(Lovely's POV)
I check my phone, wanting to know what time it is. The phone's light contrasts the orange sky as the sun goes down.
It's already 4:30pm.
The wind enters the open window, curtains flow from the sudden breeze, the leaves from the tree that's right beside the building enters the classroom.
"Not again Lovely..." I said to myself, feeling frustrated as I look at the love letter I've written months ago before putting it back again on my bag.
Feeling dejected, I left the already empty classroom and walked down the staircase as I reach the second floor.
"Vely!" A familiar, kind, heartwarming voice called out to me. I turn around and saw Sonaia, my bestfriend, as she gently run towards me.
As she gets closer to me, her expression went from cheerful to a worried one.
"....What's with the frown?" Sonaia asked.
"Hmm? A-ah! It's nothing!" I replied while trying to hide my frustration towards myself.
She leaned in, getting close to my face as she looked at me suspiciously, "Hmmmm really?" She asked while squinting her eyes and pouting her lips.
Her expression broke me, I can't help but giggle at face. She backed off, letting out a sigh and a smile.
"Still not able to confess huh?" Urk--! Is it that obvious?
I stayed silent, just awkwardly nodding as I try to hide my face. I feel so dumb for not even being able to give my love letter.
Sonaia looked at me as we walk down the staircase. Is there something wrong with my face? Why is she--
"Don't overthink it. I'm sure he'll give you a proper response." Sonaia suddenly said, cutting my train of thought.
".... I don't know. I'm just.... scared, I guess." I scratch my cheek, I can feel my own hands slightly tremble even with just opening up.
"Scared? Of what?" She asked, her head tilting slightly.
"You know...! Rejection and stuffs.."
She stayed silent, we continued walking but now her focus isn't completely on me.
"It's always a gamble, confessing I mean--!" She said as she moves her frantically trying to make it clear even if she didn't have to.
"If you're confession got accepted then congrats, you're going out. If not then too bad. Still, atleast you tried right?" She continued.
"But... but what if he feels awkward or get annoyed by me? What if he laughs at me?!" I asked, my heart beating loudly from just the thought.
"You really think Cedric will do that?" She asked me, making my overthinking stop.
Ofcourse he won't do that, that's why I started liking him after all.
"...Just do it." Sonaia said.
"Eh?"
"Just do it, confess tomorrow!" She said as she walks a bit faster, facing me as we walk.
"Th-That's too sudden!" I said while shaking my head and hands frantically! Her suggestion is too sudden for me to do!
"Look if you do it, whatever the outcome is, I'll treat you some milktea." She said as we stop at the crossing.
I stayed silent for a moment, my heart pounding so fast out of nervousness.
"....Tiramisu with creampuff milktea." I told her as she had this smirk on her face. I can't believe that I'm agreeing with her.
But Sonaia's right... I should confess properly to get a proper answer! I caught myself having a weird smile, feeling slightly confident about myself.
Whatever happens tomorrow, I'll be ready.
.
.
The next day comes. I went to school as early as possible, switching my indoor shoes as fast as I can and speed walking to my classroom.
I immediately put the love letter I wrote inside Cedric's desk. I sat down on my seat and nervously waited for people to come in.
As time passes, more and more people comes inside the room. Suddenly, my vision focused on one person.
"Morning!" A mellow, friendly, and soothing voice called out to his friends.
His black hair is messy like usual, wearing his usual jacket, and his friendly eyes looking at everyone including me.
"Heya Vely!" Cedric greeted me as I froze.
"I-- Uhmm! Ah-- eh--! Good morning!!!" I stammered on my own words, I feel so stupid! I can't even say good morning properly!
I looked at him, my face burning up from just thinking of the words I want to say. Despite my failed attempt of conversing, he just smiled at me and sat in front of me.
"Sorry if I'm being nosey but... that pin, it's from dan**dan right?" He asked as my ears perked up.
"U-um! Yes! It's from the part when they fight some aliens and umm! It's--!" Suddenly I caught myself oversharing and gushing out.
I covered my mouth. Lovely why are you like this! He must think I'm a weirdo now.
"U--umm I'm sorry--"
"Why did you stop?" Cedric suddenly asked, his face mixed with concern, curiosity, and that friendly smile.
"W-well, I don't umm-- it's just... I feel like I'm being annoying or-- something..." I said while fidgeting my hands underneath my desk, Gosh Lovely-- get yourself together!
"You're not though?"
Eh?
"What do you mean--?"
"You're not being annoying! In fact, it's fun listening to you." Cedric said while still sitting backwards on his chair just to face me. My heart's about to burst, I feel my face burning up.
What does he mean by that? What does he mean by that?! I'm not annoying to him? He's having fun listening to me? Does he have feelings for me like I do for him? Does he like me more? Does that mean I have a chance? An actual chance?! OmygoshOmygo--
My brain starts overloading with all my delusions, but hehe I can't help it...!
"Yo Cedric!" One of his friends called out to him, snapping me back out of my delusions.
"Dude you're almost late again." Cedric replied to his friend. His friend sat down beside him.
"Well, it's what happens when a bunch of girls block your way." His friend said as he sighs loudly.
"You're popular now? Damn, atleast treat me or something." Cedric jokes around with his friend.
I can't help but just watch, not able to join in their conversation. I wish I can chat with Cedric like how his friend does.... but I know that I can't.
"No dumbass, I got to school just a moment later than Xavier." His friend said.
"Ah... Xavier, no wonder." Cedric said as he looks outside the classroom where Xavier is.
Apparently, Xavier is someone who's popular with girls, I don't get why though... oh well. I took a glance outside as well.
