My Days Stuck With You

"He then kissed her lips tenderly as though he has all the time in the world," Shan said loudly, holding her book.

I eyed her and seen her blushing. Normally wouldn't she be embarrassed reading that out loud, that line that made me cringe to the core, the thought of 'they have a time all the time in the world?' Mine is gradually shrinking its span, the only kiss I'll have is the kiss of goodbye.

Shan is staying with me in my small room. Glad she's not too fussy about that, but her reading those 'cringy' lines out-loud makes my relief upside down. It's so annoying being with someone like that. Too distracting.

She caught me off guard I know she had seen my awful expression, and said "Hey! I am bored. Do you have books? They only packed me these" then sighed.

"I don't read romance books of your type," I said with a tone of indifference.

She was startled by my words and quickly replied, "Oh that's fine," she paused "Any books of yours will do."

I stared at her, she didn't catch on my signal. I sighed, "Just grab whatever in that trunk."

"Which one?" She said.

God, I don't know anymore, how can she be smart and dumb at the same time?

"Near the armoire," I said and went out.

——————

**Bell Rings**

The room was loud, guys were talking to Shan, she was all smiley & friendly. When I was like that people told me I am too familiar. She saw me staring, and stared back in return for seconds longer and then laughed.

"She's your cousin?" Matsuhara asked.

I can sense her hesitation as she replied with affirmation. Guys were all saying that we don't even look like blood relatives. She shrugs and replied with, of course, we're not sisters so that's bound to happen. I tried not to pay attention to their conversation, however, this conversation is heading to them prying over our family background and my ugly looks. I hissed, and she stopped while the guys said,

"Do you wanna join our conversation Xiaoxiao so you could add more to the details especially with yourself." I stared at them wide-eyed. Shan cuts in and said, "You know I have a cute pet back in the US." She saved me by bringing up a different topic so I could avoid losing myself here. Little did she know I have all the patience in the world. Hahaha referencing to BS story she read to me intentionally or not. I can't make them spread more rumors about me.

Suddenly I heard his voice, "Oy. You gonna leave those gossipy bastards?" Then he stood in front of my desk, "if I were you, and give them the roughest thing than they could ever manage."

I looked at him, then I stared at my desk, "It's not worth it."

I want to cry but I won't, I don't know why he would care, has he taken any interest in me? I don't know. For all I know, my heart is racing. Hopeless. Why do I have this idea that a black prince will save me? It's all nonsense. Yet I still wonder why.

The exams are great. I scored fair enough, or so I thought. Looking at the exam result with our announcement board, looking through the list, see if I am still on my rightful spot. I wasn't there, she's two levels above me. I am at the court spot.

"Well, that was quite unexpected. How are you? Xiaoru?" a deep voice behind me said, and I turned around.

It was him. "You're back, Sir"

"Yes, it's been months, isn't it?" He faced me with a grin on his face. Still beautiful as ever, charismatic, prominent jawline, thin pink lips, a nose that is high and pointed although I bit round, feline-almond brown eyes that are piercing. His dimples, a soft line. His features are perfect for his face shape. He can be androgynous.

Suddenly being moved back in reality when he said my name.

"Yes, sir. That's a fact."

He giggled, "I hope you're having fun while I was away."

I snorted.

"You didn't answer my question, how are you?"

"Pretty much the same, forever the same."

"Well, circ.u.mstances are ever-changing, so I doubt you're still the same."

"I think not, it's just the high & lows were inconsistent after a high expect every low, and vice versa. With that, I am still the same."

He looked at me with keen interest, then faced the announcement board. "But it seems that this event, was something of the unexpected," he looked at me "am I correct?"

"That was the low I expect since she came."

"Oh so we have a new student, care to introduce her —"

I wasn't bothered to listen to anymore chitchat of his. Rubbing salt on a wound is one thing, but telling me that I don't know my thoughts. That's for sure pissing me off. I'm still glad he came back.

While I was heading to our classroom and saw Shan talking to a guy, it seems like she's being confessed to. From the looks of it tho, it seems she is turning him down. She spotted me looking at her, I can see her awkwardness, so I called, "the next class is about to start. Let's head in" she obliged and looked at me with gratitude.