Faintyrella

Several days later, many students avoided Airi like the plague.

“What’s wrong with them?” she asked her friends who were beside her.

“Haven’t you heard? Celina was kicked out for what she did to you,” Zai-zai whispered.

“What?!”

“Looks like bullying you is a serious offense,” Merry said. “Especially with Jiro’s mom being one of the owners of this school.”

“I don’t think Celina was expelled because she bullied Airi. Remember when she also announced that Jiro was her boyfriend?” Zai-zai interrupted. “Maybe the students here think that whoever picks on Jiro or you will probably have the same fate as that bully.”

Cat got Airi’s tongue. ‘He’s way out of my league. It’s better to avoid him than let this feeling grow.’

She pinched her glabella when the surroundings began to spin. The tension and overwhelming thought corrupted her emotions once more. She didn’t want to be under anyone’s scrutinizing gaze, but it kept happening.

Her friends kept their pace without realizing they were already a few steps ahead of Airi, who couldn’t call them for assistance. Her visions began to fade as her legs wobbled in an attempt to chase after her friends.

Tinnitus rang in her ears... a sign that migraine was about to hit as her peripheral vision gradually blurred.

“Zai? Merry? Wait for me,” she called. “My head is throbbing again.”

It was only then that they looked behind to see her about to collapse. They ran back to her. But before they even got close, Airi bumped into someone behind her. As soon as the girls came closer, she was already in someone else’s embrace.

A familiar hint of oriental amber scents overpowered her will to open her eyes. All she wanted that time was to remain in the strong arms of whoever caught her.

“You really have the habit of fainting, don’t you?” Jiro’s breath was warm against her ears, causing her nape and arms to piloerect. “So, this is how you react to me? Make sure that you only react that way to me, and not with any other guy you come closer to.”

Airi wanted to protest, so she reached for her friends’ hands for support. But Jiro was quick to dismiss the girls. “You can go to our class now and inform our teacher that we’re at the clinic,” he said.

Her friends’ approval was the last clear voice she heard before finally passing out.

*

“Airi really dislikes crowds.”

Her father’s voice filled the clinic. She sighed, seeing herself in the same bed again.

“Does she have enochlophobia?” It was Jiro who asked the question.

“We haven’t had her tested for any phobias,” Artenian said. Airi just kept listening. “Maybe she developed it when she was around five or six? She got lost in a crowd while following her grandmother. I think that was when it all started.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle, I’ll look after her well.”

“You’re so kind, Jiro. Your parents are lucky to have you. But don’t worry, Airi needs to get used to it. You don’t need to trouble yourself.”

“It’s the second time she fainted, Uncle. And I have always been around every time it happens. So, I think it’s Destiny telling me that I should be her guardian.”

“You’re too young to be a knight in shining armor.” Artenian chortled.

“I’m very much excited to become an adult ASAP, as long as it is Airi whom I need to protect.”

Airi’s cheeks burned after hearing what Jiro said. Her heart rejoiced, pumping notoriously, making her head throb even more. “Why is that guy so enthusiastic?” she murmured to herself.

“Because he likes you too?”

Her eyes opened widely when she heard Merry’s voice. “What are you doing here?” she hissed, struggling to get up… careful not to make any noise.

“Our Math teacher told me to call Uncle Tenian, that’s why he’s here. Imagine the shock on his face when he saw Jiro.”

“What do you mean?”

Merry just grinned and gestured, zipping her lips.

**

Their first year in high school ended in a blink.

Airi just listened to her classmates talking about their vacation plans.

While the room was a boisterous open-air market, her mind wandered to the future. She scoffed at the idea of not seeing Jiro for two months. His voice was loud enough to announce to his friends that he would stay in his grandparents’ rest house in the province.

“What about you, Airi? What’re your plans?” someone asked.

“Nothing. Maybe spend time in my room, writing,” she replied absent-mindedly. The chair beside her screeched against the floor. A hint that someone sat beside her, but she still didn’t pay attention to who was there. Her mind was busy wandering off.

“Oh, so you’re a writer! What kind of stories do you write?” a guy asked.

“Random. Anything that comes to mind,” she said. She answered the question, thinking he was just one of her classmates. And then that was it! The subtle scent of a familiar perfume brought her senses back. The same fragrance that got her heart to race. The guy sitting beside her was so close that his lips almost touched her ears, sending goosebumps all over her.

A soft chuckle made her even more nervous, especially when she saw her classmates’ reactions. “That’s my girl,” Jiro whispered to her ear. “Your goosebumps confirm my gut feeling.”

“What are you talking about?” Annoyed and coy, she looked beside her without second thoughts. Only to realize her mistake. Jiro’s face was so close to hers that they were literally nose to nose. She attempted to push herself away at the last second. But he was quick to pull her back close… forehead to forehead.

“I’m talking about you, being this close to me.”

“Uh- uhm!” Someone coughed.

Both of them glanced toward the door. They froze. Mrs. Amphordone was there, standing but trying to hide a grin of excitement. Her eyes twinkled like a teenager’s despite the visible crow’s feet and wrinkles on her face.

“Go back to your proper seats,” she said. “Today is your last day in first-year high school. I expect you’ve all completed your clearances. Enjoy your vacation. And I hope that you’re not going to miss anyone so much,” she teased. Hinting glances towards Jiro’s and Airi’s direction. “You’re dismissed.”

**

Two days later.

“Airi, honey, are your things packed already?”

The smell of sautéed garlic and fried sausage filled her nostrils.

“Did you make breakfast, Ma?” Airi sluggishly opened her eyes upon hearing her mother’s voice. Confused, she got up and smiled at her. She glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s just seven in the morning. Why do I have to pack?”

“Didn’t your father tell you that we’re leaving today? We’re going to a family friend’s private resort.”

“Can I just stay here? I don’t want to go anywhere.” She rolled in her bed and hid under her blanket.

“We’ll only stay there for a week.”

“I’d rather continue my work in progress than get exhausted mingling with people.” She rolled to the other side of the bed.

“Have I mentioned that it’s a beach resort?”

*

Icy breeze kissed Airi’s face as the salty air filled her lungs. She enjoyed the view of the pristine turquoise water that calmed her nerves. She closed her eyes as the soothing hymn of the crashing waves entertained her ears.

As soon as their car stopped in front of a native house, she rushed to the shore.

The warm sand beneath massaged her feet. She pulled out a towel from her tote bag and spread it on the sand.

A smile painted her lips when she sat behind the rocks. The setting sun burst with radiant red-orange and kisses of yellow hues. The clouds served as royal guards protecting their king before he went to bed. The picturesque view made her forget the exhaustion from their 10-hour drive.

“What a beautiful sunset!” Someone from above the rocks exclaimed. “But nothing’s lovelier than the girl watching it.”