The Imminent Duel

May's POV

"How come I'm the only one who doesn't get to have a boy childhood friend?" Dawn pouted. She flopped down beside me back to our circle of secret sharing. Secret sharing, which was coined by our dear Leaf here, is a monthly sort of ritual between us four since the start of our senior year.

I remembered back then my immeasurable amount of excitement every time we hold this activity, but now? I'm not really so sure about being excited. I'm overflowing with lots of highly confidential information right now that God knows it would be my definite death when it is revealed.

Definite. Death. Hell. Endless suffering.

Death here by the way, sounds way more comfortable than what it should really be. To think that this secret sharing was supposed to strengthen our friendship.

Anyway, tonight's Thursday and also the last day of exams and nothing would be even better spending the now stress-free days and the upcoming Christmas Party than doing the secret sharing.

Wonderful!

Or what I would prefer to say, The Used-To-Be-Exciting Secret Sharing. We're currently staying in Dawn's room, the usual venue for our secret sharing right from the beginning.

"You should have been there Dawn!" The red-head exclaimed like it was some big news, which it really was, rounding her eyes and exaggerating her expression. "Leaf was totally in a love triangle between Gary and Red!"

"Come on Misty, it wasn't anything like that." Leaf chuckled. "They're just a bunch of misguided boys who are into troublemaking."

Dawn grimaced. "You even got two Leaf! How is that even possible?!" She whined like some five-year old. Like she was the only toddler in the group without a Barbie.

Johanna Berlitz, Dawn's mother, suddenly came in with a bowl of freshly baked cookies. "You do have your own boy childhood friend, right sweetheart?" She winked and placed the bowl of cookies in the middle of our circle.

"You do?!" Came all of our three voices together.

"Enjoy your time girls!" Johanna said, winking as she turned on the heater before closing the door behind her.

"Ugh, mom." Dawn scowled beside me. "Well it's my turn now anyway." Dawn rolled her eyes. "Yes, I do also have a boy childhood friend." She grunted, looking down like it was some big disappointing fact about her life.

"Really!?" Leaf mumbled, stuffing her mouth with a cookie on the other side of the Dawn. She just finished sharing about her secret which is her childhood relationship with Gary and Red. Misty showed curiosity-filled eyes edging Dawn to continue. While I, on the other hand, picked and munched on a sweet smelling cookie.

With much reluctance, for whatever reason, Dawn gave a sigh and continued. "His name is Barry, he actually live just right next door." She finished monotonously.

"What?!" I dropped my jaw, of course without dropping the cookies inside. This isn't the usual Dawn Berlitz I know, the Dawn Berlitz I know would be proud to have a boy childhood friend. She kept on whining on me about it ever since. A shiver ran down my spine when I remembered how scarily accurate she predicted my past with Drew.

But why is she acting like this, like she's not proud at all

And before we were able to make some further comments, she raised her index finger at us before speaking. "He's currently studying at the university quite far from our university." When I was about to ask something about why she didn't seem to like him, Dawn cut me off again and raised her index finger at me this time. "Because I don't want to go to the same school as him. I just hate him."

What? She hated him?

How much does she hate him? But knowing that Dawn probably doesn't want to talk about it, I just sighed and let it slip by. I grabbed another cookie and just slumped back on my position. They should really be more like me you know, being not the nosy type.

Misty was also about to speak up when Dawn cut her off. "He's blond, and nope. I'm not really into blonds. And I don't have any pictures of him." Misty grunted that it wasn't her question, though she admitted in the end that she was gonna ask at least about his looks.

"You hate blonds?" I asked.

"Uhh.." Dawn thought for a while. "Now that you asked. I don't!" She chuckled. "It's more like because of him that I unconsciously became hateful toward blonds."

"Just because of him you thought that all blonds are like him?" I questioned, still puzzled by what she meant.

"So you stereotyped blonds because of him?" Misty followed. "Damn he must be horrible."

"Or it's you who is horrible." Misty shrugged. "Just saying Dawn."

Luckily for us, Leaf was very persistent. She pushed Dawn to go more into the details.

