Episode 14: Chocolates 3

Finally, after minutes of waiting in line, we get to buy the limited snacks. It was going well, or so I thought.

"I apologize young students, there's only 3 left here," the woman who's in charge of the canteen said.

"Sure madam, we'll take those 3." In response, I took out my coin and was about to give it to her. But as surprising as it could be, she blocked out my reach as if she's saying "it's fine".

As the small plastic bag filled with 3 crinkles was handed out, she took one and gave it to me. The other, well it went to her boyfriend. I simply took the crinkles and said my thanks. Although my smile was bittersweet as this won't suffice as a gift for Valentines to Rita.

The crowd behind us has long since disappeared. Although there are some who stick to the end only to be disappointed with us being the last. Lucky enough, we get to taste a limited snack in our school's canteen.

"Hey, Desmond." She held my left shoulder with her right hand while taking a bite of crinkle on her left. "You're buying crinkles for Rita, aren't you?"

"Yeah, that's actually my plan. Though it pretty much failed now." I raised the crinkle I was holding on.

"You know, Valentines could be anything that you wanted it to be." she left the grip on my shoulders and instead rested her arms on her boyfriend. "Like this dude before. He used to game all night when it's Valentines to treat himself."

"Seems like something I shouldn't be hearing." I said while scratching the back of my head.

"Well, what I'm saying is that although you might not have anything for Rita, you could do something other than buying her a gift, you know." she explained. My mind was enlightened as if a god just spoke the truth to me. But simile aside, I get the point of what she's talking about.

"But still, prepare for Rita's wrath." I gulped as a response. "That's unavoidable, at least what I think it is."

"Hah, I can see it clearly." I stared at the ceiling.

"Well, goodbye for now. Lunch is over. better be prepared for the next class!" And so, the two went out gleefully although the guy is a little bit stiff. I sighed and took a deep breath.

---

As a usual routine, basketball practice is still on. It's Valentines yet it's just a nuisance in terms of training. Sometimes priorities take part with these kinds of times.

While I was preparing my things before I changed my clothes, I noticed a girl walking in the school halls wearing the usual top for the student uniform and a black pants which is only common for male students; But who cares about that in this generation, anyways? And so I called out to her.

"Rita!" I shouted. It was enough for her attention to be on mine. But from that extreme reaction time, I'm sure she's looking out for me too.

"...Desmond?" Rita said. I walked outside the classroom to reach the halls. I went face to face with her and prepared to ask for a favor.

"Please wait for me to finish practice." I boldly said.

In an instant, she replied, "No." I left my jaw hanging for a second before making a comeback.

"Wait, I mean-"

"My parents will get mad at me," she cut me. "If I stay long, that is."

"I-"

"Desmond." Once again, Rita cut my words. But this time, she held her hands to my arms. "Goodbye and be safe." she smiled; the most unique one that I have seen. There were tears in the corner of her eyes. I froze.

She started running until reaching the stairs and went down. I just stared, dumbfounded. I should be doing something. But isn't this what I deserve? I should be making it up for her. But what can I do?

—

Basketball practice became a nuisance to me. Instead of using it as a distraction, I well, can not be distracted. My mind is uncontrollable, and so I kept thinking about her.

As the practice was wrapped, I fixed my things up and prepared to leave. The sun has mostly hidden among the infinite horizon. Darkness took over the other side where I faced to leave.

I sighed and walked downstairs once again. Although the reason for that is not entirely because of the exhaustion; except it's all because of the accumulated stress for this special day.

I walked onto the paved path of the school. It leads to the exit in which everyone usually takes. I glanced onto the end with hope.

There stands the knot of the rope of hope. I had my eyes blinked several times before coming to terms with it. I smiled and hurried my steps so as to not wait for any longer. Who could have thought, am I right?