Love Genius

[Chapter 5]

Class Dismissal

The four of us were walking out of campus when we ran into the Star Prince group.

"Are you going home?" Raven immediately approached us.

I couldn't help but smile.

"Ah, yes." I said playfully.

"We're not going home yet, why?" Ami asked.

Tsk, Ami, really!

"Do you want to join us?" Raven asked me.

"Where to?" I asked.

"Don't tell me you're taking them to the bar?" Calvin interrupted. Tsk!

Raven ignored him and looked back at us.

"It's fine if you don't want to come," he said and smiled.

"Okay, we'll go," Hazel suddenly answered.

I was surprised.

"Really?" Raven asked.

I looked at the three of them. Hays!

"Let's hurry up and go, we don’t get to have fun like this often," Elisha said.

"S-Sure," I said.

"Yes! So, what? Let's go?" Raven asked.

The four of us nodded and smiled.

---

AT THE BAR

"Wow! So this is what it looks like inside the bar?" Hazel said in awe.

"Is it nice? Well, there’s nothing like this in the mountains," Jerome said, trying to get attention. Tsk!

"Tss, am I talking to you?" Hazel retorted.

I quickly stopped Hazel, I didn’t want World War 4 to break out. Haha!

It was 6 pm, and there were already a lot of people here. Many socialite women and handsome men. People who are blessed. Hays, I wish I had that kind of luck!

"Stay here, I’ll change clothes." Raven told us.

He left the four of us at a table. I took a deep breath.

"Let’s drink?" Elisha suggested.

"Maybe. No class tomorrow anyway," Ami said.

"What about you, Garnett?" Hazel asked.

"Hmm, sure, but let’s wait for them first."

"Then let’s drink while we wait," Elisha said.

"Okay, you can handle it," I said.

Elisha immediately placed the order, and we started. A little while later, the five of them came back.

"Is everything okay here?" Raven asked, and my eyes widened.

MY GOODNESS!!! WHY IS HE SO HANDSOME??!!!

Raven was wearing a black jacket with the top three buttons of his shirt undone, exposing his chest.

KYAAAAAA!!!

He sat next to me, and I quickly looked away.

"Are you guys drinking already? Why didn’t you invite us?" Arvin asked.

"Are you part of this?" Elisha asked.

"Whoa?!" Arvin said.

"Enough, just order, Dex," Calvin commanded.

"You're drinking?" Raven asked me quietly.

"Ah, yeah, just sometimes when I feel like it," I said without looking at him.

It was so dark and the music was so loud, but I could still hear my heartbeat clearly, and I could see how handsome Raven was. Gosh!

GGOOOOOSSSSSHHHH!!! I CAN'T STAY STILL.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah," I replied, not looking at him. I grabbed my wine and drank it right away. Whoa!!!

I was surprised when I felt him gently hold my hand under the table.

DUGDUGDUG DUGDUGDUG DUGDUGDUG DUGDUGDUG

Eventually, he fully held my hand, and I looked at him slowly.

He just smiled.

I gradually started smiling too.

Tsk, Garnett? What’s going on?! Are you going to admit your feelings for him now?! Tsk!

"Let’s dance!" Ami shouted.

I immediately let go of Raven’s hand and stood up.

"L-Let’s dance!" I said to them.

I swallowed hard. Whoa, deep breath, Garnett! You need to stop yourself. The four of us went to the dance floor and started dancing.

While we were dancing, I saw Raven and the others walking towards us. Argh, what is Raven doing? I’m trying to avoid him! Huhu!

We suddenly stopped dancing when the music changed.

"Hays, what’s with the sudden change of music?!" Hazel complained.

"Let’s sit down again," Elisha said.

We hadn’t even gotten off the dance floor when Raven suddenly came in front of me, and I froze.

He was looking at me...

He’s so tall that I had to look up.

MY GOD!!!

He immediately pulled me close to him and wrapped his arms around my waist. I swallowed hard, and my eyes widened as I looked at him.

He gently removed my eyeglasses. It was okay because he was so close, I could clearly see his face up close.

WAAAAA!!!!!! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!!!!!

"Y-Your eyes..." he said, studying my eyes carefully. HIS VOICE IS SO COLD!!!

We just kept looking at each other... into each other's eyes...

His face was getting closer and closer.

DUGDUGDUG DUGDUGDUG DUGDUGDUG DUGDUGDUG

I just closed my eyes.

I felt his lips gently touch the side of my lips.

Do you know what I’m feeling now? Just a little more, and it feels like my heart is going to explode from how fast and hard it’s beating.

---

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!"- screamed the three of them.

"Psssstt, don't be loud! We'll get scolded!"- I scolded them.

"But it's so sweet!"- Hazel said.

