NATASHA EQUINOX COLDWELL's POV
"Your phone notified a lot of times." River scoffed, obviously annoyed at the sound of the notifications.
"Thank you for telling me." I gave him an exaggerated fake smile before taking my phone. He should thank me after helping him, not being rude to me. My smile faded when I saw my name in the text. A lot of texts and missed calls.
Group chat name: Coldwell Idiots
From Kynthia: Where the hell did Nyx go? I told her that Zhyan will pick her up!
From Clyzyll: What?! Where is she?!
From Kynthia: That's why I'm asking!
From Zhyan: I freaking saw her with a guy. I was about to approach her but that guy is scary!
From Kynthia: WHAT? WHAT GUY?
From Zhyan: the guy walks like a zombie!
From Kynthia: YOU WANT TO BE A DETECTIVE, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?
From Clyzyll: let's call the police
From Cyzeus: Zhyan, what did you learn?
From Zhyan: sorry :((
From Kynthia: Zyll's right, let's call the police.
I got scared about the texts. What if they really call the police? My sister will know. My mom. My dad! No! No! No! I immediately composed a reply to our group chat to let them know that I'm okay.
You: hey wassup I'm okay
I sighed and wrapped the extra bandages around his shoulder. Like before, he raised his sleeve by himself to make it easier. This guy, really, why can't he take care of himself?
"Hey, after this go to the hospital. You bother me-"
"I'm bothering you?" He raised a brow.
"Well, yeah! So please go to the hospital."
"I already told you. I can't." He stood up after I finished tying the bandages. He was about to leave when I pulled the hem of his shirt.
"But why?!"
"I don't want to talk about my problems," He grimaced. "To strangers like you." He closed the door.
His words immediately hit reality and burst my bubble. I thought I can be friends with people now. I'll stay silent and understand people's situations first. Nyx, it's your fault, people can be offended. That's how society works. Never again.
I opened the door and was surprised as I saw him again who was about to knock. "What do you want?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" I arched a brow.
"You helped me. What do you want?"
"Uhh, it's okay-" Before I could even finish my statement, he quickly placed his I.D lace around my neck and closed the door. "What the heck? I didn't even ask for your I.D?!"
I held his I.D card and checked it. It has a dark gray strap with Harriet Hills Applied Corporate Management on it. I found it unfair when he still looked good with his picture. I still wondered why he gave me his I.D. I fiddled with it until I saw a handwritten note on the back of it.
'Give this back to me when you already want something. You helped me, I should do something in return.'
-R.
I slowly went to my bed and tied the I.D. to the handle of my tote bag.
Mom is calling on my phone, probably knowing I'm still awake. 'Forget that,' I thought. I am tired from work and the conversation earlier plus my phone is far from my bed. When mom is calling, it has a distinctive ringtone apart from others. Because when she calls, there is this excitement and nervousness building up in my stomach. But this time, laziness hit me. Then I suddenly realized something...
"Did they call the police?" I muttered.
I quickly got up from my bed and ran to the desk where my phone is. Wearing socks wasn't really helpful when the floor is slippery. It was like a dramatic moment, like in the movies, where a person needs to chase someone leaving for good or they need to stop a wedding or something. Why was the desk so far?
I finally picked up my phone and with heavy breaths, I answered.
"He...llo.."
["What took you so long? No, never mind. Your father's birthday party is on Monday, two days from now. I'll send you the details. Please follow my orders, okay?"]
"But-"
["Invite your friends, no don't invite them all....it's too"] Then she mumbled quietly afterward. I was so confused. Her statements were always contradicting which made it even more baffling. I've already told my mom that I have friends days ago over a text so maybe she wants proof. ["Just invite one,"] She emphasized. ["invite him, her or them, whatever the pronouns, by yourself, okay? A physical invitation will be sent to you in your condo."]
"Okay, mom. Bye,"
With that, it ended our conversation. 'She sounded weak.' I thought. She already sent me the details of the party.
'The dress and shoes will be sent along with the invitation. Take care.'
***
Harriet Hills Academy. I couldn't help but admire the beauty of the structures of this academy. Especially Clyzyll, every step we make, she gets her phone and takes pictures of the structures. It's probably like the size of Coldwell U or larger. Both schools are beautiful, CU has modern architecture designs while HHA has medieval castle-like buildings. There are 4 towers surrounding the academy, so high you can immediately spot it even if you're far away. Not everyone can come in here, Kyn just invited us for her shooting.
