Irresistibly Innocent Love

Prologue: The Untimely Confession

I finally set foot on the concrete marble that I have long dreaded of stepping ever since I knew her. Walking coolly with sunglasses on, I strode into that one building which I have never before in my life thought that I would step into just for the sake of one girl. For that matter, I have always thought that the rest of my life would be filled with girls walking towards me instead of me walking towards one specific girl.

I remember yesterday asking Claire, "Do you think boys look cool with sunglasses?"

Probably baffled with the randomness of my question, Claire had simply replied, "Boys are always cool with sunglasses, not to mention you, even without sunglasses you're already cool. But with her? I don't know; you know even I can't understand her. Why do you ask?"

I straightened my jacket, thinking about that. Yes, then again, I thought that I would have never asked Claire for advice either had it been not for her. It was her that really opened this strange side of me, this side where I actually wanted to try.

As I passed the school gate, I could see only a few students around. They were busy rushing to not be late for the one event I was here for: the morning ceremony. I then spotted Claire at our agreed meeting location. She was looking away so I tapped her shoulder. She looked at me and jumped in astonishment.

"What are you doing with sunglasses on IN A SCHOOL?" She bellowed.

"You know today's program," I responded. "Today must be the day I win."

"How many times do I have to tell you this isn't a game, Aiden. You know what you are thinking of doing is a step you can never take back right?"

I grimaced. "Well it's really only the last chance I get anyway. You know my circumstances right now, and her circumstances. It's now or never."

We started taking the lift to the top floor of the building. That was where I was supposed to announce the cooperation between my school and hers for an event, which was actually in reality just an alibi for something much bigger.

In the lift, Claire spoke again, "Have you even considered how people around you will react to this? The students, the staff-"

"I don't care," I interjected. "You know me well. I'm the sort of guy who goes all out on whatever I do."

"Haven't you considered how she may feel?"

I stood silent for a while. I have actually already given that thought, but I was just too afraid to think what would happen if the cliché normal method of doing it did not suffice.

Claire noticed my silence and spoke up again, "Well, I guess you're here, so let's just do it."

I nodded. The lift stopped and we got out. We started walking towards the hall. I could hear many students talking excitedly. A normal school atmosphere.

In front of the doors, Claire stopped. "I'm already cleared to operate the control room for the sounds and projector for your 'presentation'. You really owe me one after this, Aiden."

"Thanks Claire," I said.

"I already briefed you where she always sits, right?"

"Yes, I've checked that diagram for about a thousand times that by now I've already ingrained it in my memory."

"Okay then, you go ahead. I'll get to the control room."

After exchanging wry smiles, she went towards the control room and I opened the doors leading into the hall. At the same time I set foot in the hall, all the chattering stopped. As I walked towards the front seat reserved for me by the school staff, I noticed that now childish giggles emerged and some even squealed.