Dawn of Love

01

'Oh, Silver Valley Academy.'

I stood in front of the massive, grandiose and timeless structure as I admired it. I've been going to this school before I could even talk. It has been my second home and now I am entering through it's gates as a freshman. 

I sighed confidently and fixed my uniform. I feel the thrill of being set apart from the grade and middle schoolers. I now look like a reliable big sister. Not that I want to be, but heck, I won't turn a blind eye if some little bro or sis needs me.

"Hey slow poke! Quit day dreaming and hurry up!" an annoying voice broke me away from relishing my moment. I grunted and rolled my eyes at my cousin, Austyn Hale, as I marched inside the school premises. 

His dad and my mom are siblings and we live in the same vast property but our houses were built on either ends, making spaces for each family to develop our side of the land however we want it to. Austyn and I were born only minutes apart. He was the first to arrive then me, so technically, we grew up together, went to the same school together and definitely fed up with each other. However, we'd die for each other if had to. We kinda love each other that way.

But his most important role in my life was, because of him, I met the guy of my dreams - River Leon. He transferred to Silver Valley when we were in middle school. He was extremely handsome, his grey eyes and auburn hair were my cup of tea, he's also smart, athletic and mysterious, for he really didn't speak that much and he didn't like to divulge much about himself. 

Somehow, he was able to mingle and get into Austyn's group (much to my thrill) along with Jamie Carr and Reid Santana, and even though all of them were total opposites, ever since then, the four were inseparable. 

The three boys alone had the girls at our school at different levels swoon and give their lives to them. They had their own fandom or whatever you'd call it. Add River to the group? Total mayhem. Their group glowed even more. Like phenomenal shooting stars across the dark sky that everyone gathered to boldly gawk at.

Not me though, nuh uh. My eyes, heart and attention were fixed only on one.

But, where do I fit in you ask? Well, I am the group's little (literally) señorita / baby. I now only have one girl friend - Mercedes Hansen - and I am scared to make more friends other than her, ever since the first friend I made an effort with, became my number 1 bully. 

So, since grade school, Austyn's friends also became my friends. I know I said we're kinda tired of each other, but we totally don't mind the other's presence as long as we don't get in each other's way. Also, they benefit from me as I do from them. They get a tutor and I get body guards! Total bargain!

They don't really mind me when I tag along or hang out with them. They just do their own stuff while I'm in the corner studying or whatever. They don't talk to me that much and it's okay. It's enough for me to know that the people I'm surrounded with don't hate me or won't do anything mean to me. Besides, Austyn's got my back.

However, when I'm not with them, I'm usually with Mercedes, which is very rare. Because being part of the Academy's student council and a member of so many groups - her plate is hella full - and I appreciate it whenever she makes time with me, either physically or just via call or messenger.

One thing may seem peculiar, but even if I am basically part of Austyn's group, River never noticed me.

He's never seem to remember my name or acknowledge my presence. Like I was invisible. One time, in the cafeteria, he almost sat on me. He didn't even apologize. He just said he didn't notice the seat was taken. What the hell? I and the others couldn't guess whether it was a joke or what. But because I was that kind of shy girl, I didn't peep a squeak. And the other boys didn't make it much of a deal.

Nevertheless, all of that never fazed my affection for River. I get to hang out with him, see him, observe his handsome face, hear him talk, laugh, and make jokes everyday. Things that not all girls in the Academy even got the privilege to see or even hear. Yes, hear. His voice. Where do I even begin with that? His voice's like an enchanting melody gifted by fairies from a magical kingdom far, far away. What girl could ask for more? I consider myself very lucky.

And very ill-fated. The very same privileges I enjoyed were the very same that crush me to pieces - at least every other week. River would always have a different girlfriend every other week. They'd only last for a week but still, it hurt like s**t. He'd bring them to our hang out place and almost immediately that girl would act like a total prima donna. River, however wouldn't touch her nor talk to her that much. But that won't stop the girl or girls from latching onto him, being flirty and all. The boys don't even bat their eye.

It was a sight for sore eyes, very heart wrenching and would instantly send me into a foul mood. Mostly these were the times that I wish I didn't love him anymore. These were the times that the sight of him (and his girlfriend) would make me feel so disgusted. So I'd just avoid them and stay somewhere else, either alone or with Mercedes.

But as much as he's my greatest repugnance, he's also my greatest weakness - for the moment HE breaks it off with the new girl - I fawn all over him again, like nothing ever happened.

Pitiful and unacceptable, I KNOW. But I just couldn't help it. I tried but I just kept coming back to him. 

It's been 3 whole years and my love-hate (non) relationship with River never changed. It fluctuated fervently like a turbulent ocean. 

And oh, no one knows about it but me.