Chapter Theme Music: Lake Bresha ~ FFXIII OST100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6kMgq3xzC
<08/04/2011 - 09:12 | Saffrin Middle School (GA Studies), Austell, GA, USA>
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqtdtvuQFB
My entry back into the classroom was barely noticed, and I returned the bathroom pass without hearing a word about how long I've been gone. I didn't want to think about all the homework that was slowly piling up in front of me, but I had no choice but to put it off until later. I took note again of the schedule I glanced at as a reminder of what would come next.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOli9EF2dsc
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmoHW1poRw
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG1djquGqj
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AyqQm2Lfc
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUebgXOP9a
For a serene moment, I just stood leaning on the teacher's desk with my face towards the classmates whom I've been ignoring.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEWPDpeaA1
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuCFFnbTrb
"So these are the people you've been hanging out with in my absence?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOZZRnOZYM
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjKe8bwnMw
Having Lumina back reminded me about all the principles of our shared connection, how she could see everything through my eyes, even where my vision focused most. I tried as quickly as I could to get used to it again, so that she can't surprise me later. "Are you kidding? Those people were nowhere to be found over the summer. They didn't want to talk to me. They've been only acquaintances for as long as I can remember... But maybe I can work some new magic on them." I wasn't too sure if I wanted to put in any effort in trying to keep up with these girls, but not all of them were so bad. I never called Laura or Zero for example when I needed help, because I never had their phone numbers to begin with. As for the others, if they continue to ignore me, I'll have to try even harder.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22nD7a7GmA
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPFYcJaPq3
"You sound like a masochist."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsMKEvapRM
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeNazNuWbX
"What is that?" I waited for her clarification as I made my way back to my seat, sitting in wait as I wasn't ready to talk to any of them just yet. With a pencil and eraser in hand, maybe I can pretend to work.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydAuU8tO1q
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyP2K92A24
"Never mind. Let me ask you this. Where is Maddison right now?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbRTqhws4e
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohV8LUPkM3
I guess I'll have to look up what a masochist is on my own. As for Maddison, "Should I even care? I'm sure she'd want it that way. I haven't been nice to her even after learning she has amnesia, and I don't feel bad about it one bit. She's off somewhere, not caring about things as usual."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡberCGtaAUE
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mVRivZoeH
For the faintest moment, Lumina boosted the connection using her passive ability, allowing me to see through her eyes as she showed me her place and her arms in front. "Well she's missing out. She might think she's someone's cream of the crop, but she doesn't have all this!" Lumina waved and pointed her arms and eyes down to her own body, bobbing to gesture showing off her entire package.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmdDO5pWtE
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hLdltEm2b
Delayed by only a half-second from denial, I couldn't contain my laughter at such quirks. I vocalized my excitement enough for everyone to hear, and found it so absurd how proud Lumina was to be herself instead of someone else.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07NPdvGLDR
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10vKkfBU2y
"What happened?" Banarus, curious only to what set me off tried not to laugh in sympathy for how lost I was in myself. I wasn't able to answer her yet, and her curiosity spread to everybody else at the table.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu42wigz7Xa
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZBnxJB05L
Laura tsked her tongue a few times while studying me. "He's finally gone crazy."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1iQzPYpTn
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0LJv0z0Oq
Just when I thought I would recover, Laura's comment only made it worse. I had to hold my chest and take deeper breaths to not fall out of my own seat, though at least I became quieter in volume.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTLW72yFO4
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1MpTILpRC
"Serious though. You are okay, aren't you?" The question came from Lumina, a voice I would never mistake for anybody else. Her concern, though mild, calmed me down faster.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRB2VAbtP4
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslReZm4e9B
"Don't worry about me. I was just thinking something over again from earlier." I only addressed the humans, certain Lumina would hear my separate answer from within.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PKB85CfeG
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCca5sAs4yR
"Smooth." I knew she was unimpressed only by my lack of emotional control in front of others, but I could care less given what I've been through.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3dqbaalQi
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18SBrmO9Mj
"So, you're not being crazy?" Laura would have been asking as a joke in any other context, but she was the only one not laughing at my cringiness.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQLIAJHIu9
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jKZQQPF71
