CIRCUS!

Chapter 3: Nevermind

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E D A

Go out with me, Eda.

Go out with me, Eda.

Go out with me, Eda.

The words kept on haunting me like a ghost affair. Difference is, there is no affair. He must've been toying with me. Yes, for sure he was. There's no reason for him to be interested in me. He must have thought that this is some sick joke for him. I'm a fool he could simply twirl around his fingers.

"Hey."

But why would he joke about such matter? He could've lost his reputation by being involved with me. Isn't he the one who despises me the most? He even gone through lengths of beating up anyone who dared get close to me, more or less be my friend.

But did he mean those words? Why did he have to sound so sincere?

"Hey, Eda!"

I found myself dwelling on the thought even deeper. Geno Barrueco, don't toy with me like this, please—Right, that's it, he didn't mean those words he told me back at the pub. I convinced myself.

"EDA!"

I jumped in my seat and looked at the man next to me, fuming in an unknown anger. I have never seen Alexis this mad, let alone raise his voice at anyone. I immediately held my head low as I chewed on my lip in embarrassment. "S-Sorry," I stammered with a heavy heart.

I blinked my tears away before focusing back on the teacher.

"Yes, Mr. Donovan, what could be the issue back there?" Mr. Maurer raised his head to look at us.

"Nothing, Sir. I was just asking Eda if she wanted to be my partner for the project--" his words got cut off by a sudden uproar of complaints from the girls in the class, objecting.

My heart suddenly beat rapidly once again. Alexis wanted to partner up with me? My chest heaved heavily, in a pleasant way, if that was even possible.

I slowly raised my head up to meet his eyes but when I was just about to gather all my courage to talk to him, Mr. Maurer spoke again. "I've decided to partner you with Olivia, and Ms...." he looked at me and wondered out loud for my name which caused everyone to laugh.

"E-Eduard...a, Sir," I croaked out in a shaky voice.

"Alright, Ms. Edwards," he nodded, still oblivious of my name. He probably hadn't heard me right. I knew it was an innocent mistake from him. I blame my weak voice for not being heard properly and the whole class saw it as an opportunity to laugh at my expense. "Hey, class, that's enough!" he interjected.

For a moment, they toned down, not until Mr. Maurer called out the name once again, "Ms. Edwards, you'll be partnering up with... this troubled boy, Geno."

This has to be some kind of a punishment.

My palms started to get clammy at the sound of his name. No. This cannot be happening. Then again, I knew Geno would be disapproving this set-up, so what am I even worried about—

"Yeah, that's fine with me," Geno nodded his head which cause everyone to fell silent.

"N-No," I softly muttered, unaware that I was loud enough for the whole class to hear.

"What do you mean no?!" Geno roared, angrily. Everybody thought he was trying to be funny but I knew he was beyond pissed. He looked like a volcano which was about to explode.

"S-Sorry," I quickly ducked my head down.

_____

I quietly made my way to the back of the building with my lunch tray. I carefully sat on the bench under the tree as I took a huge bite of my tuna sandwich. My all time favorite. The chirping noises of the birds somehow relaxed my tensed nerves. School can really be a pain and I cannot wait to get out of this darn school to follow my dreams of being a photographer, traveling the world and taking pictures of breathtaking sceneries.

But my brother had told me that it was just a silly dream. There is no money in photography, or in sculpting, hence, he quit art school and started to operate our family's pub instead.

For now, I'll prepare myself to get past all the hurdles that this school has in store for me. Beginning with Geno, he's a huge problem. He makes my heart falter but at the same time, he pricks on my nerves and toy with my emotions. He must've found it amusing.

Is the daily torment caused by him and his team not enough? Of course, not.

I took a deep breath and let the noises of the birds chirping to help me relax.

But, oh, have I spoken too soon.

"Hey, I've been looking for yo—"

"Leave me alone, Geno!" I hissed, not entirely knowing where my sudden spur of confidence is coming from.

"Who did you call me?" The voice lowly grumbled, almost intimidatingly growling.

The figure emerged from the shaded part of the alley and revealed a man with trays of food in his arms.

"A—Alexis..." I've managed to croak out before rushing to his side and helping him with his trays. "W-Where are we placing these?" I cautiously asked.

"Next to your spot on that bench, maybe?" He coolly whispered before walking past me and plopping himself down on the bench. He quietly transferred his food in my almost empty tray and tucking the other tray below it to save space.

What is he doing?

Butterflies erupted in my stomach once again. I carefully strutted to my spot and grabbed my tuna sandwich, taking another huge bite from it, completely forgetting that Alexis just sat next to me.

"What the actual f**k?" I jumped from his sudden outburst. "How could you enjoy that s**t, is beyond me."

My eyes widened at his sudden choice of words. Alexis Donovan never curse. But it only took him a tuna sandwich to be firing away with profanities. I lowly chuckled at the thought. He must have really hated tuna sandwich.

