Chapter 8 - The Feelings

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — SYRRA — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

*Same day as Temporary Teachers Day, In Emerald Houston…*

"So he's absent?"

Jessie was surprised. Meanwhile I wasn't. I just smiled beside Jessie, who was sitting on Renn's seat for today.

"Yes. The junior member who was supposed to attend got sick with the flu and couldn't attend, so Renn took his place." I'd say after our previous tutorial session, I'm confident he can handle a whole class, my grin says so.

"I'd say it was nice of him to fill in! Good thing I told Sir C about my recent tutorial with him. You should join us some time, Jessie!" I nudged her with my elbow, persisting that she should join our tutorials every weekend.

"I did tell him that I'd make up for next week." She pouted.

"Yeah, next week will be great! The three of us!" Now Renn has to tutor both of us. Double the fun, double the upcoming new top 10 students!

Me and Jessie, just excelling to the roof! How cool is that?!

"Imagine we got past Renn in the rankings, but then that's impossible. He's just that good…" Jessie sighed. Yeah, We can never top the hard work he has shown.

"By the way, your math teacher is busy today. She left you an activity to do today." Well, I wonder what the teacher is busy with, Sir C?

Not that I'm gonna even think too much about it anyway.

Sir C began writing the equations we needed to solve on the board and we quickly went to it as he left.

"Hey, Syrra… I've been meaning to ask you something…" I stopped for a bit and looked at Jessie. Was she curious about something?

"Ask away." Let's see what she has in mind.

"What are your thoughts about Renn, as a person?" I think I mentioned this before.

"He's okay. I can describe him as a generous and reliable individual." I answered, going back to my Math work.

"Anything else?" Huh? I wonder what Jessie wants me to say…

"That's all. I'm lucky to have him as a best friend." I answered her again, still concentrating on my work.

"Anything… More than friends?" The moment she asked that…

That question made me shocked and my hand made a sudden stroke in my notebook that made me rip the paper. I immediately looked at Jessie wondering if she was okay. What made her ask THAT of all questions?!

"I-I think he's a great friend, sure… But I hardly see a future where he and I end up together! He is way out of my league. And In terms of looks, he's not my type." Sorry, reading illustrated books that showcase guys with abs and that handsome killer face changed my taste in guys.

"Oh, alright." She went back to solve the rest of the problems. Suddenly I have the urge to ask Jessie here the question.

And now is my only time to do it.

"Damage to my paper aside… What about you?"

As I did, her reaction was the same as mine, and she damaged the page on her notebook. She then looked away from me.

"M-Me what?" … Did I hit a bingo?

"What about you? Do you think of Renn as someone more than friends?" But just in case, I needed to be sure.

She was silent.

"Tell me, Jessie. You have the hots for him." I was getting slightly aggressive knowing she is like this and she's just giving hints.

"I-I don't…" I doubted her and had this judgmental look on my face. Have you all pressed X?

"Then look at me. If I don't detect you blushing, then I'll believe you." The fact that she still refuses to turn proves my point.

I sighed.

"Renn won't like it if you're playing hard-to-get right now. What made you like him now?" I asked and finally she turned with an embarrassed, flustered face.

"He's grown to be a man I like… For me, he's been brave. He isn't afraid to stand up for someone, and hearing that you said he's reliable… And I've been longing to see him again ever since he left for 6 years. It used to be just a crush but I never told him and now..." She's been hiding her feelings for so long?!

I'm more mad at that than her playing hard-to-get right now! I grasp her shoulder.

"Tell him when he returns tomorrow. And I'll help you increase your chances of getting him to fall for you back!" I know it's counterintuitive to do that because not all guys tend to be all about relationships, but I know Renn and his favorites. He'll DEFINITELY go head over heels for her after this!

"H-How…" She asked as I patted her shoulders.

"Okay! Let's talk about Renn's interests." I began with his interests.

"His favorite flavor is strawberry, he likes to listen to music while studying, he likes stuffed animals, the teddy bear she gave him before was one of them, he's fascinated in works of art, he likes solving riddles and puzzles... He also likes sweet stuff, like pastries!" I kept babbling about his interests until Jessie tapped my shoulder and I came to a halt.

"Slow down… It's a little much... Let me think on my own first." I smiled and patted her back.

"You'll be fine. You still have time!" I feel supportive of her today. The fact that she has been holding it in for 6 years...

"Thanks, Syrra..." She smiled at me, feeling thankful I got her back.

"No worries! You just have to be yourself and work hard for the idea!" I raised my closed hand up in the air.

"I will!" She was happy hearing that, and I'm happy seeing her precious smile. I can see why Renn would be so close with her.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — ??? — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

So, it appears that Renn Alrose has someone falling for him. I quickly pulled out my phone and quickly messaged a friend of mine. As I was done with my math problems, I went out of the class and quickly rushed to the bathroom. I went back to messaging her.

"Call me."

I did as told and called her.

I waited for a bit as the phone rang. And after a while, she answered.

"Nicely done. Renn Alrose has been all over the place lately, and the Temporary Teachers Day event is making things worse for me. Rumors have started in my school thanks to the media and it's driving me CRAZY!" She appears to be agitated and annoyed.

