitching and It was hard for me to open my eyes. I couldn't hold much longer as I lose my grip on him I was bracing myself to fall on the cold tiles but hands held me on both sides.
"Jarin- Hey it's not a good joke."
With my eyes close, I leaned against his body and tried catching my breath. His hands lowered to my arms and desperately composing myself, I buried my face trying to ease the sudden headache I was feeling.
"That's it I'm bringing you to the clinic." His voice was filled with anxiousness and distress. I clutched his shirt while easing the pain waiting for it to begone.
"Stay still. I- I'm okay. This... is normal."
--
"Milktea?"
I nodded. I took it from him and muttered a 'thanks' as he takes a seat beside me. We were outside a milktea shop, sitting on a bench near the campus with the supplies we bought from the store earlier. Staring at the drink in my hands, it was quite embarrassing for him to see me in that state.
It's my fault for not taking my meds before I went out of the house.
"What was that all about?"
"About what?" I asked trying to brush the topic off. I was taken aback by his sudden action when he turned my shoulders to his direction just to see how persistent he looks like to know what happened earlier.
"Stop acting dumb and stop making me dumb." He said and I only cracked a smile.
"Why are you so worried? There's nothing to worry about. I have an asthma." I reasoned out. We both stared to each other for a few seconds before he rolled his eyes and leaned his back.
Then we fell silent. I don't have the appetite to drink something. For now, I just want to rest in my room, take meds and study. But I have a situation and with all that occurrence back in the store, I don't know how I could start a conversation with him.
Oh, wait a minute.
There's a question in my mind that has been bugging me for hours.
"Gregory?" Calling him by his name, I felt a bit shy to do it yet he replied by humming and with a sighed.
"By the way, what were you doing to our college party a week ago? I saw you there one time but never seen you again not until this morning with your cold attitude."
He finished his drink first as he placed it down, he answered.
"Why'd you ask?" I didn't know how to answer quickly but I managed somehow not to spill out that I was checking him out.
"Nothing... You only look unfamiliar so I guessed you're not from our building and it happens that I'm correct."
Then again, silence fell upon us and I've got this need to somehow make a conversation with him instead of shutting him off. Just like what I always do.
I sipped on my milktea that he bought for me... The thought sent nerves to my system to make my lips curved upwards. Not just that but I grinned as soon as I realized the flavor he chose.
"I like taro by the way." I blurted out. Feeling ecstatic as the drink started running down to my system, a hand was wrapped around my wrist.
"Don't finish it by yourself. I was the one who bought." Without further ado, he snatched my drink and he finished it all the way until he was making those groggy sounds.
"But-But you gave it to me!" I whined and pouted. However, he only laughed and stands up as he carried the paper bag full of felt papers and such.
"Let's go back. I'll buy you one tomorrow, I promise." My frown turned to a cheeky smile and looked at him doubtful.
"Promise me also that you'll never snatch it again or else I'm not gonna stand up." I dared and he only clicked his tongue while he was obviously forcing himself not to grin.
"I promise. Seriously, we really need to head back." Picking up some of our things on our seat, I stopped midway as I felt his large warm hand ruffling my hazel curls, and I couldn't help but to blushed.
Petting my head, I was feeling giddy with how his fingers combed my waves making me feel emotions that I consistently feels every time he makes contact with me.
"Good boy." I heard him blabbered as I gasped and swatted his hand.
Damn it.
--
5:25 pm
Staring at the clock I feel so tired knowing we've spent a lot of time just for their school event. Like I'm not even going to benefit from this ordeal after we finished decorating and fixing the place.
I might as well ask Dean for a reward or-
My eyes traveled to Gregory's walking figure as he was ordering some students to carry some chairs. Why? Of course because I said no! Do it themselves.
His long limbs makes my eyes travel south. My mouth formed an 'o'. I think I don't need a reward because I am working with the reward.
Finally, they set up the chairs and tomorrow we only need to do some final touches and we'll finished it maybe until tomorrow only.
The students earlier bid their goodbyes leaving the two of us alone. I saw Greg put his bag on and when I was looking for mine I panicked.
"I forgot my bag in my classroom!"
"Then let's get it together." He said but we stopped on our tacks when a familiar long-brown hair with hazel eyes and a cheeky grin was approaching us with my bag on her left shoulder and her handbag on the other.
"Treat me some lunch tomorrow after you finish this up, RinRin." I pouted after hearing her calling me by my nickname again.
"Stop calling me that Gui." She only shrugged her shoulders yet she handed my bag, I was expecting it to me but she handed it to Gregory.
"Carry that for him will ya?" Guinevere was giggling and did not even let me speak as she turned her heels and waved her hand.
"Thank me later, Sorrowsweet."
When she disappeared from the door, I looked at Gregory who still look astounded with Guinevere's presence.
"Did you know her? Because you're looking at each other like you always see each other." I said and was about to snatch my bag but he strapped it behind him and look at me with furrowed eyebrows.
"She's... like a sister to me."
"So you really know each other? Oh, that lady will get a talking from me tomorrow." Yet his expression looks bothered and uneasy.
I could careless. But I would be lying if I say that I'm not being distress about how Gui and Gregory know each other. Guinevere did not talk to me about him about that part so what if they're actually...
"Stop spacing too much RinRin." He smirked as soon as he realized it was making me embarrassed.
"Stop it..."
Just like earlier in the morning, we both walked through the same path until we reach an intersection that separates our ways. He said he was only a few meters away and he might know where my house was.
I took my bag from him and we both fell silent as we stand in front of each other. His cold-blank facial expression was on display as I was trying to find words that I think I need to say, at least.
"By the way... Thank you for not leaving me when I- you know back in the merchandise store. I think I would have had experience worse if you're not there." I said while looking at our shoes. His shoes are also larger than mine. Obviously, he was a tall person to begin with.
I was waiting for him to speak but I heard none so I lifted my head only to see him grinning at me.
"You're welcome." I nodded and I thought I would turn to my heels already when he patted my head in a very soft manner before he continued on his way home.
I smiled as I watched his back figure disappears from the distance. The melting sunset was engulfing me while I think of possibilities that we could have been if I wasn't born this way.