II

Chapter 2

Encounter Parade

Last Scene

"Hey, midget. Go carry your own stuff. My hands are too precious for handling such things." I was dazed, for my idol suddenly uttered these words at my face.

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She was still in her appalled mode when a voice was heard...

"What a chicken? Ish—that rude rodent." I heard a familiar angelic voice, not far away from where I was standing.

Dissimilar to Mr. Pirouette's, his vocals are lighter for the ears.

Sade has this distinct huskiness that is far from this one. The said sound came from my back. What I meant was that both of their articulation are pleasing in their own special way.

Mishap? Or did I hear it wrongly? I turned to specify my hunch, things are getting pretty strange in here.

This day is probably the weirdest of all. My idols are randomly popping out of nowhere like mushrooms. He appears younger than how Sade was. He had rounded eyes with the pigment like that of mud and yet they constantly twinkle as the stars do so.

His dashing hair of crow black hue sashayed along with the wind, making me astounded with every flick.

With crystal-white teeth glinting, dimples showing, and eyes disappearing whenever he smiles.

Unlike Sade, he was wearing a more casual attire moreover Sade has this certain aura that nobody can hold unto.

A linen polo shirt acquainted with faded ripped jeans and a pair of Field Trekker from the Timberland collection was modeled by this guy right here.

First, Sade. Or should I say, Mr. Pirouette? I did not expect him to be Aunt Melissa's son nor one of my dorm mates.

I was quite too shocked to even think. No, let me rephrase that, I'm totally startled added with a pinch of salt on my somewhat wound.

I was actually anticipating someone else, not my damn bias. I thought that they may have the same surnames but the world is too big for that and to my surprise, it is not.

But what alarmed me, even more, was his behavior. That despite his good attributes there lies a horrible monster.

A lion that cannot be tamed at all costs. A beast that is not in need of a Beauty.

Second is, Mishap? What's wrong with me? Am I still dreaming? Am I still sound asleep on my comfy bed? Am I? Is he another anomaly? Is he another version of Satan? Does he have the same attitude as Sade?

I actually can't tell. His phrases might be another playacting. However, it is wrong to judge others with or without proof. Well, all of that was just what if's, no biggies.

"You're presumably, not, milady," he mumbled nonchalantly as if answering the question in my head. "And I did not read your brain, silly. It's just that, you're way too obvious," he continued. "Hey. Still not sinking in?" The crevices on the corners of his lips deepen as he flashes another snicker.

When earlier, only the bed was pulling me? Now there's brother Cloud nine tugging me towards his stead.

It's as if bolts of lightning from Zeus is striking me one by one. The cool breeze brushed my nape as I feel insects swarm around my tummy.

"No?"  I replied, somehow asking, with my eyes still trying to adjust, brows furrowed against each other, lips are stuck out as if solacing with my thoughts.

My brain can not decipher what's emerging beyond its understanding. My awareness of things suddenly evaporated like water in really hot weather.

"Don't worry about that dude. Daren's normally like that. And when I say normal, I mean it." he then, chuckled in euphoria, with his eyes vanishing into a thin line.

Is this real? Will it really be true? Am I hallucinating? Am I daydreaming frivolously?

"Daren?" Did he mean, Sade? Is his real name by any chance, Daren?

"Ah—" he paused as if he assimilated something, "I almost forgot! We did not publicize our first names on social media therefore, you probably know me as Mishap. My real name is David by the way. Please to meet you." He continued while astonishment is still enveloping my wholeness, my identity.

"Pardon my disrespectfulness, I'm Nhoriene but I prefer to be called either as Nhory or by my surname," I replied.

Being used with others addressing me with my last name is not that weird if you've been there a couple of periods. It's nothing that special, you see?

"I actually know you already. We were honestly expecting you to come. But I did not expect you to like being called by your family name. That's kind' a weird for a fetish, you know?" He touched upon with an ample smile.

"Well, I really don't know that myself, and also, thanks for welcoming me."

'In a nicer way though.' I whispered, then smiled sheepishly not wanting to sound accusing.

"Why, welcome. It is an honor to serve a fan." He winked cutely. I'm glad that he did not notice it.

My heart raced for I did not expect him to know and do that. My face heats up as I suppose to be pulled up to the plains of thy ecstasy.

He chuckled, "Hey, don't be flustered with just that." Then pat my head. I felt all my blood flow to my face in an instant.

"I've warned you, you might have a heart attack if I did more than what you have witnessed. Come on, Riene. I'll take you to your room"

"Riene?" Shocked with what he called me but then just nodded with a slight shrug.

We stopped at an all-white, tile-walled 2-story building, but only up to the middle of the walls the other half is made out of flat cement, painted with a palette of dull gray and dreary blue.

"How come, it's this huge?" I asserted to myself as I wander my eyes upon its beauty.

Mishap opened the refined and tasteful, timber-framed, and paneled door without even knocking

A hallway welcomed us towards a fully-furnished, tremendous-looking lounge, complete with a set of traditional loveseat sofas, a mini coffee table, a Television bundle, various picture frames with famous arts like that of The Starry Night and Café Terrace at Night, plus several flower vases.

