ANNE'S P.O.V
After we exit the principal's office, he suddenly moves in the opposite direction and walks away leaving me puzzled.
"The entrances over there" I blurt out raising one of my hands in the direction away from him.
He spins around and I don't miss the slight lift of his eyebrows" But didn't Unc-James say to go to the nurse's room?"
He calls the principal, by his first name, it seems like they are close.
"They will just tell me to put ice on it, and nothing else, so it's probably better to go(for me) and treat it at the house."
After considering it for a while. He nods his head in approval while coming toward me.
The bell-ringing startles me again.
And now there will be more attention on us.
I gaze at people who begin coming out of their classes laughing, playing, and joking with each other....
Shaking my head, I quickly walked away with him.
Finally escaping the building, we were nearly reaching his car when a figure hugs him.
Can you guess who it was?
Stacy, the person I hoped to not see today or any day.
My hands tense unconsciously looking at her.
"Heyy, Babyy! want to come with me? I need help with something?" Stacy flirts while toying with a string of her hair.
I mean tried- to flirt, she basically shoved her balloo-I mean boobs and squeaked like the rat she is.
I can't believe I almost viewed her as my type.
Lucas drives her off him glancing at me in alarm" Stacy, I will tell you this the last time, we are not together so stop trying to flirt with me"
If you can call that flirting?
She notices me and glares"What did you just say?"
Oops! I said that out loud, didn't I?
"I asked, what did you say, you Slut?" she yells at me.
What a stunner! is that the only insult she knows?
"Stop testing my patience Stacy, this is your last fucking warning"Lucas snarls at her in rage.
His eyes are switching colors yet again and his voice... It almost sounds as if there are two different people speaking.
What the freakity-frakity hell is happening?
Stacy quivers in fear and speeds away. I notice her give me a quick glance in anger and... distress?
What did I do now?
In that short period of time, a small crowd had gathered around us and I can hear them gossiping with each other.
Though one glare from Lucas ceased the majority of people from talking.
Even breathing I believe.
"Is there a fucking performance over here?"Lucas yelled enraged.
The moment he said that people ran away from him like hope runs away from me when I call for it.
I chuckle inwardly at my joke.
He enters the car and gestures for me to get in.
Hmm, he is definitely someone to be wary of, the way he can order people, and with them being frightened of him, he looks like an important figure over here.
Should I run a-
"Are you gonna get in?"He asked staring quite intensely at me as if he had caught my chain of thought.
It's no fucking use.
I nod and get in reluctantly.
He starts driving and it was already so damn uncomfortable between us, and now, the incident with Stacy didn't make it any better.
"So do you live alone?" He questions, surprising me with his courteous manner unlike what occurred before.
"yes" I reply.
"...."
"...."
"Ugh! This is very awkward, I don't understand, why? "He states after tapping his fingers nervously on the steering wheel.
"Yes, I wonder why?"
Possibly because we are strangers.
"I am usually very good at talking with a gorgeous lady like you" He smiles pleased as if he had accomplished a crucial task.
"Yeah, I could understand by the whole 'Stacy situation'" I reply trying hard not to smirk at his shocked eyes but fail miserably.
"Shit!- I mean-no- I-I am not dating her" He stutters glancing at me in panic.
"I know, I was just getting you back for the first-day mishap"
"Hahaha okay," He sighs in relief before continuing" Still, I am sorry about what happened back there with Stacy"
"No problem, it was not your fault anyhow, and it seemed like you wanted to apologize for a while,"
"Was I that obvious?" He questions and I glimpse at his ears getting a few shades redder.
Cute.
I smile at him and look out the window.
This time when the silence fell it was not uncomfortable nor did it feel awkward.
----------Time skip---------------
The car stopped close to the walkway.
I get off and say a polite thanks to him.
"No problem and... I hope to see you in school" He responds smiling.
I nod, saying goodbye.
Most likely, I will not encounter him again. He was forced by Mr. Wallace to drive me home anyway.
Though it didn't seem like that.
"Why? are you expecting to see him?" my inner voice asked.
"Noooo...
"That was a long no, and even if you are expecting to meet him. It isn't like he wants to"
I get in the house feeling insulted by my own conscience.
Again.
I hear a car driveway... He was waiting till I entered the house.
"He is nice" I mutter shifting away.
Now that I am back, I have to do something vital.
I steer towards the kitchen. With a determined posture.
And...
I don't have any food.
Noooo, How will I survive?
I get a realization, that I was going to buy from the cafeteria.
Shit! I forgot.
I am not interested to order from outside because well I need to survive till my paycheck.
Even though I don't want cafeteria food it is way cheaper.
It's all because of that Son of a bitch, Stacy, I don't get to enjoy my day.
I condemn her entire family to hell except for the children, good people, and pregnant women if there are any.
I ice the swelling formed due to 'you know who' and apply an ointment on it.
A sigh makes its way out of my mouth knowing that I still have to work after such an exhausting 'adventure'.
