Chapter 53: Saved by Fire (and Shan)

Chapter 53

We've been shopping for a theme for the Christmas party ball for a while now and still haven't decided on anything. I was vacant this morning so I used this opportunity to take care of other details of the event. I am now with the others assigned to the preparation. "What do you think of this, Serena?" Albert asked.

"He's not very common for a Christmas theme, but I think he's pretty," I answered.

"Theme is settled, how about the food?" asked Vanessa, another of our preparation partners as she was the one I assigned to list all the details.

"The matter about the food is already settled, I've contacted someone already," I answered.

"About the music, I also talked to someone," Frank interjected.

"I'll take care of the photo booth," added Albert.

"Then it's all settled, I guess?" I asked them all to which they nodded.

I felt dizzy and my stomach was also churning. I didn't eat this morning just to finish the plates I had to pass, and I also didn't have lunch because I called a meeting with those involved in organizing the Christmas ball.

"Are you okay? You look pale, Solene," commented Trisha, the council president.

I smiled a little to let her know that I was fine. "Let's talk about the other details next planning meeting. Alright! Meeting adjourned!" I have come out before them all.

I glanced at the mirror and that's when I realized how pale I was. My skin was pale as well as my lips and face. Even though my vision was getting dark, I still managed to get out of the building.

I wanted to go to the cafeteria to eat but the darkness slowly engulfed me. My eyelids were gradually getting heavy, and I blinked a few times at the same time.

My knees were getting weak and I could feel my gradual fall, but before I completely fell to the ground I was saved by two arms that supported my back.

"Solene!" I heard him shout while patting my cheek. And before I completely closed my eyes I managed to speak.

"S-Shan...

I slowly opened my eyes when I felt his big, warm hand caressing my cheek. My view was overwhelmed by Fire's fascinating gray eyes. But his eyes were blazing with fear and his face looked troubled.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded in response. I want to say something but words won't come out of my throat. That's why he just helped me lean on the headboard of the bed and when I looked around, I saw that I was in the school clinic.

He gave me a glass of water and after I drank it I was able to speak.

"Thank you, Fire," I said to him. "Where's Shan?" I asked. His face suddenly changed. His eyebrows creased, signaling that he doesn't like what I said.

"I'm the one by your side so don't think about other men." The sullenness in his voice was noticeable.

"I know that, Fire. But if it wasn't for Shan, I might still be lying on the road," I explained.

"Fine!" He flexed his arms and straightened his back. "He left after he told me what happened to you." He stopped and stared at me intently. "Now, let's go back with you." He frowned and if only I could hide from his critical eyes I would have done it.

"Why are you starving yourself, Serena? Do you want to die?" His voice was stern and I could say he's mad just by staring at his burning eyes.

I bowed my head because I didn't know what to say. He grabbed my chin and slowly lifted it. Now I'm staring into his eyes. It has calmed down not like before.

I felt his thumb brushing my cheeks before he pulled me into a hug. ""Don't do that again, Serena."

I hugged him back. "Sorry, Fire..."

And I only stopped for a few hours at the school clinic because Fire told me to go to the nurse. He pulled me to the cafeteria, but before we got inside I saw Shan in the distance and he was looking in our direction.

"Just wait, Fire." I broke free from his grip and walked towards Grant. I heard her scream but I ignored it. I just want to thank Shan.

"What do you need?" he said when I got close to where he was standing. He was completely different from the Shan I knew. His speech, his aura, is very different. You won't be able to tell the joke Shan is now in front of me.

Is it because of me that he became like this or is this really the real Shan? But despite my questions, I still smiled at him while he remained emotionless..

"Thanks, Shan. Otherwise-"

"No need to thank me, Ramirez. I will help anyone who is in that situation," he interrupted what I was saying. Then, he left me stunned where I stood.

Ramirez? Are we on a last name basis? This made me feel like we haven't gone through many things together within the span of our friendship. I don't know but it pains me.

After a while, Fire pulled me into the cafeteria. I was left sitting while he bought food for both of us. As usual, many people were looking in my direction because Fire and I were together, but I didn't pay attention to them.

"Eat," Fire said as he placed two trays on the table.

I looked at the food and felt like I lost my appetite even though I knew what I had ordered I was very hungry. I still can't get Grant out of my mind. My chest feels tight for some unknown reason

I was startled and looked at Fire as he carefully put the cutlery on the table. I couldn't figure out what he was thinking because his face turned blank again.

Solene?! If you stay like that, you won't get better. You have to eat to get your strength back. And with that, we managed to get everyone’s attention inside the cafeteria because of the loudness of Fire’s voice.

"F-Fire..."

"Solene, help yourself, eat. " he ordered authoritatively but in a low voice this time.

My attention turned to the food and that's when I realized why he was angry. I've been playing with the food for a while now, so it's already delicious. What is really my problem and I am doing this?

"Sorry," I whispered, just enough for him to hear.

"You should have seen yourself in the mirror. You're very pale Solene. And you even passed out. You're f*cking scaring the sh*t out of me!"

I followed him when he stood up. Will he leave me? Did I anger him so much?

All the questions in my head started to fade away when Fire lovingly pulled me outside the cafeteria.

We went to the parking lot and got into his car. A few minutes later I found we stopped at a pizza shop.

He held my hand until we went inside. Even when he ordered he was still holding me, causing me to smile. Even though I was annoyed because the girls were staring at him when we ordered, it was relieved every time I looked at our hands.

"That's all, sir?"

I turned my gaze to the female cashier who could only stare at Fire.

It's obvious that she's acting cute to get his attention! Hmm! I raised my eyebrows. I wasn't like this before even though some people act funny just to get Fire’s attention but now I seem to get bored quickly and sometimes I'm emotional. Is it just because of the cold wind of the coming Christmas?

"Yeah!" replied Fire.

"Sir, you might want to try ou-"

"He didn't say he wanted to try!" I interrupted what the crew was saying as I pulled Fire away from the counter. We went to the back where it was quiet and away from other customers.

"Pffft. You're cute," he whispered to me.

I raised an eyebrow at him because he had been holding back his laughter.

"What?" he asked jokingly.

"Did you see that? The crew is making you look cute," I said and folded my arms.

"Are you jealous?"

I was even more tormented. "Why should I be jealous?!"
I sounded so bitter but nothing, eh, came right out of my mouth.

"You're acting weird, Serena," he said with a frown.