I watched the waiter as he served me the food that I ordered.
"Enjoy your meal, Miss," he said and bowed. I just let out a slight smile at him.That substitute teacher of ours made me hungry so I'm gonna take my lunch here at a Chinese restaurant down the school alley. My tongue craves for xiaolongbao, some mooncakes, and green tea. I'm not Chinese or what. I began loving those dishes because of being a Chinese drama fan, especially with their historical dramas.Also, the food that our cafeteria offers makes me a little bit unhappy. I want to eat a fresh one. I'm so sick of some food processed every day at school.I picked out the pocketbook in my backpack because I wanna read while devouring these dishes. The ambiance of the restau is quite relieving with the composure of performers who are currently playing the traditional instruments of China.Seeing the couples around me somehow made me bitter. They're in their own world when they kiss, hug, smile, and feed each other. On the other hand, I'm the only one who doesn't have any acquaintances or what but I really don't give a damn about it as long as I get full.My phone vibrated and saw the notification that Aisie texted me so bedor to it, I sip on my tea and read her message.Aisie: Where are you?I put down the phone. Well, if I told her I'm eating in a Chinese diner, she would not be pleased by it. That girl doesn't appreciate anything about Chinese because her last boyfriend is Chinese, and a manipulative bastard.Glancing at the pocketbook I have while eating is kinda tough. It's either I'll keep reading or concentrate on eating, so I decided to put it back in my bag. I'll read it later when I get home.So we have two more subjects to go; science and literature before the day's classes ended.Classes start at two. I glanced at my wristwatch to check the time; it was already 12:30 PM. As soon as I finished my meal, I fixed myself and left the restaurant. I have 30 minutes left before the classes start so I started to walk. It's a good thing that our campus is near to coffee shops, restaurants, and fast food. There's nothing to worry about commuting or calling our driver.As I reached the main building, the hallway greeted me with disturbance and whispers. We still have 15 minutes, yet the students are still everywhere."Hi, Lushiane!"I turned my back just to see Halieyah, the queen bee. She's already in senior year, probably a batch mate of the sub earlier. As usual, her hair is fixed in two braids, she even wears thick cosmetics on her face. I often contend with her at sports, let's say tennis, but she never beats me. Her eyes screamed of disliking me, but here she is, entertaining me as if we were best buddies.Girls like her only approach someone if they want to discover something that will tarnish one's existence. But sad to say, I don't interact with the person whom I hate the most.Consuming my time and effort to befriend someone against my will isn't worth it. Why bother if all of this is just synthetic?The annoyance is written all over her face as I pass to her. Her minions even came out of nowhere simply to stop her from pulling my hair. Well, it's fine for me if she initiated a war, I know some karate moves."Lushiane!"Another species called me. Why do they even know my name? I took a deep breath and darted my eyes at the guy who called me. His name is Drailen, and a year older than me. He always tries to pursue me. However, he doesn't have any effect on me so I refused him, and dating isn't in my vocabulary. I don't have time for some cheesy temporary relationships.And I know Drailen very well. He's not the serious type of person, he's a playboy. And concluding about it, maybe I became their prey in their gambling game."Flower for you, Madame. The sun shines radiantly when you and I get together. Isn't it amazing?" he arrogantly proclaimed and gave me a red rose."It is not. So stop pestering me, Mister. I don't have any time for this stupid stuff of yours. If you'll excuse me, I have a class to attend to."He just scratched his nape and gave way to me."But, Lushiane, can you just accept—""I said no."He's handsome but I always see him as having an ordinary complexion. However, if I'm with Aisie right now, she'll surely get into this man, Drailen is one of her crushes tho.Before heading to the class, I held the straps of the bag and turned the way to the comfort room. I forgot to pee before leaving the restaurant earlier."Girls, Xalent is gonna perform later. Should we skip our class?""We have a test, Melanie.""Aww. That's sad.""Besides, we'll not be able to enter. They put barricades in the field, no ID no entry. And even if we have, we can't pass it because we're not seniors."My brows furrowed to the little chitchats I