Sixth Chapter: Rebecca Gayle (3)

Did I say something wrong? I thought as I looked at Rebecca on her seat with her head flopped on her table.

Before I can ask what's wrong … Someone called out to me.

"Kris!"

Both me and Rebecca turned towards the voice.

"Hey." I replied, raising my hands as greetings. 

"I didn't see you earlier, where were you?" Evans asked and put her hand on my shoulder. 

"Late." I curtly replied.

She smiled slightly and said, "Good thing Professor Kuiper was also late."

I nodded and slightly glanced at her hands, somewhat bothered by her touch. 

I don't like being touched. Especially by people I'm not close to.

Although I knew Evans back in senior high, we're not that close and just exchanged a few words here and there but nothing more than a greeting. 

We were often groupmates back then but I always remained quiet at the back while they discussed and chatted with each other.

The only reason I can think of why she is acting like this is because I'm the few people that she knows in the room. She probably wants to find someone familiar to be with. Anyhow, it seems she is with Shvets so good for her. Therefore, please don't bother me.

"Um, you want to go to the front? I think we can try to switch seats with someone near us." She proposed pointing with her thumb at their seat.

Uhh ... I was a little troubled, I don't know how to refuse her but I also don't want to take someone's seat …

Furthermore … I look to my left, looking at Rebecca's face. I don't know how to describe her expression. Is it sad? Resigned? Disappointed? I can't tell but I know for sure she was listening and would definitely be saddened if I agreed.

I'll feel bad if I just suddenly left her … 

I looked back to Evans, "Thank you, but I have someone I'm with." I politely refuse her offer.

"Hm? Who?" Evans confusingly asked. 

I turned my eyes towards Rebecca and Evans did the same. 

Seeing her Evans' eyes widen slightly then immediately says:

"Oh … sorry to bother you then. T-talk to you later, Kris." Evans quickly apologized then said her goodbyes as she immediately walked away. Perhaps, trying to escape the situation, embarrassed, because of trying to make me move seats when someone I know is near.

Looking at that, I chuckled good-naturedly inwardly and thought, I guess even someone like her gets embarrassed. I can relate wanting to escape a situation you dig yourself into.

***

After the unknown girl walked away, I couldn't help but secretly let out a breath of relief. 

Hoo … good thing Kris rejected her …

But who was that girl? Based on their conversation, it looks like they know each other before … so Kris has someone she's close to within the room. She even touched Kris as if nothing while I still hesitated to do so! Hmmmm …

I kind of feel sour and disappointed … Ahhhhh! I don't want to think about it!

However … thinking about what Kris said earlier, I cannot hide the smile on my face. 

The way she said it feels as if we're together …

I felt my face heating up again so I flopped my face on the table again!

Why am I even getting flustered?! 

***

Maybe I'm not the problem? Maybe she does have something wrong in her head … I thought as I saw Rebecca's face change from a frown to a smile, then slammed her face on the table again.

I decided to just ignore her and proceed to copy her, putting my head down and taking a nap for the rest of the class …

***

After calming down, I saw that Kris was taking a nap so talking to her was out of option. It's a letdown but she is probably tired so let's not bother her.

I should do what I like doing the best—observing.

My eyes gazed around the room, looking at my classmates doing different things and talking about different topics. 

One particular group caught my attention, they seem to have known each other already; and I've noticed that one girl, the one who looks like the leader of the group, keeps glancing my way.

Obviously, it's not me whom she's looking at.

I turned my gaze to the side looking at Kris sleeping soundly …

She fell asleep so fast, I wish I could do that … 

Anyway, it's clear as a glass that it's Kris she is looking at.

Seeing that, I smiled mischievously and stared at that girl so hard, she looked at me back.

When her eyes met mine, I widened my smile and waved at her. 

She avoided her gaze and ignored me. Probably creeped out from my smile.

For several times, I did that every time she glanced our way until she no longer looked back.

Feeling happy from this small victory, although it's a liiiitle petty, it made me so satisfied I feel like jumping in the clouds.

Hehe, I won.

***

After school.

Different noises of people, things, chattering, and other unidentifiable sounds filled the hallway.

I covered my mouth as I yawned widely.

School's done!

After getting woken up by Rebecca earlier, the subsequent classes proceeded in an orderly manner. With some just taking it easy for the first day and some giving tons of homework to do.

Five homework on the first day? I've underestimated college quite a lot … 

Still, I can't accept this! I would understand it if it's the major subjects but why all of them are from the minor ones?!

"Sigh … I'm tired …" I thought out loud while walking downstairs.

"Right …" Rebecca commented, sharing my thoughts, looking also a little downcast.

We were just walking silently. Both tired mentally from the sudden change from leisure to school work. It just hit us that we're finally college students and would not be given that much time to waste just because it's the first day. I guess I let down my guard because of Professor Kuiper.

Tap. Tap.

Outside of the building, Rebecca and I are walking side-to-side on the covered sidewalk beside the field without talking to each other until Rebecca decides to break the silence. 

"Hey, Kris."

I looked at her and raised my eyebrows then replied, "Yes?"

"Are you fr—" 

Vroom! Vroom!

Rebecca was saying something when a loud engine burst out near the field where the parking space was located.

