C4 Chapter 3

MILES

I was sitting quietly in my chair, tucked away in the shadows of the classroom, listening intently to the discussion led by our teacher, Mrs. Rose Dorsett. With my assigned seat in the very last row of the school, I often went unnoticed, allowing me to freely engage in whatever I pleased.

Mrs. Dorsett, a kind-hearted and knowledgeable woman, had a knack for sparking curiosity in her students' minds. Her words flowed effortlessly as she delved into the complexities of English literature.

While seated in Mrs. Dorsett's eleventh-grade English class, I was torn between her discussion and the Piano sheet chords before me. The dulcet tones of Ruth B.'s "Dandelions" filled my ears through my earphones, and I couldn't resist the urge to follow along with the musical score.

As Mrs. Dorsett passionately explained her lessons, I wondered about the beauty of the piano arrangement on the sheet before me. The delicate swirls of notes seemed to float magically across the page, beckoning me to dance my fingers along their ethereal melody. Unable to resist any longer, I surreptitiously executed the gentle movements of a pianist on my desk, pretending to press the invisible keys.

Undoubtedly, I play the piano with assistance. It seems unusual for some stranger to place a piano sheet in my locker. Additionally, this time, I'm including notes from Ruth B.'s song Dandelions, the piano version I received from a stranger.

Suddenly, someone threw a crumpled piece of paper on my desk, causing me to look at it. I glanced around the classroom, but everyone was busy listening to Mrs. Dorsett's monotonous lecture. Curiosity piqued, I unfolded the paper cautiously, careful not to draw any attention to myself. Because I failed to find whoever threw the form at me, I checked it to see if there was any writing, and I was not wrong. Written in messy handwriting was the word 'Hi.'

The bell rang, resonating through the quiet classroom. Instantly, my classmates and I sprang into action, rising from our seats in unison. While my peers hastily packed their belongings, I calmly put my things away with practiced efficiency. Slipping on my headphones, I pressed play on a carefully curated playlist that transported me into my world.

As the melodies enveloped my senses, I ventured out of the familiar walls of our classroom and into the bustling corridor. The cacophony of footsteps, laughter, and indistinguishable conversations filled the air, but in my secluded audio paradise, it all faded away. My music became my secret escape, enabling me to detach from the trivialities of everyday life and delve into my realm of solace.

It was a typical midday rush at Adamson High School. As the bell signaling lunchtime rang, students hurriedly dashed towards the common ground outside the bustling canteen. This open area, surrounded by not-so-tall shady trees and dotted with picnic tables, was a popular spot for students to eat lunch. Overhead, the sun was shining brightly, warming the atmosphere and igniting a sense of lively anticipation.

As I stepped foot on the common ground, I started scanning the area for Erin and Charles. Erin's hand was lifted to get my attention, which attracted my focus abruptly. I strolled over to where she and Charles were already seated at our usual table. However, I was suddenly pushed into, and my headphones were knocked off. Fortunately, I caught them right away.

I turned to look at the person who had brushed up against me, but all I could see was the back of a guy in a red hoodie. Curiosity sparked as I watched the mysterious figure disappear into the bustling crowd. I was about to call him out, but it looked like he was in a hurry because of how fast he was walking. I just shook my head as I fixed the headphones around my neck and finally approached my two friends, who had already sat at our usual table.

"What was that about? Did that guy bump into you on purpose?" Erin asked me worriedly when I got close to them as I put my lunch box and bag on the table.

As I sat down with Erin and Charles to enjoy our lunch, I couldn't help but feel a nagging curiosity about the mysterious figure we had encountered just moments ago. The encounter had been brief, but it left an unsettling impression on me.

"I don't know, and it looks like that guy was in a hurry; just let it go, guys," I told them when I sat down.

"Do you know that guy? Have you seen his face?" Charles asked me, his curiosity piqued as he took another bite of his lunch.

"I don't know who that is, and I also didn't see his whole face because he was wearing a hood," I answered calmly, trying not to be bothered by the mysterious stranger's appearance.

It was unlike Charles to let his imagination run wild, but something about this encounter had stirred his inquisitive nature. Charles shrugged, accepted my explanation, and continued munching his lunch.

"Anyway, have you received a new Piano sheet yet?" Erin questioned me with a smile on her face, looking like she was excited. I gave her a long, thoughtful look while wearing a silly grin before removing the piano sheet from my backpack and handing it to her.

"I knew it!" Erin said as she snatched the piano sheet I held and glanced at it excitedly.

"See?! I told you, Charles! You've lost again; now, where's my 15 bucks." Erin said to Charles, making me chuckle.

