Page 30: The Cheery Blossom Festival Date(3)

Soon the seats filled and all the passengers were ready on their seats. In a few minutes the rollercoaster would start it's ride when the last passenger occupies the seat.

Alex looked ahead of his seat and looked at Amelia sitting five seats away from the two of them.

Just five seats for him to reach her.

They seemed so close yet too far for him.

But, after double rejections he hadn't gotten long back right after Amelia herself encouraged him to give another try, he lost the tiny bit of confidence he had.

The worst part was, Alex wasn't even properly rejected. The only reason he cannot get to her was because his girl was too dense and dumb to understand his feelings. This makes him all the more upset and depressed at his vain unrequited love and at the same time gives him a hope to try more harder for her to accept him.

Alex truly was in a pathetic condition at the moment.

Alex couldn't watch the sight of seeing Derrick and Amelia laughing over something any longer and forced himself to turn away his head.

Now, sitting alone with her seven year old crush Vanessa fiddled her shoulders and leaned closer to Alex.

"I am so happy I get to ride with you Alex.. Do you how long I have dreamt about today..?" Vanessa said dreamily.

Alex hummed and patted the iron handle of the coaster.

"Hmmm. Okay."

It wasn't a great response. But, Vanessa was used to his bland responses. So she smiled awkwardly. She was happy she at least got the evening to spend with Alex.

Coming to think, since they are stuck together on the ride anyway Alex then looked at Vanessa and asked.

"Vanessa.."

Vanessa looked at him enthusiastically. Alex was actually starting up a conversation with her!

"Yes??"

"The letter I wrote for Amelia.. That day before.. four years ago.. I've discovered she never recieved it.. Do you know anything about it..?"

Alex asked cooly. But there was seriousness on his tone. And, Vanessa's smile flattered just like that.

"I.. I don't know." Vanessa said quickly averting her eyes, the posture she was just sitting towards Alex and stared at her purple skirt nervously.

She was bothered by his words.

Why is Alex asking me this..? Could it be he discovered something about that day..?

Vanessa panicked subconsciously.

"Someone messed with the letters. Do you know who that person is..?"

Alex's sharp blue eyes glowed under the city lights. The evening's chill was probably affecting Vanessa. But, at that time, Vanessa actually felt like she was getting infected by Alex's cold gaze.

She abruptly stood from her seat and cried.

"So, are you suspecting me..?" She charged him with accusation.

Alex was taken back. "I never told you that."

"After all we have been through.. Are you doubting me..??" But, Vanessa was losing her mind.

"Vanessa, I still remember how much you have helped me adjust with my family and new school. But, watching you act like this out in the blue.. makes me feel like you are somehow related to this mishap..?"

Vanessa gasped at Alex's deliberate accusation. Alex was just stating his unclear accusation to Vanessa to conform his doubt. But, Vanessa took it like he was certainly accusing her for messing his letter.

And, it hurt Vanessa all the more to see her one favourite childhood sweetheart whom she had known since kinder garden not trusting her.

...

Derrick and Amelia who were just talking their shared interest of the recent basketball game suddenly heard a strange commotion coming from the back.

When they turned five seats back to notice what was happening, with the speaker announcing on the mike about to leave the coaster.. The other passengers shouting their friends to stop their lover spat, the roller coaster ride delaying their depart...

They soon discovered their two beloved friends, Alex and Vanessa being the middle of this mess.

__________

"How many times should I tell you! I never touched your letter!?"

"But, you probably asked someone to do it for you right..? Why would you do something like that, Vanessa..?! Don't you know how important it is to me..?"

"Ahh!!! Why won't you just trust me...!?!"

The guards whistled to stop the sudden commotion and Amelia and Derrick immediately rushed to their friends to calm them down. Derrick and Amelia did succeed. But, the end result was the four were banned to enter the coaster for the while.

Derrick was extremely frustrated.

"Just what the hell is wrong with you two..?! I thought this date was meant to resolve your misunderstandings with each other not to make them worse..!"

"Alexander. Vanessa. I know you don't really have a great relationship with each other now. But, didn't you two agree on this date because you were once thick friends..!? I thought you two were more sensible than all this. Especially you Alex."

Amelia who clearly knew about their past conditions was equally infuriated.

Alex and Vanessa had no say now.

