Mask

Zachairy suddenly offered to switch places with me because it would be better if she faced everyone from my direction. You know, it just creates an illusion of the discussion being way too serious. However, I felt hesitant because Serene was there. Would I be able to handle being near her when all I have right now is the lingering questions about her?

Yet, when Zachairy stood up, and Serene looked at me with eager eyes, I couldn't help myself but act as if I was controlled or something. Those dough eyes, the moment she blinked and her gaze directed at me. My body behaves of its own will without the need for my decisions. I stood up and sat beside her, my mind wanted to refuse, but my heart wanted to be with her.

"Are you alright? You've been holding the sandwich I gave you, but not one bite can be seen," Again, with her sudden display of concern. How could I not like her when she provides me with attention without the need for me to ask or beg? "Oh, sorry, I was just thinking about something. Thanks for this, though. How would you like to eat later at Mcdonald's? I should pay you back as soon as I can," Startled, she looked at me and agreed. "That was unexpected but sure."

She agreed as soon as I invited her. Shouldn't she ask that guy first for her permission? This might be her first flaw, she is way too trusting and innocent for her own good. Probably because she wasn't exposed to schools where the students were demons or bad influences on the environment. Figuratively speaking, when I said demons, though.

"You can have someone accompany you if you feel uncomfortable, Serene. That's not a problem for me," Augustine and the three seemed to be listening to our conversation and decided to chip in. "Why don't our group just join altogether? I mean, it's not like we're going to be doing something other than eat in McDonald's?"

That's quite a good suggestion, though. It would only mean that she'll have Zachairy to accompany her. Although we are still awkward with each other. This might be one of the ways to increase the closeness and bond with each other. Not only through relationships but having someone you can ask for support academically is a must in being a senior student.

"Serene? What do you think?" Something suddenly changed with her reaction. I felt she was somehow uneasy by the thought of being pressured to answer immediately. "Let's focus first on our roleplay or something. We can discuss this later, you know," I tried to display someone reliable.

And somehow, the way she looked at me after I did that. She glimpsed at me with a sense of relief.

"Thank you," She whispered to my ear, which made figuring out my feelings harder. "I knew that it's not my position to ask, so I will mind my business. However, I saw you felt uncomfy, that's why I immediately changed the topic," Amazed, she let out a slight giggle and thanked me again.

Because of that, it immediately changed my view of her. She might be an extrovert or happy-go-lucky on the outside. But deep inside, she is struggling. Whatever that might be, I hope she could find herself slowly improving and recovering.

People...

No matter how happy they are on the outside. There are still parts of them that they are struggling to take care of...

Most of the most open-minded people are mostly the ones who struggle a lot. Yet, they have mastered the ability to hide their feelings because they do not want to be a burden to others...

Masking ourselves had always become our defense mechanism for others not to discover our fragile side. Hiding and running away from it because it somehow grew more decisive. And the thought of us not being able to escape devoured us whole.

From our confidence slowly deteriorating, growing to be anxiety, then later growing to be depression. The mind is the most dangerous antagonist of our life because they know our weaknesses.

They know everything about our life...

Although it is a part of us, it can sometimes be harder to control.

So always be wary of your surroundings and the feelings of people. Because one wrong move might be the reason for them to lose everything.

Always be kind... Always take care of everyone...

Be it a stranger or a close relative...

Be it your friend or lover...

Sometimes, the cure for a person who struggles with traumas is another person whom that person can rely on. Someone they can depend on and make them feel special.

Suddenly, as I was again dumbfounded, Serene gave me a slight tap on my forearms. "Leon, let's go, it's our turn," I think this is an improvement in our relationship. If it was a tap on the shoulder, it might be nothing, but she tapped me in my forearms. Nah, I'm just kidding. Just wanted to make myself feel important. "Since I know you were not listening to our discussion earlier, just follow our lead," Serene knew.

"Yeah, thank you. I'll follow whatever you do," Serene's cheeks suddenly turned beet red. Chance seemed to witness it and immediately began to whisper in my ears to tease me. "You making someone blush already in just a few hours of knowing each other," The way he whispered in my ear. It was irritating, yet, I found myself liking it more. "Shut up, bro."

In front of our classmates, we stood for the roleplay in which the objective was to introduce ourselves uniquely. However, because I wasn't listening to their discussion, I have no idea what is going on inside their heads.

"Calliber, what are we doing?" I asked. "That's what I'm talking about. You were too busy flirting with her that you forgot to listen to the discussion," Sometimes, I wished that I didn't have them as friends. "Stop teasing Leo, mah dear friends," Augustine came to the rescue but I felt that there was an ulterior motive for it.

"I don't trust you, bro," I responded coldly and eyes striking him to the depths of his soul. Though I may act like this once, they always knew how they could rely on me when things get rough. "My feelings are hurting," At least he must construct proper sentences if he was going to mock and tease me.

Sir Alfon then asked our group to start without me having any idea whatsoever. "Alright, I won't be raising any hopes for the other four. However, the three of you, I expect you to introduce yourselves uniquely," Zachairy, Serene, and the other guy let out a loud laugh. Our classmates were laughing, but the three of us were already used to it.

"Sir Alfon, how cruel," Augustine teased Sir Alfon and pretended to cry. "Mr. Augustine Ford, I've known you for five years, and throughout your stay here, I was your adviser. So stop pretending because that wouldn't work on me. The same goes for the three of you, Mr. Guillermo, Mr. Stein, and Mr. Howard," The hell, Sir Alfon is opening way too much about us.

It was supposed to be a new school year, a new me type of vibe. Yet, Sir Alfon is trying to ruin that for us. As Serene heard the stories about my past, she looked at me with a slight giggle.

What the hell was that for? The day surely moves slowly today... Maybe because I've been around her for hours and her smile is quite contagious I felt I liked her. Being attached easily is something I struggled with ever since.

This is escalating too fast, I must give it some time to think about my feelings. Probably, after three months, and if in the passing days, I still feel this way. Then the answer is simple, I have fallen in love with a woman I met unexpectedly.

Should that be enough time to consider every possible scenario? It is also possible that within those three months, I would discover her true relationship with the man I saw earlier.

Hades Leon, let us wait for the right time and think about the possibilities.

You tend to love way too much, and in the end, it was you who they left broken. Time will tell if those feelings of yours, and her actions are the truth and genuine. So let everything pass by like a sailing boat in the sea, and let the currents of the sea, and the blow of the winds lead you to the place where your heart seeks.

Let it sail...

Ride the flow...

And the moment you reach your destination...

I hope that it was the place where you longed for.

If she is for you, the red string of love had already been tied between the fingers of the two of you.

Again, let everything flow, and let your destinies collide.