I was lost for words when Ken suddenly approached me and apologised for the impulsive reaction of his girlfriend, Lila.
"She caught me on the act while finding your social account," he said and my eyes widened with his revelation. Why would someone like him stalk me? "Creepy, right? Don't get me wrong."
"Why?" it was my first word to utter when he began talking to me. He does the talking and I'll just listen to him without saying anything. Amber who's beside me didn't dare to say, as well, not a typical attitude of her.
He was about to respond but chose not to. He opened his mouth but close it again. "I'm sorry."
Many unnecessary thoughts lingering in my mind. Possibilities that was hard to believe leaving many unheard questions.
We're here in the school library doing our research in Applied Economics which is our last subject in our afternoon class. Amber and I decided to do it by a partner in getting references, helping each other while doing separate topics in our course outline.
I'm struggling to come up with how to present my chosen topic but Ken's words added even more which made my brain even more complicated.
I sighed to myself when Ken decided to leave as I was collecting myself with his sudden action. I tried my best to divert myself because I have things to do.
"What he eats, then? Looks like a fool. He was sorry for the things he didn't do?" Amber commented that made me shrugged. I began again reading the references I got on the shelves and copied all the relevant information. On my peripheral view, Amber stood up and excused herself.
"Dad was in the parking lot waiting for me. I'll be back," she said and collect her things and put them inside her bag. I nodded. "I'll just see you later at the school auditorium."
I was alone and other students like me were leaving. Some are just entering the library. I spent my time finishing my research and read my notes. Reading was my habit ever since and became my advantage to widen my learnings.
My phone beeped and notification from our group chat telling that we can now go home. But I let it slide and proceed with research.
I was drowned to what I currently reading when someone sat in the vacant in front of me where Amber sat earlier.
"May I?" Asher said smiling widely. I nodded and roamed my eyesight around. I saw few students and they are busy doing their own business. Good thing that we settled on the corner where you can't see us vividly because it was a somewhat hidden part of the library.
"Don't worry. No one dares to pull your hair," he stated frankly as if he read my thoughts. I bowed down a bit when I noticed his uniform polo shirt. His two buttons at the top are not attached correctly and are distracting. I couldn't help but blush in the face because I could see the chin of his collarbone that fits his features. I tried to ignore but it was distracting. I pointed at his polo shirt but he just looked at me looking confused.
"Asher," I pointed again at his polo shirt and this time, he got what I mean and finally noticed it.
"Never mind. It's hot, "he smiled and went back to what he was doing. How come it is hot when the school library is kept with a centralized air conditioner?
I tried to ignore it, but if you're someone who is constantly looking for things to be in order and nice, and if you're oriented to be well-organized, even a minor detail would disturb you. Well, disregarding my crush on him.
Why can't he understand?
I couldn't handle it any longer, so I leaned in and yanked his shirt off him.
" What are you ------?"
"Mismatches in clothes are not a typical trait of yours," I adjusted the button on his uniform but I was surprised when he suddenly took his bag from the table. He just held it above my shoulder length and put it between the two of us while he was looking up but I don't know why. As I was pressing the last button I suddenly realized what he had done.
My immediate reaction was to pull his uniform up that made him groaned.
"What was that?"
"Your bad!"
"No, I didn't see anything," he said and I just stared. "As if I'll see anything!"
I punched at his shoulder.
"Ouch!"
"Your annoying," I glared at him.
"I looked up. I looked at the ceiling."
"Keep quiet!" the librarian exclaimed and we both keep silent like the others students near her who was noisy. I just sat down again and adjusted my uniform while looking at Asher wickedly but inside my head was screaming because of embarrassment. My ears were red and I noticed Asher's ears were red, as well.
And after what happened, neither of us will look each other in the eyes. My uniform, oh, how I despise it! We both fell silent after that episode, and I was able to read the final draft of my research. So, as well, him.
When the clock strikes 5 o'clock, I began collecting my things and returned the borrowed references to the librarian. After that, I peeked a glance at our table earlier and I didn't see Asher there. Maybe, he already went home. Maybe, he will no longer supervise us in cleaning but all my thoughts were in vain when I saw him outside the library waiting for something.
"Let's go!" he said and walked with me. I frowned. "Your last day of cleaning duty, right?"
"Yeah!"
"Well, let's celebrate after."
"Why? What to celebrate?" I confusedly asked.
"Just nothing," he shrugged off. "I'm craving street foods."
In the end, I agreed with him.
We both arrived in front of the school auditorium and Lila and Amber were already there afar from each other. That's what they call social distancing because they don't want to be involved in each own virus.
Just like the past few days, we went to our respective areas and do our tasks. When I'm done, I went to the cafeteria to buy a bottle of water because I ran out of water.
"Here's the payment," then I give a peso bill to the school vendor and gave me the change. I opened the bottle of water and drank because I've been very thirsty.
I was about to leave the cafeteria when Mrs Chua called me. "Nice to meet you, Andrea! I'm looking for the ABM building, where is it?"
"Nice meeting, too Mrs Chua. That was our building and I'll just accompany you going there," I offered.
"Is it okay? Oh, I have some important errands," she smiled. Mrs Chua has an angelic face and fair skin. She has almond eyes, long thicker eyelashes and wavy hair that made her pretty. The white retro dress matched with stilettos she's wearing was fit to his physical features. She was like a modern young version of her old soul.
"Not to offend you but I'm curious who was your real mom?" Mrs Chua asked after few seconds of silence. I looked at her and I was contemplating if I were to answer her questions or not. "It's okay, don't force yourself if you're not ready."
"My mom died when I was 3, they said. I can't clearly remember what she looks like in person, I only dwell on the pictures," I honestly said. I don't know why but I'm comfortable with her. She have an aura that made me feel not doubtful talking to her. That I can lay my hidden thoughts to her.
"I see, do you have pictures of her?" I nodded and opened my wallet pulling out an old photograph. I showed it to her. She stopped walking. She was surprised seeing the photo that earned more surprise on my part. I saw her looking intently at the photo and her mouth open and close trying to compose a single word. She even looked anxious.
"Are you okay?" I asked confuse at the same time curious why she suddenly act like that. I waited for her answer and began to walk.
"Yeah," gone are the confident tone she always wears. As if an expensive figurine was stolen and replaced by another but fragile figurine. I sighed. Why do I feel that there was a hidden story behind the picture of my mom and grandmother? Why do I feel that I need to find the answers behind the three letters written on the back of the picture? I looked at Mrs Chua and back to the photo but I remained silent.
"That's the ABM building Mrs Chua," I announced after a few walks.
"Thank you," and we both bid goodbye as I run back to the school auditorium. I saw the three sitting on a rectangular wooden chair, enough space for the three of them to have their world.
"Hey, where did you go?" Amber asked when she saw me and told her what happened. Lila didn't complain about where did I go because she was busy with her phone far from the attitude I saw and heard about her while Asher gave me an emotionless expression.
"Let's go," Amber invited us. Then, the three of us went to the guidance office leaving Asher because we need to report our last day of cleaning and pass our 5 back to back pages of pad paper. Sir William signed the slip and gave a piece of advice before dismissing us. We separate ways after that. Lila went first and Amber need to go back to her dad immediately leaving me alone.
I was about to exit the school premises when I saw Asher waiting on the left side near the guard.
I thought we could never continue our plan. I immediately felt nervousness mixed with excitement.