Season 2 - Page Three

The thing that I fear the most happens to me and it's just the second day of the week.

Group reports.

Why do we have to do that? Why do we have to bother standing infront when our classmates are obviously not listening to us? And the teachers are gonna ask questions like, you should know about it! You haven't taught us about this thing! So why get mad at us when we can't get the answer right?

Whatever. It's not like something worse is gonna happen. A little time standing infront is tolerable... I guess.

"So, I'll group you into two. The one on your right would be your partner."

The one... On my right?

What.

I heard a soft giggle beside me and that's when I knew that I messed up.

"We're partners." Said the little devil on my left.

And who else would it be?

Peach!

Why can't it be others? Yujin is fine... I'll even tolerate Hana! But...

Why does it have to be her?

Breaktime came and my mood didn't get any better. Peach has the nerve to ask me for plans. Plans? Yeah, I'm planning to make you do all the work, Ms. Class President. But of course, I can't say that out loud so I just told her to do it at the library after our class.

"But what about weekends?"

I look at her dumbfounded. She's even planning to steal my weekends?!

"I mean, we could finish faster if we work on weekends."

If we finish faster then I could go away from her? Good idea!

With that in mind, I suggested doing it at my house. Sorelle would probably be outside that time looking for someone to love.

I just hope this report will be over soon. I can't handle this much stress anymore.

-

Weekend came. And as expected, my dear sister still isn't at home yet. She just texted me saying that she has food so I don't have to cook so I focused on cleaning the house. Not that I mind her seeing the house dirty but it's just basic etiquette to clean your house, right? What am I saying? tsk.

I glanced at the clock. It's still early. Peach will be here in an hour. I could take a bath to freshen up myself. All those cleanings made me feel sticky all over.

I just got out of the shower, I only have the towel to cover up my body when the doorbell rang. Thinking it was Sorelle (who keeps forgetting her keys and pestering me about it), I opened the door only to find someone else infront of me.

"Siren!" She greeted me in a melodious tone before scanning my body with her eyes going up and down.

"Why are you already here? It's still early!" I said in panic before running to my room. I heard her laughing and the door closing. I leaned on the door and gripped the hem of the towel tightly.

I feel so hot all over. And I just took a bath. Do I have a fever? I don't think so. So why...

Images of Peach scanning me from head to toe almost made me gasp. I feel my heart racing and I feel hotter than before. There's something building up inside me that I can't explain.

"I need to calm down."

"I'm making myself at home and waiting for you in the living room!" Peach's scream makes me flinch.

Oh. This is bad. I need to calm myself or else I won't be able to come outside.

So, with my trembling body, I walked through my closet and grabbed the first cloth I see. It's a pair of short jeans and a green t-shirt. I don't have to dress up for her, right? We're at my house.

I stopped at the door one more time before going outside, breathing in and out in order to relax my body and when I finally succeeded (I think), I went outside and sees Peach standing infront of the television looking at the picture frames that are displayed on it.

This is the first time I saw her wearing casual clothes. She's wearing a baby pink summer dress that reaches up to her knee, her long hair tied in a ponytail with a blue ribbon encircling it. And no headbands. Hmm, that's unusual. I thought she can't live without a headband.

"How long are you going to stare at it?" I called when I realized that she didn't notice my presence at all. She looks at me and smiles.

"You were just so cute when you were a baby."

Me? Cute?

I feel like my cheeks are burning up so I dismissed her before she could say another stupid word again.

"I'll just go get my laptop. You want a drink?"

She proceeds to sit on the floor and prepare her things at the table.

"Let's have it later. I brought a cake."

I noticed the medium size box beside her. I took it from her and put it in the fridge before getting my things in the room and coming back with Peach seriously reading a book.

I hesitantly sit beside her as I fix my laptop. She's still busy reading. Our topic is about the harmful effects of technology, and honestly, I think it will be easy, considering how technology-dependent our world now is.

"Where should we start?"

I almost flinched in surprise when I heard her voice. I blinked twice before removing my gaze from her. I didn't even notice that I was staring at her. I hope she didn't notice.

"I think... Evolution of technology? Of how it is back then compared to now?" I answered while scrolling through my laptop. My hands are actually trembling so much, that I'm not sure if Peach can see it or not. I feel nervous and awkward. We're alone in this house. It didn't help that I suddenly remember what she said to me days before the school year ends.