I glanced at the students walking around. It was Saturday, some of them probably have classes. They have uniforms unlike us. Dark gray suit-like uniforms paired with a necktie. They have a white blouse inside and skirts are plaided, just a little longer after the knees. For males, it was just the same but with pants.
My mom is the headmistress of this academy. This school was actually an option for me back then, but as soon as I knew that there were uniforms, I immediately chose Coldwell U.
"Your mom is the headmistress. Is this your first time here?" Kynthia asked. I nodded as an answer as we walked past the other towers to the cafeteria.
"They probably sell fancy cuisines here," Clyzyll whispered while still taking pictures around. "Why are we here again?" We three were the only people that came here. Cyzeus was in the coffee shop and Zhyan said he was busy.
"Don't worry this will be fast, please guard my bag for now," Kynthia said then looked at me. "We all know we should keep an eye on Clyzyll. She might do something crazy. This kid really," She leaned and whispered. I was a little amused by what she said.
"Hey! What are you guys talking about huh? What are-" I aggressively put a piece of bread inside her mouth as I waved goodbye to Kyn. She actually ate the whole and gave me a thumbs up. This should do.
But that wasn't the scenario I imagined. Time passed by as I found myself Clyzyll pulling me on the wrist to different parts of the academy.
"Let's buy that. And that. That!" She told me endlessly.
"Use your own money," I said back. I already know her behaviors and movements as well as my other friends. Day by day I learn a lot from them. Do they also experience that to me? Clyzyll would usually drag people with her when she wants to buy stuff. She is already 20, she could have already manage stuff on her own! She definitely does this because she wants to take the chance of other people paying for her stead.
She whines endlessly and that's why I ended up buying two drinks for us. I didn't even ask what flavor she wants because I already memorized it. After a while, Kynthia already went back with a flushed face.
"Are you okay? Do you have a fever?" Clyzyll immediately asked as soon as Kyn went closer to us.
"No, no, I-I'm fine." She replied. I would have asked about her situation but I suddenly remembered about inviting a friend to my father's party.
"Uhh," I cleared my throat which caught their attention." My father's birthday is on Monday and my mom wants me to invite one friend to the party."
"Ohh about that," Kynthia interrupted. "I was just invited earlier to the party is that counted?" I shook my head as an answer. Surely my mom wants me to have the courage to invite someone. Her head turned to Clyzyll. "How about you?"
"I'll be tutoring someone on that day. I'm sorry, Nyx. Say happy birthday to your dad for me."
After that, we all decided to go home. Clyzyll already said that her brother can't go too because of the shop. It was understandable that's why I was already left with Zhyan. He's probably free on Monday. That's what I hoped.
["Yo. What's up?"] He started.
"Are you free on Monday?"
["Woah, woah, hold up. Did you just ask me that?"] I can hear his gasp through the line. ["I mean you never talk first."]
"Just answer."
I kicked my bed annoyingly when I ended the call. He's already invited to the party. What now huh? I had no time to do anything else but think about who I'll invite. It can't be just some random person I don't know! This stupid invitation, really.
I thought about it all night. Morning came and I'm about to be late for school. I have organization meetings on Sundays, then tomorrow schools in Coldwell will be closed for a day to celebrate the mayor's birthday. I took a bath fastly and didn't bother to prepare my bag since I never removed the things from it. It was dark because I didn't have time to turn on all of the lights. To search for my I.D, I just turn over and over my things in the bag. I wore the lace as soon as I pulled it.
"Where have you been?" I walked past Clyzyll's department. "Don't worry, the org meeting is postponed." I sighed. Clyzyll joined 5 org meetings and I was in one of those.
"I slept late last night."
"Still thinking about the invitation? Woah, wait." I was about to nod as an answer but Zyll suddenly pointed at me. "Why are you wearing that I.D?"
My forehead creased. "What are you talking about-" My mouth parted in shock when I saw myself wearing River's I.D. But instead of feeling annoyed, an idea came to my head. Of course! I'll ask him a favor in return.
"Zyll, I now know who I'll invite." She looked at me, still confused.
Everything is going my way.