Always In My Heart 16

'Oh no! I'm late for the meeting. This is all because Mr. Von, Math teacher, would not let anyone leave early with or without permission.' Rose knocked on the door and stick out her head.

"Sorry, I'm late. can't get out of class." She apologized.

"It's okay. You're just in time for the crucial moment. Take a seat, please." Sheldon continue on as soon as Rose sits.

"As I was saying earlier, all of us will work in pairs for each station to monitor this event progress and to provide assistant to any students needed. Miss Wesclift and I had already appointed your partner, as shown in this leaflet given, based on your personalities compatibility to ensure this event run smoothly. Any other question?"

All of them observed the leaflet and most of them seems satisfied except for Howard a.k.a Romeo. He wants to pair with Rose. But he can't think of any strong reason to give to Sheldon in order to change pairs. What's made him more furious is Rose partner is no other than Andy. 'Someday I will get Rose.'

'Hmm... my station is at the stage and my partner is... Andy? He's here.' She looked around and met Andy's stares. Her face brightens up and went to him as soon as Sheldon ends the meeting.

"I didn't know you were in the student council."

"I'm not. Sheldon needs an extra hand, so I offered mine."

"I'm glad you're here." '... rather than Howard' "So, want me to show you around?" But someone tap her shoulder.

"Rose, we need your help with something." Rin called her.

"Looks like I can't today. See you soon then." But Andy held her hand before Rose get to go any further.

"I'll walk you home today, okay? I'll wait for you at the gate." Andy waited for her reply expectantly.

'He behaved kinda weird today.' Rose thought. It looks like he had something important to tell her. "Okay. I'll be there as soon as I can."

***

"Rose! There's a guy asked for you right now." Andy showed his head and took a peek in her class.

"Oh, Andy! I thought you're gonna wait at the entrance. Sorry, I still got some classroom duty to do."  she tried to imitate what her friends usually did to here. Bringing out her puppy eyes to ask for forgiveness.

Andy chuckled seeing it. He knew what she's trying to do but failing. But somehow he thought she looks very cute.

"I got bored in waiting and so I take my own initiative to find you. It seems that you're kinda popular here. Almost every person I asked knew where your class is."

"Really?! I didn't know. Oh, well. Why don't you come in and help me out a bit? Then we can leave faster."

When he stepped in, he noticed she's alone. "Where's your classmates? Shouldn't there's some other people with classroom duty with you?"

"Oh, yeah. But they have already finished. Only my duty was left. I just got here anyway."

"Oh. Okay then. So, what do you want me to help?"

"Here, take this cloth and wipe the white board on the other side."

Andy took it and starts cleaning. Both of them worked in silence. Moving closer and closer until they arrived at the middle. He was cleaning the top while she's at the bottom when Andy realized their position. Unable to let this opportunity went by, he placed his hands on the board entrapping her. Rose turned around when she noticed his hands.

"Er.. Andy. What are you doing?" When she looked at him, his gaze was so intense. She tried to escaped but he held her.

"No! Don't run. Please here me out. It took me this long to have the courage to tell you this. I-I ..."

>_<

Always In My Heart 15

The hours went by. They were having so much fun that they didn’t even realized Mr. Blake came. Even though he could let them know but he just kept silence. He only stood there watching Christine. She’d mesmerized him. When she smiled, she seemed to glow. His gaze kept falling on her red suckled lips. Oh how he wished he could kiss her. When his eyes lingered on her body, he started to feel the pain surging down below. Suddenly he started to imagine her being embraced by him, naked. ‘Stop, this is not good. Get a grip Daniel. She’s too young.’ He told himself the same thing over and over again ever since the first time he laid his eyes on her.


“Ehem…” All eyes were on him now. “Er… its getting late. The Blaze needs to rest for another big show tomorrow. I think it’s time for all of you to get home.”


“It’s that late already. How time flies when you’re having fun” Everyone agreed with Rico.


“Psst… How are we going to get home? Our ride had already left us.” Christine whispered to Rose. Like it or not she had to think of something because she’s the one who assured them they’ll get a ride home. So, she went to get Prince to talk to her alone.


“An… er… Prince. Could I talk with for a minute, alone?”


Excusing himself from his friends, he led her to the far side of the room. “Yes, Rose. What can I do for you?”


“How did you know I need a favor?” She smiled. ‘So like Andy. He knows how to read me’


“Er… Just guessing” He said nervously. ‘Man, I can’t help being Andy when I’m alone with her.’


