Chapter 3: The school anniversary - Luis

Ahh, the school anniversary, that day where everyone can have fun and relax, since there are no classes. This day was supposed to be the best day ever, but… why the hell am I dressed as a tree?!

My gaze was fixed on Rose, who, with a mocking and now typical smile, told me that this would be a small favor.

— Two members of the drama club got sick and we need two quick replacements, I am sorry Luis! —Said a girl with strange clothes—

In Rose's words, that girl was the president of the drama club and they were good friends. I had to resign myself and agree to participate with them, but I cannot help but ask about the second replacement. Then, from the back of the stage, Alice appeared, wearing a white dress with light blue decorations, a silver rose in her hair, and a cane. I was surprised to see her and even more so when Rose confirmed that she would be her second replacement.

— I am nervous —Alice said—. I do not know if I can get all my lines right.

— Do not worry, you will do fine Alice, you were born for the role of shepherd girl, and you can always improvise —Rose told her—. Luis, tell her something cute!

— Ehh, and why me? —I answered—.

Alice looked at me out of the corner of her eye; she was waiting for me to say something. If I already felt nervous seeing her dressed like that and also knowing that today would be the day I told her my feelings, this situation left me even more embarrassed. I was able to gather courage and tell her that she looked pretty, it seems to have worked because she said thank you.

— I think Mr. Pervert is very basic in giving praise —Ana said—.

I was going to get angry when I heard Ana's voice, but when I saw her dressed as a sheep, I started laughing. Seeing her embarrassed and upset face made me happy, although I could not enjoy that moment for a long time, because the president of the drama club said that the play was going to start.

Ana and Rose had already agreed to help the drama club before, since they had asked them for help a long time ago. While Ana was a simple and common sheep, Rose would be the narrator of the work; which she told about the creation of South High School.

The founder Elizabeth Ashfield, played by the president of the drama club, arrived in our city 50 years ago; she saw the precarious conditions of the place and decided to make a public high school. The name came from a small rivalry with the founder of the neighboring high school, who founded the north high school a year earlier. Therefore, we would be South High School.

The role that Alice had was a very important one, because she played Maria, a young sheep shepherd who had tried to go to North High School, but could not enter due to the high costs. Yes, North High School is private and its fees are very high; it was an option only for the wealthy. For this reason, Elizabeth Ashfield decided to create this place for the town and for everyone in general.

Maria had great talent in painting and the arts; she was one of the first big stars to come out of this high school. Thanks to her, this place gained popularity and status. The play also covered the origin of the disputes between North and South, since those rich people who made fun of a public school remained silent when they saw the success it had. There were many social conflicts over which was the best place to study, until the fourth director came up with the idea of a healthy sports competition on the day of the sports festival of both schools.

Making a kind of prelude to this year's sports festival, which would be in a month and 10 days, the president of the drama club ended with a very emotional phrase for everyone.

— This year we will win! We will show North who we are and maintain the pride of this school!

After the curtain closed, those who attended began to applaud, others to cry because of the love they have for this place. We went to see our audience and greet them, to receive their applause and smiles. I looked everywhere... but my mother was not there, much less that man. I let out a soft sigh and then looked at Alice, she looked happy that I had done everything right. Seeing her smile was all she needed.

Alice, she really manages to make all the worries in my head go away. Her voice, her hair, her way of speaking, everything about her fascinates me and makes me feel relaxed. I wonder if I will be able to tell him this day.

Minutes later, the play and the start of the school anniversary had ended. Ana and Rose said something about a surprise event at 4pm, but I am not sure what it will be about.

— Well, we have to prepare things for our special event, you two go and walk around, right Ana? —Rose said—.

— Indeed. Mr. Pervert, take good care of Alice and do not do anything perverted to her. —Ana said, seeing me with the intention of annoying—. Although it may be too much to ask for someone like you, after all, you always need to recharge your perverted energy or you will die of a heart attack.

— Do not treat me like some weird kind of perverted human being! —I shouted—. And do not call me Mr. Pervert!

— Yes, sure. Whatever you say.

Both girls left after that, and I was left alone with Alice. I looked at her and she was a little embarrassed, I was too.

— Well… Do you want to walk? —I said—.

— Yes… yes I want, only if you want…

— I... yes I want to.

— So… let's go… we could see the position our class made.

— Sounds good.

On the school anniversary, in addition to the play that is presented in the auditorium, each class does a small activity in their classroom, whether it be a food stall or lunches, a haunted hunt or a cafe. Our class agreed to do an art exhibition, it was Alice's idea. We all had to make a painting to present it and the truth is, I think mine is not the best.

When we entered the classroom we saw how there were already students and different people watching the works, many were hailing what Alice painted, and so was I. A sunny landscape, a sunset and the moon shining at night; all in the same box. Even though I do not know much about art, I think that painting was really pretty. Mine, on the other hand...

— Ha, a dog.

— How ugly.

