'“Ugh, you’re so boring. Is that the only thing you think or talk about?”

  “Where’s that pretty thing you bore to death? I wonder how she copes,” my mom snickered.

  “You again? Do you want to talk to me, or are you just going to keep talking?” She couldn’t even hide her disgust.

  “She’s coming here, let’s go somewhere else,” she whispered.'

  The thought of associating with them kind of scared me. The countless times I tried to make friends, somehow, they always thought I was BORING. I just couldn’t find the right words, no matter how hard I tried—it was like the heavens themselves were against me.

  I stared at the beautiful yet luring lake, almost as if it was an extension of Estelle. Her grace was something I couldn’t compare to. Standing beside her felt impossible.

  “I’m even lucky,” I whispered to myself.

  The grass was green, the sky clear and blue, and the trees stood as beautiful as ever. It was springtime, the pink blossoms adorning the dark, malicious forest, making it look like a place of holiness. Little did they know, the forest was a fox, luring its victims with its beauty, while the lake beside it helped to clear away the bloody stains. Modern nature at its peak.

  “If only you were our friend. Mother Nature acts at her will, impartial to her creations,” I muttered, moving my rusty hands through the water with a smile.

  “What are you mumbling to yourself, dork?” A tall figure cast a shadow over me.

  Cael, my sort-of friend. He’s always been a bit confusing. I never knew what was going on in that big head of his. We’ve known each other for years, but he still had a way of making me feel like I never fully understood him. He stared at me for a moment, as if judging my plain clothing. I couldn’t care less about how I looked to him.

  “Your sense of fashion is kind of weird,” he said, tilting his head like he was expecting a reaction.

  “I… um… don’t care,” I said, though it still stung. I tried to hide it.

  “Aww, are you sad? Poor Christelle,” he said in that annoying baby voice, but I didn’t find it funny.

  He laughed, and I wondered if his great-grandmother had suddenly possessed him. He looked at me with teary eyes, knowing full well I was annoyed—actually, very annoyed. He reached into his tote bag and pulled out the most delicious thing I’d had in ages—his mom’s sausage roll. He showed it to me, as if I were a dog waiting for a treat.

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  “You’re so adorable when you’re angry or sad. Here, an apology gift,” he said, holding it out to me.

  Foolishly, I moved closer to take it. He pulled it back, holding it behind him, and suddenly, my face was close to his. I almost thought for a second—was he about to kiss me? I reached forward, grabbing the sausage roll.

  “You sly fox,” I grinned.

  “Dumb bunny,” he teased, “as cute and captivating as you are, you can’t fool me, dumbo.”

  Even without stuttering, I could talk to him—he and Estelle were the only ones I could be myself with.

  He fell silent, staring at me, but I paid no attention to his thoughts. All I cared about was the sausage roll in my hands. I tried pulling it from him, but he was stronger than me. My stomach grumbled, reminding me of how hungry I was.

  “Are you going to let me eat it, or are you just going to stare at me forever? Do you want to kiss me or something?” I teased, laughing at the absurdity of it all. The wind picked up, sending my hair everywhere. His short hair flapped around as his chestnut eyes glared at me, and the little mole near his ear was uncovered by the gust.

  “Cael, umm, if you don’t mind, I really want to eat. Can you let go of my fragile hand?”

  He snapped his hand away, looking dazed.

  “I wonder why they call you boring,” he muttered, almost to himself.

  “Because I’m shy and stutter a lot, idiot,” I answered before he even had a chance to ask.

  “Sorry, I was just wondering why people would pass up a cute munchkin like you. People confuse me.”

  He wouldn’t understand what it meant to be flawed and unpopular. I didn’t blame him. I just wanted to eat.

  I leaned toward him, searching for more food, but suddenly he pinned me on the spiky grass, his hand as my pillow. Our gazes met for a moment. My heart raced as I felt his face coming closer. What was happening? It felt like we were about to—

  “Sorry, reflexes,” he said with a smirk, letting me sit back up.

  “Always playing with me. Such an imbecile,” I muttered, flushing profusely. I hit him on the head.

  I lay back, flat on the ground. He did the same, and we both stared at the sky. The stars were waking from their slumber, and the sun had handed its authority over to the elegant moon.

  We had to leave this beautiful spot of ours. Cael wasn’t as bad as he seemed, maybe. He grabbed my bag along with his own, and we started walking, the bright sky fading as night approached.

  Then, someone approached us, and we stopped, wary. Cael advised me to stand behind him, his broad shoulders blocking the way.

  “My charming knight,” I said, smiling at him.

  “My stupid princess,” he replied, his expression wary, but there was something more behind his words.

  “Well, if it isn’t the beauty and the BEAST,” a voice called out, emphasizing the beast. I’d almost forgotten that she had this massive crush on him. I quickly moved away from him, signaling that nothing was going on.

  “We shouldn’t be mean to ourselves. It’s okay if you see yourselves as, well, thanks for the compliment. I’m quite a fine specimen, aren’t I?”

  “Who are you referring to?” Estelle asked, looking uneasy.

  “Well, I don’t see any beasts here…” Cael turned around, pretending to search for something, “—except for you.”

  I don’t know if it was just me, but I could’ve sworn I saw Cael glaring at her. Maybe they were fighting.

  “Aren’t you the funny one, Cael,” Estelle laughed awkwardly, looking uncomfortable.

  “I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but we need to head home. I can finally eat,” I said, walking ahead. I nudged Estelle, urging her to move.

  I glanced back at them, and they were silent. Oh, aren’t they just perfect for each other?

  Regardless of who liked whom, they were my closest friends, the only ones who didn’t find me BORING.