“Well, you’re right. We really need a favor. You see, the girl that ran away before was our ride home. Her brother brought us here. Since there’s no one that can help us, I was wondering if I can borrow a phone to call my friend, Andy,” She emphasized the name “to pick us up. Do you have any phone with you?”


“Er… Wait a moment. I’ll get one for you.” He rushed to Benz to get him to give her his phone while he went to change.


‘Hehehe… poor Andy. I’ll make it up to you later.’ When she got the phone, she called Andy and asked him if he could pick them up at The Blaze concert. Andy, who is Prince at the moment, promised her to pick them up in an hour. In the dressing room, Prince was hurrying to change when Romeo approached him.


“What’s the meaning of you keeping Rose all to yourselves?”


“She’s the one who chose to be with me, so get over it.”


“You think I didn’t realize what were you trying to do?” Unable to restrain his anger, he pushed Prince against the wall and choked him. “What is she to you?”


“She’s mine. Ever since kindergarten, I had always loved her.” He pushed Romeo and grabbed his collar. “I would never give her up to the likes of you. Don’t you dare lay a hand on her. I’m warning you.” With that he let go of him and rushed to the door.


Half and hour later Andy had already waiting with his nerdy looks, as usual. “Wow, that was fast. Are you speeding?”


“Er… no. I-I was… at the near by store here. Yeah, I was running an errand for mom.” Prince answered nervously.


“Al-right… All the way to the neighboring town, huh. That must be some errand.” Rose wondered skeptically. Andy had run out of any excuses. However, being a soft hearted person Rose felt sorry for him. “Just forget what I said. Let’s go home.” And just like that he was saved.

>_<

Always In My Heart 14

The sound of laughter brought Rose back to reality. That’s Mona alright with her giddy laughter. Who can ever forget. But suddenly she screamed. Christine, Tanya and Rose looked at the suppose door and saw Mona ran out covering her face.


“You’re going to pay for this. All of you.”


“Mona, what happen to…” Tanya abruptly stop asking as soon as she saw her face covered with clown make up. All of them tried to refrain from laughing but failed. Mona couldn’t take it anymore and ran out. It was Christine who realized their major problem.


“Oh, no. How are we going to get home?” Tanya too was worried but Rose knew someone who can help.


“It’s ok. I know someone who can help” she assured them.


“Hahaha.. Did you see the look on her face? Man.. that was priceless.”


“Hahaha… You’re right, Romeo. Good plan, a very good plan indeed. Now that we get rid of the pesky girl, what should we do with the rest?” Benz asked his group member including Prince and Rico who just slipped in after Mona ran out.


“Rose is mine” Both Romeo and Prince said the exact same thing. They glared at each other. Rico step in between them to stop the dark tension around those two.


“Relax, guys. Let the girl choose who she wants to be with.” Seemed like a sound idea, both of them loosen up a little but still glared at each other occasionally. Rico and Benz had known since the beginning that Romeo and Prince always compete with each other. They never could see eye to eye on everything. Although, never this intense before. Usually Romeo is the one who picked a fight. That’s why he didn’t become the leader. Too hot headed. Instead, Prince who’s always calm was chosen. Since then Romeo always tried to find any fault on Prince.


“Come on guys. Let’s not keep the girls waiting” Rico pushed them out the dressing room.


“I’m sorry for what had happen to your friend. You see. We always did this to our fan who is the same type as your friend just now. We just didn’t like that type of clingy girls. Hope you don’t mind.” Keeping a straight face, Prince apologized on behalf of Romeo and Benz.


“No, that’s okay. She’s never really our friend except for Tanya.” Rose explained while apologizing to Tanya by hand signing at her.


“Okay then. Let’s start with our late introduction. I’m Prince, the leader of The Blaze.” Prince bowed as he introduced himself.


“I’m Romeo, the most handsome guy around here.” While saying that he kissed Rose’s hand. Instinctively, Rose hid behind Prince.


“Sorry, didn’t mean to be rude but don’t like it when you do that.”


“Okay, my bad.” And so Romeo introduced himself to the rest and did the same thing. This time they blushed. How can they not be. The gentlemanly attitude is really scarce now days. Being treated like a lady is something all the girls’ dream of.


“I’m Rico, the charmer as you all know” When he winked at them, they giggle. “And this guy here is Benz, the cool guy” Benz didn’t spoke any words, just salute them.


“Now that the ice had been broken, let’s get on with our next surprise” Prince announced.


They all had a good time. Taking pictures, singing and dancing. All through the event, Rose kept herself near Prince. Once in a while Romeo tried to take her away from Prince but couldn’t. Prince seemed to know his attention and stayed near Rose, thus making Romeo felt really irritated.

