Thorny Attachment

I have always known that Eve's tongue is something.

It's sharp, easily piercing through the toughest of mental defenses, able to disarm an unprepared bystander. With her tongue, she became the undisputed queen of our batch. With eyes looking down from a higher place, she looks down on us plebs with her high gaze and sneers.

I thought that we lived in different world; me in my corner of books and she in her social circles.

It was so different that I never imagined a day that we would stand side-by-side due to the different environments we were raised in.

Then, can someone tell me why she's pinning me into the wall and shoving her tongue down my throat?

I'm really confused.

It was like any other day.

Our professor just gave us the task that we would need to pass by the end of the semester. We need to make a newsletter about the school's sports event, so it's a given that we must attend and take photos of ourselves watching the events.

The problem is, I'm a loner.

I have friends, but they don't study in the same school. I'm a program shiftee, so it's harder to join social circles within the college. I'm also a bit introverted with a shy personality who loves books and silent corners.

In short, this task would definitely exhaust my energy reserves for outdoor activities.

After informing us about this task, our professor moved on to the next agenda of the meeting: the webinar that we would be hosting the next day.

I was assigned to the technical aspect of the program, so I would be handling the smooth operation of the presentations, the music, and visuals.

While the dry run for the event was happening in front with the hosts practicing their lines, I was at the back of the computer laboratory, listening to the music that would be used before the start of the program. The songs have to be upbeat, exciting, and can relieve the boredom of the participants waiting for the start of the event.

There were times when the shared presentation keeps changing due to the changes implemented by the other groups to the slides, mainly the order of the speakers, so I also have to adjust the songs added because it keeps getting jumbled up with other unrelated slides.

Imagine an invited speaker speaking his prepared speech when suddenly, an upbeat background music started. It would be awkward for the speaker and for us who will be operating the presentation. Coordination of slides and the music is important.

"Irish, can you add another song for the ice breaker portion of the slides? You downloaded another song, right?"

Oh, right. I'm not alone in this assignment. I also have groupmates.

"I'm trying to, but the internet is not cooperating. It's been lagging for minutes now," I answered to Noella who came to check up on my progress.

Noella's a tall girl who lives in the same province as I am, however, due to our different grade levels, we don't talk much aside from during class hours and class assignments. So, I can't invite her to go with me to the sportsfest.

She'll be going with her friends. I can't be a third wheel. It's embarrassing. 

"Right, I tried to add two more songs to the first slide of the presentation," I tried to strike a conversation with her. I really need to improve my communication skills. Otherwise, I won't be able to survive in society once I graduate.

"Well, what happened then?" she seemed interested in the result of my little experiment.

I smiled awkwardly and resisted scratching my head in embarrassment. I felt like a kid asking for praise from my elders about a little broken toy I fixed.

"It was a disaster. The songs played at the same time, making my head hurt. In the end, I just deleted the other two songs," I reported.

"Oh. So that's why there's a moment earlier that the soundtracks tripled in number, then disappeared. Must be you, then," she smiled as she acknowledged what I did.

However, I instinctively knew that this was the end of the conversation. More and it would become awkward and would look like I'm clinging to her.

So, I did the most rational thing.

I stayed silent after smiling a little.

Then, I turned my gaze back to my laptop as I patiently waited for the internet to load, refreshing the webpage a few more times.

The event hosts are still practicing in front with the help of our professor for their lines while the other slides in the shared presentation keeps changing with revisions of even the tiniest details.

Information kept on flowing to and from the class group chat as we did our own assignments and coordinated with each other to make sure that the flow of the event tomorrow would be smooth.

Our professor already finalized the venue for us, which is located a block away from the school's main gate. Professor informed us that she already rented the place from five in the afternoon to seven in the evening for our class. We would go to that place tomorrow after our last class discussion for the month before the Lenten season.

After the meeting, I was not in a rush to go home.

No one's waiting for me there anyway… joke.

I live alone in a boarding house near the school, four hours away from home, of course no one would wait for me at the place I'm currently staying at.

Leaving my stuff at the computer laboratory, I turned right and went inside the comfort room to relieve my kidney. After emptying my kidney, I washed my hands and prepared to get back to the computer laboratory to retrieve my items and go home.

And that's when one of the cubicles opened and revealed Eve.

After a quick glance, I silently walked towards the door. However, Eve did not give me the chance to go out.

She rushed to the comfort room's door, closed it, and locked it, all in one smooth motion. She then turned towards me and looked at me straight in the eye.

I frowned but stayed silent.

A few seconds of a standoff, Eve then spoke. And I'm sure she said it with gritted teeth.

"One year, Irish. One year. You really won't speak to me anymore?" I lowered my head and saw how she balled her fists, as if restraining something.

I still stayed silent.

It was her who complained about me hovering around her like a little bee! It was her who put poison in her words and pushed me away! It was her who shot me those nasty glares as if I owe her the world!

Why is it that every time she spoke, it's like everything is my mistake?!

