Thorns of White Rose

Chapter 8 - Caught Off Guard

The most awaited school festival has started. Literally, there is no silent place in the campus. Booths are set up everywhere, loud musics fromcevery corner, aroma of food and all sorts of events. The grand opening was held at the stadium with all the performances from different art clubs. I was there tonwatcj to support Aubrey and her cheerleading squad. They were the highlight of the opening, I must say that they did pretty well. I am so proud of her!

What surprised me was I actually enjoyed all the noises around. I felt alive as I walled through the booths. Needless to say, everytjing costs a fortune here but it's worthy. When my blockmates dragged me with them in the horror booth, I felt my blood pressure went up, but it was never less than happy.

"You should spend more of your time doing things like this. Time might pass you by, learn to enjoy while tryong to soar." Aubrey whispered to me when we went out of the horror booth.

I laughed hard with the way everyone was cursing inside. They gave me a weird look, but I can't help it. We took it really physical inside, I saw Nate grabbing Eman's shirt and screaming at the top of his lung.

"The hell was that? I was more likely to get a heart attack from the loud suspense sound. That really got me."

"What? Can we talk about first how it smelled like blood inside? Thought I was going to throw up. Were you the one dragging me?" Eman turned to Nate. I laughed so hard with their reaction.

We had lunch at the small booth orepared by first year junior high. It was korram inspired, so that lured us.

"Not bad. What else are in their menu?" While the boys are trying to look for more dishes to order, the girls in our group are still talking about how messed that horror booth was. It was indeed fine for me. I had to bite my lower lip everytime I felt bursting into laughter.

"Hi! Are you having your lunch now?" All of us looked at thr tall guy who approached us. He's wearing a black shirt with white print that says "Staff".

"Sir Kale!" Aubrey giggled. He looked fresh despite the weather. He's wearing a blsck cup which really made him breathtaking. How can a man look perfect both in casual and formal? Everything just looks fine in him.

"Would you like to join us and also you, Ms. Cath!" I didn't notice he was with someone. She's the Psychology professor.

"Sure. Would you mind, Cath?" Kale gave her a sweet. smile as he asked that question.

"I'd love to." She answered. I scanned her from head to toe without trying to make it obvious. She looks decent, but too mediocre for Kale. I would expect a model or an executive as his girlfriend, someone who belongs at the same social class.

I was surprised when he took the vacant seat beside me. He gestured Ms. Cath to take thr seat at the other side. Aubrey seems to know her well based on how she insisted to take the seat beside her.

Kale and I locked eyes for a brief moment, but that was enough to take my breath away. As always, he smells good. Maybe it's his curse, he can make every woman drool over him just by his manly scent.

I should, but I felt self-conscious now that he's close.

The junior high students who own the booth went to us asking if we have additional orders.

"It's my treat today. You cam. order anything you want." He confidently claimed. Ofcourse, everyone was happy about that.

"What about you, Laurian? Want fries? Drinks?" I just shook my head amd said mo thanks.

The side of his lips went up as if amused. He tilted his head and gave his order.

"I want to try your best seller mozarella hotdog and cheesy bacon fries. Add two bottled water please. Thanks." He said as if he was in an expensive restaurant.

"Are you enjoying the festival, so far?" He asked when no one wanted talk.

"We do hundred percent, Sir Kale! We had been to the Horror Booth, Tattoo Booth, Bio Exhibit, and Multimedia Arts Gallery. We're planning to visit the Marriage Booth and Bake Shop." Aubrey answered.

"Good to hear you're enjoying. There will be invitational football game at 4 PM. Are you aware? You can come by if you have time."

I heard the current school president himself is going to play.

"Kid Fontanilla is really going to be there?" Gwen asked in amusement. I heard the home team is composed of former, current varsities and high profile alumni while the opposing team is from Valer's University. It is an International School popular to celebrities.

" Its so hard to get a ticket for that game, we jabe to watch of course. I heard you're also playing, Sir Kale?" Nate asked. I almost choked. He can also play football with professionals?

