entry #8 | åя¢нïνє

━━━━༻ ♠ ༺━━━━

archive

00100000

━━━━༻ ♠ ༺━━━━

"Text me later about the project, 'kay?" Reese said, still looking a little uncomfortable with the prospect of a potentially dangerous person working with them. "And then we can work at my dorm."

"Your place? Are you sure?" (Y/n) asked.

He gave her a small but nonetheless sweet smile. "There's no way I'm letting him go to your place, (N/n). Besides, my dorm is much more comfortable than in a cafe or library."

And now it was the hard part. Informing the said "dangerous" person.

(Y/n) wanted to believe the zebra wasn't in any sort of trouble. She wasn't one for rumors, but neither was she fond of troublesome things. Maybe it was selfish, but she wanted to pass her school life peacefully and surrounded by her friends. She didn't need any sort of excitement in her life; it would disrupt her sleep.

"Do you want to say it?" She whispered to the redhead, nudging him gently with her elbow. "Or should I?"

"I-I'll do it," Reese gulped and placed a hand on his chest. "I'm the man here. I-it's not like I'm afraid of him or anything!" He took a deep breath and got out of his chair.

"You can do it!" (Y/n) cheered him on quietly. "Go Reese's Pieces!"

The redhead crossed the short yet intimidating distance between his and the black-haired male's tables in a single, long stride. "L-Leon, was it?" He started nervously. "W-what's good bro?"

(Y/n) wanted to facepalm and smack her friend at the same time.

"I-I mean!" He tried again. "(N/n) and I've decided to meet up at my place to work. We don't have a particular time in mind, u-unless you do?"

Leon slowly slid his silver gaze to the boy in front of him. His first thoughts were: 'who the f*ck is this sheep?' Then his eyes landed on the familiar (h/c)-haired female. 'Ah, the middle school student.'

(Y/n) wasn't a mind reader, but she knew a jerk when she saw one. And from experience, she knew how the face of someone who was judging her height looked like. Her dislike of the male skyrocketed.

"I don't care," he finally answered. "Pick whatever."

Reese released a breath he wasn't aware he was holding from the other male didn't lash out at him. "Oh, okay. How about this Sunday?"

"Fine."

(Y/n) choked down a groan. 'Seems like my weekends are going to be busy this week...so annoying...my precious weekends!' Even though it wasn't his fault, she couldn't help but glare at the black-haired boy. 'Stupid zebra.'

Leon felt someone burning holes into his forehead. He looked up by instinct at the murderous aura just as the girl rearranged her glare into an emotionless look once more. A little thrown off, he returned his attention to the window.

Her glare returned.

And then the bell rang.

'Saved by the bell,' (Y/n) thought bitterly as she began to pack up her things. "Let's go meet Keller," she told the redhead in front of her. "Should we...eat outside today?"

"(N/n)...volunteering to eat outside?!" Reese gasped, his eyes bugging out of its sockets. He took a step back. "Who are you and what have you done with my (N/n)—I mean, friend?"

"Excuse you too," she scowled. "I eat outside sometimes."

"Sometimes?" He scoffed. "More like never. When was the last time you've willingly stepped into the sun, you vampire?"

"Shut up. My sleep is more important. Insult my sleep again and I'll throw a pillow at you."

"B-but you didn't let me keep your pillow last time I came over," the redhead whined. "And it was so soft too! You have so many...why couldn't you spare me one?"

"Buy your own, rich boy."

"...We both know Jas is the rich boy among us."

"Oh yeah, that too." Then she remembered the black-haired male's presence. "Let's meet at Reese's dorm on Sunday...maybe noon," she told him. "We'll spend it...researching and deciding on a topic. What's your number?"

Leon pulled a sleek silver phone from his pocket and tossed it at her. "W-woah!" She fumbled around as she tried to catch it. "Um, nice phone." It wasn't a nice phone. It was an amazing phone. (Y/n) recognized it as the latest model from the popular and expensive smartphone brand, Gemini.

'Another rich boy,' she realized with a raise of her eyebrow. 'I shouldn't be surprised anymore by this point. This whole school's teeming with them. Izzy's parents are famous actors, Lucy's dad owns a large pharmaceutical company, and Carmen's mom works in the government. And nevermind Jas—his dad is the CEO of Gemini. I can't even anymore.'

