For Chapter 7, play With A Smile — Eraserheads as background music. Credits to the owners.
~~~
We locked stares, he's on the stage right now as he begins singing. With a smile... He knows me too well, it's my favorite song and I'm a die-hard fan of Eraserheads. Listening to him felt as if he was communicating with me through the song, I felt every word. The lyrics itself touched my heart.
I held Vrylle's arm as I slowly start to squeeze it a little tighter, I was so nervous and frenzied that I exerted all force on her arm. I released it the minute she starts complaining that it hurts. It all felt so surreal.
He is enjoying, this is the first time I ever saw Korics look this confident doing something I could never imagine him doing. He is good in singing, but he never shows it to all of us, even to me... Well, now I witnessed it.
"Hey... just chill okay?" Vry says while holding her arm, looking a bit hurt. I hugged her after feeling sorry for causing that. I may have gotten a little too aggressive on holding her. "Your face says it all Rox."
"I did not expect this..." The crowd blasted in noise, but despite the loud shouts and other people singing along... Korics' voice is the only thing I hear in my head, all the way to my heart. "Did any of you know about this?"
"I did." Gaeb approached us, he just came from the backstage after he performed. I caught him wink at Amee before standing closer to me and Vrylle, watching Korics perform. "He told me about this, Miss Elviera. Clearly because he borrowed my guitar."
"Really?" That's all I could say, the moment was just too precious. I wanted to film the entire thing but it was too late and my hands were sweaty and shaking. "Sorry... I'm just so speechless."
"Don't mind her, you know how she is when she gets excited." Venylie suddenly appeared out of nowhere. She looked a bit exhausted. "I missed your first performance Gaeb... and is that Korics singing?!"
"Surprisingly... yes. That's Korics, alright." I said, Vrylle just nodded as she continued to cheer on. Gaeb stood there, smirking. Some girls were trying to get his attention. "Anyways, where were you?"
"I had to go far from the noise since my mom called." Venylie says. "It's about our flight tomorrow... I had her fix it for us since we're going to be very occupied."
"So we really are going... good thing I already packed." Amee said, Gaeb just listened to us, discussing about our trip after this event. "Are the tickets ready?"
"Yes, everything is. The tickets, the arrangements, the hotel, the transportations, everything." She showed us pictures of the hotel rooms. "Tomorrow, around 1:30 p.m, we're off to Surigao del Norte. To Siargao. Let's all meet up at the airport, and guys we can't afford being late."
Korics owned the stage, he was very good. Everyone started clapping loudly as the song is closer to its end, he had this nervous smile on his face. I laughed a bit imagining how anxious he could be up there, the amount of people watching him with us is no joke.
As he finished, Theia stood beside him on stage and everyone cheered. I started thinking about what to say when he comes near me, should I thank him? What should I say? I was so confused but at the same time, still processing what he said earlier.
"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to perform, Nettheia." Korics says while smiling. "Everyone, enjoy the rest of the fundraiser event. Go and try all of the different booths and activities, we'll bring you more performances tonight."
The people scattered, Venylie rushed to the mini arcade station since she is assigned there. I stayed at the backstage to monitor everything that's happening around the campus oval, and some of the juniors are roaming around to ensure the safety.
Amee and Vrylle are in charge with the food stalls while Theia is helping the teachers in the office to check the funds that the booths, stations and stalls are currently earning. I was busy entertaining the other guests that recently arrived, when he went up to me.
My body froze, I didn't know what to do! Should I say thank you... or should I ask him... Why? Honestly, I just stood there while my heart was beating quickly. I don't even think Korics knows he affects me this much.
He is so close to me, the tension started rising up. With that, no words came out of my mouth and the only thing I did was hug him... Yes, I hugged him so tight because it was the only thing I thought of. Kor got startled but eventually... he hugged me as well.
"Oh? What happened to you?" He asked, he even caressed my hair! I let my face sink on his chest, maybe because... I was embarrassed? Or just took the opportunity because it's not everyday I'd get to be this close to him. "Are you okay Sav?"
"I'm okay.." I said, I looked up to see his face and he was looking down on me too. I smiled as I moved away from the hug. "I.. did not expect that. Gosh, I don't even know what to say. You even remembered my favorite song, my heart was swelling!"
"I'm glad you liked it." He pinched my cheek. "Let's go explore? I want to play at the mini arcade. I'm going to win you that donut plushy you wanted."
"I don't want it, I already had one before but you broke it." We both laughed. "But... okay, let's go. Get me a new donut plushy, just like how you promised."
"So we're going to Siargao tomorrow?" Korics says while focusing on the target, he's playing darts to win me the donut plushy. He already wasted his two shots, if he loses the last one he's not going to
get that prize. "Damn, I missed again."
"Yes, Venylie said it's all fixed. We owe it all to Missis Laciones." I said, referring to Ven's mom. "You can stop now, I don't need the plushy anyway. At least you took part on the fundraiser, the money won't go to waste."
"Fine."
We went to Gav's station, well the station that the grade nine students built. It's an art booth and painting is the number one activity, Korics and I sat down on the little stools when I was done paying. We had to pay, after all... it's the fundraiser event.
"President Elviera! Hi, here's the art materials. You can paint anything you like." Gav, Gaeb's brother, said and he placed the materials on the table. "Thank you for choosing our art booth! Have fun and get creative!"
