Continuously Over Board | OTMOND

Chapter 6 - Unforgivingly Missed

KIM OTTER's POV

Here I am, gawking at the confusing male in front of me.

"Otter, are you paying attention?" Mr Wal questioned, and rubbed the sweat off his shiningly bald head with a tissue.

Everyone's sudden attention was towards me, including Raymond's. My cheeks flustered pink, as I was caught staring at the shorter.

"No, sir" I replied, lowering my head.

"Am I boring you?" Mr Wal asked, raising his eyebrow.

'Please, you're boring everyone here with your so called fascinating history' I thought and mentally rolled my eyes.

"No, sir" I repeated, while shaking my head.

Raymond smirked at me, in a teasingly manner. I felt my heart go extremely warm as I missed the smug look on Raymond's face, each time I got caught daydreaming.

"Good," Mr Wal praised, foolishly believing in my lie. "Now could anyone tell me what caused Jane Musell's death?"

At that point, I went back to zoning out.

***

I laughed as I watched my friends miserably missing the handball, when it was their go.

"Otter, you wanna play?" One of my classmates asked, "You seem lonely"

I chuckled, "Nah. I'm fine" I assured, as they all nodded before continuing playing their little game.

'Do I really seem lonely?' I thought, and looked at myself, standing the corner of the room while staring at other people socializing without me. 'Okay, maybe I do' I answered myself, before picking up my backpack.

My feet led me to the entrance of the school's library, a place where I could read, without anyone disturbing me.

I boredly sat down at one of the round tables, and grabbed a random book before reading it, with fake interest. Halfway during the second chapter, I heard a familiar laugh behind me. I turned around, and softened at the sight of Raymond. 'Why is Raymond doing at a library?' I thought, scoffing. My eyes flickered to the person next to him, who was deeply in a conversation with Raymond, as people would call out their name but the duo unintentionally wouldn't reply. 

Raymond's eyes would crinkle every time he would smile, making him less threatening then he normally looked like. My attention was pulled back towards the male beside him, who was undeniably handsome. I felt my heartbeat fasten, as I stared more at the unknown male.

Was he perhaps new?

Unexpectedly, Raymond turned him gaze around the room before immediately making eye contact with me; that I broke two seconds afterwards.

I turned back at my book and felt my cheeks crimsonly heat up. I felt a hand on my shoulder, making me jump in my seat.

"Hi Otter" He spoke, with grief hidden under neath his breath. "How are you?"

"I'm good" I grunted, staring at the book underneath me, not wanting to look at the betraying boy beside me. "You?"

"I'm very good" He answered, making me hesitantly lift my head to make eye contact with him.

'How could he say that?' I thought. I felt anger in between my palms as I scrunched my fists, keeping it steady, preventing me from throwing my pain at the latter.

"That's good" I said. "So, why are you here?"

"My friend, Tim, wants to hang out with you" Raymond reasoned, instantly crushing my hopes.

"And?"

"Look, I know we aren't on good terms but could at least give Tim a chance. He's a good guy with a better heart than I would ever have" Raymond said, pointing to the handsome male who was furiously blushing.

'But what if I only want you'

R I N G ! R I N G !

"Fine. Tell Tim to meet me after school" I said, and went to place the book back into it's rightful shelf.

"That's great! Thanks" Raymond smiled, and walked away.

I guess it's time to move on.

***

"Hello, I'm Otter" I introduced myself, eyeing the taller male. "You're Tim, right?"

He cutely nodded, making me chuckle.

The male had light brown hair that had a messy touch to it. He had a pair of elf ears, making him look peculiarly adorable even if he was taller and possibly older than me.

"Do you wanna – I don't know, get some ice cream?" I quickly suggested.

***

"You didn't have to pay, you know" I reasoned, after the latter had surprisingly paid for both of the desserts. "Do you want me to pay you back?" I reached into my pocket, about to hand him over my side of the bill before Tim grabbed my wrist and whimpering a slight "No".

The atmosphere was moodily silent, as we both walked onto the pathway, which was leading somewhere that I had no idea where.

"I'm in grade 11, by the way" Tim informed, and licked his chocolate-sprinkled ice cream.

"Ah, so how'd you meet," I paused. "Raymond"

Tim nervously avoided my eye contact, and stared at the peaceful water on the other side.

Wait, Water?

"Are we at the Han River?" I asked, and ate the last piece of my ice cream-cone before kneeling beside the river, and stroking my hand inside it.

"Yeah...about that" Tim pulled my shoulders up, making me stand up.

'What's happening?' I panicked, staring at the taller.

"I - Um - Could we be friends?" The latter asked, looking anxious of my response.

"Of course" I replied.

A pair of arms pulled me into an embrace, a embrace I've been missing to have.

'I could get used to this'