"Not to worry, we have plans for him. I've been spying on him long enough to figure out his weaknesses. So far he has one student, Syrra Winters, under his care. With that and Jessie Radinne confessing to him, his guard is going to be lowered. Our chance will open from there." I also hate Renn Alrose, he's being too much into my nerves with all his goody-two-shoes attitude, despite my face being all "meh". Helping Syrra from bullies 3 years ago? Approaching Jessie because she was lonely? Tutoring because he wanted to?

Ew. Hated every single one of it. It has to end here. Whenever he shows up, my day gets ruined. Every day something good happens in the classroom and it all roots from him...

"Good girl. Keep it up, and I will make you my partner when you transfer to my school. You'll be able to command everyone as you desire." I grinned. Having everyone at my fingertips will be the best feeling in the world, including Alrose. But Alrose isn't one to be persuaded so he's going down before we rule the boys...

"Thank you, my lady. I shall keep him and his friends under watch." I hung up and snickered slightly.

You think you'll be happy with everything going your way? Think again. You expelled my cousins... And now...

You'll pay the price.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — JESSIE — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

*Dismissal Time…*

I waited outside for my family car. My family car got stuck in traffic, so it will take a while to arrive. Syrra accompanied for the meantime.

"About the confession... What are you going to do? Got any plans?" Syrra asked.

"It's just hard to think of what to do for him... If I give him a stuffed toy again, it will be the same…" I'm worried about what to give him. It's not going to be easy giving him a gift, especially a confession one. Syrra placed her hand on my shoulder, and I glanced at her.

"You'll be fine! You've been with Renn before, you'll think of something great! Follow your heart!" Syrra suggested, patting her hand on my chest as a supportive gesture. I lightly smile.

"You're right…" Follow my heart, huh...

I began thinking of what to give him for that moment. It has to be a special one...

"(Oh? Hang on… I actually thought of something! I feel more determined to get him to accept me now.)" An idea struck my head, and it'll sway his heart so much!

"I got just the perfect thing!" I looked at Syrra.

"What is that?" She asked.

"It's a secret~ It'll knock his socks off when he receives it tomorrow! Boom, I can take my chances!" It's foolproof! It's elegant! It's a lavender-scented plan! No way this will fail!

"Well, if you're confident about that secret tomorrow, I suggest you need to act on it right away!" She gave me more encouragement as my car arrived.

"Oh, ride's here! I'll see you tomorrow!" I hung up as I got in the family car.

As I sit back and my mom drives the way home.

"So how was school today?" She asked.

"It was alright, had fun with Syrra today!" I happily answered.

"Hm? Syrra only? Where's Renn?" My father asked.

"He's a temporary teacher in another school today." The one time I don't mention Renn, they suddenly ask about him. But I don't blame them, I talk about him whenever I'm in here.

"He's really grown…" My mother felt proud of him.

"I agree…" I think now is the chance for me to tell them my plans…

I took a deep breath and mustered the courage.

"Mom, I'm wondering… Is it okay for me to skip school tomorrow?" I did it.

"What made you ask that, sweetie? You have remedials." My mom asked me.

"Well…"

"It's a surprise I want to give to Renn tomorrow…"

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — SYRRA — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

*Present Time…*

I'm done with my chores, I'm done with my homework, I had nothing to do other than...

Stand here at the park and take a breath of fresh air. I am left thinking, curious about the plan Jessie has right now.

"(I wonder what she is going to give him...)" Is it gonna be a bouquet? Is it going to be another store-bought plushy? Is it going to be a book?

I am just stuck with so many possibilities, she doesn't even want to answer her phone. Does she not want to let me know her secret surprise?

I thought I'm great at keeping secrets...

I sat down on a bench to calm myself. Jessie is not a bad friend, maybe she's going to do something that involves her own effort. A lot of men love women who do a lot for them. I read that in so many romance novels. I bet it's going to be a surprise to die for!

While I was sitting, I noticed a girl at the end of another bench. She's just sitting with a dead expression on her face. Is she alright?

Now I feel concerned, but is it okay to approach her? It's honestly making me contemplate on what should I do...

But then she glanced at me with intimidating eyes. In that moment I froze and turned pale. I just unlocked my new fear. But I remained here, sitting. I didn't stand up.

"... Stop looking at me. You're honestly getting annoying." She then looked back forward.

"(Eh... Annoying...)" I stiffly looked away, but I did try to muster courage to talk to her.

"Umm... Is something going on?" I asked her.

No response. Is she ignoring me? I decided to keep quiet.

"Why are you so keen on that..." I suddenly heard her answer.

"Because I wanted to know what's going on with you... And what is making you feel like this." I answered, looking at her feeling genuine about my answer.

"It's not like you'll understand anything. So stop it." She bluntly told me to stop. But I couldn't back down here, clenching my fists and wanting to say more.

"How can I understand if you don't tell me?" I asked her straight.

"... If you're going to be just like him... Then leave." Him?

"Who-"

"None of your business, I said leave." I got interrupted and was left disappointed. I stood up and went back home.

I'm left with more questions than answers:

What's making her feel like this?

Who was pestering her?

What can I do?

But for now, they're left a mystery.

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