Oh well, might as well go all in from this moment forward. "Maybe I am crazy Laura!" I Gothicized my own voice to sound insane on purpose, hoping for a frightened or panicked reaction from Laura. "Maybe I'm crazy and you're too late in realizing it!" I went all out, trying to open my eyes wider while leaning in towards her slowly.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gev8eP79T
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOIbiOBq36
"Okay, calm down."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0iPExzPns
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9apzabaei1
Laura finally admitted defeat by leaning away, making a crackling laughing cry for help. Already was I too much for her, and the moment got the others chuckling at us both. The whole atmosphere could have stayed so heavenly, until Banarus decided not to abandon her stubborn curiosity.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQMDqkTLhB
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtK850Vf4d
"You seem way happier all the sudden. I mean, there you were for days just sitting like a zombie, and now this? It's okay Reed. You can tell us if you've gone bonkers."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf5nov7tSn
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8dcfEXtXM
In just two seconds, her question killed what mood we had going. Everybody was staring at me now, waiting on an explanation they all deserved. She's quite the problem sometimes, saying what everybody else is thinking. Now I have to convince everybody that I'm okay, even though there is no visible reason for me to make such a swift one-eighty. I of course know the real reason; just thinking about her like this was making me blush a little. None of them can ever know about her though.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMHZRn0gmZ
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKVaQ7rvGi
"Girls? I can be a complete weirdo sometimes. I may not make sense to some of you every day. And if that makes me bonkers, so be it. You can call me your everyday wacko!" My confession had Laura and Kate cackling somewhat, but I continued in all seriousness. "Right now, I'm okay if you all think I'm nuts. I for one don't need to change who I am to make any friends. So, if you're still wondering, I'm fine." I let my words end there, waiting for them to ask me something else... The silence trailed, all with easy expressions I've never seen before.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWwqQRK4qG
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlrpbPK0vz
"...Interesting," Lumina observed. "They respect you more for saying something like that."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdXcHqv9yn
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYCccnCitQ
Was that really the case? I wouldn't have guessed it myself, but if Lumina is so sure, I have to believe it.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocKNVKz4Bh
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jEEd2z3tH
"... Hold on a moment!" Being the first to interrupt achieved bliss, Laura leaned forward on top of her desk, until her face was right up in my own.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTV6TtFJ8l
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDaJBZDeLL
I instantly tried to lean away from her, being unable to see with all my vision taken up by Laura's curious scowl. "Eh, personal space much?" I shouldn't have underestimated her ability to make me feel uncomfortable, though it was probably payback for what I did to her earlier.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pFrA0rSRm
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUAffQHmwt
At last, Laura backed away, resuming her normal sitting bend while crossing her arms in awe. "So that's why you're acting so weird today!"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhKXUOfGTU
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEzj11T16n
I shrugged my arms up with a slight nod of uncertainty to what she was getting at. Oh...? I thought I was always the weird one.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3nFY0tnzG
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XbnxoHWhf
"Isn't he always weird?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme2sYly9zW
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc43pE5iHjV
"Hey! Telepathy's our thing!" As Lumina shouted at Banarus for her comment, I rubbed my arm to try and catch up.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjuLn7KCD5
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5n85LK5wH
So that's why I heard two of the same questions at once! I thought it was unnatural for Banarus's voice to echo at all, but it was Lumina asking the same thing at the same time, which explains her latest jesting outburst. Still, I didn't even get the time to explain anything before Laura came out with the news herself, and she made a wide, naughty grin when she addressed me.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru4wEfu1ZO
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8XSYqv3yV
"So, who's the new girlfriend?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9Xu454zfj
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt0pceuuvR
Everyone around me just blurted "What?!" as if they'd never expect to hear that, including Lumina, though her shock was for different reasons. "Eha..." I was too confused to make words right now, shocked that Laura could somehow figure these things out first. I wanted to flat out deny it, but with my feelings for Lumina so fresh on my mind, my tongue just froze up with nothing else to say.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA5RLWjW3x
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp6ANxGIPO
"I got to hand it to Laura. She read you like a two-page picture book made with glass pages."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGg0UMC9nJ
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P96cjIiR2
"Girlfriend huh? Whatever do you mean?" I couldn't even engage my acting skills. There was too much for me to think about at once, mainly to the mystery of how Laura was so observant. She's much more skilled than me! I can read people really well too, but never who they're crushing on. As such, I probably didn't sound convincing in my own lie.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRDshVIRyY
