❝ Why do I feel like I'm just a chapter in your book while you're my entire story? ❞
❝ Well, you're obviously wrong, because you're my entire novel, cover to cover. ❞
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A blank canvas. That's how my life was. Until she took my hand...
21. chapter twenty-one: it was a classic blackout of my vision, yup, nothing much to see here.
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"What on earth is happening here?!" I shouted.
Three guys, all in Anistar High uniforms, were facing away from me. Huddled over something, I realized they were trying to sabotage the technical box. Clemont weakly looked up and tried to reach out. I was at his side at once. "Clemont? You okay?"
"H-help—" he stammered.
"Hang in—" But before I could complete my sentence, the air was knocked out of my lungs. Pain shot through my body, and I barely managed to throw my arms out to support myself. "What do you want?" I gritted my teeth, looking at the guy who kicked me. Jet black hair and a wasted face; that was all he was.
"Victory, and that's something everyone craves. Don't you?"
"Victory by unfair means brings you everything but satisfaction," I shot back, and straightened my leg so that he toppled over. Before he could fall on Clemont, I kicked him in the gut and got back on my feet, even though I was wobbly. "And it's time you learned your lesson—not to sabotage for the sake of a fake win."
"Hey, does this guy know who he's talking to?" another guy asked from behind the raven head.
"Of course not. How else would he have the courage to talk down Champ and kick him?"
The raven head looked me in the eye as he declared, "Let's get him."
If I had been fighting him without stressing my muscles, they would have gone down within a few minutes. At least, that's how strong I estimate myself to be, but with my body uncooperative, I was barely dodging. Landing hits would be a miracle when all I could do was rock back and forth on my heels, helplessly.
"Hey, it's the guy who danced with that pretty chick!"
"Oh, yeah. Do you even feel cool enough for her?"
I felt a rush of adrenaline and threw myself at their leader. Pride surged through me as he stumbled back a few steps, his nose bleeding. However, before I could celebrate my victory, the voice I least wanted to hear now echoed in my ears.
"Oh my! Ash!"
I froze. What on earth is Serena doing here?
And as wise men say, distraction is a fighter's enemy. I took a hit to my ribs and staggered back, clutching my chest. It stung worse, and I heard the crack of something. "G-get outta here!" I shouted back at her, dodging a blow. I tried to sweep the one charging toward me off his feet, but my legs gave in.
The next thing I knew, my entire body was shrieking with pain. I tried moving, but everything felt numb and limp. My mind was hazy, and all I could hear were Serena's shrieks. "Ash! ASH!"
I tried to lift myself up, to bolt to my feet, but found no energy. There was no sensation, nothing to keep me alive. Of all the ways to die...
