Leah
I drooped my head on the window, bored as I watched others leave the school. This was my third time in a row losing that I lost interest on focusing on the class.
I scrolled down my phone checking his messages, I had send a lot of them when I was down and.... a bit dejected.
"Haze! Haze! I am wearing your shirts! How do I look! It is cool, like you?" I sent him the pic of me wearing his glasses and stern face, imitating his stone face.
"Yes. You do. Super cute." He replied.
This morning, I texted him, "how about this one?" He didn't text me much, so I did as much as I could and send him his pic in the beach where I burried him under the sands with a mermaid tail. I giggled, and pressed send.
A moment later "....when did you take that pic??"
"When you were fast asleep, and you refused to come play with me." I said.
"Just you wait. I am going to punish you when I return." He texted back.
"You won't be back so soon. You said it yourself. Haha. I'm going to run and this time you won't catch me. Yay!"
"When I do, I am going to crush you with my hug... I already miss you." I couldn't give him the answer quickly, but I did say, "well, I will wait."
Our text goes on and on, and I am the one who always puts the stop to him. I mustn't disturb him. He's doing his job.
It's been more than two weeks and I never even stepped out, like I promised. Everyday I dropped Haze the messages and he would instantly reply.
"Leah!" Casper slapped my back, and knocked out my soul from my body.
"Why are you trying to avoid me?" He puts his arms around my neck pulling my closer, "I thought we could be friends," he whined, complaining.
"When did I ignore you? I eat you during lunch break and greet you when I meet."
"Let's be specific. You only eat across the table without even replying to me to any of the questions. You greet me. did you?" He tapped his finger on his chin and racking his brain to think when I greeted him.
"But that's fine. Now that it's the break of the week, can you come over to my room in my domintory!" His eyes are sparkling.
"...." Haze wouldn't say anything to that right? It's inside the boundary. I nodded, sure why not.
We walked in, towards right from where I stay, and up the giant stairs up to the second floor.
"Hey? Close you mouth, stop reacting as if this is your first time coming here." Actually this is my first time since I stay at the top, alone with Haze. They say emptier the place, it becomes haunted. So even spirits...
I shivered with the idea. I need to get my head down to the ground. Ghost don't exist. It's just an image created by our fear.
He opened his room door, and there were already two girls sitting on the couch and the boy on the bed, already napping, a magazine over his face.
"Guys! I brought another person to join us for divertido!" He exclaimed, while I stood there doing nothing, stiff as a spear.
"Piacere di conoscerti Leah! I'm Nita Benitez! You said it right, he's so tiny. Sei carino( you're cute)!" She was as cheerful as Casper, dark complexion, and pretty. She wore those short skirts and top tank, tied her curly pony tail high. She has a light make up and it matched her perfectly.
"Paulette Clay," she said unenergied.
Right, she is that silent girl with short dark hair.
So that means....
"Alfron?" I pointed at the guy on the bed.
"Here...." he said yawning getting up taking his sweet time.
Casper gapsed banging my back at the same time. "Wow! You already know!"
I too sat down beside Casper and he decided to played revealing the truth game to come to know everyone well. I wasn't comfortable doing dare, so he took it out. "Who needs a fun game when it isn't even fun for everyone, right?" He said.
We did the game differently. He shuffles the paper of five. There will be numbers from one to five written on it and we get to ask one question each.
As soon as Casper suffled the paper and on the floor, everybody fought to get the paper. Last was Alfron. Still lazily, he picked it and he was the first to go.
Casper laughed creepily, like you do when you caught your first prey.
"Let's see...." he evilly snickered rubbing his hand together.
"What's the first thing you would do if you woke up one day as opposite sex?" Casper asked.
"Umm..." Alfron wasn't even putting an affort to think, "I will touch myself, I guess..."
The girls moved away from Alfron, sticking to each other and glaring at him.
"You don't ever change do you?" Nita spoke like they have been friends since diapers.
"I mean to confirm if I'm me. Not the other side. Take your heads out off the gutter." Alfron clarified, "At least you know me well I don't have strange fetish."
"Oh... my bad." Nita remarked, not that she cared.
Well next round, goes to Nita.
So, I asked her, "What have you seen that you wish you could unsee?"
"I wished you could have said "what have I not seen that I want to see?" That's fine too. Let's say, your parents making love when you were a small kid."
My eyes widened. I never saw my parents do that, but I can get that feeling of it.