Dawn explained that the thing she hates the most about this Barry guy is being very impatient and reckless. She even shared about her experience with him in the past that Barry usually left his things often and she, being the more mature, gets to have the responsibility of getting them back or returning them for him.

She said that it was too bothersome and troublesome being with him. She thought that his recklessness borders beyond immaturity. And with a lot of awful and horrible experience with him, she thus concluded somehow that blonds are all immature.

Okay, about what Dawn said there 'she being the more mature.' I know I'm not in any position to claim something here, especially about being responsible and such, but Dawn being more mature than this guy? Dawn Berlitz, the only person I know who has a separate purse for her yellow tardiness slips from being tardy almost everyday?

Wow. Barry sure is something.

"So he really does fine you a million dollars for showing up a few minutes late?" Leaf inquired. "That's horrible!"

"No Leaf." Dawn facepalmed. "It's just his odd habit."

"Ohh. I thought he would really fine you." She chuckled. "I don't like being fined."

And out of nowhere an unwelcomed memory came crashing through my head.

I can finally taste these kissable lips.

The cookies almost killed me by asphyxiation.

I unconsciously sat up and instantly cupped my mouth in embarrassment. I remembered what happened during last Saturday. Still fresh from the memory.

I could still hear Leaf, Dawn and Misty talking about Barry but I wasn't able to make any sense of it anymore, I was unconsciously starting to shut my senses off as the feeling of ginormous butterflies kept on fluttering inside my stomach.

Damn unbeatable annoying winged insects.

I touched my lips and tried to remember what it felt like, or what it tasted like.

What he tasted like...

Sweet...

Maybe even sweeter than this chocolate chip cookie.

Ugh Maybelle! Really?! That sounded so weird! Not to mention lewd and perverted! I couldn't believe I was able to say that! I pressed my face against my palms and shook my head violently, fearing that his perverseness was slowly contaminating my innocence.

But I soon stopped myself when I noticed that it became quiet. And when I looked up, I saw three pairs of bewildered eyes dripping with anticipation looking straight at me. "What?" I managed to ask innocently.

I gulped noiselessly.

"It's your turn dummy!" All of them happily cried. If I had to comment something about the way they all said it, it would be that it seem they were all waiting for my turn all this time, like I had some super juicy stuff to tell them about. I guess it can't be helped, can it? Considering the return of that pervert which just happened to become our dear classmate.

Oh dear heavens.

"What do you guys want to know about me and Drew?" I asked directly, I know it's gonna be about us so there's no use trying to delay the matter. Oh gosh what have I said?!

Mental facepalm.

What have I said?! I could have said 'Oh guys ask me anything you wanted to know about Drew.' I just had to blabber that 'me and Drew' part.

Ugh I could have made this less worse!

As soon as I asked that, the three of them turned their heads toward each other and gave a very maniacal and creepy grin that had me cringing at the mere sight, especially Dawn and Leaf.

Oh boy, I don't think I'll ever see the light of dawn again. I disdainfully narrowed my eyes and braced for impact.

"Have you ever fantasize having Drew as your husband someday?" Dawn started first, smiling wildly right beside me. "Since you guys have been playing prince and princess a lot!"

I was so speechless that nothing came out of my mouth and if there are any to come out, that would be my sanity, or my soul. Or both.

Like hell I've ever fantasize him becoming my husband!

Yep! If were gonna live in a castle then you might as well be my prince.

Oh wait, I think I did.

Oh god.

But that was ages ago! I don't think I even knew how to tie my shoelaces back then, it shouldn't count.

Wouldn't it be really great if you could cook this to Drew someday? That would make him really happy.

Ugh damn it! I think I really just did! Even my own flashbacks are betraying me!

"Yes Dawn, ugh, damn it I did. Sadly." I answered her, feeling flustered and annoyed at the same time. "Or at least I think I did."

Misty squealed in utter delight while clasping both of her hands. "You're so cute when you feel embarrassed May!"

"Hey that's rude!" I replied.

What? Should I be happy about that? Because I don't think that was anything near a compliment.

