CHAPTER 34

“I truly want to know,” he murmured. He gently massaged my hair, as he had been doing since he arrived.

“Know what?” As the night progressed, I gradually regained my composure. Pierre’s presence comforted me in some way; simply having him here was enough.

“You. I want to know everything about you. How you feel, what’s on your mind, what happened in the past, why you’re crying right now, and...everything.” My grasp on his hoodie tightened as I heard his begging voice. His tone was urgent, as if he was on the verge of exploding from bewilderment.

I, too, desired to tell him of my identity and medical condition. However, because of the argument Seven and I had earlier, the feeling prevailed that I should remain silent.

“I don’t wanna tell you.”

“I know,” he straightened his body and leaned on the headboard. He examined each part of my face individually, as though memorizing it.

“What’s stopping you from telling me?”

He caressed my face lightly, and I closed my eyes due to the tickling I felt.

“You will permanently lose me.”

“I don’t want to know it then; I’m not going to ask anything and I’m not going to bring this up again.” I knew my response baffled him even more. However, it was true that he would lose me. Not physically, but emotionally. I would despise him for the rest of my life if he sent me home; I would push him away if he did so.

As he kissed my forehead, I felt a sense of lightness wash over me. He locked his gaze on me once more. His eyes were sorrowful, but his charming grin never left his lips. My eyes wetted as I looked at him, and the relief I felt was fleeting. Simply looking at him made my heart sink. It tore my heart to see him sad because of me.

“Stop crying; seeing you cry makes me want to cry as well,” he laughed, wiping away my tears with his thumb.

“Hush, my love,” he drew me in closer and wrapped me in a loving embrace. I grieved silently, knowing that one day, Aurora would leave his side, that one day, he would fall in love with another girl, that one day, I would die and he would be alone once again.

Pierre spent the entire night with me. He slept at home because he didn’t want to leave me. His reason was he wouldn’t be able to sleep peacefully knowing I was cyring alone in my room He roused me when the sun came up. At first, I didn’t feel like going to school, but when he mentioned that an announcement would be made later in EastWood, I instantly got up.

Pierre showered in my bathroom; he brought his belongings here last night in case he couldn’t return to his unit.

It was fortunate that he considered that; we didn’t have any men here who was currently enrolled at EastWood, so he couldn’t borrow a uniform.

“What happened? I heard some shouting last night, but your voices aren’t clear to my ears, and then that fellow over there came after a few minutes,” Iris murmured, referring to Pierre, who was eating breakfast quietly next to me.

“Seven and I had a disagreement; we’ll talk about it later, Iris; Pierre might overhear us.” I continued eating and ignored her once more. I was relieved that Iris did not ask again; I was right next to Pierre, and there was a considerable chance he’d overhear whatever I tell her.

The table was so silent that it appeared as though we couldn’t talk. Seven was extremely quiet in front of me, which was normal, but I knew he was quiet today because of our altercation last night. Even when Iris told him to purchase something at the grocery shop, he obliged without a word.

“Would you like to ride with me later? So you can cry whenever you want to.” Pierre murmured to me. I cast a strange glance at him and arched my right brow.

“I’m not going to cry anymore. What do you think of me? A crybaby? But sure, I’ll ride with you.”

I completed my breakfast and groomed myself. Iris and Seven had already arrived for school, since I had informed them previously that I would be with Pierre. Because I awoke late, I was the last to groom myself.

We left the house around 7:30am, the cheering squad didn’t have any practice today, so it was acceptable for me to attend school at this time.

When we arrived at EastWood, there were no students in the quadrangle, which was unusual for the university. Pierre stated previously that an announcement had been made, because of that, there were no students scattered around.

Pierre and I immediately headed to the auditorium, where announcements were frequently given. There were already a large number of students present, and they were all grouped together in their different sections. There was a large stage in front of the building that was utilized when the dean, student council, and other faculty members had something to say. It was also frequently used when a play was being performed.

