Page 23: A Tiny Speck Of Hope

But.... His tiny bits of courage weren't enough to defend the woman he loved...

"Oh. Oh. This little pup must be one of the delusional art nerds, Sarah had charmed on the sidelines.."

The girl suddenly threw Lawrence on the wall making him crash hard on it. And, they all giggled loudly.

"Do you think a popular girl like Sarah would really notice you to give you her heart just because she suddenly comes to your class? Don't get ahead of yourself, loser. I am saying for your own good. Do you think you are her knight in armor who can defend her..? And, more than that..!"

The girls then asked a painful question to him. A question that plunged through the insecurities of his heart.

"Do you think.. You actually deserve a girl like, Sarah Kim..?"

Those thoughtless words dropped a milestone around Lawrence.

"N-No... I do n-not.." Lawrence mumbled lightly.

"Ha..? Didn't hear ya right..?" The girls snickered giggling.

"I.. I..do n-not deserve n-noona.." He said again loudly.

"The loser sure gives up fast!" The girls laughed louder.

Lawrence knew that very well. But, he still liked her.

Tears filled Lawrence's sea green eyes.

He knew, boys shouldn't cry.

His pants increased into hyperventilation without him realising.

Lawrence was lacking on this basic qualification as Sarah's man..!

The darkened sky flashed a lightning. It wasn't long for the cool rains to shower from the heavens.

"Oh.. It's raining.."

"So, what should we do with him..? Should we give him to the police..?"

The girls were planning on how to handle their creepy 'harasser' when suddenly a strong bag pack slammed on the faces of one of the girls.

"Aiiiyaaa!!!"

A young girl in wet clothing rushed towards the bunch of cheerleaders with a cowgirl's scream.

"Ah.. That hurts..!" The girl who had her head slammed pressed her head.

"Who the hell is that..?"

Lawrence looked up at his saviour as a lightning flashed behind her.

The girl wore their school uniform. She had tied her hair in a high pony. While all the girls prefered wearing pretty canvas shoes this girl was into sports ones. She rolled her sleeve up like a tomboy and roared again in an extremely unfeminine way.

"Get away from him, you wenches! Not just are you bad mouthing my best friend. But, you are also harassing a fellow student..?"

The girl yelled in the rain.

The rain showered more from the sky.

"Amelia?" Some one said

"Damn, it's her Sarah's stupid geek friend. Let's get away from here.."

"Yeah yeah let's. That girl is an idiot. She will not hesitate to hit you."

"Ah.. And, My clothes keep getting wet. This is all your fault pervert..!"

A girl passed the accusation about the nature to Lawrence in a second.

'M-Me..??'

Lawrence was stunned.

But, Amelia glared at him with her crazy messy face that was ruined by the rain.

"Let's go..!"

"Yeah. Yeah"

In such a way they all left just as they all came and silence soon filled the roads. Amelia and Lawrence stood face to face without any words.

"We must get going too. At least until the rain stops.."

Amelia tossed her bangs up from her forehead.

"H-Hmm.." Lawrance agreed with her.

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Soon, Amelia and Lawrance took shelter under an abandoned shed between a troop of giant maple green trees until the rain stopped.

"Awah. This rain.. It doesn't seem to be leaving.."

Amelia finally spoke to break the silence between the two. The brave Lawrence who tried his best to defend Sarah earlier now returned to his own self and hid his head inside his wet hood.

"....."

He nodded his reply.

This girl was.. Amelia Jeong.

Sarah's one and only female bestfriend. And, from the other things he knew about her was, she hates him for stalking Sarah. It's best if he just shuts up and not make her angry. Even more, if she doesn't know who he was.

Due to his, silence Amelia had to volunteer again.

"Come to think.. You are.. Lawrence Lee..? Sarah's stalker..?"

"...!"

Lawrence felt like today was his doom's day.

