Alright, so thanks for all your support and all the wonderful reviews. I appreciate it. Well, here is chapter 4. Hope you like it.
My Mesmerizing Mirage
crystal-mist
Chapter 4
Alice grunted in disapproval as she stared at the university grounds. It was shaped like an oval, and it was big. The prospect of having to make seven rounds of the dusty terrain did not appeal to her at all. She had never been one of the sporty gals. Honestly! Universities never insisted on compulsory Physical training, did they?
In the distance she spotted Runo and Julie who had already started the run without her.
"What're you waiting for?" came a male voice.
Alice smiled softly at Joe. "I really don't like this."
"Like you're one to complain. Boys have to endure thirteen rounds. Not only is it strenuous but it's an unlucky number. So most guys end up being persuaded to take a fourteenth round by coach."
A soft string of giggles escaped her lips. "Seriously? And you do it too?"
Joe avoided her gaze embarrassedly. "Well…it depends on my mood. Sometimes I do, and at others I don't." he knotted his hand in front of his chest and raised his eyebrow as tapped his foot impatiently. "Go ahead; Laugh… I know you want to."
Seeing the expression on his face Alice let loose the laughter she had earnestly stifled.
Joe stared at her face. Sure, he was embarrassed. But then again, seeing her face flooded in happiness more than made up for it.
"Done?" he asked.
"I'.sorry…" she managed amidst her giggles.
"Alright, alright…" he said. "Enough already, it's time we started jogging. We're falling behind."
"Kay."
The day was hot and the sun was beating down on the track mercilessly. After they had completed; tired panting filled the air. Only a select few were still full of energy. Dan was burning off steam as if he could easily conquer another twenty rounds or so.
"So, might I ask how many rounds you ran today?" Alice asked Joe with a sly smile on her face.
"Thirteen!" he declared.
"Joe, thirteen is unlucky!" exclaimed Julie overdramatically. "It is the unluckiest number ever….Bad things happen. Really bad."
Joe raised an eyebrow at the drama queen. "I was born on thirteen of November."
"Even worse!" she squealed.
Julie's ran was so long and 'loud' that Joe admitted defeat to her in the end.
"Well, we'll see what my luck brings." He said, looking at Alice all the while.
Alice caught his gaze fixed on her and couldn't help but blush slightly as she turned away.
During lunch break, the conversation was not particularly interesting. That was when Julie gasped heavily, and then broke out into a cackle of laughter. When the group of friends turned in the direction of the supposed hilarious thing, they saw Joe. His clothes were drenched and covered with stains. His hair seemed almost as if plastered to his face. Strings of noodles clung to his hair and shoulders.
"What…happened?" asked Runo.
"Soup." He said grimly. "The cafeteria helper was carrying the soup and apparently she didn't see me coming. We bumped into one another and the entire pot of soup was emptied upon me." He explained in a single breath. It was clear to see his discontentment with the whole situation.
"I told you thirteen was an unlucky number." Julie cooed. "Told you so."
Joe's eyebrow twitched as the others continued to laugh. "You…" he muttered pointing to Alice. "You're the one who prompted me to take thirteen rounds."
"I did not prompt." Alice said pouting. "I just said it was silly that you believed the number 'thirteen' was so unlucky."
"Some difference…" he said.
"Told you so." jeered Julie.
"You." Joe said once again pointing to Alice. "You're going to help me change."
Instantly an echoing "WHAT!" emanated from everyone's lips.
Joe blinked in confusion a few times. It was only then that he perceived the counter meaning that could be observed from his words.
Instantaneously, all the blood rushed to his face giving rise to a deep scarlet blush. "NO!" he exclaimed. "I didn't mean it that way!" he cried, waving his hands wildly in denial. "I did NOT mean it like that…I swear."
"Pervert." coughed Baron.
"Sh…Shut up!" Joe was clearly too embarrassed for words.
After about five minutes of teasing, Runo finally spoke up. "Why don't we cut the poor guy some slack? He's covered in soupy condiments…it must be bad enough."
The others agreed- though reluctantly. Joe walked away, his back slumped. He wondered if Alice thought he was perverted as well.
He was slowly slipping into undeniable depression. "Thirteen is unlucky." He muttered to himself as he walked away.
Alice stood up from her seat. "I feel sorry for him…" she said. It was partially her fault- if you looked at it form a superstitious point of view.
