Chapter 12: Chapter 12

In the music club,

Senior Caleb bought me a drink again, despite the fact that I told him I don't drink the flavours he buys, and he insisted on getting other flavours until I liked it. I'm not sure how long he'll keep doing this, but until then, I guess I'll have to put up with it.

He placed the drink in front of me and stated, "This was purchased from GH, which serves the best drinks near our college. My swimming club pals advised against it, so I went there and had a drink by myself. It was tasty like they said. So, I'm sure you'll enjoy this flavour."

I took a sip of the drink. It was refreshing and simply amazing. But I didn't want to reveal it on my face, so I remained motionless with no expression on my face.

"How's it?" He inquired, excitedly.

"It's not to my taste," I remarked, leaving the drink on the table.

He sighed and replied, "I thought you'd appreciate it since I really liked it. People have varied preferences. It's okay, I'll surprise you next time."

"You don't have to, Senior..."

"Don't try to stop me," he replied quietly. "I'm looking for a cocktail that my girlfriend will enjoy. So give it to me." And winked at me.

"I worry I'm going to develop diabetes soon since you two are so lovely," Lance says. "How come I didn't get anything to drink?"

When I attempted to hand him the drink, senior Caleb stopped me and questioned, "What are you doing? Don't hand it over to him, I bought it for you."

"Isn't this for me?"

He gave a nod.

"Am I not allowed to share what is mine?"

"My girl is extremely brilliant," senior Caleb murmured as he patted my head. "However, do not give it to him. I'll get him another drink."

Lance, "I've lost my desire to drink juice."

Caleb, senior "Congratulations."

Some members of the music club accompanied Lance and mocked me, while others gossiped behind my back. When those seniors discussed how I was chosen for the list, I ignored them, but the students in the music club began gossiping about it as well, making me feel awkward in front of everyone in the class so I kept as much space as possible from the other students.

When senior Jacob returned to class after a short break, senior Caleb took his seat, while the rest remained silent and returned to their seats.

He moved on to the other group who was rehearsing with music sheets after teaching us, the beginners, chord d, and said, "There's an upcoming music contest that will be place in our college next month, It was led by a guest from the music academy, so everyone interested can offer their names."

I looked around at everyone who gave me a stare as I met eyes with them, then stood up and walked over to senior Jacob.

"I'm Amelia Scott. I'd like to enter the competition, senior."

When I announced my entry for the contest, everyone chuckled.

"This event is not for beginners," senior Jacob stated. "You cannot enter the competition if you only know the c chord. I know you're intrigued, but you can only join when you've finished learning to play the guitar. There will be many contests in the future that you can participate in." And then he patted my shoulder.

"There aren't any restrictions that say beginners aren't allowed, are there? I'd like to enter the competition. So, please accept my name."

"Did you not hear what I said? Why are you so obstinate? After you've learned, enter the contest, now go back to practising the chord d."

I didn't move and remained still.

Senior Jacob became enraged and stormed off the stage.

"Wait, I'll talk to her," Caleb said to senior Jacob as he hurried between us.

and inquired, "What are you doing?"

I looked around at everyone and told him, "I couldn't take this sight any longer, senior. Everyone believes I got into this club through you. And I don't want that to keep going for the following three years of college."

"I'll speak with them."

"How many people can you talk to?" I shook my head and went on, "I'm going to enter this contest and win it, and I'm going to show them wrong. You asked me to fight back, didn't you? This is how I believe I should respond, senior. Please allow me to do it."

Senior Caleb locked his gaze on me for a time before turning to senior Jacob and said, "Make a note of her name. Allow her to take part in this."

Jacob, senior "I know you like her and want her, but I can't take the risk for your ladylove."

"I can do this, trust me," I said.

Jacob, senior "All right, I'll put your name on the list as well." He turned to the others and inquired, "Who is interested in this competition? Please come up and give me your names..."

I strolled over to my guitar and resumed practising the chord that senior Jacob had shown us.

Senior Caleb sat down beside me and asked, "Do you think you'll be able to pull it off?"

"If you aren't the one who told senior Jacob to assume my name, why are you questioning me now?"

"Yes, but are you certain about this?"

"I have to," I answered, nodding. And I kept practising the chord.

At home,

I couldn't stop thinking about the contest that gave me my name while I was eating my dinner.

