I walked along the side of the field and went to the storage area too. I was about to reach out the door, but the guy opened the door, it opened out in my direction, and it bumped into my hand while holding the box of props.
"Ahh!" I was surprised and dropped my box. Fortunately, there are no glasses or things that are easy to break. I held my hand first. Then the guy quickly took my hand to check.
"Oh! I'm really sorry! I didn't feel somebody was still around. Are you okay? Do you feel pain?" I was trying to analyze my hand too,
"It hurts, no doubt… but I don't think anything's broken" He then stroked it gently and a bump started to form in between my knuckles.
"I can see his concern"
"I think we should put ice on it. Let me help you with your things…" Then he picked up the box of props that I dropped.
"…then let me take you to the clinic." I just nodded, I've got no issue with any of it.
"What's your section? These are for the festival, right? I'll put it on your shelf."
"Every section has a designated shelf space to put the festival stuff"
"I'm in class 2-1, our shelf is on the right most of the 2nd row from the bottom"
"All right… I'll put it there."
"This guy is a gentleman," I thought.
Then, when he got back, he closed the storage room and held my hand to guide me. I hesitated a bit and he felt it.
"I'm okay, you really don't have to hold me". He understood me and let go of my hand.
"I'm sorry again…" He's showing shyness
"My name's Grei, I'm in class 2-5"
"I see that's why I haven't seen him very often, but I think I heard that there's a new kid in the batch"
"I'm Chuna… What's your class gimmick at the upcoming festival?"
"Oh, we're making a street food corner… We're going to assign 5 booths in our classroom." I didn't react much until he invited me
"Don't forget to come by all right? I'll treat you" Then he smiled wide enough to show his teeth. I hesitated a little again. I'm not used to seeing attractive people looking my way.
"Oh, then I invite you to our booth too. We're doing an escape room. I'll give you extra tips if you come by. We offer special prizes."
"Gotcha, section 2-1. I'll keep that in mind"
We made it to the clinic, and he opened the door for me. The nurse is out, maybe because it's already late. He strode to the corner and opened the cabinet, then the fridge.
"I saw you running onto the field earlier towards the storage room. I thought you'd be out for a second since you seemed in a hurry", I just talked, to ward off awkwardness.
He scratched his head while holding the ice pack he had prepared.
"I was just trying to get out fast. I don't like it when I am left alone on the school grounds or in any room, to say the least. I just don't like it…" He then took a stool and sat in front of me.
"Pfft… So, you're just afraid?" I chuckled but tried to hide it
"Well… I saw you, I'm not alone anymore", he smiled but didn't look at my face, he was trying to focus on tapping the ice pack on my hand every 5 seconds.
"I'm sorry again, I was being reckless, and I got startled. Seeing another person unexpectedly in there"
"It's fine really. I just hope the inflammation subsides soon. I need my hands to grip and carry things until the school festival ends"
"Everybody is extremely busy, huh" he nodded slowly.
"If you need something, don't hesitate to ask me. Like, if you need an extra hand or something", I lowered my head a little.
"Sure…" We got out of the school and the courtyard lights are now on.
"Do you live far? Do you want me to take you home?" He's sticking to me; he may really don't like being alone.
"You really don't have to."
"I think he needs me to bring him home more than the other way around."
"… My way home is 2 stations away and our streets are usually empty. You'll have to walk back alone if you come with me" He was thinking hard and sighed
"It's really okay, I can run through it". I laughed
"And risk you bumping into somebody again?" I lifted my wrapped knuckles
He got shy and lowered his head.
"Yeah, you're right, okay then be careful. I'll see you around"
"I'll see you around" and we walked our separate ways when we got out of the school grounds.
Of course, I didn't hesitate to tell Max about it when I got home.
"What? He was your classmate last year?" I was talking to Max over a call and was really surprised that Grei had been with us since freshman year.
"Why didn't you tell me about him before?" I asked Max.
"…What? You barely even remember every classmate you have right now. How would you even remember every one of mine back then?" Max was explaining and a bit irritated.
"Why pause before you spoke?" I felt a bit of something but just shrugged it off.
"He's such a gentleman". Trying to get back to the thing I wanted to say
"Why did you let him go without exchanging phone numbers?!" I rolled out of bed to sit by the side.
"Don't you remember that I hurt my hand? It really hurts, you know; I haven't thought of that, and he didn't ask either… At least I know which class he's in" While I talked with Max, I raised my wrapped hand with bandage and looked at it intensely.
"What if that was Max? Will he be worried like that?" I rolled back to bed.
"… Of course, he will! He's my best friend… he will be worried a thousand folds more"
Today is the last day of preparation, and we still have so much on our list. I saw Max lifting the sign at the door of the classroom while holding a hammer,
"He looks sexy with arms stretched up… I can see little navel skin under his shirt" I ruffled my hair from the things I was thinking! Then some of my friends in class saw me. They were in a group of three.
"Do you need help Pres?" One of them asked,