"And for this semester's final paper, I require you all to write a 15 page paper on a culturally significant architectural work and how it affected todays society." The professor spoke as the bell began to chime loudly through the halls. He hadn't even finished his announcements and everyone had already gotten up to pack their bags and head out of the room.
"Remember, the deadline for the paper is exactly in two weeks. Just a day before you all come back from the semester break. Don't you dare forget!" The professor yelled but the students have already flooded out of the door in a hurry. "I won't be accepting anything that's even a minute late from the deadline!" Seeing as how everyone was quick to come out of the room, the professor couldn't help but grunt in frustration. These kids had no manners at all! They didn't even wait for him to dismiss them. Whether or not they heard his announcement, he for sure wasn't going to let them make excuses when the time comes. Then we'll see who has the last laugh.
"It's finally the semester break! Oh thank the heavens!" Adelai dropped his head on his desk, his blonde hair pooling on his arms like a mop of golden light bouncing on skin.
I laughed at his reaction.
I knew how he felt. This semester has been hell, front and back. How I managed to still be alive was a miracle in itself.
"What do you have planned for the next two weeks?" I ask him, clearing my notes off the desk and shoving them in my bag. Adelai tapped his freckles chin, giving a momentary pause as he thought long and deep.
"Well, my sister asked I come back home for an important matter but that's not until five days. I'll likely just work on the papers before then so I won't have to worry about it," Adelai said. His eyes, green as forests and blue as morning night then turned to me. "What about you? Do you have any plans?"
Does I have any plans? To answer that, I do. A very important one at that. Because six days later is going to be Hera's birthday. And I plan to throw him the best surprise party he has ever had!
Ever since we were kids, Hera and I always made space for each other's birthday. It was practically an unspoken rule. Since the day we both could walk and speak, there hasn't been a birthday we haven't celebrated without the other.
So for this year, I had something big planned.
Just the mere thought of blowing Hera's mind filled me with immense pride and joy to the point I couldn't wipe the huge smile off my face.
Adelai stared with curiosity. For a moment, I had forgotten he was there, and I cleared my throat.
"Well, to tell the truth—" I leaned close to his ear, "It's Hera's birthday next week, and I plan to throw him a huge surprise." I said in a hush tone. Before Adelai could react, I placed a finger on my lips, and he promptly shut his mouth. A huge smile stretched across his face.
"Are you finally going to confess to him?" He asked, quiet as he was, nothing could deny the excitement in his voice when he spoke. My eye twitched at that question and I failed to stop a blush from coming on to my face.
Aside from Adelai, no one else knew I like Hera. Which made situations like people coming over to me to ask certain questions about the aforementioned man more awkward than I let on.
Situations such as this one.
A girl, short and cute with brown hair entered the less than crowded room and hesitantly made her way towards Adelai and I. One look was all it took to let us both know she didn't take the architecture course, so I could only assume she was here for something. And that thing is....
"Uhm...Excuse me, are you Jayus? Perhaps? Hera's friend?" The girl asked, her hands fiddling with the hems of her clothes as she fixed her eyes to the floor, a flush of pink spread across her smooth, pale face.
Jayus froze, and Adelai watched, bemused.
"Yes...That would be me, may I know who's asking?" I asked, for no reason. I already knew what her intentions were, after all.
"Oh, of course! My apologies, I'm Kana from the business course," Kana introduced herself. "I heard you were close friends with Hera... I was wondering if you could tell me if Hera might be seeing anybody...?" By now her face had gone bright from embarrassment. "I know it's weird having a complete stranger you've never met before ask this all of a sudden but I was just really curious, is all!"
Adelai perked up at this, "If you're in the business course, why not ask Hera himself?" He asked pure wonder which made Kana laugh in embarrassment.
"That's true, I'm actually in a completely different schedule from Hera. We met randomly on campus when I got lost, and he helped me navigate all my rooms despite running late to his own classes. He was really sweet to me, and well...you know," Kana said, the very recollection of those memories brought a warm smile to her cute face.
Adelai merely nodded in acknowledgement to her words.
Kana looked so sweet and pretty as she laughed, nervously scratching her cheek. And I wondered if she would be the type Hera would go for.
I bit my lip.
If only she knew what type of perverted person Hera was like. Maybe she'd change her mind. It would be a shame of someone like her fell into Hera's hands.
"No, he's not seeing anyone, I think," I answered. From the corner of my eye, I could barely make out Adelai's look of surprise as lake green eyes turned wide as saucers. He looked like he wanted to say something, but I ignored him beckoning gaze as I watched Kana's face light up with joy. Her small hands clenched into fists of excitement.
I forced a smile.
"And... and what do you think his preference are like?" Now getting excited, Kana began to speak more comfortably.
"...I," I paused. What did Hera prefer? Did he like those people in the explicit books he always showed me? Did he prefer soft and gentle girls like Kana?
The more I thought about ut, the more I wasn't sure. But seeing Kana, her soft, short hair bouncing off her shoulders, and those bright brown eyes, and pale smooth skin. It would be safe to assume Hera would at least like someone like Kana. Someone who looks nothing like me...
"...I think you might have a chance."
Hearing those words, Kana bounced on her feet. The words I forced out my mouth finally tasted bitter as it lingered in my mind, leaving me nauseous on my feet. Adelai, with his mouth agape, staring at me in disbelief, said no words as Kana profusely thanked me before promptly leaving the room.
And I stood there, stunned, reminiscing on what I had just done.