Chances of Fate

XVIII - A Test Of Courage

"—irah" my vision started to spin, trying to regain my consciousness after hearing blurred out voices.

"Amirah!" 

I finally snapped back to reality and saw Everleigh leaning in with teary eyes.

"Amirah, are you okay?" Azure's face popped in the scene.

That's when I realized that I was lying down somewhere comfy.

Oh, yeah. I fell asleep in our tent after drinking tea. Celeste was the one who helped me make it and left me when she was called.

What's Azure doing here anyway?

"I..." My head slowly recovered from the dizziness and I don't even know where I got it. I sat down to face the two of them. "What happened back at the scavenger hunt?"

"We came in second place." Leigh frowned. "Dinner time just came around so we saved you some food." She handed me a plate filled with my favorites.

"Thanks, Leigh." I'm so lucky to have a friend like her. "But... why do you look sad?" 

"I should've followed you earlier. We all heard what happened after the activity and after that, the teachers refrained us from spreading scary rumors unless it's for a camp activity."

Wait—making Leigh sad is illegal!

I quickly took the plate away from her hands and placed it on the floor.

"What?! That's absurd! It's not your fault that I got scared! I was the one who told you not to follow me so you shouldn't feel bad!" I gave her a smile. "Besides, I'm okay now!" 

"If you say so..." Her soul-stirring smile slowly appeared again as I rejoiced in my head.

It's quite rare to see Everleigh frowning. Yeah, she does smile a lot but we know if it's fake or not.

I turned to Azure. "Have you finished eating dinner?"

"Yep! Connie was here earlier but she left to get dessert."

"Why don't you go check on her? Make sure she's fine."

"Are you okay now, though?" He slightly tilted his head, waiting for me to nod before returning the gesture.

And with that, he left the tent, leaving Leigh instantly leaning towards me with curiosity in her eyes.

"Is he your... boyfriend?" She asked.

I laughed.

Azure Blood is so not my type. He's cute and all but I just... no.

Everyone knows I only have my eyes for Alec.

"He's just my friend." I defended, twirling my pasta with a fork and immediately stuffing it in my mouth.

"Hmm... well, you've never been close to younger boys before..." 

"Azure... he's a nice boy but I only see him as a friend. No more and no less." Stabbing the fudge on my plate, I slowly shook my head. 

"I'll bet on it though. You two seem really close."

"Bet all you want." I shrugged and finished up the remaining food on my plate.

After cleaning up, I decided to look for Zodel.

Azure was still eating so I didn't bother telling him.

I did hear from Zodel earlier that he wanted to do something with the group after the activities. 

Again, he wasn't at their tent so I entered the building again—totally not traumatized after what happened to me earlier. My gut tells me that he's at the rooftop.

Now that I think about it, Azure said that Connie was with him when they were at our tent but he never mentioned Zodel nor did Everleigh.

Did he not hear about what happened to me? Maybe he was just busy... 

But busy about what?

Ugh.

Why am I even looking for him?

"Ow!" I let out a shout after bumping with someone who just turned to a corner.

"Are you okay?"

I caressed my head as she helped me get up.

Please don't let this be a ghost.

"Oh, it's you!" She exclaimed, looking for something behind her. "My girlfriend!"

Excuse me, what?

"G-girlfriend?" I repeated, my brain started malfunctioning as I started to freeze.

"Come on!" She said and grabbed my hand.

The next thing I knew is that we were running down the stairs.

I halted, making her stop.

"What's wrong?" She panted.

"W-who are you? Why are you running away and pulling me along?" I asked, my face was probably painted in an unreadable expression. "A-And I'm not your g-girlfriend!"

You can't just run away with a person you just bumped into, that's crazy!

She didn't answer and just looked around before dragging me in a corner.

Oh, goodness, please no. 

Stop.

"My name's Nicole from class 2-2 and about that girlfriend thing, I just wanted to make an excuse to run away without looking like a thief. I pulled you with me because I—uh, didn't want you to get caught!" She finally lets go of my hand.

Get caught? By whom? 

Perhaps, it's a ghost?!

I backed off from her. "Y-you can see ghosts? You didn't want me to get caught by a ghost, r-right?" 

"What? No. I didn't want you to get caught by the angry student council."

S-student council?

Why was she chased? 

Oh! Is she a troublemaker?

I-I should hand her to them, then! S-so that Alec will notice me... 

