Chapter—35 [Bonding]

'Even the wind, enchanted by her laughter, ached to dance around her, fondly caressing her cheeks with a sheer logging born of my admiration.'

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For once, Lucy's relatively good start to mornings instantaneously deteriorated to one of the worst days she had, but they were still better compared to greeting Aihara Sana in the same classroom, which she'd avoided in excuse of extra lessons.

As the days went it seemed after Mr. Avon was back in his lectures Ariana  Jane Wang Kin had put all her majestic engagement only for Hwang belatedly it turned out to be torture not caring if she would get a brain stroke the enormous rate of questions were thus far to be solved she was on the verge of tearing her hair out in frustration. 

Ariana hasn't shown any mercy so far aside from flat scornful comments. 

"Tu as un cerveau plein de merde," 

"I've told you I didn't take extra language classes. There's no point in whining when I can't feel insulted." 

Even being alone in the classroom from her seat she finds it hard to concentrate on the upright girl. They should have gone to the library but since Ariana doesn't want anyone to know about them,  hence they're one of the unoccupied rooms.  

"Why are you so stupid!"

"I don't know, maybe because my tutor is a piece of Merde." 

This was absurd. They can't work together. 

Lucy told herself. 

From quotidian time to time, she was missing in the real world. Ariana's inspiring sesquipedalian speeches favoring subjects were not effective enough for her brain to follow the rules of human physiology. It felt like a burden.

" Look Hwang, I know you're anxious," Ariana offered a warm, kind smile, seeing the lifeless expression before her lips drew back in a snarl ." So be fucking depressed and fail. I'd love to sign off, you brainless Idiote!" 

How encouraging… 

Yep, They can't work together. She admitted. 

Yet in her timorous crisis, the persnickety nature girl is amalgamated in the dedication Kin has shown in her with all the taunting encouragement ensuring great chances of solving the mathematical equations. 

Ariana Jane Wang Kin has offered mercy corresponding to other days at a certain time.  

Back in her dorm at nighttime, she'd find some snacks and green tea on her desk. Seyong has always put small notes with cute smileys to cheer her up on long days since they don't see each other, or bump into her best friend's room anymore. It somehow helped.  

As the week went the idea of— 'They can't work together' progressed to: 'Trial and Error will make it better'.

It's at the peak she was heedful grok in taking notes whilst Ariana skillfully explained while sauntering near the teacher's desk in tiresome the blue tailored uniform blazer was placed over a seat the crisp white shirt left open exposure the peach tint skin of salient collarbone as hands pulled back brunette waves to a bun few strands fondle around the sides they tucked behind the ears, shoulders held back, almond hazel eyes focus on the book she uses.

"Question?" 

Her familiar cold orotund voice would somehow sound softer and hoarse in their countless repetitious explaining tasks.   

" Yes, can you repeat the third para please?" 

"Sure,"  A smile, not disparaging, smirking, a natural smile, was exchanged between them. 

Trial and Error. Lucy repeated.

Sometimes they sit together close to each other. Lucy wouldn't be bothered with it; her brain was convinced chances sparked along in complications the rich fragrance has pricked to her senses throughout lessons she'd find herself nodding seeing how profound and observant The Queen Bee could be. 

One afternoon, just like any other, they heard voices near the corridor. It was odd the rooms were supposed to be forbidden besides professors, no one was allowed to roam around until some students intrigued their heads in Kin's business.  

"I don't think we should be here." 

They heard a dubious, gentle whisper of a boy.   

"Shut your mouth."

The unusually serious voice of  Britney Garcia barked. 

"Britney?" Lucy said to herself. Crap. She looked at Ariana who paused in reading and looked back of course she had recognized it too her demeanor changed from harmless feminine to assertive fierce fingertips tapped waiting for any daring activities 

"B-But if someone saw—" 

"You want it Or Not!?" 

The voice growled impatience. " Look, it won't take much longer; we'll finish soon; you'll give me what I want, and I'll return it," the speaker husked. " I'll be gentle, Baby." 

Lucy never had the urge to throw up so badly in her entire life until now she didn't wish to know anything whatever was about to occur between that unknown boy and Britney she glanced away and nudged her head toward the door for Ariana to give those students a hint this room was already occupied but that angel look devil only smirk an eyebrow raise as she shrugs 

"Ah!" 

