Thirteen
The scene Ava made spread like a wildfire in the camp. Fertine never left her tent, she stayed inside it all night. She refused to join any activity leaving Wilder worried about his actions. Instead of getting closer to her, he pushed her away.
But why would he want to get close to her?
Geez, what is happening to him?
He can’t understand why he’s feeling this way towards the nerd. Throughout the night he’s uncomfortable, he wants to go in her tent and check if she’s alright but Freeda won’t allow him.
Until the next day he couldn’t stop thinking about Ferritin. His eyes are delving in every hallway and corridor waiting for her to pass. He felt like she was avoiding him.
It didn’t go into the subject that they were in the same class. She’s sprinting whenever he’s near.
“Why is Wilder so handsome?” That didn’t go beyond Wilder’s ears. How come the group of women talking about him is just behind him.
“Not only handsome, but rich!” One more scream.
“Huh?”
“Don’t you know? Their family owns the big and famous chains of hotels here in our country.”
“And not only that they also own factories of branded and expensive cars.”
“Really?! I’m falling more and more in love with him!” One said it was thrilling.
Now he wonders if he would still get the attention he has now if he didn’t come from a wealthy family.
He shrugged off the thought.
He sped up walking to get away from the girls. He looked around. He had been walking around for a while but he couldn’t find his friends.
The loss of those two seemed to intensify. There is probably something going on and they are hiding it from him.
His brows furrowed when his eyes caught a glimpse of smiling Fertine near a guy.
The two talked in the shade of a large nara tree here in the park.
It looks like the guy he’s talking to is also a nerd so maybe he didn’t bow down because they both understand each other.
He gets to talk and smile with that skinny guy?!
Whereas when he is talking to her, she doesn’t talk too much and can’t even look him in the eye. It’s just what happened at the camp yesterday. He smiled at her. Just one time! He only looked her in the eyes once, but the tall nerd he was talking to held eye contact for a long time and it looked like he still trusted him.
Wilder scanned the nerdy guy from head to toe. Geez, it looks like only one ant is not signing this document. He was also tall and pale with thick glasses like Fertine. It still looks like a perfect hair part. Baduy also wear clothes. His eyes also shifted his pants. He scoffed.
He just looks like that. That nerd isn’t just a little one.
It’s not insignificant that he’s more handsome!
Geez, why is he thinking that?!
Wilder found himself strolling towards their direction. Fertine’s smile faded when she noticed him beside the nerd guy.
“W-Wilder?” The skinny nerd stuttered my name while his voice was shaking.
His head bowed when Wilder gave him a glare.
“Get away from her nerd.” He commanded.
“B-but Fertine and I are still talking.”
He raised his fist. “How ‘bout you talk with my fist?”
He swallowed hard, knowing what would happen if he didn’t leave Fertine alone.
“S-alright. I’m sorry Fertine.” He tried to avoid looking at Wilder.
Wilders eye’s landed on Fertine’s confused face and knotted brows.
“W-why did you do that? We were still talking.”
He can tell how irritated she is.
“Well, not anymore.”
Fertine sighed and turned away from him but he sprinted to block her way.
“What do you need?”
Wilder is shocked at how she asked him frankly, staring at his eyes without stammering. Even though he’s shocked he didn’t let it show on his face.
Instead of focusing on that, he once again chased after Fertine who just passed him without him noticing.
He grabbed her wrist.
“Are you mad at me? Look, I deeply apologize for what Ava did——”
“Don’t even think about it.”
“Then you’re not mad at me?”
“Why would I get mad?”
“Then why are you avoiding me?”
“There is no reason for me to talk to you,” she said.
Wilder’s eyes remained on her. Fertine is right. There is no reason for them to talk or get close. He’s just this idiot who makes a way for them to be close.
But why does it sadden him? It is true that there is no reason!
He nodded. “Yeah. You’re right. There’s no reason.”
Fertine didn’t waste a second for him. He turned away. He watched her back slowly disappearing on his view.
He wants to stop her from leaving. He wants to know her and he doesn’t even know why! Or is it because of the mystery behind her innocent eyes?
Or is it because Fertine reminded her of the girl she met in the bar?
Wilder swallowed. He rushed towards her and for the second time he blocked her way.
“But what if I gave you a reason to get close to me, Fertine?”
“What do you mean?”
He can’t explain what he means because even he is clouded by his own feelings and beliefs about her.
“I-if you can’t do anything, just ask me.”
Wilders’ brows are knitted. Did he hear her right? She’s asking for him to go away and leave her alone. He’s just trying to be good to her!
“Why do you like this Fertine?”
Her eyes remained on him.
“I’m being nice to you! You’re so lucky that many girls want to be friends with me and I’m approaching you, the nerd———”
“Because that’s how you should treat every person, especially if they haven’t done anything bad to you. No one is superior or inferior. It’s not my fault if you have a different opinion about me because I dress differently.”
“Look, I’m sorry, okay that’s why I want to be friends with you but you won’t even let me.”
“Because I don’t want to repeat what happened before.” She said.
She stared at the ground like she remembered something before turning away from him.
What does she even mean by that?