"I'm sorry, b-but I'm also a part of the s-student council..." 

"You are?! W-wait! Don't turn me in! You see, this is all a misunderstanding!" She frantically waved her hands, nervously laughing. "B-but aren't you a little small to be a part of the student council?" 

Excuse me? What about the junior high school's student council, then?! 

I c****d my head to the side with my scrunched brows, waiting for her to continue.

"I heard that the book of secrets wasn't a myth so I tried to gather as much information about the student council as possible. I ended up knowing that the treasurer, Bella, has a crush on Aaron from class 2-1 so..." She looked around before whispering, "I tried to tell her that I'd spread her secret if she won't let me borrow the book of secrets." 

Ah, yes. The book of secrets. 

It is said in the rumor that it's a mysterious book where all of the students' secrets are kept and it's somewhere in the student council's office.

The president did confirm that it's true but I never saw it.

Maybe Aquila just said that to make us behave in a way so that our secrets won't be revealed or something like that.

Okay, at first, I thought she was crazy but now...

"You're even c-crazier than I imagined." I scoffed in amusement. "You tried to blackmail a member of the student council?"

This girl just did that. 

What kind of creature is she? 

I'm imagining Bella's reaction to all of this. She must've been embarrassed and angry at the same time. 

That's actually kind of funny—

Gosh dang it! I just wanted to meet Zodel!

Why do I have to get stuck with some crazy weirdo?

Why does she want the book anyway? I've been curious about it too before but I never tried looking for the book.

"So, you won't tell right? Because I already told you my reason!" She smiled, completely ignoring my last reply.

"I... um..." I fiddled with my hands, looking down.

"Actually, she will." A different voice interrupted.

I felt something warm on my right shoulder, not realizing until now that someone's palm was resting on it.

"V-Vice president! What are you doing here?" Nicole flinched.

Vice president? D-does that mean...

I perked to my side to see who was beside me and—"A-Alec!?"

W-what the? How'd he get in here?

"D-did you hear our c-conversation?" Nicoled stammered in front of us. "I-I can explain! I was with my girlfriend the entire time! There's no way I did something to you guys!" She exclaimed, immediately pointing at me.

"Our treasurer told me everything so I don't think you need to explain any further." Alec smiled, making me look away. "Also, I think you got the wrong girlfriend. You see, she already has a boyfriend."

I-I feel like melting...

If I look at him this close for too long, I might not make it out alive.

He's holding me—in a way—for Gods' sake!

"W-wait, but I—uh, is she your—are you guys—" Nicole stammered, pointing at me and then at him for a couple of times.

"Let's keep it as a secret, okay?" Alec smiled, his finger telling her to shush.

Wait, what does that mean?! 

What's going on?! 

"As l-long as you don't t-turn me in!"

It's hilarious of her to say that even though the vice president is literally standing in front of her. 

"That's okay because I already found you." Behind Nicole, Bella was there, confidently walking towards us.

Her walk slowly turned into running and in a flash, she already caught Nicole.

Oh, I just remembered something. Nicole's in class 2-2 so that means she and Bella are classmates.

"You little vermin! How dare you blackmail me! I swear, if you ever tell my secret to anyone else, I'll cut your throat open!" And with Bella's scary threats as she pinched Nicole's ear, she left me and Alec.

I can feel my whole body burning. His hand was still on my shoulder.

"What was t-that all about?" I tried my best not to stammer without giving him a glance.

"Just an excuse to save you." He was the one who looked at me and smiled.

He smiled at me.

After walking me back to the entrance, completely forgetting why I was in the building in the first place, he excused himself.

He even asked if I was gonna be alright all by myself!

But of course, I had to let him go.

I sharply exhaled as soon as I saw his silhouette disappear. 

It felt like I was holding my breath the entire time he was with me.

I can't believe he did that! I-I'm so happy and confused at the same time!

I'm pretty sure he heard the rapid beating of my heart. I thought I'd explode!

Oh, wait. 

I mentally facepalmed, realizing something just now. 

I was supposed to look for Zodel at the rooftop! Right! 

He should be there, I think...

"Amirah?"

I jumped, placing my hand over my chest. "Oh, Azure." I sighed.

"Leigh said that she saw you enter the building so I wanted to check on you. Are you alright? I saw you with Alec."

"T-that was a big misunderstanding! H-he was just getting me out of trouble!" I said, blushing a little.

