It's not a game

"What do you want to talk about?"

Celestine took a deep breath. First, she needs to calm herself.

"I can’t comprehend what you want to do. If you’re just playing with me, stop… I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in your game."

Upon hearing those words, Zachary’s face darkened. What a pathetic life! Even someone who is still unfamiliar with him can pass such a judgment on him. What did he expect? When his family and friends couldn’t even understand what he was going through.

"Who told you that it was a game?" He seriously asked her.

"I-I..."

For a moment, Celestine doesn't know what to say. She's lost for words. She felt bad for some reason.

He knows himself and this time it wasn't a game for him. It's just that something about her caught his attention.

Eyes speak the loudest and you can see their soul through it.

The moment he first saw her, the expression on her face... the emotions in her eyes... it is printed on his mind and keeps repeating every time he sees her. He still remembers it clearly, because what he saw, somewhat reflected how he felt.

And due to that, he keeps on doing what he doesn’t usually do. That’s why his friends thought that he was acting weird. That he is suspicious and has some hidden motives.

All he wanted was to know her, but didn't know how to approach her properly. Therefore, he keeps on doing it the wrong way.

He wanted to know how she can act so calmly despite the storm and the loneliness brewing inside her. How the hell did she do it naturally? On the other hand, he throws punches everywhere. He makes trouble if he feels upset. He lets others feel the storm he's feeling.

“I’m sorry if I made you rather uncomfortable.”

He was apologizing to her. The thing he never did to anyone else.

Celestine smiled at him. She’s not petty enough to not forgive him. “Apology accepted. But please… if you want to talk to me, can you do it properly? Enough with the vague topic and stop with the teasing or else I wouldn’t talk to you.”

“You are fast at forgiving people.” He gave a smile. He wished he could do that too.

She could sense the sadness on his face. And the envy he’s covering with that expression.

“Forgiveness is a choice and happiness is also a choice. If you want to make your life happy, you need to learn how to forgive. Not only for other people but also learn to forgive yourself. But I wouldn’t force you to do that because I know, there are people we don’t want to forgive. A situation we don’t want to experience again.”

Zachary sits beside her. Still, there’s a space between them.

He bowed his head to look at the grass. It was hard to open up to other people. But it was even harder to keep all the things to himself.

“But… It's hard. I-I don’t know if I could do that.”

“That’s why I said ‘learn’. I didn’t expect you to do it right away. Some things take time. And I know for sure, that someday… you could do it.”

“Then for the second time, I would like to say sorry. And could we introduce ourselves properly this time? Looks like our first meeting doesn’t seem good.” Zachary shyly stated. He’s feeling embarrassed. “Hello there, young lady, I’m Zachary.”

“I’m pleased to meet you, I’m Celestine Leigh.”

They end it with a handshake. After that talk, they feel more comfortable with each other. Although there’s an invisible line that separates them, it’s not like the tension earlier.

The two sit there in silence for a little while. They are just watching the people passing by.

Celestine remembers Kathline and Clarence. She’s hoping nothing happened to them.

“Should we head inside? If we stay any longer, they might follow us here.”

“Before that, can I ask for a favor?”

“Let's stay silent when we go there. I don't want them to ease their nervousness. After what they’ve done to me.” Zachary was gritting his teeth. He was still mad at what happened earlier.

Celestine left out a chuckle. “Well, I suppose it wouldn’t do any harm to them.”

She’s sure that he just wants to tease them.

***

While Zachary and Celestine were talking outside, the three people inside didn't seem alright.

The three were restless and could only be looked outside where the two were. They want to follow them, but they respect Celestine’s decision to talk to him. Only him and no one else around.

"Do you think they have a proper conversation?" Veronica asked nervously.

"Should I go?" Clarence calmly stated.

"And ruined their conversation? What a good friend you are." Kathline sarcastically remarked.

Veronica shakes her head. Yes, she’s worried about Celestine and Zachary, but how can they talk properly if they suddenly show up there.

Another thing, how the hell did she end up with these two? All they could do was argue with each other.

“At least I’m a good friend. How about you? You only know how to hit people when you’re losing an argument.”

Kathline glared at Clarence furiously. She wants to punch him right away.

"Will the two of you shut up? Just let them be, they are grown ups and know what to do.”

Veronica was frustrated with them. Clarence is older than him but, the way his older brother behaves, it seems like she’s the older one. She forgot he’s older than her by only a couple of minutes.

To stay away from the two even for a second. Veronica picks up the tray where her plates and utensil are. She would return it for her to have time to breathe some fresh air.

She was getting a headache from them.

When Zachary and Celestine returned, the three people did not know if something happened in their conversation. They were unusually silent.

Clarence breaks the silence.

"Come on, let’s go to the seaside. They said there’s some fireworks displays in the evening. And for you to clear up your mind.” He taps Zachary’s shoulder.

"Tsk. You are inviting us, then you will abandon us later when you find a girl to hook up with."

“Hey don’t make me look bad.”

“Even he didn’t say those words. You look bad already.” Kathline muttered. “Let’s go girls. Don’t let them influence you.”

People around them could only look at the three girls leaving the cafeteria.

Zachary quietly followed them while Clarence was calming himself. ‘She’s really getting on my nerves.’

***

Celestine's hair was softly blown by the wind. It's kind of relaxing while looking at the sea while the sun was slowly setting.

They were located at the most well-known restaurant at the bay. Aside from being the City, Carmier was also known to have delicious seafood as it was near the ocean.

But before they went to the restaurant, Celestine wasn’t safe with the two shopaholics. Kathline and Veronica made their way to the mall. Celestine was thankful there is a bookstore near the boutique where the two went in.

It was late afternoon when the two ladies decided to stop. Both of them were craving for some seafood since they were near the bay. And they heard Clarence earlier that there was some fireworks display. They better go for it.

Again, they drag Celestine there. She couldn’t keep up with their energy.

Remembering her conversation with Zachary, she smiled while looking at the sunset. ‘He’s pretending to be cold but he’s actually a warm person.’