As Long As You Love Me

prelude

P R E L U D E .
our first.

She leaned closer to her friends, before her brown eyes landed on someone unfamiliar, noticing how this was their first encounter as she knew through his face; he was of somewhere else that has transfered to their high school.

Estimating his status as either an eight or ninth grader, he was still considered to be her junior. Although, his appearance says otherwise; he looked as tall as an eleventh grader, and his presence being there made her feel the awkwardness that surrounded him. It was his first day, there was no doubt he would feel that way. Maybe it was caused by his loneliness, for he had no friend around him, and he was therefore surrounded by eleventh graders, his seniors.

She would've felt that way too, his awkwardness, thus, his loneliness too.

Sensing her friend; Aria Kadence, who tapped her shoulder with a hint of concern, faces her friend, Diane Halston, asking her what has gotten her to be silent.

Diane softly brushes her concern. "There's nothing to be worried about Ari."

She steals another glance upon him, noticing his strikingly angular features, his fair skin, and his lean but tall stature. He was indeed a treat for the eyes. Perhaps, he sensed that he was being stared upon, and their eyes met.

Brown eyes seemed to dive into his deep charcoal eyes, which looked slightly surprised, but still maintained a neutral expression. She blinks, before she swiftly accommodates her friend.

An eyebrow rises, Aria took the time to properly observe her peculiar friend. And discreetly, she had known what has gotten Diane's attention; the new transfer student. Nudging her friend by the shoulder, as a gesture to spill the beans, Diane sheepishly shrugged.

"I'd.. rather not," her voice came out nearly faltering, before a smile plastered itself unconsciously on to her face. "Besides, he is just.. a rather handsome guy—"

She stopped, realising what her mouth has been saying with the help of her tongue. Humidity reaches to her cheeks, and ears, making the flushed hue visible as bright as ever on her beautiful tanned skin. A small smirk crept up to Aria. Diane is flustered, due to her own mistake.

Brushing a strand of her blonde hair to the back of her ear, Aria knew exactly what Diane meant.

In this flock of flamboyant birds with variety of species, he stood out as if he were to be the only crane in white, a dull yet boring colour. He must've felt alienated.

Before Aria could even start a conversation with Diane, they were dragged into their group, bursting in laughter as their friend, Henrietta Margaux posed herself to be the center of attention. Eveline Constance followed Henrietta, as if she were the assistant. 

Diane giggled along, not noticing that the junior student has shifted his attention to her and her bubble.

___◆___

She clasped both hands onto her mouth again, yet, another slip of the tongue. Now, everything felt real, and not the dream she wished to have.

Henrietta's expression changed wickedly with plan in mind, the devious grin that made Diane obvious of her plans, in which, she dreads in terror. The flushed face from earlier had return to tease her shyness. Oh, above all, why would she mutter it under her breath again? She swore to never mention it again!

"Wait, Ri, it was just a casual praise!" She protested, feeling the pounding of her heart in her ears growing louder. Though, the feeling could never be compared to the ones in her chest, the rapid yet strong beating of her heart as her trepidation continues to mount. My life is over! She'll tell him, and now he'll look at me as if I'm a creep!

Her eyes steals a third glance upon him, and visibly, his cheeks flushed soft pink. Embarrassment wrote itself onto her face, she's doomed. Very doomed.

He has overheard their conversation.

As an attempt to tease Diane even more further, Henrietta decided to tell him of something. Aria had been too immersed in the new act, and she takes her seat as the drama unravels. She'd like to see what type of reaction would Diane make after. Diane is a very expressive girl, but sometimes, it does not show. She had tried to mask it.

Henrietta leans to him, whispering to his left ear and he obediently listens. As she conversed, Henrietta casted a glance upon the blushing Diane, and his charcoal eyes met her brown ones again.

Shock is written on his face. What reaches his ears were very different from what he has heard from her own mouth. She could never even dare to forget the look on his face, it stayed in a reserved photo frame in her precious memories.