The commotion stopped us. We can't even see or pass through because of the immense crowd of students clumping ahead of us.
I watch them looking at something.
"Excuse us!" Agatha and his high-pitched voice said as he shoved the students aside to allow us to pass.
I was walking along with them, when the last student got shoved aside in front of me. Suddenly, a body came towards me, back facing. My reflexes acted instantly and I caught him quickly before he hit the ground.
I felt his weight against my body. Holding his arm with my hand, I single-handedly assisted him to stand properly.
"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? SICKO!?" I heard a loud voice that was evidently trying so hard to sound scary and manly at the same time, but to me, it sounded more like a broken car engine.
Despite someone yelling in front of me, I kept my eyes on Killian, who I think was dazed and having a hard time fixing himself up, so I helped him. But when our eyes met, he flinched away from me and was about to run, but I quickly held his arms to stop him.
"Wait." I said and walked towards a tall, buff man who was looking at me, confused.
I walked past him and picked up the eyeglasses that were on the floor that for sure belonged to Killian. That must've been why he struggles to squint his eyes, analyzing who I am.
I can feel all the yes on me, I don't want attention, but I could not help myself. Seeing Killian being tossed around by people like that feels weird.
Maybe because he looks so pitiful.
'Yeah that's why'
I picked up the eyeglasses and I casually walked towards Killian, who was staring at me wide-eyed too.
I hear the crowd murmuring, buzzing like insects.
With a casual blank expression, I handed him his glasses. He took it and left immediately, half running and walking away from us. I watched his back disappear from my sight.
I was about to enter the classroom when I heard the same voice that sounded like a broken car engine speak.
"And who are you?" he said in a "manly" tone, trying to be intimidating.
"…" I remained silent. I don't know what to say and I don't want trouble.
"I. AM. TALKING. TO YOU!" he said again. This time, he was trying to have a deep, thunderous voice.
I sigh. I turned to look at him straight in the eye and said…
"Eloise." I said.
[Bell Rings]
With that, I entered the classroom and sat down in my chair.
I glanced at the corridor through the door and saw that the crowd was slowly dissipating. From where I am, I can still feel the eyes that are watching me, even the little whispering and murmuring.
.
.
.
"Genetics is the scientific study of genes…"
I am listening to the professor. However, I keep glancing at my right side, wondering where is the person who is supposed to be sitting there at this hour.
I'm not sure why I care in the first place. maybe I'm just wondering since before he left earlier, I glimpsed at his right hand while handing him his eyeglasses... and it's bruised.
'Maybe he is in the infirmary... I don't know. '
I returned my attention to the class, even though I knew the lesson already. It's not like I have something else to do here.
"That's it for today. Please refer to page xxx of your book in an advance study for our next discussion. Goodbye class. " The professor said and got out of the class.
I watched Kleir fix her things and walk towards me. I got up and looked at her eyes because I could tell that she was about to say something.
"Eloise?" she said.
"Hmm?" I said and looked at her with my usual expression.
"He is just like that." She said, glancing at my back.
I frowned. What is she talking about?
"Who?" I asked.
"Killian, it's normal for him to skip classes whenever he gets bullied, so don't worry about it too much." She said in a soft voice.
"I'm not worried." I said.
"Oh... really..." she trailed with her head slightly bowed.
"Yes." I said, looking at her.
"Well, I thought you were worried. I keep seeing you looking at his seat, considering what happened earlier. I thought you were worried about him. " She was back with her bubbly tone and bright face.
"Yeah, I am not, don't worry." I said with a small smile.
So she saw me glancing sideways... Okay,
"Oh- lets go to the mall later. Let's have lunch there as we planned earlier during recess." She said, tugging my arm excitedly.
Seeing her all excited and inviting me makes me want to come with her, but I don't think I can.
"I am sorry, but I can't go." I casually said to her.
"Whaaaat? Whyyy?" She whined, tugging at my arm again and again.
My head is throbbing. I only got one hour of sleep last night… and for the past few days, I have not slept at night again. So I plan on spending the one hour lunch break on a nap at a quiet place… if I can.
Earlier, while in class, my ears were ringing simultaneously with my head pounding.
"I have something to do." I reasoned out.