“Go to our section, I need to be up front,” Pierre whispered. The two of us were the center of attention for nearly all of the students. He was the only member of the student council who hadn’t on the stage yet, and Iris had been waiting for him for quite some time.

When Pierre kissed me on the forehead before leaving me there, I could hear the students around me whispering. I strolled into the queue for our section without saying anything. Seven was on the side, he was just looking in front as though he was interested in the announcement.

“Good morning, Easters! First and foremost, congratulations on EastWood’s 56th anniversary; may this institution continue to thrive for many more years,” Alyssa said, the vice president of the student council. Pierre sat peacefully next to her, silently reading a paper. The students erupted in applause, as if they were all Aly’s admirers. I couldn’t blame them. She was attractive and intelligent, and she had a beautiful body. She also didn’t have a bad reputation at this school. She was also nice, according to Iris.

“In a meeting yesterday, the dean granted us permission to announce the date of the intramurals, often known as intrams, which is the most anticipated event of the year for every—”

Even before she could finish what she was about to say, the students erupted in applause once more. They appeared ecstatic, as if this event was what they had been looking forward to the most for the past year. Even I was giddy with enthusiasm because it would be the first time I would ever experience something like this.

“Calm down, calm down,” she said, laughing. She whispered something to Pierre. What exactly were they talking about? Although I was quite a ways away, Pierre’s stingy smile could still be seen clearly.

“Pierre Cardinal, our student council president, will reveal which schools are participating in this year’s intramurals as well as the events that will take place.” A few women yelled when Pierre spoke in front. As soon as he realized that the mike was too low for him, he cautiously raised it to his chin.

He began stating the school names, which I was unfamiliar with because EastWood was the only school in this region that I was aware of. Almost every school he cited, the students were yelling, and the crowds appeared to be even more enthused than the players about to face them.

“And, finally, but certainly not least, EdgeWood University.” I almost covered my ears with my hands due to the loud crowd. The voices of the lads, many of whom I believe were acquaintances at that university, led the way. Where was EdgeWood? I was not familiar with that university’s name.

“Last year, didn’t we have a tie? We just won because they had a violation,” I overheard someone whispering next to me.

“Yes, as Pierre was absent from the finals. Their players were also very good, which made it difficult for our varsity teams.”

I heard a few of more whispers concerning that school. Pierre was included for what reason? Was he a player? Which sport? He never told anything about his involvement in sports. He only paid me a visit at the cheering team’s practice hall, and I was not sure if he does anything else. I didn’t know the practice hall of the other varsity players, so I was unaware of its members.

Pierre stated the varsity players, and the rest of the names were unfamiliar to me. All I need was his name; I had no idea he was a member of some sports.

“Pierce Cardinal, Number 18.” When I heard his name, I raised my eyes. I assumed he’s a basketball player. Why didn’t he tell me? He was aware that I was a cheerleader, but I didn’t know that he was a varsity player? Unfair.

He continued to announce names until he handed the microphone to Iris. The previously boisterous students grew silent abruptly, as though fearful of what Iris might say if their voices were too loud.

“These are the Intramural rules for the forthcoming competition.” Everybody remained silent as she stated each rule. The students had no objections to whatever she said until she read the final sentence on the piece of paper she was holding.

“Finally, but certainly not least, you cannot invite a student from another school. Even if it’s a friend, family member, or whatever, you can’t. Unless their school is playing that day, they are, of course, permitted. However, if their school is not represented in any of the sports, we will expel them along with you.” I overheard numerous whispers, the most of which were complaints about why EastWood was so tight this year. I even heard a good deal of booing from the crowd.

Maybe they were reacting like this because EastWood was not that tight in security last year. To be honest, I was not sure. Perhaps there was another reason.

“Minimize your voice for—”

“Boo!” They repeated it repeatedly until the entire crowd joined in. Iris’ eyes squinted in response to the loudness, as though irritated by the voices heard.

