Chapter Five - Rejection
(This is just a side-chapter and this is what happened during the school festival.)
(Emily)
"Lance!" I beamed, glancing at the kid who neared closer with his hair swerving in all sorts of directions and a hand waved towards us.
Then an idea came into my mind. I think I'm a genius! That's right. I grinned mischievously, darting a glance at Avery and Tom to which Avery stared at me with what seemed she knew was inevitable.
If I leave the two alone, then they could get some "quality time"---which I hope that something cute happens and maybe something more. I silently squeal to the back of my mind.
"Well, I'll see you guys later!" I chirped, taking the first few steps with a bright leap whilst I look at Avery gritting her teeth in exasperation and my eyes shift to Tom.
I winked at him and he smiles, nodding. "See ya later! And Avery, meet you back at the class by 5!"
I sprint to where Lance is and he stops, looking at me in confusion with his lips pursed in a thin line. I arrive in front of him, slightly out of breath. Before he could mutter anything, I wrapped my hands around his arm and tugged him away from the love birds.
When we're far away from where they both stood, Lance speaks out.
"I see what you're doing," he murmurs, not minding how I'm literally just dragging him off. "---very clever I say, Emily."
I cheekily grin, reverting my eyes to him. "Well, thank you."
He looks at me for a while, then his cheeks flushed pink. I tilt my head. Is he feeling hot? Dehydrated? It's especially hot today and the forecast said it would be hotter than usual. I paused from our steps, then removed my hand that was interlock with his arm.
I mused, glancing at him in concern. Without any further thought, I lift my hand and proceed to place it on his temple with the back of my palm. His cheeks seemed to turn even more red.
"Are you sick?" I questioned in concern.
He closes his eyes for a split second, trying to compose himself, then he flickers them open with eyes gazing faraway. He murmurs in a soft tone. "You're too close."
"Oh I'm sorry!" I frantically hollered, removing my hand from his temple and staggered a step back, my cheeks slightly flushed. He was right. Our faces were so close I could faintly feel his breath on me ---not that it's cool since that's carbon monoxide, but still. It's really my fault for being so spaced out.
I chuckle nervously, placing my hands down to the hem of my skirt and playing with it, twirling it over with my fingers. "Sorry. I thought you had a heat stroke or something. Plus, I never really had a sibling—let alone a little brother, so I just had this sense of obligation to worry."
Lance only stares at me. Maybe I'm totally creeping him out or maybe I said something wrong. Whatever it was, his eyes showed dismayed on it. His lips slightly twitch into a purse but was immediately replaced with a slight smile. "Thanks."
I nod, not knowing what to say. Leaving me with no options, I mutter aloud. "You like Tacos, right? How about we get one?"
He thinks over it for a short second before glancing up at me in agreement. "Okay. I'm getting hungry anyway."
"Then let's go," I smile, clasping my hands.
We started walking again, passing through the different stalls with all variety of foods. The crowd was getting larger the more seconds that ticked by and it contributed to the scorching hot atmosphere around us. It couldn't be helped that it was loud and boisterous.
"Did anything happen between Avery and Tom?" Lance suddenly blurts out in the midst of the noise blaring through us.
"Yeah," I replied, occasionally peeking over the different stalls left and right. "—Tom was auctioned by Hannah and she kissed him. Avery was upset after that."
"I don't really get that girl," he shakes his head in disbelief. "---she likes the guy but pretends not to. If she'd stop being so complicated then everything would go right for her."
I let out a small smile, peering at him from over my shoulder. "Love can be sometimes complicated, Lance. If love was that easy, then everybody would be loved by now."
He mused over it, darting his gaze to the ground with a thoughtful look. Then he replied. "You're right."
. . .
"The tacos sure did the trick for me!" I chirped, feeling satisfied with the delicious taco now consumed by me. "---I feel so refreshed right now."
Lance finally smiles, his mood seemingly getting better than earlier. Maybe he was just hungry. That's right. People tend to be grumpy when they're hungry, and what better way than to fill their tummy with food!
I inwardly giggle with the silly thought I just came to ponder. My eyes strained to Lance who took one last bite of his taco until there was no such trace.
"I feel sleepy now," he murmurs, letting out a yawn and collapsed himself on the grassy fields, his arms spread wide.
I chuckle. "You should've slept instead. By the way, did you come here for Avery? If so, that's nice of you."
He snorts, eyes casted upon the vast skies with a certain glint to his eyes. "Partly yes. I wanted to surprise her at her booth and pick fun on her. But most importantly, I came here for someone else."
I blinked. "Who?"
He smiles to himself, shutting his eyes as if feeling the cold breeze of the wind carry him off. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"I would," I emphasized, scooting closer to him with curiosity getting the best of me.
"What would you gain after I told you so?"
"Hm, I guess nothing?"
"Precisely," he replies briefly.
"But still!" I pout. "---you gotta tell me! I'm deeply and very curious! You can't just get me riled up and then keep it a secret, you know?"
A short chuckle escapes his lips. I stared at his mole that was resting on his cheek for no reason at all. Call me odd, but yes, his mole looks interesting.
"Well, I came here for you."
My ears rang when I heard him say that. There was something about how he said it that made it have a different meaning after all.