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIDN8iMsE4
"Hah!" Banarus barked and pointed. "I knew it!"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCsBLRLcOE
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tGGaJqcPW
"She totally did not know it."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoUlkln7ik
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR1LGbNBcO
"Can everyone just stop talking to me at once?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeAo91rKZv
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmkp2aMaTr
Laura ignored my strange request though, penalizing me with the truth I tried so much to hide. "You've been blushing ever since you got back to the classroom, but you were extremely miserable before that. Admit it!" Laura stood up with her legs apart pointing at me like a five year old accusing a villain. "You were having girl trouble weren't you? You got the looove buuug!"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVidpK47gbE
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4czvYUavM
Without a dull moment, Banarus added on with my humiliation. "Awh! That's so cute! Reed, you finally found someone!"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOZQEjNSog
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nzRP6OJbC
At last I was given a moment to speak, but I had to rethink everything to say, since my facade of being a stone-cold single loner came crashing down in flames. This was the one thing I didn't want to have to deal with. I knew I would be bombarded with questions for details if I were to mention a secret lover to anybody, questions I could never plausibly answer, because of Lumina... No, I don't think I can hide this anymore, at least not the part that I do have a girlfriend. Allowing myself to come out with this truth, I decided to let them win this round, even though I could barely speak it. "Okay... So I might possibly have someone... Maybe..." It's so embarrassing to admit to others!100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MVMhONKu5
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ1tdtgqac
"And her name's Lumina?" Laura grinned as she started to eat my nervousness up like pancakes. Even Lumina was spooked.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN76nclTxg
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DqE4mrMRX
"Aaaagh! Laura has telepathy!"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTA19r0M5y
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobdK3WGt5r
But that's not possible! "The hell? How could she know that? Bullshit. Maddison must have talked after all."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CPeE4Bj1P
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVPcxwIark
"That's actually really bad if it's true."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpUgurNNqk
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOa9ONtw5XX
"Come on! You wrote her name down right there on your eraser! Big surprise for us all."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j51FSPOb7
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76S0VP3z2W
If epiphanies could hurt, this one would have cracked open my skin. I could only sit there with a blank and confused stare on my face, slowly coming to the only reality that made any sense. Laura must have read the blue ink on my big eraser when she got in my face earlier, which means she's been teasing me about it this entire time. "Oh."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegYAoDUFNT
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETqRpne0XW
"Oh?! Oh?! Is that all you can say? You might as well just have your diary sitting wide open for everyone to read, then get surprised how everybody knows your secrets. It's the perfect plan!"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ6CdtM44p
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoROyo6UeNT
"Shut up."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutgOaFwo9T
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEIgygbddG
"At least it's a step up from mindlessly drawing dicks everywhere."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdvI6q2cth
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesvARMiH1Q
"Look, I didn't remember writing your name on that eraser until just now."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3egv0CdfG6
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFeCQ8mgz4
"And the big bold blue ink with a heart stamped between our names didn't ring some kind of bell when you brought it out? She's not telepathic. She's just observant, and you're too oblivious."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67mHMx2JSv
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnEQP3JjIH
Laughing in the background of my attention, Banarus took notice of the same thing the others did, mocking me for my stupidity. "He did! He wrote her name with blue hearts everywhere."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYItN1gXllr
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQbs8ibFAK
"Good luck getting yourself out of their suspicions now."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXgAMmFeOc
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzDvsfrq6T
"Quiet! I got this." I cleared my breath in preparation to explain myself to the eager classmates, but the words I wanted to express didn't come out as they did in my head. "I... So, yeah... Her name is Lumina."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8Sab5dqR2
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2qF2mbjtt
After a short eruption of gasps around me, everyone started asking rapid-fire questions, Laura going first. "Tell us more about her!"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYVrkHmCpQ
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpAlNHrafB
Then Zero took her turn. "Does she go to the same school?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqh0rSTPIl
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBV3Bgy6qR
Then Kate. "How old is she?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SI9tX1qxS
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoVoCw7AY7
Then Banarus. "Where is she from? What does she look like?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAnsJJsb0D
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7psGq68nf3
