Stumbling Over Love | ✓

Chapter 19 (Part 2)

_Chapter 19–2~ Thank You_

The cold evening air wasn't helping in ridding the memories of what had occurred, but it did allow for my nerves to slightly settle. My galloping heart rate had calmed considerably and my breathing stabilized as well.

I felt like a baby in the fetal position that I was in, tucked behind the storage shed at the back of the school, but it brought me comfort. Being the smarty-pants I was, I decided to run towards the back of the school where no security cameras were—my hideaway, in essence. It was nostalgic. All those times I'd run from delinquents and teachers; Dad as well, sometimes. I'd just hide here like this, mollifying my emotions until I was able to control them again, giving myself the pep-talk I so desperately needed to cheer myself up.

But this time it was extremely difficult.

Burying my face into my knees, I brought them closer to myself. I clenched my teeth, feeling my heart squeeze.

I made a fool of myself. It sucked. I got so ahead of myself, grinning my way to sleep after baking all those cupcakes at an ungodly hour, excited to dish them out. All because I'd been assured that I had a shot—that I could prove them wrong.

But it turned out to be wishful thinking.

Me getting worked up about inviting other schools only to learn they weren't in any danger at all. The ruination of my cupcakes, leading to not a single one being sold. Miyabi and Ryu finishing early—unbelievably quickly, for that matter—and yet they were kind enough to offer to help me with my booth even after my stubborn protest. Even burning my hands on that stovetop...

"Sheep? You here?"

I tensed at the nickname. Miyabi.

Reclining further into the wall of the shed, I shrunk myself so that he wouldn't notice my presence. I didn't want to see anyone right now, much less that lighthearted guy. He would only laugh in that ingratiating way as usual.

"What, you lied about your booth? Ew, even your cupcakes look so nasty! This is why we told you you'd be hopeless by yourself. You're such an idiot, Sheep."

I buried my face into my knees. Okay, sure Miyabi wasn't that mean, but I barely knew the dude. Who knew what he would say.

Before long, Miyabi's repetitive yells died out the further he got away. I breathed of relief when he was gone entirely. My shoulders sagged, and I peered upwards at the already darkened sky. The stars were out, clear from the clouds. It was a really nice night tonight. Sucks that I had to ruin the fundraising...

Why didn't life ever go my way?

It never had. Other people weren't even responsible for it. It was me. I was just unlucky. I couldn't get the high school life I dreamed of having in middle school, my grades were horrible, I didn't have any friends—Daichi aside because what was between us wasn't exactly a "friendship."

The only thing I was good at was getting myself involved with things other people never would. And that was why it sucked. There had probably never been a time in my life that I'd ever felt like the top of the world for succeeding in something, and most likely, I never would.

It wasn't fair.

Grounding my teeth, I berated my eyes. No. I wasn't crying. I wasn't. Wasn't. Eyes, don't you dare fill up with tears eyes, or I swear—

"Only you would do something like that."

My breath hitched in my throat. It was close. With a jolt, my heart kicked in full throttle. The skin on the back of my neck stood up. Who the heck was...