— I thought it was a rabbit.

Various negative comments about what I painted were heard... but when Alice saw mine, she just smiled.

— How cute —she said—.

— Hehe thanks, although not everyone thinks the same.

— Hey, do not let those comments affect you. Beyond the result, I can see that you put a lot of effort into it, that makes it nice to me.

I could not help but blush a little and smile slightly. Then we saw Rose's work, titled: "My Friends." It seemed like it was a weird parody of all of us, but, it was nice to see.

Ana's work was a very interpretive one done in black and white. Although I could not understand it, Alice smiled when she saw it. There was a scientist, with a clean white coat, and behind her many worn black coats. I asked Alice about the meaning of the work and she said that Ana had failed a lot, so many times and for a long time, but even so she doesn't plan to give up. The clean white coat is her spirit giving herself a new chance to shine and the fallen coats are those failed attempts she has had.

I did not think Ana could be so serious, although she likes to bother me a lot, I think it is impressive that she does not give up so easily.

After finishing looking at all the paintings, Alice and I continued walking through the rest of the stalls: A haunted house, a video game stall, a cat play stall, and several food stalls.

— Too bad they do not have delicious waffles… —Alice said, somewhat sad—.

— We will be able to buy some when this event ends.

— REALLY?!, GREAT!

Alice really likes waffles; I think that is a cute thing. However, it was time and time to tell her everything he felt for her. Without Ana and Rose present, and having spent this entire day together, I am sure I will succeed. That was what I thought until we saw a completely lovey-dovey couple in front of us, we both blushed and Alice said that she had to look for her backpack.

— Wait for me… okay? She told me-.

— Alright…

She delayed. Could it be that she is not coming? Was the thing about her backpack an excuse to run away from me and she lied to me? Maybe... after all there continued to be accidents between her and me... and she was nervous all day, she was probably uncomfortable having me around... maybe my whole plan will fail... maybe I just... I should get out of here, because everywhere I always feel bad luck.

My silly thoughts were interrupted by Alice's arrival. I saw her running towards me along with her backpack.

— Sorry for making you wait. It seems that Rose had hidden my backpack.

Seeing her smile and her laughter I felt relieved, we continued walking together. It is true, Alice would never lie to me, she is not that kind of girl. I cannot let these kinds of negative thoughts consume me, I have to, I have to tell her how I feel about her.

We were walking and Alice wanted to go into one more stall, but I grabbed hers and told her that she wanted her to come with me to a place, she blushed and said yes.

There we were both, next to the big school tree. Many people had declared themselves there and everything went well, which is why it is known as the lovers' tree. I was nervous, and Alice too, I could see it in her face. At this point, it's a safe bet that she already knows what I am going to tell her and if she has not left, then I have a chance.

— Alice

— Yeah!?

My nerves consumed me; I could not say any more words. I took courage and stared at her, those bright eyes of hers, that beautiful silver hair, her soft hands, her face, her clothes. Many memories came to mind, all the times we were together and all the times we were in a group. No girl had ever caught my attention as much as her. I do not remember the exact day I fell in love with her, but I do know why.

— Alice! I love you! Please be my girlfriend!

I gave a slight bow as I said that, my whole body was trembling, I wanted her to say yes.

From her lips, I could hear the following words: "It is not fair." I looked up and saw her with tears in her eyes, but with a smile on her face.

— It is not fair... I wanted to be the first to say it... I like you too Luis.

My surprise and joy was great, so much that I could not help but hug Alice. She hugged me too and I could feel the warmth from her. Everything was peace and tranquility... until Rose fell from the Tree. What the hell was she doing there? Then Ana fell on top of me with a camera.

— Sorry viewers, we will cut the broadcast due to technical problems —Ana said, and then turned off the camera—.

Alice was surprised and asked them about what they were doing with that camera. Given the girls' refusal to speak, she whispered something that threatened them and they both confessed, she was doing a live broadcast, which was going to the school auditorium, where they were exposing my declaration of love. Alice blushed and got angry with the girls, and me too, but I did not have time to express myself, because a crowd of students came to... Attack me?!

— We are part of the Alice White fan club; we cannot allow her to date a guy like you! —Said one of the crazy fans—.

I ran, I ran for a long time until those guys got tired and went home. It was really exhausting, but at least I was already with Alice, it was all I needed. I apologized to her for not having had time to go buy waffles and we said goodbye to her, each of us going home. I was happy and confident, walking home without worry, but also, not knowing that things would get difficult from now on.

On another side of the school, at another time, a girl with blonde hair and a maid's outfit was receiving a call.

— Yes boss, as you could see in the video, your daughter.

— I see... it seems that I will have to prevent any tragedy from happening in the family.

— Do you want me to do something else?

— It will not be necessary; the media will do their thing these days. You better go to the mansion, Mary. I will give you another mission later. I am counting on you, newbie.

— Thank you very much, Mrs. Emilia.