From Afar

Lovers Trope

I was on my way to the speech laboratory, where my English class will be held. I was alone at the hallway passing by the busy classrooms. Unsurprisingly, the hallway was filled with the earsplitting voices of the teachers.

I wasn't with the others since I needed to do a task assigned to me and so, I told them not to wait any longer. I still have 15 minutes before our class start. We just went to the Speech Lab early since there is an aircon. I was on the stairs when someone bumped into me accidentaly- more like purposely.

I was going to pick up my things when my notebook suddently got kicked and disappeared from my sight. I figured it may have went a few feet back considering that the kick was pretty harsh. I quicly picked up my things before the person can even do more damaged. I went back, picked up my notebook that was kicked like a trash. I glared at the person who bumped into me.

He had a triumphant smirk implanted on his face. I was just about to launch and punch the living daylights out if him. I decided to be rational, took a deep breath and fixed my composure. I threw him one of my glares "Watch where your going stupid" I muttered.

Before he could argue I continued to my destination leaving him embarrased. I chuckled to myself as I imagined his red face from anger.

I twisted the door know and opened the room only to find a bunch of students talking loudly. My ears perked up at the familiar whistle that I have grown to be accustomed of. My eyes shone as it landed to my friends their eyes watching me and calling me over to them. They gathered near the air conditioner. I smiled lightly to myself, figuring out that they may have fought for the place.

They know how I don't do well with the hot weather. If it becomes too much for me I would get a headache and my breath would be shortened. This always happens if we are doing our earthquake drill but I figured that it could be my anxiety acting up.

"Did something happend Smarty? You seem pretty pissed" If it was another person I am a hundred percent sure that they would not see the rage that was in my eyes. Yet they were not that another person, they are my friends that I have grown to tolerate and love.

"How can you say so?" I aksed Knight, I know that they know. I just wanted to act like I didn't know what they meant. "Well you always say this and I quote 'Eyes are the gate to your emotions, it expresses what you feel when words cannot'" I sighed, they sure are quick learners.

"It was that stupid moron, he was acting up again" Based on their expressions they knew who I was talking about. "I don't get why he makes fun of you so much. You don't even talk to him because of what happened." It was true. Whem we first met, there were some...
casualties but this time I was not the one who caused it, I even have eye witnesses for proof.

"Just let him be I'm sure he will eventually stop." I answered Maya. Just as I said that, our teacher came. With that, we proceeded to our lecture.
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"What kind of trope do you guys like? I personally find childhood friends to lovers interesting- especially if they were seperated when they were kids."

On a perfectly fine day where our moods were up to the roof- we decided to forget about the accident earlier- Amaya suddenly asked this question.

Knight and Jassy lightened up and immediately shared their interest. "Oh! Oh! I love enemies to lovers trope, the tension that they have is just chef's kiss" Knight answered with a bright smile. "I like Blind date trope, strangers to lovers is just as nice." Jassy replied cheerfully.

I honestly did not expect Knight to be into this. He looks like a child in sugar rush while explaining why he liked that trope. " I like the arranged marriage trope. It always lives up to my expectations." Aria chimed in. "Second Chances is what resides in my heart honestly" I arched up my eyebrows and smiled softly. Charlie's choice of trope fits him perfectly. He likes giving people second chances as long as they really show that they are sincere.

I lowered my head and stayed quiet, silently hoping that they would somehow forget about me. They continued to chat seemingly ignoring me which was a relief. It was going so good- until Knight made eye contact with me and somehow I felt my world crumble. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. Anytime now would be perfect. I silently hoped.

Knight's eyes were shining with mischef in it. He was grinning like the cheshire cat, like the one in Alice in Wonderland. It spooked me to thr bones. "Uh... I gotta go I need to use the restroom" I tried to reason- but Knight somehow just wants to make me suffer and made me sit down. "You went in there 5 minutes ago. Now, why don't you answer Amaya's question Ashley?" Suddenly all eyes were on me. I tsked Stupid Knight and his stupid antics.

Now don't get me wrong I know what they are talking about, it's just I never really had time for that kind of things. YesI admit, I sometimes read fanfictions but I just read it when ky schedule is not fully booked- which is like almost never. Jaira and the others often tells me stories about what they read while I'm studying and yeah, I'm not going to admit it at their faces but I find it entertaining.

Back to what is happening, I glared at Knight and sighed "I love the Enemies to Lovers and the Forbidden Love trope"

It was silent, I swear you could hear a pin drop- if ever. "Well, that was surprising" Charlie grinned. I raised an eyebrow "Did you think I have no clue of what you're talking about?" Their silence was the answer I needed. Teasing them a bit would do no harm. I looked at them and fake frowned "That's quite offensive, don't you guys think?" I almost chuckled at the sight that I was seeing. They're eyes were wide as saucers and I could swear that Knight's jaw was about to drop to the floor.

Jassy snapped out of her daze first "Well that's shocking. How come you know this Ashley? As far as we know, you tend to stay away from electronics so that you could focus on studying more" I grinned "On rare times- and when I say rare I meant very rare- when my schedule is free I read fanfictions on my phone. It's also the perks of reading books I guess" I shrugged. Jassy hummed before she smiled.

The other seem to finally snapped back to reality. Aria and Maya were grinning widely as if to say they were proud. I just rolled my eyes and looked at Charlie, he's smile was so big I wonder if it hurts his jaw. Meanwhile Knight was still shocked. Out of all of us, he's the one who always process things slow.

"Knight? You okay there buddy?" He turned to me in a flash, I'm surprised his neck didn't crack. "Yeah, it's just surprising really" Everything I do seems so surprising to them. Can't blame them though. "My cousin always tells me the fiction that they read so yeah" I explained. "At least it's not as surprising as you gaining a crush." Right then and there I pounced at Knight, ready to kill him any second.

"WAIT ASHLEY I'M SORRY PLEASE DON'T KILL ME I'M STILL YOUR FRIEND"