MY CINNAMOROLL
Elena's POV
After two long weeks, I finally stepped into school again.
Honestly, I didn't want to. But Mom said I needed to "get back to routine," and Dad made sure my driver dropped me off — apparently, they still don't trust me to drive alone. Whatever.
The moment I entered the hallway, I could feel eyes turning. Same whispers, same fake smiles. Some guys tried to act cool — one even handed me flowers like it was some movie scene. I didn't even bother looking twice.
I just wanted to reach my seat and disappear.
When I walked into class, it was like nothing had changed… except maybe him.
Adrian didn't look at me — not even once.
Good. Whatever I dont care .
Then Mike's voice came from the back — "Welcome back, princess!"
Jaiz laughed. I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling a little. Guess nothing changes in this place.
Classes went on as usual until Ms. Isabella called me to her office after the period end.
When I entered in her office I saw that grumpy guy was talking with Ms.Isabella.
Then Ms.Isabella said "Adrian will give you the notes of the days you missed," she said, smiling like it was the most casual thing ever.
"And you'll give him yours past study materials."
I wanted to scream no.
Instead, I just said, "Fine," trying not to sound too annoyed.
Because arguing with Ms. Isabella? Big mistake.
We walked out in silence. Not even a word.
Just that heavy, awkward air between us that I thought I'd already forgotten how to breathe in.
Back in class, I started solving a few math problems to distract myself.
He was sitting next to me — quiet, probably thinking how to ask for the notes.
And then he finally blurted out something like, "Uh… um… ma… ma'am… told me to ...take..the… notes…"
I almost laughed. That nervous tone — still the same.
Without a word, I pulled out my notebooks and placed them on the desk. "Hmnn," I said simply.
He handed me his in return.
Then, at the exact same time, we both said:
"I'll return it tomorrow."
"I'll return it tomorrow."
And just like that — an accidental smile.
Short, small, but real.
When the final bell rang, everyone started packing up.
I was about to leave when I heard Mike inviting Adrian to The Game Zone.
I didn't plan to go — but jaiz dragged me into it earlier this morning, and I didn't want to look like I'd backed out.
Mom had refused to let me drive, so my driver dropped me off at school.
Jaiz and Mike ran towards the parking lot yelling and shouting like they are competing with each other that who will reach first .
Huhh disgusting...
Then I reached the parking lot, I saw Mike and Jaiz already sitting inside, with boxes covering the backseat.
"Seriously, what's all these boxes doing here?" I asked, pointing at the pile.
Mike grinned. "Relax, those are my imported car models. Don't touch them. They're rare!"
Then, like fate had some twisted sense of humor, he said,
"Okay fine, problem solved. You sit with Adrian."
I glared at him. "What?"
Then he said grumpy "That's fine, right bro?"
Grumpy said "Uh… yeah. No problem."
Huh! Did he do it on purpose
Seriously!!
So yeah — now I was stuck sitting in his car, pretending not to be annoyed, pretending not to remember the silence we'd already shared too many times.
As we drove toward The Game Zone, I looked out the window, arms crossed, trying to convince myself it didn't bother me.
But deep down, I knew — it did.
HhAhhh disgusting...
By the time we reached The Game Zone, the place was already buzzing with noise — flashing lights, loud arcade music, people laughing and yelling over scores.
Mike and Jaiz jumped out of the car the moment Mike parked and then ran inside the game zone . I followed them.
Adrian quietly locked his car and followed behind, hands in his pockets .
Inside, everything felt alive — the hum of machines, the smell of fries and popcorn, the sound of coins clinking.
We started with a few normal games — car racing, dancing, tennis , shooting, basketball.
Mike and Jaiz were being their usual competitive selves, yelling and laughing, while Adrian just stood there with that calm, almost smug face every time he won.
Tss grumpy !
I wasn't planning to join, but somehow, their energy was contagious.
And after a while, even I was laughing — something I hadn't done properly in weeks.
Then, while walking past the claw machines, my eyes caught something that made me stop.
Inside one of the vending machines were Sanrio dolls — all cute and pastel, sitting there like they were calling me.
And right in the middle of them — my favorite — Cinnamoroll.
That tiny white puppy with blue eyes and floppy ears and an innocent face.
Without thinking twice, I rushed toward the machine.
Mike yelled something behind me, but I ignored him.
I inserted the coin, moved the claw carefully, and tried to grab it.
Missed.
I tried again.
And again.
And again.
One after another, I kept winning random characters — Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi — everything except Cinnamoroll.
It was almost like the universe was mocking me.
But no, not happening.
I was getting that plush no matter what.
"Elena, enough already,"Mike groaned, checking his watch. "It's been, what, almost an hour? Let's eat something!"
Jaiz added, "Yeah, it's getting late. You'll end up dreaming about these dolls at this rate."
I didn't even look at them.
"I'm not leaving without my Cinnamoroll."
They exchanged looks, shrugged, and then jaiz took Mike to another claw machine.
Only Adrian stayed behind, watching me from a few feet away — quiet as always.
I focused hard, biting my lip, trying one last time — and missed.
I groaned in frustration.
This machine was seriously testing my patience.
Before I could try again, Adrian walked up beside me.
He didn't say a word, just took a coin from his pocket, inserted it, and moved the claw — his expression calm, eyes steady.
A second later, the claw caught Cinnamoroll cleanly and dropped it straight into the prize box.
Just like that.
One try.
I blinked, speechless for a second.
He picked up the plush, handed it to me, and said casually,
"Guess it just needed a little less panic."
I stared at the doll in my hands, then at him — trying not to smile.
"Or maybe you just got lucky," I muttered.
He smirked slightly. "Maybe."....