Lucy's eyes widen the moment Ariana moans out loudly but there is more to come 

" Harder!" Lucy almost  flinched in her seat as a hard smack banged on the poor desk forcefully . " mo-more!"Her perplexity earned nothing other than a smug grin, and frantic heels reaching the closed door. " I said fuck me harder!" Ariana spat with rage thrusting her back against it. " Oh, Lucy! Yes." 

Silence, dead silence composed whether it was Britney who was dead after hearing otherwise, it was her who forgot to breathe.

 What in the world was wrong with this girl? 

Lucy opened her mouth to say something but Ariana tacitly drew a single digit up to her lips to hush it as a sign to keep quiet till the footsteps echoed all the corridor. Twisting the metal door handle the Kin family heir peeks out and affirms haughtily. " And they're gone." 

"What was that for?" demanded Lucy.

Pleased to herself, almond hazel orbs stared back in fake innocence. " What? She won't come here again."  

Fair enough. A huff of annoyance quashed back an attempt to disguise her scarlet cheeks."Well, why did you moan my name? She'll basically think we're fucking!" 

" You wish, Hwang but she won't. Not with me and you, eww, never,"  dismissed, the brunette lips curled in amusement, not expecting a dewy-eyed reaction. Almond eyes scrutinize the roseate hues. " She'll rather think this room is haunted." 

"I doubt that." Avoiding her gaze from the svelte, unbothered girl, she looks down at her notebook. 

"I know Britney more than herself to you. No one knows I call you  Lucy, do they ?" The sharp-toned quire

Acceptably, it was true most of the time, they always used surnames to address each other. The terms were only purposeful when they were at home and they are so used to it now. 

" Sad we couldn't see her face," Lucy mumbled. Angelic soft laugh resonated, astonished by the response to words she looked up at; the pure playful smile on Kin's lips gingerly complied and reposed her pondering concern; she, herself, allowed the desire to grin back.

" Oh, how I wish that, Lucy." 

Trial and Error. Lucy dwelled upon.  

Turns out Britney was more traumatized, which even let them study without any interruption for the following days, and in the middle of a peaceful Saturday, there was a small test that was beneficial to attest to her learning so far. 

"What do you think?"Came the soft, self-satisfied voice of the blonde-haired girl as her eyes lifted their gaze to the brunette.

Unmannerly with crossed legs sitting on top of the teacher's desk, Ariana hummed brows knitted for a brief before drifting back over the answer sheet. "Not bad."

A judgement passed her brows furrowed together. "Not bad?" she started crossing her hands in front of her torso defensively. " I just finished the three-month syllabus in a week and all you got is—'Not bad?' wow."

Ariana squinted her eyes down, placing the answer sheet aside. "You've skipped five long important chapters. What do you want me to say?" 

"Whatever," Lucy pondered on her remarks. It wasn't her fault they didn't have much time to finish everything, but still, she had tried so hard, and she was satisfied with it. Even her best friend would be as well, but not her parents for sure. " At least I would get the passing marks for now so a compliment won't hurt your egoistic ass," she glared up, raising her chin without breaking the gaze. " Will it?" 

"Unbelievable!" Ariana mentally facepalmed at how dimwit naïve this girl could actually be; momentarily, the latter pauses her urges to curse. Today is their last lesson. She has managed to keep her control button in check so far. She can't lash out now. It will ruin everything; exhaling a deep sigh, she spoke. "How can you be so self-deluded? Those chapters are important, make sure you complete them before the finals." 

Attaining the strict tone that almost sounded as generous as ever from their childhood she bit back a smile. "Bro, why do you sound like the other professors? Chill out, " she teases. "Yeah, right, 'cause you also have that Professor Kin thing in you; I got it." 

The brunette rolled her eyes, skeptical of the words. Does she have anything like her father? It would be laughable to think. Her father is better, calm, collected,  and qualified. But of course, somehow they both were the same. She smiled. "Cute."

The teasing laugh dipped in silence, puzzled on thought to register if she heard it wrong. "You think I'm cute,"  she inquired. 

"Fruit," Ariana implied, avoiding her gaze. " I said fruit." 

The soft frown on Lucy's features and narrowed eyes sharpened their gaze upon the confident liar ."Nope, you didn't," accusingly, she pointed a finger up. " I heard you!"  

Like ever Ariana is going to admit her true utterances. "Consult a doctor, your hearing ability is weak,"  straightening her back, her head tilted. " And did you just yell at me," she glared back, causing Lucy to swallow thickly. " How ungrateful child you are, Hwang! That's how you show gratitude to elders?" 

Still with a whine of defeat. " Sorry. " words ensued. 

