I, sometimes, heard that one of the problems that arise with stepsiblings was attitude differences, not with the blood tie but the share experiences. Often, it brought about unending quarrels for some reason but I can say that was not applicable every time. One proof was my relations with my sister, Frida.
"Are you sure? You might have school works to finish," Frida said worriedly as she peeked at me and shifted her focus to the road.
"Anything about you Frida. Of course, I need to loosen up." She laughed at my response because she knows her mom when it comes to me.
I attempted to rebel but whenever I will do it because of unequal treatment, a part of my heart was aching. That it will become useless if I did it and I'm not ready for the consequences.
I was unaware that a few minutes later we were in front of the school. I immediately got out of the car after I said goodbye to Frida.
As soon as I entered, unexpected greetings employing smiles caught my attention and it immediately appeared on me. They approached me and we greeted each other verbally. I don't know how it happened that all of a sudden Asher's friends noticed me. They walked with me.
I suddenly looked for Asher and turned around but no trace of Asher, maybe he just came late or early for something important. I wanted to ask but I was preceded by embarrassment.
"Asher?" Ken asked with his teasing smile that made my eyes widened. But I recovered immediately and his smile widened even more. "He came in earlier than us. I'm sure it's in the office now."
"He's sometimes like that," Robin whispered but I didn't comment.
"Your today's get up suits you. No wonder," Joshua commented and winked at me, which Robin agreed as a reason to turn the topic around.
"Your simplicity convey your natural beauty," Lila added, who was next to Ken and they are holding hands. Suddenly my cheeks become heated and I couldn't imagine how I felt like to be complimented. So, Auntie's comment earlier before I entered is true but she said it harshly.
They smiled at me but the smile I wanted to give turned into a fake smile because I'm not used to hearing nice comments. I'm also not used to notice me, not anymore. Some part of me was thinking that they only make bluffing remarks at me.
Aside from that, it seemed like only recently when I tried to approach them to have a way for Asher to catch sight of me but I didn't because I was preceded by negative thoughts. And most of all, it doesn't make sense to focus on what my heart is saying because I know Asher wants someone else.
"We may be, playful but we are not bluffing. Don't feel awkward," Joshua commented as if he read what was on my mind or he must have noticed the expression on my face.
"I'm not used to it," I honestly said. It was not put in for emphasis because it was turned to different topics.
The way they smiles and laughs was transferable and Lila happily intervened in the conversation that is used to some nonsense jokes of the three while I was listening to them through those jokes was relatable. No wonder how Asher became their friend.
Until we had to separate ways to each building. Ken will take Lila first to the HUMMS building before going to their building, Joshua and Robin will immediately go to the STEM building and I will go to the ABM building.
In a short span of being together with Lila, she is surely kind but when it comes to Ken, she is possessive. Only now, I do gradually understand why Lila is so angry with me way before to pile up excuses for me for the guidance office.
Some of our subjects ended quickly this morning even though there were unexpected reactions from my classmates for the small details just like my blank answer on the paper given to us where we would put the preferred partner institution and reason. But I haven't written even one. When the answer is blank it means that you will let them choose.
"This is all for today and your final deployment and a further announcement will be posted on the bulletin board until this afternoon. Spare some of your time to take a look at it," Sir Morris said as he dismissed himself from the class.
"Look at what she did, she make her life complicated," Shantal said referring indirectly to someone. "Is it hard to choose?" Though, I can feel that she was on me. My guts tell it but I don't want to pick a fight.
"Remember what she did to you?" Gelou added. Maybe she's referring to the examination and that concludes my hunch. I know Shantal didn't review and relied on simple copying and then she blamed me because it was Set A and Set B. I have no idea that her Set is different.
"Yeah, she is thought to be quiet but inwardly naughty," Danice joined.
"I agree with you, girl. We're on the same page," Gelou said with her flipping hair. I look at them and their unending statement is still clear, I can't figure out if it's meaningful. You'd think I wouldn't hear that some of what they were talking about were about me yet they are whispering.
I'm used to hearing negative comments about me and it's rare to receive compliments. I acknowledged the fact I was not a nice person and a product of sinful desire but is it reasonable to slap in my face what is obvious? I'm fully aware. Why not tell me face to face? Why do they prefer telling it behind my back?
They even called me a hurtful nickname but I tried hard not to mind it.
They are the only ones who are compelled to do this here in the classroom while the others don't care.
"No shame at all," Gelou commented but I know myself as if I'm embarrassed over something. "They became friends as well because they flock together," she asserted as she laughed heartily.
Many people who gossip don't bother to check the facts. If I know that they won't get rich from gossiping but still they do it.
"Are you done with your moment? Can I say something?" Amber get in their way and tapped Danice on her back fiercely. I went near and halted her but she ruled on what she wants. "Don't you have any decency between the three of you? Do your parents tell you not to talk about others because it's always bad? Do they advise you that it is better to be up in front with someone than to be talking behind that person's back?"
I can feel that she was furious. I can feel because what did was didn't fair enough because it damage reputation.
"How dare you? Do you have the right to involved my parents? Are your parents Saint? Don't try to lecture me," Danice rebutted.
This time, all the attention of the class was on us. Then, I suddenly remembered how Gelou told me about expulsion. Many what-ifs are lingering in my mind but it was drifted for the meantime when Amber laughed sarcastically.
"So, you know the feeling when someone talked behind you? What if I tell you something that will tarnish your name? And I'm sure, your hiding it and don't want others to know it," Amber said.
Saying that she knows something about someone was I'm pretty sure, it was true. She won't utter it without further information or she, herself witnessed it. From a fierce look, it changes into a gentle sheep. Her face seemed to look pale even though it was covered with thick make-up.
"Why do you always defending that girl?" Gelou pointed at me. "She just becomes brave because she knows you will fight."
"You finally spill the tea. Congratulations, you took my bait," Amber clapped her hand twice while I was just staring and speechless. It hurts to be slapped with the truth because she is right. Gelou strikes it.
Until I realized that our teacher had already entered the classroom for the next subject.
"What's going on, Ms Cruz, Ms Brasco?" our teacher in Business Ethics asked.
"None, we are discussing something," Gelou responded like a good puppy to her master while Amber didn't mind the question.
"Now, go back to your respective seats." We did what she said as nothing happened. "I came late because I have an urgent form needed to fill out."
An hour had passed with pure discussion and a quiz after. That was the whole set-up for the remaining subjects this day until we are finally dismissed and went home.
After dinner and finishing my task, I immediately took my evening ritual and tried my best to finish my take-home tasks and assignments.
The following morning, I woke up with a heavy heart but I don't know the reason and just like my recent sleep except for the other night, I can't recall any bad dreams happened.
Just like I promise I went to the shop where Frida told me. The shop is familiar to me because I have been here once when I came for wedding tokens. I was not ignorant and I entered confidently. But everything seemed to disappear when I realized it was different from what I had attended before so I have no choice but to ask for directions.
"It was on the left side if you go straight this way," Cobygy instructed, the guy who showed me before the design. I met him near his office room because I was so lost with the description that Frida told me.
"Thank you," I mumbled.
"Tell your sister about the final touch of the design and nice meeting you," he said and went inside to his office room. I did what he instructed and I found the office room I'm searching for. I sighed because I will be dealing again with another person. I calmed myself before I knocked on the door.
Sometimes I wonder how such a set-up got into their mind because at first glance you wouldn't think that every room is an office of someone whose career is successful. They are very low-key but people with prestige.
The door opened and I was greeted by a tall and beautiful woman entering. She made my way to the owner of the shop and the designer itself.
Even before the conversation began, a familiar voice entered from behind.