Chapter 108：I Love You, Veon

Veon arrived at the garden and he sat down aggressively on the bench. He took a deep breath, held it in for three seconds before releasing it to calm himself down. He looked at the sky and started to think of ways on how to save Sheloah for the meantime.

Veon's hands formed into fists. He really felt uneasy, knowing that Sheloah was kidnapped by a mysterious man. They did not even know how the situation is at her end.

He realized that he had never felt this uneasy before. He had never had this much interest in another girl before but since he had met Sheloah, it was like he wanted her to be by his side at all costs. He wanted her to always be safe. He somewhat felt overprotective of her.

"Veon."

He looked back and he saw Shannara behind, walking towards him.

"What is it," Veon asked and Shannara sat beside him.

"I have something to say to you," she said and Veon sighed slightly.

"Speak," he said coldly and it had made Shannara feel uneasy. Veon realized this so he felt a little guilty. His worry towards Sheloah had caused him to act a little rashly.

Shannara ignored his coldness then started speaking.

"Remember when we were in elementary? We became close that time," she said and Veon nodded.

"Yeah… why," he asked and Sheloah giggled a bit.

"I know that I am the only one who could remember something important," Shannara said and this made Veon raise his brow at her.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Veon did not know what else to say. He was in no mood to talk so he stayed silent. For a few minutes, they sat in complete silence and when five minutes had passed, this made it already awkward for the two of them.

"I wish Sheloah's okay," Veon said, breaking off the silence.

Shannara's face looked sad. She was thinking of confessing to Veon but his worry towards Sheloah's situation made her heart ache a bit.

She looked at the ground and spoke. "Veon, you and Sheloah got close only recently, right? What do you like about her," she asked and Veon looked at her, quite surprised by the question, but he still answered anyway.

"She's smart, talented… she likes games, she's kind, and pretty in a way," he answered and Shannara forced out a smile, hiding the pain since she tried comparing herself to Sheloah.

"It must be nice… having a lot of interests that you both have in common," Shannara said and this made Veon look back at the sky, feeling awkward.

"Y-you're pretty in your own way, too," Veon said, stuttering at the beginning and this made the girl beside him laugh.

"Thanks… but you don't have to lie to me for me to be happy," Shannara said and Veon let out a natural smile. He meant what he said.

"I do mean what I said," Veon said and this made Shannara nod at him.

"Did you ever love a person before? Y'know… other than your family. Is there a girl you particularly like," she suddenly asked and Veon's eyes slightly widened.

"What do you mean and why are you asking this?" Veon couldn't answer. He found this topic quite awkward.

"You worry so much for her. Your interaction with her is different compared to the other girls you know. You give her special treatment," Shannara answered and this made Veon sigh, slightly annoyed.

"Veon, I have something to say, remember," Shannara said and Veon looked at her coldly.

"Make it quick," he said and this made Shannara sad. She released his arm and she looked at the ground, slightly ashamed of how desperate she was of Veon's attention.

"I love you, Veon."

Veon was surprised when he saw Shannara started crying. He also felt guilty because he acted coldly towards her. She looked at him with teary eyes then her voice broke as she spoke.

"Don't I have any hope?"

When Veon heard this, he couldn't look at the girl in front of him properly. He avoided her gaze, turned his back, then walked away before he said his last words for Shannara tonight.

"I'm sorry."