CHAPTER IX: Shortening Distances

While we were eating, well…more like me eating and him giving me his deliciously made food, this felt like we managed to lessen the awkwardness between us.

We were still unused to being alone, but it’s still small progress.

I don’t know if I should feel happy about it.

I grasped the chopsticks he lent to me.

“Do you mind if I ask something?”

He stopped eating midway. He even had his chopsticks inside his mouth.

I took one of the pork cutlets and continued, “Are you still being bothered?”

He was silent for a few moments. I looked at him and waited.

“Not anymore…I think.” From what I can see, he still looks disturbed by what happened to him in the hallway.

“What do you feel for Ross?”

His eyes widened and his face flushed immediately after hearing my question.

“Uhh…huh? Um…I…wait…” He was looking like he was slightly panicking from the way he was waving his hands and looking at anywhere but me.

“I don’t particularly disagree with same-sex relationships.” Was this a good assurance?

He stopped and reddened even more. After a few seconds, he shook his head at an amazing speed.

“I-I don’t like him like that!”

I was stunned. This was the first time I heard him raise his voice. And again, there was not really much time to compare.

He properly sat down. He silently clasped his hands and placed it on top of the table.

I watched him quietly while grabbing the remaining pork cutlets. Those were really good, to be honest.

“I honestly admire him. He was the only one who stood up for me. For the previous three years in this academy, I was always the target for bullies.”

He clasped his hands tighter.

All of a sudden, he snapped his eyes towards me.

“Ah! Is it o-okay for me to continue?” He frantically asked. I lifted my hand holding the chopsticks and urged him to continue.

He gulped once and moved on with his story.

“One time, I was even locked in one of the bathroom stalls. I was also pushed into a dumpster on the way home. They also broke my glasses five times. All of that and no one actually came out and helped.”

“Then, Ross.” I added.

He gazed up at me and nodded.

“Then, Ross. He was the first one to ask if I’m actually okay. The other people who witnessed the things that happened to me either looked away or snickered. It was weird at first. I thought he would be harassed too if he hang out with me. I…”

“I was really afraid…” He whispered.

“That’s why I see him as my savior, no matter how cliché it may seem. But at the same time…I’m still scared. I think I’m relying on him so much that I can’t even walk on my own without being wary of what is around me.”

My mind began to wander to the conversation they had before.

“What was your answer?” I asked while poking the omelette in his bento.

He tilted his head to the side, a sign of visible confusion.

“Um…to what?”

I grabbed the last omelette and ate it. “Nothing.”

He was about to inquire further when we heard voices from the entrance of the garden.

When we looked towards the source of the noise, we saw the two missing people walking in our direction.

Solar met my gaze and halted.

“Uh…hi Dia…”

I watched the two of them with a blank gaze.

They were still standing a few feet apart from where we were.

I turned away.

“Don’t be angry! We didn’t mean to meddle. I was just really angry at what she said. Well, Ross was angrier, but anyway, I explained what actually happened and Ross pushed her to let you pass because it was clearly not your fault and that she was being unprofessional. I was really stunned and afraid she was going to lash out on us, but she looked more frightened at Ross. She looked like she was about to pee herself, which was something I wanted to see because why not? Right? Argh, I seriously wanted to shred her hair for what she said to you and-”

“Thank you.” I said, loud enough for both of them to hear.

Solar stopped her squabbling. It looked like I surprised her.

Once again, so did I. This day is just filled with many unexpected things.

I was thinking of making it a somewhat cool ending but when it comes to Solar that’s impossible.

“Dia!!”

One thing I know, I’m being smoldered into a koala’s embrace!

“Dia! Dia! Are you really Dia?”

I can’t breathe!

I knew she was clingy, but not THIS clingy.

I feel like I'm being strangled alive!

“I’m not sure myself. If I say yes, will you let me go?”

She eagerly answered, “Nope!”

“Then I’m not.” I began to push her arms away from me.

Alas, it won’t budge.

What’s wrong with this woman?!

“Let. Go.”

“No! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity! Let’s celebrate this treasure!”