"Gurl, you are lucky!" Casper laughed, "I would have posted to the websites for free if it were me. Those fuckers deserves slanders." He doesn't sound like he's fond of his parents, but I don't think I should pry into private matter.
"Don't forget to not involve me," Paulette or Pal expressionlessly said, "I don't want to get into another mess."
I raised my hands to voice my opinions.
"Uh what are you all taking about?"
They looked at me, goofy smirks plastered over their face and proudly said, "we're the trouble maker of the school. Haven't you heard the name of troublesome bunch of teenagers caused ruckus in the city after we hijacked bikes from 'Luna del Sol'. We made headlines!"
"Do you remember when we jumped the street racers and bumped their territory Clay, tell him how you ended up banging their head with fire extinguisher and you almost cussed on 'em." Casper nudged Paul to speak up too.
"Why did I even get involved?! If not for your dad, we would have ended up in Jail for next 8 years! I aren't doing that again. Besides, I almost lost my scholarship if it weren't for the president of this school. I'll forever be indebt to him but you idiots can fu-" She slapped her mouth, then getting mad on Casper, "Fuck you. If it weren't for your stupid plans, Casper wouldn't have gotten injured--!!"
"Smettetela ragazzi!!" Nita interrupted the heated argument and told them to chill.
"We're hear to make Leah comfortable! Non discutere!"
Casper was the only one chilling in the room heated.
"Chill out guys. It's time we continue with our games."
So... Casper was next...
Alfron asked, "have you ever been rejected by someone?"
He let it go and returned to being his goofy self.
"No, and it'll never happen."
"Guys like you'll end up alone in the end. Good luck finding a fuck boy."
"Unlike someone virgin, I already found a guy and did a fuck." He bragged.
There was lots of thinks I needed catching up to do here.
Clay noticed my confusion and calmly took initiative to explain, "they guy here likes guys. Even then he dare flirt with girls."
"So what? I just wanna play around. Not that I can help it." He helplessly shrugged, "my looks are to die for, you know that. Rejecting and breaking their heart is not what a gentleman should do. "
I was lost for words, but the group was filled with odd kind of people.
"Caster, you suck." I laughed, more I hear it.
"Eh? Why?!" He frowned at me, as the room started to lighten up once again.
"I hope one day, you will meet one that will meet that fated person to turn you down," Alfron prayed.
"In your dreams, my friend, only in your dreams."
"Let's move on to the next person shall we?"
Pal was next.
Casper has something to ask, desperately. He checked her out, "not to offend you, but you are virgin right?"
This guy is shameless! I frowned, while Pal did nothing and others were just as curious.
"No." Am I the only one thinking it's a weird question?
"Who's that unlucky guy?" Casper had ways to get on her nerve but this time, she let it off, "don't know. Some random guy I met in the pub six months ago. He's hot I must say."
Soo, I was the last person.... ok. I am nervous, but a bit excited.
Nita wanted to ask me this time, it's fair enough that she do it as I did for her.
"Then... ummm. Have you ever had a crush or kissed someone at least ten years older than you?" Nita asked.
"Nah. I don't think the kid here ever got crush in his whole life. He's like pure as fuck if you ask me. I showed him the porns, he reactions were fresh so it's obivous." Casper confidently bet on me.
I was relieved it was a simple easy to answer.
"N-" a gentle and mild mental picture of Haze embodied my view for a flash second.
Wait. Do I have a crush? I jumbled and struggled to find the appropriate words to describe the feeling. I did admit he looked hot but I-I-I---
"Oh! Our cute guy has a crush! Kya! Who is it!" Nita gave a fangirl scream and shook me.
"Dang man! You wouldn't even tell me? I am hurt!" Casper too joined the discussion.
"Yeah, it's just crush," Pal said as if it was a piece of cake!
"I... I...." I don't know! It's too embarrassing! Is this how all the others feel revealing the truth!
"Yes.... we are all ears." They were so nosy that I couldn't escape.
"...the g-guy who first took our --cl-class..." my hands are shaking, I am going to... blush. My cheeks are rosy red.
"Where? Is he here?" They turned their head to the door but no one knocked.
"You mean..... oh that one! Is it really him?" Nita was giving me the look to chop my head off if I don't spill the beans.
"Ye-- yes!!!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.
I cried, I want to die! Wa! It hasn't been that long and I already... am losing..