"He kissed you! Does this mean you're together?!"- Ami asked.

I became silent, unable to remove the smile from my face.

"I'm feeling shy about attending tomorrow."- I said.

"Let’s attend!"- Hazel said.

"But how will we attend when we don’t have proper clothes?"- Ami said.

"I'll handle it."- Elisha said.

The next day...

"Where are we going?"- I asked the three of them.

"We’re going shopping!"- Elisha said excitedly.

"When did you guys get into shopping?"- I asked.

"Actually, just now."- Ami answered.

I stopped walking, and they stopped too.

"Tell me, what exactly are we doing at the mall?"- I asked.

"We're buying beauty stuff for the party later."- Elisha answered.

I was surprised by what they said.

"What?!"

"Wait! This would look good on you, Garnett!"- Hazel suddenly pulled me.

Hazel grabbed some clothes and held them up to me.

"Here, buy this Elisha."- Hazel said.

"Okay, okay."

I just stood there, watching them pick out clothes. Ami was buying makeup. I was shaking my head. Tsh!

After shopping, they pulled me to a beauty parlor.

"What are we doing here? I don't have money."- I said.

"Don’t worry, it's cheap here. And we’ll take care of you, don’t be picky."- Ami said.

"What can we help you beautiful ladies with?"- asked the gay stylist.

"Make us more beautiful."- Elisha said.

He looked us up and down, then seemed to be thinking.

"Do you have any other clothes? Like something more stylish?"- he said, as if disgusted.

"Yes, we have some."- Ami answered.

The stylist straightened up and smiled.

"Okay, let's do this."- The stylist said.

And then, one by one, we were all pampered.

They untangled our braids, shampooed our hair, and gave us hot oil treatments. After that, they removed my eyeglasses and applied different things to my face.

While I looked at myself in the mirror, I could barely make out the surroundings due to my poor vision. Tsk!

Forward!

"Wow! Y-You look beautiful, Garnett!"- Elisha exclaimed in surprise.

I blushed, I couldn’t see them clearly.

"Ah, where’s my eyeglasses?"- I asked the stylist.

"Don't use those anymore, here’s this."- I was shocked to see the contact lenses he was holding.

"I-I don't want that! It hurts my eyes."- I complained.

"Don't worry, Garnett, it only hurts at first."- Hazel reassured me.

"Yeah, hurry up so we can get to the party."- Ami said.

Tsk!

"O-Okay then, as long as it’s not too painful, right?"- I said.

"It’s not!"- they all replied at once.

I sighed deeply.

"Alright then, I’ll fix myself, go ahead and put it in."- The stylist said.

I got myself ready, and then he gently placed the contact lenses in my eyes, causing them to tear up immediately. After he finished, I couldn’t open my eyes properly. It felt like I had something stuck on my eyeball. Huhuhu!

"Open your eyes, Garnett!!"- Hazel shouted.

I slowly opened my eyes. Once I could see clearly, I started to smile. My vision was so clear, and I immediately looked at the three of them.

"Whoooaaaa, you all look amazing!"- I said.

"Look at yourself, girl."- The stylist said to me.

I slowly turned to face the large mirror. My eyes almost bulged out.

"W-Wow... t-this is me???"

"You look beautiful, Garnett. I wonder what Raven’s reaction would be if he sees you looking this beautiful."- Ami said.

---

Forward!

After a while, we got dressed. When we exited the mall, the three of them stopped.

"Are you sure you want to wear that?"- Elisha asked.

"Yeah."- I said.

I changed clothes, but I kept it simple. I wasn’t used to fancy clothes, so this was more comfortable for me. I thought it was better this way! Hehe.

"Ugh, you look terrible, Garnett!"- Ami complained.

"Garnett, this is your chance to get closer to Raven! So you should look good."- Hazel said.

I took a deep breath and looked at them.

"If Raven really likes me, I don’t need to dress up."- I said.

The three of them sighed.

"He met me looking like this, so I don’t want to change it."- I said.

"Tsk, whatever! Let’s go before we get late."- Elisha said.

While we were on our way, I grabbed one of the clips Elisha bought and put it in my hair. Hehe.

---

CAMPUS PARTY!

As soon as we entered the campus, everyone stared at us. Well, actually, they stared at my friends. Why? Because they looked gorgeous. Huhu! I’m so proud.

"Oh my god, everyone’s looking at us."- Elisha said.

"Let’s go over there, quick."- Ami pulled me, and when we reached the corridor, we sat down for a while.

I looked at my outfit, and I suddenly swallowed. Should I regret changing clothes?

Sigh!

"Wow, the 'freaks' are looking so..."- Sarrah approached us, and her outfit was so sexy.

"Oh? Why does it seem like you don't fit in with us today, freaky Garnett?"- Dana asked.

