Chapter 67: Chapter 67

“I need to rest also.” Jake said. Ellie nodded her head curtly and they both packed their stuffs and exited the café. They walked through the fields and finally stopped at the front of Ellie’s dormitory.

“Have a good night.” He said with a not-so-wide smile and ushered her to go in. As he was about to leave, “Jake.” Ellie’s voce stopped him. He stopped on tracks and faced her.

“Thank you.” She said with an appreciative smile. He smiled a little and nodded his head. She watched him walk off. She sighed and walked into the dorm and towards her room.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

She knocked on the door quietly, hoping that Elsa would hear. And more so, she wanted to go in silently. The door was pulled open and she came face to face with Elsa who was already dressed in her pyjamas. Elsa paved way for her to come in and she hopped in. Elsa locked the door and walked towards her bed.

“So how are you feeling?” Elsa asked.

“I’m fine.” Ellie replied gruffly and pulled off her uniform.

“Ellie, see, I know…”

“Elsa, I’m tired. Go to bed early and more so, you are having a paper tomorrow. I don’t want to be someone’s reason for not reading. And lest I forget, my special timetable will be given to me so I can study.” She said, cutting Elsa off. Elsa clamped her lips shut and shook her head in dismay.

“Ellie, what I am trying to say is that I…” Ellie walked into the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

“I don’t give a damn about what you are trying to say.”

**

Ellie came out of the bathroom wrapped in her blue towel. She saw her sister reading some book, probably for the examination. She walked towards the mirror and used her lotions before going to wardrobe. She skimmed through the clothes and picked a dark brown pyjamas and a cute yellow top. She pulled off the towel and wore her clothes. Without further ado, she slumped on the bed and slept properly. She pulled the bed sheets up and covered her body. She turned to the side of the bed and soon dozed off.

Elsa exhaled deeply and stared at her back.

“Good night.” She muttered.

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“Can you imagine?” Jace spoke up first. The J-stars were seated with each of them doing what they were doing. Everyone turned towards him.

“Imagine what?” Jeremy asked.

“Like that girl who was caught cheating. She does not look like someone that could do something like that. It is too downgrading for her.” Jace grimaced and shook in head irritably as he visualized the thought.

“You can’t say. And again, you can’t blame her. Exam fever can make one do anything to pass. To add, looks can be quiet deceiving, you know.” Jayson said and Jake spunned around immediately. He curled his fingers into a ball.

“And what do you mean by that?” He asked angrily.

“Jake…” Jeremy made gestures that he should calm down. But Jake was not having any of it.

“Jake, let us call a spade a spade. She cheated and so what?” Jayson repeated it and before anyone could talk, Jake’s fist already connected with Jayson cheek bone. Jasper hurriedly went to hold Jayson who was trying to wriggle his way out of him so that he will give Jake his own taste of the medicine. While Jeremy and Jace held Jake who was shaking in her anger. Blood oozed out in drops on Jayson’s lips.

“You will never utter such word again.” Jake seethed angrily.

“Jake, putting your education in the way because of a girl is not right. Your mother is trying her best to help you and this, this is what you want to use to repay her?” Jayson spat angrily and wiped the blood on his lips.

“Never say anything concerning my mother again, Jayson.” Jake said between clenched teeth as he tried going towards Jayson.

“Leave him alone, let him come closer.” Jayson yelled.

“You guys should stop fighting. Don’t let a girl come in between you and ruin the great friendship you both have built.” Jasper said as he pushed Jayson on a seat. Jayson stood up again. They were both breathing hard.

“He should not have said something like that.” Jake said and pulled away from Jace and adjusted his clothes.

“I own my mouth and I utter anything I want.” Jayson replied back. Jeremy shook his head and exhaled. He quietly went to sit down.

First, Jake was not the type to get angry so quick. Second, fighting because of such petty thing is really childish.

“Jayson, I recommend you visit the school hospital for your lip.” Jace suggested as he walked back to his seat.

“I’m fine.” Jayson said and walked away. They all sighed and Jasper was about to talk to Jake when Jake spoke up, “I’m going for a walk.” Jasper’s lips were left hung open. He shut it and exhaled deeply.

“Didn’t he just come back a while ago?” Jeremy asked as he pointed towards the door. Jasper turned towards Jace and eyed him.

“What?” Jace asked.

“Weren’t you the one that started it all?” Jasper asked.

“What?!” Jace exclaimed.

“No, I did not.” He replied.

“You did.” Jasper said.

“I did not.” Jace said sternly.

“If you had just kept your mouth shut and did not interfere in that girl’s matter, would things have happened this way?” he asked.

“Sooner or later, they will. Since the beginning of the session, all they have been doing is chase after those girls and nothing else.” Jace said and scoffed.

“And what has that got to do with you?” Jasper asked him.

“Hey… hey… guys, don’t fight.” Jeremy said and went in between them with his hands spread.

“At least, you have a girlfriend.” Jace said.

