The String

Chapter 9: Surprise Visit

mom: "Kris! Dinner!"

I got up hesitant to eat and sat beside Louise in the dining hall. All of them were staring at me maybe because of the gloomy, dark aura I was  probably emitting at that moment.

"Why are you so gloomy, Kris?" Aunt Caroline asked.

"She got second place again." Louise answered in a neutral tone.

I looked at Louise with angry eyes and turned away.

"Come on Kris, second is already high enough! Eat up, it's your favorite." dad convinced.

Maybe he thinks my spirits would go up after saying that.

"It's not high enough for me." I whispered to myself.

I was twirling the aglio olio pasta with my fork. It's my favorite but it's like my stomach rejects the food I'm about to partake.

The dining table was unusually quiet, Louise and I usually make a lot of noise and eat each other's food. I finished my dinner anyway since it's such a waste; I also know that my dad put a lot of time and effort in cooking dinner for all of us. After the meal, I brushed my teeth, washed my face and wore my baby pink night dress.

I grabbed my bag, pulled out all the thick books and decided to study in advance. I switched on my night lamp and started to study. I pulled out every material I need and placed them on my study desk.

A few minutes later, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in!" I said.

The door opened and you wouldn't believe who it was! It was Louise. I gulped, does he need anything? He doesn't visit my room unless he needs to copy off my homework. The last time he enters my room and doesn't copy off assignments was 4 years ago when we were still 13. The last time he told me a secret, when my ex-best friend dated Louise. He told that to me and said I should be careful in picking friends.

That girl was a major headache, she copies my homeworks, ditches on our outings and misses important meetings when I needed her the most. She's there when she benefits from something and earned the credits I worked hard for.

She even dated Louise because she wants to stand out and be popular. Although I guess Louise was smart enough to realize and dumped her.

"Hey." he greeted.

"Hi." I coldly replied.

He grabbed the wooden chair beside my closet and put it beside my chair.

"Stubborn girl." he calmly said then patted my head.

There was a moment of silence then I asked him,

"Why are you here?"

"Nothing really." he replied back.

"Oh." I responded.

"You know.." he started, "I can give you the first place position if you want it so badly, I mean.. all I have to do is fail some of my tests and---"

"NO!" I screamed.

I guess I shocked him because I raised my voice.

"I... wanted to beat you fairly. I know it's impossible but I have to atleast try." I continued.

He placed his head near mine. It's like we're going to kiss! I'm blusing all over, I hope he doesn't notice.

"You're working too hard." he whispered in my ear.

Stupid Louise! He's making me blush! My cheeks felt hot. He moved his face away and I can finally breathe better. He chuckled all of a sudden.

"Wh-Why are you smiling..?" I asked, still embarrassed.

"Nothing, I just really like that competitive side of you." he smiled.

Is he making me feel flattered? Does he like me? No, he just said he likes me being competitive.. Oh, he makes me so perplexed sometimes.

"You're still studying?" he asked.

"Well yes, advance reading." I confidently replied.

"Tomorrow's the start of our school break, chill out." he calmly said.

"I have no time to chill out." I replied bluntly.

"Well, you have two weeks." he smiled.

"Anyway, it's getting late. Goodnight." he continued then left.

How is it late when it's just quarter to 7 in the evening! Oh well. Maybe he has things to do. He's right, I said to myself. I shouldn't overwork myself it could damage my brain and its efficiency. I closed my books and set them aside. I closed my eyes and jumped on the bed.

"Going to catch some Z's!" I smiled.

Then I was in the midst of a deep sleep...