"...Like…like this?"
"I'll get higher, hold on…"
Stella stood on the tiptoe putting her face nearer to my collar while she was grabbing my tie until the flashlight snapped from the smartphone — yep, we're taking pictures. 😑
An hour ago, I was on my way to the canteen when I saw the familiar blonde hair appear in my sight again, the first thing came to my mind —RUN!!! 💀
Just the moment I thought I finally escaped, a tiny little finger tabbed on my shoulder. Just when I was thinking it was just an illusion, the familiar voice sent to my ear — "Hi Willy, a moment please?".
And here I am — in the artroom with her, taking the picture of the poses that she said she needed for the pose reference. 🥲
I SWEAR I SAID NO!!! 😭😭😭
THIS IS A KIDNAP!!! 😭😭😭
I'M A VICTIM!!! 😭😭😭
Stella: Oh my God, this is perfect.
I took a look at the picture, it was a pose reference where we both blushing while I held onto Stella's chin and Stella holding on my tie...I swear the police would've arrested me if they saw this.
I sat back at the desk with my computer on to check if the AI updating completed — yeah, it's still updating. 💀
Stella sat back to continue her work, just when I thought I'm set free — "Hey Willy, could you play some music for me? You have the bluetooth speaker with you right?"
JUST LET ME GO!!!! 😭😭😭
Me: Ye…ah, but it's broken today, so…
Stella: Oh, nevermind...
...😃
YES!!! Time to go!!! 😭
Stella: You can play it on the phone.
...💀
SOMEBODY HEEEELLLPPP!!!! 😭😭😭
*INHALE…* *EXHALE…* I'm calmed…😑
Me: O…kay, which one…
Stella: Oh, the one…um… it sounded like this…
And she starts humming the song based on her impression…wait…I think I got it…
Me: This one?
I played the "ただ君に晴れ (Just a Sunny Day for You)" by ヨルシカ (Yorushika) through my phone, and then she started to sing along after the catchy intro with an excited smile.
It's either I leave my smartphone here or guess I'll stay until class ends — but there was no option for me. 🥲
Stella: Hey Willy.
Me: Yes?
Stella: Are you free after school?
Me: Um…no, I need to send the homeworks to the teacher's office.
Stella: I see…nevermind.
She put her sight back onto the screen and continued drawing with disappointment.
If the AI was here, he would've analyzed what happened for me...
Don't get me wrong, I didn't miss that Artificial Idiot.
Me: You...need my help?
Stella: Um…nothing much, just thinking if we can go to the bookstore after school.
That's quite a lot, and she said nothing much. 😑
*KNOCK KNOCK…*
"Anybody in there? Don't lock the door please?"...💀
WHY'D—SHE—LOCKED—THE DOOR!!!!??? AHHHHH—!!!????😭😭😭😭😭😭
What if they get in and see us alone in the room??? 💀
What if they thought we're dating??? 💀
This is bad!!! THIS IS BAD!!! 😭😭😭
Stella: (Quick! Here!)
Out of a sudden, Stella whispered to me and dragged me towards a cabinet— we both hid ourselves inside while the door was unlocked…💀
The space was small and narrow, which is the place where a dead cockroach belonged — yeah I saw one hanging in there. 💀
The moment I put myself back together, I saw Stella grabbing onto me while her eyes checked if the teacher was gone, but the most traumatic event was — I can smell it. 💀
IT'S THE LAVENDER SHAMPOO!!! 💀
I CAN SMELL IT!!! 💀
HELP!!!! 😭😭😭
I'm not lying, I was completely frozen while sweating, but then just before I thought I'm fine as the teacher left, Stella giggled silently and whispered "First time?".
You think? Just shut up and kill me as you wanted…🥲
After we got out, she checked if the teacher had gone far before she screamed happily.
Stella: HAHA—!!! That was insane!!!
You're insane, of course. 🙄
Me: Just don't lock the door next time.
Stella: Next time? You're coming next time???
Me: I mean…no…yes…it's just…I mean….
God, am I even speaking??? I can't feel my tongue…😭😭😭
Stella: If they found me using it without permission, I think I'll be deducted again…
...
WHAT—
THE—
HELL—???
💀💀💀
I looked at her with my mouth open while she giggled at me when she noticed my reaction.
Stella: Well I used to apply for Comic Club, and the Club Center I was thinking of here, but the school rejected.
Of course they rejected it, comics are nonsense junk to the adults, they have no idea what the comics are nor admire the artwork and respect a comic artist. 🙄
Yes, two years ago, we used to have a comic club in the list of co-curiculum, but it was repealed after the new principal arrived three years ago, with the unacceptable excuse of "Focus on your study, I rather you join the literature club." — sometimes I pray for him to have at least one brain cell to know that "They're Not Even The Same".
I looked at Stella, she was packing up her stuff while she also helped me to pack up mine while I was recalling something unfair.
Stella: So, shall we?
Me: What?