“At least, I am not a playboy like you.” Jasper snorted and before Jace could reply, he ran out. He needed to talk to Julia and not waste his time on someone as silly as Jace.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jake walked through the fields with the help of the dim light from the moon. The stars were not shining as they always did as if they were in their prime years. Crickets chirped and owls hooted. All he needed was silence. He stopped and inhaled a big amount of air before exhaling. Then he heard footsteps, he swerved around immediately but saw no one. He furrowed his eyebrows and looked deeper into the place but it was quite dark and his eye sight was not really that good. He shrugged it off. And continued walking, then footsteps came again. He stopped abruptly and turned back. His eyes went wide at the person that stood before him.

Chapter 68

Aria’s lips twitched into a little smile as she stared at him. He narrowed his eyes on her, questioning her. She walked towards him.

“What? Are you a nightcomet or what?” He teased.

“You can call me if you want. I heard footsteps so I came out to check who it was.” She answered.

“Wait, you are the one from the other nights, right?” he asked and looked away.

“Yeah.” She replied hesitantly.

“So, you monitor me?” He asked jokingly.

“No, it is not like that.” She denied it.

“Hey, calm down. You are taking it too personal and besides, I am just joking.” He said to her and she exhaled deeply.

“So why are you out here?” She asked him and she looked at him. He was staring up at the sky. She smiled as she took in his facial features.

“Had a fight with Jayson.” He replied and her eyebrows twitched.

“Fought?” She asked surprised.

“Yeah, sometimes he just behaves like an asshole and way too unconcerned.” He said and shook his head.

“Is it about what happened to Ellie?” She asked.

“Yeah.” He breathed out.

“Do… do you love her?” She asked carefully. He faced her and burst out chuckling.

“Do I love her? Love?” He asked her. “ I also don’t know but one thing is for sure, I see her as a friend that I will always defend no matter what.” He added.

“Lies. That is a pure lie. It is in your eyes. It is written on your forehead. Even in your behavior. Yet you say, you don’t love her?” she pointed at him. “You love her.” She announced and he started laughing.

“Are you going to be a relationship adviser when you graduate because that fits you more.” He said amidst laughing.

“You…” she said between clenched teeth and pointed at him. She scoffed at him and dropped her hand. He is still kept on laughing.

“Hey, what is funny?” she asked.

“You said it as if you already looked into my heart.” He answered.

“I hope you realize it sooner.” She uttered a snort.

“Have you met me somewhere before?” He asked her and she looked away, nervous, like she has been caught while picking on her nails. She fiddled with the hem of her top and gently tucked her hair behind her ear, using her right hand. He tilted his head to the left side and brought it to closer to look at her. She squeezed her eyes tightly and took her face further away.

“Hey, just answer.” He said and took his face back. She slowly squinted her eyes open and pursed her lips. She looked at him and said, “Yeah, but I cannot remember where though. I used to have a crush on you but when I saw the way you look at Ellie, I gave up.” She rambled and exhaled deeply like she just lifted a heavy burden off her.

“Crush?” he smiled and arched his eyebrows. she looked at him with eyes wide open. She slowly tugged on her lips, scolding it for talking too much, and hit her forehead as she realized she just told him that he was her crush.

Who does that? She thought to herself as she scolded herself mentally.

“Why not friends?” He asked as he extended his right hand out for an handshake. She gasped and glanced at his extended hand.

“You… you mean it?” She asked with surprise lacing her voice.

“Yeah. I am human, so being friends with me should not be so difficult and besides you are not toxic. I mean people will do anything to get their crush to notice them.” He said. She cleaned her hands with her top and slowly, hesitantly, brought her hands forward. She stopped when she was about to touch his it, like it was going to disappear any minute. She looked at his face, he had a smile on his lips. She sighed, “At least, even it is a dream. I shook his hand.” She thought to herself as she took it and held it tightly with her eyes closed.

“Hey.” He called out holding her hand that was on his, cautioning her that it was just an handshake and nothing else. And that she was holding it too tight. She opened and eye and saw that he was still there. She opened the second to clear her doubt.

“Gosh, did I just become your friend?’ she wondered as she stared at her hand that was still in his.

“Yeah, you just did.” He clarified with an amused grin.

“Really?” She shrieked and jumped up in surprise.

“Hey, speak quietly. It’s night already. People will be sleeping, don’t wake them up.” He cautioned her and she clamped her lips shut. She sat down back beside him on the chair and beamed at him. He chuckled at her silly behavior and shook his head. He exhaled deeply and looked up at the sky. Some stars were shining while some were dim. The moon was in its full tonight as it showered its light making everywhere quite visible.

“Do you have supportive parents?” He asked.

She smiled and nodded her head positively, “To be honest, I actually forced my dad to transfer me here. And more so, I am the only child so I can say with surety that my parents are quite supportive. Just that I could be stubborn at times.” She told him. “What happened?...” she trailed off.

He exhaled and kept his eyes on her particular star that kept shining and going dim. It was fluctuating with its energy.

“I am the only child of my parents.” He announced like it was something he has been hiding from her and everyone.

“That can be really boring. Although, I am the only child. My parents always make sure they are always available whenever I need them. But guess what?” she grinned.

“What?” He asked with an arched eyebrow.

“I am here. I can be your younger sister.” She declared, spreading her hands out like she wanted to engulf him in a hug.

He jerked back and stared at her skeptically.