World After Worlds

Tiana was right, the grass on the other side was greener. No one regaled her better than Kraig but it did not last forever. It was too good to be real for a long time. She had Kraig for the whole first semester of the sophomore year, nonetheless, the second semester, like a flash of light, he went back to Yanarym. Tiana did not know why Kraig pretended as if he would never associate with Yanarym anymore before. Then, right now, he clung to her as if he would never let her go.

Tiana was confused. He was all over her before. Then now, he won't even throw a glance at her. What's wrong with him? And what's so great about Yanarym? Is that a dream that happened to them, her illusion? Was it not real at all? Did Kraig play her?

She watched Kraig and Yanarym being engrossed in each other. They seemed to have forgotten that someone was left in the area with them. The other students ignored them, some just snorted and those who envied them were giving them bitter remarks. Tiana was one of those who were glaring daggers at them scornful and loathful. They said love can change people, and as if it was applied to the two women, Tiana was becoming a girl with hatred; Yanarym was living in flowers and rainbows.

Lyndon, who was associated with the two, could discern the difference. Despite that, Lyndon could not understand how could Yanarym be so happy—he was using her, he was her true love, he was in love with someone else, and she was pretending to be with Kraig, a man who she despised. However, every time Lyndon turned his head to observe them. She emanated the ardor of a young woman in love. She was faking it, sometimes—most of the time he was fooled as well. If she had not been pestering him now and then, he could believe that her affection solely belonged to Kraig. He disregarded his thoughts, it was futile to give too much interest in a person who he would abandon later on. What was important was Yanarym's usefulness during this time.

"Tia, let's go," he shifted his focus back to Tiana. She was obviously in devastation just by staring at the two lovers, but she kept on agonizing herself. Lyndon could not say he did not understand what she was going through because he knew so well how aggravating it was to watch the person you like being intimate with the person you loathe.

"How could they be so improper?" Tiana scowled, "This is an academy, not a private room for them to flirt."

"Let them be, aren't you used to them?" He snorted and took her things. "Let's go, you should eat to lighten your mood."

"Lyndon, I'm dying of jealousy. How could eating solve my misery?" She bitterly evoked him, her voice was low, the only of them could hear her disdain. "Can't you do what I have been asking you to do? If you like me that much can't you help me get rid of Yanarym? You are capable of deceiving her. Seduce her, Lynd—" she bit her lips as soon as she received Lyndon's condemning eyes.

"I'm not that kind of person Tiana. I am here beside you because I want you, not her. Don't treat me as a joke." His tone was flinty, Tiana dropped her eyes and felt shameful with her words. She knew she should not ask for inconsiderate and insensitive favor from Lyndon, however, that idea kept on beefing in her head. The scenario where Lyndon successfully took Yanarym's attention and she could have Kraig all by herself. It was a perfect play, but it was wishful thinking, was it not?

Lyndon walked out of the classroom bringing her books with him. Tiana sighed in exasperation. Lyndon was harsh, he was always saying hurtful things to her. She got tired of it, because of his indifferent treatment towards her, she cherished Kraig who was always soft and gentle with her. But the difference…

Lyndon was always there, he would be always on her side, whether it would be in stealth, she could feel he was there. Although her love for Kraig was great, she could appreciate Lyndon's faithfulness to her. She can't tell Lyndon to leave her alone, because she was scared to get discarded. Especially that everyone in the academy was suspicious of her from the day Yanarym revealed that she was not a real azkin. No one stayed at her side, except for Lyndon—the rest was just faking and obscure.

If she can't have Kraig back, she would be left with no one if Lyndon was not there too. She glanced for the third time at Kraig and nibbled her lips before running after Lyndon.

Yanarym saw that she and Kraig were left alone in the room, and he seemed to have fallen into a deep slumber on her back. She contemplated while she waited for him to wake up. Tiana was desperately hovering for Kraig's attention these past few days, but that seemed to blow some fuses on Lyndon's. She thought that Kraig would secretly see Tiana appease her to maintain his good relationship with her. Honestly, Yanarym was prepared for the possibility that Kraig would cheat on her just to irritate Lyndon but he did not. She was not sure if he was a loyal person or just too occupied to add Tiana to his schemes because he never even gave a glance to Tiana anymore.

Guide-sama: "I have a question."

What is it?

Guide-sama: "Tiana is aware that Kraig was ingenuine to her?"

You're the one who can read minds, why ask me?

Guide-sama: "She has a very complicated thought,"

Like what?

Guide-sama: "It's like she knew but didn't want to acknowledge it, she wanted to keep chasing Kraig."

She's denying the fact?

Guide-sama: "I guess that's the term."

That's the normal process of moving on, Guide-sama.

Guide-sama: "Is it?"

Yep, you know, when people have such a happy memory or past of something then it suddenly disappears. Probably, they will have the same reaction as Tiana. It is always hard to let go of that thing that made you feel something indescribable. Even if it was a lie, you will hang on to it, people—most of them, wanted a fabricated life rather than the harsh taste of reality.

Guide-sama: "Tiana wants to keep holding on to that false reality Kraig created?"

Yes, and maybe the thoughts that were running on her head are that point where she realizes it was a lie. After all, Kraig treated her so nicely and now he is treating her as nothing. She's stupid but not that stupid, she could finally discern the false and true.

Guide-sama: "You know what, Yanarym? I think you should not fall for Kraig, don't get hurt like Tiana." Yanarym chuckled at Guide-sama's seriousness. "I would rather witness you breaking a thousand hearts than you getting heartbroken."

Of course, Guide-sama, don't be too sentimental. At least for now, I could say no man could my heart.

Guide-sama: "Promise?"

Yeah~ don't be so nervous! I got this. Speaking of… Yanarym felt Kraig make a small movement, he was waking up. She looked at the clock on the front board, he slept for thirty minutes? That was longer than the usual ten-minute nap.

"Love, you hungry?" Kraig whispered on her skin with a groggy voice. He curled his arms around her tightly and crouched. "I can hear your stomach," he mumbled.

"Yes, It's lunchtime." She did not deny and shifted her feet to face him. He loosened his grasp on her for a second and when she was able to face him, he hugged her tightly again. Resting his head on her chest area. He was about to daze off to sleep when he remembered that he had to do something. How come that nestling on Yanarym's arm is getting more and more comfortable? He yawned and held himself from biting her skin.

"Alright, you head first to the cafeteria," he uttered and let go of her waist. She stared at him with a pout and revolting eyes.

Kraig's lip curled seeing her suppress her clinginess towards him, although she was very understanding when it came to him. Sometimes, she could not hide her expression, getting disappointed in parting with him. He initially thought that it was problematic and annoying because he did not like it whenever Tiana would do it.

"Should we not go together?" She bit her lips as soon as her words were spoken out, she looked away, in such a way that regretting.

"Love, if we are always together, you will get tired of me," he jokingly said.

She squinted her eyes and abruptly turned to him. "That's silly." She frantically shook her head, "I will never get tired of you, Love." Kraig touched her ear, felt her shudder, and saw her blushed, it was her sensitive spot. He grinned in satisfaction.