"Can you just leave us alone, crazy people?"- Ami said.

"Tsk, don’t be so arrogant! Just because you’re all dressed up now doesn’t mean you’re beautiful!"- Jeniel said.

Ami stood up, and we all followed suit.

"And you? Even if you pile on that makeup, your eyes are still huge!"- Ami said to Jeniel.

We all laughed.

"Shut up!"- Jeniel snapped. Hahaha!

"Let’s not entertain these freaks. Let’s just let them enjoy their moment of looking good."- Sarrah said arrogantly.

I looked down. Even though I was annoyed and wanted to tease Sarrah, I couldn’t do that. Mrs. Narciso might find out.

"WOW!"- we were all surprised when Raven showed up.

He was looking at me and smiling. I smiled back but quickly turned away.

When I looked at Sarrah, she raised an eyebrow.

"You all look beautiful, who came up with the idea to make you all look good?"- Calvin asked.

"Why is Garnett left behind?"- Jerome laughed loudly. Tsk! I wanted to slap him.

"Have you eaten yet?"- Raven asked, walking towards us.

"We haven’t yet, we just got here."- Ami answered.

"Ah, Raven, I haven’t eaten either. If you want, we can eat together?"- Sarrah asked, then grabbed Raven’s arm. Raven immediately pulled it away. Bwahaha! Sarrah, crying potatoes.

"Actually, I already ate."- he replied to Sarrah, then looked at me again.

"You, Garnett? Have you eaten?"

"A-Ah, yes."- I just said.

"If you've eaten, then we’ll go eat."- Elisha said, and the three of them left.

"Where are you going?!"- I asked.

"We’re going to eat, we haven’t eaten yet."- Hazel said.

Then they left. Tsk, I knew they were just joking! Huhu!

"So..."- Raven extended his hand in front of me.

W-Why?

I looked around, and his friends and Sarrah were still there.

"Uhm... w-where are we going?"- I asked.

"I want to talk to you, just the two of us."

I swallowed hard. I didn’t know what to do, but I felt hesitant to take Raven’s hand.

"Let’s go."- He pulled me away, and I couldn’t react.

We went up to the rooftop.

"What are we doing here?"- I asked.

"Just follow me."

When we reached the top, my eyes almost popped out. There were so many candles and balloons around, and a table was set up.

"D-Did you like it?"- He asked, looking at me.

I couldn’t help but smile widely.

"Y-Yes, I liked it, b-but why? W-Why is this happening?"

He walked closer to me while smiling, then held both my hands.

"I know... I know you have feelings for me."- He whispered.

I swallowed hard. My heart was beating so fast. I couldn’t answer.

"Garnett... you like me, right?"

I almost dropped my jaw in surprise because of his sudden question. Garnett, what now?! I looked down, took a deep breath, then looked at him.

I slowly smiled.

Who wouldn’t want a moment like this?? Huhu!

"Y-Yes! Yes, I-I've liked you for a long time, Raven."

He slowly smiled.

"R-Really?" he asked.

I nodded at him while smiling.

"Yes. It's embarrassing to admit, but... since first year high school, I’ve liked you. I really like you, and that’s why this is happening right now, I-I’m so happy... because I can feel that... you like me too."

He smiled widely and then looked down.

"Hmmm, haha, hahaha!"

The smile quickly disappeared from my face as he slowly started laughing and looking at me. He also let go of both my hands and stepped back from me.

After he laughed, he smirked...

It felt like I was hit by a huge metal from where I stood. I didn’t know what to think, but... earlier, my heart was beating so fast, but now... it felt like it was slowly stopping.

CLAPS

"Congratulations, Garnett! You've been pranked!"

P-Prank???

I quickly turned around to the sound of applause. Both groups were here, led by Sarrah.

Tears quickly formed in my eyes, and I looked at Raven.

I mean...

"Go ahead and tell her, babe." Sarrah said to Raven.

I swallowed. Raven walked toward me with a smirk, then looked at me seriously.

"The game is over," he said.

And then, the tears fell down my cheeks.

"W-What do you mean, Raven?"

"Game. Aren’t you smart? You’re the top notcher of this campus. So even if I don’t explain it to you, you should understand."

I looked down, my whole body is shaking.

"Okay, fine. Everything I showed you, all of that wasn’t real."

I looked at him.

"You just fooled me?" I felt weak because of the pain.

He laughed.

"It’s just a game, Garnett," he said, laughing.

It hurts so much. I didn’t know what to say.

"We told Calvin to play with you, but you didn’t want to, so we asked Raven instead," Arvin laughed while explaining.

I remembered when Calvin was being so attentive in the canteen—was he just trying to get my attention because that was his real motive???

"There, there, that’s what happens to desperate freaks like you. You should stop being so vulnerable, girl," Sarrah said.