Their questions all alarmed me too much to speak, even though the four of them were now excitingly waiting on my answers. I felt my head spinning already, wishing I could just moonwalk on out of here without saying a single word.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyFbdR4Z8w
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5DTGQMJiP
"Well, it was nice knowing you Reed... Good luck out there."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmS1ZnIwRv
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP0sWmgxYf
"Wait, what?! You're just going to leave me to these wolves?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMY3JlmKFL
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2kFOyLGMA
"Tell us!" Nothing scared me more than all four of my acquaintances chanting the truth from me while leaning forward toward my face, in every direction all at the same time.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstk0gD6np6
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIEI8jPSzF
I can't possibly get out of this situation by pretending like it's nothing. "This is really bad! I can't tell them a single thing without it leading them closer to the forbidden truth."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CTAfAWy26
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8eywNQQfb
"Then shut this down before it gets any bigger!"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp1xdrI1Pe
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQDXErZOlW
I felt much calmer now that Lumina was serious about helping me out of the social grave I dug myself. Her advice was easy enough to follow, and I trusted her without resistance. "Uh, right... Let's see..." I have to find out how to deter their interest without giving them too many answers.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqPE2oJC0s
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdKSuU26lG
With the plan in mind, I started first by describing what person she was like in not-too vivid detail. "Well... She's very nice... I mean, she's wonderful! She's the most amazing person I've ever known. And on top of that, she's absolutely beautiful. Long dark brown hair, bright blue eyes..." I wound up getting lost in intrinsic thoughts about her, until I developed that dreamy face anyone would recognize.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2xybGYDZe
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oIEWyKqQ3
"I said get them less interested Reed!" Lumina didn't sound as angry as she did flustered, rubbing her fingers to her hair.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaij50IdXA
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5IOsKbvmf
"Right, sorry." I only now realized how easy it was for me to get lost in her elegance, the elegance of Lumina. I think somehow, I'm even more in love with her now than I was before. "And she doesn't go to this school. Sorry, but that's all I'm able to tell you."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0v21wUQn3
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWOL1Sffjf
I should have expected the reactions that would come of my decision. Banarus was the first one disappointed. "Whaaat?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNTjhCPKtO
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurEh9LcSk2
"Now that's just plain cold." Though she failed, Laura tried to make me feel guilty about the secrets.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C4E7KrC0t
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd51kf61nEy
Yet Zero took a more modest approach to satisfy her curiosity, reminding me exactly how observant and intelligent she was. "Is there something wrong Reed? I mean, is there a reason why you don't want us to know more?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9SktPYFUi
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYjeorL7Eo
I knew I was in trouble with this one, since I wasn't able to answer, but as luck would have it, Laura was much less patient with me. "We promise not to tell... Much!" Meant as a joke that she would never keep my secrets, the others including Zero started laughing at the idea, and it generated this atmosphere of cuteness for the situation.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ51TzqZbsc
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QIjOZpBTn
"Yeah, I'll get right on that." I already knew I could never tell anybody here without risking my secret going around the school. I was oddly lucky that it did not end up that way when Maddison became aware of it. It might seem cruel to them, but this is for the best. "Seriously though. There's a lot of complicated elements about our situation. It's more than just a long story, and it's impossible to understand for the most part. She's already asked me to keep her story as private as possible, so I won't say anything that reveals any part of her personal life." There. After all that, everything I just explained is the most natural way to tell them off. If they ask any more, they'll be the nosey ones.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGMSw1zgUk
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTmNEZXoaC
"Awh, come on!"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJqKwXnsgG
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiG4Gq2PPW
I guess Banarus is a nosey one...100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5qUGUVJjI
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNc2qd5ZlU
"It's fine, I guess." Zero respected this privacy request from me, but she didn't hide how disappointed she was to not hear a juicy story.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMocV7559s
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthkc4C14x4
"Still, it's cool that you found someone." Kate is simply happy for me, making her stance on this so simple.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyXexwOY7l
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFGz1DHd0T
I still have to make sure they don't go searching for those answers on their own. I don't know how well I can hide Lumina forever. "Look, it's not like I don't want to talk about it, but I know when things like these are better left alone. I can't talk about it with anyone, because it would cause problems if I did."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLEfxZ1Zut
