The Second Hand of Time

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

END OF THE SEMESTER

Sure enough, I was never allowed to attend battle games until the end of the semester. However, I'm still glad I wasn't expelled.

Three months had passed after the incident. Still, no sign of Vladimir.

I'm pretty sure he's still alive. And he's still out there, out in the world, recovering.

Anyway, my days became so normal, so boringly normal. Since I wasn't allowed in any fight, my armor was confiscated. They couldn't find my sword since I told them it broke on my fight with Vladimir. However, I still practice alone. I would go crazy without a day of slashing the sword.

My grades went down, and I was thrown out of the elite group. Nobody trash-talked me for it though. Not even Maverick. They too, felt sorry for me.

Anyway, I got more active in my club, the Rhythmic Harmony Club. I went there almost like every single day.

I learned how to play different instruments and my singing got better too. The club president, Zoe, was a really big help.

I helped Janus with his love problems too. Well, in fact, Janus had the courage to tell his feelings. Now, they're best friends (Or friend-zoned, rather?).

I still get paid for being Janus and Laelia's protector. So, no problems in terms of money in my case.

Exam week just passed, and thank the stars, I didn't fail.

This day, I said goodbye to my friends. We'll see each other again in two weeks.

Dan was the first to leave. Next was Tom. Last was Clifford.

After they all left, I readied my bag and brought it out. That was when I decided to go home at a later time. There's no need to rush.

The whole school was deserted except for students who are roaming around classrooms, doing last checkups and whatnot.

I decided to head to the clubroom.

The room was empty except for the different instruments I can never afford to buy.

I grabbed an acoustic guitar, played a few sad riffs using the minor scale. That set the mood.

They've all left and now I'm all alone.

All alone in this empty room.

So I've got to fix myself and pack my bags

It won't be soon; I'll go home.

So I say goodbye to this place

I'll make sure to come back in a few more days

So there is no need to worry

Because there's no need for me to hurry.

Now since I'm still here

There's one thing I'd want you to hear

It's been bothering me for a long time

But know it's hard to say it in rhymes,

So I have to express it in some other way

So that you realize it maybe someday

That this thing's been bothering me for a long time.

Then, that was when I noticed that someone was standing on my back.

I turned. It was Laelia.

My face suddenly turned red. She didn't hear me sing, did she?

"Nice song." She commented. "Did you compose it?"

"No." I lied.

"So, what are you doing here?"

"Uh, just... practicing." I replied.

"Oh." She said. "Okay."

"What about you?" I asked. "What are you doing here?"

"Uh, I'm just grabbing my stuff." She said. "Don't worry, I'll be leaving soon."

"Please stay." I blurted out.

Laelia stopped. "Hmm?"

"I mean, it's kind of lonely in here." I said. "I want to talk to somebody."

"Okay then, what do you want to talk about?" She asked.

"Uh," I mumbled. "Well, I'm feeling like I'm on the wrong side of history. Did I really do the right thing? Coming back in time?"

"Wow. You're pretty serious." She commented. She placed a plastic chair and sat down opposite of me. "Okay. So... Do you regret it? Coming back in time?"

"I mean, before I went back in time, many died..." I said. "I can't say that's good. But, coming back in time, I'm not sure if it's any better for me."

"What do you mean?"

"First off, I became the school's number one Mr. Hated. Then, the teachers removed my right to fight. They prohibited me from fighting anyone inside the school."

"And so?" She asked. "Do you regret coming back in time?"

"No." I replied. "But so many things have changed. I think I might be going crazy."

"Okay."

"Before I said goodbye, I had so much courage." I explained. "Now, I'm always scared about what might happen."

"What do you mean by before you said goodbye?" She asked.

"Well, I confessed to someone I like that time." I said. "I said I would date her once I go back in time. Yet three months have passed, I still haven't told her how I truly feel. It's killing me."

Her eyes widened. Then she regained her composure. "Well, you can't expect a girl to make the first move."

Those words hit me. The Laelia from the past is still the Laelia from today. Nothing's different.

I laughed. "That's true. Well, I guess I should snap out of my fear, right?"

"Yeah, sure." She said. "What are you planning to do now?"

"For starters..." I said. "Can I ask you to a date?"

She smiled. "I thought you would never ask."

I gulped. And then I noticed I was breathing like a fish.

She took my hand. "So, can you take me somewhere for coffee?"

"Not in your restaurant." I said. "It's expensive."

"Okay, how about a movie?"

"Yeah, sure." I asked. "What do you want to watch? A love story?"

"No. I'd love to watch this new horror movie."

"Oh, great." I commented. "Don't blame me for whatever happens."

"Let's go."

We walked out of the clubroom holding hands, and enjoyed the last day of the semester together.