"You got in trouble?"

"W-well uh-" I let out an exhale. "I'll tell you on the way to the rooftop. Where's Connie?" 

"She's taking a nap to get ready for later's activities."

He didn't mind coming with me to the rooftop and so, I told him everything. From the crazy girl named Nicole to Alec's rescue.

I didn't leave any details because I almost always tell him about me and my stories.

We were almost near the fifth floor when he stopped on the stairs.

"I've been thinking about you and Alec's coincidences for a while now." Azure started. "And I think it's just... weird." 

"Where's the weird in that?"

I could hear small voices coming from the rooftop.

"You know what, don't mind that. I'll talk to you about it after I reach my conclusion." He dismissed and started to walk up the stairs again.

"Zodel!" I called after slamming the door open.

I want to know where he was after the scavenger hunt.

It turns out that he wasn't alone. He was with Celeste.

A meeting on the rooftop, I guess? 

Well, I mean, yeah, I did hear mumbling from here earlier and he couldn't have been talking to himself if he wasn't that crazy.

"Oh, Amirah, Azure! Right on time!" Zodel grinned as he walked towards us. "We were just talking about you guys!"

Celeste was behind him with a curious stare.

"W-what's going on?" I asked, my heart skipped a beat.

"We were planning on having a sleepover here!"

"Here? On the rooftop?" I skeptically studied the area as I thought about the possibilities. "Yeah, I don't think we're allowed to do that."

I'm positive that we're gonna get rejected after asking for permission.

"Why not?"

"Because it's not safe to sleep here. It might rain." I replied.

"But the weather forecast—"

"Weather forecasts aren't a hundred percent accurate." 

Just eighty.

Azure stepped in, slowly pushing me away from Zodel. "Why don't we ask for permission first?"

"Yeah, good idea." Zodel gave him a thumbs up while I glanced at Celeste.

What were they talking about, really?

I returned to my tent after our conversation with Zodel, feeling defeated.

Azure and Celeste were the ones who volunteered to ask for consent while me and Zodel were left with nothing to do so we decided to go back.

A sleepover at the rooftop, huh? Why not just stargaze? It's a beautiful night tonight.

I mean—I guess we'll also stargaze before going to bed.

"Oh, Amirah. You're right on time. The last two activities are starting soon."

I didn't have the chance to look at myself in the mirror since the teachers already announced the next activity.

Oh well, might as well just grab my small mirror and keep it in my pocket.

The next activity was—um, how do I explain it... 

"What?! I didn't get Everleigh?!"

I glanced at Ash who was almost on the verge of having a breakdown.

My eyes then landed on the folded paper that I drew out from the bowl earlier.

"Who's name is in it?" Zodel peeked on Ash's paper.

"Amarynthia. I mean, no offense, Ryn, but I like Leigh more." 

Ryn, who was leaning on a tree with her arms crossed, shrugged. "I'm not surprised." 

"What about you, Amirah? Who's written on your paper?" Everleigh approached me with a carefree smile.

Without a word, I opened my paper and silently read the content of it.

"Oh, you got paired with the president." I heard Leigh mumbled beside me.

Our class pres? 

Wait a minute—

"But isn't the president at the clinic?"

"I guess they didn't exclude him. I'll talk to our teacher after that." She smiled and politely excused herself.

Oh, good because I didn't want to face our teacher anyway because I'm too... uh... shy.

While waiting for the teacher's response, I couldn't help but eavesdrop on my other classmates who were discussing our next activity.

Earlier, seven people from our class were asked to draw out a folded paper on a bowl to randomly select our partner.

"Wanna switch, Ash?" Zodel casually asked, making me intrigued in their conversation even more. "Everleigh's name is on my paper."

And without hesitation, Ash agreed to switch papers with Zodel.

Is that even allowed?

Everleigh called me and the others to discuss the activity with our teacher.

Our teacher made me choose on who I want to tag along with since the president couldn't make it for tonight. I heard that he was food poisoned or something.

"Then, I want to go with Amarynthia and Zode—I mean, Owen." I announced, directly pointing at him. "I don't want to leave Ryn with such a pervert."

"Hey!" I heard him yell.

Luke was trying to hold his laughter as he said, "Don't expose him like that, Amirah."

"Seriously? You too?"

Before our teasing got out of hand, our teacher already settled us down.

"Alright. Then, that settles it."

