Chapter 5

Lumi's POV

Days have passed and we're almost done with the designs. We'll be continuing it this afternoon so I'm gonna eat lots right now since it's lunch. I do bring packed lunch but we don't usually eat at the school's cafeteria.

Despite being excused for our club activities, I can't deny that we're missing a lot of lessons. Good thing at some point I can still catch up.

I wonder if I can continue going like this. But come to think of it, the others have been doing this for years maybe that's why they don't seem to be struggling or whatever. How about her?

Riu...

She's the only female before we newbies came. How did she handle it all. Did she struggle too or was she already used to it.

Why am I even thinking about this.

After hanging out with the club members, I became quite close with Riu too. Close for us to walk home together sometimes. But we're not friends, that's what she said. She doesn't even call me by my name and I recently found out that Riu isn't her real name. She's nice, playful most of the times in front of those whom she is close to but she doesn't talk or share things about her. She's open like a book but at the same time she holds a lot of secrets beyond the lines there is. And I find her unfair.

I shouldn't care though, we're not friends... just schoolmates. But she's just unfair, I'm finally getting a hang of her presence and her somewhat flirty attitude towards me but she still have that invisible barrier up. It's not like I desperately want to break that down but I'm already comfortable to her, enough to trust her even though I haven't actually said a lot of things about me. Speaking of her flirty attitude, I usually hate people who are like that but just after a few days of her being extra caring and kinda sweet though she's cold at times that flirty attitude is becoming cute, she's just so funny most of the times.

"So how's it going with you and Rika? Made any progress?" Jess asked but I remained silent.

Just as I was thinking of silly things that makes my mood kinda good you'll go ahead and ask about things I don't want to talk about. I really doubt sometimes if you're really one of my friends or not.

I was getting that out of my mind yet here goes the memories again of what I did a few days ago and what happened.

"Why ask her that right now Jess? I bet she's interested in something else right now" Maxie said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Nah, It just went downhill. Let's talk about it some other time." I said so that they'll just drop the topic. I finished eating and so are they, we decided to go back in our room instead and just chill.

As I get to sit on my chair, I let out a sigh. I'd be lying if I said I'm ok, I'm quite frustrated to be honest.

Who would even want to talk about how you get rejected.

Just when I mustered my courage and was ready to confess, shit happens.

The time I gathered my courage took a lot of time. I was late, she has someone she's interested in and they're mutual. It started last school year before it ended, that's what she said.

If I confessed back then, would it be me and not him? would I have stood a chance? Damn I feel so pathetic.

-----

I felt a tap on my back as I was fixing the paints silently so I can bring it to them, and as turned to look I saw Riu standing there softly smiling then she ruffled my hair.

"What's with that look?" she asked but I was too i-don't-know right now to answer that. My friends would often get irritated when I'm like this but she's different. Instead, she picked up all the things that I was doing right now and said:

"Don't look so grumpy and upset more than usual. We're not friends..."

Uhm what connects that to the situation. I've known that already, you keep on saying it anyway. I stand up and we walked to where the others are when she continued speaking.

"and I don't know what you're going through but It's clearly obvious that you're not ok. You can talk to me if you want, they say it's good to talk to strangers when you don't feel fine for they won't judge you. You can always ambush my messenger and I'll listen. But if you're not comfortable with me, try to open up to your friends." she seriously said. This girl, do really say things that make sense sometimes. She even knows I'm not fine and wouldn't push my limits just to know what's bothering me. I'm impressed that she didn't get annoyed with my attitude right now, I've been like a ticking bomb this past few days anyway.

"Go back to your usual self, you look like a mixed grumpy panda and an angry fox" She said as she put down the paints and left.

And here I thought she was nice but there she goes annoying me every time she can. What a ball of energy. But anyway she did made me smile with her personality...

Just a little ok?

...just a little

"So why are you smiling like a crazy fox there?" Lyn asked appearing from nowhere while her hands were already on my shoulders looking at me with that cheeky smile of hers. Fox?? they really are friends.

I shrugged her hands off and ignored her.

"Hey! No response? How rude haha were you so speechless after talking to the one and only Riu?"-Lyn

Ok where did that come from?

"No!" I said but she was there with the "ooh" face because of my strong disagreement but then she laughed afterwards.

"What a cute foxy, Guess that's why she's interested in you" she said those last words a little low.

"What was that?" I asked.

"I don't know haha figure it out yourself or go ask the lioness" she said not even answering my question properly.

"Whatever, I don't get you. Anyway why do you call me foxy? my god"

"Why? you don't want others to call you foxy other than her?" She asked while grinning and I hit here out of impulse.

"Stop that. Duh I'm asking 'cause I don't get why you're calling me foxy. Don't I look like a human?"

"Chill haha she said it was because of your eyes that's why she calls you that. Now that I think of it, you do really look like one hahahahahaha"

"I have a name you know."

"I know haha but I'm having fun calling you foxy, your reactions are just priceless" she said as she kept laughing.

"you're calling me that to mess with me but is she calling me foxy for the same reasons?" I asked with a hint of seriousness. She then stopped laughing and look at me before looking at Riu from a distance.

"Nope"-Lyn

"Then why? She never mentioned or say my real name even once"

"Well if you're that curious, go and ask her. just go and ask, she might give you an answer" She said then left.

Great. What's with people leaving me thinking of what's going on inside their minds for messing with mine.