I'M A MESS

Chapter Nine

Day Four

Saturday

 

There are no classes today but I was told by my archery teacher to practice in the dojo for at least an hour so I went, specifically driven, to school in the afternoon whereas I immediately came to the dojo and despite its emptiness, the feel of someone lingered in the atmosphere. I looked at the targets and noticed three arrows missing their targets.

Has someone been practicing here before I came?, I thought.

I walked to a counter and changed into my archery uniform. I wore the necessary equipments and took a bow and a set of arrows. Proceeding to my position, the door to the dojo suddenly slid open and my eyes widened at who I saw - Isaac.

He held a coffee can at hand as he closed the door behind him. He was already wearing his archery uniform by the time he entered. As he walked, he noticed me and froze.

"A-Aaron!", he yelped. Ah, so he's been the one practicing here, huh? I ignored him and proceeded to placing an arrow to my bow. I let out a deep breath before I drew the arrow back and not a moment earlier or later, I released it. The lucky arrow has found its target. Bullseye. I looked at the arrows earlier, the ones who missed their targets and compared them to my first shot. Let me try one again.

I did the same procedures and ended up hitting the center of the target. I must be feeling a bit better now.

"That's amazing..", Isaac praised as he stood a few meters beside me.

For some reason, I didn't have the feel of speaking, so I kept all of my thoughts to myself.

Comparing our performances at this very moment, I can safely say I'm really better than him in this. Or maybe, a lot more stable.

Archery is the reflection of a human's mind, or so our archery instructor told me.

I took into account the possible reasons as to why I did bad back then. One reason rose: Isaac. Particularly my unreasonable fantasies of him. When I gave him a light peck on the lips yesterday, it was a personal resolve of giving myself the very least reward of having been able to still have control of myself despite the many ridiculous fantasies that run in my head.

I did very bad during the last practical exam. Maybe our teacher's right. Maybe I was distracted, and I accepted that fact.

And now, Isaac is the one disturbed by my actions. I brushed thoughts of him from my head and began to distract myself with something else, for it states in psychology that if you do not wish to exhibit an unwanted response, get rid of the stimulus.

"Isaac", I called out to him without meeting his eyes. "About yesterday".

"Y-yeah...?", his shyness was obvious in his voice.

"It was an accident", I stated the sentence as if it were the truth.  I left my position and returned my bow to the rack. "So forget about it". Knowing that I need not proceed with practice anymore since I have finally relieved myself of any unnecessary distractions, I left the dojo with the casual attire and changed in the nearest bathroom.

 

Day Five

Sunday

 

It was a day when I usually do nothing but go around the city and take photographs. Ending up in the mountains on the very same cliff that helped me meet the real Isaac, I reminisced as I sat on the edge. It's still the middle of the day and I had nothing important to do. Then I remembered.

Two or three days before, I remembered the sight of Isaac enjoying the blueberry cheesecake I gave to him as a sudden treat in the middle of finding a shelter in the downpour. Maybe I could buy him one.

I rode my bike down to the city and pedaled to the same cafe we had a drink at. I ordered an entire blueberry cheesecake and had it wrapped. Then, I pedalled my way to Isaac's doorstep.

 

Upon arriving at his cottage, I recognized music playing inside. I peeked through the nearest window and found Isaac playing a cello in front of a lengthy music sheet holder. I was only able to see his back as he moved to the violin's sound. The piece he played was familiar. Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 Prelude, was it? Or something. I forgot the title of the piece.

Knowing it would be a waste to spend his time talking with me, I decided to leave the cake right at his doorstep and give his door a knock.

I walked back to the door, placed the cake on the wooden floor and knocked on the door as hard and loud as I could. After which, I ran behind a sharp curve outside his house and hid. I took a little peek and saw the door swing open, revealing Isaac in a white shirt and dark trousers. He looked around and as his eyes fell on the cake I left, he picked it up and held it close to his face. He mouthed the brand of the cake and gave a surprised look on his face. Then, he scanned the entire area for any signs of the one who gave it. He took the cake inside his house and I peeked at him from the outside. I saw him open the box and lift the blueberry cheesecake out. He grinned from ear to ear as he ran somewhere and came back with a plate, knife and fork. He sliced a portion of the cake and placed it on his plate. He ran off somewhere again and didn't come back until I smelled a familiar aroma in the air. Coffee.

I watched him as he returned to the cake and took a seat in the dining table. This time, I could see half of his face. He put his hands together and thanked the blessing of food. Then he proceeded to drinking his coffee from his cup, reminding me of the way he first drank coffee back then. I decided to leave him in his enjoyment and stepped away from his territory. I used my bike and returned to the cliff.

I lied my back down on the green grass as I took out my phone and clicked on Isaac's name in my contacts list. I dropped him a message which left us wordless upon each other for the next few days - was the original plan. But as uncontrollable as he could get, I ended up having to steer clear of him as he makes even the wildest attempts just to hold a proper conversation with me.

 

Day Six

Monday

 

Seeing him on the other side of corridor and getting a premonition we'll bump into each other, I turned the other way.

He attempted to talk to me. I started one with someone else.

 

Day Seven

Tuesday

The avoiding went on.

I actually ignore him head-on when he tried to open up a conversation.

I made even the most ridiculous attempts to steer clear of him.

 

But of course, it didn't not last for long.

 

Day Eight

Wednesday

Things weren't in my favor today.

During dismissal time, I was startled by Isaac's calling that I literally jumped out of surprise. I tried avoiding any further words so I left the room, but he was able to grab my wrist before I was able to step out the door. He asked why I kept on avoiding him for three full days but I replied with nothing but silence. Due to his persistence, I almost spilled the beans. 

Almost. 

In a really dangerous sense.

**

AN: 

Imma cut it off here for now. Goodness, I can't believe it got so late while I wrote this. I apologize for any rush or something. It's probably the effect of lacking sleep. But nevertheless, thank you for your patronage! May you keep on reading this story until the end! <<insert WARNING sign here>>