"Yup. But don't expect so much from me. I was just got dragged with no choice." He amswered as he shrugged his shoulder.

There's literally nothing he can't do. When our orders were served, Kale handed me ome bottled water. He just gave me a simple look before he started eating his food.

He gave compliments to the owner of the booth. The food tastes great and the service is fast. Overall, he's satisfied.

"You're also watching the game later?" He asked me. It was almost whispered so I'm sure I was the only one who heard that.

"Still not sure." I answered with a frown forehead.

"You should come. If I score, I will dedicate that to you." I was caught off guard. He has ways to make me blush unexpectedly.

The way he talks casually to me even we are surrounded with other students is brave and reckless.

"Why me? I won't even cheer for you or anyone in the game. Dedicate it to other girls who will give their full support to you later." He chuckled which caught attention from everyone in the table.

"Laurian is so hard on me. She said she wouldn't even cheer for me for the game later." He exclaimed in a loud voice. I almost cursed. Did he have to let everyone know?

They looked at us curious.

"Ah I was trying to bargain. Since we're all going to watch the game later, you should give out bonus points for the midterm exam." I sighed in relief when they all agreed. Thank you self for the quick reflexes.

"He's quite strict when it comes to grading. You'll have to be special to make him agree with that." Cath said with a wide smile.

"What? I'm naturally generous. I agree with your terms, Laurian. If you show up with a sign cheering me up later, I'll give everyone in your class 5 bonus points in midterm." He winked at me then resumed eating.

The f*****g audacity! He just puy me in a situatio where I have no choice but to do as he wants. My blockmates made a noise when I said sure. Amazing how he easily turned me unto the sacrificial lamb in no time. I saw a pure manipulator right there.

"Drink some water. You might get indigestion." He further annoyed me. I just gave him a sharp look then smiled. Damn him.

They talked about the grand opening and how well the performances went. Aubrey became the topic in the table, and I can't help but be so proud of her. In the middle of our meal, Kale excused himself to take a call. After a minute, I excused myself too.

"I need to use the necessarium." I lied. I wanted to give some words to the arrogant professor.

I followed where he went a while ago. He was standing near the pots of flower and he was still on the phone. I watched him jntil he finished talking.

He was surprised when he saw me walking towards him. But it wasn't long before his surprised reaction turned into amusement.

"Yes, Laurian? Any complaint? Oh, I forgot to say. When yiu bring the sign later, I'd prefer you out there 'Go Kale! You are rhe best!'. You can do that, right?" His eyes were sparkling in enjoyment of toying with me.

"I don't want to play with you. What are you doing? You are trying to control me by using them. Please... I don't want any meaningless connection with you, Sir Kale. Let's keep our relationship professional." He walked closer to me. He didn't seem satisfied with our distance.

He's just 2 walks away, that's too close. His jaw clenched but his eyes are still smiling.

"I was going to wait, Laurian, but seeing how you and Brynne are getting close lately, I lost my patience. I realize I want you so bad that even it costs me my career, I'll go after you." My knees trembled. He delivered those words dangerously. 

"I rejected you before, do I habe to----" 

"I don't care, Laurian. I'm giving myself a chance to show you how I feel. Even if you beg me to stay away from you, I'll stick until you give me a fair chance. That's all I ask for." 

I rolled my eyes. I can't let him think he has a chance. 

"It's not just your career we are talking abo6uy here. I am more concerned about my future. I want to graduate peacefully, so please don't meddle." 

He laughed sexily then took the remaining steps to close the gap betwen us. Inwas going to walk backwards but he held my waist gently, very carefully. 

"I want to be heavily involved in your life, Laurian. I want you to look at me in the eyes with the same affection. I will make you so down for me to the point that you put me first in your life. I want that obsession from you cause that's how you've been making me feel since the first day."

He let go of me then walled away. I found myself breathing heavily after that. I need to compose myself or I will really lose to him.