Damian hasn't spoken to Helaena in three weeks. They are classmates, but fate seemed to hate Helaena, given how many times they were in the same group, yet she never had the opportunity to talk to Damian.
Helaena stomped her foot violently as her grasp on her pen tightened. She doesn't understand why he's been avoiding her since he confessed. She believes she does not deserve this treatment, especially since she has done nothing wrong.
But seriously Helaena, what if he doesn't like you anymore that's why he's avoiding you?
Maybe he grew tired of you?
As she scribbled random formulas in her notebook, Helaena let out a hearty laugh. If her mother happens to walk by her room, she'll probably think she's insane, but whatever. This overthinking got the best of her, and if Damian continues to ignore her, she'll have the strength to throw him out the window.
They were partners for their reading and writing project and none of them brought up their last conversation. He did tell her about the task he'd decided to work on, but what the hell?! Is that it? Helaena wanted closure if he truly no longer liked her or whatever.
+
It was late, but Helaena had left her phone in their classroom and decided to run back to get it. Class ended at 7:45 p.m., she remembered she was charging her phone when she was already at the terminal, and it took her 15 minutes to get back to school. Fortunately, some students were still around and she was able to speak with the guard who allowed her to enter the campus.
She dashed into their room, surprised to see the lights still on. She carefully opened the door, confused, to see who was inside.
Oh, he's here.
Damian turned and walked towards her. He informs her, "You left your phone."
Helaena simply nodded as she took her phone from him. She has a lot to say to him, but her mouth won't let her.
"T-thanks. Bye." was all she could say.
Helaena began to walk out, her legs trembling with frustration. She couldn't find the perfect words to explain her current emotions. How on earth could Damian be so composed in this situation? Helaena is beginning to believe that Damian was merely playing with her from the start.
Damian ran after Helaena and decided to stroll quietly beside her. Right, they can't go their separate ways because they live in the same village. For Pete's sake, they even ride the same bus. Damian, how did you manage to avoid her for so long?! He's so vexing.
They sat next to each other on the bus, and it appears like Damian is walking Helaena home following the bus ride, given that he is still walking next to Helaena after passing by their block. Helaena, on the other hand, isn't complaining, especially because it's already 9 p.m. and walking alone is dangerous.
"Yna," Damian called to Helaena. They came to a halt a few blocks away from Helaena's house, under the faint streetlight.
Helaena looked at him, his deer-like features lit up by the light, and his eyes glowed like fireflies in the countryside. "How could I hate him when he looks at me like I am the center of his universe?" Helaena's inner self asks.
Why is he even looking at her that way?
He gently approached Helaena's face, bringing his face close to her until their face masks touched. The situation lasted only a few seconds before he stepped back.
"D-did you just--" Helaena was perplexed, unable to find the perfect words to convey what just happened. She realized it was an indirect kiss on her head, but she can't say it out loud! Furthermore, asking him if he intended to kiss her was like digging her own grave.
"Sorry, I- I just felt like kissing you," he said hesitantly.
"You what?! Are you a pervert?!"
"No, wait. That's not what I mean! It's just---" Panicked, Damian groaned and attempted to compose his thoughts. "I like you. I know what I just did was unreasonable, but before you slap me and call the cops, let me explain myself. I promise I'll turn myself in later, but please listen to me," he continued calmly.
Damian took Helaena's crossing of the arms as permission to begin talking.
"I'm sorry for avoiding you. It wasn't my intention to do that, and I'm sure you probably think I'm making up excuses, but I was really just trying to muster up the courage to tell you my feelings. These past few weeks, I couldn't approach you because I wasn't ready to hear your answer. I'm a coward, and avoiding you was probably the shittiest thing one person can do after confessing so I ask for your forgiveness." He bowed to her and turned to walk away when she grabbed his arm.
"Wait! Don't I get to say something? Are you going to run away again after saying all that to me?" she asks.
"I'm not fleeing; I'm going to report myself to the police for sexually harassing you," he corrected her.
Helaena smacked his arm.
"Ow!" he exclaims, rubbing his abused arm.
"How dare you get cheeky on me?" Helaena asks, lifting her fist and threatening to punch Damian again if he says anything stupid. Damian struck a surrendering position by raising both arms in the air.
"I'm mad at you, and I don't forgive easily, so you better apologize for the rest of your life," Helaena says as she points her finger at him. "I don't like it when you avoid me, but since you've explained yourself, I guess I can let you off the hook."
Damian responded by lowering his head and nodding.
"I like you too idiot."
Damian's eyes widened as he looked at Helaena.
"D-do you mean it?" he asked, making Helaena laugh. Helaena reached up on tiptoe to pat his head. "Mhmm. I like Damian, too," she says as if soothing a kid.
Damian's face brightened as he closed the distance between them and rested his head on Helaena's shoulder. Helaena pets his head, and he responds by nuzzling his nose to her shoulder.
Helaena chuckled, "I think I just got another cat." Damian assures her, "I'll gladly be your cat, my queen."
The End