"I'll make a group chat, okay?"

His only response was a grunt. (Y/n) called her phone using his and upon receiving his number, she made a group chat for the three of them

~ ❀ ~

12:42 pm

me: hi this is (y/n)

me: reese lives in autumn dorm rm 707

reesespieces: lets ace this projectttttt!!!

~ ❀ ~

She logged off and returned the phone to its own, slightly missing the feeling of the cool, smooth metal on her skin. 'High-quality parts are really something else,' she sighed dreamily. 'I wonder if I could find some online for the computer I'm putting together...'

Leon slipped his device into his back pocket without a second look and got up from his seat. Wordlessly, he slung his bag over his shoulders and slipped past the two, leaving the room with nothing but a nod towards them. Mr. Wright opened his mouth as if trying to stop him but the male was already gone.

(Y/n) and Reese shared a look of understanding. "So," the redhead began. "What do you think about Matthews?"

"Rather than scary...he's more antisocial."

"Yeah, he doesn't seem that bad," Reese agreed, his eyes lingering on the doorway where the tall male had been. "Not that it's any of my business. I can't wait for our movie da—um, meet up on Sunday! Are you busy on Saturday?"

The (h/c)-haired girl groaned and buried her face into her hands. "I got an English project...so I have to work on it with my partner on Saturday, on top of my...tutoring thing with the popsicle."

Bewilderment was written across his face. "Popsicle?"

"Popsicle," she confirmed. "You know...Trish-something."

"Ohh, him. Come on, let's get going before all the good spots are taken."

"Okayyy. Wait, let me text Keller."

She quickly scrolled through her short list of contacts for the brown-haired boy's name.

~ ❀ ~

12:45 pm

me: keller is it ok we eat outside

keleleler: yea sure! where are you guys?

me: um

me: almost there

keleleler: lol are you sure?

keleleler: my friends and i are under the wishing tree

me: ok we're coming

~ ❀ ~

"He says to meet them under the wishing tree," she informed the redhead, referring to the largest oak tree on school grounds. The Asian student population started a trend of tying their wishes written on a piece of paper to the branches, and all sorts of traditions and rumors sprouted from there. It's become the must-go hotspot for couples. It's said that couples who kiss under the wishing tree will stay together forever.

'Ew,' (Y/n) shuddered. 'Imagine being in a relationship.'

"Alright, let's hurry then," Reese said. The wishing tree was also a popular lunch spot, meaning it got filled up quickly unless you claim it early. The student body had an unspoken rule to not disturb anyone who got to the wishing tree first. Otherwise, the lawn around it would be extremely crowded.

The (h/c)-haired girl turned towards her three female friends. "Is that okay with you?" She knew they had been listening in to their conversation, especially during the exchange with Leon Matthews.

"Yup!" Isla said cheerfully. "Let's go, people! Time is money—quite literally in this case. Lucy, tell Jas, will you?"

"Sure," the blonde popped her bubblegum and whipped out her phone. A few seconds later, (Y/n) heard her phone chime. 'Did she text the wrong person?' She thought as she pulled her phone out of her pocket.

~ ❀ ~

12:49 pm

lucindale: remember to meet us in the third-floor bathroom!!

~ ❀ ~

She nearly forgot about it, even though she was so curious about what Isla had to tell them just a few minutes ago. (Y/n) caught the other girl's eye and nodded at her.

"Alright, Reese," Lucinda said. "You can go first. Jas is waiting for you on the first-floor entrance. Us girls have some girl problems to fix. Got it, sweetie?"

The redhead wrinkled his nose. "Gross, don't call me that."

"Got it, arseface?"

"...Yes."

Reese's emerald eyes followed the four girls as they scampered out the door and down the hall to the girls' bathrooms. After checking it was empty, they piled themselves in and Lucinda locked the door. They were in one of the pristine bathrooms on the third floor, with the tiles wiped so clean they were mirror-like. The mirrors mounted on the walls were smudge-free and sparkling, the marble sinks completely white and appeared brand-new in appearance.

Their janitor obviously had an OCD.

"Spill," she ordered the purple-haired girl. "Well, I kind of have an idea of what it is." Carmen waggled her eyebrows teasingly and threw her lollipop stick into the trashcan.

Isla flushed pink and hid her face behind her hair. "Y-you guys knew?"

