A Love Song?
1633 Words
The next morning, as Tine walked through the university pathways, she felt an uncomfortable weight of eyes on her. People whispered and stared, their gazes accusing. Her heart raced, and she couldn't shake the feeling of being judged.
"What did I do wrong?" she thought, a mix of confusion and anxiety flowing inside her. Spotting her friends gathered under a tree, she hurried over.
"Why is everyone looking at me like I just committed a crime?" she asked, pointing at herself and scratching her head in bewilderment.
Olivia looked up from her phone, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
"You probably did," she said. "People went crazy when they saw Eustace's entry on your club's evaluation." She showed Tine the screen.
"Why were you in his room, Tine? Just so you know, Eustace doesn't even allow his friends in there."
Tine sighed deeply, frustration etching lines on her forehead.
"The #EUSTACE'SWIVES probably have a bounty on my head now," she muttered, rubbing her temples.
"But look on the bright side," Fleur interjected, her voice soothing. "Gavin isn't bothering you anymore, right?"
Tine's face brightened with relief.
"You're right. Eustace is quite helpful," she smirked, feeling a glimmer of satisfaction.
"We have a reason to celebrate!" Phil exclaimed, her excitement infectious. "What about tonight?"
"I'm not available," Tine said. "It's the first day of cheerleading rehearsal."
"Don't lie to us, Tine!" Phil teased. "We know you just want to see those cute guys in your cheerleading club."
"Nah, I only do this for our faculty. You know that," Tine denied, shaking her head.
---
At the cheerleading club, Tine immersed herself in practice, her body moving in perfect sync with the other cheerleaders.
"Ready! One, two, three, four! One, two, three, four!" they chanted, their voices blending into a rhythmic chorus.
"Don't lower your arms. Keep them up," Fio instructed, her voice firm and commanding.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Eustace walked in. The room erupted in high-pitched screams, including one from Fio. She quickly cleared her throat and announced, "Break for 15 minutes!" before approaching him.
"What brings you here to the Faculty of Laws, Eustace?" she asked, trying to maintain her composure.
"I came to see Tine," he answered, his gaze locking onto her.
Tine felt a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
"What practice?" she asked.
"Football," Eustace replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"Football?" Tine giggled. "You play football?" she mocked.
"And you can be a cheerleader?" Eustace shot back, his tone playful.
Before they could start arguing, Fio and the other cheerleaders interrupted.
"Tine, can I talk to you for a second?" Fio said, glancing at Eustace. "We're borrowing her for a moment," she added.
---
"Tine, you know Eustace?" Fio asked once they were aside.
"Kind of," Tine answered. "We're in the same club."
Fio's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Can you ask him a few questions for us?" she pleaded, smiling hopefully.
---
Tine returned to Eustace.
"The seniors want to know something about you," she said.
"What is it?" Eustace asked, curious.
"What do you like between rock and jazz music?"
"Jazz."
"Movie or Drama?"
"Drama. Especially soap operas."
"Music or Painting?"
"Painting."
"That's it! I know you're lying. Of course, you would choose music for sure," Tine complained, exasperated.
"I answered what I hate," Eustace explained calmly.
"I asked you what you 'like.' They're asking so they can serve you right," Tine sighed in frustration. "You're such a jerk," she added.
"Can you choose between me and soap operas then?" she asked again.
"I choose you," Eustace answered, looking directly at her.
"What? You hate me more than soap operas?" she asked, confused.
"I answered what I like in that question," he responded, his eyes steady on hers.
Tine was bewildered.
"Bye now," Eustace said. "Football practice is waiting," he added as he walked away, leaving Tine both confused and flattered.
As soon as Eustace left, Fio and the other seniors approached Tine.
"Did you get the answers, Tine?" they asked eagerly.
"Ah yes, I'll tell you later..." Tine replied, still processing the encounter.
---
The next day, the music club was busy recruiting new members, having kicked out several old ones.
The first was Aira, an experienced band player.
The second was Pear.
The third was Lawrence, a beginner from the Faculty of Medicine.
Tine found herself inexplicably drawn to him.
"I think cupid just passed by," she said, feeling a flutter in her chest.
"Nonsense," Eustace said, giving her a light smack on the head.
The last member to join was Gavin, who still followed Tine everywhere.
"Tine, you know why I'm here? Because I want to do everything that gets me close to you," Gavin said, his eyes intense. "I also heard that SOMEONE is bothering you lately," he added, glaring at Eustace. "So, I came to protect you."
