I looked down as I intertwined my hands. Neil and I were both sitting here on each end of the bench with distance between us. My mind's very conscious of his presence and I can't even utter a single word. I never thought a bully like him would make an interest of talking to someone like me.
"Gold." He coldly uttered so I looked up and sit straight. I focused my eyes straight to the garden, still conscious of Neil's presence.
"Y-yeah?" My heart started to beat fast. I felt so uneasy and I can't even move my own body. It's like I'm sitting beside someone superior.
"Go to my party. I won't accept no for an answer." He coldly stated.
I frowned and slowly faced him at my side. He's staring at me with no emotion so I can't read his mind.
"What if... I say.. no?" I unconsciously stated. From his no emotion reaction, his eyes darkened and looked at me with strong displeasure.
"I told you. I won't accept no for an answer." He moved nearer to me making my heart throb faster as if there's a race inside of me. I felt the roughening of my skin when I felt his arms touched my skin. Sweat started to drip off and I felt hot. I'm not used to this.
"G-get away from me." I spoke in an airy tone.
"And what if I won't?"
I gulped when he moved closer like he's crushing me. I couldn't take this anymore so I stood up and walked forward. I heard him chuckled but I didn't budge.
"Okay, I'm sorry. Now, sit down," he commanded and I heard him pat the bench as if he's telling me to sit on that part.
I let out a loud sigh and sat down again. But he's still close to me so I told him to sit a little farther. I thought he's going to complain but he followed me just like that.
"I want you to be my partner." He suddenly stated so I widened my eyes in shock. Did he just asked me to be his partner?
"Me? Why me?" I faced him as I pointed myself.
"Because I want you."
"Huh?"
"I mean, because I just want to." He cleared his throat, suddenly felt embarrassed.
"I'm not sure I can go. I can't promise you." I stood up and took steps away from him. I don't know what he's planning to do, but I'm sure, he'll just make fun of me.
I was thinking twice in knocking the door. My older brother might be inside his room, busy. He might not want me to go inside because I would just disturb him.
I took a deep breath and positioned my hand at the wooden door as if I was about to knock.
"Brother?" I called as I knocked three times. I stood straight and waited for him to respond. Seconds later, the door creaks.
"Yes, sis?" He opened the door widely and convinced me to go inside. I stepped inside and turned my gaze around the room. My brother is fond of watching anime so his room is filled with different paintings of his different waifus. It's dark in here but all his computers were turned on which gives a little brightness. His study table was beside all these computers and I think he is busy about the company and not about games.
"So, how can I help my little sister?" He asked when he sat down on the side of his bed. He patted the space beside him, telling me to go sit there.
"About my headphone. Your gift, do you remember?"
"Why? Did it broke? You want me to buy you a new one?" he calmly stated as if he doesn't care about the reason why the thing was destroyed. Should I tell him I was bullied at school?
"Is it okay?" I asked him and he nodded.
"Of course. Anything for my princess."
He smiled so I smiled back. My brother is the only person who motivates me in everything. He meant a lot to me, he took care of me even though I know his mind is full of works, businesses and the company. In Mom and Dad's eyes, he is the only person they can rely on, forgetting me. Do they even love me? Because I don't even feel a bit of love.
"Aren't you gonna ask why the headphone broke?" I faked a smile as I lightly scratched the tip of my nose.
"I already know, sis." He smiled.
I widened my eyes and held my chest. Did he already know I was bullied at school?
"You accidentally dropped it and step on it? Or maybe..."
I gulped when his face turned solemn.
"...Is someone teasing you at school, sis?"
I avoided my gaze as I formed my hands into fists.
"No, brother. I'm doing fine at school."
I don't want to remain a coward, seeking for the help of others. I want to keep myself strong and finish college on that university. I shouldn't let myself get driven by my classmates. I must be tough and brave in order to survive.
"If anyone at school hurts you, just tell me and I will show them the beast." He laughed but I just smiled at him. If only you knew, brother.