^_^

Always In My Heart 13

Ten years ago…

“Hey, you. You are not allowed to play in our playground. So, beat it.” Some mean kids appeared out of nowhere forcing Rose to get off the swing.

“Yeah, beat it ugly girl.” Ugly. That’s what the kids in the neighborhood called her. At that time she was fat and had a short, frizzy hair. Always wearing a pair of thick glasses due to her very bad eyesight. At kindergarten, the girls never seem to make friends with her. She was a loner back then. She became more and more introvert day by day. She was fine with it as long as nobody disturb her. But this time, they were going too far.

“No, I was here first so go play somewhere else.” She tried to take a stand but ended up being beaten by them.

“Hey, stop beating her or you will regret it.” A boy came to the rescue.

“What are you gonna do? Beat us all. Hahaha… You’re just a new kid in this neighborhood, so act like one.” The leader ignored the boy’s warning and tried to continue the beating. Rose immediately reverted back to her defending pose and waited for the blow that never came. She took a peak and saw the boy was beating the leader. When the leader scrambled, his follower were not too far behind.

“Are you alright? Here let me help you get home? Where do you live?” Rose pointed at the road on his left side and said that she lived in a two storey bungalow at the end that road. And so he piggybacked her and set his direction towards the mentioned road. Along the way she was too weak to open her eyes but she was fully aware of what’s happening around her. The boy’s back was broad and so warm that she felt safe. When they arrived, she was reluctant to leave him. In the end, her mother invited him upstairs to Rose’s room.

“Rose, you can let go now. You are safe in your room.” When she realized that she was hanging on to him still, abruptly she let go making her fell on the floor.

“Ouch…” How embarrassed she felt. Not only she clings on to him and now she just fell on her butt in front of him.

“Are you alright? Hahaha… You’re a funny girl. Well then, I’d better go. My mom is expecting me to unpack my stuff. I think I’ll see you later, funny girl.” With that he left.

Next morning when Rose woke up, she heard tapping sound on her window. She went and opened the window and saw him waving frantically at her.

“Hey, funny girl. Remember me?”

“H-hi, morning” She stammered from behind the curtain. Since yesterday when she saw him, her heart beats faster.

“I’m Andy. I know you’re still upset about yesterday. So, I’ve got something that could cheer you up. Here, catch.” He threw at her a black stuffed bear. “You better take care of him. He’s my best friend. I just lend it to you for awhile.” He blushed as he explained.

“Thank you.” She smiled at him for the first time. Giving him the sweetest smile she never had given before. No one had ever been nice to her.

Andy’s heart skips a beat. ‘She’s adorable’. He blushed even more. “Well, bye then.” He disappeared behind the curtain. His heart was beating so hard that even he wondered why. He took a peak and saw her hugging and kissing his bear. He was blushing even up to his ear. ‘This is ridiculous. I’d better go and change.’

“Class… attention please. There’s a new student I want to introduce to you. Please come in, Andrew.”

And there he was. Andy. ‘He’s the same age as me? And here I thought I could finally have a big brother.’

“Hi, my name is Andrew Camble but everybody else calls me Andy. Nice to meet you.”

“Alright, Andy. You can sit at the empty desk at the back.”

When Andy looked, it was then he realized he was sitting next to Rose. He smiled when he saw her big eyes filled with surprised. “Hi, Rose. We meet again.”

“H-hi.” She felt like she wants to run and hide. Pressing her hand on her cheek and felt how hot her face had become. She took a peak at him. He seems unaffected by their meeting. Suddenly she felt sad. She doesn’t understand why.

‘Stay cool, Andy. She just liked a sister to you. Nothing more.’ He kept telling himself that but his heart have a mind of its own. When he looked at her, she was gazing outside the window next to her. He didn’t realize he was watching her until someone called his name.

“Andy. Hello, Andy.” There’s a girl blocking his view.

“Huh. Oh. Hi.”

“Finally I can get your attention. Hi, I’m Mona. It recess time. Wanna play with us?” Andy wanted to refuse but she pulled him outside. While he was playing, his eyes kept scanning the playground. ‘Where’s Rose?’ That question kept popping in his head every time. When he returned to the class, he saw her at her seat still staring at the window. He wanted to approach her but Mona kept interrupting him with her chatters about herself.

“You shouldn’t befriend with her. She’s a bad girl.” That statement gets his attention.

“What makes you said that?”

“Well, yesterday she played a trick on my friend Sasha but was caught by our home room teacher. That’s why she stayed in the classroom.”