"Not including (Y/n) here, yes we did."

"What's happening?" (Y/n) looked back and forth between the three girls. "Am I...missing out on something...?"

Carmen nudged Isla with her shoulder. "C'mon, we gotta hear it from your mouth, Isla!"

Lucinda giggled and joined her in pushing the purple-haired girl gently with her shoulder. "Tell us now, Isla. Or I'll take back the eyeliner I lent you."

Isla's mouth fell open. "You wouldn't. I need that for our next performance! You're the only one I know with the liquid type!"

"Try me, girl." The blonde blew on her perfectly manicured nails. "What will it be? Tell us now, sweetie, or you'll just have to make do without the perfect eyeliner to complete your perfect look for your solo."

"Okay, okay, fine!" Isla's face was growing pinker and pinker as (Y/n)'s was turning more and more confused. She lowered her voice. "S-so, um...t-this might be kind of weird or something, b-but I think..." The last part was incoherent and lost to their ears.

(Y/n) frowned. "What was that?"

"We didn't hear it," Carmen complained. "One more time."

"I-I..." Isla started again. "Ithinkilikereese." Her words were rushed, tripping and spilling over each other in their haste to get out.

(Y/n)'s mouth fell open.

Carmen was nodding with approval like a mother who was proud of her child.

Lucinda was smirking victoriously with a hand on her hip.

Isla was about to burn up from her embarrassment.

"Like as in the like like?" The (h/c)-haired girl's eyes widened. Isla nodded shyly, her face buried into her hands. "Wow. I did not know that."

"B-but are you okay with it?" The purple-haired girl looked up fearfully from her hands at the other girl. "You and Grayson are r-really close and everything so I thought you liked him, and I didn't want to hurt—"

"Woah, woah," Lucinda interrupted her. "Let's slow down a bit." She placed her hands on Isla's shoulders. "First of all, do you really think our (Y/n) sees Reese as a guy in the first place, nevermind boyfriend material?"

Carmen and Isla both stared at the shorter girl who squirmed under their gaze. "Nope."

"I don't know what's happening but that feels like an insult," (Y/n) muttered.

"Second of all," the blonde continued, ignoring her. "Have you asked the girl herself? We all know she's not the type to want a relationship in high school. Are you, (Y/n)?"

"Ew, no."

"What did I tell you? Okay, anyway, time to plan our next course of action. Any ideas, girls?" Lucinda slung her arms around the other girls' shoulders and drew them into a huddle. If anyone else was trying to enter the bathroom to do their business, they sure weren't going to now.

"I say we sock 'im," Carmen chimed in. "If Grayson hurts her, we'll flog him and hang his body from the—"

"First of all, Carms," Lucinda interrupted with a raise of her finger. "That's what we're doing after they get together. Any other ideas?"

(Y/n) tentatively raised her hand. "Yes, (Y/n)?"

"What are we making ideas for again?"

They could hear a drop of water hit the porcelain sink bowl from the faucet in the silence that followed.

"(Y/n)..." Lucinda began slowly. "I've always wondered; what exactly goes on in that head of yours?"

"How rude," the said girl scowled. "I'll have you know...my mind isn't always blank."

"You admitted to taking your tests while half-asleep," the brown-haired girl interjected with a matter-of-fact tone. "Nevermind all those marathons you've failed for answering the wrong question."

"Shut up. This isn't about me. It's about Izzy."

"So you were sort of listening after all. Good to know."

Lucinda clapped her hands sharply. "Girls! Project Cupid isn't going to work if all we do is bicker."

"What's Project Cupid?" (Y/n) asked.

"Our codename for getting Reese and Isla together, obviously."

Carmen openly snorted and rolled her eyes. "Seriously? Project Cupid? You couldn't have come up with a better name?"

"How about you try if you think you're so smart?"

"G-guys!" Isla finally spoke. She had been unusually quiet the whole time while the three argued. Her blush was finally dying down but the fiery light in her cerulean eyes still burned. "You don't have to do this for me! I-I can sort my f-feelings out myself. I mean, I d-don't even know if I really like him that way and if it's just a passing thing. S-so—"

"Yes, we do," Lucinda sighed, blowing a stray lock of her pale gold hair out of her eyes. "Listen, sweetie. We're your best friends. If one of us has a problem, it's only natural we all come to help, and this is no exception. So you think your feeling's just a momentary thing. That's why we're here; to help you figure that out."

