"You like having me around?", I asked as I was still surprised.
"No! I am just messing with you. You could come tomorrow. It's totally your wish to come or not.", he said.
"Of course, it is. Bye. My bus is about to come.", I said as I ran towards my bus stand.
Why did he say that? Yeah, obviously, we're just "ACQUAINTANCES". Why am I feeling strange right now? Why am I even overthinking this? Let's leave this topic.
The next day, when I woke up, I noticed that I had got '46 missed calls' from Alec. I wonder why he called me. I checked the texts and they said:
Alec: I thought we became friends, but you cannot ever be nice to me, can you?
Alec: Reach the school gate immediately. I need to talk to you.
I felt that it was an emergency so I rushed to the school gate after I got ready.
"What's up?", I asked.
"Do you really want to act innocent right now?", he asked me.
"What do you mean?"
"You made that photo viral, didn't you?"
"No, I didn't"
"Oh! Is this about getting back at me?"
"Why would I get back at you?"
"I don't know because I am not a Goddamn Freak like you!"
"What photo are you even talking about?"
"The one that you took at the Exhibition."
"And how exactly does everyone know about it?"
"Are you pretending to be living under a rock? You were the one who sent the photo to all the contacts in the school!"
"Listen, I definitely took the photo but it wasn't me who made it viral."
"Then who else can it be?"
"I don't know!"
"You gotta stop acting now!"
"I am not pretending, I didn't do it."
He got a tight grip on my wrist and whispered, "You better watch out now because you don't know what all I can do."You better watch out now because you don't know what all I can do."
"I am not scared of you!"
"You should be! Ciao."
I really didn't know what all he could do to get back at me, but I was pretty sure it was going to be something huge. But also, first things first, I want to know how did it get sent. I took out my phone and check my recent messages. The picture wasn't sent from my phone.
Final-Term Exams were around the corner, and I was already sweating. I studied real hard this time. My interaction with people decreased and I tried to get away from all distractions.
10 Days Before Exams Started: I can do this!!!
7 Days Before Exams Started: It won't go bad at all.
5 Days Before Exams Started: I have read this... I got this one... I can do this one with my eyes closed...
2 Days Before Exams Started: Why am I so dumb? Oh! Dammit!! I didn't get this one either.
The first exam was of History. I wondered why it was necessary for me to learn so much about those people about whom I don't give a damn.
The Night Before Exams Started: I haven't read this... I didn't get this one... I can't do this one even with my eyes open...!!?!
The Day Exams Started: If I fail this year, will I still be able to get admission in a 'Good' College? I had completely lost my mind.
———————————————————
On the day of the first exam, i.e. History, when I was writing my paper, there was a sudden noise in the classroom.
"Mam, Penelope has a bunch of notes inside her desk!", Alec exclaimed.
"What are you saying?", Mrs. Gomez asked with surprise.
"You can see for yourself."
"No mam, I don't have any notes with me.", I said as I defended myself. I didn't actually know what was going on as this came up in moment of spar.
But to my surprise, there were notes inside my desk. Why didn't I notice them before. I went to the restroom just before the exam started and I remember clearly that I checked here earlier. Now, I get it. This is what Alec had in mind. He wanted to take revenge on me by doing this. He crossed his limits this time. I really won't spare him for this, but what should I do right? How do I get myself out of this dilemma?
"Mam, this wasn't even Penelope's seat. Alec sat here before her but left as soon as she came back to the class.", said Daniel.
Is he my guardian angel? His timing was so perfect. I am serious. This trick was just way out of line.
"Alec, you are given Detention for creating a ruckus in the Examination room and also, trying to cheat in the exam. Meet me after the exam at the corridor and we'll talk about this. I'll give you a new sheet for you to write your exam from the start.", said Ms. Gomez.
It was History with real big answers. He was going to get screwed as there was only 1 hour left. I felt like my revenge was taken and now, I could seriously die in peace.
"15 minutes left, hurry up!", said Mrs. Gomez.
"Done!", Alec replied.
How did he complete his paper so quickly? That's unfair. I'm still not done. Penelope, you gotta get your head in the Paper. Haha! I am funny, right? I finished my exam soon after and I did pretty well.
___________________________________________
On the last day of exams, my friends and obviously Alec were sitting in the ground, and we were all enjoying ourselves as we discussed our first impressions of one another. I felt like my friends were more open at heart with Alec than me. No, I am not jealous. I am just thinking what's so great about him.
___________________________________________
The results were out and I scored 96.5%. That's pretty good. The new session was about to start in approximately 13 days. I expected my friends to be in the same section as I am.
___________________________________________
We got promoted to 10th Grade. I was very excited for this beginning. I was moving along with my friends in the rush outside various classes. All of us were in the same class, again and I was grateful for this. I started talking to more people than just staying inside my comfort zone. ALEC was being nice towards me for a while. I loosened up with him. He did make me laugh. I wanted these moments that I cherished with my friends to never end. All of us were hanging out as usual along the hallway as someone called me.
"Listen up, Penelope!", said Tiffany.
"Yep. What do you wanna say?", I replied.
"I just wanted to ask if you were dating Alec. So, are you tow dating?"
Suddenly, Alec eavesdropped on our conversation.
"Hell, no. Why would I date her? Am I out of my senses?", he said.
"He meant that we are not dating.", I said.
"Oh! Sorry for the misunderstanding.", Tiffany said.
Why did he have to say that? He could have just denied. What he said was way too harsh. Do I seem disgusting to him? Am I overthinking again? Well, we aren't dating, so why do I care?
That night I wasn't able to sleep properly but as soon as I went to sleep. A dream started... There was me standing near a tree in the garden holding a photo. "You have started liking his presence, haven't you? Rather, you have started liking HIM, as in ALEC!!", my doppelganger exclaimed. I woke up as soon as she said that. No, this can't be true! I like Alec? Oh, okay, now that it is all clear, I know why I smile a lot around him. I can't believe I like someone for real and that too, Alec. I was excited when suddenly I got a knot in my stomach due to nervousness. How will I tell him? No, no, no... How will I even face him? But he doesn't know yet, so I am safe.
At school, I talked to Lara about this and she told me that it would be the best choice if I talk it out with him. I did as she said.
But when I did, he said, "You are just a friend. Don't think too much. You are making this hard for me though."
I giggled as he said this just to show that I was fine with what he said.
It's alright because you just have a crush on guy, Penelope. It'll fade overtime. I know how to move on.
Inner Me: When will you understand, Penelope? This time it's different. It's going to be tough. You gotta be brave, girl. He doesn't care, so I gotta move on and that too, as quick as possible because I don't want myself to get hurt either. I just want to switch off my Expectations from people and also my Feelings for people. I can't believe he was the first guy that I ever liked. I don't know why but I thought that it would have been so much better if I was a person with a stone-like personality even if people didn't like me for that but at least I wouldn't like a guy with such a cold heart. But actually it isn't his fault either. I got way too attached. I have to let it go. I felt really embarrassed to show up at school but I wanted to show him that it was no big deal for me so that he doesn't try to get onto my head and do whatever he likes by misusing my emotions against me.
The next day, when I reached school, the first thing that I heard was, "You know what Marissa!...
ALEC LEFT OUR SCHOOL"...😧😧
To Be Continued...