|Chapter 08: Never Stop|
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|KADENA CHAIN|
"Hi! You must be Kad Crimson?"
Nixxa, the red-haired woman in their circle of friends greets me as I enter the auditorium.
The place is huge and wide. Maybe that's why Raze really said that they need help. And looking back, maybe I can forget what I saw and just purely help them.
Though, why does that concerns me in a way?
"Hello~ Uhm, yes. That's me," I smile at her. She's quite the bubbly one in the group.
I think we click at some points. I can be bubbly if I want. I can also be a serious type of person.
I look around and they're already done decorating the stage. The gray balloons are scattered on the floor, making their way up to the stage. The royal blue ones are under the roof-like cloth that they made using the cloth that people usually use in a reception in the middle? I don't know what that called is.
Then they put dark blue-green thick curtains to cover the wall. Also, white see-through curtains are styled sideways. It makes a bit of space in the middle to put the words, "Happy Birthday, Love" with a royal blue heart in the end. A mix of rose gold flowers and light yellow above the edge of the curtains, making it look like the birthday girl is having her debut.
I smile as I pick a nice color combination. Though it's just royal blue and gray.
Well, I chose cool!
"We still have to make a petal heart in the middle. Can you help us? Thank you!" I enthusiastically nod my head as I gently get a mini basket of blue rose petals that she lends to me.
"You can count on me," I tell her and walk with her towards the stage at the center.
There are two stairs on each side of the stage. We take the left side as I follow Nixxa leading the way.
I can see unfamiliar faces all over the place. I think they're not even more than fifteen in numbers. Maybe their other friends?
I watch how happy and light Nixxa's aura is today so I think, she's good with the set-up? I mean, with the surprise for Hover's girlfriend. With the way she acts now, I think so. I can't see bitterness in her eyes. It's pure happiness that she's emitting now.
I shrug my shoulders and start spreading the petals, making a heart shape. I so love the overall decorations. It's a simple grand surprise for a girlfriend. Hover really puts effort into his girl, huh?
I unconsciously look around to find Zaraze as I push my inside cheeks aside using my tongue.
My eyes gradually found him talking with the other two guys that are not familiar to me. They're not wearing our school uniforms so I bet they are outsiders?
My stare takes longer than I expected because Nixxa's already in front of me, waving her two hands in my face.
"Kad! Who are you looking at?"
My eyes widen when she's about to look in the direction of Zaraze. I look back to where he is before and I'm glad he's already far away from there, walking towards his friends. Zeus and his team players who I think also helped with the preparations.
I can also see some Women Volleyball players. Maybe to support their Captain?
Wow, so cool!
"Where's Sath?" I ask her to make up for my near exposure.
"Oh, Sath? She's trying to divert Calli's attention from looking for her boyfriend! Oh, my gosh! I'm so excited!" She screams in joy and excitement that you won't think she had feelings for Hover before.
Well, it's not broadcasted to everyone but I just know it when I accidentally heard their conversation when I peek for Zaraze inside their classroom.
It was a dismissal before and before leaving our department building, I will have to walk past the Engineering Building. They were talking about something serious but at that time, I was only trying to look for Zaraze when they made Nixxa confess.
I didn't know that time that Hover was already trying to get Calli's attention.
So, imagine my shock the other day.
"Can I ask you something, Kad?" She suddenly asks me while we continue to spread blue petals on the floor.
We need to perfectly shape a heart using this. I can't take how excited I am because I'll be a part of this grand set-up for Calli.
Never mind if I'm just here to help. At least, I helped other people.
"What is it?" I ask without looking in her direction.
She's at the end part of a heart and I'm still on the other side. I look around and I find mini baskets full of petals at the side.
"What's going on between you and Zaraze? Oh, I'm not trying to judge but, you two seem close?"
She sounds unsure. I mentally laugh because she's too cute for a woman her age.
"Nothing is going on Nixxa. He just came to ask for my help?" I ask her, a bit unsure.
Well, there's really nothing going on between us. Maybe in my heart, there is. But in reality? There's none.
"Oh, I thought... Okay! Sorry to make you uncomfortable by asking that. Let's continue?"
"It's fine, sure!" I'm starting to like her. I thought she was as bitchy as Foren whenever they raise their brows but they're soft inside.
I smile at that thought.
Maybe I can find new friends?
We continue to decorate the whole stage. I can already visualize the perfect arrangements of the decorations for the surprise in my head. I don't know why I'm a bit excited about it but my romantic side is enjoying it.
"Here. Have some water," I lift my head when Raze's voice fills my ears as a bottle of water greets my eyes.
I look at his hand up to his arms, then to his face. His eyes are screaming something that I'm not sure of.
"Thank you," I tell him while I get the bottle in his hands.
I turn on my side as I drink some. I just realize I need it when it freshens up my throat. Sweats roll from my neck down to my back. It feels refreshing.
"Are you tired? You can rest in the bleachers," he suggests it like I'm some of his long-time friends.
I shrug my shoulders and look at the bleachers at the sides.
"I'll still need to see if it's already okay," I say while pointing to the blue petals heart-shaped in front of us.
"Nixxa can do that. Come on, you've been walking around as soon as getting here. Have some rest, they can finish it," he encourages as I feel butterflies in my stomach.
Damn self, you need to behave.
He sounded concerned. Why am I loving it? This is bad but Nah.
No one's going to make me piss now. I'm already recharged. Kiddin'.
"Okay. I'll just fix myself," I tell him as I walk down the stairs on the left side of the stage.
I can hear his footsteps following me. As much as I want to watch him walk in front of me, I can already feel my nerves aching a bit. So, I just let it slide.
"Do you want to stay or do you have somewhere to go after this?" He asks while I'm looking for the white towel that I always bring with me for I sweat a lot.
Even in the simplest move of my body, I already sweat. I'm a bit sensitive, that's why.
"I'm sorry but I need to go to the hospital after this," I inform him.
I'm a bit sad to say that but it's true. Foren still needs me by her side and of course, our little boy Chazer. But before that, I might visit my Mother and brother's grave to celebrate the day with them.
I don't need to tell him that, right?
"Hm, okay. Do you want me to take you to the hospital?" I look at him as my hand stops right on my neck.
My long hair is a bit sticky already. I look like a mess but seeing his worried face, my heart flutters even more. I don't care if I look ugly with my messy hair. Just looking at him makes me feel fine.
"Thank you but I think your friend needs your support and Uhm, it's okay for me to go alone. You don't need to go with me,"
I bit my tongue. Did I talk too much? But I just want him to be with his friends right now. It's Hover's important moment later. I don't need to be that greedy to pull him with me. I'm okay. It's already enough that I spent another hour with him.
Totally forgot that I saw him with that Locran girl.
I tilt my head as something flashes at the back of my head. I shrug it off and look at him for the last time.
"I think I need to go. Tell my regards to your friend,"
"Okay. Thank you for the help, Ms. Crimson. See you,"
I smile and turn my back on him.
Maybe I can also try to be used to turning my back. So, I can do it without holding back, right?
Raze, stop making me crazy.
Or...
Never stop.