"Yeah!" Carmen brightened. "If someone kills one of our blood, we gotta avenge 'em—"

"Carms, honey. That's the mafia, a totally different story."

"Oh."

"When did you first realize you liked him?" (Y/n)'s quiet voice rose above the other two. She had finally grasped the situation and to be frank, she was shocked and most of all, thrilled. The feeling that comes with a close friend entrusting their deepest feelings to you was something the quiet girl never felt before.

She loved her friends. And they were willing to share their secrets with her. Therefore, she'd do anything in her power to help them out.

Even if it meant setting them up with the strange alien named Reese Grayson.

Isla's blush returned as the three girls returned their full attention to her. She fiddled with her fingers and looked down at her shoes, nervously scuffing the white-tiled floor. "I-I guess I started feeling nervous around him two weeks ago," the purple-haired girl admitted. "Remember Jas' birthday party? After the speeches and celebration, I went outside to get some air. A-and then I saw G-Grayson there..."

"Go on," (Y/n) encouraged her. "What happened?"

"So the alien isn't entirely ignorant of our humble human matters," Lucinda teased the (e/c)-eyed girl who made a face at her in return.

"We talked for a while," Isla continued slowly as if she was deliberately choosing her words carefully. "And it was the same old at first—you know, with our routinely arguing—"

"Oh yeah," Carmen agreed with a wide smirk. "Your arguments have become the front page of the school newspaper a few times."

"—B-but then," her voice grew quieter as her face turned pinker at the memory. "When I was about to leave, he h-handed me his slice of cake and told me I was really...um, he said I...Imight'velookedprettyinmydress."

The three girls took a few moments to process the new information and her rapid tone. Then they looked at each other.

"A-and the cake was t-tiramisu," Isla fumbled with the bottom of her skirt. "H-he knew I was allergic to the strawberry cakes being served and saved one for me. I found that really sweet because I thought he hated me."

"Reese does have a heart, huh?" Lucinda observed, her eyes wide. "That's actually so cute. What did you say?"

"N-nothing! That's the problem. He went off without me. And then the next week, he lent me his history notes when I mentioned I was struggling in class to you, Lucy. A-and then two days ago, he gave me a lift on his bike when I needed to go to my doctor's appointment and my driver was stuck in traffic."

"The boy has a heart," Carmen whispered to the (h/c)-haired girl beside her. "Who would've known? I thought that was only Jas."

The four recollected all the things the blue-haired boy had done for them, from helping Lucinda choose her outfit for her dates, patching Carmen up when she got into a scuffle, bringing Isla warm honey lemon tea when her throat hurt after her practice, and carrying (Y/n) to the nurse's office when she fell asleep in some unconventional place again.

Not to mention all the times he's bought them chocolate and pads when it was their time of the month.

'We really need to start treating them better,' the four sweatdropped. Well, (Y/n) didn't really think much about it. She got distracted by the very soft-looking paper towels.

They were so soft.

"Oh god, look at the time," Lucinda winced as she checked the time on her phone. "We need to get going before lunch is over. We'll talk about this over text later, okay?" They nodded in agreement in unison. "Let's go!"

They found Reese and Jasper waiting for them under the wishing tree, engaged in an animated conversation with three other boys. (Y/n) was too far away to hear what they were talking about but once they got close, the five noticed them and their conversation stopped abruptly.

"You're late," Reese pouted as he glared at her. "What's with you girls and bathrooms? You all take too long!"

"Do you wear makeup, Reese?" Lucinda took a seat on the grass, patting her skirt down neatly. "I didn't think so."

"I think you'd look great even without makeup," the redhead said innocently.

'This smooth bastard,' the blonde thought. "But I'd look even better with it. Got a problem with that?"

"No, madam."

"Glad to see you made it," Keller flashed a smile at the (h/c)-haired girl. (Y/n) took a seat facing the brown-haired boy and his friends. He gestured to the boys flanking him leaning on the trunk of the oak tree. "The guy with the seaweed hair is Jason and the one with the cornrows is Nicholas."

"Call me Nick," Nicholas said sagely as he put his hands together and bowed. "You might not know me, but I know you. Because I am a ninja—"

"It's not seaweed hair, Kells!" Jason interrupted with a glower on his face. "Never insult the hair again, man. Do it and I'll put pink dye into your shampoo. I know you lather yourself with it."

