(3) what happy ending

"Thank you for that introduction Airi." The teacher says in that recited monotonous tone and gestures for the next one behind her. Zoey stands up and begins introducing herself. Airi slumps down, exhausted, disappointed. She even practiced making a good introduction at home, and, again, it backfires on her. She cursed to herself and sighs deeply. She would not even feel this drained if it Ren and his amazing group were not here, piercing her with their looks. It felt like she has been subjected to some-kind of a mental torture, like she is being judged for a life sentence. It was a great idea to sit on the third row because since they sat at the last row, by the corner, so she can avoid looking at them and stare upfront to the teacher ahead.

It can not be helped to hear them though. She could have sworn she heard the gossip behind grow louder after her introduction, it made her all the more restless. She wants to go home.

A tap on her shoulder. It was Luke; he grins at her, excited and she blinks somewhat confused. Luke had always seemed like a social person with the way he acts around them, but when looked at closer, his extroverted, sparkling air around him seems more apparent. There is this comfortable feeling around him that says that he can get along with absolutely anyone.

"We're having a first-year-only party later, want to come?" he says in that cheerful tone as if they'd been friends for a year or so.

"You managed to put up a party on the first day of university? That's amazing," Airi did not mean to say that out loud but she was surprised that the question just blurted out. Luke has some amazing social skills that she hopes to be just as sociable as him someday.

The spark of admiration in her eyes made Luke tense a bit, "I-its because we have a lot of high school friends here so we kind of came up with it, you know?" he explains, although he isn't sure why he's explaining in the first place.

Airi nods in understanding, the spark in her eyes still there. Still, there must be a lot of his old schoolmates who went to study here for them to be able to organize a party, she thought. Nonetheless, it sounds exciting, "where is it gonna be?"

"It's at X Bar, just near the station. It's not one of those high-strung bars don't worry," he reassures.

The introduction continues as the person next in line stands up. Airi thinks about it, it is actually not bad, the place is near their dormitory and she has never been to a bar so it is could be a good experience. The only downside is that they still have university classes tomorrow.

"So, what do you think? Wanna come too?" Airi looks up at Luke peering behind her and towards Zoey, listening in on their conversation. He grins, "although knowing you if Airi comes, you will definitely come too."

"N-not always," Zoey defends, "I don't want to be that suffocating type of friend."

She turns to Airi, who was looking back at her questioningly, innocently. She was like a kitten, she thought, pure and innocent to the world. "But in this case, I'll tag along with Airi if she wants to go." Luke snickers and Airi smiles a bit, wanting to hug her friend.

"So how about it? You guys up to it?" Luke repeats. Before Airi could reply the teacher hushes them— at the students in general, as the noise is starting to block out the introductions by the other students. The teacher seemed pissed so Luke leaned back in his seat. The introductions resume as the teacher urges the next student to continue.

"Hey guys! You can call me Nina."

The name brings back memories of their high school days for Airi. She does not dare turn her back to look at her. She remembers the time she used to tell Nina off for being too close with Ren, and talking with him, and walking beside him, and touching him and literally every single time she sees her and Ren together. She would give her all kinds of trouble, and bully her almost on a daily basis.

The thought makes her cringe, makes her want to hold her head and bang it on the desk as loud as she could.

Nina was already pretty then, she was the typical girl-next-door, cheerful, friendly, and always ready to help. She was not like those other girls who went on to Ren with hidden motives—the ones she is always trying to push away. She was different; she did not treat Ren like the hottest guy in school like everyone does, she just saw him as he is and befriended him as Ren. Regardless, Airi made life hard for her, just because.

It must have been a breath of fresh air for Nina when she transferred. A heavy burden lifted on both their shoulders. Nina and Ren can finally be together peacefully after all they have been through, happily ever after.

She peeks behind after Nina's introduction. She sits down and immediately turns to Ren, smiling and blushing, making gestures that describe how nervous she probably was. And Ren replies back, smiling with her just as he did back then. They have been together since high school, going stronger even. It is amazing when you think about it. They also look better together now, she wonders if they are going out. They probably are.

Seeing them now made her realize that this was probably what pissed her off the most. Seeing Ren enjoy someone else's company genuinely, from the bottom of his heart. It was the first time she felt like there was someone out to take Ren away from her, and will succeed in doing so. The idea terrified her, Ren was leaving her.

Come to think of it, they might come to the party later, she thought. It would be so awkward if they did, knowing that she might come too. Though it looks like Luke has not talked to them about it yet. It was great she had not confirmed she was coming, who knows what might happen. She wanted to come but it seems like she will have to say no this time.

Then it was Ren's turn to introduce himself, and she is reminded why she did not like the girls idolizing and squealing around him.

"So guys, how about it?" Luke came up to them after class, "Neil and Marie are coming so it won't be awkward I promise!" Airi hesitates; she turns to Zoey for help, but she just shrugs in reply. They were packing their bags and getting ready to move out for their next class, "actually, about that..."

Taking the hint, Luke slumps back to his seat, "aw, c'mon! Don't tell me you guys are saying no too? Even if it's just for a bit, come with us!" he presses further. He looks like a kicked puppy that Zoey almost feels sorry for him.

"Told you it's gonna be hard to invite new guys on the first day," Neil says, coming up to them, putting his arm around Luke's shoulder as if consoling him on a losing battle, "since its the first day and all, everyone's still adjusting."

"Who else did you manage to convince so far?" Marie asks, "at least tell me you manage to invite Ren!"

Luke made a face, "he is the last person I wanted to invite! He would just be the center of attention!" he says bitterly. It seems petty, but Zoey and Airi can understand his sentiments. Ren has not been invited to any events after school, not since their third year of middle school when girls came swarming in their karaoke booth seeking his attention. The karaoke ended with all the girls wanting to go home with Ren.

Marie raised a brow, "didn't you want to have more people? Then, you should invite him!"

"You just want him to come,"

"Of course!" Marie says with conviction, "this is my chance to get closer to the prince!"

Luke made a snide comment about calling him 'prince' before getting punched by Marie so hard Luke thought he heard his bones crack. He withdraws from her, soothing the punched area on his shoulder. "Fine!" he says, giving up, "I did try inviting him earlier before he went out the door. He declined though, saying he has something else planned to do after school."

Airi takes her bag and turns to Zoey, asking what she thinks now that Ren isn't going.

Zoey can read her very well, seeing the spark in her friend's eyes. "I think it's fine, if there aren't that many people coming in the first place, we might as well help the poor guy out." Zoey replies giving Luke a pitiful stare. They head to the door.

"Thanks guys!" Luke beams. "You're the best!"

"Although you should tell uncle you'll go out," Zoey advises, "and no drinking! If you agree with those conditions, I'll go with you." she says in all seriousness and Airi nods, reminds her of the time her mom said the same thing. She takes out her phone and begins calling her dad.

Luke teases Zoey, calling her a fussy mom. "Shut up," she hisses at him, "I'm just avoiding any future troubles that could come out from this," she adds matter-of-factly.

Neil laughs from behind them. "Somehow, I can see that backfiring.”