He can’t seem to believe her words after what happen yesterday. So, he set himself a task to ask her when they get home. “Psst.. Hey, Rose. Wanna go home together?” He asked her as soon as the teacher came. At first she just stared at him with her big green eyes, and then nodded her head.

Andy waited for her at the gate. ‘Where is she?’ He has been waiting for her nearly 15 minutes. Feeling uneasy, he went and looked for her. He was trying to open the class door when he heard someone he knew spoke.

“Hey ugly, I want you to be mean to Andy. I want you to be the bad one in his eyes so that he would fall for me. You gonna regret it if you did not obey me.”

“Oh, yeah. Or else what?” Andy interrupted.

“A-Andy. We were just… er… talking, right?” Mona’s nervousness can be seen on her face.

“Don’t lie to me. I heard what you said to Rose. Now I know who the bad one in this school is. From now on don’t bully her again. Understand?”

No body dared to object him. He seems to have an aura of authority around him. Since that day, Rose bullying days are over. In Rose eyes, Andy had become her prince on that faithful day. Both of them become close friends until middle school. During those times, Rose had considered confessing to him but she seems to never have the courage to do it. In the second term of their first years in middle school, Andy had to move to Japan due to his father being transferred. Since then they had lost contact. At first Rose felt her life is empty without him. And so to forget the pain, she had taken up many extracurricular activities to keep herself busy. With all that strenuous activities, Rose loss a lot of weight. Overtime, Rose became beautiful and had gained a lot of admirers. Thus forgotten her feelings for him. Even when he came back, she didn’t felt any of those feelings anymore. Not until tonight.

>_<

Always In My Heart 12

“Hey, man. Move.” Rico pushed Prince aside to let the others enter. Prince tried to keep a straight face but seeing her face to face made him worried. ‘Hold on. She seems wobbly. Oh no, she’s gonna fall.’ Instinctively Prince catches her.

“Are you alright, Ro… I mean miss?” He flinched at his own slip out. ’Hope she’d didn’t noticed that.’ But when he looked at her face, he can’t seem to avoid staring at her big blue eyes. In his daze, he didn’t notice her hand touched his cheek. Once he came to his senses, he realized that Rose is smiling. A beautiful smile that he knew he can never forget.

“Thank you, An… er… Prince. Sorry. I don’t know why I feel light headed tonight. Maybe it’s because of all these excitement coming here meeting you guys.” Rose blushed while she explained. All Prince did was smile and that was enough for him to melt her heart. Andy’s smile. Prince helped her to the nearest couch.

“Rose, are you okay? You had us worried for a second there.” Tanya sat right next to her.

“Yeah, Rose. Why didn’t you tell us that you were sick? Christine handed her a glass of water.

“Sorry girls. I don’t know why I almost fainted.” Rose apologized.

“Now that you are okay, can we get on with our plans? Right, Prince?” Mona clings to his arm hoping to show her cuteness. The girls glared at her. The Blaze’s members looked at each other. Their expression suddenly changed devilish. Ah… hah. They found their next victim.

“You’re right miss…” Romeo made the first move. Giving his most charming smile, he unclasped her hand from Price and changed it to him.

“Erm… call me Mona. Just Mona.” She answered him. Totally unaware of the tricks that was going to be played on her.

“Okay, Mona. We, The Blaze, have a special treatment for you. From the moment I set my eyes on you, I know that you are THE one that gonna set the blaze in our hearts.” Too captivated by Romeo’s words, she absentmindedly followed him. Romeo led her to their dressing room. Benz on the other hand wasn’t too far behind.

 “If you excuse us girls, we have prepared a treat for her.” He winked at them.

Both Christine and Tanya were jealous but Rose knew better. She recognized Prince’s expression. The same kind when Andy was being mischievous. All the while she was watching him but as soon as he turned to her, she averted her eyes. Her hearts beats faster like never before. All too aware that he was coming towards her.

“Rose, are you really alright? Your face is red and you have a temp. Are you sure you don’t want to see a doctor?” With concerned he placed the back of his hand on her forehead. Immediately she avoided his touch. Placing both her hands on her cheek in the hope of trying to hide her blushing face.

“Erm.. I’m okay. I just need to go to the washroom. Would you mind telling me where it is?” A little hurt with her action, he pointed to the second door to the right of the dressing room. As soon as she’s in there, she washed her face. Trying to cool it down.

‘Get a grip Rose. He’s your childhood friend who happens to be your idol. He’s just the same old Andy. But why my heart fluttered every time I see him now just like… just like when we were young. Impossible. I thought I have overcome it.’

>_<