"That's it! I've had enough!" And with that outburst, Eve pushed me into the wall and leaned forward.

I did not manage to process the fast pace of events, and the next thing I knew, Eve's tongue forcefully entered my mouth. My eyes widened, shocked at her boldness that I did not remember she had.

I tried to struggle, but it was useless. Eve is stronger than me, both in mentality and physical aspects.

She pinned my hands above my head with her left hand while her right hand held my waist tightly to keep me from running away from her.

As our tongues intertwined in our mouths, I slowly felt myself losing strength, as if my knees are turning into jelly. If Eve wasn't holding my waist, I would have slid down the wall to the floor in embarrassment.

When Eve leaned back from the kiss, I panted hard like I ran for a full kilometer without rest. Physiological tears formed at the corner of my eyes as my face turned red with the lack of oxygen.

Seeing this, Eve then affectionately licked the corners of my mouth and rained kisses on my face. Then, she nibbled on my ears.

I shivered.

When I realized that her hands are no longer restraining my movements, I pushed her away and ran to the door.

But it ended up in another deadlock, and now I'm trapped again between the door and Eve's arms.

"Where are you going? Are you trying to throw another tantrum?! Irish, I've had enough! Stop being a baby and start talking to me again!"

This is the reason! This is the reason why I stayed away from her! She thinks that she's superior to me in every way and orders me around like her minions! But I'm not her minion!

"But we already broke up! There's no reason to talk! So, get away from me, Eve! We're already over!" I finally snapped and shouted back.

She seemed surprised. Oh, she better be. It's the first time I've talked back to her since we got together when we were in high school. And it'll be the last time I'm talking to her cause talking to someone like her is draining my energy reserves at a fast pace.

"What?! When did we broke up? Why didn't I know about this?!" Oh, so she was surprised about that part.

"You told me to stay away from you! You told me that I was a nuisance!" I answered back as the dam holding back my aggrieved feelings for one year broke. Tears came out of my eyes as I sniffed and soured my face. My fists balled as I tried to punch her away from me.

"Whatever! It's been one year anyway, I already moved on from that broken relationship. Just… just stay away from me and never bother me again, Eve," I quickly tried to collect myself and breathed hard to calm down.

While Eve was still confused, I quickly opened the door and left.

I did not look back. Therefore, I did not see the twisted expression Eve was making as she gazed at my leaving back.

It was peaceful the next few days after that.

The webinar concluded without any obstacle, and the Lenten season is coming. I have a subject that would be giving an exam before the break, so I poured all my attention on that and on the other subjects that requires submitting papers.

Everything was going well until a certain sharp-tongued woman barred me from leaving the comfort room once again.

"…"

Why?! Why is the timing so great?! Why am I always cornered in this corner of the school?!

"Irish, talk to me," she demanded.

This time, I just stared at her then crossed my arms, waiting for her to continue. She sighed upon seeing my stance.

"I know that I may have said a lot of hurtful words, but I did not mean them in that way," she explained. I still silently looked at her.

When I did not respond, she looked desperate and tried to reach for my shoulders, but I avoided them by stepping a few steps back. She looked irritated by my avoidance.

"Irish, can you stop avoiding me? I'm trying to apologize here!" she shouted and glared at me.

Even when apologizing, her strong tone indicated that she didn't think she did wrong.

"Stop trying to force something that already ended long ago," I replied in a hoarse voice.

Even I am surprised by my voice. It was meant to sound a little tired, but it looks like I spent all my energy just to give that reply. I overestimated myself. 

"Wait, no! We're not over! I never agreed to any break up in the first place! You're just unilaterally cutting off contact with me for no reason!" she complained.

When she's like this, she won't listen.

I don't have classes anymore for the day, so wasting some time here to clarify the end of our relationship would be for the better. I should just close my eyes and save my breath.

When Irish closed her eyes and calmly stood in the corner of the girl's comfort room, Eve frowned even harder.

In fact, she's getting desperate. She already endured one year without Irish by her side.

At first, she thought that maybe, Irish was just throwing a tantrum. A separation of a week or two would be best to cool down Irish's temper. Then, it lengthened to one month, six months, to a year. Eve continued to be patient and endured. Irish would surely approach her again. She's sure of it.

Eve continued to give excuses for Irish's lack of regard for her, such as busy schedule, tired from work, or maybe the exams are coming up. It took one full year for Eve to acknowledge that maybe, Irish is planning to never talk to her anymore.

She's growing crazy. If Irish insists on not talking to her, she might commit a crime she might regret. She needs Irish. She wants Irish. Every single cell of her body wants to be attached to the silent and broody woman. But Irish can't understand. Why can't Irish understand?!

Then, the confrontation happened. Irish actually said that they broke up?! Why didn't she know of this?! Did Irish decide on this on her own?!

No! She has to do something to fix this. She can't let things continue as is, otherwise, she might really lose Irish. And that's the last thing Eve wants to happen. She can't afford to lose Irish. She can't even imagine on how to survive in a tomorrow that has no Irish in it (she survived one year without Irish).

