CHAPTER 83: FATED NIGHT

"What are you trying to say?" gulping heavily, I try not to look elsewhere and stare straight at her although my heart pounds like crazy.

Naomi stares at me. I can see uncertainty in her eyes and for a moment, a sliver of hope rises.

"Allen," she breathes the name in a soft whisper and my whole body goes rigid. I can't even feel my nails digging into my palms as I stare at her, probably quite dumbly too. And terrified. That's for sure.

Naomi keeps staring at me, waiting, probably. Her face softens. I don't know what I look like right now, probably not good for I can see a slight pity in her eyes as she holds out her hands to pat my shoulders.

"I'm not gonna say anything. Not my place anyway," she shrugs and drops her hands to her sides but still staring at me. "And I believe you know what to do, don't you?" she asks rather sternly.

I nod slowly. I know. Of course I do. I've known that since it happened the first time. I just haven't got the courage to do so.

"I know." My voice is barely a whisper as I lower my head. Mostly in shame. More so because my heart aches.

"Then I won't say anymore," Naomi says, a smile blooming as she once again pats me reassuringly. Comforting.

"Thank you," I manage to choke out after a while.

"No worries," Naomi says, "I'll go on ahead first. You go do your thing and think about what to do, okay?"

I nod again. I can't say anything. I haven't the strength and she seems to realize that as she shakes her head and goes on her way, leaving me on the hallway to my sorrow.

I sigh as I watch her back getting farther away. Naomi's nice. She's a good friend.

My head feels heavy, but somehow clear.

I made my decision a long time ago. I just don't know what to do to execute that. Now that someone actually knows, it just makes it easier to end everything. I can at least argue that we got caught and I'm scared. That's reasonable.

I have to do it soon. Or else more people will know and we'll be doomed.

I sigh and start to make my way to wherever. It's really hard being in love with the wrong person.

*

The plan is in place and the day of the winter festival gala has finally arrived. I run here and there for most of the morning to various places and help everywhere I can. After tea time and a little R&R with the guys, I went back to my dorm to shower and change into my formal attire for the gala and auction. It's a formal gala so of course we all have to dress up and so I did. With my newly bought tuxedo and newly trimmed hair, I make my way back to campus.

The sun is already setting and the orange glow is so beautiful. Too bad I'm not bringing my camera. I can only sigh and marvel at the sight before walking as fast as I can to the main hall. Keaton and Malik are already waiting for me there. I bought two tickets for them because they said they wanted to participate in the auction also. They can't participate if they use my invitation given to me by the committee. But I still gave my invitations to them in case they wanted to invite someone else.

Turns out, Keaton brought Maria and Malik brought one of his cousins and the area where they are standing seems to emit a very, very cold aura. I can't help but to chuckle at the sight. Maria looks very irritated while Keaton looks as helpless as always whenever Maria is involved. Malik, on the other hand, completely ignoring the occasional daggers shot by Maria and casually chatting with his cousin.

They see me walk towards them and I wave my hand in greeting. Malik grin and waves back, so is Keaton. Maria, upon seeing me, turns her head away in annoyance. The cousin who Malik brings is one of the interns in his shop so I've known him for a while.

"Did you wait long?" I ask as I step in front of them.

Both Malik and Keaton step towards me, holding me on each of my sides before giving a peck to each of my cheeks, which, of course, infuriates Maria even more. I stare at them, helpless. That was so deliberate.

"Let's go in," I ignore Maria's piercing glare and lead them inside the grand hall. Through the corridors and onto the main hall where people were already gathering in flocks, chatting and studying the auction pieces scattered here and there. I hand each of them a badge with numbers on it. They can walk around and see the auction items and write down their numbers on the piece of paper under each piece, and by the end of the auction, the highest bid will be called by their numbers and asked to join the directors of the school for handover ceremony and whatnot.

While explaining all of these, my other friends, aka, my best friends, walk towards me. Of course along with Allen and Joy, and I try so, so damn hard not to tense my body upon seeing them. Instead I wave at them in greeting with a big smile on my face.

"Do ya'll need introductions?" I say jokingly at each of them.

Chuck, who has taken his place beside me, rolls his eyes and taps my head gently. Aside from Malik and his cousin, my best friends of course knew of Keaton whom they have met previously, and Maria, who actually is in their own social circle. So I just casually introduced the two of them. They know about Malik, too, of course. They've seen him here and there a few times, but I've never properly introduced him to them. No idea why.

"A Luthor, Cortes, Lesters, and Whitlock," Maria eyes everyone of my best friends before turning to me with contempt and suspicion, "what a nice group of friends," she says with implication as clear as day.

"Don't make trouble, please," Keaton sighs, reaching out to his sister before looking at me apologetically.

Chuck narrows his eyes, staring at her, clearly displeased.

Maria stares at me and at my friends, before scoffing and turning on her heels.

"I'm sorry about her," Keaton apologizes with a complicated look.

"It's fine. Go with her," I tell him, slightly pushing him away.

"I'll look for you later," Keaton says, once again smiling apologetically to us before catching up to his sister.

"Well, we're gonna go ahead and look around too," Malik says, grinning, before dragging his cousin away, leaving behind me and my best friends.

"Which one's your date?" Chuck asks rigidly. I side-eyed him, seeing that he's staring at me tensely, I look away before answering.

"Does it matter?" I ask lightly.

"You," Chuck is probably about to explode again but then Marsha holds out her hand to stop Chuck doing anything.

I stare at him for a while before sighing, "Sorry," I shake my head, trying to clear it. "I'm gonna go get some air," I tell them and walk away without waiting for their reply.

My mood is fluctuating too much these days. I'm afraid I'd get in a fight just from a slight irritation. I'm no longer fifteen. Fighting is so unbecoming.

I need some air. And a clear mind. Especially for what I'm about to do later tonight.