Chapter 96: No Longer the Same

I walk quickly, trying to guess where else I should look for him. I myself do not understand what is happening to me. In fact, I do not fully understand what I am doing either.

My urge to look for him grows stronger, especially after I realize that since earlier in class, I have not heard a single remark come out of his mouth. Usually, he never misses a chance to comment on me. His sharp mouth often makes my emotions rise and fall.

But strangely, when he truly stops bothering me, there is instead something that feels missing.

Every time I glance toward his seat, he always turns his face away from me. Until break time arrives, I boldly ask Dara to pass a message to Kevan not to wait for me. I will follow him to the cafeteria after my business is done.

I am very sure that Kenn’s reason for helping me is not merely a repayment.

I glance at my wristwatch. I have been looking for him for almost ten minutes, yet his figure has not appeared. Finally, I decide to rest for a moment in my favorite garden.

My steps lead me to the garden behind the teachers’ building. It feels like it has been a long time since I last went there. The last time I was in that garden was with Dara, before I officially started dating Kevan.

Just one more turn. I break into a small run, impatient to rest under the green trees, enjoying the gentle breeze and gazing at the beautiful small lake.

But right at the end of the turn, all my enthusiasm vanishes.

From where I am standing now, I see Kenn with Gita. In my favorite garden.

My steps stop and my legs feel stiff. I want to approach them, but somehow, it is as if thousands of invisible hands are holding my ankles, making it hard for me to move.

They are sitting together on one bench. Although they are not very close, they look very familiar and comfortable with each other.

I observe Gita’s face. The light in her eyes is so alive when she talks to Kenn. She looks enthusiastic and often smiles beside that boy. Even though the conversation is more dominated by Gita, Kenn does not seem to mind. He becomes a good listener and responds to Gita’s words several times.

Since when were they that close? So it is true, everything he did for me was only limited to a repayment?

Once again, my chest feels squeezed. It hurts. I myself do not understand why it feels this painful to see them together. After all, wasn’t it me who suggested that Kenn help Hendra convey his feelings to Gita?

“Goodness, you’re here, Frel?”

I flinch and quickly turn around. Dara is standing beside me with a puzzled look on her face.

“What’s wrong with you? Why do you look so startled?”

“I’m fine,” I reply, trying to act casual. “Why are you here anyway?”

“I was looking for you. Earlier, Kevan came to the classroom to ask where you were. I was confused about what to say because you didn’t tell me where you were going,” Dara says.

She falls silent for a moment, then lets out an exaggerated, weary sigh. “So, I was forced to lie and say that you went to the library to look for assignment materials. I suggested that Kevan wait at the cafeteria so we could join him later,” she continues.

“Oh,” I say while nodding slowly, even though it feels stiff.

“That’s it? That’s your only response? That’s not like you. Every time you hear Kevan’s name, you’re always so enthusiastic. You’re not hiding something from me, are you?”

I shake my head quickly.

Damn.

It seems Dara is not easily convinced.

Her eyes narrow as she looks at me, then she starts glancing to the left. Still not satisfied, she tilts her head to the right, toward behind me. I instinctively shift to block her view.

Don’t look behind me, Dara. Don’t.

“Hey, Frel, isn’t that—”

“It’s nobody. Come on, let’s go to the cafeteria!” I wave both hands in front of Dara’s face to block her view.

I hope Dara has not fully realized that Kenn and Gita are in this garden. However, Dara looks at me suspiciously, then roughly brushes my hands aside. In less than a few seconds, her eyes widen and her mouth hangs open as her finger points toward behind me.

Too late. I surrender.

“That’s Kenn? Wait, he’s with a girl?” Dara takes a few steps forward to make sure, while I am already engulfed in anxiety. “Oh my God! That is—”

Reflexively, I cover Dara’s mouth before her voice makes Kenn and Gita realize our presence.

I glare at her. “Don’t be so dramatic, Dara!”

“So, you already knew about them from the beginning, Frel?” I nod slowly. “Then, did you fight with Kenn because of that girl?”

“Her name is Gita, Dara,” I say, trying to correct her words.

“I don’t care what her name is. The point is, is it true that you fought with Kenn because of her?”

“Of course not,” I retort while glancing toward the two people who look as if they are being swept away by romance.

It feels natural for me to assume that. It is impossible for a man and a woman to spend time alone in a garden, even sitting on the same bench, if there is no special relationship.

However, I immediately brush that thought aside.

“Really? The fact is, the two of you were giving each other the silent treatment in class earlier, unlike usual. Do you think I didn’t notice that change?

“That’s true,” I reply. “Isn’t that a good thing? That arrogant guy won’t bother me anymore. From now on, I can breathe easily because I don’t have to hear insults from Kenn. I won’t hear him call me a peanut, a slutty girl, or short again.”

“Whatever. The one thing that’s for sure is, I won’t accept it if that girl gets into a relationship with Kenn. I refuse to let my dream prince be taken by her. Period,” Dara says firmly.

I can only roll my eyes in response to her drama. Maybe someday I will explain Gita’s real identity to Dara. Who knows, my explanation might change her perspective on Gita.

I let out a long breath, feeling tired. “Enough, let’s head to the cafeteria now. Hurry, before Ari gets approached by another girl.”

I walk away, leaving her behind.

Dara, who has just realized the meaning of my words, immediately screams and runs fast after me. I can only smack my forehead seeing the drastic change in Dara’s expression the moment Ari’s name is mentioned.

Truly unbelievable.

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