Leaf, which was positioned on Dawn's other side, quickly pulled out Dawn displacing her from her position. "How many kids would you like to have in case you were to be married someday? I mean have you kissed each other yet? No, forget that, I mean how much do you like him?" Leaf asked, breathing very heavily just right a good few centimeters in front of me.

Oh my god, can I please have a break?

"How much do you love him?" Dawn followed just right behind her.

I disdainfully scorned my look and looked at the corner of my eye. This is gonna be a long night.

A very long night.

The game ended on my turn, sadly. It never rotated anymore, it was so unfair. They kept on asking one question after another. If that game started with me, I don't think they would get their turn, that's how many questions they threw at me. Heck I wouldn't even know anything about this Barry guy! Their questions ranged from simple ones to out-of-this-world ones! Especially that 'how many kids I would like to have' Ugh, do I even need to answer that one hell of a crazy question? Of course there was some that I denied, like the kiss. And some that I admitted, like sleeping in the same room as him.

And about loving him? I answered with an 'I'm not really sure, maybe I guess?' hoping that it would a bit disappoint them, but they just squealed even more.

Misty also asked why I don't go home with Drew like how she and Ash do. I really thought hard how I could answer that safely, the truth was because of Brianna Wattson becoming suspicious about our true relationship. Knowing she's the school's famous journalist and an un-introduced friend of Drew, I just didn't have the courage, energy, mental and emotional capacity to bring her up. They were already very curious just about us two, bringing up Brianna would be like throwing gas in a wild fire. And since I couldn't come up with a smart reasoning, I just answered with a 'He usually hangs out with Gary and Paul after school.'

Wait, I think that was a pretty good reasoning I did right there.

Throughout the session, I kept my status locked, and admitted everything as long as it wouldn't lead even a tiny bit into my current status, no matter how embarrassing it was. I just, ugh, just, just let me rest for the night please.

It was around ten when both Leaf and Misty bid farewell, the looks on their faces was so satisfied that it left a bitter tinge on some part of me. Dawn however was nowhere near that satisfied look. Meanwhile, I readied my bed which was on the lower bunk of Dawn's double deck bed. Dawn slept on the upper bunk.

Since Sunday night, I've been sleeping here because of what that sick pervert did, I could still clearly picture out in my mind what had happened back then that made me temporarily stay here. Ugh he's really so full of himself that it's so frustrating, distracting and annoying!

...

The cold Sunday breeze that whispered to my room woke me up in jiffy. It was so cold that I was having second thoughts about getting up and closing the windows, that of course would need quite a handful of energy which I don't think I sufficiently have yet. So I just pulled the covers on me and tried to continue sleeping like a plank of wood.

But eventually I gave up, sat up grudgingly and walked toward the window to close it. The coldness was turning into something I couldn't ignore anymore. I was about to get back to bed when I heard noises just right outside of my room.

How could that pervert be so optimistic and noisy this early in the morning?

I shivered a bit before returning to bed. And just as I was about to pull the covers on me again, I heard that Drew was talking to someone. And the word 'kiss' literally chased away the drowsiness clinging on me.

Who was he talking to? And what kiss? I got up and slowly walked to the door, embracing myself because of the cold.

"Yeah Mom!" Drew's complacent voice echoed throughout the room. I just opened the door and found out that he was actually talking on the phone right beside the door of his room. "She was like 'kiss me then'."

He could have said it in a lot more nicer and less conceited manner, but he just had to say it like that, like I was begging for it. Knowing that he could either be talking to my Mom or his, I stormed my way to him, cracking my knuckles. Well, he literally asked for it!

"Oh May, good you're already awake." His out-of-place smile plastered on his annoying face. I really can't believe he could innocently smile after what he just said! Was he inferring that 'Since May tried to kiss me the other day, I guess it wouldn't hurt to kiss her I mean I'm just too hot for her to ignore.'

"Your mom called to check on us." He added, flicking his bed hair.

I pulled up both of my sleeves and gave him my glare that literally spelled I-am-so-done-with-your-sick-and-ill-natured-narcissistic-perverseness!

