lycheenobaai-blog - Tumblr blog

[lycheenobaai-blog]

Roundabout

“Hey Alice! Wait up!” Good God. Alice thought as she walked out of class to lunch. She didn’t turn back to the voice but rather walked faster to the nearest stairs. She just made it out of the building and on her way to the cafeteria not looking up when—

“I said, wait up!” said the guy who just caught up to her and is now blocking her path. Panting with a disheveled black hair the guy said, “Man… you’re not even tired… jogging up… from the fourth floor… like that? …So unfair.” and caught Alice’s gaze with eyes that matched his hair, a feature that never failed to captivate Alice whenever she looks at them.

She brushed the thought away and tried to strengthen her resolve of ignoring him with a, “What do you want Trent?” said Alice drily. “I’m in a hurry so make it quick.”

“What is up with you? You’ve been avoiding me all morning. Did I do something wrong?”

“No. Is that all?”

Trent’s features took on a shade of pain at her tone but he said, “Don’t give me that. You’re not one to treat someone so coldly like this at least I know I don’t deserve this treatment coming from you. I’ll ask again Alice; do you have a problem with me?”

“N-No…” Alice drifted off and Trent raised an eyebrow. “I mean… not with you.” Alice was obviously starting to feel uncomfortable under Trent’s gaze so she said, “Look, it’s a personal problem. I’m not mad at you or anything, so just…” she didn’t know how to end her sentence so Trent dropped his gaze and looked at her with eyes of obvious concern. 

“A personal problem? Doesn’t that give me more reason to know what it is? I’m a little offended that you think so little of me. You know I’m always here for you. Even if you don’t want to talk about it, don’t beat yourself up by isolating yourself because…” Trent suddenly flushed a little and scratched his head who apparently thought the clouds looked interesting.  “…You’re beating me up. I can’t stand not being around you. Let alone not being there for you. We’re friends so… don’t keep it to yourself.”

Alice’s eyes widened at this. She couldn’t process what the guy just said so she just stood there flustered.

“…W-Well say something!” Trent said failing miserably to hide the embarrassment in his voice. Looking so messed up like that, Alice chuckled.

“You’re sweet Trent. It’s nothing, really. I just… well, the exams are coming up and with you being a scholar and all I thought you might have wanted some alone time to study. I know I bug you a lot with the littlest things… I can’t help it I’m just too vulnerable when I’m with you. I didn’t want to disturb you around this crucial moment so I…” Alice said looking a bit abashed.

“Wha… Huh?” Trent looked genuinely confused. “What are you talking about? Are saying you were trying to give me space to study?” Trent seemed to think this over for a second before he broke into a laugh.

“I was being serious!” Alice said feeling upset that her concern was taken so lightly. “I was just worried ‘bout you was all!” She pouted and this made Trent stop from his party and put an arm around her shoulders still smiling.

“Well… if you thought your presence would hinder me in any way I’m sorry to say you are gravely mistaken my friend. “ He said poking her cheek with a finger. “You inspire me to do greater things, studying is not any different. I’d lose all motivation and die of missing you if you did what you did to me for any longer. I mean, I couldn’t even last the first two periods without you and now this? You’re my best friend so try to enjoy that status of yours a little more.” He said so casually but rings with an edge of matter-of-factly.

Alice suddenly flushed realizing how indeed childish her action was. But be that as it may, the reddening of her cheek was not only due to that, but the fact that guy so bluntly declared her importance in his life. She may just be a best friend but she was sure that no girl was happier than she was this very moment.

“Alice!” Trent said a little too loudly even from a step away looking at her with worried eyes. “Geez, don’t day dream in the middle of the day! Come on, let’s go grab lunch. I’m starving.” He said pulling her arm and started walking. Alice smiled at this and took off.

“The last one at the cafeteria pays for the meal!” she shouted behind her knowing the guy would give her a handicap the way he always does to let her win.

“Wah! So much for being best friends!” Trent shouted behind her laughing.

Alice just simply thought to herself ‘Yeah, best friends...’ not knowing that the guy just a few steps behind her thought the same ‘…for now.'