“Why did you stop?” P turned to face me, with her brows raised, and mouth pursed. “No… Nothing.” I winked at her, “let's go. We have other classes to attend before the day runs by.” I urged her out of the classroom before she could say something else. We parted in front of her next class — anatomy, while I left her there for my next class, which is Introduction to AI. We have been learning all about Artificial Intelligence for weeks, but we are yet to get deeper into the topic. After classes, I met with P in her classroom. “I will be right out!” She waved at me the moment her eyes landed on me. She was all smiles as she hastened to arrange her books. I stood to the side, to let the other students pass. The squishing sounds of their shoes on the tiles, the opening of lockers and the increased chatters provided good background noises.“Girl, I'm so going back to get a glimpse of Mr Matt. Are you coming with?” She asked the moment she closed the distance between us. “My classes wen
“Jewel!”I almost jumped out of my skin when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I immediately turned, to see P. She stood next to me, with a concerned expression on her face, and a forced smile. “Are you okay, Butterfly?” She squinted. Her eyes were awash with concern. It twitched with an urge to know what was wrong with me, but she didn't pry further. “Yeah,” I nodded, “I'm good.”But I'm not. Though I know what I'm supposed to do, I'm still trying to know how to approach things, to get the answers I need. I can't possibly walk up to my stepmother, and demand for her to tell me if she was the one who killed my mother. Who in their right senses will ever confess to that? I don't think it will be that easy.“Well…" She trailed off, with a suspicious glare directed solely at me. “It's time to leave. The other girls have long left.” She motioned towards the place which was brimming with fan girls not too long ago. Sure enough, there were no girls there any more. The hall was empty, devoid
Star drove me to the hospital my stepmother sent an address for. I frantically clasped my hands as I prayed for my father's safety. I'm aware that we don't have the best relationship, but that doesn't mean that I'm ready to lose him.“Your father will be okay, Jewel.” Star sent a comforting look my way. “You don't have to be nervous.”“I can't help it, Star. The way she sounded over the phone made it seem like he was dead already. I don't know what to do if something happens to him, Star. He's the only family I have. I can't —” “Listen to me, Jewel. Your father just had a stroke and was taken to the hospital. Nothing is going to happen to him. You've got to stop your train of thought.” She glanced at me before she turned her focus on the road. Her tight grip on the steering wheel is the only evidence of what she's truly feeling deep within her. I sat still in the passenger's seat and joined my hands together. I nervously picked my fingers, to keep my mind off the thoughts of my fat
I don't know what to feel. One moment, I had this sudden urge to rip everyone and everything to shreds, and in another, I had this urge to collapse on the floor and weep to my heart's content. I slowly closed the door behind me, and leaned on the door, with my eyes closed. My body shook as insistent tears slipped down my eyes. I felt like my heart was about to be ripped and torn to shreds. Why? This was the only question that occupied my mind at the thought that I'd lost a father. I've lost the only biological family I had left. Right now, I'm alone in this world. Tears slid down my eyes, but I didn't make a move to wipe them off. I let them slide down, to pool around my legs. The stares from the patients around didn't faze me. I needed to cry my heart out at the injustice of this world. I just learned that my mother might have been poisoned by a woman she once considered a best friend, so she could get married to my father. And now, more bad news is being dumped on my head. Can
My father's funeral was placed on the last day of the month because of my stepmother's 'busy schedule' The way she worded it made me roll my eyes at how easily she was trying to lie. She was only trying to be sophisticated. “I've missed you!” P whined. “God, the school wasn't the same without you. Nothing was interesting to me any more. But now that you are back, I feel like I can fly to the highest mountain!” I rolled my eyes at her. Since she saw me this morning, she has been acting clingy by telling me just how much she missed me. God, I think my eardrums are about to explode. Having a friend like P can make you insane.“How is your lecturer? Still checking him out?” I raised a brow at her. My mouth twitched to a side, but I refused to smile. I don't need her to descend on my case when she figures out that I'm making fun of her. “Oh, my God!” She shrieked. “He's getting hotter by the day. I bet, he always gets cooked in a hot cauldron of handsomeness and sophistication before
He didn't say a word until P was out of earshot. Only then did he turn to face me. The expression on his face is a bit confusing. “Is my test result that bad?” I cringed, feeling like I did way back in high school whenever the teachers tried to inquire about the situation in my home. It always left me nervous. “No, that's not it.” He smiled at me. Though his face is innocent and bright, I felt imaginary insects crawling up my arms. I shivered a bit, with my entire focus still on him. “Is it about my absence? I thought my h—”“I'm Matt.” He brought his hand for a shake and tilted his head as he watched me to know my reaction. I squinted. What's with his introduction when I already know who he is? However, instead of asking the question I would have loved to voice out, I shook his outstretched hand, with a full-blown smile on my face. “Jewel.”“Jewel? What a pretty name for a pretty lady.” He smiled before he slowly let go of my hand. “You are not in the class group chat, are you?”
I ordered fried rice and pasta with sliced hot dogs, while he ordered steaks and an omelette. Don't ask me how the combo is. I won't know since I'm not the one eating it. And I don't intend to ask for a bite. I just don't see anything appetizing about it, well aside from the steaks. “How was school?” He asked, starting a conversation.“It was okay. I…” My words froze in my throat when I saw his ex. She had a tray of food in hand as she glanced around, searching for a place to sit. “Hey!” I called out to her, waving a hand, to get her attention.Miguel turned at the call. The expression on his face darkened when he saw who I was waving to. “I believe you hate her? Why are you calling her over?” He looked as confused as I was. Honestly, I don't know why I called out to her. I shrugged, “I'm trying to help her get a seat. The entire place is crowded.” I turned to her and waved once more until she noticed me. However, her eyes went straight to Miguel before it brightened. Oh, still h
She huffed but didn't say a word further. My mouth curled to the side at the expression on her face. It pleased me to know how much my words affected her. Miguel didn't say a word. He slowly ate his food as he occasionally glanced at me. “Well, I'm still glad I was the one he painted for back then. I was his muse, you know?” She grinned, infuriating me further. This stupid woman doesn't know how to take a hint, does she?“Well,” I placed my spoon on the plate and turned to face her, with a smile on my face. “I'm glad you used past tenses in your sentence. You were his muse, but not any more. Hell, I don't presume you are muse enough for him to stop painting. Guess your face was too ugly for him.” I beamed at her, “you are just like an outdated vintage bag. The wealthy don't need you, and anyone can have you.”“Hey!” She hit her palm on the table. “You—” Miguel started to say, but I placed a hand on his, and shook my head, to let him know that I wish to take things on alone. “You