Disclaimer: Grand Chase and the characters mentioned in this story do not belong to me, obviously. They all belong to KOG Studios.
A Dance with You
It was a quarter to six, and most of the students were already making their way home. The members of the Gardening Club were still inside their clubroom, discussing the tree-planting activity they wish to do before the school year ends. This was an old school tradition, and the vice-president of the club, Ryan Woodguard, was determined to make this year's activity a memorable one. He was really dedicated to the planning and organizing of the said activity, almost spending his entire day just thinking about it. This was important to him, considering the fact that this will be his last time planting trees with his clubmates. That's right; Ryan was a senior this year, and in a few months he'll be leaving his Alma Mater.
His clubmates often told him that they could still plant trees together even after he leaves for university, yet Ryan would just smile at them, telling them it won't be the same. No one could really understand how Ryan's mind works, yet they didn't let it bother them. In fact, they were just happy to have met such a passionate person. His love for nature, and how he dedicated his entire waking day in taking care of the environment was just admirable, enough to earn the respect of his peers.
The clock struck six and the club president finally adjourned the meeting. Everyone started fixing their things and left the clubroom one by one, leaving the club president, the secretary, and Ryan alone. The three decided to stay a bit longer. They wanted to discuss the draft of their proposal and other important things for the activity. Twenty minutes later, the three finally decided it was time to go home.
Before exiting the school garden, where the Gardening Club's clubroom was located, Ryan received a text message from Ronan, one of his close friends.
Ronan: Yo! Still having your meeting?
Ryan: Nope. We just finished.
Ronan: About time! Lass and I have been waiting forever. You better treat us or we'll murder you.
Ryan: I dun recall askin you two to wait for me
Ronan: Yeah, yeah, we're here at the gym.
Ryan heaved a deep sigh, drawing the attention of his two clubmates. His club president nudged him and asked, "Is there something wrong?"
He shook his head in response. "Nothin', just my two idiotic friends tellin' me to go meet them at the gym."
"They're still here?"
"Yeah, well, that's the basketball team for ya," replied Ryan as he ran towards the gym while waving at his clubmates goodbye.
It was already half past six, yet the lights of the gymnasium were still lit. Yes, his two friends were definitely inside, playing basketball while waiting for him. Not that he asked them to.
As he entered the gym, his friends greeted him with a quick ball pass. Despite the lack of practice, Ryan was still able to catch the ball that was somehow aimed at his face.
"See? I told you he'll be able to catch it," said the silver-haired boy. "I won, Ronan."
"Whatever, dude," dismissed Ronan as he stretched his arm.
"Wait. Dun tell me ya made me come here for some silly bet of yours?" said Ryan. "Not cool, bro."
Ronan laughed, "No, of course not!"
"Yo, Ryan. Pass me the ball," said the silver-haired boy.
Ryan did what he was told and passed the ball. The silver-haired boy caught the ball like a pro and performed a three-point shot. The ball flew in the air and smoothly went through the ring. As expected of the basketball team's MVP, that was one hell of a shot.
Suddenly, a clapping sound was heard and the three boys turned towards the direction where it was coming from. They saw the school janitor sitting at the bench, apparently watching them. He then stood up and said, "Well, I suppose you guys don't mind me cleaning up this place before it gets super late, yes?"
Realizing it was already quarter to seven, the three apologized and hurriedly left the gym. The school janitor laughed and told them to go home safely.
While walking home, the silver-haired boy insisted getting his reward for winning over their small bet. He emerged victorious as the trio briefly stopped by a convenient store. With a triumphant smile, he ordered for an extra-large smoothie and a footlong.
"Geez, Lass," Ronan began, "you're such a glutton. Can't you wait til you get to your house?"
"A bet is a bet, Ronan," replied Lass while enjoying his snack.
Ryan just sighed. Some things just never change.
While walking, Ryan and Lass noticed that Ronan was casually checking his phone. Minutes later, a small curve crept in his face, provoking the two to tease him.
Lass chuckled as he placed his arm around Ronan's shoulder. He casually pried into his friend's phone and said, "What's this? Elesis is checking up on you?"
"Go away!" exclaimed Ronan as he shoved Lass away. It was funny how the blue-haired boy flustered so easily. The mere mention of the girl in question was enough to make him weak at the knees.
"Say, ya managed to ask her out this time, yeah?" asked Ryan.
"Yeah, I did. Thankfully, Sir Sieghart didn't object this time. It was so hard making him say yes."
"Dude, that sounded as if it's him you asked out instead," laughed Lass. "Imagine Ronan entering the venue while escorting Sir Sieghart."
