CHAPTER 13 - Precious

On Saturday, Maeve visited Rou’s home but seems like no one is home. Mr. Edward probably went to his work which she didn’t know what and where, and Rou… where is he going? That stupid jerk?

They haven’t met each other since the day she got brokenhearted by her girlfriend's act. Her instinct told her to go meet Rou.

“Is he gone for coffee?” She asked herself for any possible.

“Should I go and check?” She suggested herself.

“Or maybe…”

She made her way to a certain place where he probably went for.

It was the Public Community Library. It is located at the edge of the town and no one really comes over there because it’s small and quiet. Of course, it’s a library.

But for a book lover like Rou, it was his safe space. Plus, he’s a nerd and their final exam is just around the corner. So, Maeve was certain he is there studying or reading or any other book-related activity.

When she got there, there’s only a few living souls on the first floor including the librarian. No sign of Rou. But there’s still have second floor and restroom if he happens to take his time there.

She go straight to the second floor and already saw him at one of the tables next to the window. He looks so peaceful and focused. She watches him from afar. Not to bother him yet.

It’s just him on this floor and the rest is the silence.

‘How old am I today?’

Suddenly a question break in her thought.

‘Silly, of course, I am 16 years old.’

She answered it.

Watching Rou study, makes her think, can she be smart and clever again if she studies harder?

Maybe she can sit in the same class with her crush, Inessa, next year if she gives a surprising performance for her upcoming exam.

Maeve stepped closer to Rou.

Rou heard the footsteps and turned around.

“Oh, it's just you.” He murmurs.

“Hi,” Maeve greets.

“What about your girlfriend? You usually spend the weekend with her, aren’t you?” Rou asked.

It throws her back to the day she caught Caroline cheating on her. The next day, she opened the text from Caroline and it says;

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t involve your best friend. I’m sure you heard from him the truth. Yes, I have another man so I’m sorry. My bad. I didn’t hold any grudge against you and you’re a nice person, to be honest. But, it’s time for me to think seriously about my relationship. As you know, I’m bisexual and I make up my mind who’s the best for me. I’m sorry for everything, you can hate me, go ahead. Thank you for everything.”

Even if she got Inessa in her heart right now, she just can’t lie to herself that it’s hurt. But she wants to respect Caroline’s decision. She wants to respond to the goodbye text but she’s afraid of Caroline’s reply would be. It's probably more hurting. If Caroline never replies to her anymore, that’s hurt too. So she just locks her phone and it’s over for them.

Maeve smiles as she returns to the current time.

“We broke up. She got another dude.” She voiced.

No response from Rou. He just continues with where he was.

Maeve already took a seat next to him.

“What happened to your face?” Without looking he breathed.

Maeve just remember she got adhesive plaster at the corner of her lips.

“Ah, this… there’s a guy with a knife and other guys. I failed to dodge once and it got me. But, luckily someone helped me.” She explained. Smiling as a sign that it's fine now.

“What do they want from you?” He questioned.

“Beats me,” She muttered.

“This isn’t the first time bad guys disturbed me. I can handle for like two or three, but they’re like eight men. Can you believe it?” Maeve reported as she showed eight with her fingers.

Rou took a glance at her.

“You should run away if you can defeat those many guys.” He commented.

“I tried. But…” She replied.

“It doesn’t matter anymore. You’re fine and it’s a good thing someone saved you. A guy?” Rou guessed.

“No, I think she’s from our school. A senior, maybe.” Said Maeve uncertainly.

Rou didn’t give any comment.

“You are not gonna tell me to be extra careful next time and don’t walk home alone after work? Ah, but when I walk with Demi, they showed up too..”

“See, you can tell that by yourself. I don’t need to repeat it for you like your guardian.” Rou replied.

“Telling something one already know is just a sign of care and worry, one way to prove their affection.” He added.

“Since I have nothing to prove, I won’t say it.” He ended.

Maeve was silent for a moment.

“You know, I still couldn’t understand anything you did if you don’t speak,” Maeve began.

