(10) all downhill

“And then the guy’s mouth just dropped from the shock, you should have seen it!”

No. No, she doesn’t want to see it, nor does she want to have this conversation. Oh God, what the hell is happening?! Airi was screaming internally.

They have been walking together, talking about random topics for a while now (mostly from him) that it was starting to garner unwanted attention. She tries maintaining a reasonable distance, make it seem like she just happened to be walking beside him, which was immediately closed by Ren asking her what was wrong.

She cried internally, is this some new form of torture or something?!

From behind, she hears the girls murmur, asking who she was and why was a plain jane like her with him of all people.

Then one girl gasped, “wait, I think I know that girl!”

And like a switch, she flips. That was her queue to go ahead. “Ren I think I gotta go, nature calls!” She says the first excuse that came to mind without making contact and makes a sprint for it, heading to the building of her first class. Thank God she doesn’t have any classes with him today!

From the corner of her eye, she sees Nina by the gate entrance, from the looks of it, she probably hasn't noticed as her attention was on the teacher talking to her. She decides to go faster, the students passing by were mere silhouettes as she run past them. She heard Ren call out to her however she couldn't care less, the last thing she'd want was to cause another misunderstanding that could blow out of proportion.

Finally, she swiftly passes Nina toward the main building, probably breaking her own sprint record as a result. She hopes none of the students recognized her and create convoluted stories about how she was probably trying to win him back.

She prayed to God that nothing would change. Although she knows that it all depends on how Ren would act the next time he sees her.

She exhales, that was one conversation too many, she thought, breathing heavily. She said that she would take any form of punishment but not the kind that would pull her down deeper further. She has had enough of always being at the bitter end of the stick.

Airi almost tumbles up the stairs, out of breath. Frustrated and every bit exhausted, she wondered why was she running in the first place. She should have just moved on after confirming Zoey’s condition and walked ahead. She just knows this will all come back to bite her back later.

She gathers her breath. What she initially thought was a welfare check on Zoey turned out to be a casual conversation— frustratingly like how they used to be. It almost angers her at how casually he came up to her.

She wonders what he was thinking, if this is some kind of revenge of some sort but immediately dismisses it, knowing how naturally good-natured Ren is. She guesses that is just how he is. He had always been the kind of person who greets anyone with an air of naivety, as if there isn't a single evil person in the world that would do him harm. And probably because people more often than not, the people return it with the same kindness, if not more.

Like the time he greeted a girl out of nowhere just because she was standing by the school gate, and she doesn't even go to the same school!

What should have come across as creepy became an unintended gateway for friendship as the girl smiles at him and waves back in a decidedly happier manner. Then again, maybe because he happens to be drop-dead handsome that most of everything he does becomes forgivable.

But God damn it, this is her they’re talking about! One just doesn’t approach and make friendly conversation with someone who did such terrible things to them! That’s just being a naive airhead!

She stopped when she realizes what floor she was on, exhales deeply, and composes herself as she pulled her bag securely on her shoulder. She started to drag her feet toward her first class.

She used to love this side of him. This innocent airheadedness of his who could think nothing wrong towards anyone. Now she realizes it's a double-edged sword, something to pull her to his pace. Trap and entice them willingly, and what's worse is that he does all this with no malice. This, coupled with his good looks, is a deadly combination. The girl didn't stand a chance when Ren suddenly came up to greet her, she fell head-first in love on the spot.

When she reached the classroom, it was as if she just came out of the bath that was in no way relaxing. She lazily reaches for her seat, almost slouching down from exhaustion. Luke turns to her, mock-frowns, "Zoey isn't with you?"

"Good morning to you too."She says sarcastically, in between breaths. Her table feels so nice on her left cheek.

She tries to sit up and fails. "I made Zoey rest today. She was still hungover from last night," she reasons, thinking she should have stayed home with her if she knew Ren would suddenly come up to her like he did. She needs a drink.