One of the vases caught my attention as it encompasses a bounce of beautifully-arranged Gypsophilia or commonly known as Baby's Breath, my personal favorite among all blossoms.

My hand flew on its own and placed itself on the soft petals of the said flower.

"You can have that in your room if you'd like." Mishap's voice was heard and felt behind my ear making me shiver in subtle delight.

"I'd love to but it would be much of a hassle if I did so." I only smiled faintly as he walks towards the staircase without enticing the aisle along the path that I reckon to be the kitchen.

Well, just maybe.

He motioned to another entrance, "This will be your room." And pointed a varnished oak door.

Bruh, talk about class! This is a whole paradise sitting on the depths of the school premises. He carried my bags into the room then carefully came inside the room.

All I can say is, it looked a lot smaller on the outside! This room is too big for individual use. How much did this edifice cost?

As if on cue, my eyes laid on a bed with gray sheets and white linens and to my right, there is another bed with blue sheets and with the same flax.

The headboards were each designed with a figure of incubus and succubus on each.

Of all creatures in the world, why them? Who the fuck designed this? The structure of the dorm was well planned and yet a strange bed ruined it.

Mishap placed my things on the blue one. That would mean that, that's my bed, I guess? I followed him and glanced at the wholeness of the room.

There is another door, now, made out of PVC, that may be for the bathroom.

Between the mini shelves for each bed was a mezzanine balcony that is extending outside through a two-way Clerestory window as a iron faux sundeck. What a wonderful view it is!

The chirping birds sounded like a choir, singing joyfully as the mighty ray of sun hit my face as I relaxed on a hanging round hammock.

The door creaked open. Another unanticipated guest came in. Caitiff. The Queen of the group, the drummer.

She's right in front of my bare eyes. Her hair was tied up in a rope braid and was placed on her right shoulder blade. Different from my eyebrows, she has thicker but fine-looking ones.

Following the trail of her adorable button nose, I saw a dot of a mole on the left side. I was fascinated just by her gaze.

"Caitiff?" I uttered, stammering as I marveled her simple yet elegant look. Sporting a beige cropped pouf, front-tie, linen-blend gauze top, and a wedge high-heel.

"OMG! Hi! You can actually call me by my real name, Danaiah or Dana. I'm guessing that you're Nhory?" Her full lips rose for a grin as she thoughtfully waved then gave her hand for a shake.

"Uh, yes." I felt bashful all of a sudden. She is so pretty to the point that I am too overwhelmed!

What a Goddess? She really deserves that alias. I can't think straight! Am I becoming a lesbian? No, but no one can resist such charms.

"You're such a looker! How can life be so unfair," I mumbled out of dismay as I imagined my pale skin tone tailored with a punch of freckles along my cheeks, crossing my nose.

"Huh? Who? Me? Of course not!" she surceased mid-sentence as her eyes moved at a noticeable nervousness, "Uh, I did not mean to raise my tone." Her voice cracked.

"Nah, it's fine. And don't be too humble, you really are charming."

How can she still be so pretty even in that state? First thing in the morning, If it's me in her shoes, I'll assumably look like a person who was stuck on a deserted island while she dazzles perfectly.

"If you say so. You're way prettier, though," I just replied.

"Hey, may I ask just if it's alright if you are to sleep with a guy?" She brought up. "You're room is currently under-construction..." she trailed off.

"Of course. I'm just a guest, you know? Don't feel bothered."

"Really? Okay then—"

Our eyes flew to the entrance once again. A dazzling yet ruthless creature stepped into the room. I felt my heart skip a beat, he affects me this much.

"David. Dana. Why are the both of you here?" he asked with eyebrows almost hitting one another.

"Why are you asking something obvious? We helped the girl you left at the lobby—"

I started my phrase to cut him off, "David, Dana. Don't mind me." I sat on my bed then eventually fell asleep as I laid my body.

On his side of the events...

I can't spell my mood ever since I met this girl. And now like a hand-crafted doll, she's peacefully sleeping like there's no tomorrow, and now in a loose empire silhouette nighties.

I feel annoyed whenever she's around when she's not even doing anything wrong. Every time she notices David's presence, I can feel an insignificant poke in my chest.

I perceive anxiousness with her presence and I don't fucking know why. and I swear to God that this is in no way normal.

Why am I like this? She's just a girl, dude. She's just a kid. What am I doing? Why am I staring at her face? Is there a need for me to examine her face. She's not even that pretty. Also not my type.

She has this vibe that feels like a giddy child, no seriousness in her gestures, she's elegant yet still not enough, she has fair skin, too fair to be honest, she looks like she's made out of damned paper, she's too fit, that her cheekbones are protruding by itself.

But why do I feel genuine to her?

And I do not like that.

"Are the twisted cords troubling you, Mr. Pirouette?" The unheard voice of kismet taunted.