["I'm going to make you mine."]

I gulped secretly.

She won't do anything, right?

If so, why do I still feel nervous... And excited?

Something cold touches my hand that snaps me back to reality. It was Peach's hand. I looked at her.

"What's wrong? Are you sick? Your face is red." She asks as she removes the strand of unwanted hair on my face.

"N-nothing."

Uhm... You're so close and I'm freaking out right now?

"Are you sure?"

"O-of course."

She stares at me for a second before she backs away, sighing.

"I hope you don't mind me here right now."

"Ha?"

Her voice sounded more low and sad as she say, "I know you can't stand me but our grades are at stake here so could you pretend to not hate me for a while? At least after we finish this work?" She pauses for a minute. "It's really hard to work like this."

Is that what it seems like?

"I told you, I don't hate you," I whispered.

"Really?"

I nodded.

A smile slowly formed on her lips and I felt a flush of relief. I may not like her but I can't stand people getting sad because of me.

"Okay then, let's continue." She announced in a cheerful voice.

An hour went by quietly and smoothly. We rarely talk only when it's needed. Though we're not halfway there, at least we're making some progress.

"Siren?"

"What?" I answered without looking at her.

"Can you pass me the book beside you?"

"What book?" There are four books beside me.

"That..." She hesitated. "Nevermind, I'll just get it."

Peach suddenly leans closer beside me, startling me, her scent lingers all over me. She still smells of flowers, I don't know what it's called but I'm pretty sure it's a flower. Our faces are close, so close that one wrong move and my lips will touch her cheek.

"P-peach-"

The next thing I heard is the sound of a book falling from the ground, Peach's cold hand cupping my face, and her wet lips against mine.

Wait. What's happening?

Peach started to move her mouth slowly while I am still trying to understand what is happening. She lets go, but not too far as I could still feel her lips on me.

"Open your mouth." She whispered in a really low voice.

As if in a daze, I partly opened my mouth. Peach started to trace the lining of my lips using the tip of her thumb before claiming it once again, this time in a more aggressive way.

I could feel my body quivering right now, my heart beating faster than ever and the feeling of something building up inside me comes back.

I don't know what went on to me that I grabbed her neck to deepen the kiss. Then slowly, Peach laid me on the cold floor with her hand starting to wander around my body.

I should stop this. But it feels so good, It's so sweet, I'm getting addicted.

More...

I want more.

["Siren, I like you!"]

All of a sudden, Yujin's face and voice echo in my mind.

Ah, shit.

I pushed Peach away, and both of us are panting hard. We stared at each other for a good minute not knowing what to say.

"Siren-"

I heard the door opening and my sister's loud voice follows next. I panicked and almost forced Peach to sit back normally and continued what we were doing as if nothing happened.

"Oh, you have a visitor?" I heard her ask behind us.

"Y-yeah. I told you about it last week."

"Yujin?"

"No. Another f-friend of mine."

With that, Peach stands up and greets her. With her keen eyes, I just hope she won't notice anything.

She didn't and we went back to work though my hands are still trembling. I could feel Peach stealing glances at me from time to time but I decided to ignore her. I don't think I can meet her in the eyes after what happened.

My eyes landed on the wall clock and saw that only an hour passed since Peach was here. I sighed.

This is going to be a long day.

- - -

The air is cold, and so is the atmosphere between us. Ever since Sorelle came, we haven't talked unless completely necessary and now, I'm sending her home. It's not like I did it of my own will, my sister sent me an errand so I have no choice but to walk with her.

And so, minutes have passed and no one has uttered a word between us. I tried to glance at her from time to time but I can't really read her expressions. It's not like I wanted to know anyway.

"I'll be heading this way," I announced and stopped, pointing at the convenience store across. Peach nodded at me.

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

I stared at her. She sounded sad. Or am I hearing things?

"Peach-"

"Just so you know-" She interrupted without looking at me. "-I didn't regret what I did and if given the chance, I will gladly do it again."

"What..."

"So don't bother telling me to stop 'cause I won't." Her voice trembled at the last sentence. She still won't look at me so I have no idea what she looks like right now. I wonder what kind of expression are you showing right now, Peach? Are you still smiling?

I want to see it.

But I resisted and just watch her walk away.

Because if I did, I'll probably lose my mind.