My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh..." I mumbled, a wave of unexpected emotions washing over me. I hadn't expected that their relationship would end so abruptly. It seemed that her boyfriend's jealousy and possessiveness had finally pushed Pila away.
"Yeah... so now I'm single," she added, a hint of sadness tinging her voice, though a glimmer of defiance shone in her eyes.
I offered her a comforting smile. "I'm sorry to hear that, Pila. But sometimes, things happen for a reason. Maybe this is a chance for you to focus on yourself, to discover what truly makes you happy."
She nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Maybe you're right," she said softly. "I just... I need some time to figure things out."
A comfortable silence settled between us, the weight of her recent breakup hanging heavy in the air. I wanted to offer her more words of comfort, but I wasn't sure what to say. Instead, I decided to focus on the task at hand.
"So," I said, my voice gentle, "about that quiz competition..."
Pila's eyes lit up, and she seemed to momentarily forget her sadness. "Oh, right!" she exclaimed, pushing the sheet of sample questions towards me. "I almost forgot. Take a look at these. The teacher said they cover the main topics that will be in the competition."
I picked up the sheet, my gaze scanning the diverse range of questions. "This is quite a lot to cover," I remarked, though I wasn't particularly fazed by the challenge. My Imaginary powers gave me a distinct advantage when it came to absorbing and retaining information.
"I know," Pila agreed, a hint of worry returning to her voice. "But I'm sure we can handle it. We just need to study hard and work together."
Imagine... remember all of this in a second... I focused my mind, channeling my power into my cognitive abilities.
In an instant, the information on the sheet seemed to imprint itself onto my brain. Every question, every answer, every intricate detail was now etched into my memory with crystal clarity.
"These are just examples, right?" I asked her, wanting to be sure.
Pila nodded, her eyes still glued to the paper. "These might come out, or they might not."
I nodded, my mind already strategizing. "Alright, then let's start with these," I said, picking up the sheet and quickly scanning through the questions once more. "I'll explain the answers and the concepts behind them. You can ask any questions you have, and we'll work through them together."
Pila's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Xian," she said, her voice sincere. "I really appreciate your help."
And so, we began our study session, the library's quiet hum a comforting backdrop to our shared pursuit of knowledge. I explained the historical events, literary works, scientific principles, and mathematical formulas with clarity and enthusiasm, making sure Pila understood not just the answers but also the reasoning behind them.
As we delved deeper into the material, I couldn't help but notice Pila's growing confidence. Her initial anxiety faded, replaced by a focused determination. Her eyes sparkled with understanding, her questions insightful and engaging. It was clear that she was not only a bright student but also a quick learner.
We took breaks occasionally, sharing lighthearted conversations and laughter, forging a bond that went beyond the confines of the quiz competition. I found myself enjoying her company, her intelligence and quick wit a refreshing change from the usual banter with my friends.
As the afternoon wore on, we covered a significant portion of the sample questions, Pila's grasp of the material growing stronger with each passing hour. I felt a sense of satisfaction, not just from the progress we were making, but also from the connection we were forming.
"This is enough for today," I said, noticing the weariness creeping into Pila's eyes. "We've covered a lot. Let's continue tomorrow."
Pila nodded, stifling a yawn. "Yeah, I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed," she admitted. "But I'm also excited. I think we're going to do great in this competition."
I smiled, my confidence mirroring hers. "We are," I agreed. "We're going to ace it."
She chuckled, tilting her head with a playful curiosity. "You're very confident, aren't you? What made you this way? I always thought you were just a lazy person."
I chuckled, leaning back in my chair. "Lazy? I guess I can see why you'd think that," I admitted. "I don't always put in the most effort in class, especially when the material is boring."
She nodded, her eyes sparkling with a mix of admiration and something else... was it attraction? "A pretty guy like you, I can see why... famous, handsome, and smart... what a perfect man you are..."
Is she flirting? Well... she doesn't have a boyfriend anymore... The thought lingered in my mind, a mix of flattery and apprehension swirling within me.
I felt a warmth creep up my neck, a blush I couldn't quite suppress. It was flattering, certainly, but also a little awkward. I wasn't used to this kind of attention, especially from someone I barely knew. My mind flitted back to Hanna, and a pang of guilt pricked my conscience.
