Genius Rivals (Ongoing)

20 - LIGHT UP THE SKIES

"What even are we supposed to be doing here?"

I complained to the rest of the group after hiking a 15 story building to get to the rooftop. My breathing's kinda irregular after all those walking. Enough to be noticed by the gorilla.

"This makes you tired already? Then you need this" Tristan being loud at my ear. "Get that cardio."

"Giving up already?" France also makes fun of me.

Whatever, these clowns somehow targets me with their unfunny expressions.

"The rooftop itself gives the best view of the city. Especially tonight when lights are its peak," France while caressing the rusted handrail of the stairs and expressing his inner thoughts.

"How'd you know of this place, by the way?" I asked.

"I'm quite an adventurous person, Virgil."

"Heh, Virgil can't relate. All he does is do assignments and play games the whole day" the gorilla speeched his idiotic take.

"I prefer not getting lost."

"Oh yeah?" Tristan violently rubs my head with his massive hand. "Life's more than doing assignments, you know."

I automatically plucked his hand out of my thick hair. "You're the last person I'd take advice from."

"He's not wrong" France continued.

"You too."

Our steps echoed throughout the staircases. A thick and hard sound resonates everytime our shoes hit the cement. This old and abandoned building, quite fascinating how it stood for such a long time. The cobwebs on the corners are thick and some hints of grass are on the floor. The grayish color of the broken walls and the moonlight blend together; a bluish atmosphere sorrounding the vicinity.

"The two girls actually made it first than us, huh..." Tristan said.

"Raine's impulse took hold of Solene and dragged themselves to the top" I replied.

"Quite remarkable, I suppose it's her first time getting here" by France.

"That girl doesn't feel danger."

"And you, you feel danger in anywhere you go" France puts up a question.

"Softie" Tristan teases.

"I ain't talking again."

"Oohhh, our princess is mad?"

When we almost reached the open door on top of the stairs, a gust of cold wind pierced our skin and senses. Awkwardly, it made my eyes heavy for a short moment. I felt drowsy. This night is perfect for sleep and I wished I could have gone home sooner.

"What happened to your hair?" Tristan with his goofy and high-pitched voice asked me.

"Huh?" I stroked my head right after.

"Virgil rocking the shark fin haircut!"

I realized my hair stood up due to the wind blowing it. Almost shaped in triangle and sharply pointed. How did it became like this?

"You got a nickname for nearly everything else" then I hand-combed my hair back to normal style.

An array of colorful lights of buildings as we passed through the entrance has suffocated my eyes. Merely a background for the two girls in front of us. They're looking below with their hands wrapped in the metal rails. Sounds can be heard from below the street. Really a night to end the annual festival.

"The people below are so thick and dense..." said by Solene as she observes from above.

They came here tonight to have fun and they shall.

"Here's our tonight's winner!" exclaimed by the brown-haired girl.

"Dropping a 40-point bomb and made the game-winning shot too" France taps Tristan on his left shoulder.

"Hehe, I just had a good game, that's all. Besides, Silver also had 30 points and the Bulls almost won. I don't really know if that's a good sign..."

"You still won! That's what matters" Raine's words.

"You're right, maybe this is worth a celebrate for now."

"By the way, Virgil doubted you back then" and she gives off that annoying little laugh she always do.

"Oh? Not surprised. He does that all the time."

They dragged me here with them to make fun of me, again.

I put my back on the metal rails and opened a can of soda. While they're talking their hearts out, I distanced myself. Here I am, waiting for the fireworks to explode in "beautiful" fashion. Watch it spread throughout the sky and paint it in glitter. Illuminating the dark night with explosions of celebration. Everything is art, as they say. I sipped and drank the soda. Not everything is an art, as I say.

"Here it goes!"

Their eyes points in the sky while mine in the exit while the explosions are heard from behind. My ears are ringing, but also a pleasure. I can smell a small amlunt of powder in the air. I think that's a bad sign.

I glimpse unto them. Seeing their expressions has changed nothing. Tristan looks dumbfounded. Solene looks fascinated. France? Well, he looks good, I guess. Raine's eyes sparkle.

Raine's curved lips lightens the whole mood along with display of lights. She's always been the most cheerful person in the group. In fact, I've never even saw her react negatively. Not a single time. It feels like she's the complete opposite of me. Her presence alone invades my comfort zone. But tonight, I witness her beauty at the end of festival. Here, in this rooftop of an abandoned building, I admit. Her smile alone is enough to withdraw an appreciation from me. A genuine one. Her silky brown hair and fair skin is truly one of a kind. Under the moonlight, I bask myself with Raine's sparkling eyes.

I return to my facade along the cold night as my true company.

"You smell that? " asked by Tristan.

"Yeah, it smells like powder..." answered by Solene.

"We're pretty high above the ground, to be honest" France explained.

This can't be good.

Before we realized it, some debris of the fireworks has barraged us. It drizzled from the sky and was raining on us some time already. That's the reason why I've smelled something off.

We rushed to take cover from the falling debris. I felt a hot sensation on top of my head. A f*cking object has landed on me. "Ouch ouch ouch" I screamed and quickly got it off. The four other beings laughed at me and I stare at them with bitterness.

I should've gone home.

TO BE CONTINUED...