Chapter 7 STICK TO ME

I went out and walked my way to my room. I was stunned when someone encircled his arms on me.

"Anm," Ardent said while smiling. I smiled back at him. I could still feel the pain caused by what Laurent had done. I was just a little bit upset. He seems uninterested to me. I am not ugly, not too beautiful, but I can say that I have a good heart. I am so proud of that because my parents raised me into a good individual. I just can not get the point of avoiding me. He also created things to make me afraid of liking him such as I would die. Is it normal? He could say he does not like me but do not create unnecessary thoughts so I could not continue my feelings for him.

"Why are you sad?" He asked me with a worried tone.

"Nothing." I looked down. This is the saddest day of my life.

"This is why I will go to your room later during my break time. Alem and I will eat." Ardent trying to make me happy with his words. None of them would ever pull me in gladness. Only Laurent can do that.

“What do you want to eat later? I would buy it for you.”

I had no appetite, but I just nodded at Ardent. He is really caring.

“I am just a bit busy in my study, but I always find time to go to you and Alem. Look.” He held my shoulder and faced me. “Just tell me what you want and I will do my best to give it to you.”

I smiled sadly. “I am okay, Ardent. Do not worry too much.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” He nodded. He grabbed something in his bag. “Look.”

I stared at the sketchpad. He drew me. “Wow, that is so beautiful.”

“You are more beautiful than this.”

“Thank you.”

“Next time, I will paint you.”

“That would be great.”

“And I am planning to join that in an exhibition this coming Sunday.”

“I would love to see that.” I managed to smile even though I do not feel it.

“I believe that you as my model would make me win the contest.”

I tapped his shoulder. “It is not about winning. It is how you enjoy it.”

“I enjoy, yeah, sure. But it would be more fun if I win.”

“Good luck to you and to your piece.” I looked away. I do not want him to see me sad.

“I would be very happy if you give time to me.”

“I will.”

“By the way, I will go.” He smiled at me one more time. “Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

In the whole class, I felt so heavy, sad, and broken-hearted. It was just a simple action saying Laurent did not like me. It is like the end of the world to me. This is how it feels to be in love. Is this what we call pure love? A little bit funny, but it is true.

"Tada!" Ardent dropped a lot of food on the table. Alem was very happy to see that but I was still lethargic and nothing had changed.

"Do you have a problem?" Alem asked me. He is in front of me now. Ardent sat next to me while still worrying about me.

"No. I am just lazy.” I ate without energy.

"Would you like to go out later after class?" Concerned Ardent said. He fixed my hair and put it in my ear. I shook immediately. I'm going to see Laurent. Can we have a date? Should I ask him? But I do not have money.

"Why are you like that?" Ardent asked again and put Menudo on my plate. "Tell me if you have had a problem. We are always here for you and you know that."

"I already know that!" Suddenly Alem thought of something and pointed her finger at my face. "The Baider man did not pay attention to you?"

I just nodded sadly. He was so hard to obtain. He will never like me as much as I like him.

"It is normal because you fall in love," Alem added. Frustrated, too.

"In love? Who is that Baider?"Ardent asked with obvious irritation on his face.

"Me." We turned to the speaker. My eyes widened when I saw Laurent looked bad. You can see his wrinkled forehead. He was so annoyed for unknown reasons.

"You?" Ardent's questioning eyebrows raised. He looked at me with an asking twinkle in his eye.

When I glanced at Alem, she was thrilled again but with restraint. She was looking at me with her teasing grin.

"Should I repeat?" Laurent said rudely.

Laurent came over and grabbed my arm and carefully stood me up. I saw Ardent stare at Laurent's hand. Without warning, Laurent pulled me away from them. I still heard Ardent calling my name, but I did not look back.

Laurent took me to the end of the building. No one is here. I really can’t imagine that there is a place here with just a few people or no one at all.

"Are you fooling me?" He asked with a frown.

"No," I said irritably but the tone was still gentle.

I don't understand him, he just fired me and now he will ask me that. He frowned again before speaking.

"Why are you talking to the other guy?" His voice was full of authority. It was just soft, but if you heard everything he says you would feel like following him. I was so shy at this moment because who would not? He was talking to me. That was just a dream. It feels like something alive in my body and that is my heart.

"Ardent is my friend."

I saw his mouth tightened. I backed away as he slowly approached. When a little distance from our face he spoke in a whisper. He stared into my eyes as if I were the most important person in his life. I would never expect that, it would not happen. All I want is his affection.

"Stick to me, then."