Chapter 40: Public Display of Affection is Highly Prohibited

She closed her fists, shook her head to divert and forget the stranger's voice. "No, leave me alone! L–leave me alone!" Halora mumbled as a fear draw to her scarlet face.

"Halora!"

"No! N–no! Don't try to hold me!" She screamed, covered her head with the black backpack she used to bring.

"I–I'm so–sorry! I... I am really sorry,"

It surprised him, he stepped backward, looked confusingly at her. "I–it just me, Halora." He sounded disappointed. His eyes moved sideways, glanced at the gymnasium's entrance.

Suddenly, his entire system was was was electrified by extreme fear. The tension inside grew bigger and it was difficult to run away from it.

"Is that you, Roy?" She slowly lifted her head, blinked her tired, brown eyes.

A sweet, harmony soothed for the soul played while Rot remained shocked and speechless. He rubbed his eyes, looked around to search for the woman he saw earlier.

"Yes, and we need to get out from this place!" Fear drowned his soul and spirit.

The friendly ambiance has gone the moment he went back to fetch Halora. He certainly saw someone creepy which urged him to leave and took her bag for good.

"Hold my hand."

"Hmm."

Halora has no other choice at the moment. She held his hands tightly enough to make her feel better and safe with him.

As they went out from the gymnasium safely, she quickly grabbed her hands and hid them back nervously.

A fake smile formed on her lips pretended that it was not a big thing to deal with it at all.

She said, "I'm glad you are part of the Greatest Tigers Team before the end of the school year!"

Halora's sweet voice changed his mood instantly. He stopped, took the camera out from his back. "Wait for a moment and stay still," He paused, turned on the camera as he captured her, once again.

"Hey! Let me see my face! You've been stealing photographs of me, Adrian!"

"Stealing? Why would I do that if I can ask for your permission?"

His face turned scarlet when she smiled at him widely. She tried to reach for the camera but he is taller than her.

"You're right, but let me see it!"

Halora never knew that they caught the students' attention who stand by at the school's field.

They never saw such a beautiful, perfect couple at the school. Halora jumped high, determined to reach for it but accidentally, she stumbled upon stepping into the lace of her rubber shoes.

She screamed, called for help before her body touched the ground. "Halora!" His voice echoed around the opened space, made the audience gaped and terrified.

Roy lifted his hand that held the camera tightly. He moved closer to her, bent his knees as he grabbed Halora's body by his right arm.

Everything happened in slow motion like they were the female and male lead of a beautiful, mysterious love and action movie.

Roy gasped, stared at her glinting eyes for a couple of minutes. Fortunately, he caught her, gripped her waist tightly while Halora remembered something else.

She opened her mouth widely, stuck with his gaze as memories flashed back promptly.

"S– Sebastian!"

"He's not right here."

Roy raised his brow, felt the pain on his knees. His mood changed so quickly but he kept it in front of her.

He cleared his throat, "Let's go to the movie booth now!"

"S–sorry for bringing up his name! I... I don't mean it, and you know I am not lying to you!"

Guilt urged her to clear her name but it was too late. And Roy has no right to hear her explanation, to be mad and disappointed in her.

"You don't have to explain, Halora. I know my place– like your best friend only." He mumbled as tears shone to his eyes.

But secretly, he wiped it off while she remained speechless and guilty. She hit her head three times, hoped to forget about his name for one day.

"I shouldn't have uttered his name! Tss, that bad boy is manipulating my head again!"

Halora whispered to the wind, denied that she wanted to see him once again.

Silently, she followed her best friend to the movie booth. Students' laughter echoed the peaceful hallway that brought life to the school staff and volunteers.

This year's foundation day was the most unforgettable moment for each and everyone.

But Halora felt something strange. Since morning, she never saw Sandra together with her friends. No one bullied her at all!

After a long time of praying, her greatest wish was granted. Halora finally felt that she was an ordinary high school girl with a friend she truly trusts in everything.

She smiled, played with her fingers when she imagined things she could do as a student. She imagined being featured, hailed, and praised for being the most outstanding honor student of the year.

She could have dedicated her long, inspirational speech to her late parents.

"Hey, you've been looking at nowhere while smiling like an idiot! Come back to life again, Halora! We are here if you don't know."

The fantasy she created inside of her head temporarily paused when Roy whispered to her ears. She gasped, fake him a smile and a peace sign.

"How much the ticket is?" She asked him. Took out her wallet and was about to pay.

"Keep it. I already paid for our tickets."

Halora smiled sweetly at the volunteers' student who assisted them. She nodded her head while she followed Roy who walked silently towards the movie room.

"This way," spoke the young man.

He slowly opened the door coated with white paint. "Remember, inside of the movie room, everyone is prohibited to make an unnecessary noise. Kissing, and or any form of public display of affection is greatly restricted, do you understand?"

Roy shook his head in agreement. He secretly clenched his teeth when he felt offended by the rules.

But instead of arguing, he turned around and grabbed Halora's hand. They were too cold, trembled out of nervousness she had felt.

"Where do you want to sit?"

"A–anywhere you want." She replied shortly.

Roy looked throughout the room and searched for a perfect spot. It was a new, interesting horror movie and it would be best to choose the middle portion of the seats.

He held her hand and brought her to the vacant seats in the middle. Halora tied her messy hair after she seated beside him.

Little did she know, Sandra came inside with a young man she knew very well. His cold, mysterious eyes met her fearful gaze but Halora looked away from his glinting, drowning stare.