Ace approached them.
"Oh? You know each other?" she asked, intrigued. Without waiting for an answer, she continued, "That's good. You can just teach him, Tine. Teach him the eight basic chords, okay?"
Eustace noticed Tine's reluctance and stepped in.
"Don't you have a cheerleading practice?" he asked.
Tine was momentarily confused but quickly caught on.
"Ah, right... I have to go to the cheerleading club," she said.
"Let's go? I have football practice too," Eustace added as they left the music club together.
On their way out, they saw Lawrence struggling with the guitar. "Your finger has to be here," Tine said, showing him. "I'm Tine, by the way," she added, smiling.
"I'm gonna be late for my football practice," Eustace said, a hint of jealousy in his voice, as he grabbed Tine's hand and led her away.
At the cheerleading club, Tine turned to Eustace. "Why did you bring me here? They're not even here yet," she complained.
"Do you want to teach Gavin?" Eustace pointed out.
"Not... really..." Tine admitted. "I'll just stay here," she added.
Eustace opened the guitar case and grabbed the guitar. "Hey, can you play a LANY song for me?" Tine requested. "I'll think of Lawrence while I listen to it," she added with a teasing smile.
Eustace scoffed, "I don't listen to love songs," he denied.
"No wonder why you're so dull at flirting," Tine mocked. "You don't know anything about love, do you?" she added, her tone challenging.
There was a moment of silence. "Do you think... a person who has never been in love can write a love song?" Eustace asked, his voice softening.
"Uhm, I don't think so. Or even if they could, it would sound meaningless," Tine answered thoughtfully. "Why? Are you writing a love song?" she asked, curious.
"Something like that," he responded.
"I get it now. You agreed to flirt to have some experience to write a love song," she accused playfully.
Eustace smirked. "You think so?"
"Am I right?" she asked, but Eustace didn't respond.
"I am telling you. Flirting with me is kind of special," Tine said with a sassy tone. "Because I am extraordinary!" she exclaimed, standing up from her chair and laughing.
Eustace nodded. "Right, I said yes because you're special," he said, his eyes earnest.
Tine was momentarily lost in his gaze. "Look who's someone practicing to flirt," she said, shaking off the moment, while she tapped her shoulder.
There was a moment of awkwardness between them for a few minutes. Eustace started to play the guitar. "Do you like it?" he asked.
"I don't know. I didn't understand," she said honestly.
"You don't need to understand music," Eustace said. "You just need to feel it," he added.
"Feel what?"
"Feel love. I just played you a love song," he said. They looked into each other's eyes for a second.
The seniors of the cheerleading club arrived, breaking the spell.
"I'm gonna go now," Eustace said. "Where are you going?" Tine asked.
"Football..."
Moments later, Gavin appeared again. "Hi, Tine!" he exclaimed. "It has been so LONG since we met. I know you missed me," he said, grinning.
"Why are you here? It's the Faculty of Law's cheerleading practice," Tine said in frustration.
"I know some of your seniors, so I asked if I could come and take care of you. If you want someone to wipe your sweat or anything, just tell me," Gavin said, his eyes earnest, while Tine smiled reluctantly.
Later, Tine went to meet Eustace. "Hey! Please help me. Gavin is following me again like some shadow," she complained.
Eustace shook his head "And how can I help you with that? I'm still in practice?" he said.
"But I don't want to go back in there! Look, he wiped my face every second. He nearly peeled my skin off." Tine complained once again. "Please? Can you help me?"
Eustace sighed. "Wait for me in the field, I'll take you home after practice," he said.
"For real?" Tine's face was enlightened. "You'll help me?" Eustace nodded in response. "Thank you so much." Tine said as she tapped Eustace's shoulder. "I'll give everything what you eant in return," she added. Eustace nodded in response.
Later at the field, the two was together. A group of girls approched them that turned out to be the members of #EUSTACE'SWIVES. "See? They're together again!" one of them exclaimed. Gavin was also there. "Tine? You're here? You came to see Eustace again. Why are you always together?" he asked, looking suspicious.
"Exactly! What's going on between you two? Tine was in your room the other day" the other girl added. "So the rumor that Eustace likes Tine is true?"
Tine looked panicked "Just say yes and deal with them later." she thought
"Is there anything going on between you two?"
"Gavin is listening. Can you ignore your fans for now?!" she thought.
- Writer
