Louisa's p.o.v;
After the first hour got over, I walked to my next class thinking about the place where Mr Hernandez mentioned it's dangerous to go. Even though he said not to go, I've been thinking of a way to go there. That's the only lead I got so far. While i was walking i bumped into someone accidentally, "I'm sorry, i didn't see…" by the uniform, i realised it was a teacher, "I'm sorry, teacher…" when i looked at the face, "Nicolas?"
He shushed me and said, "Come with me." And took me to the nearby classroom. It was empty. After we came into class, he closed the door behind us.
"Nicolas, what are you doing here?"
He stood in front of me and said, "Keep it low. What if someone hears you?" When I stared at his uniform, he continued, "I'm the new transferred teacher for literature."
"Teacher? For literature?"
"Yes, I'm a teacher so don't call me by my first name."
I think he didn't know that I'm his student yet. I smiled and teased him while asking, "Then, how do you want me to address you Nicolas?"
He hit my head and said, "Address me, teacher. I'm nine years older than you."
I smiled and said, "Teacher, Did anyone know you go to illegal casinos to gamble money?"
He let out a sigh and said, "Okay, call me whatever you want."
"Why do you give in so easily? It's no fun. Okay, I'll address you as a teacher. At the same time, don't tell anyone or they'll suspend me, please?"
"Tell me the reason then I'll think about what to do."
"I told the reason last night. It was out of curiosity. Nothing more than that."
"Really?"
"Yes, please don't tell anyone."
"Okay, go to your class now. Let's talk later."
I smiled at him.
"What are you smiling at?"
"You looked cool last night but you look hot in your teacher's outfit, Nick."
He gave me a flick on my forehead and said, "Stop flirting and leave already."
"I was just saying."
When I came out of the class being all smiley, Ryder was standing outside. I ignored him and walked past him.
While I was eating at the cafeteria, Ryder took a seat in front of me with his food. I ignored him and continued eating the food.
Ryder, "Do you like older guys?"
"What?"
"Before, you were with a guy in late twenties and now with a teacher. Is that your type? Older guys?"
"Your words don't affect me in any way since it's not true. Talk whatever you want. I'll ignore it and walk away."
He leaned forward and asked, "How was it with older guys?"
"If you want to know that bad, then you should try it by yourself."
He poured the water on my platter and said, "Do you want me to tell everyone that you're having an affair with a teacher that badly?"
"Do whatever you want. I don't mind."
He poured water over my head and left.
When I looked around, everyone's eyes were on me. I stood up being soaked up in water and walked out of the cafeteria.
While I was going to the restroom, Bernie called out my name from behind. When I stopped, Bernie jumped in front of me and asked, "Louisa! What happened to you?"
"Nothing. The usual."
"Those guys again?"
I nodded and asked, "Why are you here? Don't you have class right now?"
"Stop talking about me and take a look at yourself. How long are you going to resist those guys? When do you plan to report them?"
"Bernie, I'll take care of it."
"How? Like by getting bullied? Louisa! Are you listening to me?"
I brushed off his hand and ran to the restroom. I washed my teary eyes and my ugly crying face in the water. I patted my head using the tissue and wiped my face.
I sat on the floor and crawled myself and put my head on my knees. Suddenly, someone hugged me. By the size, I realised it's Bernie.
Bernie said, "If you want to cry, do it. No one's here. It's only me and you. There's no one around. Hug me back, Louisa."
I hugged him and said, "I used up all my money to join this college, I don't have enough money to transfer to another college and afford it. And, I don't want to ask my parents again. If I report those guys, they'll definitely transfer me to another college for sure."
"Okay, okay. It's enough. Don't talk. You'll choke up when you talk while crying."
"Bernie, I couldn't."
He patted me and said, "It's okay to be weak. It's totally okay. I'm here with you."
After a while, I walked on the pavement to go to my place, and someone tapped me from behind.
When I turned around, I saw Ryder. What does he want now?
"I'm not in a mood to argue with you."
"I'm not here to argue either."
I ignored him and continued walking.
"I'm sorry."
That was first. I stopped walking and looked at him with confusion.
He continued, "I heard you talking to Bernardo. I didn't know you were going through such a thing. When we teased others, they'd get mad or cuss at us but it was different with you. You always talked back at us which made me get mad at you more. I won't bully you anymore. Sorry for giving you trouble these days." And walked away from me.
I jumped in front of him and said, "Are you backing off realising it's a mistake or seeing me cry gave you satisfaction?"
"I wonder how you can talk back even after crying like a crybaby."
"What? Who's a crybaby? I didn't cry that hard."
"You cried so hard that you drooled through your nose, crybaby."
"Stop it!"
"Crybaby! Crybaby! Louisa is a crybaby!"
"Stop it! Or I will…"
"What will you do? Are you going to cry again, crybaby?"
