MONDAY, another not-so-pleasant day.
Aside from the soreness in my body from the work I did yesterday, in short, being a servant to that man, here we go again, it's back to school. I actually want to skip a day of my class now because why not? I worked overtime yesterday, and I do not deserve that.
Even though I don't want to get up yet, Alice forced me. She worked harder than me yesterday, and yet, here she is, stronger than me, not tired, and more energetic than me. I don't know what her secret is. Sometimes or most of the time, she overworks, but she's really on another level.
"Let's go,” she said to me. "Hurry up, or we might be late. You know Miss Davenport, she grows horns during flag ceremony time," she said, as if she was in such a rush.
I rolled my eyes heavenward as I heard her reasoning. "Reasons, if I knew, you actually just want to see Andrew early," I retorted.
"Issue! No way! Besides, he's always late, I know his schedule better than he does," she said confidently.
She's proud, huh?
"Let's go, let's go, I'm already ready."
Once downstairs, it's the usual routine again. I'll have my lunch, take my pocket money, kissed my mom on her cheek before bidding goodbye.
When we boarded Christian's motorcycle, I tried to position myself in the back seat. Christian protested, saying my skin might get burnt. Like, I also need my daily dose of vitamin D.
The lush green fields we pass by look beautiful and relaxing. I'm still not used to such scenery, in fact, I don't want to get used to it because I'm silently hoping that one day our lives will return to how they used to be, for my family's sake.
But it was commendable how beautiful this countryside was. And it would be even more beautiful if Logan wasn't in my life, existing in this place.
Like meeting Logan every single day, and every damn hour! I will do everything and anything to lift that curse.
Where does my hate come from? It comes from those moments when I'm always put in danger because of him.
After a few minutes of travel, we managed to arrive just before the flag-raising ceremony. However, we received a scolding and a terrifying sermon from Miss Davenport.
That woman should practice having a little calmness. She's too hot-tempered. Not like I've never met someone like her. People should control their anger, anger management, to be exact.
Here I am, teaching about calmness, but I can't apply this rule whenever Logan is around.
After the flag ceremony, we have to separate from our group of friends. It sucks sometimes; I don't have a genuine friend in my classroom. Almost all the girls automatically hate me, and the boys either disrespect me or don't like me because I refused their advances when they asked me out.
What's wrong with saying no? I simply declined them, that's all.
The whole first-class subject is boring to the core. To be totally and brutally honest, there are so many redundant lessons.
After class, I have to leave the school building again. And not only that, some girls blocked my way.
Fact check, I'm not judging, but they smell unpleasant. They can't even put on the proper shade of lipstick on their lips. And it's no surprise to me that their leader was Maribeth.
She was looking at me from head to toe, judging me with her hawk eyes, when in fact, she should be the one judged.
"So, the rumor is real. The new girl in Clayland, pretty but also promiscuous? Why are there so many leeches popping up in this place?"
She's obviously insinuating that I'm the flirt she's talking about.
"A rumor without a basis is a lie, and it will remain just an accusation."
That's all I said. Hopefully, she catches my phrase. It seems like she can't be trusted based on her appearance alone. Does she deserve to be entitled as a student? She doesn't look educated enough to be one.
I don't really want to stoop down to her level. That's the last thing I want to do. If I engage with her, I'll end up looking cheap, just like her or them.
But I'm only human, I often commit sins, and that is to retaliate against these people. They have the audacity to fight me. They are just brave enough because they can outnumber me now. But let's see how I can stop them one on one.
"You may sound high and mighty, but you're planning to seduce the Lopez brothers. You're so promiscuous. You're new here, yet you're already a curse in our lives!"
Is she seriously screaming right now? Like, what the hell is that?
Is that how a crazy person behaves for the sake of a man? She was not only the daughter of a whore, but she was also an authentic gold-digger. I hoped she could find enlightenment, but there was also a chance that karma will catch up to her.
I responded to her snide remark. If I remain silent, she'll think she's right. She looks pitiful, and she might remain clueless forever.
"First and foremost, I am not seducing anybody here. Maybe you are, because that's your plan, and now that the limelight isn't on you, maybe you're hurt by your own insecurities. Honey, seek help; insecurity is as dangerous as crab mentality."
I was about to pass them when Maribeth grabbed me.
She looked like a bomb ready to explode. Her face turned red. She looks offended by the truth I've been saying all along. Because how dare she question me without evidence, just a baseless claim.
I answered her provocation. If I don't, she'll think she's won. I won't be surprised if she remains ignorant for the rest of her life.
"I'm not going to stoop to your level, engage in your nonsense. It's not worth it," I said with finality.
I just went back to the classroom, thankful that those sour-faced girls, who are furious at me for no reason, weren't there yet.
I suddenly remembered that I still have bread and water. So I decided to eat in the corner to avoid getting hungry during my following class before the lunch break, minding my own business, because why not?
While I was eating, I noticed someone sitting next to me. Just by the scent of his cologne, I immediately knew who it was. I didn't need to memorize that.
"Andrew?" I called him out. He was staring intently at me. He looks cute, but it's a bit creepy for me.
If not to be informed, I have experienced several cases of stalkers and creepy guys approaching me.
"Staring is rude, Andrew," I reprimanded him.
But instead of stopping, he continued with what he was doing.
"You just look beautiful when you eat," he said, which startled me.
I could be straightforward with him, confront him, and ask him about all these mixed signals. But there's also a part of me that's afraid. It's scary to find out the answers to the questions that are bothering me.
"Is something wrong?"
I just shook my head and smiled at him.
"Andrew, I do not want to assume, but if ever you are planning to do what I think it is, sorry, but you have to stop."
His smile quickly faded. He was probably surprised by what I said. But what I said is just the truth among all the truths.
"So, nothing at all? I mean, I was just planning to do something, I wanted to get to know you better," he said, disappointment evident in his voice.
"You can get to know me better as a friend. You don't have to get to know me that way."
I went back to my seat. If I hurt him, at least it would only be temporary pain. Hopefully not be too painful, because I'm thinking that it shouldn't be painful since he gets hurt so easily. I hoped this wouldn't drastically change our growing friendship.
It was time to go home, and Alice was with me. The others have already left through Gate 1, so it's just the two of us. She insisted on picking me up. It's fine with me.
While we were walking, I decided to tell her what happened this morning. In this friendship, I want to be as transparent as possible. I hope she can have an open mind about it.
"I have something to tell you," I began. I hope I won't hurt her feelings with these words.
"What is it? Oh, I don't know anything about your assignments. I only have beauty, no brains."