"Thought so!" Something must have clicked in Caspers mind, "He dragged you with him before taking his leave! What did he do?!" Now everyone was interogating me.
"Tell us how! Now or never!"
Brother help! I will never treat you violently! Oh right. I am not at home. I realised I had to face this head on.
"We.. we.."
"We what?" Nita said annoyed that I was hidding such spicy news.
"I don't know." It's not that I am hidding how I am feeling. "I don't know why or how this is happening, ok?" When I myself am messed up how can I give a straight concrete answer.
"It... happens.. I don't know. I must be mistaken. I never had any friend and he is the only person who has ever understood me so well. So, I must be mistaking his kindness for his affection. He let me do everything I ever wanted to do. He... he never... been mean to me. When I go to bed scared on my own, he never took advantage of me, though he did once. But... he is sometimes arrogant and teasing me... buut he protected me.. and... That's just..."
"He must be falling hard," I heard them whispering to each other.
"A forbidden one sided love..." one let out a sorrowful sigh.
"Yeah, he lost it. And did he just say..."
"Uh. Leah?" Alfron raised his head up from the bed, "where do you stay right now?"
Did they finally notice that I never went to the same direction where they stayed? I slowly pointed my hand above, indicating that I live on the different floor.
They gasped exaggeratedly.
"No fucking way. He was right under our nose!"
"Can we come?! We wanna see how you stay together? Pretty please?!" They begged, joining their hands together and giving me puppy eyes that I do to Haze, espeically Nita.
Haze.... forgive me... I am inviting some guest over.
"...woooow! You live the life in luxury! I can't believe that dude's the founding person! Yoy don't how it's nearly impossible to get here and there he was! The damn loaded son of a bitch!" Casper kept on scanning the room like I did when I first come here, "It has even better structure and designs than I have ever seen! I knew that this ladyrith like school aren't something to be messed with! Who would have those that such a school can hide a lot! If this exist, there ought to be more secrets!"
I thought so too, since I have also never heard anything more than a name of it. Ravendale High were known to accept or pick out students randomly. Most of them are rich, but it isn't necessarily for the wealthy. It has a wide range of networks and they haven't seen the of the school. It is said none of the teachers or the students seen the person, except for few.
I noticed there were professionals and experts taking over the classes, flexible periods and more convenient breaks.
Unlike previous schools, staff members are frank, open minded and easy to talk to. It seems so normal that I doubt anything is normal.
"Leah! Can I borrow your phone? I forgot to tell Heidi that she need not wait for me. And I left mine charging in my room."
"Sure, here." I handed Paul the phone, "it's not locked. You can just use it."
Paul went out to call, and Casper joked around with Nita about the finding treasures and becoming famous in this school. Alfron, like always, found the couch too comfortable for him to lay down. So he dozed off.
I then decided to cook for them while they are at it. I am no good with different recipes but I can at least prepare the simple meals.
I took the long pasta, and then started preparing it.
I hope they will eat it, cheesy pasta with lemons and spice. I can't miss the spice what ever I do.
"Since it's already night, how about eat with me? I'm done," I said.
"Really! We would love to stay!" Nita and Casper excited went to sit on the couch, slapped Alfron on the cheek to wake him up who woke up rubbing his cheek.
I brought them there plates of food.
They dug right into.
"Ah! Should I call this mother's cooking!"
Casper dramatically said, "no wait. She can't even cook."
"Ahaha! Nor do mine. Our cook does it for us." Everyone here are from the rich family background except Paul yet it didn't mean she's poor either.
When everyone was done, Paul helped me pick the dishes up and wash it.
"Here, I wanted to return your phone. Thanks."
Paul wanted to return it, but Casper snatched it from her hands and checked in.
"Hey everyone, let's dig into his pictures! Whose's with me!" Everyone crowded together on the couch.
"Look at this handsome guy. Who is he?"
"My brother Luca."
"Wait. He's your brother???" Paul let out disgruntled noice, gritting her jaws, her eyes filled with furry.
"Yes? Is there any problem?" "Nothing." She immediately swiped the screen to next photo.
"So that means its she must be your sister and your parents," Casper pointed at the family photo. I had only few of them since I never really went with them. I always made excuses or was busy. My school, my tutor, my books, and then less free time.
"Must be fun, right?" Paul unexpectedly spoke up, "having sibblings. I'm the only child. I don't know how it is."
