Outdoor Activities, A Dragon Display
1231 Words
HEINA
He let out a big laugh, amused at my display of obvious frustration.
I narrowed my gaze. "Glad I could make you laugh."
He struggled to rein in the rest of the laughter.
"You laughing at my expense just makes you a bad friend." I froze as soon as those words were out of my mouth. Friend. I...why was I so stupid? Trying to ruin this nice...thing with this guy.
I'd never had any friend but I didn't have to be so pathetic about it. He probably just saw me as some girl he wanted to help and here I was, already placing a tag on what might never be again.
"I-I'm sorry. Don't mind my words." I mumbled an apology, crumpling the schedule nervously.
To my surprise, he extended an hand. "Since we're friends, it's only expected I formally introduce myself. I'm Aslan Finch. A third year student of Black Flame Academy."
I searched his face. He wasn't joking. His eyes spoke of genuine friendship. I swallowed emotions and accepted his hand. "I'm Heina Duxwell. Former student of Royal Ridge College in Jertrix. And now a first year student of Black Flame Academy. I want to become a doctor and I hope I still get to achieve it." I winced. "Did I overdo it?"
He shook his head, smiling. "Not at all. You were perfect, Heina."
The way he said that caused my face to grow all hot and flush. My head bowed a little, suddenly finding the white lace of my shoes more interesting than his face. "Oh."
Oh goodness. I was poor with compliments because they never came except I counted the ones from my parents.
I'd never had a guy — any guy — talk to me like I was an enjoyable person whose company he liked.
"And the way you blush is cute."
Stop, please. I wanted to say but had no confidence whatsoever to even look at him.
"Let's go. My practical class is starting soon. Lectures are usually scarce by this time." He voiced, I could feel his eyes on me. "And though I really like your shoes, your eyes are needed up here."
Slowly, I raised my head to meet his gaze.
He scratched a hand through his hair, eyes darting to the entrance door. There was barely students walking about the hallway. "So what do you say?"
"Let's go." If there was lecture, I wouldn't mind missing it to watch him engage in this practical course he'd been talk about.
It was the least I could do as his friend, I thought giddily. Friend. A word I never thought I'd say. Or that it would be associated with me.
In all these recent life changing events that had happened, making a friend was the best one. It means I didn't have to come to school and be alone.
I had someone I expected and who would be expecting me too. Someone to sit with during lunch period. Someone to probably walk home with.
Side by side, we both left the building, heading for the big open field where the practical was taking place.
"Hey Aslan..." Sirra started to wave in our — specifically his — direction when she noticed me by his side.
Her face instantly flushed with anger. She walked — no, it was more like stomping — over to us.
"Who's the b***h?" She folded her arms.
"What?" Aslan couldn't believe his ears.
"The b***h, who's she?"
As for me, I'd kept mute. I didn't want to say anything that'll worsen things at home for me. Remembering the slap she'd given me that first day and the vicious hair pull today, it was best to move a bit away from Aslan who to my surprise, noticed me shifting away and pulled me closer.
His brows quirked, I could see the flash of annoyance and irritation. "What do you want, Sirra?"
She threw spiteful glares my way, before she paid attention to Aslan once again. "I thought I was going to watch you do your thing today."
"You can watch me do my thing without insulting my friend." There was warning in his voice. She heard it too and when she narrowed her gaze at me in vexation, I knew she blamed me for it.
"Your friend, huh?" Sirra nodded. Then rose on tiptoe to kiss Aslan's cheek. "Good luck out there, Aslan."
"Yeah." He seemed unfazed. "Can you please leave, you're making my friend uncomfortable?"
Her jaw ticked but she said nothing. Obviously because she didn't want to make a fool out of herself in front of the boy she liked.
Wow. This was going to be some problem. Back in Royal Ridge College, Jocelyn had hurt me badly for even looking at Sirra's brothers which even reminded me. Why had they left this world of theirs to come pretend to school in Royal Ridge College? Where was Sirra at the time?
"See you later, Aslan." She walked away but not before I saw the death glare she cast my way one more time and I couldn't help but read meaning into it — she was going to kill me and have fun doing it.
"She likes you." I commented, licking my dry lips. Nerves danced around the pit of my stomach, a result of this confrontation that wasn't really a confrontation since she wasn't talking to me...or hadn't talked to me.
"She's pretty but I don't like girls who think too high of themselves. Sirra is vain and mean so she isn't my type." We continued walking amongst the growing crowd.
He was trying to find a spot for me along the benches that didn't really look like the regular benches on bleachers. The seats had high backs and an arm rest.
Girls waved at him. Guys shook hands with him. He was quite the popular figure in school, I realized. I didn't know if this was good news or bad news.
Being friends with popular people had its benefits, like, I could also become popular and no one would ever bully me. Or you could become target for those who didn't like your very existence.
These girls gave me strange stares, dislike lurking in their gazes. I forced myself to look away so I didn't end up feeling overwhelmed and running out of there.
He finally secured me a spot, oblivious to all the looks I was getting. And it was the best spot. I could see everything that happened on the field from this position.
"Thank you." I gave him a smile.
He rewarded me with one of his. Now I knew why the girls wanted him. He was downright hot...and humble. A rare combination amongst males. "Have fun watching me."
"I will." I couldn't stop looking in his eyes.
His grin grew wider. He offered me a fist bump once a tall, stately woman with rough curls blew the whistle and other third years were already on the field.
My curled fist kissed his.
He winked. "I'll be right back."
I blushed so hard I could only nod in response. As he jogged to the field, I wondered why I was reacting like some love sick teenager to his harmless, friendly flirts.
I already had the answer nagging my brain — he was the first guy who wasn't family to actually pay attention to me.
- Writer