Gradually, I feel drowsy, and fall asleep thinking about...
Food. (what did you think?)
-----------Time skip-------------
I jerk awake glancing around disoriented after hearing the doorbell ringing.
Who is it?
I get up rubbing my eyes, still drowsy to open the do-
I halt, and my hands pause right near the doorknob.
Wait a minute... I didn't order anything nor do I have any friends here?
Being careful, I picked a weapon from around me, which was an old metal bat.
Oh! I thought I threw it away?
I slowly reach around the door. Turning the knob, concealing the bat in my other hand...
Simply to see Lily, Jax, Blake, and Lucas grinning at me like idiots.
To which I smile and slam the door shut on their idiotic faces.
Must have been a dream.
I think while walking back, so I can rest.
" How could you slam the door at us? you know, when we came just because we were worried about you" Lily whines dramatically.
I overhear someone sobbing along with her yelling the same words.
That's Jax, I am confident.
I look up and massage my forehead muttering to myself "Why God?, I know, our communication is minimum...okay, like very very minimum but why can't you let me be at peace for a while".
After unlocking the door, with extreme reluctance, I signal for them to come inside and catch them chuckling.
What now?
As soon as they enter, they move around, touching shit and jumping as if they owned-the-effing-house.
"Wow, you know, you have a swimming pool too," Lily voices pointing towards it.
"I did not know, man, you are so fucking sharp Lily," I answer with sarcasm because, well, my house was intruded upon.
All of them start laughing besides Lily, who rubs her arms glaring at them.
"Hahaha man, y-you are t-t-the o-only being, who can make Lily feel shame"Jax claimed while laughing.
Lily scowls at Jax at the same time Lucas and Blake shake their head agreeing with him.
I roll my eyes at Lily smacking all of them." What are you all doing here?"
They start glancing at each other nervously.
Now what.
"As Lil said, We came because we were worried about you, "Lucas comments calmly.
Meanwhile, The rest of them agree with him.
"As you can see, I am totally fine, so should I show you where the exit is?"I smile clenching my hands.
Why do they care?
"The mark faded a little, did you treat it?"Lucas asked worriedly.
My heart almost flew out of my chest because of his sweet voice" Yes I-I did and now you know that, so bye-bye "
Why did I fucking stutter? Me? stuttering? What is happening to me?
"We brought food!" Lily says dangling the bag trying to seduce me with food. huh! I am not that easy.
"I am not hugr-
Right then,my stomach initiates its stupid protocol of growling just at the mention of the word food. (I didn't eat anything so you can't blame me)
Traitor.
Hearing them laugh was not enjoyable to say at least.
So-freaking-humiliating.
I feel the heat rise on my cheeks so I clear my throat feeling a tad bit self-conscious.
"So, are you really not hungry? should we go then?"Jax says acting as if he is leaving.
"It's free food and moreover from a hot guy, why are you declining? "my inner voice comments.
"So what? they are still questionable"
"They are not that bad and for some reason, I feel like we can trust them," my inner voice declares making me surprised.
"wow, you can trust-"
"Shut up, even if they do something we can just kill them"
"That's a bit extreme-
"Valerie, we are going because you don't need 'food' right? "Lily speaks interrupting, yet again, my line of thought.
"Wait! you can stay, "I declare rubbing my neck.
"you know, you are vulnerable against food"Lily mentions while staring at me pitifully.
"Screw off!"
We all pile in the living room and dig in.
It's Korean food, Nice, my second favorite kind of meal.
"You must be wealthy to own such a house?"Blake inquires looking around.
I record this is the first time he spoke until now."Yes, you can say that, I got money from their inheritance after they passed and I have my own savings( Though I had)"
They already know about my parents.
"If you don't mind, can you tell us what happened to your parents?."
Everybody quiets down to listen.
"Nothing intriguing, they died due to a car accident when I was 15"
Nobody talked for a while.
It was just silence.
Very not-so-comfortable silence if I might add.
But since I had food I ignored it.
"You must have a boyfriend, right? seeing how stunning you are?" Lily says trying to liven up the mood.
I feel my face getting warm again. man, why am I so weak to compliments?
"because you never got any"my inner voice stated in a relatively glum tone.
I examine around and see Lucas leaning slightly in my direction, listening very intently.
"Even if I have a partner, you are sadly not that close to me to learn about them," I say and notice Lucas's shoulder tensing.
"Damn, I thought you were going to answer, "Jax mutters loudly.
"Me too, I mean do you have one? cause its impossible for someone pretty like you to not have one" Lily states again giving a light squeeze to Lucas's shoulders.
I look down because of my (I am certain)red complexion.
....Is she flirting with me?
"you know, for someone who can easily show Stacy her place you blush a lot"Blake states suddenly.
C'mon Now.
Just stop trying to figure me out.
"No, I am not blushing, that's because my mom used to redden like me when she was feeling warm," I say defending myself.
"ok, we 'believe' you," Lily says peeking at Blake who shrugs.
