The Library Seirune

Chapter 10: A different gift

Chapter 10: A different gift

Ayla's POV

We went into our rooms after exchanging our good nights. Ethan wasn't back yet, but since it was already late, we figured that we should turn in early since we had to leave at dawn the next day.

My mind went back to the events that took place earlier. To tell you the truth, I was totally shocked by that sudden confession Kenneth gave, and I had to swallow my guilt when I decided to reject him.

One reason for me to say no to him was that, well, I didn't have any romantic feelings for him. I treated him more like an older brother than a lover -- a mere friend. Another was because I didn't know how well I knew him. People can change, and I didn't know how much he could have possibly changed. Five years is a long time after all. If we got together now, and we found that we didn't suit each other, breaking up would leave both of us sad, and there was a high chance that our friendship might become awkward. I didn't want that. But it was definitely not because he was a different type of Seirune. I couldn't help but smile as I remembered how good our friendship was before we had to part ways.

I turned my body to the side, closed my eyes, then sighed. The last and the most important reason of all was that, I still didn't have the confidence. What if I really fell in love with Kenneth while we dated? Sure, Ethan had made me realise something just now when we were having dinner, but... I wasn't ready to fall yet. I still couldn't imagine how my life would be like without Levira.

"Ayla? You still awake?" Faey spoke softly, but her voice sounded kind of loud in the silence.

"Mm-hmm."

"Where do you think Ethan went to? I think he still hasn't come back."

"No idea."

"Kevin said he went to the library," Belinda told us.

"Geesh. He could have brought me along! Selfish jerk." I breathed out heavily.

"And why did you think Kenneth actually asked where he went to?"

I turned to look at Belinda's direction in the dark. "He did?"

"Yeah. He asked Kevin just now right after both of you exchanged phone numbers."

I raised an eyebrow. Belinda and Kevin were walking behind me just now, so it wasn't strange at all that I didn't hear their conversation. "Huh. Weird. Maybe he wants to make friends with Ethan. Gosh, I really don't get why Ethan was so rude to him. I mean, he didn't even say goodbye to Kenneth and just vanished." I frowned just by remembering the tone he used to talk to my childhood friend.

I saw Faey sit up. "You don't know?" she asked, her voice filled with amusement.

"Know what?"

"Oh my gosh, you really don't."

"Duh, Faey. But don't go saying unnecessary things out now."

My frown deepened. "What?"

"Oh, nothing. Go back to sleep. Good night, Faey and Ayla."

"What?" I asked again, this time louder, but there were no more sounds coming from them right after Faey returned Belinda's 'good night'.

Ethan's POV

I trudged down the nearly deserted street and kicked at random things as I did.

"That arrogant bastard," I cursed under my breath.

Kenneth had followed me to the library, but he only emerged right after Dimtri and I finished our little conversation. He had looked me right in the eye, and proposed a challenge. What else could I do but agree with it, even though I found it rather stupid? I didn't want to make myself look as though I was a big fat coward.