Being Next to You

Chapter 22: Can masks be easily remove?

The following day, Shaine was heading to our homeroom. And I called out his name as I ran near him inside the school's hallways. He turned around as he heard my call, but when I was in front of him, words can't get out from my mouth and I froze still as it took a while.

"What is it, Rina?" Shaine asked, without a smile that I normally see.
"Is there something you want?"

There is!! But I can't spill it out... I'm frighten and I don't know why..

I answered with silence again, and he seemed tired from waiting my reply and sighed.

"If there's nothing, I should head---"

"WAIT!!" I pulled his shirt before he went away. But again, silence. I don't want him to go and I wanted to talk to him normally again. And there was no used for Julian's advice if I was not going to apply it!! I wanted this situation to change because this might be the last time I may be able to talk to him like this..

I tugged his shirt harder, and swallowed fear itself.

"GOOD MORNING SHAINE!!" My face felt hot as I mustered it out loud to his face, and he seems a bit startled. I'm aware that my face is now red as an apple.

"You..." Shaine stared daggers, "You pulled my shirt like a sling shot just to say 'Good Morning'? Are you joking?"

"Sorry but Yes!" I immediately answered.

"Hey, are you sure it's good for you to be talking to me? Earlier, you were shaking like a chihuahua fighting a bear."

"Sorry, I mean-- Its okay! I don't want to apologize because Julian told me not to apologize all the time." I replied.

He scuffed at me, "What are you? Some kind of maid following her master."

"No, I did this on my own will." I defended, "And I just asked him for advice."

"So," he came near me, "what advice did he tell you?" Shaine smiled.

"It's a secret." I answered.

He flicked my head, saying that he hated secrets and hated the attitude I'm showing right now.

I grinned while holding my flicked forehead, telling him I didn't mind as long as we can be friends again.

He flicked it again.

"You're too nice." He blunted, "don't cry if I made you cry again."

"I'll try, but I'm glad I can talk to you normally."

"I'm surprised that you're even talking to me, even though I told you that I kick other people's butt." Shaine smiled innocently.

"But, thanks for trying to speak up with me." He walk ahead of me, expecting me to follow him from behind.

But, it doesn't matter right?

"Rina, do you know about masks?" He asked, "People tend to change their mask in each situation."

"Just like you?" I pointed out, that left Shaine speechless, but smiled.

"Yeah, just like me."

Then, began thinking about masks..

Class started, then our homeroom teacher, Ms. Blue, announced that midterms are coming near, and gave us a lot of pointers for her Science subject.

"Ah..." Shaine groaned laying on his desk, "I hate examinations~~"

"I don't mind doing tests, since they're essential to my grade." Responded Julian, who moved his chair in front of Shaine's desk, facing Shaine.