47.
chapter forty-seven:
nothing breaks like
a heart.
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The day began with overcast skies and a chilly breeze. I pulled my hoodie tighter as we made for the cafeteria. After yesterday's poetry appreciation class, I found myself in better spirits than before, even though I ended up getting drenched on the way to the hostel. As a precaution, Gary and I each brought our umbrellas.

"Ah, I can't wait to taste those oishii donuts!" Gary mused. I exchanged a glance with Misty, who shrugged.

"He's been talking about some donuts all week. Don't give me that look."

May, who had already been in the cafeteria with Drew and Dawn, waved us over. "We've got the donuts. Let's eat, guys!" Dawn exclaimed, and each of us took a seat around one of the larger tables. After settling down, May gave us a donut each. I noted mine was plain chocolate.

"Mallow cooked these?" I asked her, taking a bite. The sweetness melted in my mouth, giving a comforting, exotic sensation. "Wow!"

"It wasn't Mallow," May began hesitantly. Whatever she mumbled next was too incoherent for me to make out. I wished to eat more of the donut, but it was over before I could say herp-de-derp.

"Alright, guys!" Dawn clapped to gain our attention as Drew and Gary brought in our lunch. "We're playing truth or dare today!"

Gary and I groaned simultaneously. It was the most dangerous game to play with the girls. "No backing out!" May added with a wink. No more words were exchanged. The bottle was rolled, and I had the leisure to attend to Gary.

"T or D?" I asked. Gary shrugged.

"Dare for me."

I smirked, remembering the oath I had given Misty. "Take Misty on a date this weekend!"

"WHAT?" Misty shrieked. Gary didn't seem to be bothered. He merely nodded and continued chewing on his cookies and cream donut. After a second, he realized he had to spin the bottle and obliged. My eyes wandered to where Serena and Shauna were seated when it landed on Dawn.

The girls, too, were munching on some donuts. All of a sudden, Shauna squealed and whispered something to Serena. I followed their gaze to where Calem and Lisia were dining. The cyan-haired girl had fed something to the boy. The next thing I knew, my cheek was getting wet.

"Eh?!" I backed away, towards May, who leaned away from me, rubbing my cheek. "What the hell, Misty?"

Misty, who had just smooched my cheek, looked bored. "Dare to kiss my guy best friend. Pull yourself together."

I rolled my eyes as she spun the bottle and returned my gaze to the two girls. Serena was packing her things hurriedly, and I pondered where she was going when she told something to her friend and left. I looked over my shoulder to Calem and Lisia, and my heart sank.

Maybe she had caught the girl feeding him and probably felt heartbroken. I clenched my fists in disbelief. Lisia was supposed to be Serena's best friend! Wouldn't she know that the girl fancied Calem? Why make a move on someone who's been adored by your best friend?

"Ash, truth or dare?"

I snapped back to Drew, who was raising his eyebrows at me. The bottle had landed in my disfavor. "Truth."

"Mhm, your current favorite song?"

I thought about it. It was impossible to have one favorite song. "Er, call me maybe?"

Drew nodded, and I spun the bottle. It landed on Dawn, and I found myself daring her to buy me two chocolates. She did, albeit with much less vigor after having spent her pocket money.

My thoughts wandered to the heartbroken girl. So, after receiving my share, I excused myself and rushed to the library. It was possible that Serena would be sitting beside stacks of books. That's just her.

Unfortunately, I didn't find her in the library or any of the club rooms. I took a tour around the campus but didn't find her. When it was ten minutes to class, I headed to our classroom, head hung in defeat. When I was within meters of our classroom, I heard crying and rushed inside silently.

There she was—a golden mess on her table. The always-positive girl looked so broken...and vulnerable. Her shoulders shook violently with silent sobs. Her earphones lay on the marble floor while her phone sang Nothing Breaks Like a Heart by Miley. She didn't seem to have noticed that. How could she? She's bawling!

My heart clenched in my chest, and I took a reluctant step towards her, but stopped myself. If it were anytime before, I would have held her as if my life depended on it, but now, she probably hated me and I might only worsen her mood. I decided the least I could do was place her earphones on her table along with the chocolates Dawn had given, and give her some time.

When I stepped out of the classroom, I felt red-hot anger boil within my veins. With a reckless move, I strode to the cafeteria to confront Calem and Lisia.

Fortunately for me, I met them in the corridors. Lisia had her arm looped around a confused Calem, and it only had me at wit's end. "You—" I clenched my fist and charged forward toward the boy. As if he knew what was happening, he sidestepped, and I managed to catch myself before I toppled over.

"Er? How can I help you, Ash? Seems like I have upset you?" he asked in a surprisingly calm tone.

I set my jaw, a sentence forming in my brain. "Help? Have you ever considered how hurting others cuts them deep and leaves a scar?!"

Calem looked foolishly surprised. "Hurt? Who did I hurt?" Lisia nodded by his side, and it did nothing to abate my rage.

"Don't act the fool!" I snapped.

"No, I'm really clueless, mate?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but a firm hand grasped my forearm. I turned impatiently to look at Shauna, who looked apologetic. "He doesn't mean anything, Calem. You guys go on, we'll join you later." What?

"Shauna! How can you say that when your—"

Her grip tightened, and I winced. "No, please. Trust me." She nodded to the pair, who left without another word before I could protest. I turned to her angrily as she released me. "You saw Serena... didn't you?"

No surprise she knows. "Have you seen her at all? I mean, did you see her now? In the classroom?" I spat. Shauna put a finger to her lips.

"Keep it down, Ash!"

"Who asked you to interfere—"

"Ash! You are the one who interfered with them! With Lisia and Calem! And for your kind information, my best friend is not hurt by them as you've understood. You don't have to poke your nose in her business!"

"That's insufferable," I retorted, the anger still forcing me to talk hushed. "She's my best friend before yours!" The look that Shauna gave me—those disappointed eyes—weighed down the sentence I had uttered, and I looked at my soles. "I mean, she was."

"Well, rest assured, she's in good hands. It's some other problem . . ." she paused, then whispered, looking at me with accusatory eyes. "Whose fault is it?"

And she was gone, leaving me in the deserted hallway, taking sharp breaths to calm myself down.