[Ray] Her

I watched as the girl I could only imagine to see for so long eating resentfully at the few vegetables I shoved on her plate and sighed inwardly.

Her diet has improved a lot compared to before, but it's still off from the portion I knew would keep her healthy.

Due to the total focus on her studies, some house chores and small walking at school was all she got for exercise, and the rest of it was spent either sitting or sleeping. Fortunately the worst condition was only for a year, so hopefully I can help her exercise better after this.

Thinking of what exercise would be good for her while watching the small figure eating her fill, I still remember the sensation on my arms when she ran to me with her full force.

I had hugged her tightly in my desperation to see her, and it only made me realize how small and fragile this girl is compared to me.

Careful not to suffocate her, I loosened up once I noticed she needed some space, only for her to wipe an unknown drip on my cheek.

Damn it.

I didn't mean to be that vulnerable nor emotional.

But who am I kidding?

This girl always break my defences as hard as she did when I fell for her.

"I can't eat anymore..." Althea whined, waking me up from the strange, warm feeling which is the only prove I can get that she's genuinely here, in flesh.

Checking what's left on her plate, I nodded in understanding and pulled her plate towards me.

Silently, I ate the few vegetables as she eyed me curiously.

I lifted my brows to her in an attempt to ask what is she looking at. But she just puffed her cheeks and shakes her head, something I know she frequently do when she's shy or holding back her expression.

'Cute,' I thought.

So cute I wanna take a--

"Do you want dessert?" I asked before my mind strayed further.

"What dessert?"

'You.'

... I hate how my mind is so freakingly attracted to her even when I don't intend to do it.

"Ice cream, they have good one here." I was silently relieved at my ability to control myself and watched as her eyes lit up before hesitation followed after it in mere seconds.

Why is she still holding back?

Taking it as a cue of her wanting it but feel bad of eating more when it's my treat, I called over the waiter and ordered the dessert.

Althea closed her eyes with what I feel is a self-rebuking smile to herself, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

I would love it more if she stop hesitating on expressing her mind, though. But I guess the process will have to wait.

"Let's go to the administration office after this. I'll accompany you." I said, to which she nodded gratefully.

With full stomach, we go to the places she needs to visit, and I've never felt this thankful for being able to be here before her.

I can guide her well since I know all the process needed to be done, the places we have to go to, and I even surveyed the girl's dorm through the few colleagues I talk to during classes.

She might not know it, but she was the only reason I wasn't seen as freak for avoiding girls in my class, and managed to have the so-called friends she wished I would have so much, albeit not many.

***

"That building in front of us is the dorm." I stated plainly as we stepped out of the car after parking it in nearby parking lot.

Althea had always been a chatterbox during the time I know her, but maybe because it's our first day, she didn't talk much.

I knew she kept on watching me all the time, however, and that will do for now.

"It's bigger than I thought." she exclaimed as she crane her neck to see the big building in front of us.

"Yeah, make yourself comfortable." I patted her back.

According to the answers I got after asking around, the dormitory is similar to the boy's, and it's pretty sufficient to live in, other than the part that you won't have a kitchen, and less personal space depending on the rooms.

"En..." she trailed off.

"Anything wrong?"

"Uhh, no, not really."

Sighing inwardly, I softly held her hand and guided her back to the car.

"Let's talk, like we always did. It might feel strange but I'm the same person you've been pouring your heart to all this time," I grasped her small hand, and she looked back to me with a grateful smile.

Good thing that she at least allow this much contact,

"I just need to call my parents," she shrugged.

"And?"

".... I don't know, I feel... strange. A bit scared? worried? but I feel like I'm.... missing them. It's so weird that I can't define how I feel towards them." she laughed in self mockery.

Being one who strove to be such good daughter, it must've weighed on her conscience that she can't positively think of her family.

She doesn't have to, though.

"Then don't define your feelings." I state.

Althea raise her eyebrows in wonder and surprise, "Is that okay?"

God, she's always so rigid in such matters.

"It is. If you don't know, then it's fine. Take your time to figure it out, and even if you don't figure it out, that's okay too. It's enough that you don't mistreat your parents and do what you think is right for them."

She nods repeatedly, perhaps considering what I just told her.

I like how she never thinks I'm nosy about her matters and listen wholeheartedly to what I say, one of her best trait which I didn't know how she came to get, considering her family.

"Then I think I'll call them now... Umm, can you stay for a bit longer?" she took out her phone and signaled that she will go inside the car to give the call.

"As long as you need me to, Thea."