marahuyo

“Hello, my name is Dan Heng, it’s a pleasure to meet you all,” he said, his voice a pleasant timber which tickled Stelle’s ears. She stopped chewing on her pencil and leaned back against her chair to observe the newcomer. He looked slightly taller than herself and had a handsome face. His expression remained cool as the voices chattered around him. Some people next to her whispered about how cute he was.

March 7th turned around and looked at her.

“That guy looks serious doesn’t he?”

Stelle tilted her head as she observed him more. His eyes made contact with hers and she couldn’t help but feel like she felt that gaze before. She wondered how serious this guy really was.

“Maybe,” Stelle said, “he’s got a great build for baseball though. Think I can get him to join?”

“Try not to scare him off,” March said with a laugh.

—

Stelle wasn’t trying to search out the new student but maybe fate worked in her favor. She walked through the hallway after baseball practice and noticed Skott had Dan Heng corned by the stairway.

“— so I highly recommend you join the Society of Future Business Leaders, I’m the president and would love to understand how the Luofu runs.”

Skott’s new venture was to dive into his entrepreneurial dreams. Contrary to what Skott thought she didn't actually have a vendetta against him. The boy just had a big ego and it’s fun to bring it down a couple notches. Especially when he made it too easy.

“Skott!” she said, exaggerating her excitement. His reaction was immediate. Skott turned towards her, his face red and jaw clenched.

“You! What do you want now!”

“My nemesis, please, I just wanted to make sure you’re not harassing the new guy.”

Dan Heng eyes shifted between her and Skott. Her nemesis turned back towards Dan Heng and let out a frustrated huff.

“As I was saying Dan Heng, our club would welcome you with open arms.”

“Baseball would appreciate you as well!”

“Do not listen to her!” Skott yelled, flailing his arms, trying to shove her away.

“I was actually planning on looking into the Graphia Historical Association,” Dan Heng stated, not phased by the pairs interactions.

Skott deflated at Dan Heng’s words, and Stelle let out a little laugh. She elbowed Skott in the ribs.

“Look at that Skott, we’re both rejected.”

“It’s fine! It was a pleasure talking to you Dan Heng and I hope you’ll enjoy the splendor of our Academy even if it’s tainted by certain cretins,” Skott said. Stelle let out a dramatic gasp.

“Who are you talking about?” she asked. Skott groaned and walked away.

Dan Heng and Stelle watched as Skott walked down the hallway and disappeared from view. Stelle turned her gaze to Dan Heng and noticed he was observing her. He had such an even expression.

“I hope Skott didn’t pester you too much,” Stelle said.

“He’s rather…” Dan Heng tilted his head. “Passionate.”

Stelle couldn’t help but smile at the statement.

“That’s probably the nicest thing anyone has said about him.”

“I’m assuming you’re not a fan,” he said. Stelle laughed. Everyone always assumed she had it out for Skott. The worst rumors were the ones that believed they were secretly in love.

“He is my nemesis,” she said lightly, “but I don’t hate him or anything.”

“I don’t know if I follow.”

“You’ll understand the longer you’re here,” Stelle said. She enjoyed this conversation. It didn’t feel necessarily special but she felt like she wanted to get to know Dan Heng more.

“So, I just finished with baseball practice, and I’m hungry. Would you like to join me?”

Dan Heng gave her a small smile and nodded.

They walked to the cafeteria together, Stelle ordered a double cheeseburger and Dan Heng ordered a beef bowl. People stared at the pair and whispered as they walked by. The cafeteria was relatively empty at this time, so they’re able to sit near the window with a view of the courtyard. Stelle was pleased to figure out he was quiet but not shy, he answered her questions without ever getting annoyed. She asked him what the Xianzhou Luofu was like, what they liked to eat, and if they had a baseball team there. It was fascinating to hear his tales.

“Have you ever thought about traveling?” he asked.

“Of course, sometimes I feel like I’ve been everywhere. I think about it a lot,” she answered. Sometimes she had vivid dreams of different planets outside of Graphia Academy. Snow covered mountains and luscious cityscapes danced across her eyelids. It felt like she could see the Xianzhou Luofu that Dan Heng described in detail. The view of the starskiffs felt so real to her. Sometimes these dreams were the only thing motivating her to graduate.

“Maybe I can go to the Luofu and start a baseball team there.”

The comment made Dan Heng let out a tiny chuckle and Stelle felt her smile grow wider.

—

Stelle was excited to see him the next day. It felt like a refreshing experience to meet someone new here. She thought about their interactions so much that she slept late and ended up sleeping through her alarm. Her steps echoed through the hall as she rushed into the classroom. The teacher gave her an exasperated stare and motioned for her to come in. Skott made a snide comment about the lack of respect but she only saw Dan Heng who gave her a quick wave. She smiled at him before sitting down.

March 7th watched the entire interaction and turned around to give her a questioning look. Stelle just winked at her and mouthed the word “later.”

During lunch, March 7th interrogated her.