I looked over the tray and saw an untouched sandwich and I was tempted to get my hands on it but I was too shy to ask. Like what do I say? Hey, Alexis, I know we're not that close but I'm a fatso, can I have your tuna sandwich?

Is that it?

"Sure!" he suddenly perked up which took me by surprise.

"W-What?" I carefully asked.

"Here," he grabbed the sandwich and placed it on my lap. "I didn't know you like it," A soft smile flashed along his lips before taking a sip from his iced coffee.

"T-Thank you," I shyly returned his smile before clutching onto the sandwich he gave me. I could never say no to free food. "Wait, how did you know I like this?"

"You were talking out loud," he snickered with a coy smile.

My cheeks heated up in embarrassment.

"What else do you like?" he suddenly asked which caused me to momentarily stop from eating. My mind ran with hundreds of thoughts and none of them makes utter sense.

But something in me fired up. For the first time, someone had given interest in me, though, no matter how small it is but curious enough to ask. "I also like iced coffee..." I mumbled softly.

"You should have told me. Here, you can have mine," he pried the plastic cup in my hand but I instantly pushed it back to him.

"N-No, I—No, I didn't mean to..."

He quickly cut me off by shoving the straw in my mouth. I instinctively took a sip and boy, was it good! "Thank you," I offered him a kind smile before cleaning up my stuff and throwing the wrappers in the bin. I had to go or I might fall even deeper in this blackhole of feelings. "Thank you for the sandwich. I'll save it for... later."

"Wait, you're leaving now?" he asked as I hooked my bag over my shoulder.

"I need to find Geno so we can talk about the science project," I sighed deeply, partly lying. I didn't want to leave. I really wouldn't leave and instead, savor the moment with Alexis if it wasn't for my phone vibrating non stop. Last time I checked, I still had 84%, but when I peeked on my screen, I only have 14% left.

Geno wouldn't stop drying my battery out unless I go to him. Is this some kind of a protest?

I couldn't afford my phone dying out on me since Johnny hates it when I couldn't answer his calls. He immediately thinks I'm in danger.

"Find him later," Alexis mumbled without looking at me.

Even I, find it difficult to stare back at him. "Why? Do you need help with anything?" Say yes and I would instantly shut my phone off and stay.

"Not really."

"Oh," my eyes flickered.

"I guess, best I'll go too."

"Yeah..." was all I could say.

_____

"What do you want? I'm here now," I muttered angrily as soon as I reached the football team's locker room. I took the liberty of entering since I knew that none of the other men would be around. Geno specifically told me to just enter and he'll be waiting in front of his locker.

What an odd place for a meeting spot. I thought.

Though, it was my first time seeing the insides of their locker room, I easily found my way to the isle where he sat on the stool in front of an opened locker. His head bent low and I thought something wrong had happened to him.

I dashed to his side and crouched down, my knees collided on the cold tiled floor as I tried to examine his face. My hands traveled up to his cheek and instantly, pulling my hand away when I felt him warm. Too warm.

"Geno!" I yelled to wake him up but to no avail. Only then I started to panic. "Geno, you're scaring me. Please, wake up." I shook his shoulder but he remained unconscious.

I looked around for help or anything at all that could aid him but all I saw was empty lockers and the cold room. My eyes switched back at him and inwardly groaned to witness him almost stark naked if it wasn't for the tiny towel wrapped around his waist.

I turned to the open locker which I assume is his and rummaged through his things to look for anything to clothe him with.

"E—Ed... Eda," a small and weak voice muttered.

I quickly rushed to his side and held him by his arms. "Hey, Geno. Stay up! Let's get you dressed and then I'll take you to the infirmary," the words slurred out of my mouth in panic.

"I... I've been... calling you... many... times."

"Yes, I know. I'm sorry," I winced at his rather strong grip on my arm despite looking too weak to even stay seated. "Hold on, wear this shirt."

To my surprise, he quietly obliged like a kid who was reprimanded and forced to listen to what he's told. Geno doesn't seem too bad if only he'll behave like this permanently. A girl could wish.

As soon as he looked decent enough to walk out of the locker room, I draped his arm around my shoulder to support his body as we made our way to the infirmary. I would pinch his side every so often whenever his eyes would shut close causing his heavy and muscly body to sway around.

"You weigh like a bear!" I grunted.

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A L E X I S

I stubbornly followed her despite knowing it's going to piss me off.

And because I got nothing else better to do than to follow her around without her knowing.

I have to suppress the unknown wave of wrath I feel to keep on fooling these people, that I'm nothing but kindness; I have to uphold this stupid reputation, even though the last thing I want to do is that.

All I could see was red the moment they both walked out of the locker room, their arms linked together. I wasn't expecting Geno to actually stoop this low. Yes, he could be an asshole, but this is beyond rockbottom even for him.

He knew I liked her since the moment she transferred into our school.

My brows furrowed together, fists clenching in anger. I wanted to pounce on him right then and there.

But...

They looked... happy.

It f*****g infuriates me.