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeS7dlqYvf
"I see," Banarus replied unconvinced. "Is Lumina actually a boy?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslO35jLB8V
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLea0rVoBBi
"What?!" I noticed the others wincing from the same question, and I would have spit out anything if I were in the middle of drinking. Even Lumina wasn't thrilled by the direction she took.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59GP5ISdY6
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo8GO4YjPf
"Okay, now that's just rude."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvAuhbjCZj
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg5KFqZBKK
"I mean, you can tell us if you are gay, you know?" Trying to justify her accusation, Banarus didn't seem the least bit disturbed that we all took offense to it.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFfrjXYhUx
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3re5VamIn
I quickly stood up, pressing my hands against my desk and facing forward to say it loudly to her face. "I'm not gay!"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SNnpu4Dem
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zmqt15jRJ
"Glad to hear it Reed. Now pipe down and get back to work!"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mle42Qt96
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE5BEcO7sL
I didn't realize that Ms. Hill started walking right next to me during my own declaration. My outburst followed by her reaction was part of a one-time clown show the entire class started chuckling at, and I sat back down in shame for publicizing that moment. I was already frustrated by the sight of Banarus and Laura laughing their butts off at my humiliation, but I decided to double down on my affirmation to her mistake. "Lumina is obviously a girl's name."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEY3Hb2nNo
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86nwyQ5aN5
"Can I see a picture of her?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ6mNfHUCf
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KMFoHneZS
At this point, I was ready to curl into a ball and rest my way through this. Laura just didn't care at all about what I said earlier. Besides, it wasn't physically possible for me to produce a picture of Lumina. "No, you can't. I told you already. Any more disclosed information about her is not something I can give away."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QrN7v7Nu6
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CQ2tW6rNi
Banarus put her fingers on her chin with a wide grin, eyes sparkling as they focused entirely on me. "I'm getting a weird secret-agent vibe here."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1Q7j6uyyI
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ743iyTuw7W
After trying not to laugh, Zero added to Banarus's fuel. "Is she a secret agent Reed?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFIiD4Ckq9
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDiMwy3kBJ
I had to shut my eyes, rubbing my face while I tried to keep my aggravation so silent, so I dumped some more sarcasm into my voice. "Yes. Lumina is a secret agent working for the CIA. And now that you know that, they'll have their eye ball on you."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aNwEUJDtb
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtiKA6zEj8
"I see. Don't tell them by almost telling them... Reverse psychology works like a charm."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVVQLZb39r
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MRlK8p6nQ
"Is she a spy?!"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4rzeyrwTn
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEhCz2sF7e
Does Banarus really believe Lumina is a secret undercover agent? Now I can't tell if she's the one being sarcastic, but she has that excited fiery look in her eyes, as if she just stumbled onto the story of a century. "You seem to think I'm just going to tell you, but I'm not."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbdjkMincU
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj0idFnZxa
Laura made a mild sigh of fantasizing before addressing me with, "It's okay though. At least she's making you happy. That's all that matters."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmnBLlzgze
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkjaHwjUe8
Yeah. I let my goofy grin trail off into the distance, reminding myself how great my mood was, even in this awkward class situation. Lumina does make me happy, and that's why I chose to continue being with her, even knowing that I'll be destroyed all over again for it.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNYTxTvZL7
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AiUOHzbBt
"That, and how strong she is. Tell us Reed. Is Lumina actually taller than you?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyla4YWtnh
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl2qLQRewf
Banarus will just go all out to get any tiny detail she can! The girl is quite dedicated... Oh, what's the harm in speaking to an insignificant detail like that? "Okay... I'll freely admit, out of respect for Lumina that she is definitely stronger than me." The joke's on them if they think this detail bothers me one bit. Men, most heathens anyway, make a big fuss if they're physical strengths are lower than their own female partner. I never once cared about something so trivial, especially since I've never been strong or healthy to begin with, and Lumina's body can probably best most vampires. Oddly enough, I feel better this way, that Lumina is the strong one.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU732CGwLgd
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGRabdqH6U
"Careful Reed."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt9tQdBQW4
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIAooiprfC
"What?" I noticed what Lumina already had, since my attention shimmered off for a moment. The others were staring at me with the most disbelief. Of all the things to feel skeptical about, that was the one thing?!"What's that look for? She works out a lot more than I do. It's a given!"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BaDJZyqzG