Xavier was standing there, annoyed at the attention he's getting, suddenly for Xavier's eyes to meet mine. His gaze stayed a second too long before looking away.
"How about you Lovely? Is he also your type?" Cedric's friend suddenly asked me, I was so out of it that I didn't hear their earlier conversation.
"A-ah! Umm no!" I said shaking my head and hands in denial.
"And umm... I have someone I like so I don't get why they like Xavier." I said comfortably, maybe its because I'm not talking to Cedric directly and only to his friend... even though Cedric is just right in front of me.
"Is that so, the person you like is so lucky." Cedric casually said but his smile is gone and his tone a bit pouty, my delusional side telling me-- shouting at me that maybe I really have a chance
But before I can even dwell on my delusions, the bell rang. Cedric and his friend left the seats to go back to their original seat.
"Talk to you later Vely!" Cedric said as he went to the front row, where his and his friend's seats are.
.
.
Time passed by without me noticing as my mind was occupied with what ifs. What if my love letter looks ugly? what if I fail badly at confessing? what if he doesn't notice the letter in the first place? My anxiety's killing me.
The sun is starting to set, time feels like it's slowing down yet my heart is beating so fast. What have I done? What did I get myself into? No, I shouldn't think about it, remember what Sonaia said, just do it.
As soon as the bell rang, I immediately went to the rooftop to wait for him. I kept fixing my hair and uniform as I keep taking deep breaths to lessen the nervousness that I feel.
And so, I stood there waiting.
.
I stood there waiting.
.
.
I stood there waiting.
.
.
.
I stood there.... waiting....
.
.
But he didn't come.
Maybe he's busy with his club? Maybe he didn't notice my note? Maybe he had to go home early?
My brain tried to think of reasons why he didn't come but my heart was about to burst, tears forming on my eyes but I wipe it off.
I slowly walked towards the door of the rooftop, going down every steps as my tears drop uncontrollably. I rub my eyes again and again, trying to stop my tears and sobs as I go down the stairs slowly.
As I reach the ground floor, I noticed a figure on the hallway. I can't let them see me crying, I awkwardly walk passed them with an awkward smile.
"Hello--"
"WATCH OUT!" I hear from behind me as I turn around, only to be pushed, cutting my greetings off. I looked back to see who pushed me, only to see the floor cracked as the figure I just greeted had a big blade for arms.
With a closer look, the person that I saw wasn't a person at all. It was more of a shadowy figure with only a mouth as it lets out a menacing growl.
"Please run!" I hear the same voice that pushed me, I looked around and saw this catlike creature as they block another attack from the shadowy figure as it starts to move more animalistic in a creepy way.
I followed catlike creature's warning, I ran as fast as I can to reach the first floor and exit the school, only to find more shadowy creature outside.
They stood like statues, but the moment they saw me, they started moving. Some started running, some started crawling, and the other creatures ran as if they're predators chasing their prey.
What's happening?
Is this real?
This must be a dream... right?
I ask myself as I run for my life, finding a place where I could be safe. But I'm starting to run out of breath. I'm starting to regret not exercising more--
I start to slow down as my body begs for air. I look behind me to see if the creatures are still chasing me. My eyes widen as fear takes over my body.
All of the shadowy creatures chasing me has started to look like a giant wave, rushing like a flood towards me as I try my best to stand up.
Suddenly, the catlike creature from before flew out of the window as it lands on the ground, bouncing towards me, heavily wounded.
Without thinking, I grabbed it as I kept running. My body was still shaken in fear but I forced myself to run as the wave of creatures behind me slowly catches up.
"W-why..?" The catlike creature speaked but I didn't notice them talking, I was too focused on running away while completely scared.
The catlike creature looks shocked as it looks at my face before smiling as it starts to glow brightly. The light pink glow was enough to light up the whole school garden.
"Please keep running... atleast for 3 minutes." The catlike creature asked me. It's my plan to not die I'll do their request eitherway. I keep running aimlessly just to avoid the creatures behind me.
But a minutes already feels like an eternity. I've already ran out of breath earlier, I'm just pushing myself to my limits. I'm sweating, crying, gasping for air, seriously what is happening?
Only 2 minutes have passed as my body falls to the ground. I try to stand up but my legs already gave up on me.
Right in front of me was a wave of shadowy creatures coming at me as if a flood raging towards me and the catlike creature.
I hugged the catlike creature to atleast protect it as I close my eyes. I tried to to accept my fate but my mind won't let me.
I'm... scared.
I don't want to die.
I don't want to die! I don't want to die! I don't want to die! I don't want to die! I don't want to die! I don't want to--
"Move! You dumbass!"
Suddenly I hear a familiar voice as someone violently pulled me out of the wave of creature's way with all their strength.
"It's done!" The catlike creature said as a card appeared right infront of me.
Without hesitation, I grabbed it and instinctively used it. The card vanished into shards of white light as it covers my body, suddenly I was wearing a pink and white dress as a stick with a heart infront of it appeared in thin air.
I feel like my whole body immediately recovered. I look at the wave of creatures in front of me as sudden burst of information floods my mind, giving me an incredible headache.
"Love... Missiles.? Lovestruck... Grenade..? Heart-shaped box-- What are all of these??" I ask myself as the headache slowly goes away after the information stops flowing from my head.
I'm still confused on what's happening but when I look at the flood of creatures in front of me, it's clear in my mind on what I should do.
I grasped the stick in front of me tightly as I take a deep breath, aiming the wand downwards to the creatures rushing towards me.
As I chant the very first skill that flooded my mind...
"[Love Missiles]!"