Luke frowns deeper. "God dammit." he curses then rummages from his bag, takes five dollars, and grudgingly hands it over to Neil. "I told you she would be too depressed to come today," he comments.

Luke whispered something in protest and Airi raises her head, ready to defend her friend. "She's not depres— wait,” then she eyes the dollar Neil proudly takes from Luke, “you bet on Zoey coming to class?"

"Not exactly," Neil answers, putting his newly obtained five dollars securely in his pocket, "we made a bet that what happened last night would definitely make her go bananas one way or another. Luke bet that she'd beat up Ren to a pulp and I only bet she wouldn't come to class so I win.."

She snorts and rests her head back on the comfort of the wooden table. Fat chance, she thought, Zoey's too ashamed to meet her arch nemesis today. He’d be lucky if Zoey even so much as looked in Ren’s direction without remembering what happened last night. As Airi rests quietly, still catching her breath, the two started to go back to last night’s events, still amazed that they managed to get through it without getting kicked out.

"About that," she remembered her promise, but at the apparent tiredness looming above her, she said the first threat that comes to mind, "if you guys bully Zoey, I'm going to beat you with a bat." She tries to be threatening but fails miserably. " She feels really bad about what happened."

Neil shrugs, "It’s not gonna be easy, it’s not every day we get to bully her." he takes the occupied seat next to her and whispers, "speaking of last night, what happened with Ren?”

While Airi appreciates him being discreet and secretive concerning her relationship with Ren, she still frowns, remembering the real reason why she had to go and let Ren accompany them home in the first place. “It’s all your fault. You said you’d hold him off!"

"It would've all been fine if Luke here hadn't told the truth," he nudges at Luke who could only tilt his head questioningly. "What did I do?"

"Ugh," she moans painfully, "because of you I…” her voice fades out as she thinks— racks her head of any trouble Ren caused them last night and instead she remembers his kind, genuine smile, his attentiveness as he shifts himself to make Zoey more comfortable as she sleeps on his back, and his politeness as he listens to her without reservations about everything she did. The tension easing between them, quiet and soothing.

Damn it, she frowns deeper, he has been nothing but kind to them!

Neil got his answer from her silence. "Fine, fine. We won’t bully her.” he settles for, shaking his head. It was the only thing he could do for her. Luke pouts, “But I wanna bully Zoey...” he says in a mock-cutesy voice.

Neil hand chops his best friend’s head, “it was all your fault it all happened in the first place.”

Luke soothes his head, still having no idea what he did wrong.

"By the way, where's Marie?" it suddenly registered to her that she hadn't her since entering the classroom, she wondered what she thought about the altercation last night. "I hadn’t seen her since her friends called her out last night.” She worried about the trouble they had caused her as well, she hopes she wouldn't think badly of them for it.

"Oh, she's over there, talking with some friends," Neil replies, pointing out to the group of girls gathered in front. Giggling to themselves, only to find out she is not there, "that's weird. She was just there."

"She just went out with a few girls, probably the toilet." Luke replies, still gently soothing the top of his head, "do any of you have any compress I could use?"

After a while, Marie comes in with a few girls.

Airi meets eyes with her and instinctively, she waves her hand at her with a smile, greeting her hello.

Marie made a face as if the gesture itself surprised her. She lifts her hand as if to wave back, her palm only partially outstretched, awkwardly. She so much as only glanced at her and looked away, fidgeting. She goes to her seat, without another word.

Airi lowers her hand, her expression unreadable, “did something happen to Marie?”

Luke follows after her and glances at Marie, sitting at the other side of the room. “I don’t think so. She seemed fine earlier.”

“I see,” she could only reply. She knows that pattern of behavior, memorizes it by heart even. The grim realization hits her coldly, like a stab, deep and bitter.

The professor enters their classroom, and almost immediately discussed the topic. Airi breathes in and faces forward.

She should really get used to this already.