Colton's POV
"Wow, lucky dog Colton!"
After hearing my name is read after Mina's by our biology teacher, I hear Vincent's chuckle. "Stop showing that face," I roll my eyes and pat his hand away from my shoulder. Being in the same group with Mina is really a fortune because I won't need to worry about my score that way. But I know what Vincent is thinking about, that pervert.
"Easy, my friend," Vincent chuckles again, "She will fall in love with you anyway, so it's not a shame to seduce her first."
"Damn you, Vincent," I punch him on his upper arm. "I'm not a jerk, okay?" Although I know he is playing a joke, I don't like his tone, which sounds as if I'm Don Juan.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry." Noticing that some people have left the classroom, Vincent grins at me and then stands up. "See you on Monday, bro. And wish you have a good weekend with her!"
"What the fuck!" Seeing him rush out of the classroom, I scold in my heart. Those girls really should see what a jerk he is, so that they can chill their minds and won't love him madly. Whatever, Vincent is sometimes a bit childish, and I should always keep that in mind.
It's about 5:00 pm now, and there are few people in the classroom. Parties are waiting for them, not for me. I want to join them, but my body doesn't suit that noisy environment. Since my 14—year—old birthday, I have never been to a party again.
Having a trauma means that I must bear irregular headaches, faints, and broken memories. Also, I should keep away from exciting activities. My mom once told me to give up playing football, which lighted a fight between us. It is my only love now, and I won't leave it behind.
Although I never go to parties, I'm still the most popular guy in our school. Girls go mad for my olive eyes, my abs, my long legs, my team captain title, and my sweaty uniform after playing a game. That's why Vincent said that Mina would also fall in love with me because both of us know that no one can reject me. It is boring to linger among girls because I don't care about them at all.
I just want to find the girl in my memory. She is the reason for my headache, she is my pain. For the past four years, I've dreamed of her face hundreds of times. Every time her face appears in my mind, I feel my head hurts badly as if it will burst. I don't know who she is, but I must find her.
Shaking my head, I try to clear my mind. Thinking of these things makes my head hurt again, which is not a good signal. Faint always follows my headache, and I should avoid that. Putting a hand on my forehead to relieve the pain, I then see a familiar figure from the corner of my eye. That's Mina, she hasn't left yet.
I must admit that I'm surprised when knowing Mina is my partner. Not many people talk about her in school, but I know her. She is pretty, actually, and has a good figure. I once saw her practicing cheerleading on the playground with her friend. I should say I was attracted by her skills and smile at that time.
But that's all. I'm tired of talking to popular girls and guessing their thoughts, not to mention this invisible Mina. Maybe it's my trauma that makes me maturer than others, and it also makes me different.
"Mina? Are you gonna leave now?"
Seeing that she is putting her stuff in her bag, I step towards her, trying to keep her stay. I don't want to go home now, but I have nowhere else to go. So, it will be nice if she can stay here with me. As long as I don't need to receive my mom's nagging at home, I'd like to do everything, even deal with the biology homework.
"No, uh, yes, uh..." She doesn't look at me but her shoes. I know she is nervous, most girls will be like this when they talk to me for the first time.
"Well, I thought we could finish the beginning parts of the survey today. Doesn't matter, I'll let you go. We can deal with it tomorrow."
If one wants to keep a girl stay, the best way is to let her go first. I'm good at catching girls' minds, I must admit that.
"No, I mean, I'm fine today. We can start it now if you're free."
Got it!
Seeing a flush goes on her cheeks, I send her a big smile that dimples my face. I've achieved my goal, and it's great that I don't need to face my mom at home tonight. She is proud of her job as a writer and her talkative, neither of which attracts me.
"At your disposal, my lady," I send her a smile again. "Oh, could you please wait for me a second? Bathroom thing, be right back."
Not waiting for her reply, I step out of the classroom whistling. The light of the sunset comes through the windows of the corridor, which shines the white floor into warm orange.
"Orange..." Muttering this word, I suddenly feel a strong headache strike me. Those orange lights start twisting, transforming, and eventually become the shape of fire in my eyes. Piercing sounds echo in my ears, which make my head hurt worse.
As a designed process, I know I will pass out after a short time. "No, not here... this is corridor..." Staggering with my weak legs, I feel my body is shivering. The color of fire fills my eyes now, I'm breathless.
After a long time, or maybe just a few seconds, that familiar face appears in my eyes again. Coming through the fire, it is clearer this time. Long hair, big brown eyes, a shy smile... She is so familiar as if I've met her just now.
With my chest heaving quickly, I can see nothing but blank now. Before I pass out, a name comes to my mind. I think I've known who she is, the owner of that face.
"Mina..."