“Shut it!” Iris shouted. As her words resonated throughout the auditorium, the students fell silent.

“You dare to yell boo when y’all were directly responsible for EastWood’s security tightening. This ban was implemented to deter outsiders from gatecrashing and ruining the event, as happened last year. If you do not agree with the rule, then don’t attend. Who forced you to come in the first place?” cynically, she stated. The students remained silent, as if they were struck by what my friend said.

Therefore, something occurred last year, huh? Was that why Pierre was unable to advance to the finals?

“For those who began to say ‘boo’ earlier, I recall your entire faces. Almost all of you were responsible for last year’s event being ruined by your heinous behavior. During the first three days of intramurals, you will clean the entire EastWood. When I say clean, I mean after the game. If you complain, dropout. If you didn’t come and do it within the first three days, you will be expelled. I’m not joking; I can always use last year’s riot as an excuse to expel everyone.”

Was there an unfortunate event last year? Nobody complained when they learned they were going to clean the entire institution. Perhaps it was true that if they complained, they would be expelled. Even the members of the student council remained silent.

Iris could be rather frightening at times, huh?

“That’s all. Return to your sections and work on developing some decent manners.”

Iris was the first to leave the stage, and the remaining members quickly followed her. I rose from my chair and followed the tide of students that emerged, only to regret my decision a few seconds later.

It was very crowded; several students were pushing me.

I searched the area but did not see Seven. Pierre and Iris were also not around.

Oh my, I couldn’t breathe!

“Excuse me,” I muttered irritably as the two women in front walked slowly. People were already pushing me because we barely moved here.

“Hey, hurry up!” cried the person next to me. Both women turned to face her and raised an eyebrow. I was scarcely able to breathe due to the mixture of scents I was smelling. It was sickening.

Was it only me who smelled it? The people around me didn’t appear to be affected.

“You dare to shout at us? Who are you?” I fell to the ground simultaneously with the girl beside me. They didn’t push me, they pushed the woman next to me who complained a while ago. I only fell because she was holding my backpack when she fell to the ground.

“Ah...” I whimpered as the ache in my hip increased. The people around me was chaotic; I could hear multiple voices and individuals were moving at the same time. I was unable to stand due to the pain I was feeling; Seven, Pierre, and Iris were not here, which meant no one would help me.

“What did you say?” Everyone was enraged when the two women in front of me teamed up and beat the girl next to me. My tears began to fall gradually, and each time they struck her, they were also hitting me.

I was powerless to do anything but shun. I was powerless to resist since my hips was hurting whenever I move.

“Enough!”

I fought to open my eyes as I sensed the surrounding tranquillity. Iris, Pierre, and Seven all came at the same time, accompanied by student council members. Pierre and Seven approached me almost simultaneously, while Iris approached the two women to stop them.

“Enough is enough!” Iris shouted and yanked the two women’s hair when she couldn’t separate them despite the assistance of other students.

“Aurie... Aurie, can you hear me?” Seven asked. I was unable to see what was going on around me due to my vision steadily dimming. Pierre was also alongside me; I could smell his scent.

“We need to take her to the clinic; her head is bleeding.” Pierre caressed me tenderly. I was still awake but really dizzy.

“Are you awake, Aurie? Make every effort to avoid falling asleep, all right? You should not fall asleep, do you hear what I’m saying? I apologize for leaving you there alone.” Seven’s voice was trembling; I wanted to tell him that everything was fine, but I couldn’t due to my weakness. He should not be sorry; I understood he didn’t want to sit beside me following our altercation last night. Additionally, it was not his fault that I was jammed with students earlier due to the haste to get out. It was the foolish women’s fault, so he shouldn’t blame himself.

I could feel Pierre’s anxiousness with each stride. I could hear and feel his heartbeat, which was quite rapid and loud. It felt as if it would erupt at any moment as he was carrying me.