Dead Leaves

10-12/2012(Friday)

-Olivia-

[The One Daffodils Cafe, 4:00 pm]

"Here are your orders, Darlings!"

The waiter cheerfully said as he handed out our snacks and drinks which are mostly decided by Sandra. As expected, I could see Sandra's eyes beamed and her face just lit up like Christmas is coming soon when it's only October. Three plates of Carbonara filled our table. The enticing smell and the aroma it gives off always manages to make us three come back to The One Daffodils.

"Thank you, Lira! I've been craving for your Carbonara for weeks. School is so stressful and a mind-torture and YOUR Carbonara is the right medicine for my sullen mood, My Gosh!" Sandra stated as she started mixing her Carbonara.

After hearing what Sandra said, Lira's smile suddenly vanished. His eyebrows furrowed and he tilted his head, I know this expression and the question that comes next that expression is:

"Wait a sec, did that jerk Paniq did something to you girls again?" Lira asked us with worry and irritation written all over his face. I knew it. Besides the 'Three Idiots', Lira also knows Lucas' 'activities' towards us. He knows almost every code name we made up ever since we became regulars here. Maybe that's real reason why we kept on coming back, having The One Daffodils as our safe haven aside from the school's library.

Whenever we came back here

From a place that's filled with fear

Entering with frowns and tears

Now, smiling from ear to ear

Silence took over, Sandra and Ginger looked at me expecting that I should tell Lira since what Lucas did last time was out of the line. As I was about to answer-

" Why that little-!!" *Ding! Ding! Ding!*

"Lira! Orders for Tables 4 and 7 are ready! get over here right now!" The shop owner shouted at Lira. I could almost see a vein popping through her temple and her angelic smile is natural as it seems but behind that is a very scary person, and here I thought an angel and demon does not exist

"Well, I guess that's my cue. Enjoy your meal and come back anytime, my Darlings!" Lira said as he went to the counter, trying his best to calm the shop owner down.

Both Lira and the shop owner knew what was happening to us for a couple of months. We are often here in this cafe because it's so close to our school, Fiore University, and sometimes if things got too rough in school, we spend our time here to vent our frustrations. Lira is almost the same age as us. Come to think of it, besides Lira's age, we know nothing about him.

"Madame!" ?! I was startled by Ginger as she waves her hands at my face to get my attention.

"What?" I nonchalantly asked them

"So? How did it go?" Sandra asked before she took a bite of her pasta

"How did what go?"

"Oh C'mon, the confession, how did it go?" Jo Ginger asked yet again.

Flashback, 10-11/2012(Thursday, After School)

[Performing Arts Club Room]

"You're in the right room." Stephen Mucci spoke calmly

"Uhhh... am I interrupting something?" the white-haired senior asked

"Absolutely not!" I exclaimed

"Woah, sorry for asking"

Feeling guilt and regret. "No, I'm sorry, Senior-"

"Alejandro Martinez, Al for short and it's alright. I already knew why you're here"

"Huh? Why then?"

"It's because we need you." Stephen said out of a blue

"In a general explanation, we need you because we lack club members." Al explained, having a look as if a puzzle is finally solved.

"And If we lack members, our club will disband. " Stephen added, still continuing his painting

"As the President of this Performing Arts Club, I humbly recruit you as the new member." Mr. Martinez declared with his pleading look. Ugh, First, I'm stupid for expecting this to be my first confession, Second, I get to be a new member of this club which I really don't know it existed in the first place. Lastly, I can't stand pleading looks.

"Nice to have you here. " Stephen greeted and holds out his arm expecting for a handshake

"The pleasure is all mine." I replied while returning the handshake.

End of Flashback

"And that's how it happened" I explained, answering all of my best friends' endless questions.

"Wow, to think that confession turned into a recruitment. Hahaha!" Sandra said, trying to hold her laughter but failed.

"But wait, who's Pen?" Jo Ginger asked me. Now that I think about it. No one in the club mentioned Pen as his name. Strange

"I don't know."

"Yes, yes, enough of that Pen person and let us enjoy our free time from school." Sandra suggested

Well, she's right. I'm sick of it. School, I mean.

Meanwhile

[Performing Arts Club Room]

-Stephen-

"Still working on your painting?" Al asked me while arranging his materials for his art piece.

"I have to, the deadline of submission for the contest is getting near."

"You do know we need two representatives as a requirement for the contest?" He replied with a raised eyebrow.

"I know. That's why we need her." and also for her to remember

Dear Drip,

As dead leaves fall from a tree

At that moment, I can see

The sadness inside of me

Trying it's best to be free

Sincerely Yours

____________