Distracted, I looked over and saw a familiar motorbike parked beside my bike. 

When I saw who it was, I instantly grimaced and walked faster towards him.

"Blacky!" My idiot big brother shouted, waving his hands like an idiot at me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, a little irritated being called by that nickname in public.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm here for my cute little sis!" Big Bro said with wide arms, clearly trying to piss me off.

"Die." I heavily frowned and cursed at him.

"That's so harsh, Lexie." Another annoying voice spoke, taking my attention away from this grinning idiotic brother of mine.

He was riding behind Big Bro with a grin on his face. He has wild turquoise hair and a scar on his nose around the middle.

"And what are you also doing here, Tob?" I exasperatedly asked. 

Seeing these two idiots together is a recipe for disaster. 

"Well, Ankur said he'll pick you up from school, I thought it would be fun so I hitchhiked!" Tob answered honestly.

Tob is Tob like usual.

"So?" I raised my eyebrows at Big Bro.

"Marga said to invite you to her birthday." 

My eyes widen in realization. I forgot that today is Sis Marga's birthday!

"Why did you only say it now? I don't have a gift with me." 

"I … kind of forgot?" Big Bro laughed nervously after saying that.

I gazed at him fiercely and wanted to hit his head but I just let it go with a sigh. It was also my fault anyway since I also forgot her birthday.

"Tell her I say happy birthday and sorry I couldn't come." 

"Eh? You're not coming?"

"I need to go home. I didn't ask Ma."

"Don't worry, I already called Mama." 

I was a little taken aback but still rejected him. 

"I bought my bike today, I can't leave it here."

Big Bro smirked and pretended to evil laugh.

"Ha, ha, ha, that's why Tob is here!"

He grabbed Tob and asked him to get down, which he obliged. 

He pushed Tob in front of me, "Tob will take your bike home! Now, you have no reason to not come, eh?"

"Eh?" Tob ignorantly uttered.

Big Bro whispered something to Tob and Tob listened attentively, nodding his head sometimes then smiled brightly. 

"Yeah, Lexie, leave it to me! I'll make sure to bring it home safe and sound without a single scratch!" Tob excitedly said while puffing his chest out.

I have a slight suspicion this guy has planned all of this... But anyway it's not like I'm too against going to Sis Marga's birthday. I just … find her a little troublesome …?

"... Okay."

Big Bro made a gut pose and excitedly said:

"Hurry up then!" He patted his bike seat asking me to hop on.

He also put the helmet Tob is wearing on my hands but instead of putting it on, I said:

"Wait."

He looked confused and curious why I was asking him to wait, I didn't bother to tell him the reason and went back to where Rebecca was. I saw her a few meters away from us, watching us from afar with a curious face. I walked towards her to say goodbye.

"I'll go first. My ride's here." I pointed at the back where my Big Bro is.

"O-okay, take care …?" Rebecca said, still a little confused but said her farewell regardless.

"Yes, take care also." I turned my back to Rebecca and then proceeded to walk to where my Big Bro is.

If I were to turn my back again, I'd probably see Rebecca trying to reach out to me but failed to do so.

"I wasn't able to treat her out again …" Rebecca regretfully said but I was already too far to hear it.

"Blacky … how cute … Who is he, though?" 

***

Vroom! 

The motorbike swept past multiple cars and bikes at a speed where if we ever got into an accident, my mother would not recognize my face anymore.

"Can you slow down for a minute!" I shouted as loud as I could, having the wind and engine as my enemy.

"Ha?" Big Bro shouted back, not hearing what I said.

I wanted to groan in frustration but I just decided to hug his waist tighter. 

"Are we not there yet?" 

"A-almost!" He replied with difficulty and added, "Blacky … a little t-tight …" 

I noticed he was having trouble breathing from my hold but who cares?

"Deserve."

Big Bro just choked it up and drove a little slower this time …

Ahh … the wind feels so good …

***

"We're here." Big Bro announced as he stopped in front of a house.

I gazed at the three-story house with yellow painted walls and some wood accents to give it a more homely feeling.

"Nice house." I remarked after seeing it.

"Hm? Ah, yeah, heard it costs an arm and a leg to get that done."

He grinned and continued, "You like it? If you took a shot on Matt, that'll be all yours."

I cast him a glance and rolled my eyes at him and said, "No thanks."

That's also another reason why I don't want to go here … 

If it's Sis Marga's birthday, for sure that guy is here, too. After all, he is her younger brother.

It's not like I hate him … I'm just not comfy around men and my brother is not helping the case, I must say.

And yet this stupid brother keeps on trying to get us together. For sure, the reason why he did his best to bring me here was for this guy; aaand because he likes to make things difficult for me.

Look at me. I looked more manly than most men these days! Do you really think they would find me as a prospective partner? Furthermore, I don't even want to be in a relationship. I just want to be single for life and spend my retirement with my future 12 cats.

"If you're worried about your style Blacky, don't worry he likes tomboys!" He said with a thumbs up and a toothy smile.

That's even worse … sigh. 

I sighed and walked towards the door to ring the doorbell. It's a waste of my brain cells talking to this guy.

Ding dong!

After pressing the doorbell, we did not wait long before someone opened the door and greeted us.

"Come in."

Here we go …