It's been a month since the start of the first semester yet I haven't seen my neighbor in this apartment. The landlord told me that my neighbor is just the same age as me so I'm guessing that my neighbor's also in 11th Grade already. It's not that I'm not liking my neighbor's absence, rather than that, I'm satisfied because it gives me proper silence and peace to study so it's not a bother to me.
It's just that I prefer that room over mine.
Being late sucks.
A bark of laughter erodes my ears as soon as I got to the main door. The landlord is standing highly outside his billiard hall on the first floor, smoking.
"That's what you get dumb ass! I told you to come over here already but your stubborn head just won't listen." He speaks over his phone as he puffs his cigarette.
My brows furrowed, I've got a hint of who it is but I'm still uncertain about it so I just shrugged it off and head to school because like I said, being late sucks.
During our first discussion, I was already in a deep understanding of how relationship marketing works but a teacher in another class disrupted, her eyes were examining the class as our adviser reaches her. As soon as her eyes laid on mine she started glancing on and off me, is there a problem?
"An excuse for Ms. Almirante." Our adviser calls out.
I closed my notes and smoothly walks over despite the fact that all eyes are on me.
"I'm sorry to bother the discussion." The teacher from the other class hesitantly smiled at me, I remained silent waiting for her to continue her matter.
"Oh it's fine, Ms. Almirante is quick to pick up the lesson."
It's true but learning from class is still different.
She soon leads me to her office after her excuse, as from what I remember she's the adviser from the STEM class.
"You're living in an apartment near the school, right?" My brows furrowed. Just before I answer she also stated my address while looking at some papers. Is that my personal information?
"Yes, why?"
"A student from my class is also from that apartment. Luckily, I found someone from this school that is his neighbor. I'm sorry to bother you but everyone in my class doesn't seem to have a nice or any other relationship with that man and I'm hoping you could do me a favor."
I was stunned, my neighbor? The one next door?
She gave me some piles of paper with a name written on top of it and the same address as mine.
Lyndon Ynares.
I couldn't speak for a moment. I've heard some meticulous rumors about this name that he's a self-centered beast who only knows how to exert his strength to oppress people and that he was almost kicked out for almost killing his classmate. His name is well-known because of his bad reputation in this school but I haven't seen even a strand of his hair and I'm not planning to ever see him.
"He's not in that apartment," I told the truth which is also an excuse.
I can't believe that beast is the one next door! It's a relief he doesn't show up himself there.
"Then where could he be? I can't go there myself because of this reason and also I'm too busy." She forces a stifling smile but it's obvious that she's very nervous.
She's just scared, I don't blame her though. It's the same for me.
She suddenly lifts up and places a large book at her desk, my eyes suddenly sparkle at the sight of it. It's one of the books I've been yearning to read! But because I'm short on money, I can't have it.
"I know your love for books so if you do me this favor, you're free to have this."
My fear subsided and my love and willingness in order to get this book surfaced. " Deal."
There are only three rooms on the second floor of that apartment. One for me, the landlord, and that beast. It won't be suspicious to ask about next door since the landlord already knows that I'm interested in that room ever since and it's not like I'm about to do something suspicious either.
Fortunately, I'm a part-timer of the landlord's billiard business thing. This is where I get all my finances and savings to support me in the meantime. And now I would even get some information about that missing neighbor.
But I guess not today, I've been working here now for three and a half hours since I got home from school and I haven't even got a single piece of information!
I have to find out sooner or else this will be a waste of time.
I cleared my throat. "Sir, about next door."
He flipped a page on his magazine and sigh before answering in a tone that he's already tired of answering this topic. "I told you someone's already occupying it."
It sounds like I'm nagging him. If I ask him 'where is he?' his answer will be 'somewhere, he'll be back.' and when I ask him 'when?' his answer will be 'whenever he feels like it.' I've asked him those a few times and the answers remain the same.
"I need to give him something."
This time he stopped flipping pages and stared at me.
"What?"
"His adviser wants me to give him his activities that he hasn't done for a month and that he has to go to school already."
The way the landlord speaks about him seems like they're close enough to know that he will come whenever he feels like it so he's the one I can count on with this.
"Oh." He paused for a while. "He's just around this city roaming around the streets."
"What?" I asked this time.
"He's well taken care of, it's his decision to roam around." He abruptly said.
"Did he even use his room for once?"
"Don't know, he got money to spare." He shrugged.
And here I am doing my very best to earn.
"But you can find him in places like arcades and such."
I nodded. My goal is to finish this as soon as possible so I ask my boss slash landlord to take an early leave which he approved because there are no customers for now.
Carrying the papers and my strength over me, I stand against the first arcade on my list. There's a lot of places to go but since the arcade is the one he mentioned first I need to go for it first.
It seems decent and bearable while looking outside the place.
The warm air and loud noises welcome me the moment I've pushed the glass door. The place is air-conditioned but crowded. Most of them were guys around my age, everyone is so active I can't keep up with their pace. It's a total mess.
Some were looking at me because I look so out of place with my gesture. I changed my mind, this is not bearable after all.
I don't know where to start looking. I mentally facepalmed when I remembered that I forgot to ask about his picture or how he looks like!
It's like I'm searching for something I don't even know.
Well, that's the whole point.
Since it has come to this, I might as well ask them. I started at the race car area or whatever you called that first since there are only three guys there. I need to preserve my dignity.
"Excuse me." The guy in the middle glance at me. "Uhm, I was searching for-"
"Huh?" He cut me off before I could even finish.
"I was searching-"
"Huh? I can't hear you, come closer." He smiled genuinely like he's willing to help me so I did come closer.
"I said-" He reached my waist and pulled me closer making me sit on his lap.
"Hmm..." He sniffed my neck and I can sense the creepy smile he's giving, my body completely shuts. I was screaming inside my head wanting to run away but my body only starts to get cold while my eyes became warmer because of the tears that are about to flow.
A stranger instantly pulled me away from that creep. His warm body envelopes me and slowly melting the coldness inside me. His arm snaked around my neck just enough not to strangle but claim me.
The guy stood up from his seat about to spit out his irritation but when he saw the man behind me he stopped.
"Oh, Lyndon. Sorry, didn't know that was yours already." He awkwardly smiles.
"Next time, be more aware." His tone is laced with pure rage, the complete opposite of how he holds me. "You should leave now. "He whispered in my ear after the guy left, he removed his arm and was about to go but I suddenly recovered and remembered his name.
"Wait!"
He already turned away from me but he stops moving to hear me out, hands already in his pocket. "What?" He faced me.
"Are you perhaps Lyndon Ynares?"
His brows furrowed deeply like he's annoyed by something. "The fuck you want?"
I was stunned. This is him, the one next door.