Alech looked up at the grinning Luna as Alech started to tear up. Luna slowly faded into the crowd as the air tightened. Numerous whispers were heard through the crowds as they all stared at Alech in disgust except one. Leo sprinted through the crowd looking desperately for Alech. "Ugh… is that her…?" one person murmured. "Such a jerk," another said. All the harsh words made Alech curled up into a ball while covering her ears, trying to ignore every hurtful comment. She looked up to see Leo, who, unlike the rest, had no X mark over his head. "Come on, let's go!" he said before dragging Alech through the crowd. After a chaotic chase, they reached a classroom where no one usually comes in. "Okay… we're safe.." he gasped through ragged breaths as he looked at Alech. "Thank you…" she said softly, catching her breath as her hands shook slightly. Leo flustered at her reaction. "God, this girl is too cute…" Leo thought to himself, "I-I have to go…" he said, covering his face before leaving. Alech reached for him, but something stopped her; she noticed the intimacy of the situation. She pulled back her hand as her face turned a pale red. "I need to stop falling for him or else… maybe I'll never move on," she quickly left the room leaving the unspoken tension. Leo was walking through the halls, trying to forget all the sudden intimacy and emotion. "God damn it! What should I do…I like her but… what if she doesn't like me back…?" he thought as he realized Luna was right in front of him. He went back to their dorm room. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong. Alech walked up to their dorm and saw Leo. Her heart fluttered, but she got disappointed thinking the feeling wasn't mutual. "Hey…" Alech said, trying to ease her nerves. "Alech, I've been thinking and… I…" he paused, trying to see if his feelings were valid or not. "I... like you..." He said, not daring to look at her. Alech's face flushed more than before, yet before she could answer, Luna entered their dorm uninvited. "You what!?" Luna yelled. "What the!?" he said, not expecting the intrusion. "Why are you here!? Were you spying!?!" "What!? No! I just overheard you guys!" Luna sobbed, trying to guilt trip Leo. "I thought you loved me," Luna said softly, making Leo feel bad. "Luna..." he muttered before Luna stormed off. "Alech… I" He couldn't finish his sentence as he chased after Luna, leaving Alech there to wonder. "Does he actually like me?" she thought to herself. Luna stopped and looked at Leo dead in the eye. "Listen. My dad is the mayor. If you even THINK of dating Alech, I'll make sure she won't find a job in this city. Do you understand...?" Suddenly it hit Leo. He had to act for the sake of Alech. Alech saw them and caught up to them. "Leo, I…" she said but got cut off. "Stay. Away." He said before walking away with Luna. Alech wondered why he had acted so cold now. He had just confessed to her, and now he's gone. "I need to get to the bottom of this." Alech walked quickly when suddenly she bumped into her old childhood friend who had recently came back from Japan. "AKI!" Alech said excitedly. "ALECH!" Akito (Aki) said equally as excited. Leo looked back, seeing the new guy, and he got jealous..? "How are you, Aki!" Alech asked with a sparkle in her eyes. "I've been fine, but there's something I want to say." He said, fidgeting with her fingers. "What's that?" Alech questioned.
"I like you…"
REFRENCES INCLUDED: A Silent Voice