Shattered Glass Rebuilt Again

February 15th: THE GAME OF LOVE

Emma's POV-

Rien: "She's Mine."
Why would he say something like that?
Amy: "So your cheating on your crush and Aidan with the new kid. How long have you actually known him, since like this morning? But I guess you guys were already holding hands by then. By the way, what happened to that love note that you said you were going to give to your crush. Aidan didnt get anything. Neither did any guy in the class, of the other class for that matter. Did you really give one to him?"
She had a sinister look on her face as she spoke to me.
I couldn't say anything. HE was sitting right next to me. The boy I had loved for years. The one I had sent that note to just yesterday.
I watched Rien flip to the back cover of the book he was reading. It was actually the same book I had just finished the month before. By my favorite author. I preordered, and was still waiting for the second book. He took out a small envelope signed by KURO NEKO. That was the nickname Rien gave me in elementary school.
That's the note that I sent him yesterday.
He held it up to show Amy.
Rien: "You mean this note. I got it yesterday, right after I finished transferring here. And for the record, I've known her since elementary school, more than 10× longer than any one over here."
For some reason, after that, I just burst into tears. I tried to stop them, but they just kept coming.
Amy: "Oh, look, you made her cry. Never seen that before. Your the first one here to have made her upset, and on your first day too!"
She walked away laughing. From the corner of my eye, I saw Rien glaring at her before he turned to me.
He said the same thing he used to when we were younger.
Rien: "Everything's fine now, so you don't have to cry anymore, okay? I'll always be here and protect you. It's a promise, alright?"
I knew he meant it. Even though he had said it a thousand times, this time it felt more genuine than ever.
I held out my pinky, like I did every time. He did the same. I felt just like a little kid again, making promises like that.
It was strange, and not just because we were in high school now. Back in 4th grade, when we made promises like this, I thought that this would probably be the closest I'd ever get to holding his hand. Mainly because I was to shy to. But now, could actually holding his hand someday be a real possibility?
No way! I promised myself that I would give up on him after giving him the note.
It really is hard for me to forget someone who was such a huge part of my life. And him being here doesn't help.
I guess I have to break a promise either way. And I already know which it's going to be. I'd rather break a promise that makes it hard for me than for other.
Anyway, I already knew that Rien was the only one who made me feel this way. That made my heart pound so fast it felt like it might break free.
Speaking of which, he was still holding me in his arms this entire time! My heart was pounding so fast, and I knew my face had to be turning red. He must of realized it to because he apologized and let go. I might have imagined it but I thought I saw his face turning a bit red, too.
I still couldn't get my heart to stop racing.

Rien's POV-

I felt kind of stupid doing all that. Especially since I knew she didnt like my anymore. Why would she? It's been years and the last time we saw each other, I was bullying her, because I was jealous of Mikhael, of all people. I was surprised that she didn't hate me at that point. We didn't really talk since then.
Though, I just slightly regret letting her go. I dont know if I'll ever get a chance like that again, or if I'll even be able to use it if I do.
I could feel my face heating up, and from the corner of my eye, I could see her face reddening, too.
At least her tears were gone now. That's good. I had broken that promise so many times now, but this time, I intend to keep it till the end, and even maybe after that.
There was a really awkward silence. I had to say something. She wasn't listening to music or anything. She was just looking at what she had drawn so far. It looked like a person, but it was still unfinished so I couldn't tell who it could be.
I tried going back to reading but I couldn't concentrate.
Emma: "Hey..."
She was the first to break the silence. She was actually looking me in the eye this time. I didn't know if she noticed it but my faces started to heat up again. The distance between our hands were about 10 centimeters. My goal for now was to bring at least that distance down to 0. But I didnt have the courage to right now. I'll work on it. I finally answered;
Rien: "What is it?"
Emma: "Umm... That book your reading. The author is actually one of my favorites."
Rien: "Oh, mine too. I read the books from the Ascendence Trilogy, too. This one is kind of new though, right?"
***The author and books they are talking about are actually real, and it's one of my favorite authors too***
Emma: "Yeah. I think that one only came out a few years ago. I preordered the sequel to it. The second book hasn't been published yet."
Rien: "Umm... when you get it, would you mind if we, maybe, read it together?"
I could feel my face heating up as I asked this. She had to have noticed, and I saw her face reddening, too.
Emma: "Sure."
Rien: "Also, I dont really have the notes for class. Is it okay if we meet up over the break to study at some point?"
Emma: "That's fine with me. Any specific days. I'm pretty much going to be free the whole break, except on Sundays, as long as its before 6PM, and after 11AM."
Rien: "I'm fine with any day other than Monday and Friday."
Emma: "Then how about Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. It's going to take a while."
Rien: "Sure."
One final thing and the game is set.
Rien: "Since were going to be meeting up, ... ... can I just ask for you phone number?"
There was a bit of an awkward pause after that.
Emma: "Sure... "
She took out her phone and we exchanged phone numbers.
I saved her contact as KURO NEKO, a nickname I gave her in elementary school.
When she was done saving the number on her phone, she held it up, with a small grin, to show me the contact. TOUJI. Winter Solstice. She gave me that nickname because my birthday was on the day of the winter solstice the year that we met. I didnt even know she still remembered that.
At that moment, the bell rang for the end of lunch. Last period was history. I didn't really have time to talk to her during then. But after class I got to see her at the lockers.
She was talking to another group of girls.
Emma: "Are you going to go to design club?"
Ivie: "Sorry, I have to head straight home today. Same with Kana.
Emma: "It's fine, I actually wasnt planning to go today anyway."
She glanced toward me. I'm pretty sure she knew I was listening the entire time.
Emma: "By the way. I'm guessing you dont know a good route to school."
Rien: "Yeah, I did get kinda lost this morning."
Emma: "Since we live close by each other, why not walk home together."
And that was the end of my first day of school. This is a pretty good start, considering that Roden has been to this school an entire month, and I don't think Emma's even realized he's here, much less talked to him. I've already set the stage for my success, but that doesn't guarantee that I'll win.

☆♡THE GAME OF LOVE HAS STARTED♡☆