They do not believe me at all, do they?
"Bye, see you in school, "Lily and Jax say simultaneously then start bickering with each other.
Blake waves goodbye and Lucas smiles at me before leaving.
My heart starts jumping around. Again.
Goddamn. what is happening to my body? he just freaking smiled.
After persuading myself it was because I am fatigued(and nothing else). I look at the time and see that it's almost time for work.
I take a shower, get dressed, and leave to start my daily walk again because I am poor.
I enter the restaurant and am greeted by Trevor. He tells me to go to the backroom for getting ready.
I nod and see all of the people who work here greeting me. I smile politely at them.
After storing my belongings, I walk out and sit across from Trevor.
"I didn't notice when you first came in but who slapped you?" He asked concerned.
"Nobody slapped me, I fell"
He stares at me blankly" you really expect me to accept that very evident lie?"
"That's not my business if you believe me or not, "I say irritated. At first, it was Lily and Lucas, now him interrogating me.
He observes me and says" I believe you, for now, but if you need me to take care of someone you can always ask me"
I smile.
I can very well take care of them myself but I am not able to.
"So now, did you miss me?" Jason teased me winking.
"you wish,"
"Yeah, that's what I actually wished how did you know?" He says pretending to be shocked.
I sigh at his lame attempt at a joke and ask him"What about the timings you were going to tell me?"
"Okay, your sigh didn't injure me at all, It opens in the morning from 9 am to 3 pm which is busy but the real fun begins after 6 and ends at 12"
"but I saw there is a bar behind? isn't the bar usually open the whole night?"
"Yeah, it's only open during the weekends and for V.I.P guest who reserves it beforehand"
"This looks like a popular place," I remark.
"It doesn't look like it is popular, it is a popular place," he boasted.
"looks like it was your idea"
"yes- wait how did you know?" he asked me baffled.
"do you really have to ask me that?"
"sorry, sorry, but no more chitchat it's time for work"
Okay then let the fun begin.
I sense somebody staring at me and turn to see a girl glare at me. Hmm, she has the appearance just like Stacy but with less makeup and burnt orange hair color.
Do I even know her?
---------------------After work--------------------
It is officially time to leave but since I am a kind person I assist the few workers who were still there.
After which they thank me and leave. Currently, it was just me along with Trevor left.
"I am gonna close the shop you can retire, "Jason says.
I nod and get my belongings from the backroom.
"Bye,"
"How are you gonna go back home?" he asks while securing the entrance.
"I am gonna walk back," I state indifferently.
He gazes at me for quite the time"you are joking right?"
"No?"
"Hold on! you are telling me, you are gonna walk back home when it's so dark outside"
"Yes and it's not that dark"
"No way, this is how a person dies in a horror movie, I will drive you back" he states way too seriously.
" Yeah,' in a movie', no need I can-
"Be quiet and it will be rude of a gentleman such as me to let you walk back home," he said stubbornly.
"I won't be able to convince you anyway right?"I ask even though I know it will be no use.
"No, you won't be able to," he declares confidently.
"Ok I will wait for you"
"No, you are coming with me, I don't trust you to stay here, you might run away" he states crossing his arms and looking at me pointedly.
No, I wasn't.
Okay.... that thought might, I repeat, might have passed through my head.
God! he was so stupidly spot on.
"I was right wasn't I?" he remarks amused.
Tch "No!"
We leave and get in his car.
"so do you leave alone?" he asked.
I got deja vu he asked the same thing Lucas had asked"Yes"
"Are your parents working or you left fo-
"They are dead," I say a little too harshly.
"oh! ok"
The sudden stillness is uneasy.
"I am sorry, I did not mean to be rude," he apologized.
"It's okay and I am sorry for my rudeness, it is also a sensitive topic for me" I replied bobbing my feet up and down.
"No problem, I get it"
We talk for some time before we reach my place.
I jump out"Thanks for the ride!"
"Damnnn, you got a pretty sweet place to live" he complimented gripping the stirring wheel excitedly and exploring around.
"I know and now leave"
"What! you are so mean, you are not gonna invite me in?" he sniffles dramatically while collapsing down.
I raised one of my eyebrows and stared at him.
He peeked at me and muttered"Okay, I will leave, gave her drive and this is how I am paid back"
When he finally leaves after being theatrical. I step into the house.
" I am so tired! I want to sleep! but I have to take a bath"
"then let's sleep why do we have to take a bath anyway? it's not like someone's gonna nag at you?" my inner voice suggests.
"That statement has made my mood a bit depressed but it is however the reality, I can take a bath tomorrow,"
I change into my pajamas and hop on the bed. Aaah! the bed feels so good.
I remember the stuff that happened today. I got a job and met Trevor through it and in school, I met Lily, Jax, Blake, and Lucas.
I start wondering about them. should I trust them? they don't seem that bad, maybe, just maybe. I can trust them, and even if they betray me it won't probably be the first time too.
Don't Hope for too much.