CHAPTER XIII: Anxious Encounters

When I reached the garden, I realized that I was the only one there.

I feel slightly sad.

Not because it feels lonely.

But because there's no food anywhere!

I begrudgingly sat down in my usual spot.

I desperately wanted to eat some chocolate cake.

Or maybe an ice cream sandwich?

Hmm…or maybe a cookies n' cream shake?

Cue the drool.

I took my phone out and scrolled through my contacts.

I began searching for Haru's number.

Before I could tap it, a paper bag suddenly appeared in my field of vision.

I looked up and saw Ross standing in front of me.

I raised my eyebrows and looked at him skeptically.

"Don't worry. I wouldn't poison a pretty lady like you."

I didn't back down and continued to stare at him.

He cleared his throat, "Pretty, beautiful, spectacular, unique…"

I smirked.

"...stubborn…" He added in a hushed tone causing me to scowl at him.

"...one of a kind lady like you!" He finished off.

I rolled my eyes at him and hurriedly grabbed the paper bag he brought.

When I opened it, I immediately wanted to throw it at him.

And that's what I did.

"Woah! Easy there!" He laughingly backed away.

"I knew you can't be trusted."

Grinning, he replied with, "What? I did say it wasn't poisonous."

"Yeah, it's just ROCK solid, you dumbass."

"I must have forgotten. Sorry."

"Give me back those fucking stones. I'll help jog your memory."

Ross held both of his arms up, "Easy there princess!"

He opened his backpack and took out another paper bag.

I glared at him.

This idiot thinks he can fool me again!

"You look like you're going to strangle me alive."

"Close. Why don't you come nearer?"

"Wait! I'm being honest this time. Here, look."

He gave me the mysterious and untrustworthy looking thing.

Showing him my obvious hesitance, I decided to check out what's inside of it.

To my shock, it doesn't contain anything horrendous.

Rather, it contained oozing yummy foods!

I looked at him with awe.

"You're giving me this?"

"Yep." He said, popping the 'p.'

I quietly stared him down. He just stood there with a grin.

After a few seconds, I hurriedly gathered the snacks inside the bag.

Without much thought, I began munching on the large chocolate cookies.

Damn, that was good.

When I looked at him, he was already sitting beside me.

"I'm not sharing."

He shrugged, "That's all yours, milady."

I squinted my eyes and turned back towards the delicious goods.

I picked up a cute red velvet cupcake.

I reached it out to him without sparing a glance.

Well… I peeked a little to see his reaction.

That didn't do me good because I almost dropped the cupcake when I saw him with a warm smile.

He really looked handsome, no doubt about it.

Maybe when God distributed the beautiful blessings, he was the first in line with a large bucket.

I was startled when he began to move. I panicked and moved my eyes away from his face.

I coughed and fixed my composure.

Do not try this at home. Extremely dangerous to the heart.

After he accepted the cupcake, we went back to our own worlds.

I studied and became overly conscious while he quietly worked on his council duties.

It was so quiet that I could even hear him flipping through various papers.

But, it was calm.

Peaceful even.

The food he gave me was slowly starting to disappear.

When the last cookie was gone, I flattened the paper bag and folded it numerous times.

Until…

"A flower?"

I looked up and nodded.

"I didn't know you knew origami."

"Do you know a lot of things about me?" I prompted.

He grinned.

"Of course."

I looked at him challengingly.

"You like food."

That's pretty obvious isn't it?

"Glad you noticed."

"But…" He held up his finger right in front of my face, "not all types of food. You like chocolate in particular. Oh, especially cookies n' cream."

"Ok-"

"You also like to write down notes, but you get easily distracted when you're either hungry or angry."

"Psh, that's pretty normal." I shrugged.

"Which is pretty obvious when you sigh for three consecutive times."

"You frequently check your phone for any updates on your favorite books and get easily disappointed by pointless things." He continued to ramble on.

I think he's not planning to stop.

