"Mark?"
I snapped back to reality. I looked around and I was in the cafeteria and Connie was sitting across me in the table. "C-Connie! Hey!" I greeted trying to hide how odd I felt.
She stared at me confused. "Are you okay? You're acting really weird and your face is red. Are you feeling unwell?"
I blinked, looking away, feeling the burn of my cheeks with the back of my palms. Snap out of it, Mark! You're a guy. You shouldn't blush like this. I continued patting my cheeks lightly as I bring a spoon full of rice in my mouth.
"I heard from Ms. Khan that everything turned out well for the festival." She suddenly said. "I didn't know you were working with Forest. You guys seem pretty close lately."
I chocked on my food. I grabbed my water and drank frantically.
"Oh my god, are you okay?" Connie asked worriedly.
I nodded. "Y-Yeah, I'm okay. I'm just… you know, school, assignments." What am I saying? I looked down in regret. "Yes. We completed the project in time. The results are coming soon too so," I answered.
"And Forest? How was it working with her? Is she as difficult as they say?"
Looking back, it wasn't really hard to work with her but maybe I was just saying it because I liked her. "No. She knows what she's doing. She's very smart."
Connie bobbed her head but she didn't look interested which made me wonder why she asked. "People are starting to think that you're dating."
I chocked on, well, nothing. "D-Dating?" I let out an awkward laugh. "No, no!" I denied but I felt my cheeks burning over again. The thought of dating Forest never crossed my mind and now that it did, I feel like I should. "Forest wouldn't date."
She looked up to me and smiled. "Sorry. It's just that people talk about her a lot these days and I saw you guys together in the Science Department. I figured—"
"Can we," I cut her off. Talking about Forest reminded of the kiss and I don't like how my adrenaline reacts to it. I'm still a guy and she's still a girl. "—not talk about her please?"
Connie looked surprised but she smiled and nodded.
I continued eating. I should really stop thinking about that night. I can't keep thinking about that night but I can't not think about anything else but that night.
As soon as my eyes dart back up to Connie, my heart raced when I saw Forest enter the cafeteria. I immediately rummaged through my bag and hastened to get out of the table before she sees me.
"I heard from—"
"I kind of don't feel good after all, Connie. I'll see you around!" I ran away from the table and disposed the tray as fast as I can, escaping the cafeteria like a weirdo. I stopped by the hall, catching my breath.
I've been so distracted by the kiss that made me avoid Forest by all means. I managed to avoid her for two days – two whole days. Haechan even noticed that he started thinking it was time I realized I didn't really like her but I still like her. After the kiss, I feel like I like her even more. It's stupid but I was too embarrassed and I'm not sure how I'll react when I get to face her again.
I grunted in dismay. How manly of you, Mark – very manly. I scratched my head in frustration and I was about to run away from the building for good when something pulled me back. I turned around and saw Forest holding onto my bag.
"F-Forest! Hey!" I lifted my hands up in the air to wave but they just froze when she stared at me so intently.
When she started walking towards me, I stepped back, gulping. I was so scared that she might do what she did again and I didn't want more of that to distract me for the rest of my life. "You're finally avoiding me now, huh."
I blinked. That was technically true but not for the reason she thinks. "N-No, I wasn't." Every time she took a step closer to me, I stepped back. "I-I was just…"
"A kiss is all that it takes to get you away from me."
I looked away, clearing my throat. She remembers what happens when she's drunk. I didn't think that was possible. She even noticed me avoiding her, so that means she's paying attention to me. Should I be happy? I'm so disoriented right now. "Congratulations, then. You got what you want so why are you…"
"Right." She paused. "But you're bothering me and I'm fucking worried that I'm starting to care."
I glanced back at her. My ears unable to believe what I just heard. You're bothering me… I'm starting to care… Am I hearing things right? Is she drunk?
She lets go of my bag and crossed her arms. "You shouldn't enter someone's life and decide to leave all of a sudden." She turned away from me. "How fucking rude."
When she was about to walk away, I stopped her by the arms and she thankfully doesn't shove me away. "I'm not trying to leave." For some reason, I felt the need to explain myself. "I just didn't know how to recover from that…" I paused. "That…"
"You're such a fucking girl." She freed herself from my grip. "Stop showing up in front of me so I can stop giving a shit about you."
The next day, I felt a little better. The slight hope that she was starting to care for me really woke me up from the mental breakdown I had. Something about what Forest said made me realize I shouldn't be such a baby for one drunk kiss.
Who am I kidding? That drunk kiss still affected me. Every time I remember it, I couldn't help but feel giddy and shy. The drunk kiss is my first kiss. There was no way it cannot affect me – there's just no way.
During lunch time, I was about to order my food when I realized I forgot my wallet. I looked around nervously and stepped out of the line. I headed outside, swarming through my bag, searching for my wallet but it wasn't there. I wouldn't leave it anywhere but my bag.
I quickly dialed Haechan's number. "Haechan, I need your help!"
"God, Mark. Do you only know me when you need my help? If that's the case, I quit being your friend! Bye!"
"No, no! I forgot my wallet and I'm hungry!"
I hear him laugh. "How fortunate of you." He laughs harder. "I called in sick today, dumbass! Good luck with that." No way. "You can ask Connie to treat you if you're desperate. Better yet, ask your demon friend."
My stomach rumbled in huger. What am I going to do now? God. Haechan was the only person I'm really close to that I'm comfortable with. I was never friends with the students I share conversations with. I wasn't that thick-skinned to ask people to pay for my food today.
"I'm hanging up. Bye!"
I looked around and sighed in defeat. I should just endure and not eat anything today then. It's just a day. Many people don't eat for at least two days and they still get to live. I can survive this. I just have to not think about food and it'll all be over before. I can eat as much as I can when I get back home. That's right.
My stomach growled louder.
I pressed my arms over my stomach as if they were going to help my hunger. I pouted and looked around like a beggar. So this is what it feels like to not be able to eat anything. I should go as far away from the cafeteria.
Something suddenly landed on my lap. A sandwich? I looked up and saw Forest glaring at me with her brows creased. She looked away sighing heavily. "Spoiled brat."
I couldn't help but smile. As much as I was so embarrassed right now, I was so hungry to even think about any shame. "I-I'll pay you back, I promise."
"Save it." She paused. "You drive a car to school and forget your wallet, no spare money, no nothing. How stupid."
I bit my lip not feeling a big shame punch right at my face. It really does feel different when the person you like witnesses the things that seem so normal around other people but with them are idiotic.
She suddenly throws me a bottle of water. "This is why I told you to stop showing your stupid face in front of me." Then she left, stomping her way back to the building.
"Thank you!" I yelled hoping she'd still hear it. "I'll pay you back!"
"Tell me that when you have your fucking wallet back!"