[Play: Shivers by Ed Sheeran ]
I cut him short in hopes he would not need to bring that up, again.
Yaagnar is a weird guy and never knows how to read a room.
But he manages to sit next to me. I didn't pay attention to him as I observed the only two bulky men in uniforms who stood in the moving bus as the bus kicked to a smooth start.
I can help but think of the life that awaits me. I have heard a lot of stories of Necroforce, not from trusted sources though, mainly, rumors on online forums.
No comments from any of their alumni or interviews on their stay in the school. But one thing I noticed was that their lives were not the same after graduating.
It was like a means to prove one's worth and value, the only that made it most enticing was the fact that it was free as long as you survived the Initiation Ritual which has a success rate of 13 percent.
That means in this 46 person bus, only 6 persons would survive.
A cold sensation washes down my spine as bitter feeling clumps my throat.
This should be a good decision. I convince myself as doubt grows in my heart. Not only do I have to pass the ritual, I have to keep a good report with my lecturers and fellow students. It is a good opportunity to break away from the small Maelstrom circle that I desperately tried to leave with no success so far.
I lean into my seat and close my eyes, there is no need to overthink everything.
"Allan." Yaagnar said as he tapped my arm to get my attention.
I reluctantly look at him as I try to imagine what random things he wanted to go off about.
"I wanted to tell you something." Yaagnar said as he swallowed hard.
He always said the most random and ridiculous things with no iota of hesitation. What was the issue this time?
"I wanted to tell you this for a very long while now." Yaagnar said as he hugged my arm and stared into my eyes.
"You know how much I hate when you do that." I say as I clench my jaw out of frustration.
He places his index finger on my lip. "I like you."
This is a bad joke, he loves making jokes at the most inappropriate time. I wiggle my face to get his finger off my lips, I can't do this right now.
"I do. Don't you want to ask me when I started feeling that way?" He asked with his ever eager eyes.
"No, coz you are kidding." I say with a wide smile. "You think I'll fall for that?"
Yaagnar stared at me and pulled me by my arm and pressed his lips against mine. I was taken back by the sudden move but his gentle approach threw me off.
I open my eyes to see him staring at me with those eyes.
He always stared at me that way. He just stared at me with his steamy breath against my face.
"Not a joke." He said with a crooked smile as he leaned in closer, his breath smelling like cinnamon gum.
I froze, I honestly don't know what to do. He remembered that. I didn't even know when I started tearing up.
He pushed me away when one of the bulky guys drew closer.
I honestly don't know what to do.
I remember telling him that I liked cinnamon flavored ice cream one year when I bought it for myself on my birthday.
I don't know how to process this.
"When did you start feeling that way?" I asked.
"Last year." He answered immediately as he scratched the back of his neck.
"Why didn't you say anything?" I say as I bite my lip.
"I was scared you'll ghost me."
"So what changed?"
"I assumed that you may be thick enough to not understand my clues, so here I am." Yaagnar pouted.
I had interpreted his weirdness as his coping mechanism for the new life he was facing. I mean, everyone should have that period during their late teenage years. Who would have thought it was because he liked me?
[There is no need to keep playing the song.]