"Dude, let's not," Ryan laughed.
As if irritated, Ronan cleared his throat. "Enough about me. How about you, Ryan? Did you ask Lire out?"
Ryan was taken aback. Him? Asking Lire out? His childhood friend? But wait, what are they talking about? If he recalled correctly, Lire expressed no interest in such events. And if his memory serves him right, she said she wasn't going to attend this year; even if it's their last prom in high school.
"Ermm... I ain't gonna attend the prom," replied Ryan. "And even if I did, she wouldn't attend it."
"What do you mean she won't? I just heard from Elesis that she's going to attend. I think she was going to be one of the emcees," said Ronan.
Ryan was speechless. He wasn't sure if he had heard Ronan correctly. Did he just say Lire's attending the prom? How come she had never told him? Ryan felt his chest tightening. He tried to open his mouth and asked, "When? When did she confirm attendance?"
Ronan looked at him, puzzled. "I think she confirmed two days ago? I'm surprised you didn't know about this."
"Same," replied Ryan. It was apparent that his mood has dropped. His eyes wandered off in the distance, possibly trying to understand what he has just learned.
'She confirmed two days ago? She never told me about this,' he thought. 'Actually, she didn't really have to, now that I think about it. Just because we're childhood friends, doesn't mean she has to tell me everythin' about her life.'
Ryan paused. Childhood friends. Oh, how bittersweet those two words were to him. Yes, they were just childhood friends. Nothing more, nothing less. In the eyes of Lire, he was just a friend whom she had since childhood. A boy she grew up with, and slowly considered as a family as time passed by. He was just someone whom she could always ask for a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on. That's right-that was the reality of their relationship.
However, despite being aware of that, Ryan couldn't help himself but have feelings for her. He tried to suppress it; he really did. He never expressed it for fear of losing her. Yes, he'd prefer keeping her as a friend than losing her forever. It was a painful truth.
Ryan heaved a sigh. He couldn't deny that he was still hurt. "Well, that's news to me," he said jokingly.
Try as he might, he couldn't fool his friends. They've known him since elementary, as well as his apparent crush on his childhood friend.
"Don't let it get to you, bro," said Ronan. "I'm sure she just forgot to mention it. If I recall correctly, everything happened in a blink of an eye. Plus, the student council is pretty busy with the prom lately."
"Still, I find it odd she didn't tell you. I mean, you two are super close, right?" said Lass, "So close everyone mistakes you two as a couple."
Ronan was surprised by what Lass has just said. Seriously, sometimes this person just doesn't know how to read the situation. Before he could tell Lass to shut up, Lass spoke again, "Anyway, since Lire's attending, you'll be attending as well, right?"
Ryan looked at Lass, his expression was indiscernible.
"Oh yeah! You should totally attend, bro!" said Ronan with a grin painted on his face. "You wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to be her prom date, would you?"
Lire. Prom date. That's right! If she's attending the prom, she'd need a date. Maybe he could ask her to be his date. It's a win-win situation!
"That is if she still doesn't have one," said Lass, interrupting Ryan in his thought. He said it so bluntly that Ronan wanted to beat him to death.
What Lass just said hit Ryan hard. So hard, it was as if someone had punched him right in his face. Ryan stood in the middle of the sidewalk, eyes fixed on the ground. He didn't say anything, nor did he move. He just stood there, probably for five whole minutes.
Worried, Ronan tried to comfort him by patting his shoulder and said, "Well, we don't really know about that for sure. Maybe you could go ask her about it tomorrow?"
Ryan didn't respond. The three of them continued walking until they've reached his house. Ronan gave him another pat on the shoulder and told him to cheer up. He looked at him and simply nodded.
"See ya tomorrow, bro." His friends said as they made their way to their respective homes.
Ryan took a deep breath before entering the house. He was greeted by his older sister, Lian, who was waiting for him at the dining room. After eating dinner, Ryan headed to his room. He lay down on his bed and gently closed his eyes. Seconds later, he opened them again and sighed. This was bad. All he could think about was Lire, the prom, and her possible date, who could be anyone. Maybe her date is actually non-existent as of now. Maybe...
He sighed again. 'This will be a long night,' he thought.
A/N: Yay! You just finished reading chapter 1! The chapter 1 that I started editing on 4/25/17 and finished two days later. Yes, I know this chapter is short and I write slowly. I'm no pro, okay? *cries* Still, I hope you enjoyed reading the first chapter of this fanfic! Please review! I'd love to hear what you thought about this~ Okay? Yeah! On to the next chapter!
