275 Intermission

Summer vacation is slowly coming to an end as it has been almost two whole months since we went on the trip to the beach. It was only after the trip that...I discovered that Loyd had confessed to Alvelyn. I...do not know what I should feel about this, but...it is what it is. Alvelyn never really gave him a response, which I would say will be my reaction if anyone suddenly confessed to me.

The situation between them are...rather awkward for the time being, leading to her reluctance to spend time with the others in fear of—I wouldn't say she is actually afraid, but she just...feels uncomfortable from the awkwardness—seeing him again. As for me, that awkwardness has impacted me somewhat, as I am unsure as to how I should see Loyd after that incident. It's not as if he is a bad person or anything. In fact, I would say as someone who would associate with me from the start, he is anything other than a bad person. But...it's just that knowing your best friend is attracted to your qualities when you are a female, it just...I don't know.

Loyd is a heterosexual, so I suppose there really isn't anything...to awkward for me to deal with, but that awkwardness just exists and made it rather difficult for me to meet with him face to face. According to Alvelyn, Loyd was rather considerate, allowing her the right to not respond to his confession. However...what is done is done, and thus makes things rather...difficult to work with.

Therefore, over the break, Alvelyn mostly spent time with Elise, or on certain occasions, went out with Irina and Muria for some time. As for me...I have another problem to deal with, so I do not have the luxury to devote much of my focus on Alvelyn's inquiries.

"So," I said as I closed the door to my room with my back while carrying two glasses of water in my hands. "Why're you here today?"

"That's rude," the girl with long, light pink hair said as she unlocked my PC and started browsing the internet. "Is that how you talk to your guests?"

"A guest is someone that the host invites," I gave Erith my definition of the word 'guest' as I placed the glass of water on the computer desk and sat down on my bed. "You seem...rather comfortable."

"It's because you did those things to me that night," she nonchalantly said. "You have to take responsibility for your actions."

"Why did you say it like that," I sighed. "That sounds weird. It sounds like I...did something to you in bed or something like that against your will."

"It was without my consent," she said while staring at the screen.

"But I didn't do anything physical to you," I answered.

"Mentally you sort of did," she said as she spun the chair around and faced me. "Or do you want to do the physical stuff now?"

"Huh?"

My body tensed up as I saw her get up from the computer chair and walk over in my direction. With a teasing smile on her face, she slowly brought her right hand up to my chest, using her finger to gently trace against my shirt, teasing the skin underneath with the sensation of her touch. Then, she suddenly pushed on my chest, causing me to lay down on the bed while she climbed on top of me with both her hands by my face, pinning me down, as she stared into my eyes with a rather playful look.

"..." I gulped and felt blood rushing to my face while my heart palpitated from this...stimulus.

"Are you ready?" she leaned forward and softly whispered into my ear.

As she did so, slivers of her hair became loose from behind her ear, falling onto my face and tickling me somewhat. The proximity of her from me also allowed me access to her sweet aroma once again, and today, unlike that night at the beach house, she was wearing a perfume that has...rather the stimulating fragrance.

"You're not so ready after all," she chuckled as she climbed off the bed, allowing me space to sit up once again. "Did your heart race?"

She stared at me with a...rather impish and yet innocent look. Glancing over at her face, it was difficult for me to even bring up my temper or such, rendering me rather helpless.

"A little bit," I responded.

I didn't even bother asking her why she did what she just did, as I am sure that I won't get a straight answer. In fact, she wouldn't even give me an actual answer.

"I finished upgrading your drivers," she said as she spun the computer chair to the side and allowed me a clear view to the computer monitor.

"Was that what you were doing?" I looked over at her and asked.

"Be grateful," she said, turning her head away in a somewhat annoyed manner. "I installed the newest graphics card for you for free."

"I am," I said, walking over to my computer.

"The processor is still fairly new, so there's no need to upgrade right now," she said.

"So you came here just to install a new graphics card for me?" I looked over at her.

"You have a problem with that?" she looked me in my eye in an amused manner. "You seem rather happy to see me earlier."

"So how's things going between you and Luna?" I asked her, trying to switch the topic.

"As usual," she said as she sat down next to me on the bed. "Nothing changed between us."

"And...what about Zevin?"

"Nothing," she shook her head. "Remember, it all ended that night."

"Hmm..." I gazed at her and took in her profile. The slight crease of her brow made it seem as if she was deep in thought and is contemplating something.

"Why're you staring at me like that?" she looked over at me. "Are you worried about me?" she said in a teasing tone. "Don't worry," she chuckled and smiled. "You helped me end it, so I'm fine." She then leaned in my direction until her face was slightly undermine and she was looking up and into my eyes. "You better take responsibility for all this."

"Didn't I tell you don't say it like that?" I sighed. "You're gonna make me get the wrong idea."

"Is it that easy to get you turned on?" she smirked as she gazed into my eyes in a manner as if she was peering into my soul. "Just a few, simple words can get you flustered?"

"..."

Seeing my slight unease, she chuckled and backed off, allowing me some more personal space. Then, she leaned back slightly and used her arms to prop herself up and sighed.

"School begins tomorrow for you, right?" she looked over at me and asked.

"Yeah," I nodded and glanced over at my school uniform that I had hung up and my schoolbag that was also hanging on a hook nearby my wardrobe. "It doesn't begin in another month and a half for you, right?"

"Yeah," Erith sighed. "It's...so weird having such a long break."

"You're just afraid to be lonely," I commented.

"Some of that," she nodded. "Maybe I should find a part-time job. It's not like I have anything better to do..."

I didn't comment on her statement, as it is best to not interfere in other people's plans for life. Although our relationship has improved, I am not in a position to comment or make suggestions about her life. Even though this is something rather miner, I do not believe I have the right to point fingers and suggest things for her.

"College...I don't think that I'm that prepared." Erith stared blankly into the air before her as she pondered her future. "Why aren't you saying anything? Is it entertaining for you to see someone struggle?"

"Somewhat," I responded.

"Hmph," she grinned in an anticipating manner. "After a year, you'll be in the same situation. So don't come crying after me for advice."

"It's fine," I calmly responded without taking my eyes off of the carpet in the center of my room. "I'll just go to Luna."

"Hey," she gently jabbed me with her elbow, almost as if she was somewhat irritated by my comment. However, I know that this was simply a playful gesture from her. "Why would you go to her when you have someone more reliable like me."

"But wasn't it you that don't want me to come crying?" I looked over at her.

"Just don't come crying then," she blushed and said. "You can just...ask me." Her voice became quieter in the end as she felt somewhat embarrassed. To be honest, seeing someone with her usual behavior act shy and embarrassed is rather cute. It's a different side of her that I don't often have the opportunity to see.

"I'll think about it when I get there," I smiled, satisfied that I was able to get her back for making me flustered earlier.