They simply put down their heads without a single word. They didn't dare to look at each other nor their friends. They were simply ashamed they had let their anger and conflict go on public and caused such a humiliating situation.

Derrick sighed again. This date was really a bad idea. He regretted it. And, It wouldn't do any good if this continue this.

With this in mind, Derrick abruptly grabbed Vanessa by her wrist towards him and pushed Alex towards Amelia.

"That's it! Change of plans. Until the of you calm down. You and you." He pointed Amelia and Alex "will hand out together.. While I stay with Vanessa..!"

"W-What.!"

"What!!"

"What??"

It was a complete shock to all the three.

"B-But, Derrick ..." Alex was too surprised to talk right. "Wasn't Amelia supposed to be your date today..?! How can she just spend her night with m-m-me..!?" He looked at Amelia nervously.

"And, Alexander is my date! I will never give up on him just because you say so!"

Vanessa protested too.

"Yeah.. And. Start an argument and create a more bigger chaos than what you two just did?" Derrick asked Vanessa.

Amelia had been so excited for her date with Derrick Han. She picked cute jewels, bought clothes, applied make up and even prepared some ready made instant conversations she could have with Derrick in order to not bore him. But, at this time she sighed and agreed.

"D-Derrick Sunbae is right. The two of you still have some unresolved issues that cannot be sorted out on this great day. So.. Let's split up.. Until you calm down."

Derrick nodded. "Exactly."

A decision was made and everyone came to a resolution to split and exchange their dates.

Alex still couldn't believe his dream was actually coming true. He pinched himself to check his reality and asked Amelia again.

"Are you really sure about this, A-Amelia..?"

"Of course. It's not like we are strangers, Alex. Plus.." She leaned closer to Alex and whispered on his ears. "I am more comfortable around you than, Derrick."

She winked at Alex. Alex's face immediately flustered like a maiden in love.

"I am sure I would be anxious nervous and flustered around him that I would show him all my bad points.."

She said and chuckled at Alex's awkward silence.

The first couple waved their good byes and split just like that.

The double date the four intended finally came to an end and Derrick immediately made quick plans on how to postpone his death with a cheat code.

There was a scary dark aura coming out of Vanessa Choi at the moment.

Vanessa, who had been staring at the ground without a single word for a while now, after they were gone, abruptly turned to Derrick and smiled her brightest to him. But, Derrick who was a master of smiles, could already hear his death march ringing on the gates of hell.

"You were the one who first approached me, tried to impress me, used Alex's name to impress me, proposed an amazing double date with Alex and ruined the possibility of the double date.. What do you have to say to this..?"

Derrick gulped nervously. He wanted to run away. But, his feet were frozen from fear.

"Aren't you being one mischievous individual.., Derrick Han Opha..?"

Vanessa's oppa did not look cute to Derrick now.

_________

Saturday

Cherry Blossom Festival

Derrick.

Dear Diary,

I survived. I am still alive and breathing after what I had just done.

After Alex left, I had very hard to convince Vanessa to spend once in a year festival at this fair, that she felt was pointless at the moment. Since, Vanessa practically ripped my ear with her loud yelling, made a huge scene that was big enough to attract the entire fair. But, still I was miraculously saved by mother nature that made Vanessa's face fluster with embarassment.

And, that was.

The wolf cry from Vanessa's stomach.

"Hurry up, Opha! I am hungry..!"

Vanessa ordered me by a nearby food stall. It was all her money of course. She never allowed me to pay for her though I wanted to.

"Patience is the virtue, my lady. Can't you see how crowded the queue is? I am trying..!"

I yelled struggling hard to get to the counter and finally made it. I sighed and ordered what I want.

"Two strawberry choco parfait please.."

"Hurry up, Opha..!" Vanessa yelled from my behind.

"For you and your girlfriend..?"

The vendor asked.

My eyes immediately widened in delight at the misunderstanding and I really wanted to go along with it when someone suddenly stamped my foot with their sharp pointy heel shoes. I didn't even need to turn to guess who it is.

"Don't even think about it, f**ker."

Vanessa hissed to me smiling sweetly to the vendor.

"No. We are just strangers who met each other two or three times."

Slipping from the stall to an open place so that we can find a place to sit and eat, I just couldn't stop wiggling my leg at the throbbing pain on my foot.

