RUN WITH ME
CHAPTER 29: THE GALLEYS

"Vin?" Floyd, who had just arrived at his class, was confused to see Gavin sleeping on the table. Rarely does the child fall asleep at school, no matter what. But seeing the tired face of his friend, Floyd let him.

Unfortunately, for about five minutes Floyd let Gavin fall asleep, Maverick's voice screeching from the front door so he woke up his friend. Floyd immediately gave a sharp look at Maverick who walked up to his two friends, while being stared at a bit of goosebumps. Then Maverick realized the face of Gavin's pillow.

"Oh, I'm sorry to wake you up" Maverick said as he landed his ass in Gavin's empty front seat. He scratched his neck awkwardly.

Gavin replied with a weak sleeve and again bowed his head over his arms, "it's okay, it's my fault for sleeping late last night" he said in a weak voice, really showing how tired he was.

"Why did you sleep so late?" asked Floyd while pulling his chair closer to Gavin, while Maverick had given his entire attention to the man in front of him.

Gavin shook his head again, "there's something I'm thinking about."

"About the piece you told me about?" Gavin was silent for a while, he was still not sure whether he could tell his heart problem or not. But moments later he finally chose to nod, confirming the question. Gavin felt too soon to be open about his feelings for his two friends.

Gavin can't fall asleep overnight after realizing his feelings for Arunika. Last night Gavin wondered to himself, since when did he become interested in Arunika? Since when did he like that girl? Why can he be unconscious? Already his head was dizzy thinking about those questions, his heart added to the problem by continuing to beat fast every time he imagined Arunika's face. Gavin had to hit his chest a few times, hoping that the beat would return to normal.

This feeling was completely new to Gavin. The man did not know how he should respond to this feeling, did he have to feel relieved? Pleased? Getting angry? But one thing for sure that Gavin realized, appeared fear in him. Afraid Arunika realizes her feelings and has an impact on their friendship. But Gavin was also able to dismiss the feeling because after weeks of observing the nature of the woman, Arunika entered the type of woman who is less sensitive, especially to the feelings of someone to her. So for now, I don't think he needs to think too much about it.

After a night of discussion with his heart and brain, a deal came up, Gavin would stay away from Arunika a little until the valentine's day event was over. He wanted to reorganize his heart, also began to think about the limits of his behavior on the woman because Gavin knew, after this he would see Arunika as the woman he liked, no longer as his friend. Those limits will also be the guidelines so that if not do things that unconsciously make Arunika uncomfortable.

Gavin's plan to keep his distance started today. He thought it would go well, but it didn't. Gavin really did not cross paths with Arunika until it felt like he really did not meet the woman. Even he had been at a stage where when he saw Arunika, he would immediately walk away. Gavin cursed out his heart and heart. This feeling really made him uncomfortable.

On the other hand, Gavin's very strange behavior can be directly felt by Arunika, Hera, Maverick, and Floyd. As it is now, it is customary for the five to gather in the canteen to rest together, but suddenly Gavin resigns on the grounds of wanting to practice because the event is only two days away.

"Although Gavin said he wanted to practice, but why do I feel like he wants to stay away from me, huh? Don't you feel that too?" asked Arunika with her slightly pouting face bribing a spoon of rice along with the side dish to the mouth.

Hera, Maverick, and Floyd glanced at each other. Of course they can feel it. Through that eye contact, they suspect that Gavin is already aware of his feelings and is now in the confused phase of how to respond to it. So, Gavin stayed away from Arunika for a while to reorganize his heart.

During this day, Gavin completely avoided Arunika. Even the man did not accompany her today, unlike the days before. This change in attitude certainly made Arunika confused herself. Various questions arose in him, did he make a mistake on the man? But when and where? Arunika always makes sure to always think before talking or acting because she does not like people who cannot keep their words and actions, so Arunika must apply the principle to herself. Or did it happen outside of his consciousness? Like when he fell asleep and said things that hurt Gavin?

"Run, don't daydream while cutting, your finger can be injured later," Hera recalled as she gently patted the OSIS chairman's shoulder. Arunika was jolted, the consciousness he got back. He looked at Hera who took a seat next to him. Arunika took a slow breath and stopped her work, making Hera chuckle, this was the first time she had seen such a sad friend when one of her friends was away.

However, strange rumors re-emerged regarding the relationship of the two in the aftermath of the incident—because the incident was seen by many students. Based on the rumors, Arunika and Gavin have a crisis in their relationship, there is a great quarrel between them so that Gavin chooses to avoid Arunika. Some even say they broke up. Really wild gossip, even though dating has not.

"Her, can you help me figure out why?" asked Arunika with a listless face. His head really wanted to explode.

Hera who was looking at Arunika's urgency smiled faintly and replied, "in my opinion, she just realized something." Arunika frowned hearing that.

"Aware of what?" Hera raised both of her shoulders indifferently, making Arunika even more confused.

"If you've said something like that, make it clear. Do not give such an ambiguous answer," Arunika protested while hitting Hera's hand in annoyance, while the one who was beaten just laughed off.

"You're that sad, huh, shunned by Gavin?" ask Hera after Arunika's punch is done. Arunika snorted at the question.

"Of course, he suddenly drifted away for reasons I didn't know about. While our relationship has been fine, I also feel like I have never hurt her feelings. When I wanted to talk to her, she ran away instead" Arunika complained as she bent her legs and hugged her.

Just a day Gavin avoided Arunika, the woman had already had an effect of this magnitude. Arunika admitted, his closeness with Gavin is second after Hera. Both have very intense communication. When something happens that shakes the stomach, upset, worrying, or sad, Arunika will always tell Gavin after telling Hera. The thing that Arunika likes when telling Gavin is that she always looks enthusiastic every Arunika will tell her story, making her join the spirit to tell various kinds of events she experienced. Even the man was always able to calm himself when Arunika was panicking or sad. Gavin's absence around him for a single day had completely vaporized all of his energy.

"Well, what do you think, Run? Why would Gavin stay away from you?" ask Hera back while staring at her best friend. He also gently stroked Arunika's back.

Arunika glanced at Hera for a moment. "I don't want to assume anything weird before I know the real story, you know my nature" Arunika replied in a weak voice. As typical of Arunika, Hera expected to hear that answer from her. Hera also looked meaningfully back at her friend, but Arunika did not realize because she was closing her eyes.

"Run, Her, come on, work again, why is leha-leha here?" Suddenly Fernando appeared from behind the door with a hand carrying a pile of paper, making Arunika again raise her head.

"True, there is no time to think about it now," said Arunika as she moved from her seat and left Hera who was still sitting, while Fernando was confused by the sentence thrown by Arunika. But finally he ignored her and walked after Arunika because there were things to say.

Again Hera could only exhale slowly with a smile, "it looks like it will take a long time."

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