Stall: Oh, sorry I thought we're…
Me: Alright, let's go.
You might be wondering why I am putting myself back into the trap?
Well the reason is simple...
— I don't know why. 🥲
After that we came to the bookstore and found the shelf full of sketching tutorials and pose anatomy references. This is the place where I used to be whenever I came to bookstores.
Stella and I took a look at some of the books, just when I thought we're going to grab some of the useful tutorials and left — she asked me a question.
Stella: Were you hiding from me, I mean…recently?
What should I say? Yes? No? I don't know??? AHHHH—!!!! 😭😭😭
Me: Um…sorry ...I'm actually kinda busy recently.
Stella: I get it, Form 3 students have exams soon.
Thanks for getting me such a wonderful excuse…😭😭😭
Stella: You know, ever since I moved here for secondary school, no one has barely talked to me.
That's the thing I wish could happen to me. 🥲
Stella: I was alone even though the class was actually crowded.
Me: Sometimes you don't need anyone to survive, don't blend into the group where you're not belong.
After saying that, she looked away until I noticed she was actually looking at me.
Stella: You're the first one telling me don't make friends, unlike my parents who never understand my situation.
Me: No no no no no, don't get me wrong, I mean…
Stella: Thank you, Willy.
Uh???
Me: For what?
Stella: Thanks for saving me when I was helpless back then…
Wait, she's talking about the time I saved her from the field when she twisted her ankle, crying on the ground — I don't know what is it to her, but that's my dark history that I wished I could wipe it from my RAM. 😭😭😭
Stella: But then I noticed a Japanese girl in my class…
...
Huh?
Stella: You know, last time I missed the hour of recess, she shared with me the tuna riceball. She said her brother made it. It was delicious! The tuna was coated with cream Mayo and fined black pepper…
I...bet we're not talking about the same person…
Me: Oh, haha, sounds good…
I tried my best to control my sweats and put a smile on just to keep myself calm.
Stella: I actually asked her if we can be friends, and I said yes immediately, can we be friends too?
Me: Uh? Me?
Stella: Yeah, you.
Me: But why?
Stella: Um...I don't know, just thinking it would be great if we can be friends.
I'm not sure if you are aware, the last thing I ever did before I quit socialling is making new friends.
I'm done putting on masks with people that actually hate your hobby and the way you behave, you need to act just like them to get yourself blended in, and you might not know who put on their masks as well.
— Yes, I'm tired.
So what now?
Say Yes — I'm risking my social environment to put myself back to the situation again.
Say No — I'm safe, but she might get disappointed by the rejection.
AI: Rin, you're the real idiot.
I was scared by the voice of an imbecile that suddenly popped back into my head.
What do you want??? Scare me to death??? 😭😭😭
Don't come back like that once the software update is done okay??? 😭😭😭
AI: You see, she was never acting when she's with you, didn't you realize?
Like how?
AI: She shared her hobbies with you, shared the same music with you, she could've rat you out in the artroom, but she didn't.
Wait, you were there?
AI: That was not the point.
What if this is a prank?
AI: Prank??? Who would've pranked someone with such a lame line?
So, what now?
...
AI: Don't keep her waiting.
Just before I shook her hand, she put her hand down.
Stella: Sorry, I know that was abrupt…
She put her sight back to book again, I can see her disappointment through her blue eyes.
Me: Um…I thought we already are…
Stella: …what?
Me: Um…someone told me, once we exchange the name, that's the beginning of…
I'm not sure if I should continue or just cut the conversation, but she looked at me with the hopes in her eyes, I realized that'd be another stab if I didn't spit it.
Me: …friendship.
Stella: Really?
Me: Yeah…we're already friends.
She suddenly hugged me, bouncing while everyone was looking at me raising my hands up just to keep my hands from touching her. 💀💀💀
AI: Yeah, that's part of my expectation. 🤣🤣🤣
YOU SCAMMED ME!!! 😭😭😭
Having ear piercings and stylish hair doesn't mean I'm feminine, okay???
I'M A BOY!!! 😭😭😭
AI: Well, at least I can guarantee she'll never be putting her mask on, especially when she's with you.
I hope so. 😑
After that, she bought a new reference book about "How to Match The Correct Color", which was 20% off after the discount with my membership.
I went home until I walked her back to her apartment, she waved with a smile and bounced off my sight then.
I have no idea if that's because of the joyfulness of making new friends or the joyfulness of successfully pranked someone.
There's one thing I don't understand.
Why would she want to be friends with a normal and unremarkable introvert like me? It's either she needs a target for fun in her school life or…
I don't think I'm processing…
AI: Trust me, buddy. If-Else Statement doesn't work in real life.
...
So, what now?
AI: Just let it be, and we'll see.
*SIGH*
Fine, guess I'll continue with my project…
AI: Have you completed the exercises?
What exercise?
AI: Seriously? It's the fifth time Cindy has asked for them since yesterday.
Um…oops. 🥲