The pucker lips sulking Hwang was indeed Cute. Keeping those low-rent thoughts to herself. She continued. " Focus now, I don't have all day to babysit you." 

Bypass the glaring sun westward soothing golden hues flicker within the railings pleasant in the ambient air, devilish blue-eyed statements delighted.  " Finally we are done. It means I can talk to Seyong now." 

Ariana nods her head as they walk into the empty corridor, their heels resonating in unison. " So you did keep your word surprising."  

Lucy turns, clasping her hands behind, seeing Ariana busy with her phone. She grinned. "Unlike you, Miss Grumpy Pants. I always keep my word." 

"Me,"  hazel eyes shifted to hers.

"You." 

Ariana didn't argue. There was something else going on in her mind other than Lucy and her cheeky comments. She ignored her with a quick pace that ignorance barely reached the blonde girl's long strides as she heeded behind amok with interest as they walked out of the corridor near the entrance. " What nothing? Not even a shut up?"  Her adolescent tone inquired. " Kin seriously what's up with you—"

"Seyong ?" 

They halted together and looked at the speaker who called. An expression is overwritten on the playful personality as they discover the owner of the voice. 

At first, Lucy wanted to jump down the two leftover stairs and greet her best friend, but seeing Sana, she groaned." Again," now she had to wait for another day. " Well, I gotta go." She mumbled, leaving the brunette alone, latent the spleen temper on the calm, warm complexion. 

There was a time when Little Ariana vowed something to her father. For most of her life, she had always made sure to follow, but at certain times, there came another spoken voice that whispered, twisting her gut. It's not her fault; it never was; it's just that some people keep tormenting her life by being a parasite inside her skin. 

How could she ever let it slide off?  

Now she has a reason for not letting it slide. Almond hazel eyes pierced onto the hands that were clutching Seyong's forearm, to the brushing of exposed skin of hands against each other; for the pair, they probably had no clue but Ariana. Subconsciously, her steps go ahead, interrupting the pairs.

"Sana, to the principal office, now." Before she could hold back the words slipped, ignoring Seyong, whose eyes were lightened seeing her finally after weeks.

The young girl looked bewildered. She didn't know what to do. She thought it would be her to get called. But no. Not her. Why not? Seyong thought. 'Perhaps she doesn't  have any interest in me anymore.'

"Alright,"  Sana said, still clinging to  Seyong with a genuine smile. " After you," she extended her hand.

High on heels, the refined form of heaven rolled her scenic hazel orbs at the action, causing the blonde girl to blink twice, still utterly confused, before she swiftly walked past them to the office building. 

 As  Sana leaves, she stands there for more than fifteen minutes of waiting, rapture in thoughts. 

She bit the supple skin on the bottom flesh of her lips and turned her way to the principal's office. 

The straps of her backpack clutch in her hands, and the gradual steps of shoes echo softly through the hallway. 

Midway, she stopped, noticing Sana returning, murmuring something. Her eyebrows were drawn in, and her gaze settled on the ink stain on the pastel peplum top. She didn't recall seeing the stain earlier.

" Sana?" The call seemed to snap the girl back to reality, causing her to nearly trip. Seyong caught the wrist to steady her. " Are you okay?" 

Pulling her hand back, Sana feigned a smile." Yes, yes, absolutely, I'm fine," she laughed awkwardly, seeing Seyong 's gaze lingering on the collarbone to the neck where red purplish hues of claws were almost discernable. " The door locks are pretty weird. It was supposed to be pushed in, but I pulled it out, and then," she pointed to her face. " This happened." 

Still unconvinced and unsure to pry further Seyong brought her backpack in front of her torso and took out a small ice pack she habitually carried for Lucy. " You should be careful," she offered. " It looks like it's bleeding. Do you want to go to the medical room? I'll take you there."

" No. I—I'm leaving." Appreciatively, she carefully accepted the ice pack, avoiding skin contact. " See you tomorrow," 

"Okay, take care of yourself," 

Silently Aihara Sana walked away while Seyong headed to the principal's office. 

After reaching, she knocks and waits for a — ' Come in,' but no response. She knocks again and twists the knob apologizing softly for getting inside without permission. "Sorry to bother you. Are you busy?"

"Yes," the curt reply almost had a tint of growl.

Her heart ached; maybe she was desperate, being bothersome, but what could she ever do to stop? This week was her chance to steal some precious moments. She would likely return home before exams began and wouldn't have any time to catch a glimpse of Ariana. 

Time to see the sun-kissed skin of the hazel-eyed loveliness.