"Stop calling me that! Stop it!"
Bernie appeared out of nowhere and asked, "What's going on here?"
I held Bernie's hand and said, "He's calling me a crybaby and teasing me."
Ryder said, "Because you are a crybaby."
"Did you hear him what he called me?"
Bernie, "I don't understand what's happening. Till this morning you two were fighting and cussing each other…"
Ryder interfered, "She's the one who swear at me. I didn't."
Bernie continued, "Okay. But aren't you two are rivals? What happened to that?"
I said, "Actually, before you appeared, Ryder knelt down on the ground in front of me and begged me to forgive him. I didn't plan to forgive him in the beginning so i let him beg more. After some time, holding resentment doesn't bring me any good so i let go for his sins."
Ryder, "is that what happened?"
"I remember it that way."
Bernie said, "Does that mean no more bullying and no more cussing at others?"
We two nodded in unison.
Bernie said to Ryder, "I can't forgive you that easily like Louisa. She may forget what you did for her but i didn't. I've seen her being hurt because of you. If you want to be forgiven by me, you should earn my trust. And, it's not easy."
Ryder, "I know. I'll do my best."
I said, "I feel so hungry. Can we eat?"
Bernie, "Yeah, let's eat. We'll have your favourite hotpot today."
"Yay!!!"
Suddenly, a car stopped beside the sidewalk which made us look at it. The car door opened and i saw mother inside the car. When did she came back from (rich country in Brazil)? Didn't she say she's coming next week?
Ryder, "That's the latest expensive car model in market.
Mom, "Heloisa!"
Ryder, "She knows your name. Do you know her?"
I said, "She's my mother."
"What?"
Mom, "Heloisa, get in the car."
I said to Bernie, "I'll go with her. See you at the apartment."
After he nodded, i waved to Bernie and Ryder and got into the car along with mother.
Inside the car, she asked, "Why are you walking to your place? Didn't you buy a car yet?"
"I don't need a car. Bus is more convenient, mother."
"Who's that new guy? Looked like someone came from a prison. So rugged."
"He's my friend. Please don't address him like that."
"Whatever."
After a while, she brought me to a cafe. Why did she bring me here? Usually, she takes me to the villa she own in Sao Paulo but why cafe now? Is she's going to leave soon?
"Mother, are you leaving soon?"
"Yes, i have works piled up back in my office so I'm leaving in tonight's flight."
"How's your academics?"
"Its good, mom. Last Friday, they conducted a quiz, i got…"
"I'm glad that you're doing well in your academics, darling."
"How's dad and Issac are…"
She placed a few papers on the table while saying, "Before that, i need your signature on these papers."
I stared at the papers and looked at her.
She continued, "It's a property of your late grandfather. When we tried to sell it, we noticed that he transferred his property in your name. Sign the papers so that we can continue with the work."
I thought grandpa was kidding but he did really changed it to my name.
I signed the papers and asked, "Mother, how's dad…"
She stood up and said, "Everyone's doing good. Don't worry about them. Do your academics well, I'll get going."
"We didn't ate anything…"
"I have someone important to meet. I don't want to be late so I'll get going now."
She handed over me a card and said, "Eat whatever you want. And, use it for the fees and accomodation." And she walked out of the cafe.
Growing up in a large and luxurious house where temperatures are maintained at all times as opposed to outside… A life where one doesn't have to worry about being provided with three meals a day, new outfits for every new day, bank card full of money, cars to choose according to the colour, is simply a lifestyle one can enjoy without a hitch. But I'm not the person who enjoys it.
Because of this luxurious life, i didn't have time with my parents. They always work or go to business trips thrice a week. I couldn't play with my brother since he was sent to boarding school. That's why i didn't had a good relationship with him. It's always awkard when we two meet. When they planned to send me, i whined and stayed. That was my first time i rebelled against my parents. Since i began to feel lonely in my own house, i went to my grandpa's house. That's where i learnt what love is. I grew up while beside my grandpa. I spent more time in his house than mine. When grandpa passed away, i couldn't stay there anymore so i transferred to Sao Paulo. Even though many years passed, my parents are still working. I don't even know where my brother is. And, here I am. Staring at the tea cup i ordered when i stepped into the cafe.
While i was staring at the tea cup, Bernie took a seat beside me and asked, "How did it go this time?"
"She didn't come to see me."
"Then what is it?"
"She came to get my signature for selling grandpa's property. She said she's meeting a important person and left. Bernie, who am I to her? I'm her daughter, right? Am i not important to her anymore?" I let out a chuckle and continued, "I'm a stupid to ask like that. I was never considered to be important one. I feel lonely, Bernie."
He gave me a hug and asked while pointing at the card, "Did she give you a card again?"
"Yes, all she knows and cares for money. Do you want the card?"
"I would love to."
He took a seat beside me and ordered what he come across in the menu.