"Poor Garnett." Dana came up to me and immediately removed the clip from my hair.

"Don’t put stuff like this in your hair. It doesn’t suit you," Dana said, throwing the clip down from the building.

My hands clenched tightly from rage.

"Are you happy now?! Are you happy that you fooled me?!"

Sarrah came up to me and quickly took off my eyeglasses.

"W-What?!!" I tried to take them back, but she threw them down as well.

I almost trembled from anger. My eyes were full of tears, and everything was blurry.

"I just wanted to see if you look pretty when you cry without your glasses. But... argh, you’re still ugly! Hahaha!" Sarrah laughed. They all laughed at me. They were all laughing at me! Except for the guy who tricked me, he was still staring at me seriously with a smug smile. So arrogant! So full of pride!

"Can you believe that, Raven? Garnett has liked you for so long?" Jerome said, laughing.

It hurts so much!

I-I thought... I thought he felt something for me, but I was wrong.

"So, what now, Garnett? Goodbye to your feelings," Arvin said.

"Dude, you should send a farewell message," Dexter said.

Raven came up to me...

"Sorry, sorry if... you didn’t realize that I was just fooling with you," he said.

As soon as he said that, tears were flowing down my cheeks... I felt like a wilted plant while staring at him.

"Garnett, move on! Just move on. It’s just a game, a game where the winner gets money. That’s all," Raven said.

I wanted to scream and cry out loud, but I couldn’t.

"A-Are you done?" I asked.

He stopped in his tracks when I spoke.

"If you have more hurtful things to say, just say it all... Isn’t that what makes you happy, seeing someone hurt, seeing someone bullied, and most of all, seeing someone tricked?"

I looked at him seriously.

"You made me believe... you made me believe that you liked me too. W-What did I ever do wrong to you???"

He smirked.

"Look, Garnett, I would never like someone like you. So please, stop crying! Move on, dude!" he said.

I looked down... it felt so heavy in my chest, it hurt so much.

"Let’s go, guys, this conversation is going nowhere! I won, so the game is over," Raven said.

They all left...

I sat on the floor, unable to stop my tears.

I looked around. Even though it was blurry, I could still see the effort they made, the effort they put in to deceive someone. Tsk, there’s wine here too. I stood up and grabbed the wine, quickly drinking it all.

W-What did I do wrong?? W-Why is it always like this? Why do I feel like no one will ever love me? Why do I feel like everyone hates me? Was I cursed?! Are we cursed?

This is worthless... w-worthless that I liked a guy I thought was nice! I thought he was the perfect match for me! He seems simple because he’s quiet.

But he’s literally a jerk!

I hate him! I hate him so much! B-But how long will this pain last?!

"Garnett?!" The three of them arrived.

"Why?! Why are you crying?!!" Ami shouted, asking.

I looked at the three of them.

"D-Do you have eyeglasses?" I asked while crying.

"Oh here, where’s your eyeglasses?" Elisha asked.

I took Elisha’s eyeglasses and put them on. The prescription was weaker than mine, but it’s fine.

"They were thrown away," I said.

"Thrown away? Who threw them?!" Hazel asked.

"Sarrah threw them."

"WHAT?!!!" they all said in unison.

I looked at them and removed the eyeglasses I was wearing. I cried again.

"W-Why, Garnett?" Elisha asked, worried.

"....i-it was Raven...." I said, crying.

"Oh? What happened?" Ami asked.

"...he just fooled me... I thought... I thought he felt something for me... but he didn’t..."

I started sobbing uncontrollably. It hurt so much because of everything.

"So, everything we saw from Raven was fake?" Elisha asked.

I nodded.

"...I don’t know... I don’t know why out of all the people they could trick... why me?..."

I wiped my face and took another drink of wine.

"...I admitted to him that I liked him... and his response... he said he would never like me..."

"Garnett, that’s enough, I’m about to cry too," Ami said.

"Me too," Hazel said.

"Me too," Elisha said.

They came up to me and hugged me.

"Let them go, Garnett, the important thing is that we’re here. We three are here for you," Elisha said.

---

Until now, my tears keep falling as I stare at the ceiling.

I can barely breathe because I’m holding myself back from crying out loud. I don’t want the three of them to hear that I’m still hurting. That I’m still crying over the worthless man who tricked me.

I can’t sleep because of the heaviness I feel.

I-I can’t accept it, I can’t accept that Raven just fooled me. That he made me believe he was a good person. He made me believe and feel that I was important to him, but the truth is, I wasn’t. And that will never happen, not ever.

He’s so good at pretending!

He’s so good at pretending to be a simple and quiet guy, but in reality, he’s just like everyone else.

He’s just like everyone else!

---

To be continued ...