Dad, "What are you contemplating?"

"I entered the music competition."

"That's fantastic! You'll come in first place."

Mom, "I had no idea you could enter the contest. Isn't this your first time? I wish you the best of luck in the competition, sweetie."

Dad, "What are you on about? She is the one who will take first place. I'm confident she'll triumph over this."

Mom and dad spoke to me as if I were some sort of maestro, despite the fact that they know I can't play any instruments.

I completed my meal and went to bed.

I took the instrument and sat on the bed, watching an online video on how to play the guitar. I messed up the timing and played it incorrectly. Sh*t! Why is it so difficult? I collapsed on the bed and hugged the guitar, wondering, 'Did I make the wrong decision by entering the contest?'

I heard some knocking. I invited my mother in, but the knocking didn't stop. When I stepped up to open the door, I realised the noise was coming from the window. I turned around to see Andrew at my window, pounding.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him as I locked my door and stepped to the window.

He motioned for the window to be opened.

I apologised and opened the window. He entered my room, glanced around, and noticed my phone, which was playing a training video, and asked, "Are you learning through this video to win the contest?"

"I don't want to rely on seniors."

"And how about me?"

"Huh?"

"I'm the one who taught you chord c, did you forget? You learned it faster than everyone else, and I believe you could learn guitar rapidly as well. Are you confident that you can win the competition?"

"I'm not sure of the certainty, but I'm determined."

"All well, then. I'll show you how."

"Really?"

"I heard the gossip, too," he responded with a nod. "I'm the one who knew what truly happened but chose to remain silent, thus I'm also contributing to the propagation of this gossip. I believe I should accept responsibility by teaching you."

"It's never your fault."

"Play the d chord you learned today," he said.

I hurriedly nodded and took up my guitar in front of him, playing it.

"You're doing OK, you just need a little more practice. Okay, I'll start my classes tomorrow."

"Can you teach me after everyone has left the club? I don't want another rumour to start, and I don't want you to be a part of it."

"I'm not going to teach you in college. Let's hold our classes right here. In your room. Every night before going to bed. Is that okay with you?"

Was there blood in my nose? Every evening? In my bedroom? Is he going to teach me? Because I'm so inebriated, I feel like I'm floating in a chocolate smoothie.

"Are you listening to me?" he said once again.

"Yeah! Yes, yes, yes. It's fine with me."

"Thank you," I responded as he tried to leave. He nodded and walked away.

I laid over on the floor, thinking about what had happened a few minutes before "'Am I hallucinating?' "I want to be a floor, too," I said as I touched the ground. Andrew stepped all over the floor of my room for the first time, and it seemed like the floor suddenly became so pricey. "You're important, too," I remarked as I brushed the floor.

Hannah, at college, inquired after a week, "Why are your eyes like that?"

I widened my eyes and questioned, "How?"

"Like a person who hasn't slept in days."

"It's just makeup."

"What kind of theme is it? Is it like… a Nightcrawler?"

"Vampire."

"You're not getting to college on time and are missing the bus. What's the matter with you? Did you really turn into a vampire?"

"Yes, I despise the sun," I laughed. "I'm thirsty," I muttered as I sniffed her neck.

"Hey, that tickles."

She began to flee from me.

"Hey, I was just kidding," I exclaimed. And chased after her.

I ran into senior Caleb while following Hannah and apologised.

"It's all right." He grabbed something from behind me and handed me flowers.

"What exactly is this?"

"Flowers."

"How come you're handing it to me?"

He answered with a smile, "Because you're the girl I'm interested in. And this lovely lady deserves lovely flowers."

"I'm not interested, senior."

"It's my encouragement. Don't try to dodge it."

"You may leave now, senior," Hannah remarked as she took the flowers from senior Caleb.

After senior Caleb left, "He's still after you?" she asked.

I nodded and followed her.

"That's strange. I heard he hasn't flirted with a girl in over a month. Was he really interested in you?"

"There's no way."

"But he's looking good."

"Then take the flowers and leave me alone."

I went to the music club after classes ended.

Andrew came in with the flower I had left in his locker this morning while I was practising the chords with the members. That's strange. Because he normally throws the flowers away after removing them from the locker. Why was he bringing it to class today? Was he pleased with the flowers? I handed him a gladiolus, which is also my birth flower. Was gladiolus effective?