“For example, the person who helped me. My bad, I forgot to ask for her name, but after I thanked her, she said she hates me. Because I’m closed with Alan. You know, jealousy thing.. So, she helped me not because she’s in a good term with me. See, everything doesn’t mean like how it looks like.” She explained.

“Back to you, it could be, all of your behavior towards me doesn't how it looks like. If you still won’t say it.” She ended as she looked at him on her side.

Rou returned her gaze. Wears a straight face and reaches out for her hand.

He brings her hand and placed it on her chest. Her heart to be exact.

Maeve didn’t understand what he’s trying to demonstrate but she just let him do what he’s up to.

“Maybe you can ask yourself.” Finally, he uttered.

Maeve pushed his hand away and dropped her gaze.

“You are…” Rou paused.

“Someone so precious for me since we were kids.” He resumed.

“That’s all I can say at this moment.” He ended.

‘Precious?’ she whispered.

From her point of view, precious means treasure. The one you treasure must be the one you love. So, is Rou loves her? Still not how he acted.

But, from what he learned from Herwin the other day, ‘love’ can happen in a romantic relationship as well. So, did Rou like her? Or in another word, did Rou have a romantic feeling towards her?

Maeve lift her gaze and found out Rou had already continued his study.

If Rou like her, what would she do? Should she return the feeling? But isn’t she likes Inessa? And she was very certain, she’s into girls and has no such feelings towards boys.

She got drawn deep into the thought and keep staring at him.

“What?” Rou voiced out.

“Eh?” She got startled. Then shook her head and said nothing. Rou averted his gaze from her back to his book.

“By the way, I like your outfit today, it’s cute.” He commented.

Maeve immediately take a look at herself to check the so-called cute outfit she wore today. A black top with a black and yellow tartan jacket matched with her miniskirt. She also wore a pair of knee-high black boots.

“Really? Never know you’re into this kind of outfit. I can lend you one. You probably won’t fit it anyway.” She asserted.

“Idiot,” Rou replied, disappointed. But it’s fine.

Maeve just chuckled lightly at his response.

So, how are you doing with the upcoming exam? It was your final exam, right? You should be more serious about it!” She changed the topic.

“Looks who talks..” Rou complains.

“I’m just doing fine, didn’t you see what I am doing right now?” He answered.

“Humph.. you’re such a heedless. I came all the way to give you the advice. You should take it without looking at who’s talking.” She contended.

“Alright, alright… I got you.” Said Rou, avoiding fight or quarrel.

“Good.” Maeve submitted.

“Say, what do you think about me? You think I can get a better result in the exam if I study harder like you?” She asked for his opinion.

“Anyone would do.” He remarked.

Maeve protruding her lips thinking about his remark.

“You’re a pretty smart kid when we were in primary school, aren’t you?” He mentioned.

“I am?” She doubted.

“Ah, yes, I am..” A second later she answered it herself.

Rou feels a bit uneasy with the current situation. Is she gonna answer what has been in his mind all along as his curiosity towards her? He probably won’t be ready for that.

He took a glance at Maeve who’s now lowering her gaze with a thoughtful look. She looks sad.

He can’t with this situation. Doing or saying nothing will make him such a jerk, he claimed her as a precious person to him yet he can’t even show single care for her. But he doesn’t know and doesn’t want to ask anything about that.

Suddenly, Maeve lift her head and returned his gaze. Rou’s gaze caught with hers.

But then she breaks the eye contact and the silence.

“I think I have to go now. You probably want to continue focusing on your study.” She said as she started standing up from her seat. Rou holds her wrist.

As always, he never explained any of his acts.

“I will come to see you again. Good luck with your exam.” She voiced. That wasn't a usual word she used towards him because it's so positive.

He slowly let go of her wrist and she proceed to go.

“Take care,” He whispered as Maeve was already about to descend downstairs.

***

On her way back, she bumps into someone she thinks she saw before. The person also looks at her as if he knows her. She struggled to remember him as he formed a smile towards her.

- CHAPTER 13 ENDS -