Chapter 8: Her Boyfriend

In children's fairytales, the cliché ones where it features the dashing hero and the damsel in distress. Usually the story goes along the lines of. The dragon kidnaps the princess and our brave Hero sets off to save the princess for whatever fucking reason. An ego trip i think is the reason why the hero is doing it.

Nevertheless, the Hero sets off to save the princess, and in doing so makes companions along the way like the Wizard, thief and a tank. Maybe I'm wrong. I'm just basing my argument based on common cliches. News.

Along the way in saving the princess, he makes companions and saves poor villages from time to time, often from evil wizards or Villainous people. Ah, whatever, let's skip to the good part.

In the final chapters of said story, the party containing the hero and the other masculine characters on board; they fight the Evil Dragon, who kidnapped the princess from her kingdom. Then, long story short, the hero slays the dragon, and he saves the princess, Yay.

But i want to focus on a specific aspect of that story, the act of slaying the dragon. On a philosophical level, it can mean the act of facing your problems, whether it be inwardly our outwardly and solving it or slaying it in fairytale terms.

Now why am i even saying this nonsense? Simple. Because what if you're facing a dragon who you can't even see, much less try understanding it in order to slay it. In my case, I'm running away from my dragon right now.

"Malikkkkkkk why are you running?"

That's Lorelai's voice as far as i could tell, her sweet voice in which i am avoiding for reasons unknown even to myself. At first i walked away from them, then i walked at a faster pace, and then i started running, god knows why, to my seat that i really would like to go back to.

In a short while I'm back to where i first started, why i even started to walk around the gymnasium has been lost to me, but now all i can think of is yet again, Lorelai. Slaying this dragon might be harder than i thought.

"Malik! Why the hell are you running away from me?"

Stunned, i turn to see who was in front of me and, of course, it was Lorelai. She was panting as i could see beads of sweat accumulating on her forehead. I gaze at her eyes as i notice that her eyes were conveying a subtle annoyance towards me. Still, she recovered her composure with her usual smile as i said.

"Hmm, it's nothing really."

"Nothing? Malik, seriously, why did you run away from me, its like you to be like that."

Her words were conveying annoyance and anger yet her eyes were conveying something else, her blue eyes, which remind me of the ocean, were showing the same look the same Niels. So i thought about her question and the image of Lorelai and Sam talking popped into my head again, i felt sad about it for some reason. I could not explain it to her as that would be necessary and so i said.

"Hmm, i don't know really, but ill get back to you on that another time. Now i gotta help the class for our booth. See ya."

"Whaa… Malik!"

Before Lorelai could say anything further, i left with quick steps as i made my way towards Neil, intending to ask how i can help. I need to do something to keep my mind off that image. Why I'm doing this i have no idea.

I walk up to Neil and saw that he was still directing the class on making the place. Different from usual, he was giving off a different appearance whenever i hang out with him. He looked like a guy that knows what he's doing.

"Yo Neil, anything that i could do to help?"

Neil turned to look at me with sharp eyes as he looked me up and down and said.

"Nope."

"Bruh come on man, there's gotta be at least something i can help with."

"Sure, the best way you can help is standing in that corner over there."

He pointed to my seat in which i just left and saw that Lorelai was still there, staring at me like i did something wrong. I quickly turn back to Neil and pleaded.

"Dude, there's gotta be someway i can help."

"No can do old buddy old pal, because if i let you help than we are fucking screwed."

"Come on man, i may not be the most meticulous person in class but at least i can put some stuff together."

I looked at Neil with pleading eyes as i beg to help him, and yet with his newfound appearance, just glanced at me with cold eyes and said.

"Meticulous? Dude, that's not the reason why I'm not letting you help. It's because of your damned curiosity what's going to fuck us up."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Dude, remember when you set the kitchen on fire?"

"Well, yeah… I mean no! Weren't you guys the one who started it?"

I looked at Neil with doubt in my eyes as i still see the cold and indifferent eyes of his. He gave a sigh and said.

"Okay fine, me and Ace might have something to do with it but don't forget it was you that didn't hold back your curiosity, you just had to cook food there."

