The rooftop had detained me for a while. Escaping in this place was my endeavor to stay away from Rein who acted weirdly recently. Actually, there was nothing wrong with what he did yet being around me would risk his life. To anticipate the obnoxious thing that might happen to him because of me, it would be better if I set my boundaries. His depressing face emerged like real before me. The disappointment smeared his faint contenance when I handed the chocolate back to him. Getting my rejection hurt him. That rolled my stomach with displeasure, too. "I do apologize but I can't have it." I tried to swallow the bitterness in my sentence. "If you don't like it, just throw it away." The smile on his lips withered and changed into a cold expression. He turned his back on me, then strode away. His response knifed my heart, not because his sarcastic words created the pain but my guilt stabbed me. The chocolate still lingered in my palm until I initiated to give it to the girl who passe
"Rein…. What are you doing in the women's locker room?" Instead of his defense, I faced his impish smile. He set his body free from the pillar he put his back on upon hearing the grumbles of two girls who happened to be walking by his side. His fingers scratched his scap. "Speaking of which…. Do you have the book we discussed yesterday?" My eyebrows raised, querying what he meant. "I am coming for the book." I got where his conversation led to . He feigned to act out having an appointment with me under those girls' scrutiny who now spied on him. Male intelligentsia were forbidden to access this room. And for those breaching the rule would bear the consequence of physical chastisement. "Could you please wait outside!" He obediently did my instruction. Luckily those girls no longer dwelled in their place; they got busy with their activity afterward. I hastily strutted out of the building. Rein reclined by the pillar with his hands folded over his chest. "Dear friend…" his yell i
My eagerness to uncover the photographer of the mysterious photo which had now been perpetuated on my lens churned in my head. The only Dawson I'd ever heard of was my own father. Could it be him? But, who was the young woman in the picture? Was she her classmate or just a random girl from his past? Why did it feel like this woman was so familiar? The more I sank into it, the more frustrating all of this could be. My fingers unconsciously shuffled my hair in perplexity. To relax, I laid my weary body on the bed. I wasn't physically tired but mentally exhausted. I wished I could skip the hardest part of my life in this Academy or the graduation day would come tomorrow. Sleepiness didn't knock me down no matter how many times my mouth had gaped in yawn. Bunches of things still controlled my mind and forced my eyes to keep me awake. Unable to sleep, I yanked the camera and turned it on. The picture of a young woman lingered on it. Her uninterpreted smile taunted whoever dove
"No, they have passed away." Her confession in a cold tone left me with shock. She walked back to her seat. "I am sorry to hear that." My soft words might not get to her ears. If she heard of Shane Dawson, Lanzo might have more information about him. But, interacting with him often wouldn't be good. Besides, he would know that I was inspecting the photo in the art gallery. He never liked me to unravel the mystery of this academy. Before my head could think of someone who might help, the academic's footsteps messed up everything in my mind. That man in a shady tuxedo started the class. And I forced my focus on the lecture until Marin's touch on my elbow startled my gaze at her. "I am thinking of conveying my feelings for Lanzo." Her low voice sounded like a murmur. My brows arched. "It's time for him to know that I have a crush on him." The lecture kept going. The academic didn't pay his heed to us who were now in chats behind his back. "Since when have
Marin's quick steps brought her away in a short while. Her body had disappeared when I got downstairs. I felt regretful for having no chance to explain the truth that nothing happened between me and Lanzo. Her cry indicated that she misunderstood the situation. I kept wandering around the corridor to seek for her and ignored Lanzo's yell of my name. The parking lot could be her destination as the dusk almost came. Quickening my paces, I didn't let Lanzo's shout out intimidated me. Marin was stepping onto the bus when I set my feet on the bus stop. "Marin… " I huffed, sprinting toward the bus. Unfortunately, the door was swiping closed and the bus was taking its leave. No one in the bus heeded me, not even the driver. They should have noticed my existence through the side mirror. But, the bus continued. All the seats might have been occupied. Feeling fatigue all over my legs, I lounged on the bench with the concern of Marin's misunderstanding on me. I had to meet Marin to explain ev
Peering through the glass window, the view of Marin lying on the bed grabbed my sights. Her teary eyes gazed at the boy facing down at her; she implored that boy to stay."Please, don't go. I can't live without you." Her husky voice of pleading Lanzo's compassion pierced my ears. I couldn't even budge my mouth which restrained the sadness inside me. I swallowed the lump of guilt into my stomach."Marin, you need to rest. Besides, the doctor has alerted me to leave." Lanzo turned around but his step reached nowhere. Snatching Lanzo's wrist, Marin prevented him from moving. "If you dare to take one step away, you won't see me for the rest of your life." Marin's caution choked me with dismay. I abruptly squatted in my place, blocking them from noticing my presence. I didn't notice what was going on between them yet I could still hear their debate."Marin...please...don't do this!""I love you." Marin's hopeless words didn't seem to affect him. He stood his ground. "I don't deserve yo
Gawking at my face in the mirror of the bathroom, the sorrow emitted out of my eyes. Marin's disappearance hauled me back to the bitter memory of losing Yura. Experiencing this nightmare a second time nudged me into the sea of unbearable woes. This burden weighs me that I sank in my place, unable to endure the grief invading my heart and soul. My arms plopped down, I kneeled with the tears pouring out my cheek. "Marin, where are you? Did someone kidnap you?" Those questions echoed in my head again and again. "Dylanesa, are you in?" The knocks on the door removed Marin out of my thoughts. From his frightened voice, it was Lanzo who was outside. How could he storm inside the women's restroom?I dabbed my cry and stood on my feet. I had to see him and thank him for saving me from plummeting down the stairs. When I frantically ran in search of Marin, the accident nearly transmitted me to the hospital if only Lanzo didn't snag my body at the right time. I switched the door handle and
The plan changed, but the mission remained. Hunting Anyhony might open the door to the clue of where Marin was. The darkness dimmed my shadow, slinking into the building. I kept my distance from Anthony who had taken the right turning to the stairs. His act of evading the lift seemed weird. Urgency might steer him to climb up the stairs. His shoes which drummed the tiles created noises, yet it wouldn't attract anyone's vigilance as no one lingered inside this building, except me. Minding my steps, I held my breath to prevent him realizing my coming. Walking in slow motion, I counted the floor. My hands resisted the sound that barely leaped out of my lips when Anthony scanned around before his hand unlocked the door of the laboratory on the fourth floor. What was he going to do in the lab at night?Like a detective, I spied on him. Unfortunately, the door restricted me from getting any access to the inside. Feeling dissatisfied, I grumbled while spinning around. I never had a chance t