9 I'm Not Yours

Monday morning, as usual, Aila walks fast with her head down, not minding all the other people around her. Her life as a commoner will end soon, so she embraces the moments where she can do things like this.

As soon as she reached the school gate, she was stopped by Ken holding a bouquet of flowers. He reached out his hand, wanting to give it to Aila.

"Flowers for you Ai ko." He confidently said with a wink. Aila smirked at him and continued to walk as if she did not see the flowers offered to her.

Ken was shocked by Aila's behavior; it truly is a first for him being turned down by a woman, what more being repeatedly turned down by one woman. The frustration, Ken felt was immeasurable, but instead of giving up, it further ignited his desire to change Aila's feelings for him.

"Aila! Aila!"

Ken ran after Aila, expecting her to stop and wait for him, but Aila walked faster without even looking back at him.

"This guy really knows how to get on my nerves!" Aila sighed as she walked as fast as she could to avoid the show Ken was doing. Ken was able to keep up with her, breathing heavily and sweating profusely, he still was able to wink at Aila to look cool.

"Dang! You walk really fast; you gave me a morning workout." Aila did not respond, acting like she did not hear him.

Ken let out a sigh.

"You know pretty well that you will not be able to avoid me, you're basically my seatmate… There's no point in running."

Aila glared at him, she cant hide her frustration anymore.

"My gosh Ken! Don't you think I know that? I just don't want to be targeted again because of you!"

As Aila reached their classroom, she went to her seat and started reading a novel to avoid having to talk to anyone else. The chatters in the classroom suddenly halted and were replaced by gasps.

Ken stood in front of her, still holding the bouquet of flowers. Aila's eyes gazed above the book; just enough to see Ken, then looked down again as if she did not see him. She sensed Ken's frustration as he groaned; he took the book away from Aila's hand and knelt to the ground.

"Ai ko, this is for you. You don't have to worry about other girls because clearly you're the only one for me… I will protect you from others that might want to harm you; I can assure you no one will dare."

Aila was surprised with Ken's boldness, how can he just blurt it out like that when everyone's watching… but still, Aila was not in any way willing to give in. She was about to stand up and leave when suddenly their physics teacher came in, her classmates quickly dispersed, but Ken was still kneeling in front of her.

"Aila, give the poor guy a chance, accept the flowers already so we can start with the class." Their teacher sided with Ken instead of going mad because at the scene he saw. Aila was put on the spot; she accepted the flowers and asked Ken to take his seat.

"Ai ko, here is your notebook, the one that I borrowed last time...Thank you"

Aila nodded at Ken while reaching out her hand to get her notes, their hands slightly brushed against each other, Aila pulled away as soon as she felt Ken's hands.

Ken suddenly gasped for air and held his chest.

"Hey, are you okay?" Aila worriedly asked Ken.

"I'm okay, you just completed my day, and my heart is thumping with delight"

Aila chortled at Ken's cheesy pickup line.

"Wow! Now you're melting my heart with that smile." Ken was pushing his luck with his pickup lines. Aila turned her face to him,

"I am not smiling at you, I am laughing at you… those are two different things."

"It's okay, the result is the same; I get to see those dimples of yours." Ken was determined to impress Aila, but he only managed to annoy her even more.

"Geez, Ken, please stop, you're harassing her!" Vince angrily butted in.

Aila was shocked by the hostility she felt towards Vince, which is very unlikely of him.

"Children, stop it!" Aila sarcastically called out the two guys bickering beside her.

The class ended peacefully for Aila.

"Let me go with you to lunch!" Ken and Vince offered at the same time.

Aila stood up and faced them both "No thanks; I'd rather eat quietly with my friend."

"Do you need help with that?" Reese asked Aila, pointing at the flowers she's carrying with her books.

Aila smiled at Reese and silently uttered "Thank you" it really feels like she knows her well, saving her again without the need for asking. Reese knows that Aila will further attract attention with those flowers, so she immediately knew what she had to do to help her friend.

They went together to the cafeteria and got their food and chose a seat near the corner.

"You must be very annoyed," Reese spoke to Aila with an emphatic voice.

"He just can't seem to take a hint,"

"Hey B*itch! How many times should I tell you not to flirt with my man?" Rachelle took the flowers off the table and stomped on it.

Ken showed up and pulled Rachelle away, "I'm not yours Rachelle, I'm serious about Aila."

Aila smiled at Rachelle, "Thank you for disposing of the flowers for me".

She stood up and left together with Reese. Rachelle was left further infuriated because she obviously was not able to annoy Aila.

They went to the school grandstand and ate in one of the bleachers.

"See, having a decent meal is even hard for us now, aren't you already regretting being my friend?" Aila joked at Reese.

"Don't say that! My high school life actually became more exciting because of you."

They laughed quite loudly thinking that they were alone there when unexpectedly they heard crackling behind them.