She caught up to the soup-covered guy who was walking with heavy steps. "Hey Joe…I think you should go to the nurse's office. She'll have a spare set of clothes…"
Joe was startled. He managed a smile in the direction of the orange-haired girl. "Yeah, patients' clothes- dull and white. How nice." He said with light sarcasm.
"It's better than sticky meso soup."
"This is meso?"
"Not sure…It's just an assumption." She answered walking with her hands tied behind her back.
"Hey Alice, about what the guys laughed about earlier…" he paused as his cheeks acquired a pinkish tint. "You know I didn't mean it that way, don't you?" he enquired, half doubtfully.
"Of course I do, silly!" she said; the warm smile still on her face. "Don't worry…"
"Thanks…" he muttered to her.
That evening Alice was accompanied by Dan on the way home. He was talking about some of the ridiculous club activities that Julie was forcing Runo and the other members of the drama club to go through.
However Alice wasn't paying much attention as she stared at the gates in apprehension. Shun's words echoed repeatedly in her mind. 'You can expect me tomorrow as well.' Would he be there?
She wasn't particularly in the mood to play referee in another showdown between Shun and Dan-two hotheads who wouldn't say 'No' to a fight. She was positive that once they spotted one another it would be an all-out war.
She desperately hoped that Shun wouldn't be there. But contrary to her expectations there he was, standing in the same place he had been the previous day.
Alice's breath hitched in her throat. No one knew about the fact that she was engaged. And she knew that it would be a very hard thing to explain, especially when it comes to Dan's simple and childish mind.
Also, the first impression Shun had made on her friends wasn't exactly a 'kindly' one.
Alice gazed directly at Shun. Channeling all her thought power to her eyes and facial expression, she implored Shun not to approach.
He only stared back at her in the same nonchalantly stoic expression he always wore.
She could see from his face that he didn't like the fact that she was walking home with a 'male' classmate…He didn't like it at all.
Even so, Shun decided to heed the beseeching look in his fiancée's eyes and so, stayed away. She sighed with relief as she realized it.
Dan leant closer to her. "Hey Alice…don't look now." he muttered. "But the other guy is here…You know; that who picked a fight with us the other day."
Alice half-gasped. Why did Dan have to notice Shun? Normally he was so oblivious of his surroundings!
"He's looking this way." Informed Dan. "Wait, I think he's looking at you."
"Uh…well…really?" muttered Alice, trying to pretend that nothing was bothering her.
"Seriously…He's looking at you…staring….gawking." Dan always stated the obvious without thinking. If Alice were asked to describe Dan at that particular moment she would've said something like 'immature', 'asinine', 'unintelligent' or plainly 'stupid'.
"Stop exaggerating Dan." She huffed; her cheeks flushed pink.
"No…seriously…Why we ought to-"
"No." she said firmly taking hold of his arm and preventing him from approaching Shun. "You are not picking a fight with him again."
"Alice...But he might stalk you or something."
"I said 'No'." she said as she turned her face away from Dan. Dan had no idea of the predicament she was in.
"Fine, fine…You don't have to stop talking to me." said Dan pouting.
Alice stared at Dan's standard 'puppy-dog' face and giggled. "That really does not suit you…"
"Normalgirls go gaga over this face, you know."
"Yeah right." She said sticking out her tongue a little and winking.
"Cut it out Alice, we're not battling cute expressions here. Cause I admit you'd beat me any day."
Alice's chocolate eyes widened. "Really?" a scarlet blush crept across her face.
"Yeah, that's one of the reasons that poor guy's head-over-heels in love with you." he muttered without thinking.
Alice paused in her tracks. "Which guy?"
"Oops… I shouldn't have said that." said Dan ashamedly. "Pretend you didn't hear that." He said walking away.
"Wait." Alice quickened her steps in curiosity. "Who? Which guy?" she urged Dan.
"Can't tell you that." He said winking. "But I'll tell you this much. He has not experienced a single kiss so far in his life..."
Alice frowned at Dan. "Stop bringing my lack in kissing experience up…"
He grinned. "Yeah sorry about that…but one thing is for sure- he's trustworthy and will keep you happy."
Alice just stared at Dan for a second or two, her mind probing for possibilities.
They soon reached a junction. "Anyways Alice, don't think too much about it… Everything will be revealed in due time."
"Since when did you start uttering such profound sentences?" she asked raising an eyebrow.
Dan laughed sheepishly. "I got that one from a video game." He admitted before setting off towards the right. "See ya."
Alice sighed as she made her way down the opposite path. She had only advanced five to six strides when she heard footsteps behind her.
