The next day after our walk to Atlas, I was not myself from the very morning.
More precisely, it started at night, because I couldn't close my eyes.
All my thoughts were filled with the dilemma that had been bothering for the past few days.
Yesterday, Blake unexpectedly asked to beco his dance partner, and all I could squeeze out of myself was a promise to think for a few days.
After all, I had to give an answer to both Phil and Blake tomorrow.
But how could I do this when I still haven't decided on a solution…?
I felt almost the sa sympathy for both of them, and therefore I was afraid that having made a choice in soone's favor, the second one would certainly be disappointed in .
And this despite the fact that it was so difficult for to find friends in this place.
All these complicated thoughts were spinning in my head non-stop since the morning, and therefore everything that was happening around was perceived only as noise in the background.
At the request of the teacher, I had to deliver the test papers to his office, and walked along the corridor for this purpose.
Since today was Sunday, the academy was extrely deserted, as most either went to the city or rested in the dormitory.
I fell under the «hot hand» of the professor with his assignnt when I was wandering around the building, because sitting in one place in my position seed simply unbearable.
I hoped that the answer would co to by itself, if I clear my head a little.
However, this never happened, and I still had to solve this problem before tomorrow morning.
While I was carrying a pile of heavy papers, heading to the right place, I did not imdiately notice how soone stood in front of .
In the end, I almost bumped into him until a familiar voice brought out of a ntal trance:
— Good afternoon, Lady Leriana.
Over the papers I saw bright blue eyes, and imdiately recognized Phil.
— Oh… Hi, Phil,» I smiled.
«Are you all right?» I've already called out to you several tis, but you didn't hear.
— I'm just a little distracted today.
— That's how… Did sothing happen to you?
— Nothing serious, — I said, — So thoughts are spinning in my head, that's all… Are you coming from sowhere?
— I had extra classes, — the guy explained with a smile, — Here I go, and I see you. Why are you here? It's a day off today.
«The teacher asked to bring this to his office,» I nodded at my luggage.
— In that case, since we t, I have to help you, — Phil winked and took the whole stack out of my hands, despite the fact that I doubted.
— N-not worth it… I can handle it myself…
— Don't worry. It's not difficult for at all. Besides, I'm always happy to help a lady.
As a result, now we were walking together, and I felt even more awkward.
If Phil had known what a burden he had put on with his request, he would definitely have considered himself guilty. Although it's just , I still couldn't make up my mind.
— How are you doing?
— Oh, everything's great… And you?
— I can say that the sa thing. However, I'm a little tired because of my studies, and… So other things.
— Del?
— Preparation for the banquet, — the guy explained, embarrassed, — There is not much ti left, and you need to have ti to prepare everything so that the holiday goes as it should.
— Oh, that's how…
I nodded, although I didn't quite understand why an ordinary student like Phil was doing all this. After all, as far as I knew, the organization of the banquet should have been handled by the administration of the academy, not the students. Maybe the guy was preparing so special performance on it…?
«You seem very busy,» I said, «I don't want to take up a lot of your ti.»
At that mont, we had already reached the right office, and I thanked him again for his help and took the papers from Phil.
«It's a pleasure to spend ti in the company of such a lovely lady,» he smiled.
— Then , with such a fine gentleman.
We laughed, and Phil, as if he was just waiting to ask this question, asked:
— And your promise to think… Is it still valid?
Naturally, I imdiately understood what he ant.
— K-of course, I'll answer you there tomorrow, as promised…
— In that case, I will look forward to it, — the guy smiled broadly, and, saying goodbye, left, leaving in mixed feelings.
***
In the evening, as usual, I found Rachel in the library, and without saying a word, I sat down next to her and lowered my head on the table.
The girl, as on the other day, did not pay attention to , although she looked askance, because today I did not even greet her.
We sat in complete silence, and only occasionally, heavy sighs escaped from my mouth.
— Eh-H…
I sighed, rembering all the difficulties of my life, not paying attention to the fact that the atmosphere around beca more tense every ti.
In the end, Rachel couldn't stand it.
«I'll shut you up if you do that again.»
Knowing her, it was definitely not an empty threat.
I fell silent, but I sat and looked at her with such a dejected expression on my face that after a while, the girl had to put the book down again.
— You're weird today.
— Hmm?
— When you co here, you usually don't stop talking for a second. It was infuriating, but your silence is even more annoying.
— That's because I'm completely exhausted today.
— Hmm… Clear.
This short answer was enough for her, and Rachel started reading again. Nevertheless, I felt the need to throw out my soul, and continued:
— Actually, I have a big problem…
Rachel gave an angry look, saying with her whole appearance that she absolutely did not want to hear about my affairs. But I calmly continued my story:
— …Two of my friends invited to be their partner at a banquet, and I do not know what to say to them.
— Is that all?» Rachel snorted contemptuously.
— What's wrong?
— Your problem is nothing… Although, what am I talking about. People like you will always find sothing to worry about.
— Such as «we»? — I frowned, assuming in advance that there was nothing good behind this designation.
— Those who study here have never known real problems, — said the girl, — Or rather, you think you have them. But in fact, compared to what is happening in the real world, this is nothing.
I was outraged.
Of course, Rachel could be right, and my dilemma about the school holiday really wasn't worth all this attention, but right now, she had an important place in my life. After all, it depended on whether I could maintain good relations with my friends without offending anyone.
— Maybe my problems are not so global, — I said, — But that doesn't an that they can be devalued just like that! It's not up to you to decide why I should worry and why not.
Rachel sighed.
— As you know…
Apparently, she had no desire to convince , and she just accepted my point of view. Although, the skeptical expression on her face at this mont, was already clearly saying everything.
For a while, silence reigned in the library again, and I, having thought about this situation in my head, this ti spoke first:
— Why… What do you think?
— …
Rachel squinted at angrily, clearly displeased that I had opened my mouth again.
— What should I do? I asked.
— How do I know? This is your business, you figure it out yourself.
She said how she cut it off.
But I wasn't going to give up, because it finally dawned on that I needed help in this matter.
Even from such an unexpected person as Rachel.
— But I can't do it on my own! — I exclaid, — And the answer should be given tomorrow… Please, Rachel…!
Eventually, after my five-minute bombardnt with puppy eyes, Rachel gave up and asked:
— What do you need?
— Tell which one of them I should go with! — I asked, — Phil invited a few days ago, and Blake only yesterday. But they are both very good, and I don't want to offend anyone with my refusal.
— So you need a reason to refuse? — the girl understood.
— Well, you could say that…
— It's as simple as that. Say you don't want to.
From her lips, it sounded like an understandable truth, and, undoubtedly, Rachel herself would have done just that. But there was no way I could try on such an answer for my situation.
«I can't do this,» I sighed.
«And why is that?»
«If I say that, won't they think I'm not interested in their company?»
«But it's true,» Rachel said, as if she knew better than I did, «otherwise, you wouldn't have ruined my evening with such stupid questions.» You just don't like any of them.
— I-it's not like that! — I objected, — I like them as friends, but I never imagined them with as a couple… I don't want any misunderstandings between us.
Rachel sighed angrily.
«Then what do you want from ?» If you can't refuse outright, make sure that you have no choice.
I thought about her words because I found so grain of truth in them.
And just a couple of seconds later, a brilliant idea flashed through my head.
— I understand! Jumping up from my chair with a triumphant look, I exclaid, «I know what to do!
Rachel looked at like I was distraught when I suddenly started screaming in the library, but I didn't care.
Suddenly, everything in my head fell into place. And how did I not think of this before…?!
— I'll just say that you proposed to first!
Reviews
All reviews (0)