22 Chapter 22: Walking together
(Michelle POV)
I did not notice the passing of the time, and before I knew it, the bell rang signifying that it was already 10:20. I looked to my left and saw that Steve was placing his materials in his backpack.
I quickly placed my things inside my bag too, and by the time he stood up, I was done. Unsure if he would just leave me, I took it upon myself to call him. "Steven, let's walk together?"
Steve looked at me, frowned, but nodded his head.
I could not help but smile. So, despite his sulky exterior, he was not necessarily evil.
As we walked from the library to our classroom, I started a conversation.
"What class did you have earlier?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
Steve did not answer immediately, but after a while, he said, "None."
"Oh, you just arrived early to school today?" I tried again, smiling. Could it be that we have been fated to meet today?
However, Steve did not answer rather, he stopped walking and brought out his phone to answer a call. I didn't know who he was talking to, but in the end, he sighed.
"You can go ahead." He told me.
Why would I do that? "You waiting for someone? I can wait with you."
Steve just looked at me strangely. Then, he started to ignore me again. 'uh… was I being too obvious?'
After a minute, Lara whose hair was still a little wet while carrying a bigger bag today approached us. She looked at me weirdly, then she wrapped her arms around Steve's left arm.
"Have you been waiting long?" Lara asked, acting cute.
Who else could he have been waiting for? Michelle, you're getting more and more stupid by the day. Now don't go scrunching your nose because of the bitterness, you totally deserve the vinegar right now.
Steve just showed her a scowl, "Let's go, we'll be late." He said.
Then, as if remembering something, Lara turned to look at me again, "Oh, I almost didn't see you there Michelle, what are you doing here by the way?"
'Girl, you just totally saw me before you even reached us.' I wanted to say. Though of course I didn't.
I just looked at her and smiled even though in reality all I wanted to do was pull her hair and tear her arms away from my hubby.
"I met Steven in the library coincidentally."
"I see, anyway, let's go walk to class together." She said in a somewhat friendly manner.
"Okay." I replied, then the two of them walked in front of me. Ugh. Why was I here again?
--
We arrived in class a minute early, and Andy was already there. I walked towards the seat beside his.
"Hi Michelle! Sup Lara, Steven." He greeted.
"Hello Andy." I greeted back, then sat beside him.
Andy, instead of talking with his long-time friends, chose to speak to me.
"Fancy seeing you three walking in together. How did that come to be?" he asked curious.
"I saw Steven at the library coincidentally… so, how about you? I didn't see you around earlier, didn't you have the same class as them?" I replied while at the same time, trying to pry without being obvious.
"Oh, no I don't. Only Lara has swimming class every Wednesday and Friday. I guess Steven sent her to school. So, have you talked to your parents about the party?"
Okay, Michelle, you shouldn't have pried. Are you a masochist now or something?
I shook my head "I wasn't able to ask yet. I'll let you know later or sometime this weekend."
Thankfully, our professor finally arrived, and I had to face forward. This way, I could hide the sadness welling in my eyes.
When the class ended, Andy again invited me to have lunch with them, but the sight of Steven and Lara were unpleasant to my eyes after I just reminisced about my past with Steve in the library. So, this time, I had to decline and excuse myself.
--
(Third POV)
"Steven, you have to tell me, how did you meet Michelle in the library? I mean, did she approach you suddenly? Was she the one to ask you to walk with her?" Lara kept on asking after Michelle left.
"Hey, why do you keep asking that? Do you feel threatened? Lara, there are such things called coincidence." Andy interjected.
"The question was not for you Andy. Why do you always have to defend her? Did she put some love potion on your meal the last time we weren't there? You've only met her 3 times, and you're taking her side than mine, who, may I remind you, have been your friend for almost all your life." Lara scolded.
"It's not like she's done anything to you. Besides, don't you trust Steven?" Andy teased.
Lara looked at Steven again.
Steven sighed. Lara would not stop until he gives her an answer. "We just exited the library at the same time." He finally said, just wanting Lara to stop.
"See?" Andy told Lara with both his eyebrows raised and eyes widened exaggeratedly as if to annoy her.
"You!" Lara exclaimed as she hit Andy's arm. She may feel annoyed, but she felt better and began to laugh with Andy.
Steven tilted his lips upwards seeing their antics. Then, he recalled the way Michelle smiled at him in the library and shook his head. He just lied to Lara, but he thought that it's better that way. At least she won't think too much of it.
--
TBC