I examined myself from head to toe infront of the cheval mirror. I'm wearing a long-sleeved black dress which is 3-4 inches above the knee. The dress is paired with black boots making me look like a rockstar going to the concert. My brother called a make-up artist to help me fix myself. I never thought I'd decide to attend Neil's birthday party. But now that I've fixed myself, I wanted to back out. I'm not used to parties.
When I arrived at the venue, I massaged my temple and tried to calm myself because of the crowd. There are too many people. Should I go home instead?
I was about to turn around when someone called my name.
"Marigold?"
I bit my lip and stared at the guy who walked towards me. Neil's friend, Kit Pollen. Goodness gracious, is this a sign that I must really enter the place?
"Let's go inside." Kit extended his arm, convincing me to go inside the gate.
"O-okay." When I completely step in, I immediately turned my gaze around the venue. Everything is beautiful. The lights, the decorations, everything.
Kit guided me to a round table. I was literally stuck on the ground when I saw Ella, Audrey and Aubrey on the same table as Kit and Kenneth. The three ladies were staring at me sternly, like they wanted me not to join them.
"You have a problem?" Kit asked.
"I... I have to go home.." I took steps backward.
I was about to turn around when Kit grabbed my arm, causing me to flinch.
"It's fine, Marigold. I will protect you from them." Kit's words pierced through my heart. Is he serious?
I nailed my eyes on the glass I'm holding. I don't feel comfortable especially that the three ducklings are here with me. I can't even pick just an inch of food from the table because I am very conscious of my movements."You look wonderful, by the way." My eyes widened when I heard Kit spoke. Even though I'm not looking at him, I know that he is referring to me."What's wonderful with her? She looks trash," I heard Ella said."Your attitude is trash," Kit talked back.I prevented myself from laughing even though I badly wanted to let it out. I never thought Kit would say that, though."What are you laughing at, geek?" I looked up at Ella when she suddenly grabbed my arm as she stood up. She looked pissed and her grip on me tightened.I just looked at her innocently, wondering why she suddenly got pissed even though I'm not doing anything."I didn't laugh," I calmly stated."Oh, really? I know you were laughing, ugly! Don't you
I don't want attention. I don't want any eyes on me. I prefer to be alone and lock myself up in my room. I shouldn't have come here.I started to take steps backward, starting to lose my sanity. Someone, please, make me vanish. The eyes of the people around me are like those red eyes lingering in the shadows as they surround me and I am in the middle, trying to escape from these monsters."Marigold." Suddenly, light appeared. This simple brightness outstands the massive darkness, enough for me to find my way out from this nightmare."K-kit...""We're out of here." He grabbed my arm and pulled me, helping me to get out from this place. But we stopped when Neil spoke through the microphone."Kit. What are you doing?" I can still sense anger in his voice.Kit didn't answer and continued to walk with me. But I stopped so he looked at me with his forehead knotted."Why? Don't you wanna go home?" He asked.I shook my head. There's st
I stood up from my seat with my chin up. Everyone's eyes were on me as I walk out of the venue. For the first time in my life, I never thought I would be this confident. I never thought that the presence of everyone didn't make me uneasy.When I finally went out the venue, no one was around. I let out a loud sigh as I held my chest. I felt my heart pounding fast. What did I just do? I just saved Ella from the fate that she might possibly be in if I didn't interfere. I just saved someone who made fun of me, who bullied me at school. Am I doing the right thing?"So, how was the party? Isn't it too early for you to be home?" my brother asked me as soon as I entered the mansion. He was watching the TV in the living room while he's drinking something. He's sitting on the couch with his legs crossed."I'm not feeling well, brother," I stated without energy. I walked like a zombie and sat beside him. I watched the TV but my focus isn't on it but to the scene I made at