Those footsteps were sharp and precise as they plodded along the streets in a rhythm that was nothing less than perfect. In her sub-conscience she had a notion that the one following her was Shun.
Soon, the owner of the footsteps caught up with her and they were walking side by side.
It was Shun alright. She gazed at him through the corner of her eyes. He had his hands tucked neatly into his pockets as he walked beside her, his footsteps now in perfect synchronization with hers.
"Don't expect me to do that again." He muttered.
She tilted her head to one side slightly and gave him a questioning look. "Do what?"
He sighed. "Don't expect me to just stand by and watch you walk home with some guy, especially not that obnoxious brunette."
Her eyes widened. "Oh…" but then, a sort of dissatisfied look passed across her features. "He's not 'some' guy. Dan happens to be a very close friend of mine."
"Is that so, now?" he asked coolly.
"Yes." She declared indignantly.
Then all was quiet until Alice spoke up again. "Wait…You won't threaten him or anything like that, will you?" she asked.
Shun chuckled lightly at the strange tone in her voice. "What makes you ask me something like that?" he asked, half amused.
"Will you?" she pressed on, still skeptical.
"No…" he muttered. "Not for now at least." He said smirking at her.
Alice sighed heavily. "Why must you always be so…"
"So...what?"
"I can't even think of a proper word to describe it…" she said.
"Unique?" he suggested.
"No, that's not even close."
"Exceptional?"
She giggled. "You have high expectations of yourself."
"That I do…" he said and then gazed at her. "I have high expectations of you as well."
Her face was immediately tinted pink. "What…what do you mean?"
"I expect Alice Gehabich to have not changed over the years…" he said. "I expect you to be the same innocent little girl of ten years ago who hangs onto every word I utter, the very same girl who was only too exultantly delighted to marry me."
Alice immediately turned away, her face flushed and her heart beating nineteen to dozen. "Well Kazami-kun…Many things can change in ten years. You told me that yourself; did you not?"
"Yeah... But in your case…" he paused, his gaze affixed upon her face. "You don't seem to have changed at all."
"And I am not exultantly delighted to m…" she struggled to pry that word out of her throat. "marry…you."
"You are not?"
"And I do NOT hang upon every word you say."
"Really?" he shrugged. "Is that why you are blushing so profusely then?"
"I am not blushing…"
"My mistake then."
She knew from the tone in his voice that he was teasing her, and what's more, he seemed enjoy it as well. She pouted, why was it that his presence caused her so much confusion? Faintly she heard the rustle of some bushes but didn't pay much attention to it until she found herself face to face with a single rose. She blinked in confusion and soon turned her gaze to Shun, the person holding the rose out for her.
"Don't sulk." He said placidly.
Quite involuntarily a bright smile lit up her face and she ignored his 'sulking' comment. "Thank you." She said, gently taking the rose from Shun's grip. "But you really shouldn't go plucking roses from others' gardens."
He stared at her smiling face almost as if he were enthralled by it. "Whatever."
As Alice stared at the rose in her hand she could feel the weight of Shun's gaze upon her. She tried her best not to be flustered by it and tried to act natural- keyword 'tried'.
"You free this Saturday?" he asked out of the blue.
"Yes, why?" she replied without thinking.
"We'll go out then." he stated plainly. "We'll catch a movie. (Insert movie name here) is previewing then, isn't it?"
She blinked at him. "Wait, I haven't even agreed yet…and what if-"
He cut her short. "So, you want to decline the date?"
"Date?" she gulped, her face turning scarlet. He was asking her out on a date? The idea of going out on a date with her supposed fiancé made Alice's heart beat faster. "Well… I dunno."
"Will you come or not?"
Her chocolate eyes wandered settling first on one object then another, not wanting to meet Shun's gaze. "I…well… I guess."
"Hesitant, are we?"
Alice wanted so desperately to hide her embarrassment. "It's your fault for bringing things like that so suddenly." She said indignantly. "I mean, be a bit more gracious…It sounds like you're half-ordering to go out on a date with you and-" she stopped her sentence short, hearing Shun's chuckle. "What's so funny?"
He shook his head from side to side. "It's nothing…You're insanely cute when you're edgy, you know."
"Sure, you probably say that to every girl you run into." She said quickening her steps, her face still blush-ridden. However, there was this tiny part of her mind that hoped that Shun did not say that to all the women he met; a part of her mind that hoped that Shun indeed found her alluring.
That's that then.
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