heard outside the cubicle. Who are they talking about?I flashed the toilet and fixed myself before going to the classroom. The girls who are talking about someone are still there, making up their minds.If I were them, I'd go back to the class and take the test.As I entered the room, it was noisy. Chatters in every corner of the room while some are taking a nap or reading some kind of pocketbook. I slumped on my chair and realized that my friend isn't here.Where is she? The class is about to start. Don't tell me she's in the college building again, chasing some guy? Her openness affects my innocence.I took out my phone and plugged in my earphones to listen to my favorite playlist while waiting for our teacher. Time seems so fast, and next week will be our semester's break. I'm excited to spend my whole week sleeping. Or maybe go to Manhattan and hang around at Aunt Adleyie's house. My cousin Deylia can drag me out of everywhere, she's a cool one.However, Deylia is truly a partygoer compared to me because I spend my time reading books.My thoughts got interrupted when someone pulled my earphones. Irritated, I glanced at my friend who had this excitement written all over her face.Confirmed. The sightseeing she did was look for hotties."What?"She nips my arm which makes me groan a little. "Oh my goodness!" Her high-pitched voice caught the attention of everyone in the room.Aisie has gone mad! Just what happened when I left? She seemed possessed by something."Xa—" she didn't finish her words when the teacher entered the room with a stoic expression and greeted her the same way we greeted her.In the middle of the discussion, Aisie kicked my foot under the desk. I squinted my eyes at her to warn her. What's happening with this girl? She didn't stop disturbing me, either she kept on stepping on my foot or poking my waist."Xalent," she whispered, not minding my hand on her waist, squeezing it tightly.My brows furrowed. "The who?"I can't focus on the lesson now that my friend is constantly peeping at the window, she's throwing off my mind and I couldn't discern what she's trying to imply by telling me the same name that I heard with the girls at the comfort room earlier. A sudden noise echoed in the school grounds which caught my interest, and there I saw a flock of students facing the stage, holding up some banners and balloons. What's with them? Is there a popular boy band who will perform? Curiosity envelops me, hoping to know what's with the event and wild crowds. I turned my gaze to my friend, her sparkling green eyes kinda annoyed me when she gawked at the window. This girl is attentive to any happenings on this campus, while I don't have any idea. Aisie is enthralled to the point that she's already clutching my arm badly. "Aisie, it hurts," I whispered and pulled my arm away from her. She apologized to me but persisted to let her eyes settle on the window. Should I volunteer to change our seats? It'
The brunette girl tiptoed and kissed our sub on his lips?! My eyes aren't deceiving me, right? I didn't know that this guy preferred girls who are a year younger than him, with a busty peach and big watermelons. I peeked at my chest. They aren't that large, but who cares?!Well, I will not be surprised by that because boys will be boys. He got that gorgeous face of him. The proof that girls swarm at him. Probably he is like someone who's addicted to a…you know, "sexy time". Or am I being judgemental here? Nevertheless, they are such a pain in my ass. Aren't they aware that they are smooching right in front of our campus? Is that really how teens should act? Some juniors were eyeing them as they passed by. Yet, they didn't mind about it! "Mister Gardoz, let's go," I said irritably when I felt that the car's engine wasn't starting. I'm getting pissed for unexplainable reasons. All I wanted is to leave this kind of erot*c scenery. This is the moment where I wish that I become blind, no
It's already dawn, yet I still can't get him off my head. Every time I try to shut my eyes, all I can see is his eyes, smile, and everything about him! But of all people, why does it need to be him…the substitute teacher I dislike the most?! Like, are you kidding me? I even asked Aisie why she didn't inform me that the man named Xalent was actually the graduating scholar whom I encountered that humiliating day! Then that girl only answered that she assumed that I already knew him. Like, when did I care about other people, huh? I don't even know some of our classmates. When I figured it out, I almost made a scene at his busking session because I'm trying to shove the crowd just to get away from there. Even though some are already bringing a fuss about it, I didn't dare to talk back with them. The last thing I want to see is that annoying face again! I knew it, my interest in that voice will remain that way. Why does his voice sound gentle when he starts singing while his personality
