#26 That Photo

What is this guy thinking, asking me if I like him all of a sudden?

"W-What are you talking about!" I shifted my gaze to the window.

"Then why are you averting your eyes?" He leaned closer in curiosity, when Carl interrupted. "Amanda, we need to get the materials."

"Right! I totally forgot about that." I quickly left my seat and went to the staff room with Carl. He really saved me back there or else I wouldn't know where to hide my red face.

There were a lot of teaching materials in a box placed below Ms. Elizabeth's desk, so I thought of dividing the load to the both of us. Just when I was about to open the box, Carl carried the whole thing by himself.

"Eh? Then what's the purpose of me being here?"

"Your job is to accompany me. I'm going to get lectured if I let you carry all this heavy stuff."

I never carried a box of papers before but is it really that heavy?

I closed the door after we came out and went back to our classroom. Carl seemed a bit down but he denied it when I asked. Well if that's the case, I shouldn't interfere.

We handed out the materials to everyone as told. I took a roundabout way so I wouldn't reach Eric so fast but he was staring really hard at me. On the other hand, Natasha still had her gloomy face. She avoided eye contact with me when I gave her the set of paper.

I left the last set for Carl to give Eric because I really didn't want to go near him. He clicked his tongue when he realized I did that on purpose but I remained ignorant and returned to my seat.

Despite the misunderstanding being cleared up, I still couldn't get over the fact that he actually smiled while talking to another girl. He never smiled at other girls in our class before, so why her?

I couldn't focus in class as my head was full of thoughts. I tried to recall that smile and her reaction. She didn't seem to please about it when he had that look. If that's the case, could it be….

"Was that a… sneer?"

The whole class suddenly had their gaze on me, even the teacher.

"Miss Asia, do you need something?"

"Eh? Ah. No, sorry." They laughed at my stuttering reply. I can't believe I just blurted that out randomly! But, does Eric know what I was talking about? He has always been able to read me after all.

And, I was right on point again. I received a text from him afterwards. It was a reply to what I said earlier.

"You finally realized."

So I was right? I had no idea what was the feeling I felt at that time but I somehow felt like a weight had been lifted from my heart.

After school, I decided to finish my homework in the library again before heading home. I feel more peaceful here despite a certain someone trailing me.

"You could have headed home first."

"Don't wanna." ...That was a rather quick response.

I couldn't do anything about it. It's not like I could control his life or whatever.

Sigh.

I told him he could follow me but the condition was to not bother me, which means not stare at me so much. That stare the other day really bothered me a lot.

When I was almost done with my work, Eric stood up and said he wanted to use the restroom. I didn't know why he asked me to wait for him but I guess it's fine since I wasn't rushing or anything.

Right after he left, I recognized a car that was stopping outside. I confirmed it when I saw my mother get out of the car, with Alice as the driver.

Is today Parents Teachers Association day?

No, that's not the main point I should be concerned about. What is mother even doing here when I was about to head home?

I packed my books and glanced at the window, only to find her missing. Has her walking speed always been fast? I dropped my bag when I heard a known voice from behind.

"This is the second time you left school late, and I see you aren't even doing anything."

My body trembled as I made eye contact with my mother. It was so sudden that I didn't know what to answer.

"I..."

"I witnessed her complete what she has come to do." Eric!

However, mother didn't seem pleased by his answer and was glaring at him. "You… Are you trying to cover up for her?"

"I was just merely speaking the truth I witnessed with my own eyes." He rarely speaks in a serious manner so it was quite surprising when he had that serious look on his face.

I felt weird because usually mother wouldn't let something off so easily but she didn't even question who he was. I would never forget how much she wanted to see Mia when Alice told her about it.

"Amanda."

"Yes, mother?"

She walked away without saying anything but Alice understood her meaning.

"The lady is asking you to return, Miss."

Oh, I figured that much. I picked up my bag and glanced at Eric before leaving. He picked up something from the table where I sat earlier and was looking at it. He seemed surprised when he saw it but Alice was dragging me away to the car so I couldn't stay back.

I wanted to check what it was that I left there so I told Alice not to keep my bag in the boot. I opened my bag and searched everything.

'It does seem like something is missing… but what is it?'

He was holding a piece of paper that is nowhere near an A4 sized paper, so it must have dropped out from one of my books.

I still couldn't figure it out until after dinner, when Eric texted me.

"Why would you bring an old photograph to school? Is he dead or something?"

That's right, that photo! I can't believe I've totally forgotten about it.