SAMANTHA
I didn't know what to do at that point, I was obviously petrified by the fact that they already know. I don't even know what to react or what to say. The silence and their anticipation for answers are killing me. I then composed myself and carried on with lying.
"U-hm ab-bout th-at.." I trailed off, now lying is off the table. Good job on stuttering, self!
"Don't tell me you are actually living with Vince?!!" Ethan startled me with his loud voice. He sounded like an older brother scolding his younger sister.
"Dude, you sound like you don't trust Vince." Colin stated and Harper agreed by nodding.
"It's not that I don't trust him, it's just that this girl." Using his index finger he pushed my forehead backward. "Is so careless."
"So you are living with him?" Asked Harper. Everyone seemed to not believe it, it looks like they needed confirmation from me.
I nodded my head slowly, like I said lying is already useless at this point. They all have the same reaction, it was obvious that they were shocked and were still trying to process the information I gave them.
"Congratulations Sam, you are now officially living in hell with the devil." Sev remarked.
"I know, now don't make me remember it again." I said annoyingly, I already knew by accepting him in my home that I just entered hell, and I don't need a daily reminder.
The school bell finally rang and it was the perfect timing yet.
"Seeyouguyslater!!Wellseeeachotherokay?Byebye" I talked as fast as I could and walked to my class fast, I could feel their eyes trailing my back and it sent shivers down to my spine.
I didn't notice how fast I walked until I tripped over something, I obviously wasn't paying attention to what's ahead of me and actually landed on the floor. Now let this be a lesson to all to save yourselves from embarrassment. I quickly collected myself and looked back to see what made me tripped but now I couldn't see clearly because my eyeglasses are now missing and everything I see is blurry. I am starting to doubt that Vince is pure wizardry! His existence made my life worse. Why did I not wear my contacts?
"My bad," The girl said and giggled. Now from what I'm hearing this girl sounds really childish, that's for sure.
"Shouldn't you be at least sorry?" I asked. I didn't have enough energy to go and argue with this girl especially when I have more important things to prioritize. Like going to class and thinking of a good reason why should I still let Vince live with me.
"I should ask you the same thing, shouldn't you be sorry for taking my spot?" The girl tugged my hair hard which was very painful and made it hard for me to reach her hands.
"I didn't do anything to you! Why are you so mean!? Ughh! That fucking hurts!" I tried pulling her hand off my hair but due to my blurry vision, I had a hard time finding her hand.
Why do I feel so weak, again? I should exercise soon.
"You're the one who is mean! I should've been the second and last person to enter and leave the group! And yet you did?! You may be rich and all, but that wouldn't stop me from hurting you!" She even tugged my hair harder now, I was really in pain and even screaming right now. I didn't care if someone sees us but I just want her hand off of my hair!
"Claudia! That's enough!" A very manly and familiar voice said. I am in no position to think of the person who stopped this girl from tearing my scalp, but I do have to thank him later.
"The last time I checked, you are not that immature to fight with someone who didn't even harm you in any way." He said calmly but you can feel by the tone of his voice that he is angry, and thanks to him I was finally separated from that crazy girl. As soon as she was with me, I instantly searched for my eyeglasses in the ground. Next time, I should have spare contacts in my bag..
"Just leave her alone, will you?" He spoke again.
"I wouldn't leave her alone until she stops hanging out with all of you! That's when she can have a peaceful life. You understand?" The girl paused for a bit, I think by the looks of it she faced the man.
I sensed her walking to me again and continued to talk.
"And we're not done here." She said firmly in my ears.
"Claudia, stop." That's when I slowly hear the sound of her footsteps descending in a distance.
"Sam, what are you looking for?" He asks, but I cannot get a hold of it who it is.
"Can you say it again?"
"What? The 'Sam what are you looking for?'" He asks and from his familiar voice I might know who it was, but I am not 100% sure.
"Stephen?" I asked, hoping it was right.
"I'm glad you call me by my name now." I can sense a faint smile coming from him.
"I hardly hear you talk that I forgot the way you speak. Anyway, I'm looking for my eyeglasses."
"Let's just get you a new one." He said and held me in my arms as he guided me on the path. I must've looked like an old lady trying to cross the road.
As I felt the sun kiss my skin, I instantly knew that we were already outside. He guided me into his car and we drove to the mall.
As we reached the optical clinic, I instantly went to choose frames for my glasses.
"Can we just get contacts, miss? For her." Oh, that's Stephen. I think like Vince, he has a sort of wizardry background. How did he just read my mind? Anyways, I am thankful for it, I know he would be a great partner in life. Blessed is the woman of his life.
The lady in the optical clinic said that it would take 2 hours for it to be done. While waiting for my contacts to finish, Stephen asked me for help. He said that it requires a girl's opinion on it.
"What kind of help do you need?" I asked him, our arms are still linked to each other since I don't really want to bump into someone.
"I just need an honest opinion from a girl, and I think you'll be perfect for the job." He said, and I just suddenly realized that this was the first time that we are having a pleasant conversation.
"Shoes or bags?" He asks.
"Bags, I guess." Then it hit me. "Is it for a girl?" I was intrigued. I thought he needed some opinions on his fashion style. I felt him froze a bit but he collected himself quickly.
"I-I guess so." He said shyly, if I could see him right now, I know I would've laughed at his expression.
"For me, if I would be thrilled if you gave me a bag, with chocolates in it." I said smiling but there's another thought that came into my mind. "Or you can give her a wallet, full of cash." I said I would be more thrilled to receive a wad of cash. Yes cash, especially if she's in debt like me.