I felt an electricity that flowed through my veins the moment Neil wrapped his arm around my shoulder. Ella and some of my classmates glared at me. Shouldn't they blame Neil instead? I didn't do anything. Neil was the one who act familiar like we're friends, wherein, in fact, we're not."Oh, Oliver. You're here," Aurelia said with a smile on her face.I was waiting for the moment Neil would remove his arm but it seems like he's enjoying this. Is he crazy? He's doing this infront of his fiancé?"Are you guys friends?" Aurelia asked as she diverted her gaze to me. She's still wearing that bright and beautiful smile of her."Nope. This one's my prey." Neil answered with a smirk on his face.I looked at him beside me with my forehead knotted. But his scornful smile didn't fade when he looked at me. Oh yeah, I almost forgot this guy's a bully here."Prey?" Aurelia's forehead knotted. "What is going on here, Oliver? Are you bullying this cu
"What are you doing here?" I asked him but he just stared at me seriously, his hands both inside the pocket of his pants.He started to take steps to my direction so I gulped, feeling uneasy. Why is he staring at me like that? Did I do something wrong?"Where are you two going? What is your relationship with him anyway? Answer me, Gold. Why are you fixed up? Are you making yourself gorgeous just for Kit?"His continuous questions made my jaw dropped. How am I supposed to answer his questions all at once? And why does he care in the first place?"Can you please stay out of my business?" I frowned, as I took steps backwards. He kept on walking forward even though he's already close enough to me."Your business is my business. Answer me or I'll lose my sanity." He's really looking at me seriously that's why I shouldn't do anything that can make him mad. He's about to explode but he's trying to control himself. Why is he acting like this?"You c
I decided not to go back home just for tonight. I sat here at the side of the bridge with a stranger beside me. She's already in a middle adulthood and she's here because she's selling balut, one of the first exotic food delicacies in the Philippines. She talked a lot and I find myself comfortable being with her. She told me that she came from a poor family and has to sell balut in order for her to feed her family. She even told me everything she do isn't easy, but her family is her inspiration for her to continue this. They are happy even though they are poor. But here I am, I have everything I need, I got everything and I can buy all the things I want, however, I am not happy with my life. Isn't it funny? This just proves that life with money won't always make you happy. It is the life with your family that counts.A cold breeze touched my skin so I sat with my legs together. I hugged both of my knees and I felt the roughening of my skin."It's starting to get cold,
I wanted to move but fear has taken over me. How did this guy even get inside?He suddenly placed his index finger on his lips, telling me not to make any noise."Hey, freak. Why are you awake—" Ella rose up from lying when she saw I'm awake. But then her eyes widened when she noticed the guy that's already between us."Sssshhh..." The guy hushed. We couldn't get to discern his face because it's kinda dark in here, plus, he's wearing a hoodie, so the shadow hides his face. But we can see his creepy smile and glowing eyes.Suddenly, I felt Ella holding my left hand. She squeezed it and I know that she's nervous and doesn't know what to do. I gazed at my side to see the two kids and also ma'am Edeline. My eyes widened when I saw blood on their shirts and even their mouths. T-they were killed?"Now both of you—""You murderer!!!" Ella immediately kicked him hard so he was thrown back a little. I stood up first and helped Ella. She's
"Ella?" I called her while she's washing the dishes. She knows a lot about the household chores whereas I don't. I even asked her to teach me but she doesn't want to do it because a princess like me shouldn't do what maids do. I just rolled my eyes inside my thought. I wished I was a pauper with a loving family than being a princess with a family who didn't care about me."Yeah?""You were about to tell me something, right?" I just seated here, watching her."Am I? Uh, no. It's nothing."I never thought I'd talk to her like this. For the first time, I thought, that she's a friend, someone special to me. And I also think she treats me the same. Or maybe she just needed someone to talk to but when we go back to school, she will return to her old self. Bullying me, with the twins at her side.After washing the dishes, she decided to take a shower. I still feel cold and maybe I'll follow after she's done. I strolled around the mansion. I turned my gaze