"Who are those flowers for?" a female in the club said.

"It was granted," Andrew says.

I desperately wanted to yell, 'THAT WAS ME!' I GAVE HIM THOSE FLOWERS!' But I couldn't, so I stayed put and continued to practise the chords.

"Was that from your girlfriend?" asked another girl.

I smiled as I strung the strings on my guitar.

"No."

He left the flowers on the stand and removed his cello from its bag.

Senior Jacob entered the classroom. He also inquired about the flowers.

Andrew, "Since the freshman ceremony, I've been getting flowers every day. I'm not sure how this individual got into my locker and did this."

"Would you like me to find out who that individual is?"

'You'll never find me,' I thought as they were speaking about me.

Andrew, "I attempted but failed. This person is extremely intelligent. I tried to arrive early in order to find that person, but they were faster than me. There were already roses in my locker when I arrived."

'I almost got caught that day,' I thought. I saw him go into the building when I was accessing his locker, but I was quick and placed it before he arrived and left.'

Jacob, senior "How about changing the password on the locker?"

Andrew, "I moved lockers as well, but I still got the roses the next day."

'Don't you know Bobby pins can be very useful for opening the locker?' I laughed.

Jacob, senior "Did you look at the CCTV?"

"I did, but it was a flop," Andrew says. "I couldn't get a good look at the person because they were completely covered from head to toe and wore a cap. That person dressed in various outfits every day, which confused me regarding wearing style."

'There's a reason they call it a secret crush,' I thought. It's like a hidden mission for each of us to hide in the shadows and express our feelings for the person we like. You'd never be able to find us until we reveal it by ourselves. Hahaha.'

Jacob, senior "How come this individual is so secretive? Maybe it's like this, you know them, and they don't want to be caught by you. That's why they're being so tight-lipped."

"Really?"

"That's my best guess."

After hearing that from senior Jacob, I was astounded, how did he accomplish it? I guess I'll be more cautious with this guy from now on.

"This person has incredibly wonderful eyes though.," senior Jacob commented as he accepted the flowers.

'Thank you.' I thought when he appreciated my flowers.

Andrew, "You are welcome to take it."

"They hand it over to you. No, not to me."

"I'm going to throw it away regardless."

"However, it appears to be good."

"Because I'm not fond of flowers."

WHATTTT!?!?? DOESN'T ANDREW LIKE FLOWERS? WHY DID I NOT KNOW THIS BEFORE?

"Amelia!"

I rose from my seat as soon as senior Jacob called my name.

"Senior, yes."

"Go to the swimming club and request that Caleb come here to discuss club improvisation."

I nodded and went to the swimming pool. Why didn't I know about it before? How could I overlook this? I thought I understood everything about him, yet I was wrong all along. I gave him... no, I forced him to accept the flowers. I couldn't imagine how he felt seeing the flowers he despises every morning. Argh! Why am I acting this way? Why hadn't I realised this before? I'm a moron!!!

"Amelia!"

I jerked awake and turned to face the figure in front of me. Senior Caleb was approaching me in the trunk. When I looked around, I noticed that all of the males were half-naked and swimming in the pool.

"What are you doing here?" he inquired.

"I-I… I-I arrived..."

I couldn't see him in his eyes since my gaze was drawn to the swimming club full of half-naked men.

He grabbed a towel from nearby and wrapped it around himself, saying, "Come with me."

I walked beside him.

"What is it?" we inquired as we approached the pool's locker area.

When I was ready to tell him, some guys came in and started talking to each other.

"S-Senior Jacob requested that I bring you. H-He told me to tell you that you're wanted in the music club to talk about things..." Those guys instantly began to remove their trunks.

Senior Caleb swiftly closed my eyes and said, "Can't you see there's a girl in this room? Get changed later, now leave."

He removed his hands and inquired, "What were you talking about?"

"t-the improvisation at the club. Yes, he did say that."

"OK," he answered with a nod.

"Remember that you're not an owl to deliver messages, so ask him to tell me through the phone next time," he remarked as I tried to leave the locker room.

I nodded and walked out of the dressing area. I continued to ponder about the flowers as I drove to the music club. I'm a moron! I'll cease putting flowers in Andrew's locker starting tomorrow. I don't want him to be in pain any longer. I apologise, Andrew. I'll keep track of your preferences and dislikes in the future. Don't be concerned.