Page 48 of The Gargoyle in the College

Studying, yeah... that.

Even though I told Gisett that we couldn’t be together, I still think about him all the time. For example, there are a few bronze statues in the library, especially in the lobby, where they go with the display board about the history of this school and library. These bronze statues have nothing to do with gargoyles, but I still think about him.

I’ve never dreamed about Gisett or gargoyles since I rejected him. Part of me doesn’t mind dreaming about him again, but it feels wrong, like... Maybe I shouldn’t think about him like that.

What’s he doing?

I’ve been trying my best to look away from Gisett when I head home, but he’s such a big statue that it’s hard to not see it.

Is he mad at me?

I told him we could still be friends, but maybe that’s not what he wants.

Ryan and I arrive at the water dispenser, and we take turns filling up our bottles. He lets out a breath. “It’s quite a day.”

“Yeah...” I cover my mouth as I yawn. The water dispenser is further away from the desks and study area, so it is fine for us to talk a bit more without disturbing anyone. “I think I’ll stay for another half an hour and call it a day.”

“Do you want to have dinner together?”

I shake my head. “I’m too tired for that this evening.”

“I see. I get it. Don’t study too hard.” He winks, which makes my cheeks burning hot.

But at the same time, I think about Gisett again. This is getting annoying. He refuses to leave my brain.

Well... I’m the one who keeps thinking about him.

The remaining half an hour is a blur. I think I go through a few more pages, but I’m not sure whether I remember the words, let alone understand them.

Maybe it’s a bad idea to stay for longer when my mind isn’t at it anymore.

It’s all Gisett’s fault. He is the reason nothing’s working out well. My luck is just... Maybe I should have told him that this wasn’t going to work in the beginning, then I wouldn’t end up in this situation. I should have... told him before I felt something for him. And I should have controlled myself not to fuck him. Then it’d be better. At least it should be better.

Ryan leaves the library with me. We part ways at the fork of the road to the dorm building and the restaurant, respectively. It is still early. The sun is still setting, so it should be fine for me to head home on my own.

I can’t be unlucky enough to run into a robber again, right?

Gisett will... he said he will protect me if something happens, not that I’d wish for bad things to happen to me, that’s for sure.

Down the road, there are quite a few other students and passersby, which makes the journey feel safer. The gates are in sight in no time, also... Gisett’s there, too.

I stare at the statue as I walk closer and closer to it. Who designed this stupid road? There should be more than one path that leads back to the dorm building. Then I won’t have to keep seeing him all the time.

The statue feels dead, even though it sounds weird to be thinking that. A statue has never been alive, but knowing it is Gisett makes it feel different.

The time when we would talk in that strange magical way... I think about Gisett and hold the thought in my chest. Since the day I told him off, I haven’t felt the same vibration in my chest. It’s like... the other side of the phone is gone, no one’s there anymore. Not only that, the call doesn’t even go out.

The statue’s eyes look at me, but it feels different.

Maybe Gisett isn’t around.

I sigh. “Where are you? It’s all your fault. Like... something like that.”

I look around, making sure no one’s close enough to hear my ramblings against a statue. Gisett may not be here at this moment, he will be back soon. I thought he was usually here unless he’s with me. But maybe...

Maybe he found himself a mate. He doesn’t care that I’m a human, so... his mate can be a human or a gargoyle.

My chest tightens with that thought. I should be happy for him but at the same time...

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