When Irish showed an expression that she already gave up on their relationship, Eve felt that something snapped inside her. She didn't realize that her voice trembled as she spoke.

"I-Irish, please, talk to me. I beg you. I'm going crazy. I-I didn't agree to any breakup. Talk to me, p-please," Eve held Irish's shoulders, but Irish continued to play dead while being shaken.

Realizing that Irish won't reply no matter what she did, Eve became silent. The atmosphere in the comfort room became delicate.

It was only broken when other students went in to relieve themselves in between classes.

The two stood by the door silently. When the other students left, Eve managed to calm down a little and think about ways to make Irish react to her presence.

Seeing that her beloved is still closing her eyes, pretending to be dead, Eve's eyes brightened when she thought of a plan. Smirking, she leaned forward and licked Irish's left ear. Irish trembled as she felt the wet tongue of the other in her left ear.

"Why are you addicted to nibbling other people's ears so much?!" Irish complained while trying to push her away.

Despite Irish's struggles, Eve's eyes squinted at the sight and subconsciously licked her upper teeth.

Looking at Eve's predatory gaze, Irish pursed her lips as she felt cornered.

"Only your ears," Eve replied.

"Stop it! I already told you, there's no us anymore. Leave me the damn alone, Eve!" Irish cried.

Damn. She already gained one peaceful year. She won't be going back to the queen bee's arms anymore! A peaceful, single life is better than a romantic relationship full of thorns and pain!

"But, Irish, I already gave you one full year alone," Eve seriously said, without her usual mean and disdainful tone. Seeing this side of Eve made Irish frown. Eve isn't called the queen of the batch for nothing. Arguments are her forte, and her slick tongue lets her get away with a lot of things.

"I already endured enough, right? Please understand, otherwise, Irish, I might tie you up so that you can't leave me anymore. You wouldn't want that, right? There's a lot of things you want to accomplish, and it's a pity if you suddenly get locked up in a little black room," Eve spouted the scariest things with a sweet tone.

Chills went up Irish's back. She almost forgot. In this materialistic world, money and capital moves society. And this person in front of her is at the top of the social pyramid, while she's just one of the middle class, working every day for those above.

Cursing her foolish, past self, Irish thought up of a lot of things in an instant to survive. Why did she approach this lioness before? Why did she get blinded by the other's surface personality who kindly included her in their social group? And how did she even receive the obsession of the other person, enough to lace her words with threats and poison?! She's clearly just an ordinary individual who wanted to mingle with other people and get rid of her social anxiety! This is unreasonable! Unscientific!

Irish's resistance lessened at the thought of her bleak future. Upon seeing Irish's decision, Eve smiled triumphantly. That's it. Her beloved should behave well.

"Now, tell me beloved Irish. What are we?" Eve coaxed and traced Irish's smooth neck with her finger. Looking at her beloved's white neck, she had the urge to bite but restrained herself. She has to coax Irish before the other can run away again.

Irish struggled internally on how to answer. But after a few minutes of silence, she sighed.

"We are… lovers," Irish replied, her lips trembling. The moment she said those words, she once again felt the invisible chains entangling her with Eve. She's finished. She should have dropped out from this university and changed schools, away from Eve. But alas, it's too late now.

"Great! Let's attend the masses together for the Lenten season. And I'll introduce my parents to you by the way. They've been nagging me to bring you back home for a few days now, and I'm so happy to finally be official in the eyes of our elders. We'll be staying forever together. Such a happy thing!" Eve continued to be as overbearing as ever, while Irish completely lost her strength.

She would have slid down the bathroom floor if not for Eve assisting her halfway.

Irish continued to listen to Eve planning their future while she stayed silent.

It seems that… there's something wrong with her thought process.

She could have run away before, so why didn't she? She already knew Eve's temperament that can persuade other people despite her meanness, threat or not. Eve abused her before in her words and actions, always derogating her to be the lower one in the relationship.

Maybe, deep inside, she also longed to be in Eve's presence?

Upon such realization, Irish widened her eyes in horror.

There… there is really something wrong with her psychology!

Was it called Stocksomething syndrome? Did she really fall in love with Eve due to the helplessness of her situation?!

Irish lifelessly followed Eve as the other held her arms tight, as if afraid that a moment of distraction can lead to Irish running away.

Whatever, she's tired of thinking. Let's just go with the flow, like she used to do.

Let's enjoy this and stop thinking pessimistically.

Otherwise, she might think of more dangerous ideas and start to doubt life again. 

Enduring Eve's mean remarks and hot-and-cold approaches is better than being locked up away in a black room.

And that's how Irish reasoned her decision of following Eve that day.

Later on, she begged for Eve to scold her more in bed but denied having such perverted thoughts afterwards.

It's called refusing on the surface but accepting everything deep inside.

That's how Irish managed Eve's thorny and unreasonable attachment and lived for a long time with the other without having a little black room ending.

~Fin~