Being Next to You

Chapter 13: Wind of Change

"Hi Rina," greeted Julian as he headed towards me. He didn't smile nor averted his eyes on me, but that's okay... He still talks to me even though I did something wrong to him... I still haven't apologized yet, I even have his phone number, but I can't muster the courage to text or call him. He looks the Julian I know, that's a relief..

I greeted him with my face flustered expression, and apologized as well. Julian looked surprised to my sudden apology.

I can hear the sound of my heartbeat, I felt like crying...

"Why are you apologizing, Rina?" asked Julian as he looked at me with a "question mark" written on his face.

"Because... I went to meet Romeo and intruded in your uncle's restaurant without you or Jude knowing..." I confusedly answered.

"Ahh......." realized Julian." I'm not angry at you, but it's true I was surprised. But, don't sweat it."

"But--" I tried to reason out, as soon as he covered my mouth with his hand.

"You're always like this, Rina," answered Julian with a stoic expression on his face," If I said don't sweat on it... It means don't sweat on it... at all."

I nodded as I looked at him on the eyes with his emotionless expression and my cheeks are burning, then he gently removed his hand from my mouth. I feel warm in my chest, and yet, reassured... It's weird, since I always feel anxious and flustered...

But, I feel very happy about it, my face is blissfully grinning on its own.

"What are you doing, Rina?"

"Nothing," I happily answered as I'm about to return to my classroom. "See you later, Julian, guys."

(Julian and others were watching Rina as she went on her way.)

"She's happy, isn't she?" said Sidney to his friends.

"Yeah..." answered Romeo, "I can see flowers floating around her with  matching birds singing on the side."

"Who knows?...." answered Julian as Sidney worriedly stared at him.

"Julian... " called Sidney. "Can I talk to you in private?"

"Sure...."

Julian and Sidney went somewhere, where Jude, Romeo and Antonio can't interrupt them...

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*Julian strangely looking around*

This is kind of weird...

"Umm... Sidney... "

"Yes?" Answered Sidney with a smile.

"I know you want to talk to me in private... " I unsettlingly answered, as I watch him strangely smiling at me..
"But... Why are we inside the abandoned building?..."

"For no one will disturb us." he innocently answered.

This is really unsettling....

"Well, yeah... I guess... It's not that I mind the place, but wouldn't it make sense, if we have our conversation at a restroom, a classroom, a storage room or even the roof top...." I reasoned out.

"That would be boring." he immediately answered.

That's your answer...
Because it would be boring.... Really?...

Even so....
What does Sidney wants to talk about? He looks kind of serious, though...

"Julian... I'll be blunt... Is it okay?" he asked with his face slightly red.