She was staring at me straight in my eyes for seconds, pouting. I look at her too, without breaking the eye contact. Eventually, she let out a heavy sigh and let go of my arm.
"You always have that blank look on your face and those dead, deep green eyes." That is why I feel like I can't bother you too much." She sadly said.
I just look at her. What does she mean?
"Kleir! Let's go! " I heard Anasia calling out from the door.
"Okay... Good luck with what you are about to do. " She looked defeated but still smiled at me, as if she understood me the most.
"Okay… bye." I said, letting out a small smile for her.
I watch as she groups up with the rest. I also heard them questioning why I was not coming with them.
And when they were completely gone, I got out of the classroom and headed to the quadrangle; I was thinking I could get a nice place there to sit and clear my head, but when I got there, there were scattered students all over the place, from under the trees to the benches. So I left to look somewhere else. There is no way I can relax in that noisy atmosphere.
I keep wandering around. I was tiring myself even more, but still could not find a place. There is a pathway that is abandoned-looking next to the gym. Scattered dry leaves, logs, broken chairs, and many other things that look neglected.
I went over there and saw an extended area covered with trees. That is why it's shady here. I went further and saw an abandoned building. It is not an extensive structure... It is just a two-storey building with 4 rooms, two at the top and two at the ground.
'Perfect'
and went on my way to see the building.
Abandoned broken classroom chairs and tables, rags, leaves, papers, broken glass; and many more things that are just scattered all over the floor of the building. I attempted to open the first room to the left size, but it's locked. The same goes for the room on the left side. I went upstairs and tried to open the other door, but again; it was locked. That leaves me at the remaining door at the very end of the building.
'I hope it's not locked,' I mentally said.
If this is locked, then I'm climbing this tree beside the building to rest. I'm done wandering around.
[Click]
'it's open'
I carefully made my way in, but immediately stopped because of what I saw.
Or more like from 'who' I saw.
Killian is sleeping on the floor, leaning against the wall.
But because it startled me a bit, I exerted extra force on my hand that was holding the door, causing me to push it more, creating a sound of two crusty metals scratching together.
I immediately looked at Killian, who, at the same time, had woken up.
We instantly locked eyes, and the moment it happened, he immediately flinched away from me, standing up with a surprised face.
'There he goes again, with that face.'
With that face, he looks pitiful.
I let go of the door and remained in my place, looking at him.
Silence accompanies us. I am looking at him while he stares at the floor.
I'm watching him patting himself on the back, probably trying to get rid of the dirt that stuck to him.
'Well, I guess I have to find somewhere else. '
I turned around to leave, but he spoke.
"Thank you…" he trailed.
"..." I remained silent, waiting for his next words, because I didn't know what he was talking about.
"… for earlier." he continued.
Oh...
I turned to look at him in the eyes and said,
"No problem." with a small smile.
But for some reason… that smile feels different.
The silence took over us again, but then I remembered something. I look at him straight in the eyes.
"I am sorry for what I did yesterday at the library." I apologized.
However, I did not expect the face he made after that. That look again. Those eyes. I must've scared him that much.
"I-it-s fine. Don't worry a-about it. " He replied, unable to look me straight in the eyes this time.
I nodded at him even though he was not looking at me and turned around, ready to leave. Well, I guess this place is also occupied.
I was already outside and checked my watch. I only have 15 minutes before the afternoon classes.
'I wasted my time wandering around this campus. Well, that map makes sense.'
I sighed and walked away, going back to the classroom. I stopped by the wash area just by the gym to wash my hands and also went to the vending machine just nearby to buy some canned black coffee.
'I need this.'
I was already walking in the corridor, heading straight to our classroom, when I saw Killian walking ahead of me. With my fast pace of walking, I unintentionally keep up with him. I looked at my watch while drinking the canned coffee in my hands and saw that it was five minutes till the lunch break was over.
I felt Killian flinch when I reached his side, walking side by side with him- unintentionally.
'He's scared, but I apologize, haven't I?'
I ignored him. I slowed my pace so that he could walk ahead of me. He seems uncomfortable.
Finally, we reached the classroom; he entered first, and the reaction of our classmates never slipped through me. Just like on the first day of school, they went silent.
I entered the classroom and their reaction was much more irritating. They started murmuring again.
'Ah'
Again.