“My name already sounds like a jewel. I don’t need another one.”

But she didn’t listen. She hugged me so tight, we almost fell backwards. How typical.

Without any choice, I leaned forward and sent her flying to the ground.

She landed on the grass, confused and a little disoriented.

I heard the two men laugh.

I craned my neck side to side and eased the pain from being murdered a few seconds ago.

Ross, being the good guy that he is, walked towards the still laid out Solar and helped her.

I watched silently as he held her wrist gently as he pulled her up.

I scratched my nose at the sight.

I turned back and headed back to the table.

Haru, who remained there, was collecting the empty bento.

“Haru, you ate already? That was fast.” I heard Ross call out.

Haru just hummed in acknowledgement.

The two new arrivals shared a detailed story on how they actually talked to my professor. It looked like Ross went to her first, right after the argument in the hallway. Solar came after class and was shocked that Ross was looking down, well, more like glared at the old maiden, their words, not mine.

They took longer than expected because my professor was constantly ignoring or running away from Ross.

When the school bell rang again, reminding us that it was time to begin with the afternoon classes, I was having a major headache.

It was a complete information overload for one day.

We were together again as we made our way towards our respective classrooms. When we just reached the third level in the main building, coincidentally having classes on the same floor, we suddenly bumped into someone we may or may not have expected.

It was my professor from this morning.

I was still annoyed with what happened earlier that I resolved to ignore her and treat her like nothing, similar to how she acted towards me.

Petty? I know, but can you really blame me?

That rude treatment of hers lasted for two years after her transfer here. She thought of me as her favorite target when it comes to venting out her frustrations. It was some stubborn play of hers that I couldn’t comprehend.

Yet here she is.

“Um, Miss Alluren. May I speak with you?”

I stopped and looked around. Only a few students were around since class is almost starting. Nonetheless, you’ll never really know how and when gossip spreads.

“Miss Alluren. Ah…Um…” Without even seeing her, I could clearly hear the nervousness from her voice.

I sighed loudly. Enough for her to hear my disagreement.

I turned back and saw her agitatedly picking at her fingers.

“I w-would be happy, um, to a-accept your work.” She looked at something behind me that made her gulp noticeably.

“I-I also want to apologize for w-what h-happened earlier this morning.”

I observed her with squinted eyes to gauge at her sincerity.

“If you would kindly admit your unprofessionalism right here, I would gladly accept your dear apology.” I coldly stated.

She visibly froze and looked at me with wide eyes.

“W-What? I’m still your professor! Y-You cannot talk to me like that!”

Honestly, I don't even know why I'm acting this way. The stress. The fatigue. Everything is just wearing me down.

I won't even bother to make up excuses, I just want to end all of this bullshit.

“I can’t? But you’re allowed to humiliate your student in front of the student body? Professor Hannet-”

“It’s Hannel.” She seethed.

“Hannel. Your unappealing act can be deemed as a work of an unprofessional, no matter which angle you look at it. I simply want you to admit your mistake, not even as a human but just as a teacher alone.”

She looked like she was about to shout at me when she paused and gritted her teeth at Ross’ voice.

“Professor Hannel, her request was not that hard, don’t you think?”

She glared at the both of us before changing her composure.

“I see. Then, fine, I admit. If we’re done here, I shall take my leave before you demand for anything more.” With that she walked away.

“I expect your work at my table tomorrow, seven am sharp.” She added with her back turned from us.

When she was out of sight, I decided to proceed towards my almost late class. The group that was with me immediately caught up with my pace and silently felt our way with what just happened.

The students that were hanging around earlier were awkwardly looking away. I can guess that they heard the entire conversation. Gossipers at the finest, indeed

Before I went into my classroom, I faced the three of them.

They immediately stopped and stood still.

I looked at their eyes one by one. After doing so, I instinctively bowed my head and whispered the words I cannot hold onto any longer.

“Thank you.”

Thus, this became my que to retreat and go inside the room.

Once inside, I leaned my back on the closed door.

New step forward but this time there were hands leading the way.