Again, I can't believe the student council approved of such activity.

A few walks away behind our school, a forest stood. And in that forest, we were forced to face our so-called fears in this activity.

There's a small hill in the middle of the forest and on top of that, blue sticks were placed there so we were pretty much asked to go get one while following a string that leads to it with a flashlight.

It was a test of courage.

Pretty cliché, I know.

But what can I do? Whoever suggested this activity must've been a bookworm or a movie addict.

I slowly inched closer to Amarynthia when I heard something rustle in the bushes.

"Are you alright, Amirah?" Ryn looked behind to face me with an unbothered expression, instantly grabbing my attention.

"N-nothing." I closed my eyes for a bit, remembering that the student council actually placed traps here.

Why did I find out about it just now, though? I'm supposed to be a part of the student council.

Ugh, I'm practically useless there anyway so whatever.

Zodel stopped in his tracks for a second to glance at me. "Amirah, did you just—"

"No, I didn't move behind Ryn! You guys are just too fast!"

"Yeah, right." He squinted at me before moving on. 

Without looking back, Ryn tried to find my hand with hers. "To keep the atmosphere light, why don't we talk about something?" She mentioned once I reached out for her hand.

"It's surprising hearing that from you." Zodel snickered.

"Do you think I'm an antisocial person?" Ryn turned her head towards him. I can imagine her brows rising in curiosity with her almost lifeless eyes.

"W-what? I wasn't implying anything like that at all!"

"Oh... you weren't? I'm sorry..." She paused for a second. "By the tone of your voice and the way you looked away... I thought you were trying to mock me."

"You were?!" I continuously punched Zodel's back with my free hand, making him flinch from place to place.

"I wasn't!"

"I usually..." Ryn started. "Gather my thoughts first before speaking."

I stopped picking on Zodel when I felt Ryn's hand let go of me.

"Do you think I'm too quiet, Amirah?" She turned around.

"Not at all. I think you're so-so."

Our peaceful conversation came to an end when someone jumped from behind the bushes.

I felt like crying and throwing up at the same time as we ran towards our goal because one, I was the only one who was panicking and two, I think I ate too much...

"Don't we have a flashlight? Zodel, why didn't you use it against the person who chased us?" Ryn asked when we reached the hill, unmoved by the turn of events.

Zodel glanced at her with a bewildered look on his face. "You're telling me that now after he's gone?"

"Didn't I tell you my way of thinking earlier?" She didn't sound like she was annoyed. Actually, it was the opposite. Ryn was quite relaxed despite what just happened.

"Oh, right. Amirah, you really are a scaredy cat." He turned to the shrine where the sticks were and picked one. "Okay, let's go back now!"

I ignored his remark and just stuck with Ryn.

"I heard this rumor..." Amarynthia started as soon as we walked away from the hill. "About a ghost wandering here in the forest."

"R-Ryn, is it really n-necessary to tell a spooky tale now?" Instead of walking behind the two, I slid myself between them.

"Oh, students aren't supposed to talk about ghosts unless stated..." She turned to me. "I'm sorry."

"N-no, that's okay."

"Actually, I remember now. The ghost isn't here in the forest. It's in the lake beside the forest." She corrected herself.

"Yeah, t-thanks for the info, Ryn." My voice shrunk.

It didn't take long for us to get back though since Zodel started to talk about idiotic stuff that only he'd understand. In a way, he did kind of help us not think about the long path in the forest.

"Amirah, you're alive!" Everleigh rejoiced as soon as she saw me and went in for a hug.

Even Leigh knows that I'm a s-scaredy cat.

Our evening went well even though the last activity was cancelled since it was getting kind of late.

I haven't heard anything from Azure or Celeste about the rooftop yet. Should I visit their tents or something?

Also, I forgot to ask Amarynthia or Luke about something! It's been bugging me for hours now. Maybe I should go see them first.

- - -

10-10-xxxx

Dear diary,

I'm writing this as I'm resting on my tent after making a fake excuse to Marlais. Honestly, I just didn't want him to bother me after the stupid forest activity.

He was so scared when someone popped out from the bushes that I felt sorry for him! Being his partner was no good at all. He just wasted time on freezing up whenever something scary happens. What would he ever do without me. He's such a nincompoop!

Now, I have to sleep at the rooftop with my friends later. I heard that they were planning about it. Oh, well, they need me so I'll be coming.

Camellia