Hey everyone. Here's the twelfth chapter. Hope you like it.

Chapter Twelve

Once he exited the doors of the cafeteria, Orrick planned on returning to his room when a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Orrick? Where are you going in such a hurry?" Said brunette slowly turned around, and when he saw who it was, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Oh, it's just you, Od," he said. Od grinned from his position on the ground, thought he eyed the distance between them. Once satisfied, he looked back up at his friend.

"The one and only," he said. He tilted his head slightly as he noticed his friend's rapid breathing, but when he opened his mouth to question it, Orrick sent him a look that said 'don't ask'. So instead, he settled for this: "When are you guys going to tell me about...what was that word again?"

"Love."

"Oh, that's right," said Od. "Love." Orrick uneasily looked around, trying to avoid eye contact with the blonde on the ground. When he noticed they were alone in the hall, a small blush immediately settled on his cheeks. What's wrong with me? Why am I blushing?! It's just Od! he thought, and the pink slowly started to turn a light red.

"Um...w-we'll tell you b-before the dance," Orrick answered, keeping his gaze firmly on the ground. "H-how ab-bout an hour f-from now?"

"Sure," Od said, grinning. "Now, you might want to do something about that stuttering. Oh, and that blush too!" Od chuckled, and stood up. "See you later, unless you're headed for our room?" Orrick shook his head. "Ok then." And the blonde left. Once Od rounded the corner, Orrick sighed, leaned back against the wall, and slid down. He closed his eyes, and his blush slowly faded from his face. What is going on with me? he thought as he pulled his left leg up, wrapped his hands around it, and laid his chin on his knee. Why can't I talk to him anymore? At least without stuttering or blushing! He's my best friend; I should at least be at ease around him.

Are you sure he's just a friend? Orrick blinked, and looked around.

"Who said that?" he asked nobody in particular. He heard amused laughter, but he saw no one in the hall.

Well? Answer my question, why don't you?

Of course he's just a friend, Orrick retorted, starting to think he was losing his mind.

You're not losing your mind. No, far from that. But you are losing something. Orrick's eyes narrowed as he stared at the ground, more of frustration than confusion.

And what would that be? Another fit of laughter from the person who was talking to him, and he could faintly tell it was a girl.

...Your heart... Orrick's eyes widened considerably at her answer, and he knew she had already 'left', leaving him there by himself once again.

Well, that's that. I think this once is shorter than the rest...oh well. Later.