Chapter 4 - All Too Well (Flashback)

I pushed blatantly the door of our Science Laboratory and exited first which I don't usually do - I am disappointed. My teacher and my classmates' visions were zoomed to my trail. I only scored forty-five out of sixty and its the fact that Romeo wrote his improper answers on my textbook directly, which our teacher implemented a rule that no erasures.

I, being ridiculously stupid that why on the hell, I didn't think of that possibility - because my heart's naive as it starts to flatter and lost all my senses and skipped reminding Romeo through that call about it. - Great! Now, it's still all my fault.

I am tramping as my emotions ignited fierily, my hand starts to crumple the stationary where I jotted down my answers. The sky filled with dark clouds and about to rain as my eyes filled with tears and I'm about to cry.

"Wait up!" A familiar and annoying voice popped up, disrupting my moment. I wiped my eyes with my blue hankie and never looked back. A hand touched my hip that made me stopped. I nailed my stare and surprised by his gape - I'm lost by his eyes. "Are you crying?"

"No! For what?" I squawked,

"Just some dirt invaded my eyes!" I lied, maybe I'm the denial deity. I don't want him to know that I cried for the reason that I got the lowest score which probably won't matter to him but it really to me. For top notchers - it's a big deal.

"How about your homework?" he asked.

Wow! thanks for asking. It was lunch when we've had decided to meet at the library to bring back my textbook, once he handed over to me, I didn't hesitate to check the contents and I wasn't feeling good. I am devastatingly surprised and of course, I complained.

I screamed at the top of my lungs, I explained why he did it as if I could do anything to bring back what was done.

"I just got the lowest score, happy now?" I spitted rascally on his face.

"I'm sorry abo - " I pressured my hand to his mouth, making Romeo drank up his words.

"Could you stop apologizing and being a dummkopf." He gripped my hand - too tightly, and sent shocks that made me scared instantly. He just yanked it and did nothing. Romeo's expressive complexion stayed the same - optimistic and handsome.

We paused for a moment and our eyes matched - he was straightforward but meaningless while mine replenished by hard feelings and resentment. I gulped then he pulled me and I was running with him. Romeo's gripping my hand as he would never let it go - I stopped, withdrawing his hold and thinking why I was with him and we're not even friends.

"Are you not mad at me?" I asked unthinkably and that's not the thought I wanted to relay. He moved his head slowly sideways. "No?"

"For what?" he added and was confused.

"For telling you - you're a moron!" I blew up some air and clasped my bag, he looked down maybe reasoning and making up his mind that we shouldn't be like this.

"No, should I be angry with that?" I almost trudged back. I don't know if he was just kidding me or he doesn't really get that or presumably - Ah? he left me with no other reason to think.

"Of course, it's an insult!" I brawled. If I was to be appointed like that - I already exploded. And this guy standing in front of me has shown me nothing but only goodness.

"I may be for some, but I'm trying my best - "

"Always!" he spoke so softly. I was blown away by what he said. How could he keep such a manner - Why was he still looking explicitly positive. If I was him, maybe - surely, because I'm not him.

"Why are you like that?" I whispered to myself.

"What?" his eyebrows met, I groaned and my eyes flicked white.

"Nothing, why are we running and where are you taking me?" I shrugged off the topic, he smiled flawlessly and grabbed my hand once again. My face furrowed.

"Remember when I told you. I owe you one," he smirked and we started walking, we crossed the street while the cold wind of November blistering our skin. Then, I saw a lane of street food carts on the sidewalk.

"I'm treating you." he continued.

I was surprised - amazed. I thought he just only said it to please my feelings for lifting his bag to the field, never really thought that he would do it but here we are, just down the road and there are good overlooks where nice choices of delicious snacks and food on sight.

"What do you want?" peeking at me and released the one strap of his bag from his shoulder.

"Just a serve of tempura." my lips curled before I told, he opened it and fished something inside, it was his purse.

"Two order of tempura sir, please.." he sorted out and the vendor acknowledged it. He opened his purse and I saw few coins left inside of it - quickly, I shouldered him and warned.

"It's my treat!" he laughed in disapproval.

"It's my treat for doing my homework." I insisted and bought also drinks. I know he was kind and thoughtful - and somehow I feel guilty dealing with him like different. He didn't bargain and chuckled.

"Thank you but that was worse." I know it was, but my attitude was even worse. 'And I'm sorry Romeo, I couldn't say it personally, but I'm really sorry.'

We continue our trail walking home, ate the snack we purchased, and talked about school and stuff - I'm glancing at him secretly every time his focus is away and he was really good looking - till I halted.

"Why did you stop?" he inquired, sipped his juice from the plastic and threw it in the canal.

"Did you just throw trash in front of our house and you wanted me to go on?" his jaw dropped and runs his fingers through his hair, it doesn't make him cute - he was certainly cute.

"Oppss. Sorry." suppressing his lips and palmed his face.

"Wow! You really have a nice house." I just smiled, I don't know what to say or I was just taken aback that he just threw garbage.

"You got to keep going?" I asked and it sounds like inviting him or that he would come inside our house because there are droplets coming from the sky.

"Yeah! For the next one mile." he clasped his bag, looking at the dark vast above and I would welcome him if he'll ask - but he didn't.

"Bye!" he projected a friendly smile and that's all I got. Romeo turned his heels ready to dash.

"Wait!" I handed my handkerchief, guessing it might help him with the rain - at least, and he accepted it with a grin, then he left. And surely it wouldn't help him as I was standing outside and the rain beginning soaking my uniform.

My selfishness and heavy feeling inside of me when leaving the campus washed out - not so sure if it's by the pouring water or how just Romeo was satisfactorily nice, while my mediocre eyes watching him disappeared from the distance and heavy mists.