Shadows and Popularity

Chapter 28: Surprises

Chapter 28: Surprises

The grass was the only sound that made their heads turn.

She stepped on the quad, a field of well-trimmed grass, benches scattered in random spots, single trees standing in the middle of random flowerbeds of red and pink tulips, gas lamps situated uniformly in a straight line with even distances, and in the middle, meters away from her, surrounded by a huge group of students, was the fountain, and the most surprised look on Nathan’s face standing in the middle almost made her want to erupt into laughter.

Michelle was the first to snap out of her surprise at the wallflower’s entrance, and snapped her fingers to wake up the musicians.

Clarisse’s eyes widened at the sound, and she shook her head before waking up her bandmates.

A familiar tune echoed through the courtyard and Maya instantaneously smiled as the realization came down on her. The musicians were playing a song by Secondhand Serenade.

Sakri slapped Nathan by the shoulder, hard too, and the heartthrob yelped silently at the pain. He gave the rebel a good glare before straightening himself up and looking at Maya. How could she do that to him? Showing up so late, what could have kept her busy? Where was Oliver and Aaron anyway? They presented to pick her up and hightailing out of school without waiting for anybody’s reaction, so why would they let Maya run across school all by herself? He was angry, but not entirely furious. If anything, he might as well have merely been worried as to whatever might have happened to her. Heck, the wallflower looked like she ran a marathon, and he couldn’t help but smile at the thought that he could care less at how she looked. Hell, she could wear a bag over her head and she’d still look beautiful to him.

She smiled bashfully, as though apologetic but not entirely over her act. “H-hi.” She whispered hoarsely.

No one heard her, but Nathan read her lips accurately enough. He sighed, then as he walked over to her, said, “What kept you?”

His tone was flat, his expression blank, and the only emotion in his demeanor was that unfamiliar warmth in his dark blue eyes again. She rubbed the back of her nape. “I overslept.” She answered shyly, her face flushed from running but starting to blush with embarrassment, noticing all eyes on her and Nathan for some reason. Straightening, she got the gumption to ask, “What’s going on?”

He waited to get to her, forcing himself not to run and kept his pace slow but not too slow, and when he was but two feet away from her, he answered in a nonchalant voice.

“Everyone got this all set up for you.”

“F-for me?” She squeaked.

“Yeah.” He said, trying to sound irritant. “And you made everyone wait.”

“O-oh.” She said, before taking a breath and facing the audience behind Nathan. The band didn’t stop playing but she tried to make her voice as audible as possible. “I-I’m very sorry to have kept you all waiting!!” She said, her voice only able to reach the closest people to her. “I overslept!”

She saw Michelle wave her hand as though she shouldn’t worry about it too much, but her look indicated uncertainly. She put it at the back of her head to ask why she was like that later, for now though, she needed to face Nathan.