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoz8B4vL5N
With another second to think on it, Laura turned to face Banarus while pointing her thumb at me behind her. "He does have noodle arms."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ga2rQf8ct
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk4a9hQtUP
"I'm sitting right here ya know." I wasn't too hurt about the truth. Anyone could see the lack of meat on my bones. With as much food as I cram down these days, even I'm still amazed. "And yes, she is a bit taller than me, but that's also a given, since she's also a few years older than me."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhA6xZOm4Q
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzEBknCUiv
"Nice underexaggeration."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOZSPaXg55
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqgFxbUIh7
A few years, a few thousand years, whatever. "You don't honestly think I care about that age gap, do you? The only gap between us is intelligence, and as more time passes, that gap will shrink. I already care too much about you to bother my brain about a numbers game of how many birthdays we've celebrated."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8P1nU75HY
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5nKcgRorP
"She's older?" Zeros curiosity picked back up where she left it earlier, and Banarus was in disbelief to follow.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUILW70oTw
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHXYhoxz7f
"No way. You're making crap up now."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30Xh3zxyvg
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBUtFY32ZO
I see. So age is where they draw the line? "Yes, she is a bit older than me. I don't see why that's so hard to believe."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8V5Esr2qd
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22MSHv2QFj
"Well," Laura led on, "it's rare!"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QQZo4sGAO
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfF20FgHHT
Banarus agreed instantly, allowing her point to be elaborated. "Yeah. In these situations, the guy is usually older than the girl."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhO5Qq6vbmC
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFqwSejZRw
Usually?! I coughed in my thoughts. There's much more to this that would shock the hell out of every person in this room, and they're going to die on the hill of age appropriations? What on Earth do any of these people know about love anyway?100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4crOABhgqV
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3MlE22fiL
"Well Reed, it looks like you didn't think this one through. Should I tell them that our love isn't creepy to us, or should you?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8HxZHzGRZ
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewWGMLtxCT
"Oh, shut up. We both know that you didn't catch onto that either." "Did any of this indicate that my relationship with her was usual? I don't care if our situation is rare or common. Things are simply the way they are. And I'm happy with who I am right now in this moment."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwApjbrNSL
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbruLOGs9W
"Okay, I guess we'll just have to take your word for it." Not that Banarus sounded convinced. Given what I just explained, it was going to be harder for her to poke holes in my story, since I wasn't technically lying about Lumina just yet.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMsBQdItoV
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmThPWguujN
"They're going to have to take my word for it. Even if they think I'm a nutcase, reality is just too intense for any of these fools to believe. Maddison's reaction was proof of that."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWltt1zEphU
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfvIxZUp0i
"Yeah, but Maddison is just one girl. And according to you, she's also a bitch. I guess I'm just pointing out that you shouldn't judge everybody based entirely off the reaction of another. I don't want to get your hopes up, but there might still be some candidates who could believe you among the crowd of this school."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUbflwVopU
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXdsA2GkAQ
"I'll look into it."100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60VDfzDl5G
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhrXrNHZfA
"Look into what?" Laura tilted her head at me, confused by all my missing context, and making Lumina and I both realize that I spoke out loud without realizing it.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLd21dczzs
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDqW8xTBpU
"Really? You've been practicing this for how long now?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0072on5MKE
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkox4AVkZv
"Don't blame me for having to adjust again. It's been several months!" "Nothing Laura. Don't worry about it." At least I'm getting better at juggling my thoughts and words when having to address the people in front of me and Lumina in the same moment.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgCQYHEjpD
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAROOtxOgAI
"I suppose you're right. We do have a lot of catching up to do. But will the weather allow us to?"100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UhpThdCeb
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwcH26sfyG
It's a valid question, one most important to me now. With the bells tolling for our next class transition, I knew I was going to have to find a way to actively monitor the temperature outdoors, right now and later on. "We'll spend some more time tonight Lumina, even if we get cut off in the middle of today. If this weather report on my phone is trustworthy, then you can count on my promise!"
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedYwCaxhS3
