" Chapter 7 - NEIGHBOR REVEALED "

Today is moday and the festival is right around the corner, the students are now busy decorating their rooms and also at the halls, and arranging their food stalls.

The teachers we're also busy for signing the papers of who's gonna be using this or that room, and what not.

And here I am, losing my mind while sticking the wallpaper on the walls and sending some orders of who's going to buy something, who's going to paint something, and whatever it is.

"The paints are here!" My classmate called.

"Just in time, we're almost running out of paints!" Another classmate said.

"Gah! We need some help here!!" Another one called.

I sighed, can't we just work calmly..

"Athy, you should rest. You've been working nonstop..." Jenny said worriedly.

"I'm fine, I just can't let you all working while I'm resting..." I smiled at her just to assure her.

"O-okay... Don't push yourself okay?"

"Yes ma'am!" I saluted, then she ran towards the other groups, helping.

Now the walls are almost done, let's start arranging the tables!

"Who has the table cloth?! Please give it to me!" I yelled.

"Here!" Rina ran up to me and gave me a bag of table cloths inside.

"Thank you," I smiled at her, then turned to all of my classmates, "After decorating the walls let's clean the floor and arrange the tables!"

"Okay!" They all replied.

Many hours has passed and we're finished decorating the walls. We were about to arrange the chairs, then the bell rang.

"Let's take a break, everyone!" I announced, clapping my hands, "Good work!!"

They all sighed in relief, and ran out to the cafeteria, they must be really tired. I sighed and plopped myself down on the floor.

"I'm beat!" I yelled, my voice echoed in an empty room.

I was about to close my eyes, then I saw a can of drink on my face. I turned and saw Lucas sitting beside me.

"Good work, Ms. Leader," He said, while sipping some orange juice.

I accepted the drink he gave me and sat up, "Why weren't you helping?"

"I'm busy breathing everyday..." He mumbled.

I flinched, this line seemed familiar..

Suddenly my head aches, I touched my forehead, "It hurts..."

"Huh- Hey! Are you okay?" He asked as he caressed my back.

"I-I'm fine, I'm just tired... I think.." I said lowly.

He looked at me for a second and said, "You should rest.."

"No, I can still stand," I said stubbornly then stood up and walked towards the door.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

I opened my drink, "I'm just gonna take a stroll, thanks for the drink by the way," Then I slid the door closed, leaving him there alone.

I was walking at the halls, god knows where my feet would take me. Then Kiel called me at the distance, "Athy!"

I turned and realized I was in a greenhouse, do we have a greenhouse?

I waved at him, "Kiel, what are you doing here alone?" then I walked towards him.

"Just taking a fresh air," He smiled then turned at the beautiful lake in front of us.

"... Beautiful," I mumbled as I sat next to him.

"It really is..." He said admiring the view.

The lake was sparkling beautifully, reflecting the sunlight above, the birds were tweeting peacefully, and the trees were dancing with the wind breeze.

I smiled at the view, I never new that there is a garden this beautiful in our school. The principal sure worked hard.

"You seemed very relax now," Kiel said, looking at me.

"Huh?" I turned and tilted my head to him.

"You looked stressed while you were working earlier, like you were gonna passed out in a second," He said worriedly.

"....."

"I decided to bring you here but you were with Lucas and now you're here," He looked at me softly and continued, "What a lucky fate it is..."

I just looked at him, speechless.

"I'm glad you're alright," He brushed my hair behind my ear and smiled at me.

*RING, RING*

Nice timing!

I stood up stiffly and said, "Oh! L-l-let's go now....!"

I did not wait for his answer and ran back to the classroom.

What the heck was that?!

AT NOON

"

Perfect!! Now all we have to do is prepare for the menu and decide for the costumes!" I said, looking at the work we just finished.

"Good work everyone!! And let's go home and relax!" I announced then they all cheered happily.

I picked up my bag at the corner and walked out of our room, then I saw my friends waiting.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked, walking up to them.

"I declared that we will be having a sleepover at your house!" Agnis said looking like a judge.

"Why?" I tilted my head, I mean we could have a sleepover in their house but why mine?

"Because we didn't see each other for a long time and we didn't hangout!!" Cass whined.

I sighed, "Okay...."

They cheered and dragged me outside of the school.

We were walking towards my house, Oh! They will be happy if they saw Lucas, but I will be annoyed by them for not saying that he's my neighbor.

I sighed, please just stay in your house Lucas!

"Oh! It's Lucas!!" Cass pointed out.

My prayers didn't reached up to him! We turned and saw him come out of the convenience store and the worst part he saw us too.

What a bad timing it is...

He was wearing a gray hoodie, tattered pants, and a pair of white sneakers. He looked good in it, not gonna lie.. Looks like he got home early.

"He looked at us!!" Helena squealed.

He waved and walked towards us. What are you doing?! Leave!!!

"Oh he's walking towards us!!!" Agnis said shaking Jenny, I feel sorry for her.

"Sia!!" He called, what the--!!

"Who?" The three said tilting their head in confusion, I facepalmed mentally as he stopped in front of me.

"H-hey..." I said in an awkward voice, go away!!

"Are you going home now? We should walk together," He said.

"Huh?" I said in confusion.

"The person named 'Sia' ... Is he referring to... Athy?" Cass asked, pointing at me.

"Yes.. Is their any person that I must call like that?" Lucas replied. Hey, you're not the one she's asking!!

They looked at me then Lucas then back to me, then their mouths formed an 'O', except Jennette who was just standing at the back quietly.

Don't. Even. Think. About. It...

"A-are you two... D-dat--" We cut Helena off and immediately said, "No," With a uninterested look on our face.

"Then why...?" Agnis mumbled, not sure of what will she be asking.

"We're just neighbors, didn't Sia told you that?" Lucas huffed.

"No..." They looked at me, I sweatdropped and dragged them immediately away from Lucas.

"You're neighbors and didn't even told us?!" Helena exclaimed.

"Guys calm down..." Jenny said.

"Why? Is there any reason that I should tell you that?" I said.

"P-Please don't fight..." Jenny begged.

"Yes!! Because it's Lucas!! That's it we're moving in with you!!" Agnis exclaimed.

"Huh?" Jenny and I looked at them, dumbfounded.

"Y-you're not angry?" I said.

"No! We're happy!! Now that we know where Lucas lives, we're not angry at all!! We're luckily happy!!!" Cass said happily.

Jenny sighed in relief. Somehow, I feel sorry for Lucas. I think if he go outside, he will be swarmed with girls outside.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Helena said, grabbing my shoulder.

"It's a drag...." I said lazily.

"I declared that we will be moving in with Athy, starting now!!" Agnis said with her judge voice again.

"What?! NO!!!" I waved my hands in refusal.

"Agreed!" They said.

"NO WAY!! Jenny help me!" I looked at Jenny with pleading eyes, then she just laughed at me.

They dragged me happily towards our house and asked me nonstop about Lucas.

Bruh, we're just neighbors, we're not in a close relationship whatsoever!!

And now they just continue on and on until we graduate.

My life is ruined...