#28 Nuisance

"No, thank you." That was a tactic many boys used on me in the past and it turned out to be an indirect confession so I wasn't surprised when Carl said that to me. Thanks to my past experience, I was able to deal with him by giving him an indirect rejection.

Eric stopped glaring after I said that and I could focus in class too.

Our class finished earlier today since the lessons were easy. I thought I could take that advantage to spend my peaceful time in the library but I was wrong. This time, instead of Eric, it was Carl who bothered me.

"Seriously, what's wrong with both of you?" I got annoyed and finally spoke to him.

"There were rumors about someone doing this to get your attention. Turns out it was true, huh." He supported his chin on his hand while looking at me.

Jeez, even their positions are alike!

But thanks to him, I was able to find out the reason behind Eric's action. If he wanted he could have just said so and I would be willing to do the opposite.

"Why would you choose the library out of all the places?"

"It's peaceful here," I rested my head on the table, "if only you would just stay silent." I was hoping that was enough for him to understand that I wanted space, but that made things worse.

Carl was flipping my books while complimenting me for doing my assignments well, which was what I hated the most. Compliments stress me out because they'll have high hopes of me and it's just annoying.

"Please, stop it." I tried my best to speak politely while I was boiling inside. I would be able to cope with my anger but he just wouldn't read the situation.

"Come on, don't be mad at such trivial things. It was a compliment." He wanted to pat my head but luckily I acted fast and pushed his hand away before he was able to reach it. He was surprised by my reaction and finally stopped.

"You can come to me for anything, remember that."

"I'm going home soon, you should leave too." It was a lie to chase him away, but he wasn't affected by that.

"I'll see you off. I haven't contacted my driver yet anyway." I was really displeased by his answer until I felt like Eric could have done better. Just then, a voice came from behind.

"When a woman asks you to leave, then leave. Respect her wishes." I looked at the owner of the voice, only to see him having a fierce look which frightened Carl. He stood up as his smile faded.

"Amanda ignored you the whole day today and now you want her attention? So childish."

"I believe you're the one being childish here. I had never seek for her attention, all I did was stay beside her."

Their voices ascended as they argued and drew attention. Argh! Just when I thought I could have some time to myself, why do they have to interfere?

The students murmured in the library while watching them, even the librarians did not stop them.

"Stop it, both of you. You're drawing unnecessary attention." I took my things and separated the two of them by walking in between and left the library.

Sigh. Finally some peacefulness.

I knew it wouldn't last long so I contacted Alice when I closed the door behind me. Eric came out of the library with his phone in his hand when Alice arrived.

"I thought your phone was out of battery…."

"I brought a power bank."

He walked me to the gate while keeping his distance, giving me some 'space'. Well, at least he didn't touch my belongings as he wished. Alice got out of the car and thanked him before putting my bag in the boot.

I looked out the window as Alice drove. Eric stood at the gate until I was no longer in his sight. I texted him to ask why didn't he just leave and his reply made me blush.

"I can't just let a girl walk to the gate alone undefended, right?"

"Miss, Is something the matter?"

"No, I'm fine." I hid my red face in my hands. It was just too much for me to handle. Somehow, I could imagine his face behind the screen.

I rushed to my room the moment we reached home and quickly took a shower before diving into my bed. I covered my face in pillows, overwhelmed by happiness.

"How can he…. No! It's illegal to make a girl's heart flutter like that, damn that jerk!"

When I finally calmed myself down, I got up from my bed and completed my assignments. It wasn't easy with my head filled with other things.

It was already dinner time before I knew it and my sister had come back some time ago. I cleaned my table and went to the dining room.

"You're late, Amanda."

"As if Andrea was never late before. Good evening, mother."

After we were done eating, mother said she wanted to talk to me in the living room. My sister went to her room since it wasn't her business.

"Amanda."

"Yes, mother?"

"Do you wish to meet your fiance, or at least know who he is?"

I couldn't believe my ears. She had his name hidden from me all this time and now she wants to reveal him? Then what was the point in everything?

I hesitated to answer and she thought I didn't hear her earlier.

"I said, do you wish to meet your fiance or at least know who he is?"

"Y-Yes."

She looked surprised like she never expected I would want to. I tried to sound excited so the possibility of meeting him would be higher...

"Mother, I hope I can meet my fiance soon. Everyone else in my class who has one already met them!"

...however, that didn't seem like the case.

"I didn't call you here to talk about whether or not you'll be meeting him. You'll know about him eventually anyway."

Oh, I see. Then what was that question for? It really brought my mood down.

"I… won't live long."

...Huh?