Crystal Snow

8

Lalisa Manoban

I was contemplating whether to attend the mandatory first meeting of the Vante Club. The inner me didn't want to but my feet made its way to the theater where the meeting will be held, the reason why I end up sitting here at the back. I am not a fan of attention that's why I chose to sit far from the stage with lots of students. The weird part was when I went in students were murmuring things that I didn't payed attention and I saw them staring at me when I glance at my surroundings like I did something terrible, boys were offering me sits in the front but ignored them by walking leisurely to the back.

The event started and there I saw my classmate Bam as one of the host. Surprisingly, I listened to them. Some students were participating in some Q&A. To be honest, the event wasn't boring, the organizers were playful and their  mission and vision are kind of interesting though I just sat there watching the whole eventㅡ I was like a dead kid. One by one, the officers introduced themselves and there stood the guy I always bumped into, he's basically my neighbor. He just stood there uninterestedㅡ cold aura with fierce look. Was he faking it? I got confused coz he wasn't like that when he talked to me but well he kind of a bit arrogant and still the cold gazes were there. I stared at him and his eyes landed on meㅡ blankly but gradually turning to hard gazed. Why tho? Did I offended him by staring? I sighed and looked at the other way away from his deep piercing stares.

Finally, the dreadful meeting was done. I couldn't believe myself for sitting back there for an hour, that's not me. I should have just fill up my name for attendance then leave but I stayed, well the event wasn't bad at all. No classes for today so I decided to stroll around the school and that leads me to an abandon room which I find it interesting. The first floor was locked then I saw a stairs beside it. I went up. It is a rooftop with full of used room chairs and tables. I walked to see the whole floor. Maybe this is some kind of storage but what surprise me is there an open little space with bench and a roof as a shield to heat and rain. I sat down and look around. I think this would be my safe haven at school. The good thing about it is, It is faraway from the buildings with full of students noises and it is in the midst of tall trees.

The sky is beginning to dark so I decided to went back. I had stayed here for the rest of the day doing nothing just admiring the sky, the trees and it calmed me. I didn't even felt hungry and especially, I didn't felt sad. Walking to the school gate, a car honk and stopped beside me, lowering the window, there is, the face I'm kind of familiar with. "Are you going home?" he asked. I glanced at him and told him yes. I continue walking and he drove his car slowly, following me. "Let's go! We're on the same building. I think its rude if I saw my neighbor and not offer her a ride" he smiled a little.

I stop walking and looked at him. What is with this guy? A while ago, he was cold and staring hard at me and now he is being kind and smiling. I don't get him. Is he a creep? "Thank you and don't bother, I can go home by myself"

"Hey" he whispered shouted "I know you don't trust me but we're not strangers anymore" he went down his car and leaned to it facing me. "We are neighbors, schoolmates and clubmates. We will see each other more often. So I thought that was the reason why we always bumped to each other, I'm harmless Lalisa" he uttered my name like he knew me for long. But he is right, we are going to see each other in some unexpected days. Can I trust this guy? "And I'm JK if you want to know my name" I stared at him and before I get lost to his stares too, I uttered "Our place isn't far from here, I canㅡ"

"I insist Lalisa, please" he pleaded with his hopeful eyes and that caught me off guard. How can his eyes talk to me with different kind of emotions? I don't know but I feel safe when he is near me. He walked to the passenger door and open it, not giving me another chance to refuse. I sighed and walked to the passenger seat. "Thank you" I uttered not looking at him.

He drove off to our place. I stared outside and I felt him glancing at me. This kind of awkward and the silence is defeaning "Are you okay? Do you want some music?"

"Yes, no" I replied not thinking

"What do you mean yes, no?"

"Yes I'm fine, No, I dont want music" I said looking on the front.

"Don't you like music? Because last time I check youㅡ you know" he shyly said. I think he was referring on the time he was having a blast on his unit and I told the condo staff to make his music stop. They should build a thick wall or soundproof.

"Depends on the mood but I'm not against to music"

"Right but most of the time music makes me calm. I could listen to it the whole day"

He parked his car in the basement and I waited for him so we can go to our unit together. We walk in silence until we reach our floor. We both stood up in each other door not minding to open it. Like we were waiting for each other who go in first but I shouldn't end this day without thanking him. I looked at him and he was looking at me too "Thank you, JK" I opened my door and went not waiting for his response.