Remember when I said earlier about having not enough energy? Maybe it wasn't true, because when I grabbed him by the collar, I was able to lift him up a few centimeters off the ground.

Adrenaline rush!

I didn't speak and I just angrily looked him straight in the eye, which he answered with a surprised look on me.

I would be muttering all kinds of prayer around the world if I were him right now.

"What did I do?"

I retracted my right hand and slowly took the phone from his left hand, which he complied politely. "I'll call you back after a minute Mom." I answered before hanging up and lifting him up back against the wall again.

"Any last freaking words!?" I growled.

"You really have an un-girly stre-"

And it was then in a mere second that I was able to keep on brutally slam him against the wall crying shouts of frustration.

"Why are you so arrogant?!"

"Why are you so sickly perverted?!"

"Why are you such a conceited bastard?!"

"Why?!"

"WHY?!"

"Hnnngggg!"

After all the slamming I did on him against the wall, he was able to mutter something unintelligible, so I stopped so he could just say whatever it was he was trying to say.

"Y-your un-girly s-strength is s-so c-cute."

"WHAT?!"

It was again in a mere second that I was back slamming him against the wall. Un-girly and cute doesn't match!

"You even managed to tell Paul about us getting married!"

"How stupid could you be?!"

"Just wilt and die!"

...

I don't know how long I kept on doing it but after that, he was lying lifelessly on the floor when I dropped him, but I didn't worry since he was still breathing and I took it as an 'okay' sign. I called back Mom after that and had a little chat with her, but it wasn't long that I hang up again because she didn't stop teasing me about my kiss with Drew and how much I 'begged' for it.

Ugh.

So I realized something essential, that in order to get a high score in the upcoming exam, I needed to study really badly. I was so distracted and living with the pervert made matters worse. That's when I decided to stay somewhere away from him, somewhere where I couldn't get a glimpse of his annoying sexy green eyes nor his silky fragrant chartreuse hair. And whatever that reminds me of him.

And that's when it came to me that maybe I could stay over at Dawn's place. I dialed her number, offered her my help about tutoring her, and in return I could stay at her house until the exams were over.

It was perfect win-win situation.

Of course why would I stay at my own house, my original house I mean, Mom and Dad would just be teasing me.

It was already minutes earlier that Dawn had already been asleep on the upper bunk that I decided I should already get a sleep of my own. It was already 11PM anyway.

...

"What do you guys think of the coming Christmas Party?" Misty asked as she pulled out her lunchbox.

Friday, best day of the week! And I'm pretty much sure Dawn surely agrees.

It was already lunch time and we didn't have any class earlier. Ms. Solidad announced that it would be given free for homeroom so as to discuss about the Christmas Party which would be happening next week Friday.

The Christmas party this year is unusual. It would be celebrated in a hotel somewhere, unlike the previous years which were just inside the school premises.

Pretty unusual.

"What was the name of the hotel again?" Dawn asked as she took a bite off of her sandwich. "I just can't keep it on my memory, it's really so frustrating." She grimaced while munching on her stuff.

"It's Romeo and Cinderella Hotel and Suites." Leaf chirped. "My family have stayed there. It's really a big and fancy hotel."

"What happened to Juliet and prince charming?" I asked and took out my own sandwich made by Dawn's mom as well this morning. Who would name a hotel with such a peculiar name?

"I don't know anything about Juliet and prince charming but my Mom said there are stories and rumors going on around that hotel." Leaf replied as she took a sip of her juice.

"What stories?" Dawn asked. "Ghost stories? Why would we be partying at a haunted hotel? It's way past Halloween!"

Though I was the first one to ask anything unusual about the hotel name, my mind kept on wandering off somewhere. Especially when I just saw Drew this morning and he wasn't in his usual conceited and arrogant self again. Which in my own personal experience, is something odd and bad like sort of a bad omen. I heard them busy talking about the hotel having a lot of records of love confessions and marriage proposals, no ghost stories sadly. But my mind wasn't just on their topic. I looked behind and saw Ash with his usual circle of friends, hoping that I would see Drew and his, I don't know, smile?