"I might as well give her a bank." He said and laughed.
Oh yes, he laughed! Where on earth was Stephen who told me that I am a stranger to the group?
"Hmm, how about roses or clothes?" He asked again.
"Hmm… That is a tough one, really. For girls in common, both roses and clothes would be sweet, but for a practical girl, a turkey for thanksgiving would be the sweetest!". I told him, as I imagine receiving turkey as a gift.
"I just cannot understand your personality, Sam." He laughed again.
What? Did I just tell him something wrong? Turkey would be the best right?
Anyway, as we walked around the mall shopping for bags and chocolates, I honestly had a good time with Stephen. He was a fun companion, and I can also sense that he is having a good time.
It was already time for me to get my contacts, as soon as I wore it I was very happy that I could see the world clearly again. I looked at Stephen and saw him smiling for the first time. It was a smile filled with satisfaction and sincerity. I could look at him all day as long as he's wearing his smile.
"Now that I can see the bag clearly, let me just say that this is so pretty!" I said in awe, it was really beautiful with it's engraved flower design. It was a perfect sling bag for a special day.
"Let's go back to the academy, Sam. It's already lunchtime and they're already bombarding me with texts." I nodded as a sign of agreement. I was happy that I get to spend time with Stephen today and we actually bonded for real.
I've got to thank that immature Claudia later for tripping me. I now know Stephen as a person who is smart, sweet and he will help you when you are in need, he may be quiet and straightforward as he opens his mouth, but he still has his side of being a talkative person. What happened yesterday during lunch was out of my mind.
"Oh no," He murmured, we were about to get in the car but we suddenly stopped because Stephen read a text. "Get in, Sam. We have to go now." Something happened while we were gone, and it was obviously bad.
I quickly went into the car. His facial expression of being worried made me more worried. Stephen stepped on the gas hard. It was definitely something bad and I have a really bad feeling about it.
"Hey, stay calm." I tried to tell him, but I just received a sincere smile.
It usually takes 15-10 minutes to get to the academy but Stephen only took about 8 minutes to arrive at the academy, we immediately stepped out of his car as soon as he parked the car. We ran inside the main building, but we didn't even get to the dining haul yet but there were already people forming up a crowd.
The whispering students noticed Stephen and me, as they made a way for us. Stephen looked very serious but at the same time very worried. I tugged his coat and asked if he was okay.
"I am, but I'm not sure if Vince is." He mumbled and looked ahead of us, I looked ahead and saw Vince and a man who has curly brown hair with a very lean body type.
Stephen walked towards them, and I walked behind him. I can see Harper and Ethan between Vince and a man with curly brown hair. It looks like they fought, and Harper and Ethan are preventing it from happening again.
"Mind your own fucking business people!" Sev shouted angrily, that made the people around us leave.
The air was definitely filled with tension, and I knew that I should leave since I was just their friend since yesterday and I didn't want to prey on things. Stephen grabbed my wrists and held it he looked down at me and said.
"Stay. You're one of us now."
From the tone of his voice, it sounded like a command so I stayed. When everyone had already left and it was just eight of us left. I looked at each one of them, they were all eyeing the person that is in front of us.
"I must say. I am fucking honored for all of us meeting here, I'm really sorry that we met under these circumstances but someone is missing." The man turned his head around to search for someone and when it finally landed on us, Stephen who was still holding my wrist pulled me behind him.
"Look who we have here." The man stepped towards Stephen and me which made Stephen gripped my wrist stronger.
"Don't move an inch if you don't have any business with her." Stephen warned. The man who didn't give Stephen even a bit of attention looked at me as if he knew me very well. I was very intimidated by the way he looked at me, it made me very uncomfortable. After he was done scanning me, he looked at me and smirked. He smirked confidently as if he already knew all of my darkest secrets.
"Alex, stop it!" Ethan shouted. Ethan must've noticed how uncomfortable I was feeling.
"Now that you happily greeted us, you can now fuck off and don't ever meddle with us anymore." Vince said calmly, while he was taking steps towards us.
"Now, fuck off." He said. The guy just smiled at him and took a step forward to face Vince.
"How can I not bother you? When we're all friends? And friends stay together don't they?" I heard Vince laugh, it was not that type of laugh that you laughed at something actually funny. It was a laugh made for bad jokes.
"Friends don't steal girlfriends." Vince sternly said.
"Friends respect friends. Now get lost." The guy raised his hands in defense.
"Let's all grab lunch, shall we?" The man tried to tug Vince's arms, but he didn't even budge.
"I guess, you guys are not hungry. Well, I'll see you around. Especially you Ms. Monteñegro" He winked at me and marched off while waving bye at us.
I was still at Stephen's back while the rest of them stood at their places as we watched the man leave until he was out of our sight.
"I'm hungry too! Why don't we grab lunch at Papa's Diner?" Colin suggested. I instantly knew what he's doing. He is trying to cheer up the mood. I may not know about the things that happened to that guy and to my friends, but one thing is for sure Vince is really pissed off.
... and that Alex is a danger to my secrets.
When no one responded, Colin responded to himself. "That's a great idea!" Colin beamed. "I'm craving for a strawberry milkshake!! You like milkshakes don't you, Sam?" Colin asks, his eyes talked to me, hoping that I would love to have a milkshake right now.
"Of course, chocolate is my favorite." I smiled, Colin sighed in relief.
"Let's eat at Papa's shall we?" Harper smiled, we all then went outside and I hopped into where Stephen is at.
I hope Papa's will retrieve the bad air, especially Vince's.