"That kid sure looks like his brother." Korics said while looking at Gav, I nodded as a sign of me agreeing to his comment. "He even walks like him! Look."
"Let's just start painting."
I took the mini canvas and started to paint whatever will cross my mind, Korics is busy picking color shades. When I finally figured what to paint, I want to paint a field of tulips just like in Amsterdam. Korics tapped my shoulder.
"What?"
"I want to paint you." He smiled, I rolled my eyes after looking at him intently. He waved his paintbrush around and started wiggling his eyebrows. "Come on Sav! Promise, this would look very nice."
"I don't trust you." I laughed hysterically, for sure he's going to make fun of me through drawing an ugly stick figure. He looked upset, or he was just probably playing around. "Fine, go draw me."
He started drawing me, he even looked so serious while doing so. I took photos of him because the moment is priceless, he smiled when he noticed I was taking photos. He started painting it, but then this happened...
The brush didn't land on the canvas, it landed on my freaking cheek! He laughed once he saw my face looking very irritated because of what he did, I was about to wipe my cheek when I decided to paint on his nose. We both started laughing, but stopped when we realized we were making a mess.
As we started cleaning our faces, he stopped to stare at me before smiling. He mouths a 'thank you' and I responded with 'for what?' but he didn't say anything in return, he just shrugged it off.
After the mini arcade and the art booth, we also stopped by each food stall we could find and tasted everything. I spent almost half of my allowance this month just within half a day, but this is for the children of the orphanage.. It's all worth it.
"How was that book you're writing?" He asked while we sat on the bench near the hotdog stand, we got very exhausted for walking all afternoon. I checked my phone and it's already 6:25 p.m. "Dinner is being served at the cafeteria, the grade ten students are handling it."
"Yeah, go eat.. I'm just gonna wait for Vry and the others." I said while looking around, observing how great the event was going and satisfied with how much money we raised. "The book... It's not done, I still can't find the right inspiration. There's something wrong with it but I can't tell." I looked at him.
"Or maybe... that inspiration is right in front of you." He smirked, I giggled while smacking his arm lightly. "I'll wait with you, I don't want to eat alone. I get anxious."
"Around people?" I asked. "...but you sang in front of many people earlier.."
"Only because it was for you, dummy." He rolled his eyes at me, I was speechless and I didn't know what to say. I'm just so overwhelmed today I don't even know how to process anymore. "Is that Vry?"
He pointed, it is Vry. The three of us went to the cafeteria to have dinner and to prepare for tonight's little show and the other activities. Just like how the oval was, the cafeteria too is packed with people.
Venylie, Amee, Gaeb and Theia were already in the cafeteria waiting for Korics, Vry and I. They already ordered food, today the menu is changed a bit and there's special dishes served on every table.
"Hey Gaeb, what is the difference between Wright High and Sapient University?" Amee asked, we all looked at him, waiting for his answer. "Be honest."
"A lot, actually." He smirks, acting all smug. "The faculties, the rules and regulations, the teaching system... I guess? Yes, a lot. Yet let's just conclude that I'm more comfortable in WH."
"Why?"
"Should I really answer that?" He asked, we all stayed shut. "I can't imagine myself as a student here, a Sapient. I'm only here to perform since Missis Vaun begged me. At least I met you guys.."
After having dinner in the cafeteria, we all headed back to the campus oval and Theia is already up the stage. S.U is currently live on a few of these social media platforms, and the mini concert starts.
"Good evening everyone! To the ones who stayed to witness the mini concert, thank you! To the ones who donated and took part, we are very grateful because we managed to break last year's record! We gathered more money this year to help the children of the orphanage."
Gaeb sat on the stool in the middle of the stage while holding his guitar, he is indeed popular especially with the girls. Wright High students are also here to show their support for him, the crowd was just wild.
"You can request any song, as long as I know it, I'll gladly perform it for you." Gaeb said. A girl started shouting, requesting a song. "Okay, your wish is my command."
When he started singing everyone was just so supportive of him, they even sang along. I stood beside Korics, who's watching Gaeb perform. He then placed his arm on my shoulder.
"What?" I asked, he rested his head on my head, it was so easy for him because of our height difference. "You're heavy!"
"Stop complaining." He laughed. His scent crept to my nostrils, this happens too often, as I have noticed. He smells really good, too. "I'll pretend that I don't notice how you're purposely smelling me."
Purposely?!
"I did not do that on purpose!" I defended my side. "Why would I?! It's not my fault your perfume is too strong."
Gaeb's voice served as our background music, it is so soothing and calm. I looked around and smiled when I noticed that all of my friends are enjoying too, Vry was smiling, Amee looked at Gaeb with her eyes sparkling, Venylie and Theia looks so happy too. I look up to see Korics' face.
"What?" He asks.
"I hate you." I jokingly said, but he looks serious.
"Why?" Korics asked. His tone sounded so serious that my heart started panting.
"I hate you because... you like me!" I laughed. He still looks very serious though.
"So.. you hate me? Because I like you?" He asked while bringing his face closer to mine, I gulped. Come on! I was just kidding!"
"I was just joking Kor—" I got cut off guard.
"If you hate me because I like you..."
Oh gosh.
"Keep on hating me Savelle, because I won't stop liking you."
~~~