Chapter 30 Valencia's Mindfulness

Chapter 30 Valencia's Mindfulness

Tap, tap, tap

Panting, Lyra's sneakers screeched on the polished floor. "Val! Val!" she yelled, her hair bouncing with each stride. "Meeting time, then study session, remember?"

"Right," I stood there watching Lyra catch her breath, "We're just waiting for Camila."

"Okay!" Lyra still acts like a cute puppy dog around us. Looking at her she kinda does resemble a golden retriever for some reason.

Her hair kind of wags when shes talking with us because of how jumpy and energetic she is. yet around men, she's so serious for no reason but that's not my concern anyway.

well, whatever we can wait for Camila near the club room.

As we made our way to the club room, we spotted Jan turning the corner.

"Oh hey, Lyra and Valencia are you not going to the club room right away?" Jan who looked to be in no rush asked.

"Not yet, we will see you there soon though," I said as I waved him off.

"And that reminds me. Have you recovered since then?" Jan looked at me with genuine concern and that reminded me about what happened that time.

I can't remember much of it but there was one thing that I still kind of hate for what he did back then. My body was overworked. To think that my special ability wasn't enough to take that monster down made me realize how weak I was, I thought after slicing till it died finally killed it the monster got back up once again, but I couldn't move because of the exhaustion that built up on my body.

I thought I was done for, but still, I couldn't think of any other good-for-nothing person who would do such a thing. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

I could see the desperation on his face as he pushed me out of the way. Maybe he had an ulterior motive, that disgusting freak.

My body felt creeps as I grabbed a hold of myself. To think he would probably ask for a favor too, god damn it.

"You should thank him." Jan's voice snapped me out of my trance. "Why should I do that?" I replied to his response.

Because he saved you," Jan said in a serious tone

"No, he didn't," I responded with a dismissive shake of my head.

"Yes, he did," Jan insisted, his eyes holding a hint of sincerity.

"No-" I began to protest.

"He did," Jan interrupted, his voice firm and unwavering.

My eyebrows furrowed in frustration as I continued to reject the idea.

I don't even know why, but I could feel my face twist in disgust thinking someone like him would save me from such a thing, but it kept reminding me of that moment that happened years ago.

The acrid bite of smoke, the searing heat, the taste of fear thick on my tongue. All leading back to my promise, whispered in the ashes of that nightmare.

/---\

[Flashback - 10 years ago.]

[Monster Outbreak 2012]

There was a huge invasion that broke out and monsters started showing up out of nowhere and I was just a kid who was shopping with her mother.

Ehem I let out a fake cough,"Breakfast club living up to its name, eh?" I quipped, my voice a touch louder than necessary.

"Dipsticks! Let's claim our seats before the pastries disappear," Lyra chirped, pointing across from Jan. I swallowed, my pulse quickening. Would closeness make it easier or just amplify the awkwardness?

Camila's eyes, however, were fixated on the drinks table. "Ooh, Allen's specials! It's the Honey Lavender Latte!" she gushed, her gaze turning into a heart-shaped constellation. I chuckled, momentarily distracted by her infectious enthusiasm.

We settled in, the meeting progressing in a blur of announcements and trip logistics. When Lan finally declared us free, my feet remained rooted to the chair. My eyes flickered towards Him, he was paying attention earlier but now he's blissfully asleep. Had he been narcoleptic all this while?

"Val! Val!" Lyra tugged onto my shirt, her puppy dog eyes pleading. "Me and Camila are heading to the library now."

"Okay, I'll catch you guys there. Just gotta do something quick."

"Mkayy!" Lyra and Camila scurried out, soon followed by the rest of the club. Within minutes, only Rel and I remained.

SNOREEE

ugh... how disgusting. "Hey" I tugged his shirt trying to wake him up. SNOREEEE

His reply was another snore.

"HEY, WAKE UP!" I exclaimed, louder this time.

He stirred, stretching lazily as his eyes met mine. I instinctively backed off keeping my distance from him.

"What is it?" His voice was raspy, still clinging to sleep.

"Look, uh..." My teeth ground together, frustration battling with gratitude. "I just wanted to say... thanks." I couldn't bear to look at him, my gaze flitting across the room.

"Thanks? For what?" His brow furrowed in confusion.

"For that time you know uh," I mumbled, avoiding his eyes. "When you did that... for me."

A soft smile curved his lips. "hmm I don't know how to explain this." He paused, then added, "Besides, shouldn't you thank someone by name, Valencia?"

His voice, unexpectedly gentle, confused me. I met his gaze, surprised by the flecks of gold dancing in his blue eyes. Was he... flirting? My mind scrambled suspicious of such a sudden shift. Putrid boys and their underhanded tactics—I wouldn't be fooled.

deep breaths, haaah, maybe I should just practice in my head something like 'Hey Rel, just wanted to say... thanks for, uh, you know...' See? Pathetic, I thought, picturing him smirking as I slunk out of the room.

"If you're just gonna stand there daydreaming," he said, rising from his chair and brushing past me, "I'm leaving."

The creak of the door triggered something inside of me. Words I had never thought came out before I could think.

"Hey Rel!" I called, my voice croaking.

"He glanced up, his eyes sleepy pools in the sunlit room. My gaze darted away, then snapped back, a desperate plea burning in my throat. "Look, about that day... Thanks," I blurted, the words exploding from me.

His face softened, a genuine smile replacing the playful smirk I expected. He shrugged, his voice surprisingly sincere. "See? Not that hard, was it?"

His hand reached out, not a cocky command, but a hesitant offering. "Can't we be friends?" _________

Authors Notes: - The song I was listening to when writing this was Blue Butterflies - Sped up by JHIN. (Good song btw) (^ >ヮ<^)

- Valencia was only 7 years old in that flashback! ૮(˶Ó_Ò ⑅)ა

- The term "narcoleptic" refers to a condition where a person has an extreme tendency to fall asleep or experiences excessive daytime sleepiness. (๑>؂•̀๑)