“There are rumors you had dinner together,” March said.

“Well, yeah, that’s true.” Stelle said simply as she shoved a handful of fries into her mouth.

“How?” March said.

“I saved him from my nemesis.”

March 7th rolled her eyes.

“Of course you did,” March said, “I’m just surprised, he seems rather quiet.”

“Not of you ask him questions,” Stelle said. Her eyes surveyed the cafeteria until she caught sight of him looking for a place to sit. Stelle poked March’s arm.

“Can he sit with us?” Stelle asked. March gave Stelle another look, as if studying her intentions, before shrugging.

“Sure, why not.”

Stelle made eye-contact with him and waved him over. He quickly moved to their table, sitting in the empty space next to Stelle. March 7th waved at him.

“Dan Heng, this is is March 7th.”

March smiled widely at him and lifted her camera up.

“Nice to meet you! Do you mind if I take a photo of you? I’m part of the photography club.”

“Um, sure,” Dan Heng said. He gave March 7th’s camera a small smile and since Stelle was in the frame she decided to throw up a peace sign.

“It’s nice to meet you March 7th. You have a unique name.”

“Yeah, I don’t remember the reason why my parents named me that, must be something special though.”

They continued to chat until the lunch hour was over and Stelle couldn’t help but feel like this was how it was meant to be.

—

Later Stelle moved through the hallways feeling tired. Her bones ached after her baseball practice. She didn’t need to practice everyday, but it grounded her. Sometimes she felt like she wasn’t actually here, that she didn’t belong in this place. The thoughts troubled her because she knew she wasn’t the type to feel this way.

She continued to be lost in her thoughts as she walked to the cafeteria for a quick meal, before she heard her name called out.

Dan Heng stood close to her, coming from a perpendicular hallway.

“Hello,” he said.

“Hi,” she replied.

“Are you going to the cafeteria? Want to go together?”

Stelle just smiled at him and nodded.

—

It felt like after that they spent everyday together. The trio would eat lunch together. Then Dan Heng would wait for her to finish practice and they’d eat dinner together. Weekends they’d still grab meals together and Dan Heng helped her with assignments. The rare times they couldn’t would be because Stelle had to take a remedial lesson, she was spending time with March, or Skott challenged her to something stupid. Stelle thoroughly enjoyed wiping the floor with him during these moments.

“Why do you get to ruin my high school romance and you get your own?” Skott yelled at her. Stelle really didn’t know the paper she turned into an airplane was a confession. She did try to apologize to Skott but he had none of it and he left. As he left, Stelle was left with Skott’s question, and wondered if that’s what people thought of them.

Later that evening, Dan Heng sat across from her, his handsome face analyzing her chicken scratch homework. He’d correct her mistakes with clean penmanship and explain to her what she did wrong. She wondered what the education was like at the Luofu for him to be seemingly good at everything.

She worked at a new problem again, trying her best to apply what he taught her even though it was difficult for these things to stick. Stelle, trying her best to write neatly, presented her results to him again. Her fingers tapped against the table as he checked over her work. He let out a satisfied hum and he smiled at her.

“Good job Stelle, that was correct.”

Stelle had never been so satisfied to hear praise from someone. She could feel her face burn as she looked at his proud expression.

—

“So, you like him right?” March 7th asked her. They were hanging out in March 7th’s dorm. Stelle liked to come here to relax because her bed was so fluffy.

“Like who?” Stelle asked as she scrolled on her phone.

“Seriously?” March said, “Dan Heng obviously.”

Stelle tilted her head towards March.

“Of course I like him,” she said simply. March 7th moved closer to Stelle and flicked her forehead. Stelle let out a small yelp.

“You know what I mean,” March said, exasperated. “I can see how you look at him.”

Stelle rubbed her forehead and pondered March’s question. She was reminded of Skott’s too.

“How do you know if you like someone like that?” Stelle asked.

“I don’t know,” March 7th said, “books says that there’s butterflies in your stomach and lots of blushing.”

Stelle wouldn’t deny the blushing, but she didn’t know how to describe butterflies. She never felt nervous around Dan Heng. If anything, she was eager to impress him. Whether it was through understanding a concept he taught her or showing him an extra far home run.

March 7th let out a frustrated groan.

“Look I don’t think a book will describe you accurately, but I see the way you look at him and I see the way he looks at you.”

Stelle couldn’t help but wonder, how does he look at her, but she decided against asking.

—

It was the school’s sports festival, and Stelle was the star of it. The different clubs had a baseball competition and this was the second year in a row she annihilated Skott. He dropped to his knees and let out a dramatic yell as Stelle made the game winning home run. Students crowded around Stelle and lifted her up to celebrate the win. When they brought her down, she was greeted by March 7th and Dan Heng.

“Congrats on another win!” March 7th said.

“Impressive performance as always,” Dan Heng said after.

March 7th’s excitement was palpable, while Dan Heng’s eyes showed his delight. Stelle hugged both of them thankful for the support. After they grabbed dinner and were about the head back to the dorms, Dan Heng asked Stelle to wait.