"Are you serious??!" Caspain and Alfron yelped in union.
"If you have brother you will understand me," Casper complained, "we get into argument many times a day. He brings home his groupies and then throw parties. When I get home to catch him red handed, there he is blaming me for everything. Mom dote on him a lot that he's so pampered! Urgh thinking about him only makes my blood boil! I never want to go back home!"
"Don't forget the sisters," even Alfron had something to say now, "she cries at everything I do. She just wants attention all the time. She's cute alright but one difficult and demanding kid."
"That's not all!" Nita exclaimed slamming her hands on the table, "He stole my car! And went on the road trip! My car!!"
I didn't know this was the norm of all sibblings.
"Luca's nice, I guess," I laughed, "He just teases me a lot."
"Lucky you and Paul," three of their head slumped but they didn't know about Sara. I aren't even sure what I feel for her, dislike or just nothing. Then we got back to how they are annoyed by their parents scolding them, for no reason at all, and about having childhood ruined by their older siblings. Never to trust those wicked scheming oldy brothers and sisters.
Skimming through my pics, they reached the pic, of me and Haze.
"Woah! Is this really him!? Man he got the body!" Casper whistled, amazed. I had taken it on the beach.
"Can't deny this, he's perfect," even Pal agreed. Alfron nodded in agreement.
"What about this?... a mermaid tail? *puff haha!" They jeered and poked fun in every possible ways.
Oh Haze, I wish you were to see them. I bet you'll not spare me, not I you don't find it out.
We had lot more, to the arcade that time too. I secretly snapped a pic of him so scary beating the hell out of the drunkyards.
"Is he an ex-fighter! Why did he fight in the first place?" Casper asked.
"He was just protecting me." I defended not sure why I was taking his side.
Alfron puts everything piece by piece like a jig saw puzzled, "that's why you like him.... that's Understandable."
'That's not it all.' I didn't say it though.
Before they could further check my pics out, a notification came, a message.
"Hey bab, have you gone to bed yet?"
Everybody saw the screen flicker for a moment.
Oh no.. my gut is telling me that all the people in this is about to plan something ridiculous, since the facial expressions of theirs were something to worry about. (^～^;)ゞ
"Guys??" It was causing me eustress, it's nothing severe, just a notion to tell me to act quickly.
"Can I--- Get my phone back?" My colour drained out of my face.
"Grab him guys," Nita did as Casper dictated and Casper punched in the keyboards.
"What are you doing?!" Worried, I exlaimed.
"Replying to your babe~, what else duh. How should I go about?.... oh right!... no babe, with a sweet kissing emote, I was thinking about you. Then a sad face.... our distance is so far that my heart is breaking.... cry.... I miss you.... then kiss... and.... done!"
Nooo! I knees dropped numb on the floor, I let out crackled words.
"I- I am... my... life... over...." ≖‿≖
"Chill, nothing will happen. We just want to see how he-"
Ping! The message, he replied!
I burried my head on my hand. I won't see it.
"Uh.... guys? We should *hic heard *hic Can... a text..... you know.... *hic leave.. *hic *hic " Casper had a hiccup and his complexion was whiter than a sheet.
So did the others as they saw text.
"I think we should leave," Alfron seemed wide awake and walked out followed my others.
"Bye! Sorry w-we're in the hurry!" They left in a frenzied state. I couldn't even tell them bye.
I checked the message, but his replies were deleted.
"Did something happen? They looked like they saw a god of dead, the grim reaper with his scythe hanging over their head." I texted, but he called me instead.
"Hi babe. It's nothing. I just told them not to mess with you." He said.
"How did you know it was not me?"
"You never say words so causally as that. Are you alright? Who were they?"
"They were... my friend? They know about us. So, they wanted to talk with you."
"How did they come to know?"
"We were playing a game."
"...and?"
"And.." I remembered late that he became my crush! "No-Nothi-ng!"
"?? Are you sure? Do you need to see a doctor?" He's worried. How cute~
"No-o that's all right! I am fine! I am healthy as ever! And when are you coming back?" I changed the topic.
"Umm. I think it will take me a while." He sniggered, "but don't worry. I will soon be back. I got to go, bye angel." He hung up.
That's weird?
He was rushing our conversation which he never do usualld. And what was that familiar voice in the background? Was I hearing things again?
I had classes tomorrow, so I went to bed. Wish me another peaceful.