"Well, isn't that supposed to be its purpose? To cook food in the kitchen?"

"Yup that is true, except that you forgot to turn the stove off after you left for a while, thus almost exploding the damned kitchen if it wasn't for me and ace doing damage control so that it only set fire to a specific section of the kitchen."

Dumbfounded, i remember that yeah, it seems that it indeed happened. Nevertheless, i look back at Neil to plead one more time but Neil ignored me and kept working on the plane, leaving me alone in a busy atmosphere and Lorelai with her cold gazes.

I sigh and go back to my seat, slumping towards it to sit down and admire the miniature plane we were building. As i sat down, I notice that were was another seat beside me, and of course, it was none other than Lorelai who sat down.

Lorelai was still giving off a murderous look as she gazed at me, yet i ignore it and kept staring at wherever as long as Lorelai wasnt there. Due to it, the tension between us chilled to a freezing point with only the sound of shouting could be heard.

I gaze at the scenery of the busy gymnasium, and it would've been fine except for the fact that Lorelai was still staring at me, not taking her eyes off for even a minute. It went on until she sighed and said.

"Fine Malik, if you don't wanna talk about it then okay, well talk about it after our presentation."

"Uhhhh."

Lorelai looked at me, coldness in her eyes and so i relented.

"Okay fine…"

"Good."

In a moment, she went back to her usual smile as she skipped off to god knows where, leaving me with having no idea how to talk to Lorelai later. Pondering deep in my thoughts, i thought of what i should say to her to fend off her soberness, i even though of leaving after presenting but it wouldn't work, since school isn't finished after our presentation.

I thought of the feelings i had after i began being friends with her. The constant emotions i feel whenever I'm with her or the constant nagging of my thoughts to understand why i feel this way has haunted me ever since.

Now that i thought about it, i started feeling this way after i met Lorelai. It was after my interactions with her that led me to feel this way, leading me to a rush of emotions in which i cannot understand.

Maybe there will come a time where i will understand these emotions, the moment where i can understand why Lorelai seems so different in my eyes compared to the rest, and my instincts are telling me it's not that far off.

All of a sudden i see the person i was supposed to be looking for, Ace in the distance. And for some odd reason, in which i don't understand and is hard to wrap my head around. Ace is with a girl right now, walking side by side with her, and usually Ace would be annoyed whenever something like that happens, and it does happen often.

Yet this time his expression was still the same but he's not pushing the girl away. He still had that same stoic expression on his face and yet, he seems to be listening to what the girl was saying and if I'm not seeing things, he's enjoying it? What the hell happened?

As both of them were coming closer to me, i can see who the girl was and what she looked like. Curly auburn hair that extends just above her shoulder and what striking about her is not just that she can talk to Ace like a normal person, nor the fact that she was beautiful, but the fact that her eyes was exactly the same as Ace, Forest Green.

"Oh that interesting, Didn't know that Ava was that friendly with Ace."

Surprised, i turn to look at where the familiar voice was coming from, and saw that it was Lorelai, but this time her appearance was different. She must have changed, as she's now wearing glasses that perfectly reflect her blue eyes. Brown shirt and blue jeans with a Labcoat to finish it off. Where did she get a labcoat? As i gaze upon her appearance, i felt a thump within my heart and a sense of awe towards her.

"Malik, stop staring so much, you're gonna be labeled a creep if you keep staring."

"I don't care."

I answered instinctively as i wanted to appreciate her appearance more but I slammed back to reality as i could see that Lorelai turned beet red and turn around from me. Saddened, i turn my attention back to Ace and Ava and ask Lorelai about her.

"So who's this Ava person? She must be something else since she can talk with Ace."

Lorelai coughed for a few times as her expression was back to normal, a smiling face that could brighten up your day, well almost normal if it wasn't for the fact that her ears were still beet red. She must be sick or something.

"Ehem yeah, that Ava Jenkins a transferee student like me, i heard that she was from Nashville before moving here. She is also a member of the swim team and is a really kind person once you get to know her. I say that because she is a somewhat shy person but once your good friends with her, Shas a whirlwind of a person to be with. She would be perfect except for her uh 'strange interests'"

I look at Lorelai with a puzzled gaze as she knows too much information than the regular person.