"You wouldn't do it, man," Keller laughed awkwardly as he eyed the green-haired male.

"Try me, bro."

Isla smiled at the three boys, although it was a little strained. "Nice to meet you..." She gave them a little wave. "I'm Isla. The blonde one is Lucy, the other one is Carmen—"

"Whaddya mean, 'the other one?!'" Carmen scowled.

"—the (h/c)-haired one is (Y/n), and I guess you already know Jas and Grayson," she finished. "So...what dorms are you all in?"

"Nicholas and I are in Spring," Keller answered, nodding towards the said boy. "Where Jason is in Summer."

Nicholas frowned slightly but his expression was nonetheless peaceful. "Call me Nick. I am a ninja in train—"

"What about you guys?" The brown-haired boy asked. "Any special talents like mine and (Y/n)'s, putting up with Mr. Brooks?"

"I am a nin—" Nicholas tried again.

"Isla and I are in Winter," Lucinda answered. "She sings and I play the violin."

"Really? You look like a model more than a musician."

Nicholas tried to get their attention. "My secret training is harsh—"

"That's because I kind of am a model. Just a little on the side."

"I am from the secret ninja village of—"

Keller's eyebrows shot up. "That's so cool! What magazine are you in?"

"Of Kirigakure, the village hidden in the mist—"

"Bro, that's Naruto," Jason snorted. "At least try to be original."

"Oh my ninjas, can you all stop interrupting me for once?" Nicholas said through clenched teeth. "And no, Keller, I am not Russian. I am a Japanese at heart and a ninja at soul!"

The brown-haired male leaned towards (Y/n) and cupped a hand around his mouth. "He's a good guy...I promise. Just a little obsessed with Japanese culture."

"Just a little?" The (h/c)-haired girl laughed. "I'm not sure...ninjas are a part of their culture. Is it...?"

"I wouldn't know. But he insists it is. Before his ninja phase was the monk phase. Hence the hair."

"What happened to it?"

"He..." Keller cast a worried look at the said boy in question. "He tried shaving it all off and making his head shiny with his dad's hair formula, but it was hair growth formula and we had to use a machete to chop the whole thing off."

"Oh sh*t, I remember that!" Jason cackled, throwing his head back. He was chattering excitedly to Reese—it seems like the two had a lot in common. "In the end, his hair looked like it went into a slaughterhouse and the pigs attacked it. Bro gave up and wanted to become a ninja after that, but his hair wasn't long enough to tie back. Then sh*t happened and now it's...that. My hair's still better." He raked his fingers through his green hair for emphasis and tossed it over his shoulders.

Jasper had a concerned look on his face as Carmen openly howled in laughter and Lucinda and Isla giggled beside her. He moved closer to the blank-faced (h/c)-haired girl for safety. "Are you sure they're normal people?" He whispered to her.

"Am I normal?" Was her reply.

"That's a valid point. I take it back." He sighed and began wiping his hands with a handkerchief, shuddering at the grass he was made to sit on.

Keller caught his eye and peeled off his jacket, offering it to him. "Sorry for making you come out here, man," he said. "Here, sit on this if you want."

Jasper held up his hands and smiled politely. "Thank you, but I'll be fine—"

"I insist." His smile left no room for argument.

"...Alright, then." The blue-haired male folded his legs under him as he took a seat in the jacket Keller had laid out across the grass between him and Jason.

"Now, let me tell you all of my journeys through the Ninefold Path to enlightenment—"

"Nicholas," the green-haired male drawled. "No one wants to know about your priesthood."

"I am a ninja monk, you baka," Nicholas retorted. "And call me Nick. Nick the ninja."

"Stop using Korean words you don't know the meaning of."

"It's not Korean, you uncultured fool! Anata wa nihonjū o okora semashita!"

Jason turned towards Keller in confusion. "Was that Chinese?"

"Nah, bro," Keller answered with a knowing look. "That was Russian. Remember? Nicholas is Russian—"

The cornrow-haired boy threw his hands into the air in frustration. "OH my GAWD, why am I friends with you people?!"

Reese couldn't help but sympathize with him. "I ask myself that every day—"

"Shut up, Grayson."

"See?!"