"Situation wise, you prefer serene types more than anything else. Your fashion sense is broad, but you like skirts and dresses more. When it comes to your paintings, you tend to touch your neck when you're confused or you think something is lacking. You also have a habit of scratching your nose when you're uncomfortable and you hate having to ruin your hair, that's why when it's windy you always have an updo or ponytail hairstyle."

My jaw literally dropped.

"Want me to continue?"

I was having a hard time grasping for words. I mean what?! We only spent less than two months together! Plus, we didn't even see each other every day!

So, how?!

"And your face is pretty honest. Even though you're irritated, behind that, I know you're a little flustered."

Wtf…

Heat. Heat. Hot.

My face feels hot!

I scoffed at him, "You-you're w-weird! Don't tell me you've been observing me this whole time?! Are you a stalker?"

He leaned close to my ear and whispered, "What do you think?"

Without even saying anything, I hurriedly stood up and turned my back to him.

But like every cheesy movie, I became a clumsy wreck.

I almost tripped when the chair next to mine got caught up with my feet.

Even though I had a good reflex, the man behind me proved he was better.

Because I now find myself entangled in his embrace.

I didn't even realize that I was holding my breath.

What the heck is the scene?!

"You tripped." I could feel his breath near my ear.

"I can see that. Do you mind letting go?"

"I do mind. Very much." I could perfectly picture him smirking from behind me.

I wriggled with all my might, but this gorilla man won't budge!

And he keeps on attacking me with his warm breath!

"You somehow fit in my arms."

"Argh! Don't whisper in my ear!"

With all my gathered force, I folded my arm and elbowed the side of his stomach.

He automatically let go of me.

He crouched down and held his side.

"Poor you. Need some help?"

"Nope. I feel great!"

Yet he was still crouched down.

"Uh huh."

Before he could retaliate, we both heard a phone go off.

I went near the table and saw that someone had sent me a text.

When I opened it and realized that it was a message from my department's group chat.

'Meeting will be held at the main building. Everyone must proceed to room 305. Attendance is mandatory. Thank you.'

I sighed. Here I was deliberately trying to avoid societal involvement yet it still managed to capture me.

"Looks like they need you."

I jumped away from him.

"For freak's sake!" I exclaimed.

He just laughed at me and gestured to me to move along.

"You're spared for today."

"I'm lucky to indulge in your pity." He jokingly bowed before me.

I just knocked his head and gathered my stuff.

A few moments later and I'm on my way to the dreaded gathering.

When I arrived at the stated venue, there were already a large number of people inside.

I didn't know any of them. Maybe a few of them?

I looked around and spotted some familiar faces.

Maybe I should really learn their names.

I sat once again in the back beside the windows.

I somehow missed this. The cool breeze that makes the curtains flutter.

"Okay, we will be having a roll call. Make yourself known after I call your name.

Shortly after that, a bunch of unknown people were called.

As I was gazing out of the window, I heard the door slide open.

At the same time, I heard my name being shouted from the front of the room.

I raised my hand and shifted my gaze in front.

Doing so, I was unexpectedly met by cold eyes.

I tilted my head and wondered where I had seen him before.

I also wanna know what I did to offend him and if I did, then tough luck for him because I don't recognize him at all.

I say that but it's really uncomfortable.

I broke away from his gaze after the girl, who later introduced herself as Gwenne, called for our attention.

"We still haven't finished the final designs for our department. Does anyone have any ideas on what we should do?"

People started raising their hands.

Suggestions were continuously thrown everywhere. But what bothered me was half of the people in the room didn't look uninterested rather they looked… depressed?

Somehow, half of the students here were casting a shadow of doom and despair.

"How about a landscape? Since we have so many beautiful places located within the campus. Especially the garden." A female student shouted out.

I frowned at that. Imagining so many people coming and disturbing the vibe of my serene paradise gives me literal chills. From head to toe I don't even know if it's scientifically possible.

Despite my innermost cursing for the foul-mouthed person who suggested that, many people actually agreed to it. This just made my mood worsen tenfold.

I knew going to this meeting will bring forth nothing but bad luck.

Or so I thought.

I'm getting anxious with these sudden encounters.