"Uhhhhhh, not Again!" Charles sputtered. They had been friends for years, constantly engaging in bets and challenges that usually ended with Charles losing and Erin triumphantly gloating. It had become a routine, one that Charles couldn't seem to break.

"C'mon, Charlie boy, you owe me one, oh, I mean fifteen," Erin said with a tinge of teasing as she grinned at Charles. Charles pouted, trying to hide his frustration from Erin's mocking laughter.

"Okay, okay, I get it," he grumbled, his irritation evident. "You won, like always. Can you please stop rubbing it in?" Charles grabbed some cash out of his pocket right away because he was dissatisfied with the result.

"I am starting to hate you, Erin; I'm running out of money because of you." Charles slapped the cash into Erin's hand and growled.

Erin raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, come on, Charlie boy. Where's your sense of sportsmanship? You've gotta take losses with grace."

Charles shot her a resentful look before taking a deep breath to calm himself. He knew better than to let his emotions get the best of him. Every time he resorted to anger, it only fueled Erin's playful taunting.

"Fine, Erin," he said, forcing a smile. "You win this time. But mark my words; sooner or later, I'll turn the tables on you."

Erin's laughter softened, and she patted Charles on the back sympathetically. "Oh, Charlie, I'd love to see you try. But for now, enjoy being my favorite loser."

Charles rolled his eyes, laughing; Erin continued making fun of him.

Seeing my friends happy makes me happy, too. It's a feeling I can't quite explain, but it fills my heart with warmth and joy. I'm content sitting at our table, watching my two friends, Erin and Charles, enjoying their conversation. They're there, laughing and sharing stories, utterly unaware of their impact on me.

Suddenly, my attention is diverted. I notice a group of students approaching their usual table. Among them is Tyler, a guy I've admired from afar for quite some time. He exudes confidence with his perfectly tousled hair and mischievous smile. Every time I see him, my heart beats, and my palms turn sweaty. As Tyler and his friends settle in at their table, my pulse accelerates, and I feel self-conscious. What if he can see the effect he has on me? What if he thinks it's weird that I'm always watching? My anxiety begins to take hold.

Still, curiosity gets the better of me. I can't resist the temptation to observe him closely, to catch a glimpse of his laughter, and maybe, just maybe, exchange a smile. I glance his way, and to my surprise, my eyes lock with his. Time seems to stand still as our gazes connect. His expression softens, and a wave of relief washes over me, replacing the anxiety with a glimmer of hope. Perhaps he doesn't find my fascination strange. His lips curve into a friendly smile, and my heart swells with excitement and nervousness.

"Oh, eye contact, not bad~" I went back to my senses after I heard what Charles said as I heard Erin chuckle.

But it was too late when I realized that my friends and Tyler had caught me staring at him when our eyes met, and then he smiled at me. Because of my nervousness, I immediately looked away from Tyler and drank some water. The two laughed because of my reaction. A shot of embarrassment washed over me as I realized my friends had caught my moment of vulnerability.

Laughter erupted from across the table. My friends, Erin and Charles, couldn't help but tease me about my reaction, their mischievous grins widening with each passing moment. It was all good fun, of course, but I couldn't shake the lingering blush from my cheeks.

"Caught you, huh?" Erin teased, nudging me playfully. "Tyler's got you swooning, my dear."

"I've never seen you so flustered. You're usually the composed one." Charles chimed in with a chuckle.

Blushing furiously, I managed a weak smile, my embarrassment fully displayed. "Alright, alright, laugh all you want. But can we please change the subject?" I pleaded, hoping to divert their attention.

These guys don't know when to stop teasing me.

TYLER

After the class, my friends Clark and Klaus and the other soccer teammates went together to the school's outdoor canteen, where I could see Miles eating lunch with his friends. While my friends were talking loudly as we made our way to our usual table, I immediately turned to where Miles was, and unexpectedly, the moment I looked at him, our eyes met, which made me nervous.

We stared at each other for a few seconds, our eyes locked in an intense exchange. The longer I stared, the more nervous I became. It felt as if something unspoken lingered between us.

Trying to alleviate my unease, I forced a smile and directed it towards Miles. The sudden shift surprised him, causing him to avert his gaze momentarily. He seemed flustered, unsure of how to respond to my unexpected display of friendliness

I felt disappointed as Miles looked away, his sudden avoidance leaving me questioning his reaction. Was it a sign of disinterest, or was he just caught off guard? Unable to decipher his true intentions, I returned to my friends, attempting to shake off the awkward encounter.

I couldn't help but wonder why our eyes had locked for that brief moment. Was it merely a coincidence, or was there something more? I found myself stealing glances in his direction, searching for signs that he had felt the same connection.

