Chapter 54: I Want Him (2)
The hallway was crowded. Students shuffled past, laughing, shouting, trading snacks. The morning light streamed through the windows, casting long shadows across the tiled floor.
Kaye walked slowly. Her eyes were half-lidded. Her lips were curved into a small, dreamy smile.
She wasn't seeing the hallway.
She was seeing El.
Next week is Valentine's Day.
What gift should I prepare for him?
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Oh, maybe I should give him chocolate.
Yes. Chocolate. He loves chocolate.
I'll make it myself. Personal. Special.
He'll know it's from me.
He'll know I made it just for him.
He'll—
He'll finally see me.
Her cheeks flushed. Her heart fluttered.
I'll make him mine.
I just have to give him the chocolate.
The chocolate I made with my own hands.
He'll taste it and think of me.
He'll—
"Hi, Kaye! May I walk with you?"
He'll smile.
I wonder what expression he'll make?
Maybe he'll smile.
Just thinking about his smile—
My heart melts.
Ahhhhhh—
I can't think straight.
I can't—
"Thank you, Kaye. It's true that you're kind to everyone. And you're beautiful too."
His smile...
I want to see it.
I want to see it every day.
I want—
"My morning has been blessed to think that I walked together with Kaye. My crush."
She smells beautiful too.
Her hair is so beautiful that I want to touch it.
Kaye didn't hear any of it.
She was still walking. Still dreaming. Still imagining El's smile.
She didn't notice the boy beside her. Didn't notice his shy glances. Didn't notice his trembling hands.
She didn't want anyone to walk with her.
Except El.
Only El.
What if he smiles?
What if he blushes?
What if he—
What if he finally notices me?
Her cheeks turned red. Her heart pounded.
I can't think straight.
I can't—
I can't—
"Will you go next week to the Valentine's Party?"
The words cut through her imagination like a knife.
Valentine's Party.
Valentine's—
Kaye stopped walking.
Her eyes snapped open.
She looked around. The hallway. The students. The morning light.
And the boy beside her.
Who—
Who is—
Why is he—
When did he—
Her heart dropped. Her cheeks burned—not from embarrassment, but from panic.
What if El saw us?
What if he thinks we're together?
What if he—
I don't want him to be jealous.
I don't want him to think—
I don't—
She stopped walking. Turned to face the boy.
She looked at him. From head to toe. Silently. Quickly. Judging.
Who is this?
Why is he walking with me?
Why is he—
She kept her face neutral. She didn't want to tarnish her reputation. She didn't want to be rude. Not in front of everyone.
"Oh." Her voice was calm. Controlled. "It's you, Galario."
She paused. Let the silence stretch.
"Pardon. What did you say again?"
Galario's face went red.
His heart pounded. His hands trembled. His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.
She knows my name.
She knows my name.
She—
She knows my name.
His heart raced faster than F1 cars. Faster than anything he'd ever felt.
But he needed to respond.
He needed to—
"I—" He swallowed. "I asked if you're going to the Valentine's Party. Next week."
Kaye blinked.
Valentine's Party.
El will be there.
Syka will be there.
Everyone will be there.
I'll be there.
I'll give him the chocolate.
I'll make him mine.
She smiled. Not warm. Not cold. Just... present.
"Of course," she said. "I wouldn't miss it."
Galario's heart soared.
She said yes.
She said yes.
She—
"Thank you, Kaye. I—I'll see you there."
He turned and ran.
Not walked. Ran. His feet pounded against the tile. His arms pumped at his sides. His face was still red. His heart was still racing.
Kaye opened her mouth. "Wait—I already have a—"
But he was gone.
She stood there. Hand still raised. Mouth still open.
She scratched her head.
Did he just... run away?
I was going to tell him I already have someone to give chocolate to.
I was going to say—
She sighed. Shook her head.
Oh well.
It's probably nothing.
He'll figure it out eventually.
She brushed it off. Adjusted her bag. Continued walking toward the classroom.
---
Kaye was about to step inside when she heard her name.
"Kaye! Kaye!"
She turned.
Two girls stood a few feet away. Smiling. Waving.
Aletheia and Vesper.
They walked toward her. Their steps were light. Their smiles were warm.
"Good morning," Aletheia said. "You look beautiful today."
Kaye smiled. "So do you."
Vesper tilted her head. "That dress is gorgeous. Where did you get it?"
"This old thing?" Kaye laughed. "I've had it for ages."
"It looks new on you."
"You're too kind."
Aletheia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Your skin is glowing. What's your secret?"
Kaye shrugged. "I don't do anything special."
"That's what everyone says." Vesper rolled her eyes playfully. "And then they reveal their ten-step skincare routine."
"I really don't have one."
"Liar."
"Maybe I'm just blessed."
Aletheia laughed. "Or maybe you're just naturally beautiful."
The three of them walked into the classroom.
---
The room was already filling up. Students at their desks. Books open. Pencils out.
El and Demi were already there. Demi was talking. El was listening. His brown hair was slightly messy. His brown eyes were calm.
Kaye's heart fluttered.
He's already here.
He's already—
"Good morning, Kaye!"
A voice cut through her thoughts. A classmate. Smiling. Waving.
Kaye smiled back. "Good morning."
Then another. "Kaye! Good morning!"
"Good morning."
And another. "Kaye! Did you finish the homework?"
"Yes, I did."
"Can I borrow it?"
"Later."
The girls circled her. Complimenting her hair. Asking about her skincare. Wondering what soap she used. What shampoo. What conditioner. How she got her skin so smooth.
Kaye answered automatically. Her voice was calm. Pleasant. Polite.
But her eyes were on El.
He's just sitting there.
He's not even looking at me.
Why isn't he looking at me?
Doesn't he see me?
Doesn't he—
El looked up.
Their eyes met.
He raised his hand. Just a little. Just a small wave.
Like he was saying good morning.
Like it was nothing.
Like it didn't mean anything.
Kaye's heart stopped.
Then it melted.
He waved at me.
He waved at me.
He—
"A partner?"
Aletheia's voice cut through her thoughts.
Kaye blinked. "What?"
"I asked if you have a partner for Valentine's Day."
The question landed like a bomb.
Kaye's cheeks burned. Her heart raced. She opened her mouth. Nothing came out.
Vesper gasped. "You do!"
"I don't—"
"You totally do!"
"It's not—"
"Who is it?"
"Is it someone we know?"
"Is it—"
Kaye didn't hear the rest.
She was still looking at El.
He had turned back to Demi. Not looking at her anymore.
He doesn't even know.
He doesn't even know what he does to me.
He doesn't—
"A partner?" Kaye finally said. Her voice was calm. Controlled. "I don't have one."
But her face was still red.
The girls laughed.
"Sure," Aletheia said.
"Whatever you say," Vesper added.
They didn't believe her.
Kaye didn't care.
She was still looking at El.
You don't even know.
You don't even know what you do to me.
But you will.
One day.
You will.