Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Finally, I thought as I walked out of the classroom, stretching my arms. I looked around before heading to the hallway. I still saw some students, given that it was already past 12, walking around, some eating lunch on the school benches.
As I looked around, I saw Apollo at the end of the corridor, leaning against the wall. He smiled as he saw me — not his usual charming smile, more of a nervous smile — but still, I smiled back at him.
He walked towards me while I kept walking.
"Athena, c-can we talk?" Apollo said as he stood in front of me.
Why? a thought came into my mind. To be honest, we're not that close, although we have the same circle. I paused for a second before answering him.
"Sure."
"T-then? In the garden?" He stuttered, not looking at me. I raised an eyebrow at that.
I nodded as an answer, and we both walked to the school garden without talking. I kept glancing at him beside me.
Seriously? What's going on?
After walking for a while in this silence, I was surprised we'd already reached the garden.
"So? What is it?" I said, looking at my watch.
"Ahmm, actually..." He started, then suddenly took off his necklace. It was made of string, with a wooden pendant shaped like a heart. You could tell a beginner made it, from the rough edges.
"Here," he said, looking into my eyes, handing me the necklace he'd just taken off.
"Huh!?" Is he serious? I answered quickly, confused at what he was doing.
"Ah! Well, actually — I gave gifts to others, and —"
"Ah! Is this for Vera? Are you too shy to give it to her? Wait, I'll give it to her for you!" I took the necklace from his hand abruptly and fled the scene.
I was now holding the necklace Apollo had taken off, wondering what I should do.
Should I give it to Vera? I should.
I thought about it as I walked home, feeling — I don't know. I felt dazed the whole time.
.
After eating lunch, I went to my room. No one was really home, except Manang Fe, our housekeeper.
"What should I do with this?" I asked myself, looking at the necklace before setting it down on my desk.
I picked it up again to look at it as I walked to the bed, when I got distracted by the sound of my phone.
Now? Vera had replied to my message from earlier. I'd asked her to meet up, since we didn't have class that afternoon because of meetings.
I sat on my bed and typed my reply to Vera:
Yeah, this afternoon... Just need to give you something.
I hit send. I didn't wait for Vera's reply and decided to take a nap, setting a reminder for our meeting time, and let the dreamland take me away.
.
"Athena!!" I heard Vera call my name as I saw her walking towards me.
"Hey..." I replied when she got near.
"So, what is it?" Vera asked cheerfully.
"Sorry, I know you're busy —"
"It's nothing, we're friends! So what is it?" Vera interrupted me.
"Ahh, thanks. I'll treat you at the nearest cafe."
"I won't say no to that, hahaha."
"Actually, here." I held out the necklace to Vera. She looked confused at first, but I saw her eyes light up as she looked at me.
"Wait — isn't this Apollo's?" she asked.
"Yeah, he wants me to give this to you," I answered, placing it in her hands.
"Eh? Really? Why?" she asked, her voice full of confusion. I smiled at her, feeling guilty.
I don't know. Is this the right thing? A question I kept asking myself as I looked at the necklace now in Vera's hands.
"I don't know — maybe because he's transferring schools?" Apollo transferring wasn't really sudden news. He'd told us about his grandmother — the one who made the wooden necklace now in Vera's hand.
"Yeah, I mean, he already gave us bracelets." Vera was still thinking it over, confused. So I couldn't help but divert her attention.
"Anyway, it's for you. Aren't you busy? Let's go..."
"Ahh, okay? Sure. It's your treat!!"
"Hmm..."
"Let's go!"