"Hey, I saw that," Klaus murmured as he leaned closer, grinning like an idiot. He knew me better than anyone else, and it was no surprise that he saw me again staring at Miles. Klaus was the kind of person who never missed a beat, always attentive and observant.

"Saw what?" I asked, feigning innocence.

His gaze flickered towards Miles once again before returning to me. "I saw the way you smiled at him," he replied.

I playfully narrowed my eyes, pretending to be offended. "Oh really, Mr. Detective? Do I look scary when I smile?" I asked, unable to contain my laughter.

Klaus let out a hearty chuckle and playfully tapped me on the back. "No, you're not scary at all," he said warmly. "You look gorgeous when you smile."

Blushing at his compliment, I tried to hide my embarrassment by focusing back on Miles. Turning to the table where he sat with his friends, I couldn't help but smile at the sight. His cheeks were still tinged with pink, and he fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, clearly struggling to handle the playful teasing.

"Maybe he's just shy, Tyler; perhaps he has a crush on you?" Klaus said teasingly, so I forced a smile.

"Or maybe he just doesn't like me?" I added to Klaus, so he glared at me.

"Seriously, Tyler, isn't it obvious what he thinks of you? It would help if you had figured it out already," he added.

Okay, I admit that by the way Miles looked at me, I could tell there was something, but I don't want to assume.

Suddenly, I heard my friends making noise, and I even heard them mention my name. Curiosity piqued, I turned to see what the commotion was all about. Surprisingly, I saw a group of girls in dazzling cheerleading uniforms walking confidently in our direction.

Suddenly, Clark leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "Here comes your girlfriend, Tyler," he said, tilting his head to where Jessica approached our table. I watched her as she gracefully made her way toward us, her radiant smile catching the attention of everyone around.

Frustration bubbled within Klaus, "Seriously, Clark? You don't support them being together, yet here you are constantly calling Jessica 'Tyler's girlfriend,' you're tolerating her, and that's why she behaves the way she does," Klaus said, his annoyance evident in his voice.

Clark raised an eyebrow, his usual smirk fading. He wanted to defend himself but realized Klaus had a point. "That was just a satire, brother. It doesn't mean anything," Clark said, trying to calm himself down.

My friends, giddy with excitement, whispered among themselves, casting glances in my direction as if they knew what was about to unfold. Before I could piece together the puzzle, Jessica stopped right before me.

"Okay, I understand your point, but please don't call her Tha-" Before Klaus could finish what he was about to say, Jessica interrupted him.

"Call me what, Klaus?" Jessica asked Klaus, a little surprised. But Klaus didn't speak; instead, his twin said on his behalf.

"He doesn't want me to call you Tyler's girlfriend," Clark said straight forward, with his arms crossed and seriously looking at Jessica.

"But I am Tyler's girlfriend," Jessica replied, making me shake my head. See, she's delusional as hell.

"You're not, period," Clark replied seriously, so Jessica glared at him. It took a couple of seconds before Jessica spoke again.

"You know what? Never mind, it's not like your opinion matters to me anyway, so whether you like it or not, I am Tyler's Girlfriend!" Jessica said as she leaned closer to me to kiss me, but before she could kiss me, I immediately turned my face away from her.

"What are you trying to do, Jessica?" I asked her. I saw how her expression changed; her eyebrows met, giving me a puzzled look.

"I'm just trying to do what a Girlfriend usually does, Tyler, so chill."

"And what exactly is that?" I asked her seriously, and I felt that the whole group was silent because of the tension between me and Jessica. Jessica brought her face closer to me while whispering.

"Look, don't embarrass me in front of many people, Tyler! Especially not in front of my friends!" She softly shouted at me, mixed with annoyance.

"Stop pretending we're together; I'm your friend, Jessica, and I can't let us be how you want us to be. I can only offer you friendship, so I'm sorry, but please stop." I calmly told her. I tried to sound calm and gentle toward Jessica, but I don't think she understood me, she replied, turning her back on me to face her friends.

"Let's go, girls; my man's not in the mood today; let's go somewhere and give him some SPACE!" she said, emphasizing the word 'space' as she walked away from us with her friends. When she got away, the whole group rested intensely, as if they were drowning in the tension between Jessica and me.

"She's indeed delusional, man," Clark said while shaking his head.

"I'm glad my girl ain't like that," one of our teammates said.

"She's obsessed with Tyler, and I feel sorry for her; she's just using Tyler to gain more attention from everyone. How pitiful yet pathetic and disgusting!" Klaus said as he took his bag and quietly walked away from us.

"I'll talk to him," Clark said, and he immediately followed his twin.