"Ouch! I was just about to say we are friends, doll face. You didn't have to be so hard."

I wailed like a brat.

Vanessa turned her head to me. Her smooth black half curled hair glossed under the festival lights just like her red lip gloss.

"Oh really..? Promise me that you never had any ulterior motives for approaching me..?"

Vanessa asked cockily.

Ah.. She got me..

I looked away awkwardly.

"O-Of course not! Vanessa.." The confidence on my tone flattered.

"Well, Isn't that because I am rich..? Aren't you just taking advantage of me because my bank balance is wealthy enough to provide you a luxurious lifestyle for the rest of your life..?"

"What..?? No..!"

I couldn't digest her accusation.

"It's alright, you can confess to me. I'll forgive you if you do now. I've already met many scums like you before.."

Vanessa played it very cool like she was really used to it.

"What..?? No no." I tried protesting.

"Alex is the only person who never treated me for money since he is also rich. That is the reason I do not want any guy except-"

I had to catch Vanessa's wrist to stop her rambles. I felt insulted at her accusation. I might be poor and my reasons for getting close to her might not be genuine. But, that is no where related using Vanessa for her wealth or for marrying her for my rise in bank balance.

"Just how worse are you thinking about me? I know I behave like a trash many times. But, using someone for their wealth, that's something that totally goes against the morals I have set for myself.."

I told her seriously.

If not, I wouldn't work so hard at bars and other part time jobs that often make me miss my school attendance a lot and simply resort to robbery.

"Okay..! I-I am sorry.. I was too judgmental.. A-And.. My wrist hurts.." Vanessa squeaked.

I didn't expect that she'd apologize that quickly.

It wasn't my intention. But, it seems I did look kinda intimidating when expressed my sincere views to Vanessa.

In realisation I abruptly dropped my grasp and apologized back to her.

"I am sorry too.. It's just that you kinda touched a sensitive topic of mine.. "

I rubbed my blonde hair. The atmosphere suddenly became awkward. I didn't know what to speak to lighten the mood. I felt stuck like that. But, Vanessa suddenly broke the ice by stretching her arm.

"The food..?" She asked bluntly.

"Hm..?" I blinked.

"I am hungry??" She shrugged her shoulder.

"Oh.. Oh.. I forgot.. Here." I immediately gave her the Parfait.

She rolled her eyes and grabbed the Parfait from me.

I haven't yet got used to Vanessa actually acting like a normal girl when Vanessa suddenly reverted to her usual boss queen self when she saw the strawberries.

"This..is a Parfait..?! I thought you said it's supposed to be something nice!" She screamed.

"It is something nice. There are some cream, suger syrup strawberries, blue berries, nuts.." I examined the Parfait like a dessert critic.

"And they are sweet." Vanessa glared.

"Yeah.. So what..?" I blinked and then figured it out. "Oh, so you hate sweet stuff??"

"Duh. No. Alex hates sweet stuff." Vanessa said the most ridiculous thing."I cannot be a proper bride to him if we don't share similar tastes."

"That's crazy."

I couldn't agree with her.

"It's not if you are in love." She sang like it was granted again. "Love is just like that, Derrick 'Opha'. When you are in love you find yourself speaking like the one love, share taste like the one you love and poop like the one you love. I am sure a commoner scum like you would never understand.. Wah-Wait! O-Opha!"

I forcefully stuffed a spoon of her share of Parfait into her mouth to force Vanessa spurting more nonsense. For a guy who already gave up on love and hates the superficial relationship with girls, I couldn't put up with her nonsense anymore.

"Wahhh...!! Sh*t! What the f*ck is this..!??! This tastes amazing..!"

Vanessa cried without even realising what she was saying after taking the bite of the Parfait.

I smiled in triumphant.

I thought of it before. But, Vanessa definately has a sweet tooth unlike Alex. If not she wouldn't have enjoyed the Chicken Skewers coated with sweet sauce, we had at the entrance which Alex utterly hated.

Vanessa put her guard down completely and enjoyed the sweet dish like a little kid for a few seconds. But, then when she saw me smiling happily she abruptly coughed and looked away.

"Cough.. It's not..thaaat bad.. But. I'll kill you if you report this to Alex."

She said sternly.

I laughed and waved my hands.

"I won't, if you don't!"

____