66.
chapter sixty-six:
silly poetry,
crisp weather,
and her.
<3

Serena had a deep frown etched across her features as she sat by the fireplace, scribbling away in her notebook. With apt interest, I noted the reflections of the flames dancing in her eyes and through her golden hair. She bit her lip, wrote some more, and bit her lip again.

Cute!

The girl was interrupted by Calem telling her something. The flames turned green, and my eyes bore into the back of his head enviously.

How dare he talk to her?!

I withdrew my phone and sent her a quick text.

You: Oi!

Serena flinched a few feet away, and my heart warmed when she smiled down at her screen. Soon, a reply lit up my phone.

Serena <3: yes? :O

You: I am boredddd!

Serena <3: what can I do? :0

I looked at where she was sitting. As if on cue, her eyes met mine, and we shared a small smile. An idea popped into my mind.

You: Serena!!!

Serena <3: Ash??? >:)

You: help me with my assignments! ;)

Serena <3: get your lazy head here then! ;)

You: Nah, I meant just your help.

There was a pause as she went offline. I found myself looking near the fireplace again. Serena and Shauna were chuckling at something. The others, though, seemed to be concentrated on their work.

Our eyes met again, and I flashed Serena a toothy grin. Once again, the girls broke into another fit of hysterical laughter. For what reason was beyond me.

My phone buzzed with another notification.

Serena <3: Someone's jealous. ;0

You: Fine, have it your way. I don't have to do the assignments anyway.

Serena <3: all for the lols, eh? Are you done with English? :/

You: No...

Serena <3: Get your English notebook. Let's go somewhere quieter. :]

You: yes ma'am!

I hurriedly packed all my books, save the English one and my rough note, deposited them onto Gary's lap, and made a quick sprint to the doorway where Serena was waiting with her books and the pouch I bought her. We exchanged a quick smile and greetings before she led me to the courtyard of the hostel.

The weather outside was crisp, so we decided to sit by the quadrangles. There were no desks, so we had to make do with one of the benches. The forced close proximity flustered me pleasantly. I sure as hell hope my life isn't being filmed...

"Okay, but does The Great Poet require the help of a mercenary?" Serena teased, poking my elbow. I rolled my eyes in fake annoyance, and we burst out laughing at each other's incredulous looks. "No, but you gotta take studies seriously!"

"Yeah, yeah," I shrugged. I felt my arm tingle and looked at the girl who was punching my left side repeatedly. I grabbed her wrists, flashing her a smile, even though she was doing it playfully.

"I'm serious here!" she exclaimed. "If you don't pass the finals, we can never be classmates again!" Her eyes shone with a strange emotion, one I could not place, but all the same, it forced me to obey her.

"Alright. Let's begin."

Serena gave me a wonderful smile and began ruffling through her book. "Well, I'm writing a poem based on the different moods of a person."

"Okay?"

She gave me a sheepish look. "But I've no idea how to go about it."

I barely contained my laugh at her hideous expression. For whatever reason, spending time with her had me chuckling and clutching the sides of my stomach.

"Er-" I cleared my throat and recomposed myself. "Why don't you associate that with, erm... something like the weather?" Serena's eyes glinted with interest, so I continued. "The weather is erratic, just like mood swings. A storm could mean rage, while rain could be associated with sadness, and sunny days with happiness."

Serena let out a fascinated squeal. "That's actually a fantastic idea!" She clapped both her hands and wrote down something on the last page of her book before looking up at me and beaming. "No wonder Professor Sycamore simply adores you!"

I blushed and began doodling stickmen in my book. "What's the point with a teacher adoring me...?"

"Who else do you wish adored you?"

A smirk graced my lips, and my eyes bore into hers—brown into sapphire. It took her a minute, then her eyes widened comically, and her lips parted in a silent gasp. Her face flushed, and she seemed to be undergoing some sort of internal struggle.

Before she could find a good reason to excuse herself and leave, I continued. "That's beside the point. When are you getting started with the poem? It'd be a welcome relief to read a better-phased poem than the cringe ones—"

Serena quirked an eyebrow, welcoming the distraction. "Cringe ones? Wait, you mentioned yesterday that you wrote something to the girl you like... Could I perhaps see them?"

I nodded slowly and reached into my backpack to pull out my rough book. They were written for and about her, after all.

Handing the book to her, I pulled my hoodie lower and turned away. Even if it was meant for her eyes, they are cringe!

I heard Serena ruffle through the pages before everything turned silent. There was the sturdy sound of rain splattering against windows overhead and onto the green undergrowth before us. The leaf turned again, and I tensed. A good minute, which seemed like an eternity, later, she spoke. "Ash?"

"Yeah?" I mumbled, still not meeting her eye. I felt her grip around my left wrist and hesitantly turned to look at her. She was sporting a pink blush but was smiling widely. Her eyes were... sparkling? "I know they're cringe—" I started, but was cut off when she threw her pointer finger to my lips.

"I'm truly flattered that you think so highly of me," she said, her voice barely a whisper. Her flush deepened, and I felt something in my chest purr. "I could never—Butterhead pales in comparison to these poems!" The girl grinned and gave me a one-armed hug. "Could I please borrow this book just for today?"

"Er..." I hesitated, backing away a little. It had quick chats between myself, May, and Gary regarding certain teachers. What would she think of me if she were to read those? "How about..." I dragged. Her face lit up in eagerness, and I clenched my fists in frustration. Her puppy-dog eyes were worse than Bonnie's! "Sure?"

Serena made a happy squeak, and we went back to writing silly poems for our English assignment. So far, so good.