Time and Fallen leaves

The confession of Leeon Lewis

After what happened at the bridge, Erin and Keen became inseparable than before. Surprisingly, Erin is also starting to warm up to Saki. The reason why he was there that night will always remain a mystery, he didn't explain why, nor did Keen tell her why Saki knew he'd been miserable.

Erin explained how she knew Keeana as well. That night became a night of secrets being revealed, hearts being poured, and tears being flowed; Why Erin came here in the first place, why Erin cried the very first day she laid her eyes on Keen. It all makes sense now.

"Everyone gather up. The headmistress announced na isasabay na lamang ang festival at annual promenade" several murmurs were heard inside the student council office. Erin heard of a promenade before but this is the first time she will experience one. Madalas rin itong i-mention sakanya ni Keeana dahil iyon daw ang pinaka paborito niyang event sa paaralan. Given how prestigious the school is, paniguradong hindi nito titipirin ang budget ng ball.

"The student council and the arts club —along with its branches will cooperate for the preparation. We have a month to prepare so let's be proactive everyone" pagpapatuloy ni Milo sa announcement niya kanina. Leeon is the president ngunit tila mas active si Milo sakanya, perhaps Leeon is really introverted that he left everything to his right hand man.

"Sino partner mo?" Saki randomly asks which made Erin furiously shake her head. Saki must have misunderstood her reaction dahil nag make face ito at tila inirapan ang babae.

"Excuse me, I'm not going to ask you to be my date"

"What she meant was, she'd never experienced a prom before" mabuti na lamang at biglang lumitaw si Keen sa tabi ni Erin at inakbayan ito. A giggle escaped from his lips na tila natutuwa sa biglaang asal ng dalawa.

"Tama si Keen" even though shaking her head means she doesn't actually want to attend the ball.

"Is that so? Well, 'wag ka nalang pumunta" napatawa na lamang si Keen nang biglang sumimangot ang noo ni Erin. Her urge to smack his face right at this moment is too strong but she remained calm dahil hindi naman sila close kung tutuusin. People might think they're actually not in bad terms —which is correct; however, right after the incident with Keen, tila nawala ang tension sa dalawa. It's like they're suddenly cool with each other all because of Keen. "Anyway, partner tayo Keen" Keen gleefully nod and the two were all lovey-dovey, eventually forgot that Erin is still with them.

Hello, andito pa ako.

Due to immense uncomfortable feeling seeing how sweet Saki and Keen were, lumipat si Erin ng pwesto and eventually sat beside Parker who's minding his own business and is the only one who doesn't took an interest in the upcoming promenade. Nagbabasa lamang ito ng libro habang nakapatong ang binti nito sa ibabaw ng isa niyang binti. Kahit hindi sila gaanong close ni Parker, Erin is somewhat comfortable having him around. Perhaps it's because they both like the silence, hindi na nila kailangan piliting magsalita just to initiate a conversation.

"Do you have a partner already?" Ngunit nabasag ang katahimikan sa pagitan ni Parker at Erin nang tumabi sakanila si Jade. Tiningnan lamang siya ni Parker at umiling. Jade gave Erin a look that screams "I want to be alone with him" and so she did. Labag man sa kanyang kalooban ay lumipat ito sa pwesto katabi nang ibang member na excited pagusapan ang paparating na prom. She doesn't have anyone to talk to, Keen's too busy with Saki while Milo's busy brainstorming with Leeon.

Saka niya lamang napagtanto how small her circle is. She thought Keen would be enough, but it turns out that Keen has friends of his own —outside Erin's circle. After realizng no one would notice her anyway —given how busy everyone is, she decided to head towards the library. Bakit hindi ko agad ito naisip? If she wanted peace and silence, library is the perfect place to go.