Jackson st High school. day. morning. monday. the girl, Belle and Emma walk toward their locker. they hadn't seen Jake yet. he wasn't promised but he told that they gonna meet in school. well still not seeing him. where could he be.
"He's a liar." said Emma. "He didn't show up."
Belle twist the code then the door open. she put her stuff inside. that she brought from home. like toiletries and anything she need or Emma need it.
"Why you so worried about him anyway. his new kid in town. maybe he will show up after everyone already in class."
Emma look her. Belle continue as she close the door. "Like surprising."
the bell rang. the girl look up. "See you."
Belle walk toward class slowly. with book at her hand. bag on her shoulder. she arrive at the door. enter. she sit on chair. she about to close her eyes. perhaps a sleep for a bit before teacher walk in.
an sudden she smell familiar fragrance through her nose.
she know who just entered the class. it's Miss Joyce. she kind a weird. pretty but weird. her perfume smell so strong through her nose. didn't she take a shower before going to school. she almost throw up because of Miss Joyce strong fragrance smell.
Miss Joyce entering the class with smile. book and bag she usually carried together. big glasses on her crooked nose. single. 35yrs. still living with her parents. moles exactly on top of her lips at the corner. she clear her throat.
"Morning." Belle open her eyes and saw her standing middle of the classroom. "We have new students today." said Miss Joyce.
Belle eyes locked at the door as the new student enter. it was Jake. Jake Harley get into same class with her. how that possible? he then standing beside Miss Joyce.
"Please introduce yourself to your new friends."
he smile. "Hello. Jake Harley and I'm new in town." he smile again. "I hoped we gonna be good friends."
students in her classroom look at each other faces. that's odd. so odd. 'hoped we gonna be good friends'? what a childish word. what ages he is right now. first grades.
"Great. now Jake. please find your seat."
he nod. his eyes on the empty table. realising beside that table is Belle. his smile widen as he saw her. as he walk, Miss Joyce already start her teaching.
Jake drag the chair then sit. his smile never left. he take a look at her as she look at him as the same time. the couple look at each other for a minute. realise other student were watching. Belle take her eyes back to front. only hear Jake muttering beside her. then he look at the front.
noon, cafeteria. the girl brought their tray lunch sitting under the tree. today lunch is special. don't know why. whatever. Belle eat her fries then burger and soda. finish her food. she laid the tray beside her. she close her eyes again.
so weird. why she need sleep so badly.
"Jake is in my class today." said Belle. without looking at Emma. "And he sit beside me."
silent. "Told ya. he like surprising."
"I don't get it." silent again. Emma spokes. "So, he's in your class. I wonder."
her corner eyes see someone walk toward them. is Jake. he then sit between the girl.
"What?." asked Emma.
"I can't believe I got same class with, Belle."
"Aren't you happy?."
"Of course I'am why you said that. I thought both of you are in same class. I could meet you two there but no. just, Belle."
Emma chuckled. after eat she laid on the grass. "Thought I am. but no. Belle way cleaver than me."
"She kidding." cut Belle. she looked him. "Emma chooses different things than mine. that'a all."
he scoffs. said. "Funny. chooses thing huh. what kind?." he asked.
"Weird stuff. Emma like math. while I'm like history. kind that of."
he nod. "I like history, mystery, thriller. this. I collect novel too. from odd to youth. hobbies. also I collect phonograph record from my grandfather. he'd love it."
"Great."
"I know. before he died. he gaves me. he said for the memory. he used to lullaby me with that record when I was baby."
chuckle. he continue. "He can't sing. he got weird voice. my grandmother is a singer when she youth. after she married with my grandpa, she stop singing. then they having a kids. but she never forget how to sing."
"What an beautiful story, Jake. interesting. my grandparents are the gangster. a mafia. when they youth. they you used to kill people without reason."
Belle and Jake turn to Emma after she told about her family history. Belle know Emma are joking. and she's not gonna play with.
"Seriously your face, Jake." his jaw drop. Emma slapped his laps. "I'm joking. I never know what my grandparents doing when they youth. I'm trying to but my parents said I'm too idiots to hear."
breath. Emma spoke back. "Some kind. great adventures they had when they youth. I'm gonna make a history too. when my grandkids asked me what I do when I was a youth. I'm gonna tell them that I kicked someone butt."
"Really?." question Jake. "You gonna tell'em that. will they believe?."
"They just a kids. and dumb."
"Still - they're blood connected to yours blood line. that's mean your are the great dumber."
Emma stare Jake while Belle clamping her flat belly. finally someone figure it out. she almost cried as she laugh. Emma glare at her.
"That's not funny, Belle. then what would you tell, when you had grandkids one day."
she smile. "I'm gonna tell 'em that her grandmother are the best waitress in Alpaca's restaurant. she got an awards for her service even she works as a part time. she served so many people even she tired. best grandmother who make money when she just teenager compared than other teenagers around her ages."
"Ha. funny. your grandkids will imagine you wearing alpaca's suit while serving the customer."
scoffs. Belle spokes back. "At least they're know what alpaca's meant to be."
Jake turn to Belle. he scanning her face while she talk with Emma's. he remind her back he and his family had a dinner together as first welcoming family in town. at the same restaurant she work in. of course. that was her back then.
he never forget that face. but why sudden he just realising now.
"No wonder I saw you somewhere. you the waitress. you once serving me with my family when we just moved in here. the food is good like seriously I'd said. gives my compliment to the chef. okay."
Belle nodding. the bell rang. the students quickly get their stuff and tray back inside. so the girl. Belle grab her bags and tray. she standing up dusting her jean.
"See you guys around. again."
midnight. Decker's house. after finished her shift at the night. Belle went back home safely and this time Frank sending her home. she close the door behind and lock it, then running upstairs gently. because her parents are in their death sleep.
she hated to wakes them up because of her. she rushed upstairs and take her shower. about minute. she out from the bath. she dry her hair with towel as her eyes locked at the open window of her bedroom. before she left for work she absolutely sure she lock the window.
why it open?
maybe her mother whom open it? or her father? but what the reason. it's already midnight.
she felt cold wind, breeze slapped onto her milky skin. shivering. she wrapped her towel she use to dry her hair around her shoulder. her eyes locked at the house next to hers.
Gibson house.
what so special about him that people still talking about his disappearing and marriage. the house look the same. no light. silent. like an abandoned haunted house the house stood next door hers. creepy.
she shake her head. can't handle the cold. she close, lock the window then slide the curtain. she's doesn't care what life he choose. as long he no longer disturbed her. waiting for her for school. eyeing her whenever she goes.
absolutely perfect. she now not living with loathed some feeling after this, because Gibson are gone. gone from her life. forever.
p. s, she hated him.