The next day…
"Good morning!"
Ike's breath hitched at the morning surprise before him. He forced a smile, looking up at the owner of those hands on his desk to see Ashley's beaming smile.
"Good morning." His tone was amicable. "I thought you will ignore me from now on."
"Eh? Why would you think like that?" Ashley shamelessly propped her side against the desk, folding her arms under her chest. "I told you. I'm not expecting an immediate answer, so no rush. We're still friends, even if that is the case."
"Hah…"
"Why? Were you sad thinking I cut you off?"
"I was relieved."
"Sucks, but you're stuck with me."
Ike opened his mouth but ended up closing them. He only stared at her and immediately knew it was pointless. Not that it was a bad idea to be lingering around her. Ashley seemed to be a fun person. The only problem with her was her high energy. She was just too energetic.
"Where's your bodyguard?" he asked while placing his bag on the side of the desk.
"He went to see his mechanic, but he'll be here before the class starts."
Ike slowed down, straightening his back. "Mechanic?"
"Mhm." Her smile remained, but her eyes shone meaningfully. Just then, she caught a figure in the corner of her eyes, turning her head at the entrance of the classroom. "Oh, there he is — Bernis! Here~!"
Ike shifted his eyes to the entrance, furrowing his brows as soon as his eyes landed on Bernis. The latter was wearing a sweater with his uniform collar out. One thing was for sure, the weather wasn't cold. If anything, it was pretty hot these days. Seeing Bernis wearing a sweater in this weather was a little confusing.
"Hello," Bernis greeted monotonously as soon as he stood near Ike's desk.
"Ike was looking for you and now, you're greeting him! If this isn't friendship, I don't know what this is!" Ashley laughed, stealing other students' attention with the volume of her laughter. "Good, good! My circle of friends is growing — hah! I told you I'm good at making friends!"
Bernis and Ike only stared at the jolly Ashley, speaking about their strong friendship. The two cast each other a quick look before setting their gazes back on Ashley. Neither of them planned to correct her, since it was futile. It was just a waste of energy. Therefore, they ended up watching Ashley as she spoke on and on, laughing like a maniac from time to time.
Their homeroom teacher, Alonzo, came in a little late. But Bernis and Ike were thankful he was only late for three minutes. Else, the two of them had no choice but to listen to Ashley. After all, Bernis tried to go to his seat, but she grabbed the hem of his clothes.
As usual, the class went on like usual, discussing a certain part of history that was crucial in today's time. It went on for over an hour before Alonzo bid them farewell, only for the next teacher to come in.
Everything was akin to a normal day. The students focused on their class while others were physically present, but their mind was certainly drifting. Each of them didn't bother the other, and Ike would admit even if the classes were boring, they were rather peaceful.
Then lunchtime rolled in.
Ike drew a deep breath whilst closing his eyes as the brief peace was over. When he reopened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Ashley's grinning face and Bernis's stoic countenance. The two of them were standing next to his desk, asking him to have lunch with him.
"Come! What are you waiting for?" urged Ashley to Ike. "There's a good bun in the canteen today and it sells quickly! If we don't get there fast, we won't be able to buy it! They only sell it once a week, so we have to wait for another week to have our chance!"
"If I say I'm not in the mood to eat, what will you do?"
"Drag you with us?"
"Are you sure that's how you convince people to accept your offer?"
"I'm not trying to persuade you, though?"
Ike sighed, casting Bernis a look on instinct. The latter's stoic expression told him it was better to just come, since they wouldn't win against Ashley.
"Do you always get your way by being annoying?" asked Ike to Ashley as he pushed himself up.
Ashley giggled. "So far, it works. See? You're coming."
"I wanted to say more, but never mind."
"Hehe. Don't worry. I only annoy people I like. Unlike Bernis, I can read people so easily."
Ike looked in Bernis's direction as they headed out of the classroom. That was the only time he saw dismay in Bernis's eyes at Ashley's claim.
'So that was a lie, huh?' Ike's eyes slid to the corner, his gaze falling on the jolly Ashley. 'She reminds me of some people I knew back in the day. There were those annoying guys who were too carefree for their own good. There's only one who survived in this cruel with such a personality.'
Regardless, it wasn't his business. After all, Ashley was capable enough to be top 5th in the district ranking. Therefore, she would've survived even if she got in trouble.
"Anyway, I'm really hungry. I heard our teacher after lunch is absent," continued Ashley as they departed the classroom at a slow pace. "That means we have time to slack and enjoy lunch. Should we get…"
Ashley trailed off the moment they crossed the threshold. Not just her, but Bernis and Ike as well. Their eyes moved to the students flocking outside before they caught the reason for this traffic outside their classroom.
Holly.
Holly glossed her eyes over Ashley and Bernis before her gaze lingered on Ike. She marched to the three of them, eyes fixed on Ike.
"Let's talk," was all she said, quirking a brow as she set her eyes on Ashley. "Only the two of us."
Ashley blinked, raising her hands in surrender. "Don't look at me as if I'm stealing your man. I'm pretty innocent."
"Innocent people never claim they were innocent," Holly returned as she peeled her eyes from Ashley to Ike. "Let's talk, Ike Lobo. I think we have something to talk about."
"I doubt there is, but sure. I need to get out of her clutches." Ike pointed at Ashley, peeking at the latter to see the dismay in Ashley's eyes. Meanwhile, Bernis seemed pleased as if Ike gave him justice for all the nonsense Ashley spewed.
Holly let out a faint huff, holding herself back from saying anything further. Instead, she turned on her heel and walked away without a word. Her arrogant and confident gait made Ike shrug, looking back at Ashley and Bernis.
"I'll see you later."
And with that, Ike followed Holly, with a few thoughts in his mind. Would she lure him to a secret place so her friends who were notorious bullies would beat him up? The more he followed Holly, taking the stairs to the rooftop, his thoughts grew more and more negative. But alas, instead of worry, excitement filled his chest. His excitement, however, was short-lived when they reached the rooftop.
There was no one else on the rooftop.
Holly walked a few steps away from him before she turned around, facing him squarely.
"Why…" her voice was low but shaky, catching Ike's attention. "... did you come back? Are you out of your mind?"