New Companions

"Do you want me to follow you, Young Master?" Ethan closed the door and showed his sweet smile. He secretly roamed his eyes and saw how lively and crowded the place was. 'Is this really okay for him to mix with these people?' he thought.

Liechael adjusted his jacket and zip it down. He sighed and scanned the surroundings. He checked his wristwatch and found out that it's already 4pm. The sun was about to set, so he at least wanted to not miss the fun of hanging out with friends. "No need, I will just text you to fetch me up,"

To his surprise, a warm palm landed on his head, giving him pats. "Take care then, Young Master" Ethan waved his hands and went back in the car, leaving the young lad.

Liechael first asked the directions, and it came out pretty well. He admits that he got a little shy, but he needed to ask or else he'll never meet Justin. He cleared the side of his eyes, making his own way towards the seaside.

The fresh smell of the river made its way to his nose as if it was seducing him to come closer and watch the calm waves. At the end of the pathway, he saw a long steel bar ledge. In the right corner of that ledge, he hazily saw two figures close to each other. When he opened his eyes wide, he soon recognized that it was Justin and — Alaena.

Liechael stopped. His chest started to ponder with excitement. The wind blew its way between them, where Alaena tucked her hair in her ears as she looked at Justin, smiling. That picture of her stunning in her blue dress under a thin white cardigan imprinted inside Liechael's mind.

"President!!!"

Justin waved his hands as soon as he saw Liechael standing just meters away from them. He grabbed Alaena and dashed to their guest. "I never thought that you're coming, thank you" Justin bowed his head.

Alaena also bowed her head and greeted Liechael, which made the youth blushed in silence. "Beautiful as always," Liechael whispered to himself, who happened to heard by the girl. Alaena averted her gaze and hid her red cheeks.

"We already reserved a table for us. Do you want to walk around?" Justin did all his best to at least let Liechael feel comfortable around them.

The young lad looked at them. "Just us?" he asked.

Alaena smiled at him this time, "Amy and Aiden were together, buying food while waiting for you," she pointed her finger towards the spot they were into earlier. "Want to join us there?"

Liechael nodded his head and followed the two. He sat across from Alaena and Justin, since his chair was only for a single person. He didn't utter a word the moment he sat down. He just looked at them and then to the flowing river, letting the small sounds underneath with the rocks bumping into each other relax his ears.

"Liechael."

That sweet, clear voice brought something different into Liechael's system. It surprised him. Hearing his full name from Alaena was enough to make him stunned. He spun his chin from the right side back to the two being sitting across from him.

When Aleana finally met the guy's eyes, her expression changed. "I'm going straight to the point, Liechael. Please don't spread a word about Justin's part-time job," she glanced at Justin, who's now making a worried expression. "He needed it,"

Liechael knew what that gaze meant. Alaena showing such expression means that she's really protecting Justin. Even if they were friends, he couldn't help but feel something. "I understand,"

"Ehh?!" Alaena and Justin looked at each other. "That quick?!" they both exclaimed.

Suddenly, a bunch of food was scattered on their table. Chips, biscuits, chocolates and canned soda.

"What quick are you talking about?" Amy pushed Alaena and sat next to her. "We bought plenty of food since the school president is here," then she gazed at Liechael.

Aiden sat beside Justin, not even glancing at the new young lad. "You really want to sit here?"

Everyone looked at Aiden, and then all shrugged their shoulders. "What do you mean?" Justin asked.

Aiden shifted his gaze to the open area meters from them. It was a grassland full of people having a picnic with their families and friends. It was an open space made for the people who like to enjoy the view of the setting sun.

"That's a good idea." Amy stood up from her seat and then she tapped Justin's shoulders. "Come on, help me pick up the foods" The guy followed her and they left the three as Aiden followed too, gesturing to Alaena and Liechael to follow him.

Liechael stood up from his seat and waited for Alaena to stand up and walk. He watched Alaena follow her friends. Though in the middle of their pace, she stopped and looked back.

She put her hands behind and tilted her head to the side, looking at Liechael. "Are you okay?". She asked, waiting for the guy to catch her pace.

"Yeah," Liechael replied.

Alaena paused. She leaned closer, which made the guy blush. "Are you sure it's not awkward?" she asked again, turning her gaze to Amy, Justin and Aiden, who's busy arranging the foods on the grassland meters away from them.

Liechael fell silent for a while. As soon as he came into this timeline, he already wanted to meet Alaena and asked her so many questions, but now that they're alone, walking together. He couldn't bring up the right words. "It's fine," he ended up responding.

"..pfftt.." Alaena scoffed, holding her stomach.

That small chuckle from her made Liechael look at her. She curled her back a little and her thin pink lips curled into a smile. "You really haven't changed," she mumbled.

"Pardon?" Liechael suddenly felt something from those words. He paused and held the girl's hand. "Did you just say something?" he asked.

"Uh?" Alaena's eyes went down to her hands. "What is it?" she asked, lifting her head and meeting Liechael's eyes. "Ehh? What is it?" she asked.

Liechael heated up, and then he immediately let go of the girl's hand. "I'm sorry," he mumbled.