Her Secret Admirer

2.2

We didn’t have classes today because the teachers had a meeting. While we weren’t allowed to go home, we were free to roam around campus. I spotted Xyrene holding a skateboard, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Hey, let’s go, witches! Skateboard in the gym,” she said with a grin, throwing a meaningful glance at Ellaine.

I raised a brow. Do these two have a secret or something?

“Sure, let’s go,” Ellaine replied casually, as if she understood Xyrene’s hidden message.

Students were scattered all over the campus—some playing basketball, others chasing each other, and a few clearly on dates. Leaving the school grounds wasn’t allowed, so the gym had become a hangout spot for many.

As we arrived, I immediately saw Dark and his group sitting on a bench, laughing and talking like they owned the place.

“Ellise, come on, hop on,” Xyrene said brightly, looking at me.

“Yeah, come on,” Ellaine echoed.

“I... I don’t know how,” I replied sheepishly.

“Come on, we’ll support you,” Ellaine said with a warm smile.

I shook my head. I wasn’t ready to fall flat on my face. Ellaine hopped on instead—she was clearly good at skating. They laughed, played, and teased each other while I stood by, watching their antics. Honestly, they were good. Their energy was contagious.

“Hey, can I ride too?” I finally asked, my curiosity and excitement getting the better of me.

They burst into laughter before coming closer.

“We’ll support you, Ellaine and I,” Xyrene said.

“Yes, we promise,” she added again, flashing a wink.

“Ellise, are you okay? Does anything hurt?” I asked, slightly concerned as I watched her carefully.

She gave me a small, secret smile—but I wasn’t sure what it meant.

“I’m fine,” she said coolly.

“Ellise, are you okay? Does anything hurt?” the two annoying girls asked again, repeating my concern like parrots.

I just rolled my eyes and walked away. Behind me, I heard them laughing—these two demons. I swear, I wanted to strangle them and never let go.

I sat on a nearby bench in the gym, watching them skateboard while arguing playfully. I pulled out a book from my bag. w*****d, my safe space.

As I smiled secretly to myself, I felt a sudden rush in my chest. I’m already gay, but this girl still has me shaking.

Without her friends—without my friends—I wouldn’t even be able to get close to Ellise, let alone hug her. I secretly admired her. She was everything—kind, beautiful, and admired by many. She always won competitions, always stood out.

I wouldn’t be surprised if all the college boys were into her. Maybe that’s why I fell too. Ellaine knew. My other friends knew. Of course, Ellaine and I are cousins.

“Woahhh, our King got romantic excitement,” Jaydon teased loudly.

“He scored a point with his crush,” Shaw added.

“I’m really feeling a romantic excitement,” Levie chimed in.

“It’s different when you’re hit by love,” Sam said, laughing.

I was already shaking, and their teasing made it worse. They were more excited than I was.

I placed my index finger on my chin, smiling. They couldn’t see the blush on my face—thankfully, I had no cat ears to give me away.

That’s when I remembered the first time I met Ellise.

—FLASHBACK—

“Happy Birthday, Dark!” my playmates, including Jaydon and the others, greeted me. I was just seven back then. We were playing tag around the yard.

Then, a woman appeared—probably in her 30s, looking like a nanny—and beside her was a little girl. She had on a beautiful white dress, her slightly curly hair resting on her shoulders, with a flower crown on her head. She looked like a fairy. A mestiza. Like a child of a Hollywood celebrity.

She smiled at me. My heart skipped.

I didn’t know why—but something about her… felt magical. Like a witch had cast a spell on me.

I quickly looked away and ran back to my friends. Later, I learned that her nanny and mine were close friends—that’s why she came to my party.

After that day, she disappeared.

That night, I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. Her image kept replaying in my mind.

“s**t… you’re a witch,” I whispered to myself.

Days passed. I couldn’t forget her.

One afternoon, I was in our court, bored and alone. I started shooting hoops by myself. Then, three boys appeared.

“Skinny,” one of them mocked.

I ignored them and shot again. Miss.

“Ohhh, ‘cause you’re blind,” they jeered, laughing harder.

I lost my temper and threw the ball at one of them. He fell. The others ran to help him—and that’s when they started beating me up.

“Hey!” a voice shouted.

They froze.

It was her. The same girl from my party. But this time, she looked even more divine. Like a goddess sent to protect me.

She stood in front of me, shielding me from them. Then, she hugged me.

And I hugged her back.

From the corner of my eye, I saw her friends secretly taking photos. I didn’t care. She smelled like heaven. My mind was spinning.

She was known as King—cold, unapproachable, and intimidating.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered, feeling nervous.

“Nah, it’s okay,” she replied calmly.

“But I’m really sorry. My friends pushed me… does anything hurt? Tell me,” I said again, worried.

She smiled, just a little. A secret smile.

“Nah, it’s okay,” she repeated.

“Ellise, are you okay? Does anything hurt?” those same two idiots echoed from earlier.

I didn’t respond. I just walked away, still stunned.

—STILL FLASHBACK—

After that, she vanished again.

I found out she moved to Switzerland to study.

I was devastated. I didn’t even know why. It wasn’t just admiration anymore. She had black wavy hair, smooth skin, a sharp nose, red lips… everything about her was perfect. Slowly, I realized—it wasn’t just a crush. I genuinely liked her.

Plenty of people liked me over the years. But no one had that same effect.

Eventually, she came back. She enrolled at our school. I was ecstatic. She’d invite me to bars with her friends—and I’d open up there. But even after all that, nothing came out of it.

End of Flashback.

And now, here I am again—sitting on a bench, watching her skate and laugh, while I pretend to read. Pretend I’m okay.

But every part of me is screaming just to be near her.