Arrivederci || Dan Heng [✓ ]

⋆ ✦ ˚｡ Part seventeen ˚｡⋆

"WHAT—?!"she exclaimed, a mix of shock and excitement in her voice. She had once again captivated the attention of every student left in the room. "What did you say?!" The girl watched me carefully, eyes bulging in anticipation.

"I—" seeing how excited she was made me feel guilty about my response, "I declined him." Immediately all her prior joy ceased, and she folded her arms back to her body.

"Huh?" she said softly, a confused and worried expression glazed over her face. "What do you mean?"

I could sense the disappointment in her voice as she tried to process my words.

"I... I said no to Dan Heng's invitation," I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, trying to comprehend my decision.

"Why? You two would have been perfect together!" she exclaimed, frustration evident in her tone.

"I just—I can't go with him, I can't." March looked as though she wanted to press me more for answers, but in the end she  only let out a heavy sigh.

"I see," she said softly, pulling back and gathering her belongings. "If that's your decision," March stood up, following suit and making her way toward the exit. "You shouldn't feel pressured to do anything you're not ready for. Follow your heart and do what you truly want."

I could only watch March walk away—feeling a little weird. I knew though, that she was wrong.

This wasn't what I really wanted.

__ __

"What shall we do next?" The young man next to me, chuckled, rubbing his hands together. Determined to make the most of this final ordinary day, I had decided to indulge in activities that intrigued me—and that's how I ended up accompanying none other than Sampo Koski.

"Whatever you wanna do, Sampo." I sighed, resting my head  on my palms.

"Heyyy, what's the matter with my favorite little second-year, hm—?" I sent him an instant glare, "Aw, don't give me that! Ol' Sampo Koski over here can tell when someone's not having fun!"

Despite his troublesome nature, I could tell he was actually being sincere with me—albeit in his own way.

"Just in a little slump right now."

"Is that so?" I gave him a slow nod, and he turned his attention to the school garden before us. "Ah, slumps happen to the best of us," a mischievous twinkle formed in his eyes. "But remember, life's like a rollercoaster. You'll have ups, downs, and twists that'll leave you breathless. Embrace the lows just as much as the highs, for they're all part of the ride."

I couldn't help but chuckle at his unusual—but oddly insightful—analogy.

"You're something else, Sampo," I said, shaking my head in amusement.He grinned, his charismatic charm on full display.

"That's me, always looking for thrills and trying to make the ride enjoyable for everyone," he said with a playful wink. "So, let's turn this slump around then shall we—!"

__ __

CRACK!

Another baseball was sent flying into the outfield, folloed by clapping. Caelus wiped some of the compiled sweat from off of his forehead, putting another ball in his mitt.