"Uh... thanks, Pila," I mumbled, trying to maintain my composure. "But I'm not sure I'm that perfect."
She giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, I'm sure you have your flaws," she said, her voice playful. "But from what I've seen, you're pretty amazing."
I shifted in my seat, unsure how to respond to her compliments. It was clear that Pila was interested in me, and while I found her attractive and intelligent, I wasn't ready for any kind of romantic entanglement. My heart and mind were still set on Hanna.
Pila glanced out the window, the sun already beginning to dip below the horizon. "It's getting late. Time to head home, shall we?"
I nodded, also looking outside. "We've been here for hours... alright, let's go."
"Do you mind if I get a ride with you?" she asked, a hopeful note in her voice.
I hesitated for a moment, the image of Pila's jealous ex-boyfriend flashing through my mind. "Sure," I finally agreed, "but wouldn't your ex...?"
Pila shook her head, a determined glint in her eyes. "I'm not going to let him control my life anymore," she declared, her voice firm. "I'm done with his possessiveness and jealousy."
I admired her newfound confidence, her refusal to be defined by her past relationship. "Good for you," I said with a smile. "I'm glad you're standing up for yourself."
We packed up our study materials and headed out of the library, the setting sun casting long shadows across the schoolyard. As we walked towards the parking lot, a comfortable silence settled between us, a shared sense of accomplishment and anticipation for the future.
At the parking lot, I spotted my motorcycle, its sleek black frame gleaming under the fading light. Pila's eyes widened in surprise.
"Whoa, is that yours?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.
I nodded, a hint of pride in my voice. "Yeah, it is. Do you want a ride?"
Pila's face lit up with excitement. "Really? That would be amazing!"
I chuckled, handing her a helmet. "Hop on," I said, revving the engine.
With a thrill of anticipation, Pila climbed onto the back of the motorcycle, her arms wrapping around my waist. I could feel her heart beating against my back, a rhythmic pulse that mirrored my own excitement.
As I pulled out of the parking lot and onto the open road, the wind whipping through our hair, I couldn't help but smile.
Srek! Pila hands warped around my waist
I felt a jolt of surprise as Pila's arms tightened around my waist, her grip surprisingly strong. It was more than just a casual embrace; there was an intensity to her touch, a sense of urgency that sent a shiver down my spine.
I glanced back at her, my eyebrows furrowed in question. But her face was hidden behind the helmet, her expression obscured. All I could see was the determination in her grip, the way her body pressed against mine.
A strange mix of emotions swirled within me. There was a thrill of excitement, a primal response to her closeness. But there was also a sense of unease, a nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right.
I focused on the road ahead, my grip tightening on the handlebars. The motorcycle roared beneath us, its powerful engine propelling us forward, the wind whipping past us like a relentless force.
But even with the rush of adrenaline, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Pila's touch, her silence, it all felt... off.
What's going on, Pila? I wondered, my mind racing with possibilities. But the only answer was the steady rhythm of her heartbeat against my back, a silent drumbeat that echoed the growing tension within me.
I stopped the motorcycle in front of a modest house nestled within a quiet cluster of homes. "Your house?" I asked, removing my helmet.
She nodded, taking off her own helmet and shaking out her hair. "Yeah, thanks for the ride..." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
I sensed a lingering hesitation in her voice, a reluctance to part ways. "Do you... want to come inside for a bit?" she asked, her eyes meeting mine with a hopeful glint.
My mind flashed back to our study session in the library, the undeniable attraction that had sparked between us. But then I remembered Hanna, my promise to her, and the complications that could arise from pursuing anything with Pila.
"I... I don't think that's a good idea, Pila," I said gently, trying to let her down easy. "It's getting late, and I should probably head home."
Pila's face fell slightly, the hope in her eyes dimming. "Oh... right," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. "Of course."
A wave of guilt washed over me. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but I also didn't want to lead her on.
"Maybe another time, Pila," I offered, hoping to soften the blow. "We could hang out, maybe grab some food or something."
She nodded slowly, a faint smile returning to her lips. "Yeah, maybe," she agreed, though her voice still held a hint of disappointment.
< Chapter 196 > Fin.