A Way To My Dream

Chapter 8: Flowers may bloom again; you're never young again

"Flowers may bloom again; you're never young again."

Sunday dawn came, as the other trainee rest, Leona's decided to sneaked out of the room with her books and pen. She went to the gazebo at the back of their rooms.

"So cold... so cold." She mumbled, quivering from the cold. The gazebo lights are lit. Leona sneeze. She crunched her pink nose and pout. Her eyes are still red because of having only 4 hours sleep at tops. She slumped on the wooden floor, thankful that she brought her own blanket. It's made of wool. It has her name because her mother personally made it for her. One of the memories she has from home.

She put her textbooks on the floor and pick her Literature book. She couldn't  helped herself and yawned. The cold breeze blew hitting her skin. It makes her shivered in cold.

"Mathematics is hard and Science too. Then I still have History and Economics.  You're the most easiest amongst all. I'm gonna start with you." She talks to her books animatedly. It is as if she is talking to a living thing.

She sneeze again and again. Frowning, she irritatedly rub her nose that it became red.

"Ahhh... I could have had continued my sleep..." She complained.

Meanwhile, Ashley still couldn't sleep because thoughts of Leona flooded his head. The uploaded video of the mysterious dancer, the performance, the trainees and whatnot. He's been down that road before. This time though, he felt different. He felt more excited, more euphoric and stressed of the situation. He groggily hopped down his bed and wore his thick black woolly cardigan and brown bonny. He decided to take a walk outside.

As he opened the door of his own room, cold breeze welcomed him. Cold cripped its way to his skin, he shivered.   

"Cold Christmas indeed..." He took a stroll outside. He watch the snow pour down and cover the water pond. He closed his eyes to enjoy the serenity of his surrounding. He feels the snow as it slides on his face. He can smell the fragrance of cheery blossoms. He can hear crickets sounds. The absence of noisy frags makes the place less unbearable for him to last standing.

He felt calm and relax. Something that he doesn't experience often. Until he hears sneezing noise.

"What?" He asked himself. Then he heard it again. He walk, taking a long  and quiet stride. He walk to the backyard. There he saw, the cute young fellow who didn't leave his mind the whole day yesterday. Seemingly unaware of his presence, Ashley smiled and took a step closer to the girl.

This girl is weird. Who would want to sit outside to read given how cold her surrounding is. Aside from her, he doesn't know no one.

"Ahhh... I could have had continued my sleep..." He heard her complained as she flipped the book pages.

At this time, he wants to let her know of his presence. He muffled his cough with his hand to avoid creating a loud noise.

"Oh my gosh..." Leona almost shrieked at the sound. She looked at him, holding her chest. She frantically stand.

"Mr. L-Lee..." She mumbled. At this moment, she can only close her eyes tightly out of embarrassment and horror. She felt the wooden floor slightly moved because of the added weight of her unwanted guest.

"Ms. Liquan..." Ashley voice trailled off making Leona gulped hard. He watches her fidgeting with her pen.

"Rule number 7, everyone must abide by the curfew time. What are you doing here at this time?"

Leona subconsciously tilted her head racking her brain by the mentioned rule. Then her lips pout unable to recall such rule.

"I-I... Uhmm... I-I was actually studying... I mean reading..." She continues to fidget. Unaware of the cuteness and her affect to Ashley.