CHAPTER 2
1181 Words
My gaze shifted from the bucket of paint onto the crowd. I could imagine how they would all laugh and make fun of me.
I could remember when i was also in the position of the people laughing at those bathed with paint,
Laughing, thinking it was funny
Now I understand how they must have felt being laughed at, drenched with red paint, being booed at.
Suddenly.
Something soft dropped over me before the paint could touch me.
I flinched.
I stood still unable to move,who could have saved me was it Noah?.
No he was far away from me he couldn't have made it in time to protect me.
But who could it have been?
I came back to my senses and quickly took the cover off me to look at my angel but I only saw his back already drenched in paint.
I tried running after him but slipped.
The world seems to tilt the moment I hit the ground.
A sharp sting shot through my palm and for a second, all I could hear was the echo of voices.
I squeeze my eyes hard trying not to fall unconscious.
“I'm so sorry,I should have protected you”
I opened my eyes slowly.
Some crouched in front of me.
Dylan.
“You okay” he asked, lifting me up gently.
I nodded.
“They are gone” Noah cut in with a little bit of an expression that is hard to describe .
“Come here Nina” Noah said ,his voice calm but I could sense something underneath it.
Dylan didn't move,his grip loosened but he didn't let go.
I could feel the tension, the silence between them was awkward.
“I've got her"noah said moving closer to me.
That was when Dylan looked up.
The moments were getting tense,it felt like I was standing between the two friends.
He let go of my hand and put up a smile.
"Just a help,” he said, walking away.
Something isn't feeling right.
The image flashed in my mind again, the boy walking away,his back soaked in red paint.
Noah waved across my face, jolting me out of my thoughts.
“You okay?”.
My heart raced instantly fast,stupid, automatic.
I nodded, unable to mutter any word.
*** *** ***
I dragged my feet sluggishly toward my class, I could feel everyone gaze on me but at least I wasn't a meme .
Within a period of time it will all die down .
Lost in thought, I didn't notice where I was going…
Until I walked straight into someone.
I stumbled back slightly,started.
“Careful”
Wait, that voice sounds familiar. I raised my head to look at the person I bumped into.
“Noah”
My face suddenly lit up like it had been waiting for this moment.
“Are you okay?” he asked, pinching my cheeks playfully.
I tried forcing myself not to show how fluttered I was but what could a little girl like me standing in front of her crush do.
He held my hand as we walked hand in hand toward class .
I guess I forgot to mention.
We are dating.
And today marks day two of our relationship.
We separated and went to our classes.
But ten minutes after he came back peeping through the window playfully, also trying not to catch the teacher's attention.
I couldn't help but smile at his silliness as he kept making different love signs .
He mouthed something.
“I miss you”
I kept smiling without focusing on my work.
He stood motionless giving me a side look waiting for me to mouth the “i miss you” words.
I was about to mouth the word but he ran away after my teacher caught him peeping.
*** *** ***
Dylan sat at the back of the school block listening to music as usual.
He brought out his lighter and cigarettes rolling in between his fingers before lighting it.
He wasn't really a smoker.
He only needed it to clear his head.
He took a slow puff, leaning back against the wall, eyes half-lidded as the noise of the school faded into the background.
For once, he felt a sense of pride..
Dylan wasn't thinking about the cigarette again.
He was thinking about her.
The way she looked..tensed,broken.
His jaw tightened.
He wouldn't let the person who messes with her go .
Across the school walkway.
Aria bumped into Noah intentionally and fell onto the ground.
“I'm very sorry “ Noah apologize lifting her up and helping her pack her book.
Aria gave him a flirting smile.
“I'm Aria,” she said, extending her hand for a shake .
“Noah”.
“Of course” she smiled “everyone knows you”
She tilted her head slightly “Do you mind coming to my birthday party this weekend?”.
“Oh sure i would love to”
*** *** ***
The party venue was bright and loud, music shaking softly through the walls as colorful lights flickered across the room. Balloons floated near the ceiling, and a long table was filled with snacks, drinks, and a tall cake decorated in soft pastel colors.
Laughter filled the space, mixing with music and chatter from students dressed neatly for the occasion. Everyone seemed relaxed… too relaxed.
Aria stood at the center of it all, smiling as guests greeted her one after another. She looked confident, like she belonged in every gaze that landed on her.
Noah stood slightly away from the crowd, hands in his pockets, scanning the room casually. He wasn’t fully comfortable here, but he hid it well behind a polite smile.
Some students whispered when they noticed him—of course they did.
He always stood out.
Across the room, people danced, some took pictures, others gathered in small groups laughing loudly. The atmosphere was warm, but there was something underneath it… something unspoken.
Aria walked up to Noah excitedly “wow I'm so happy you could make it”.
“I promised to come, of course,” he said, smiling back.
Dylan and some crew walked into the party everywhere feeling tense but no one noticed as they were busy party.
It was time for the celebrant to give her speech,she walked up to the stage majestically.
Aria stood on the stage,smiling as she grabbed the mic.
The room was full now, all eyes on her,music lowered.
“First off…thank you all for coming” she began her speech.
Her voice ,bright and confident.
Suddenly a sharp sound cut through the moment.
A sudden movement from above made a few heads turn.
A container of red paint tipped from its hidden position near the decoration setup and fell directly on Aria's covering every part of her.
The crowd gasped in disbelief, laughing and taking pictures.
“This was supposed to be my happy moment, not a bad day” she cried out ,her expression changing from confidence to shock.
That wasn't an accident.
- Writer