"How do you know that much?"

"Ah we have been friends for a while now. It's just that we have been busy recently, so we couldn't hang out that much."

Ah, so that's how it is. Well, it's understandable then, but the last thing she said confused me. What did she mean by 'strange interests?'

"Strange interests? What do you mean?"

"Uh, sorry malik, i can't say anything more than that."

I nod with understanding as the info she gave me was already excessive, so it's fine. I look at the pair and notice a sense of familiarity with them. Their atmosphere resembles that of me and Lorelai, but i don't think Lorelai and me are that close.

In a short moment, the pair already arrived before us and if i indeed am not seeing things, i think i can see a smile on Ace, my surprise wasn't evident on the surface but my mind was raging with confusion and a little of happiness for Ace.

"Hey Lorelai! Haven't seen you in a while, so how are things?"

Ava approached Lorelai and gave her a big hug with a smile on her face, and Lorelai smiled in turn and also reciprocated. The atmosphere was heartwarming as i could see 2 suns being friendly. I look at ace and saw that his expression was back to the old Stoic face.

"Sup Ace, i was looking for you for a while but it seems i no longer have to. You seem to be having fun with someone."

I gave a teasing smile to Ace, as this is the first time that Ace ever interacted with another person except me and Neil. Never thought i would ever see the day. But Ace ignored my teasing and just gazed at Ava. The way that he looked at her resembles that of Ace acquiring a new beyblade, yet his eyes seem to be giving off a stronger feel to it.

"Malik, you seem to haven't met yet, so Ill introduce you."

Lorelai stopped chatting with Ava and came forward to me and Ace. But Ava just hid behind Lorelai, tugging her shirt and trying to look as small as possible. I guess it was true that she was indeed shy.

"Ava please come here, don't be so shy."

Lorelai pulled Ava in beside her with a helpless smile and Ava just fidgeted with her fingers, and instead of looking at me, she just looked at Ace. I don't know why but Ace and Ava just gazed at each other and when smiled and gave a nod; she turned to me and introduced herself.

"Hello, I'm Ava Jenkins, it's nice to meet you."

Ava blushed as she introduced herself and went back to Lorelai's back, once again trying to hide herself from me. Ok maybe i do need to start managing my reputation.

"Malik, forgive Ava for this, as you can tell she's not used to people that much."

"Uh, it's fine, it's fine."

I gave a helpless smile as i talked to Lorelai. Gradually as the conversation went on, Ava opened up little by little as the hour went on and by in the final moments, she was showing extreme energy as if we were old friends for a long time. Though i don't mind it. It's hard to have good friends that don't judge you.

After an hour passed of us talking, it ended as the Event was about to start. In the entrance of the gymnasium, i could see that the principal was there as he was greeting the students in the gymnasium and in turn, we did the same.

The Principal was an old man aged 65, i could never understand as he could always retire any time he wants yet he doesn't. Even though he was portraying a warm and caring atmosphere to us, i am not fooled as his actions regarding Bradley were crystal clear. He may have everyone fooled, but not me.

"Hey Malik, we need to start getting ready, lets go."

"Yeah sure."

I look away from the principal as i turn my attention to Lorelai. She still had that same smile as we walked towards our class. It seemed as if she didn't even register the appearance of the principal.

We get to our class to start the final touches and as we were about to finish, Lorelai pulled me to the side and gave me something.

"Malik, here a lab coat."

"Huh why?"

"Because silly, if we're going to present our project, we need to at least be consistent with our outfits. Now come and wear this."

I agreed and started putting on the lab coat. As i started putting it on, Lorelai directed me on how to wear it properly, she told me that i need to button it properly to look formal and other minor things. When i was finished i noticed the ease of moving around my arms and the labcoat not getting stuck around my hips. And wow, does it feel comfortable?

"See, it's comfortable, right?"

"Yup, faintly. Thanks, by the way."

"Your welcome. But instead of saying thank you, show it through presenting properly."

"Will do Boss."

