Naively Clueless

crystal-mist

Chapter 8

Runo's POV

Myleen is, was and always will be a really annoying person. She always gets under my skin and makes me fume up, but not the way Dan does. Because, with Dan I know it's nothing serious. We'd bicker, and like a routine we'd be laughing together in no time. And when I needed him, he'd always be there… He reassures me when I am down, but no matter how much I want to I cannot seem to be able to do the same for him… It makes me a bit sad at times.

Why am I so naïve? So clueless?

Lately I've been noticing that these thoughts have been occupying my mind more often.

Perhaps I feel threatened by Myleen… She's all puppy doggish and follows Dan's every word eagerly. And the way she utters "Daniel-sama!" in her sugary little voice, that just makes my blood boil.

I can do nothing but groan mentally. I feel like telling her to get a life.

And now that she walks to school and back home with us I find myself being quieter and quieter. Now, I rarely utter a word. I wonder why I even join Dan and Myleen, I may as well be non-existent!

Yeah and what's more, Dan's graduating this year and that means he is changing schools. I wonder if Myleen will follow him. What…what do I care anyway?

One day, oh holy day! Myleen decided to visit her aunt in the country and she took the day off from school.

However, when Dan and I were walking to school I noticed this kind of dreary silence. Now what was up with that? We couldn't seem to find anything to talk about. And then for some strange reason I felt so frustrated. Why as it that Dan could talk to Myleen and not me?

And then he spoke up. "I feel so lazy today." He yawned.

I couldn't help but give a little giggle. The frustration I felt seemed to have evaporated away in a matter of seconds.

He looked at me through his surprised brown eyes. "What're you laughing for?"

I shook my head from side to side. "Nothing, nothing."

"You're so secretive." He complained.

"So? I can have as many secrets as I can." I retorted as I narrowed my eyes.

"And I guess the aggressiveness comes from being a tom-boy."

I pouted almost immediately. "I am not a tom-boy."

"Of course you are."

"Well believe it or not... Guys find that attractive these days…" I snapped.

"I know…" he muttered as he looked at me with a soft smile.

My heart almost stopped as I heard those words… I instantly remembered his confession, I gulped. No matter how much I tried I couldn't hide the surprise that came from what he said.

He seemed to have realized my line of thought. "Now, just forget about all of that." He said in a dull voice.

I knew instantaneously that this was the end of our conversation, at least for a little while.

And I suddenly felt this guilt overtake me. "I'm sorry." I muttered.

He said nothing. I wondered if he didn't hear what I said. No, he was probably ignoring it.

I tightened my grip on my school bag as we continued on our way.

The walk back was a bit less awkward. We had both apparently chosen to act like it never happened. That was it every time… If something strange happened, we would just ignore it rather than face it. I guess Dan and I are similar in that aspect. And little did I know that this ignorance would soon lead to trouble.

A year passed by considerably fast. Dan graduated and was presented with award of some sort from our school. He was all smiles and he got into the higher secondary school he wished to attend.

And then Dan transferred schools…I was also forced to walk to and from home alone… Well now that I think about it, 'alone' is better that 'with Myleen'.

It became lonely, and soon most of the kids from the apartment stopped coming down for our usual array of games.

We gathered rarely and even when we gathered only Julie, Dan, Marucho and I met regularly, all the others were 'busy'.

Who was it that said absence makes the heart grow fonder? I don't know who said that but now; little by little I guess its coming true in my case.

I really shouldn't be admitting things like this…I really shouldn't. But then, it's becoming harder to deny it now… And did I mention that Myleen moved away? Anyway, back to topic.

I am fifteen now…. Fine! I turn fifteen next winter. And so, that was when realization dawned upon me. Oh dear God! I was falling for Dan.

Slowly but surely, holding conversations became harder than before. I found it harder to maintain eye-contact with him. I would always shift my gaze to one of the sides. And then, I always became totally self-conscious every time I noticed Dan's gaze on me. From what I know, he had got over me. And from what I hear he was interested in Myleen.

Myleen, after graduation had moved to the same school as Dan. According to rumors, she has mellowed down a bit. She's a regular heart-throb. Well, I admit. She is cute. And why wouldn't Dan fall for someone who is constantly fussing over him. Why would he settle for someone as disconcerting as me, someone who always has a frown on her face?

And then I reached my final conclusion. I would forget about this speculation of mine. Yes, I would forget that I was falling for Dan… Why is it that I have such bad timing?

And after a month I realized that I could forget Math formulae easier than I could my apparent 'feelings' for him. And considering the fact that I am exceptional at Math; that thought was disturbing.

And granted, I am a coward in this respect. There was no way I would confess to him…Not now… I hate to admit it, but I do not have the guts to do so.

One day, I had just returned home from school when the doorbell rang.

I turned the television off and ran towards the front door. I opened it only to find an unwelcoming sight. There standing on MY doorstep was Myleen. Well, the nerve!

And then began the acting. She looked at me. "Runo!" she exclaimed.

You did not have to be Sherlock Holmes to know the fake and pasty façade she put on.

"Oh my bad." She said. "I am sorry….I meant to go to Daniel-sama's house." She said innocently. "I'm sorry for disturbing you…I should really check how many flights of steps I climb…" she sneered/smirked. "I'm off to see my Daniel-sama." She spoke before leaving.

I stood in my doorway; I could feel my clenched jaw. I stood there and closed my eyes. My ears could pick out that faint click as the door right downstairs from mine drew open.

I knew that eavesdropping was not particularly polite. Regardless, I concentrated trying to pick out any bit of the conversation. But I heard nothing but a faint bump as the door closed… And then; nothing but silence.

I went back inside and plopped upon my couch. I walked to my computer and listened to a few songs… As my eyes fell on the clock I felt this sort of frenzy. I pulled the earphones away from my ears and ran back to the television and turned it back on. I was met by this message that displayed something like "This is the final episode for the current season of this programmer thank you for tuning in." I sighed in sheer frustration as I realized that I had just missed the final episode of the anime "Princess Tutu." And it was all Myleen's fault.

I knew for a fact that Myleen had 'accidentally' knocked on the door of my apartment 'on purpose'.

And I really wanted to see the final episode as well… I was so enraged. What was Myleen's problem?

And then, right at that moment I felt this urge, I felt this need to know…Was Dan and Myleen together or what?

Alright…So, we are almost at the climax of this particular story… Yeah well, took me long enough, Hey?

Huhu… And

Please do review… Tell me what you think alright?

Arisu signing out.