So Close, So Distant
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Andrei's POV
I was peacefully sleeping on my table when suddenly, there were three knocks on my door.
*(Tok tok tok)*
I woke up from my deep sleep, quickly stood up, and checked who it was.
I immediately opened the door and saw Kristine, already dressed up and well-prepared.
I was confused by the way she looked, so I just asked her,
"Why? Where are you going?" I asked, still half-asleep.
"What are you even saying? We have practice, you idiot!" she snapped at me, practically yelling.
The moment she shouted, my drowsiness instantly disappeared.
"What?!" I exclaimed in shock.
"What time is practice?" I asked again, now in a rush and starting to panic.
"Six!" she answered shortly, while glancing at her phone.
"What?!" I exclaimed again, raising my voice at her this time.
I could only scratch my head in frustration after hearing that.
"Hurry up! We're already late!" she insisted.
"See? This is why you should have an IG account—so you'd always be updated," she added.
"Well, it's because—"
I was about to explain when she cut me off again.
"If you still don't make your own account, I swear, I'll be the one to make it for you—even if you get mad at me!" she said seriously, glaring at me.
"Fine! I'll make one tonight!" I replied.
"Now hurry!" she said, glancing at her phone again.
"Go on ahead. I still have to take a bath. You'll just end up waiting too long for me," I told her with a smile.
"Are you sure?" she asked seriously, staring at me intently.
"Yes!" I insisted.
"Alright, but be quick. It's almost 6 o'clock!" she said before finally walking away.
I didn't bother saying anything else; I just nodded and immediately rushed to my room.
I grabbed the towel hanging on my cabinet and went straight to the bathroom to shower. I was already running out of time, so I was scrambling.
I only showered quickly—FYI, I'm not super smelly anyway, so it's fine. Even if you sniffed my armpits, they'd still smell good.
Super fragrant, actually.
After that, I went to my cabinet to grab clothes to wear. I pulled out my black cargo pants and paired it with a plain white cropped shirt. I didn't even bother fixing my hair anymore because of the rush. I just sprayed some perfume on my neck, grabbed my bag from the bed, and hurriedly left the dorm.
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**Outside the Dorm**
I was already 2 minutes late, so I quickened my pace, choosing to take the covered walk.
I didn't know how to feel, knowing that I would once again see Rayver. I wanted to avoid him, but I couldn't—since we were both part of the pageant.
"Ugh," I sighed heavily, clutching the strap of my bag tightly.
Why does it have to be this way? I had so many things I wanted to ask, so many things I wanted to say. But the moment he was right there in front of me, it was like something clogged my throat. I couldn't say a word. I couldn't do anything.
I continued walking until I suddenly stopped when I heard the name *Rayver*.
I turned around and saw him standing not too far away, smiling as he looked at Bianca, who was running towards him.
I couldn't explain it, but it felt like something pinched my chest. All I could do was watch them.
After a few seconds, I walked away, pretending not to have seen anything, pretending nothing happened.
I took out my earphones from my pocket and started playing music. That was until someone suddenly slung an arm over my shoulder. Shocked, I looked to see who it was.
To my surprise, it was Liam.
I let it be and just gave him a sharp glare while we kept walking.
He even asked while still leaning on me,
"Where are you headed?" he asked, moving his face closer to mine and staring directly at me.
I didn't answer him and just glared back.
He only smiled, eyes still locked on me, before suddenly grabbing one of my earphones and putting it in his own ear—for the third time now.
I just let it go. I wasn't really in the mood to talk to him, so I continued walking, his arm still draped over me.
"You're really cute," he whispered.
I kept walking until the two of us finally reached Hernan Gymnasium.
When we entered the gym, I was shocked to see that they were already practicing. I quickly hurried inside.
"Wait!" Liam called, stopping me in my tracks.
I turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow as if to ask why.
"Are you also part of the upcoming pageant?" he asked with a smile.
I didn't say a word and just nodded. Then I walked off, leaving him behind.
"Good luck!" he shouted after me.
I couldn't help but smile a little as I kept walking. He didn't follow me anymore and left as well.
I continued walking toward where my fellow participants were practicing and saw Kristine sitting and drinking water with Justin.
"Andrei, hurry over here!" Kristine shouted.
I immediately ran toward the two of them.
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"Have you been waiting long?" I asked the two of them.
"Yes, we're just waiting for Rayver," Kristine replied.
I was confused as to why they were waiting for him, so I asked,
"Huh? Why?"
"Sir Ali assigned Rayver to facilitate our practice," she explained, then took another sip of water.
"Oh, I see!" I said.
"Who was that with you earlier?" Kristine asked.
I froze, not knowing how to answer, but then Justin chimed in,
"Wasn't that the guy you were with at the cafeteria? Your date?" he asked, peeking outside and spotting Liam.
"What? Idiot! Where do you even get those ideas?" I replied.
"So, who is he then?" Kristine pressed, staring at me.
"He's Li—"
I wasn't able to finish what I was saying because Bianca and Rayver arrived, heading toward the stage.
"Come on, Rayver's here!" I said, pulling Kristine along with me.
"We'll leave you behind, Justin!" I called back as we started walking away.
The two of us hurried toward the stage.
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.
.
.
"Some goodbyes don't happen in words. They happen in silence and stolen glances."
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