Chapter Four

After coming to school, I immediately ran to our meeting spot. I expected Ryan to be here, reading like usual. Instead, I am greeted with a rose and a photograph of my team accepting the prize. I searched the whole place, but he was nowhere to be found. I took the picture and left.

“Hey, what’s wrong? You don’t look so happy to be the winner of science expo. Anything wrong with the handsome loner?” asked Mona. “Nothing wrong. It’s just I couldn’t find him there. Just a rose and a photograph.” I said showing the photograph to them. “A photograph? I don’t think our photos are out yet. They said it will take awhile for them to reach us. How did he get a photograph?” “I think he came to the expo. But I’m not sure. I just got a glimpse of him.”  “Maybe he took a picture for Ria as a gift” commented Monica. “And why would he do that but won’t show me his face?” I asked holding the rose closer to my face. “Who knows what’s going on that handsome loner’s mind? I’m not the only one he ever talks to.” Smirking Monica got back to do her things. I brought the rose closer to smell, immersed in thoughts. I couldn’t find Ryan for a week after that day.

Monday evening after the week of science expo, I went to our spot to study. I came to love this place somehow. Then I saw him sitting in his place like before. “You didn’t come here all week.” I commented settling down near him. “I had things to do.” He said. Suddenly my mind was at ease. I don’t know what I was thinking or expecting but his presence brought back the peace I lost all week. “Why did you leave the rose there instead of giving it to me?” I spoke silently, embarrassed for even asking. He lift his attention from his book and looked at me for the first time. I can clearly see his brown eyes shining despite his cold façade. There’s this warmth in his eyes which made me look into in eyes and forget the world. His thin lips forming a tiny curve which I can only assume as his smile. There’s a dimple hiding in those cheeks. I want to touch his face to make sure I’m not imagining those dimples. He gave me a once over from top to bottom and got back to his reading. Every place his look crossed felt warm like standing in the morning sunlight. I forgot what I was saying and opened my book to read. Days passed by like a movie with only lead characters. Each day Ryan would either smile at me or make a small talk catching me off guard every time.

How I really found myself enjoying his presence is still a question. But he really became an important part in my day. A part which I found myself looking forward to. I often wondered if he feels the same too. Maybe I’m the only one.

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