“I have a gift for you.”

Stelle was surprised but she eagerly awaited the gift. Dan Heng pulled out a small bag and quietly handed it to her. She pulled out the wrapping and was greeted by a beautifully designed baseball. It was green and had gold threading, with intricate paint spreading across the round surface.

“This is beautiful,” Stelle said, then her eyes widened. “I can’t possibly hit this with my bat.” The idea of throwing this ball around horrified her. Dan Heng laughed.

“I believe it’s meant to be a memento, but you can hit it if you please.”

“I would never,” she said, “why did you give this to me?”

“I heard the Sports Festival is a big deal to you, and people say it’s where you shine the most,” he said, “I wanted to give you something to commemorate the occasion. Especially since this is my first and last one to experience.”

Stelle felt embarrassed at his praise and then sad at the thought of him leaving. She tossed the ball back and forth between her hands. The words to say wouldn’t come to her. She stopped tossing the ball and wrapped her arms around Dan Heng’s neck, pulling him into a tight hug. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed her close to him.

—

The night air was crisp as Dan Heng and Stelle walked across the rooftop. Stelle had to show Dan Heng the obnoxious throne that she apparently held after a specific duel against Skott. She couldn't remember what it was about. Dan Heng found the throne humorous.

They sat with their legs dangling over the rooftop wall, the breeze tickled Stelle’s legs. Dan Heng explained to her Vidyadhara constellations and she followed the tip of his finger as he trailed it across the night sky. She could feel herself getting sleepy but she didn’t want the night to be over. Stelle leaned against Dan Heng’s shoulder as he continued to speak, he paused for a moment but then continued. Once he seemed to go over everything he knew, she felt him rest his cheek against the crown of her head. He placed his hand next to hers and gently drew it into his grasp.

Stelle squeezed his hand lightly and she could feel him let out a light laugh.

“Are you tired?” he asked.

“No,” she said. She could feel him shake his head.

“I’m positive you fell asleep on me.”

“Nope,” Stelle responded, raising her head but not letting go of his hand. She looked at him and Dan Heng just smiled at her.

She wondered if this was it. If this is what March 7th meant by “how he looks at you.” It felt like Dan Heng saw all of her. The funny, the strong, the parts that don’t seem to fit right. She wondered if she actually looked at him the same way. It felt like she knew him for hundreds of years, across different lives. With his free hand he moved a stray hair away from her face.

“Can I kiss you?” he asked quietly.

“Yes,” Stelle said embarrassingly quick. Dan Heng leaned close to her, cupping her face in one hand, and he gave her a quick, chaste kiss.

Stelle looked at him, she could feel heat trail up her neck to her face. The widest smile appeared on Dan Heng’s face. He captured her lips in a second kiss.

“You’re beautiful,” he said after. Stelle wrapped her arms around him and hid her face in his neck.

—

Stelle wasn’t the type to linger on what ifs. She kept moving despite it all. March was thrilled at them kissing but she asked her what the future looked like. It seemed so far away but Dan Heng’s departure would be here quick.

No one really knew what the future looked like, even if there was a grand script, she couldn’t see a future where Dan Heng wasn’t a part of the story. Stelle decided not to dwell on it. Besides March 7th, he was the first person she felt like she was truly herself with. She didn’t feel like a constant actor playing a part.

So, she’d enjoy their time together, despite the separation bound to happen.

The last night before his departure he visited her room. What once was a hurricane of clutter, it was now organized clutter thanks to Dan Heng’s assistance. Stelle loved collecting memorabilia.

He laid next to her, his arm wrapped around her waist. Stelle stared at the ceiling before turning her head towards him. Dan Heng’s green eyes glimmered in the moonlight as he observed her. He tilted his head closer to her and he placed a kiss on her cheek. Stelle sighed and leaned closer to him, their foreheads touching.

“I understand if you want to end this,” Dan Heng said quietly, “…but I’d rather see how this goes.” Stelle moved her head back to see his face and saw his serious expression.

“I’ll respect whatever you want to do,” Dan Heng turned his gaze away, the first time Stelle had ever seen him slightly nervous.

“You’d wait for me?” Stelle asked

“I feel like I’d wait hundreds of years for you,” he said. To others, the sentiment could come off as dramatic, but to Stelle it just felt like a fact.

Stelle drew him in closer and hugged him. She felt him sigh against her, pleased with her response.

“I love you Dan Heng,” she said. It felt like such a natural thing to say. His arms wrapped around her tighter in response.

“I love you too.”

—

That morning she watched as the spaceship left Graphia Academy from the rooftop. She wondered if she could squint hard enough, maybe she’d catch a glimpse of the Xianzhou Luofu. The school year had come to a quiet end. Her fingers nimbly caught the baseball Dan Heng gifted her as she tossed it from one hand to the other.

She tried her best not to be sad about it. He said he’d message her as soon as he arrived to the fleet, and she always trusted Dan Heng’s word.