The Blood's Elegance

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

SPRING IS FOR FESTIVAL X

The road was packed with cars. I entertained myself by looking at the stores and people who were walking leisurely down the street. Some were children who were holding big sticks of candies in their hands. It was never a surprise how you can see candies or sugary foods everywhere during festivals. They gave people the rush that helps them enjoy the event using the extra amount of energy. Just by looking at the kid who loved licking the hard rolled candy, in my mind, I cringed. I could eat sweets, but there were times that my body automatically sends signals that I dislike sweet food without even tasting it or knowing the amount of sugar in that food. The smell of some sweet foods like chocolate, no matter how delicious they are, makes me vomit.

The vendors selling masks, flowers, and other items scattered everywhere. I just remembered that I was once again wearing a mask for the sake of keeping the mystery of this festival. Seth insisted to wear it inside the car, so we would get used to it when we go outside. Where did he get that logic? All I know was that my face was sweaty, so I had to remove it and wiped my forehead, nose, and cheeks. Fortunately, I couldn’t express how happy I was, we did not have to force ourselves to an exaggerated fashion of the Presiarellans. I wore a white tank top, black pants, and white strap sandals.

“Are we near?” James asked, impatient.

Seth directed his finger to a building with a pointed top ahead of us. “That’s Estro.”

A little more too soon, the traffic moved. One long tall building showed the name of the university, and its buses were parked outside in between the space of the building and a line of neatly groomed trees. Spring was not only about festivals. It was also about growth. Could be of plants or relationships.

We searched for a spot to park our car, but all were occupied. One person stopped us with the road sign in his hand. He was wearing a uniform, so I guessed he was a student here. Seth rolled the window down; the student lowered his head.

“Searching for a parking lot, Sir?” he asked with a distinct aggressive accent. His face looked terrifying at his young age. “There is a parking lot on the other side. It's farther from here, and you would walk to come back here.”

Seth looked at us.

“The campus there also offer good booths and food that I assure you will enjoy.” He tried his best to smile at us, and I liked it. “You will take the first turn to the left, and there.”

“Alright. Thank you for the help,” Seth said and rolled the window up again. He followed the direction given by the kid. We passed a bridge connected to the building where we went earlier to the building from the opposite side of the road.

The car approached the campus. Like what the student said, I could already see the booths, and they all made me excited. Finding a space for the car wasn’t that much of a hassle. There was a clear path for the vehicles to take behind the buildings. I only brought my wallet with me. At the parking lot, there were student guides to help us go to the booths.

One lady who’s in her white blouse under the maroon blazer and maroon skirt came to us. She lightly lifted the part of the mask on her nose but did not remove it, and with a beaming smile, she greeted us joyfully. “Welcome to Estro Bersamus Universidad. I will lead you to the field.”

When I moved, I saw how James stared at the kid. I pinched his side even though we’re not close. “She’s a child,” I whispered.

I could feel him frowning under the cover of his face. “It’s not what you think. I know that girl, but I do not like her, okay?”

“Then what is it?”

Before he could answer, Seth called my name. He threw a glance at his friend. “Let’s go.”

The booths were located at the field of their campus. The sun and the blooming flowers set the mood. I didn’t know where to set my attention. Everywhere I looked, something good can be found. There were foods, merchandise, and tents for horror house and fortune-telling.

“Please enjoy yourself,” she said and excused herself.

When she was out of our sight, I stood beside James and nudged him with my elbow. “So what is it? I am curious.”

“She was the childhood friend of my brother, and he likes her so much, but their family moved three years ago, and she lost communication with my brother.”

“Your recognized her even with the mask?”

“Of course. That girl grew up with us, and I used to babysit her with my brother for more than five years.”

“What are you, guys, talking about?” Seth arrived with two big ice creams on his hand. He handed me one. “Here.”

I accepted it, and it was really big against the size of my fist Almost two fists to measure its size. I licked the chocolate sprinkles and bit the top of the dessert. I saw the two staring at me.

“What?”

“Who bites an ice cream?” James asked as if it was a ridiculous action.

“You don’t?”

“You are supposed to lick it not bite it,” Seth answered.

“It depends on the person who’s eating it,” I reasoned out. “Mind your own business. I was not even minding yours.”

Seriously, Seth was almost done on his. He flattened the ice cream with the cone by licking it and had a bite.

“It’s delicious. I think I will buy again later.”

I shook my head. “Too much sugar for today. I bet there are other booths that sell more delicious food that we can try.”

“Yeah,” James seconded. “By the way, where is Gab and Ayuna?”

“They said they will meet us later.”

“Global merchandises!” I shouted excitedly and pointed to the name of the booth from afar. Many people gathered there to buy, and I was going to be one of them. “Come on!”

I dragged both Seth and James and crammed with the others until we stopped in front of the desk where the cashiers are. My lips automatically curved in joy, my hands felt cold. Finally, a*****e that sells merchandise from different countries.

I asked the seller about the dishes from Cheodoson. I noticed that it was rare to find in Imperial or Marcadel, so I was dying to have it again. The last time that I ate these kinds of dishes was in middle school because Rose’s father, who was a chef, cook them.

We bought some other foods, and I also purchased a gift for Seth before we proceeded to do their outdoor activities.

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