Lorelai rolled her eyes and wore a grin on her face. She looked at me up and down as i felt a bit embarrassed when she did, so this is what she felt when i did the same.

"You look good in a Labcoat Malik, looking like a real scientist."

My heart skipped a beat as i heard her compliment. I maintain my composure as i didn't want to embarrass myself.

"Hmm yeah, thanks."

Lorelai nodded with a smiling expression as she turned away and looked at the incoming guests, and those guests happened to be the principal. It looks like we were the first once presenting.

I look at Lorelai, who also happened to be looking at me. We gazed at each other's eyes for a moment, as there were no words that needed to be said. We smiled and started to present out project in front of the people.

The presentation began as me and Lorelai switch between sections of our work. Sometimes i would be presenting as Lorelai stood beside me and when it was her turn, the same situation repeated. At other times, when both of us forgot a certain part of our work or when a teacher asked a question, regarding our work that we didn't know the answer to, the other person would come as support as i or Lorelai answered our question for us.

We ended our presentation with a bang as we showcased the application of our project, meaning that we let the miniature plane fly through the air, and thanks to the support of the class as well as Neil's genius directing, it flew across the gymnasium as it made constant buzzing sounds throughout its flight. It was a success in my books.

A round of applause then followed as we ended our presentation. With beads of sweat on our foreheads, we look at each other and gave a satisfied smile. All our hard work and preparation came worked everything out in the end. But my joy was short-lived as i saw Sam nearing us.

For some reason when i saw Sam going up to Lorelai and hugging her, something shattered in my chest, like something broke into several pieces. Creating an empty void within myself. I turn around from the sight and made my way back to the hallways.

As i opened the door leading to the silent hallways, i walked and walked. The direction i was heading to i had no idea. All i knew was that i didn't want to be in that place. I didn't want to be there. A rush of sadness clouded my mind, and yet my brain was telling me that I had no reason to be sad. Strange.

"Malik! Where are you going? The event hasn't even finished yet."

I heard Lorelai's voice echoing within the hallways, yet it did not stop my pace as i just walked and walked away from her. I don't want to see her for now. But i failed as i didn't walk fast enough, a hand pulled me back and i saw that it was Lorelai.

Her ever constant smile was gone from her face as she looked at me with tears in her eyes. I panic as i didn't know why she was like this and i felt wrong about it for some reason.

"Wha… Lorelai! What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"What's wrong? You're the reason dummy, you acted exactly like this earlier and just ignored me. Why? Are you finally sick of me or something? Did i do something wrong? What's wrong Malik, why are you avoiding me?"

"Well, nothing is wrong Lorelai, but please stop crying first."

"No! I won't stop crying until you tell me what's wrong."

Stunned, i looked at her blue teary eyes as i also asked that question myself. This all started when i saw Sam with Lorelai, seemingly a good blend with each other, and it upset me for some reason. I wanted to figure this out by myself, but it seems Lorelai won't let me.

"Sigh fine. I don't know why but it may have something to do with you being with your boyfriend Sam. Earlier you just seemed like a good couple for each other and it hurt me for some reason, i dint want to remember it or even see it so i just ran away. Okay, is that fine now? Please stop crying."

She replaced her crying with an expression of dumfoundedness. Her eyes were looking at me like i did something wrong again.

"What now, why are you looking at me like that?"

"You… Malik… He wasn't my boyfriend God no."

"huh? So who was he then?"

Lorelai sighed, looked at me and said.

"He's my cousin dumbass."

Shocked, i look at Lorelai like i genuinely felt like an idiot. I jumped to conclusion to fast but to be fair i had no idea they were cousins. Yet a sense of relief overshadowed that feeling in my heart.

"But Malik, there is one thing id like to point out."

"Hm, what is it?"

"Ill be straightforward with you. You like me Malik"

Bewildered i look at her blushing expression as she covered her face with both of her hands. Huh, so that what it was, i like Lorelai. Basing off of that, then the various feelings i had in my heart all made sense now. No wonder I didn't understand it, it's because I never liked anyone before Lorelai.

"I see."

"Um… Yeah and also, I have a confession to make."

"Sure, what is it?"

"I like you too…"