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
I stayed back after class to help Mr Matt. I called Star earlier to tell her that I will be late, which means she will be here thirty minutes later. “See you tomorrow.” P pecked me before she skipped down the stairs. We agreed to have a lunch date today, but her boyfriend returned last night. So, she's going over to his house for a date —well, an R-rated one.Funny enough, she didn't mention Mr Matt throughout the day. Her boyfriend was the only one in her mind, which is so unlike P, who loves admiring boys. There were few students around. Most were hurrying out of the building, while some were heading towards their next classes, especially the second-year students. Back when I started, I envied them because most of their classes were afternoon lectures. However, I don't feel that way any more. I don't like morning classes, and I sure as hell don't like evening classes. I knocked on the door of Mr Matt's class before I opened the door and stepped in. “Good afternoon, sir.” I greet
“You haven't?” She gasped, looking like my words couldn't be true, which seemed likely. Who will believe that I've lived with Miguel for two years, and have never stepped foot into his room? Before we reconciled —if you wish to call it that — he had never been to my room. We only meet in 'the room' where I pleasure him with my mouth, and that's that. There is nothing else involved. His room is off-limits. “No,” I shrugged. “He warned me never to enter his room, and I have been keeping to that.” I furrowed my brows, thinking back to what she said, not too long ago. “Have you been to his room? Which pictures are you talking about?”“Well,” she nervously chuckled as she ran a hand through her hair. The guilt on her face is unmistakable. “I took a lot of money from my brother, to keep this secret. I can't just tell you about it because you asked for it.” She glanced down the hall before she turned to face me. “Just let things slide. Pretend you didn't hear me say anything.” She took he