'Not just did he get into trouble for Sarah...' He closed his eyes in guilt and made his neck crouch more smaller. 'That scary Amelia also discovered him today! He knew it! Now he might lose the littlest chance he has to see Sarah.'

"I've heard you got into trouble for defending Sarah."

Lawrence abruptly looked at her through his face blinding hood.

"Your friend told me."

That must be Olivia. She was a coward like him. But, this time he really owes her one. Lawrence thought.

"You know, Sarah really has a lot of enemies since she's usually an introvert and doesn't really talk back to them. I had to save her from all these situations.."

Amelia said with a sigh.

He knew. Lawrence smiled.

Amelia Jeong was the one tough friend Sarah Kim needs. Though the two tom_girl and the school belle seems like they belong to different worlds.

Amelia was someone Lawrence would look up to as a person who deserves to stand with Sarah.

"But, you still pushed your guts and defended her. I owe you one. You might have stalked her before. But, you must really care for her right..?"

Amelia asked. Amelia was a very bright talkative person while Lawrence's words could be counted especially when he's with strangers.

But, still they made a good duo than, Sarah who gets troubled if Lawrence doesn't respond to her, That's, because for one, Amelia isn't upset about his silence. She just talks a lot that she doesn't even realise her listener isn't talking at all.

He nodded his head quietly like a kid.

"....."

Amelia couldn't help but, laugh at Lawrence. The guy looks like a weirdo. But, he seems to have a good heart. That's nice.

"Well. If.. If you manage winning her heart. Keep her happy, alright..?"

Lawrence felt overwhelmed by Amelia's words.

That was something he never imagined.. He hadn't thought much about his relationship with Sarah and expected a future in it. But, Amelia accepting Lawrence was something that gave him a new hope.

He smiled and spoke to her for the first time in a while.

"O-Of course..I-I will..W-With my whole h-heart.. I-If I have a-a chance.."

Lawrence stammered.

Amelia smiled at him.

As the rain slowly descended, her phone suddenly rung. It was gone before she could take it from her bag and the ring was followed by a notification.

GOLDENBOY: Where are you Amelia!? Your family is still waiting for you to come. The bus will be here soon.

ROMEDYGEEK: Ah. Ah. I am coming.

GOLDENBOY: Just where the hell are you in this rain..???

Amelia laughed.

'That must probably be the guy she liked.'

Lawrence mentally added while looking at her. There are twinkles in Amelia's eyes. Artists can be many things. But they are never wrong when it comes to feelings and perception.

Amelia looked at Lawrence who was observing her awkwardly amid the low croaks of frogs and the pitter patter of the shed due to the rain. She smiled at her phone again.

ROMEDYGEEK: Just acting the Knight._In_Armor for a poor guy.

GOLDENBOY: A-A guy!!! W-Why are you with a guy, Amelia..? Is it Derrick?? No, he already left. Why the hell are you talking with guys when you should be at home right now!!!

It was just a text. But, Amelia could hear him yelling.

Gee, She could understand why her mother likes Alex so much. More so that she would even dare invite him to their family trip saying Alex could tutor her on the way.

They are truly alike.

ROMEDYGEEK: Relax. I am coming.

GOLDENBOY: No need.

Alex gave a blunt reply. She soon heard footsteps thomping before her and when she looked up, she found Alex waiting for her with a transperant glasslike umbrella.

Amelia was dazed for a moment.

But, then rushed to him from the shed immediately.

"You didn't need to do this.." She blushed a bit. "It isn't even raining much now.."

"S-Shut up!! You are so dumb and stupid that you could catch a cold easily. I am doing this not because I like you okayy..!! Don't misunderstand?!"

Alex made his point very clear.

Amelia chuckled and walked with him.

"Yeah. I know. You did it for a friend. Don't worry. I won't."

Lawrence observed the two as they continue arguing in silence. He then smiled.

Well.. Good for her.

'It seems her feelings aren't unrequited.'

Lawrence rushed the other way placing his bag on his head to protect himself from the rain.

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