 Her ears wouldn't be graced with the soft seraphic voice. How could she not crave more stimulation for her soul? Be more selfish. Reckless. Desperate. No one would understand, not even the vision of the angel before her.

"Do you want me to leave then?" 

No answer. Taking the silence as a yes, sighing defeatedly, she tried to leave, clutching the doorknob. To her surprise, the door wouldn't budge. She tried again, but it remained firmly shut. Maybe Sana was right—something was definitely wrong with the locks. "The door?"

Ariana didn't offer a single look,  not even once. Her graceful back was turned as she faced the large window, hands stubbornly folded in front of her chest.

 The room temperature began to drop. Seyong started to wonder if she had done something wrong to earn this cold distress. 

She wanted to ask if everything was okay, to say something that would make the latter look at her, to talk in a way that would make her crush feel better. This was her first time coming after Ariana without being summoned the sum up courage she mustered now feared behind her anxieties. She took a tentative step. " Mis—"

"For fuck's sake, will you just shut up!"

The sharp, booming voice made her jump out of her skin, sealing her mouth shut automatically. 

Silence creeps overpowering her uneasiness. This was far worse than being in her father's office, where she usually knew what waited for her. She watched the latter hands as they leisurely fell by her side,  the red color illustrating on the right hand seized her gaze.

Two faint lines etched onto her forehead, the turmoil in her brain sparks progressing her steps, likely a frightened animal venturing into the lion's den,  closer and closer until she was standing near the brunette. Spontaneously, she reached out a hand and touched it, causing Ariana to flinch away; their eyes met, hazel eyes sharply flashed with irritation. " What?!" 

Instead of answering, she dropped her gaze down to her shoes. Seyong timidly pulled out a handkerchief from her trouser pockets and gently touched Ariana's hand with the help of it.

Ignorantly, Ariana tried to pull her hand back from the touch, but the way, two small, slender digits clasped to her ring and pinky finger with a gentle tug made her pause. So did Seyong, whose dark eyes were focused, peering down at the crimson ink, ensuring the trace was wiped clean. 

Golden hours rays beam through the glass window painting amber over the small rubicund countenance tips of auric-tinted locks highlighted in orange shades, its dangled like flickers of gold to the side of the plump cheek brushing against the jaw as Seyong craned her head lower pleasing scent filled Ariana's nostrils claiming the rushing blood inside her veins she could almost taste the scent soft breaths brushes against her palm. 

The aroma of sweet vanilla made her swallow thickly held in desire, her fingertips arched to touch, and submissively she did.  The strands of hair twirled between her fingers before she tucked them behind the ear. 

Bewildered feline eyes glance up, dark eyelashes softly fluttering, and so is her heart. " What are you doing here?" Again no answer. Ariana let out a low huff of breath. " Not gonna talk now?"

Seyong moved her gaze away, and the blush on her cheeks spread to her ears. Lips remain closed. 

"Cat got your tongue, " holding her pointer finger down to the younger's chin, she made those abyssal eyes return to hers. "Say something, Seyong." 

"You told me to shut up," Seyong mumbled, almost pursing her lips in a pout. Her flustered state was rather undeniably humorous and rebellious. 

Ariana was enjoying it so far. It's been so long since she heard— Ms. Nerdy's voice. The constant back-and-forth with Lucy's stubborn self had worn her out, and now, standing next to the younger self felt like a long-awaited windfall. "My gracious, God-gifted goodness, and you listen," she retorted, voice hinting a playful sarcasm, keeping a nonchalant grave expression, still holding Seyong 's chin. 

Surprisingly the blonde girl made a gesture of an eye roll. 

Chao Seyong dared to roll her eyes in front of The Queen Bee, who was pleasantly amazed in seventh heaven by the action. She tilted her head, admiring the complexion,  the corner of her lips curling upward, chewing the inner of her cheeks. She released her chin and sternly said. "Don't show me that attitude—you'll regret it." 

The younger's head turned,  eyebrows raised in confusion for a beat. Seeing the abashment, it returned the most soft, bashful simper Seyong ever heard. 

 " Sucrée," this time, Ariana said it out proudly, savoring the word. 

Seyong was sure her lungs forgot to take in oxygen because even after cleaning the ink off Ariana's hand, the latter didn't let go of her hand. Rather, she moved incredibly closer, causing her to step back. " Stop beating around the bushes and get to the point," the area of the touched skin flushed in smoothing heat as the last phases added fervency to every cell of her body. " Shall we Dearie?"