As the incidents that followed after the spread of the rumours, for some reason, Jason started to ignore me. Even if I wanted to approach him and ask what was wrong, he would avoid my gaze and go away somewhere. Furthermore, I don't know why, but the teach also brought forth a change of seats such that now Jason was no longer sitting beside me. I didn't like it.

As the days went by, the contact between us totally stopped. Even Chris started to ask me if something had happened but with no answer to give him, I just replied with a "nothing's wrong". Days turned into weeks and then to months such that our final school year had begun.

Since students were usually shuffled during each new school year, there were many cases where some friends fell apart because of being in different sections or rather different class groups. I was fearing that this might happen with me and Jason, but to my relief, nothing of that sort happened. We were again assigned the same sections while Marcus got assigned to a different section.

Finally, it was the first day for classes to commence for the last school year. Since after school, we may never be able to meet again, I was determined to fix the relation between me and Jason. As I freshened up and dressed for school, my driver came to pick me up, I bid goodbye to the housekeeper and went off. The day was going smoothly, or so I thought.

As soon as I reached school, a student cycling tackled his cycle with me such that both of us fell down and I got injured. He apologized to me persistently, but I just told him it was not a big deal. At first I thought of heading to my new classroom, but after seeing how I was having difficulty in walking itself, I decided to go to the infirmary.

When I reached the school infirmary, the nurse was nowhere to be found so I just gave up and went to my classroom. As we were now the senior most students in the school, we were given the classrooms in the top most floor so that surrounding noises could not be heard within. This was done so that the studies of the students would not be hampered and a good environment for studying could be incorporated.

After struggling to reach the classroom, limping and gasping for air, I finally entered the room. Everyone else was engaged in their own world while I was completely ignored, as usual. I mean, I didn't really have friends except Jason and Chris, and yeah, also Marcus. So everyone just saw me as a good student but nothing more than that.

Then as I was reaching out for the last bench, another hand already grabbed it and it was none other than, Jason. When I looked up to see his face properly, he avoided my gaze and pulled the chair and sat down. While I, feeling awkward, just reached out for the last bench of the row that was beside Jason's.

He is still avoiding me, I thought. I wanted to greet him normally, but the vibe was so awkward that I couldn't do so and the bell for the classes to commence rang up. As I realised things were not going smoothly.

As soon as the bell for the end of the first-half classes rang, I thought of inviting Jason to have his lunch with me but before I could even do that. I heard from behind me, "Jason!! Are you going to play football with us again?" I turned around to see who it was and there were faces that I couldn't recognise. I was kinda perplexed when they invited Jason but when he too screamed back as "Yeah, coming. Just give me a minute." I was really shocked. I mean I thought Jason had only me as his friend but now I had realised that he already made many new friends since joining my school.

After packing his things up, he walked towards my direction and so, I was about to wave a "Hi", but he just brushed past me and went out of the classroom from the door behind me. Things were not going towards a good direction. I wanted to fix our relationship but nothing was working out. I felt helpless. After that I just spent my whole lunchtime in the classroom, sleeping.

The tension between us went on for many days to come. As the time went by I was dreading my situation more and more. Everything seemed fruitless and I couldn't do anything to fix it. Jason's attitude grew colder and colder towards me and it made me feel worse because I didn't even know why he was acting that way towards me.

As my frustrations grew, I started to bicker with my father once in a while at home. The atmosphere at home worsened and the workers found it difficult to keep on working. And one day, to my surprise and disgust, my father brought a lady client in home and they spent the night. I hated it but I couldn't exactly refute against my father, who was practically my guardian. As the bottled up feelings kept on accumulating inside me, it was becoming difficult to keep a straight face at all times.

And then one morning, I just couldn't handle anymore. I really need to settle things. At first, I thought of talking with my father, of course, in a relaxed tone. I called him via my phone, as he was away on a business trip, and we spoke about the things I wanted to say. I thought maybe he would again start shouting and all, but to my surprise, he didn't. He told me that my mother wanted me to go to her hometown and that kinda made him feel sad. He told me that he never loved my mother and they had a completely contractual relationship, that is, they were just forced to marry each other by their family members. He told me that the lady client who came to our house, was someone special and that he truly loved her but he apologized and asked for my forgiveness.

After listening to what he had to say, I couldn't exactly stay angry at him and so I just told him I forgave him. But about going to mother's hometown, I didn't want to. So, he just agreed and told me to do what I wanted to do. And then I realized that he had changed. He had become softer and more understanding than earlier and I guess I was happy for him. But the main problem had yet to come. Now, it was time for me to talk with Jason.

While thinking about talking to Jason, the exams began and I once again missed my timing and then finally, it was winter, the last winter before we all graduated from our school. As the days became colder, I realized time was running out so I needed to make things right. And so, after mustering up my courage, I decided to approach Jason on the last day of the School Carnival.

School Carnival, a school fest that took place at every January in our school. It consisted of sports events including inter school ones and setting up of stalls and many more fun recreational activities. I too was assigned to work on props for the school play such that I was really busy. But, fortunately, Jason was also assigned to the same committee as mine. I thought that as we worked on our props I could again try to rekindle our friendship but, as if to my misfortune, Marcus always interfered. Yes, that's right. He too was assigned to our committee. And as I had thought, both of them were glued to each other non-stop. It was really irritating.

Then, on the day before the play, I decided to talk to Jason. All of us in the props committee were making the finishing touches and I too helping out. After painting the leaves of a tree, I was about to take a breather, when I saw Jason walking out of the classroom from the back door. This is my chance, I thought to myself. As no one was watching me, I just excused myself and went behind him. I was nervous but also kinda excited thinking about the moment when we would reconcile.

As I followed behind Jason, he suddenly changed direction such that I was blocked by the wall but even so, I hurriedly ran after him and as I was about to shout out to him, I saw him with someone. It was Marcus. Both of them were smiling at each other, whispering about something, and then they kissed.

After witnessing their kiss, I don't know what came over me, but ran away. I ran as fast as I could and before I knew it, I had reached the school ground. I was panting, being out of breath. As I balanced my body, gasping for oxygen, I felt something warm on my face. Was I coming down with a fever or something? And as I touched my face, I realised warm liquid was coming out from my eyes. I was crying. Why? What is wrong with me? I already knew that they were together so why now? Why am I realizing about these stupid emotions now?

And as these thoughts went on inside my head, I started to cry out loud. I had finally realized the reason why I hated Marcus sticking with Jason and why I didn't like it when Jason left me alone to hang out with Marcus.  I liked Jason. Not the friends-kinda like but the other-kinda like.... I was really hating myself for realizing this now.

As I calmed down after a couple of minutes or so, I went to wash my face. That was embarrassing. As I headed inside the classroom. Jason still kept on ignoring me and it was finally time to wrap up the preparation for the play. And so all of us were now ready for the School Carnival.
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Mini theatre

Ugh.... My eyes are so puffed up because of crying for so long....

I think I should go back to class after the redness under my eyes reduces....

*Enters classroom after about 30 minutes or so*

Uff... Thank god... No one noticed my absence.... *starts to do his work again*

Meanwhile

Jason: Where the hell did he come from? And why are his eyes red? 

*keeps on giving side glances to Finn*
[P.s. he is kinda worried (⁠^⁠^⁠)]

The end
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Hope you munchkins liked this chapter (^⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_⁠^)♡♡.... & I am so sorry for uploading it so late(>_<)... Anyways Happy Reading!! & don't forget to Vote, Follow and comment!!(⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)

-Yours truly,
Haruhiko♡