Or cocky smile, whatever.

But when I did, he was not there, again. I only saw Gary, Ash and Paul. He was the only one missing, and that definitely was something not good. So I stood up and decided to ask them about him.

"Excuse me guys, I'm gonna go to the toilet real quick." I excused myself from my group.

"Oh isn't it cabbage brain's fiancé." Paul's monotone voice greeted me, immediately souring my mood.

"Hello May!" Ash's gleeful voiced came up, which made me smile a bit. "How can we help you?"

"We? You, loser!" Paul menacingly pointed out. "I'm not doing any kind of help."

"It's not like I'm here to talk to you jerk!" I scowled at him. I don't really understand what Dawn is supposed to like with this walking grumpy bag of resentment.

"Whatever." He retorted and just slumped back uninterestingly.

"If you're looking for Drew, he went off somewhere near the gym just ten minutes earlier." Gary said in between the two while taking a drink of his bottled water.

"Cabbage brain lost his appetite because of you dating someone else." I heard Paul muttered nearby.

"He had a date of his own jerkass." I frowned at Paul.

"Oh really?" He answered. "You're too simple-minded that it hurts." He rolled his eyes.

"What?" I was annoyed, very annoyed. Paul was saying things I didn't understand and he was pushing my buttons.

I hate playing mind games.

I clenched my fist hard.

"Stop it Paul." Gary butted in. "If you'll hurry up you might catch up to him."

"Thanks." I replied to them before heading out of the cafeteria.

I walked quite a long distance to the gymnasium as my thoughts made a run-through about what happened last Saturday.

Damn Paul.

Oh really? You're too simple-minded that it hurts.

Simple-minded? What did he mean? Drew wasn't on a date with Brianna? But I just saw them together? What?

I might not understand anything but I know there is more to this Brianna and Drew thing. I just know it.

Ugh!

Why do I know nothing always?!

And also Brendan.

I really did such a jerky move back there, just because I was afraid of rejecting him I shouldn't have completely left him out alone in the restaurant for my own selfish reasons. I really owe him an apology. And maybe...

"Would you like to be my girlfriend May?"

Maybe right now I could give him my honest reply and face him bravely. He didn't deserve to be left out, and moreover, he didn't deserve me treating him like this.

I'll just have to politely say to him that I'm just not ready to be in any relationship, and accept anything he would reply after that, no matter how harsh he would get or whatever words he would say. I would totally understand.

"What did you do?" I heard Drew's hostile voice just behind the gymnasium. I paused just behind a curve and decided to peek a little. It was indeed Drew, and what surprised me even more was that he was talking with Brendan, which made me pull myself back and decided to just leave them both alone, told you I wasn't the nosy type.

"What did you do to May?" I heard Drew's voice again, becoming even more hostile. And hearing my name just made me pause again as I was just about to leave them be. What was Drew talking about? Did he just say my name right now?

"Why did you make her cry?!"

I pressed my back against the wall and decided in the end to eavesdrop.

I'll be nosy just this once.

"I don't know what you're talking about Andrew."

"I won't be asking you again." Drew menaced.

"I did nothing to her Andrew." Brendan's own firm voice replied. "It's just a shame though, I was the first to take her out on a date, considering you're her childhood friend."

"What did you say?" Drew threatened.

I was able to tell that it wasn't going good but what I couldn't tell was if I should just leave them, go in and try to stop them, or maybe eavesdrop some more.

"Let's do this the gentleman's way. Remember that day when you challenged me to a soccer match?" Brendan replied.

"What about it?"

"Let's do it, I win I'll stay with her throughout the whole Christmas party next week."

"If I win?"

"I'll resign and give you the privilege of being the new Soccer club president."

"That's all? How boring."

"Of course that's not all, I'll stay away from her, just like what you've always wanted. I'll even gladly tell her myself that I won't bother her anymore. What do you say?"

There was a long pause before Drew answered.

"Deal."

It was the last word I heard before finally leaving and going back to the cafeteria.

That was definitely not good.