Reverse-Harem Cafe!

XVIII. Melancholy Days

I rest my chin on my hand and stare out the window. A sparrow sits on a land line outside, chirping sweetly and pecking at something but I don't take notice. All I can think about is Ulrich. We haven't talked since the incident that night. He even left the resort on a separate shuttle from us and has been calling in sick for work. Does he hate me that much? I sigh frustratedly and feel like crying again but my eyes are dry and tired from insomnia. Winter break is over and I'm currently stuck in Chemistry class. The teacher continues to go on and on about who knows what.

"Mae, can you tell me the products of this chemical reaction?" The teacher asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Flourine, uranium, carbon, potassium, uranium ." I reply without thinking. Usually I'd freak out right about now but I'm not in the mood to care about school. (a/n: Check the element symbols to decode the message ;))

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

The lunch bell rings and I walk out of my third period and towards the cafeteria. The whole way, my mind kept flickering back to that night like a defected lightbulb. I said something unreasonable and then he kissed me? Why did he do that...Isn't he at fault too? As I carry my tray of food out of the lunch line, I catch a glimpse of Ulrich sitting at a table with his theatre friends. For some reason I just keep staring until he accidentally glances in my direction and I quickly turn away and walk in the opposite direction.

I search longingly for a place to sit and find an empty table in the corner. Pulling the chair out, I take a seat and begin to eat my lunch. After one bite, I set down my fork. I don't have an appetite right now .I don't need him. I don't need him. I don't need him. But no matter how many times I repeat it , I can't convince myself. He is the only friend I have at this school and we are so close. We even promised to go to prom together if we didn't find a date. I rest my face in the palms of my hands in frustration.

"Hey."

I don't feel like looking up to see who it is, "Hi." I reply, still with my face in my hands. Whoever it is, pulls out a chair and takes a seat across from me. Small hiccups escape my throat and my eyes burn a little. I feel pathetic being so vulnerable in front of another person. Suddenly I feel someone's hand reach over and tug at my wrist.

"It's rude not to look at the person you're talking to." the person pulling my wrist, says. The voice seems to belong to a guy.

Can't he see I'm sulking right now? What kind of insensitive jerk- I remove my hands from my face and look up. A pair of brown eyes stares back at me.

"Are you drinking all our espresso or something?"

"Huh?" Oh it's just Ervin, sometimes I forget that he's in the same school as me. Oops...

"Panda face."

I rub my eyes embarrassingly, "Shut up." For a recluse, he sure likes to tease people. I cross my arms on the table and bury my face in them.

There's an awkward silence but the whole time I can feel his eyes on me, his signature, cold, heart-freezing stare.
"What are you staring at?" I mumble with agitation.

"Stop looking so gloomy, you're making me grow mushrooms." He pretends to cringe but then chuckles.

"That only happens in anime." I scoff while returning the glare. As expected, Ervin is absolutely clueless with the concept of empathy and probably human emotions in general.

He frowns at my comment but his expression soon becomes one of annoyance, "Are you still upset because of Ulrich?"

My chest begins to burn again and I can feel my eyes tearing up. "So what if I am?"