I opened my mouth to say something when the harsh breeze comes whipping through us, making my hair swerve in all sorts of directions while I try to grab the wrapper of the tacos before they fly off. Lance looks at me struggling and lets out a laugh.
I pursed my lips, eyeing him. "Stop laughing! At least help me out, will you?"
His laughter stops and he follows, helping me grab the wrappers while I try to catch my hair with my fingertips.
. . .
(Lance)
"I think I'm gonna go home now," I say to Emily who looked deeply invested with people setting up the campfire at the field.
She turns to look at me, flashing a playfully grin. "Oh you can't. The fun is still starting."
I raised a brow, wondering what she meant. She sees my expression and points to the campfire being set up by people in charge while the stalls were closing. "There's a campfire dance happening there tonight."
I nod, letting her continue. "There's an urban legend regarding that the last person you danced before the song ends, your souls will be intertwined—basically you'll be together."
I lightly chuckle and she narrows her eyes at me with lips in a pout. "Why are you laughing? Did I say anything funny?"
I shake my head, lifting my hand and then pointed at her. "It's just that you believe those things?"
Her cheeks flushed. She gets riled up, lips pursed. "Well, what if I do?! I so do think it's sweet and nice."
I let out a breath, leaning back with my hands firmly planted on the ground. "What if I was your last dance? Does that mean our souls would be bonded?" I entertained a question.
I could see her brows furrow, thinking deeply about the possibility. Then she smiles, raising an index finger. "Maybe."
I shake my head in disbelief while my lips were still curved upwards. She gets too piqued up and she's such a bubbly, bright girl. Maybe that's why I like her. Maybe because she's opposite of who I am: somewhat grumpy sometimes and mean.
Being with her shows this side of me which I never know. Ugh, cliché I know. But that's as close as to how I can describe it.
"But, I think I'd rather dance with only you, Lance," she says aloud, her eyes shifted upwards to the skies that were starting to get dim, welcoming the night with the twinkling stars.
My cheeks start to turn red, presumably because she caught me off guard. I turn away, trying to hide the blush forming on my cheeks with my forearm. Does she know what she's saying? She's just leading me on. Truly sly.
"The campfire dance starts in thirty minutes," she added. "---so, wanna dance with me?"
She turns to face at me, her alluring crystal ocean eyes brightened against the glare of the sunset, her hair tangled and messed up with her lips into a lopsided grin. Her eyes were filled with warmth and I couldn't help but admire how pretty she really looks. I'm a sucker alright.
"Okay," I whispered.
And one thing led to another, I danced with her. The people were circled around the campfire with girls and boys separated. The music filled the entire venue and the campfire grew brighter as time passed by. Every minute, they'd turn and change partners, taking their hands and dancing vivaciously to the beat of the music.
Except that we weren't on the campfire site. We were at the back of the building, the campfire just within in reach. Emily chuckles, her hair bobbing alongside as she swayed to the dance of the music, her gentle hands held mine tightly.
"Calm down," I piped out in the midst of the loud blaring of the music. Geez, she's so hyper that I can't keep up with her.
Her laughter ringed my ears as she twirled and took a turn, her legs kicking as she twist my hands. I shake my head, smiling as she looked to be having so much fun. Her eyes had so much joy and she let loose—somehow almost stepping at my foot occasionally.
The only thing that was at disadvantage was my height against her. I stood near her shoulder length and it was a nuisance with my arms barely coping up, but she didn't mind.
Instead of dancing with those people down the campfire, of finding a guy she'd end up with or making her legend come true, she instead danced with me. And I thought to myself "I was lucky indeed."
It was down to the last dance, the once bright and upbeat music slowly drift to a slow, romantic tune while everyone gathered up to their last partners for the last dance, their hands intertwined and their heads resting on one's shoulder.
Emily turns to look at me and smiles, trailing her hands to my shoulders and I reluctantly wrap my hands around her waist. She murmurs. "I think I got too hyped up, now I'm tired."
I smirked. "Well, I told you so."
I stiffened when she rests her head on my shoulder, her hands still rest on my shoulder while I feel her breath hitch my skin. She's so close and I can smell her strawberry shampoo. My heart was doing somersaults that she could probably hear it. My breath gets ragged but I try to compose myself, not to let my feelings get out in control.
"Lance, I like this," she murmurs softly within earshot. "---thank you for today. I had so much fun."
I nod, swallowing the lump of my throat. "No worries. I had fun too."
"Emily?" I called out her name.
"Yeah?"
"I l---"
"THAT'S A WRAP! THE SCHOOL FESTIVAL IS FINALLY OVER!" the voices of the microphone boomed, drowning the words I just said.
Emily removes her head and hand from me, my hands slipping off her waist as she takes a step back and stares at me.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" she shouts since the speakers were louder than her, her voice sounded faint when in fact she was screaming to the top of her lungs.
"I DIDN'T HEAR YOU!"
I smile, watching her look so distressed due to the loud commotion. I take a deep breath, mustering every ounce of voice in me to scream to her what I really meant to say.
Even if things won't be normal from now on, I want her to know that I don't want her to see me as a little brother.
As if fate was playing a cruel game, the moment I screamed....
"I LIKE YOU!"
The loud voices on the speaker and the music stopped, making my voice so loud that probably even people from down there could hear it.