“Hi,” June said with a smile as she stood before a guy with light brown hair.
“Thought you wouldn’t make it,” he said with a charming smile that made his dimples more prominent.
“Sorry to have kept you waiting. I was a little busy,” she said, a light blush creeping onto her face.
“No need to be. Plus, it’s really nice out here. Shall we?” he asked, sounding like a real gentleman.
They walked side by side along the cleared pathway that ran between tall trees rising on both sides, their branches weaving into a green canopy above.
The air smelled damp, carrying a cool freshness after the rain.
“You look really pretty,” he said, making her turn red.
“Thanks. You’re also very handsome,” she blurted before immediately realizing how awkward it sounded.
“Well, it’s something I hear regularly,” he replied with a grin.
“Thanks,” he added.
What am I supposed to say to that?
June thought.
Honestly, she was nervous.
Very nervous.
But then she thought about Elaine’s words.
If this goes well, it would become a date.
Yes.
“You know, I’ve fancied you for a while,” he suddenly said, making her turn to him, ears red.
“R…Really?” she asked before she could stop herself.
“I didn’t see you much last year and the one before that,” he added after a moment.
“Yes, I was quite scarce,” she replied shyly.
“It felt as though you just disappeared all of a sudden,” he said with a light laugh that made his words sound teasing.
“How’s Gwen?” he asked suddenly.
“Uh?”
“I was thinking she wouldn’t let you come see me.”
“Why would you think that?” she asked, half laughing.
“You know… she’s not very fond of people. And she seems to have this special hatred toward me,” he said, chuckling.
“She’s like that to almost everyone. And even if she does, it doesn’t stop me from meeting with you,” June said with a little defiance.
“Hmm, she does seem to prioritize you a lot.”
“Well, we’re roommates,” June quickly added.
She didn’t want him thinking she was some little girl Gwen was always cuddling.
Suddenly, Vanessa’s words echoed in her mind.
She was always hovering around Gwen.
“True,” he said with a smile.
“Um… for about two years,” she answered.
“Two years,” he muttered under his breath, too low for her to hear.
“Sorry? Did you say something?”
“No, nothing.”
“The weather is really nice,” June said, feeling the cool evening breeze against her face.
“Told you,” he said with a smile.
As they walked further beneath the canopy of trees, June visibly stiffened when he suddenly held her hand in his, swinging it lightly as they walked.
OMG!
This was moving fast!
June screamed internally, trying to calm the heat spreading through her body.
She was no stranger to dates and all, but to think someone of his caliber would want her was too much to digest.
“There’s something I saw earlier. It’s very fascinating,” he said after a while.
“What?” she asked curiously.
“I won’t tell you,” he said with a smile.
“Why?” she pouted slightly.
Moving closer, June froze where she stood as he held her lips gently between his fingers, playing with them.
“Because I want to show it to you,” he answered.
“R…Really? Where is it?” she asked after he let go, her voice coming out breathy.
“I’ll show you next time,” he said, flashing that same charming smile.
“Next time?” she repeated, her eyes lighting up like Christmas lights.
“Does that mean we’ll be meeting again?” she asked, then immediately scolded herself for sounding too eager.
He chuckled softly.
“Sure. How about Sunday night?”
She wanted to complain that it was too far away, but held herself back.
“Sure. Sounds nice.”
His attention suddenly drifted away from her, his eyes fixed on something distant, something hidden within the thickening darkness.
“It’s quite late,” he said finally.
“Let’s head back.”
June quickly held her chest, red as a tomato as he turned his back to her.
Elaine was right, she concluded happily.
Horace followed June back to the dorm before turning away, heading once more into the woods.
But instead of walking through the cleared path, he stepped into the dense part of the forest where the darkness grew thicker.
“What took you so long?” a familiar voice asked.
“Being a gentleman,” Horace answered in a bored tone, walking toward him.
“You should’ve just let her walk back alone.”
“You’re heartless,” he said, sitting beside him.
“What did you notice?” Allan asked.
“Nothing,” Horace replied, making Allan turn his head slightly toward him.
“She seems normal, but I didn’t che—”
“So you wasted your time,” Allan cut in.
“I didn’t. Everything takes time. I need to build trust. Don’t worry, I don’t expect you to understand. But what I’m sure of is, whatever is going on with June, Gwen is very much involved in it.”
He watched as Allan nodded before standing up and walking away.
“Hey! Where are you going?” Horace called.
“Got something to take care of,” Allan replied before disappearing into the shadows.
“Ugh,” Horace sighed, leaning back against the tree, half regretting that he didn’t follow him.
June lay on her belly on the bed, squealing every now and then.
“Would you tell me what happened or stop making those annoying sounds?” Gwen half-yelled.
June’s behavior was driving her crazy.
June finally turned to face her, her face glowing.
“It went well! We’re meeting again on Sunday night. Thinking about it, we didn’t say much. He just mentioned how surprised he was that you let me see him. We also talked about the weather!”
“You’re meeting him again on Sunday?” Gwen asked, as if that was the only thing she’d heard.
“Yes! I’m so psyched!”
“Don’t go,” Gwen said quietly.
“Uh?” June asked, confused.
“I mean it. I don’t think you should meet him again,” Gwen said calmly, though her clenched fists betrayed her tone.
“You worry too much. Nothing can go wrong,” June replied, her tone hard now, eyes narrowed on Gwen.
Gwen was cuddling her too much, she thought.
Noticing the change in June’s behavior, Gwen could only close her eyes and lean back on the couch, her silence heavy with unease.
Heading toward the administration building in the cool evening, Elaine thought, how hadn’t she thought of going to the principal’s office?
There should be a phone there or something.
Almost a week here and she still hadn’t called her mum yet.
Unbelievable.
Elaine walked forward when she accidentally bumped into something or rather, someone.
“Sorry,” she said with disinterest, about to walk away when she was suddenly yanked back, almost landing on the floor.
“What the fuck is your problem?” she yelled before noticing who it was.
Vanessa.