"Hey, open your eyes and eat." I tightly closed my eyes because the last thing I wanna see right now is him. Seriously, I'm trying to keep my patience long here or else I might punch him. All I wish for is a nap but he's ruining it already. Are we even friends for him to dictate to me what to do? "Your breath is heavy so I'm certain that you're still awake." "Can you just leave me peacefully? I wanna sleep," I lazily said, too tired to start an argument with him. "You need to eat first." I annoyingly opened my eyes and nudged his face. Why is he even close to me?! "Are we friends, huh? Don't you ever disturb me, Mr. Substitute-slash-busker!" Without any counterattack, he made me stop by just putting the lunchbox right in front of me. I looked at him; poker face checked, and put back my eyes on the lunchbox. "Eat." My brows furrowed. "Give that to your girlfriend, not to me. I don't wanna eat, I wanna sleep!"I can clearly recall that he is the reason why I don't have enough s
"Is there any bar here, sis? Or anything fun to go to?" she asked while checking her face in the mirror. "None, so whatever you are planning, don't ever do it. Manhattan is much better than here; a lot of pubs. And I know you, you're a spoiled brat who can't be ruled by her mom that easily. You can't do anything here, so why did you come here, huh?" She rolled her eyes. "You're such a mean, Lush. I feel that my eyes will be gratified with such Adonis faces and abs when we head to Paris. Maybe this is the time to kneel if I behold a perfect one for me here." I looked at her unbelievably. Are we really cousins? This one is a hell'a wild rather than me. "Just to remind you, Dey...I still have classes to attend so I can't go wherever you want to go. But don't you worry, we only have a week before the break." "Can we at least go to the winery?" she begged and lay beside me. "Mom said that the wines that your dad produced were the best in the world. I wanna taste some.""Alright. Well,
I was supposed to sit on the back ride, but Xalent preceded me. I rub my forehead and my hands tightened to the strap of my bag."Just sit inside." I could do nothing but go inside. I don't want to complain to him because it is a waste of our time.This isn't my first time riding an automobile. I used to commute when Daddy is using our car. We only had one car before so I needed to take an automobile. But everything changed when I entered high school, since our business had grown so Daddy decided to bought another one. I'm using the old one, while he had the BMW he bought."You... okay, there?" I looked up and saw Xalent glimpsing at me. I also have someone next to me, I think she is Xalent's batch mate. By just looking at her, I feel insecure and I don't know why."Y-yeah," I stuttered in response. I don’t really know why my tongue twists every time I answer him.The autom
The other line becomes silent. But I could hear his every breath. Maybe he was thinking. I placed my hand over my chest because of the unusual feeling that evolving in my heart. Even though he didn't say anything, I felt like I was going to have a nervous breakdown.Be steady Lushiane. You look like a fool."Can you sing for me? Because... I'm awful right now, really. And I want to hear your voice." I smacked my head at my own words.Why am I talking to him? Fuck this dramatic scene and these weird feelings. But Lushiane! You're such an idiot for requesting."What do you want?" His husky voice filled my ears so I was suddenly startled."Anything."Even though I was worried that he might not continue, I still waited until I heard the strum of a guitar. He can play? H-how? Fuck! Probably studied, Lushiane. You are not thinking. But it's really embarrassing that
I heard him chuckled a bit. Suddenly, I swallowed hard and closed my eyes, and still did not face him. I was stunned because of his chuckle. Why... Aish!"You left me on the call," he accused me. I felt even more embarrassed. I also pinched my palm a few times because of nervousness.I lifted my gaze and got shocked when our eyes met. "S-sorry.""Hmm..." I just bowed again. I can't stare at him for long because I feel, every second I look at him, I will give up."Can you look at me?" I was bewildered by what he said and suddenly looked at him. I secretly swallowed hard and my insides were sweating because of the excessive nervousness that he brought to my system.Lushiane, you're fine. Don't be nervous, he's not a monster for Pete's sake."Better," he said and smiled which made me nervous.I'm confused. It seems like we've only just met,