"Follow the rules, and if you're going to break it, make sure I don't catch you. Dismissed," Principal Gourd said the last words while eyeing me from the crowd of more than a hundred students. He really made sure I'll get his message with a dash of humiliation.
When he asked me to choose earlier, I didn't know why I kept silent. Maybe it's because something inside me was brought up. So, the moment he dismissed everyone, I immediately stood up and gunned for the exit. "Joaquin, wait!" I heard Dominic calling me, but I ignored him and just kept walking faster than everyone else.
I trod the school grounds and reached the gate in no time, where the old guard smiled at me as I stormed out of there. The whole time, my mind was brimming with a mixture of disbelief, annoyance, and eagerness to get away from having the truth spill out.
Upon going through the road leading to the coastal street, marching footsteps behind me blared. Whoever was running in my direction seemed like they were in a hurry, so I at least looked back. "Joaquin!"
It was Dominic, and behind him were Diana and Natasha, looking worn out, probably from all that running. "What?!" I asked, not bothering to hide my annoyed tone. I could see that they were caught off guard, but at this point, I don't give a damn.
Something inside me had this urge to just call them off, though I tried my best to stay patient.
"Uhm… Why are you going home on your own? Didn't we agree on stopping by the beach
first?" Natasha started softly.
I scoffed. "I'm not in the mood. You can go on your own."
"But we promised to tour you on our favorite spots first. There's this nice little hang out spot near the river. We can go there and have a nice little time before we go home." Dominic's voice slightly sounded enthusiastic, but it just irked me even deeper.
"I'm not interested." I brushed them off and turned around again to walk home. I just want to be alone. Why won't they leave me on my own?!
"Hey, man! That's not cool. We're just trying to befriend you so you wouldn't be left out."
If Diana didn't say that, I would've keep walking, but she did, so my pocket-sized patience was overruled by my temper. I turned to them again and took huge leaps.
"I don't fucking care!" I screamed and heard birds screeching in the distance, some flying away, but most overlooking with their stupid rectangular gazes. The three of them held surprise looks, but Diana seemed more confused. So, I didn't hold back and let my shit out.
"You three, stay the fuck away from me. I'm not interested in your hang out spots, hobbies, or shit. You're the lamest bunch of people I've ever met, and in no way am I interested in befriending you. I don't need friends. I don't want friends! I want to be alone and just go by my day without any interruption! So, get that in your stupid little country bumpkin heads and scurry away!"
The sun has completely settled, painting the sky in a mixture of darkish blue and shiny lilac. Stars showed up and twinkled up above us, and upon pulling one last exhale, I muttered, "Just… don't talk to me. Ever again."
I completely turned my back against them without waiting for their response nor looking at their faces. I just… walked. I endlessly walked away and reached the intersection to the neighborhood. I passed by Theodore, and he greeted me. Still, I just held my head low and kept walking.
The same goes when I passed by Janice and the guys working at the corn field. They asked, "How was your first say, Joaquin?" But I ignored them and made my way to the shabby shack, which is, unfortunately, my house now for five months.
I immediately locked the door when I came inside and was greeted by the gloomy surroundings of this wooden shack. Even though the first time I came, I was super scared, things seems better by now because it has been pimped up. I scanned my eyes around and ended up plopping on the ground with my knees sticking out. I didn't turn on the lights, so the darkened place made my eyelids heavy.
…
"Ha…" I woke up and checked my watch. It was 8 PM, and it got even darker. That's when I realized that I was still slumped on the ground by the door. I ended up sleeping here, so I wobbly made my way up to move to the bedroom. First, I turned the lights on, and upon seeing the state of my crib, I caught a glimpse of the computer boxes I still hadn't set up.
I planned to tend on this today, but my energy remained low, so I brushed it off and sluggered my way to the bedroom. I turned the lights on first and completely plopped down on the bed. I planned to return to dreamland without taking a shower because the water was still probably cold and not running. However, the moment my head touched the pillow of my frameless bed, a creak from outside jolted me wakefully. I propped upwards, and whilst unmoving, I heightened my senses by focusing on whatever shit that was.
It came from the front door. I'm certain because the creaks of the patio after the stairs have the exact same key. I waited for a moment, and it creaked once again. Only this time, heavy footsteps and a profound thud accompanied it.
Maybe it's Janice or Norman? If so, what are they doing here? Do they need something? I slowly stood up and held the doorframe of the bedroom while eyeing the main entrance, waiting for whoever this person was to knock or something.
To my surprise, the knob moved. They were trying to open the door. Shit! This could only mean one thing… It's a thief, or worse, a murderer! Bottom line, my life's in danger. I looked around and realized that there was no backdoor for me to escape from, but the kitchen was close, and the knife sitting by the rack gleamed.
I tiptoed my way there while the person outside was still frantically trying to open my door. When I grabbed the knife and walked towards the ingress; however, the moving stopped. Then, I heard footsteps shying away from my cabin. What the heck? Did he just… decide to dish out and go? That must've been the most demotivated asshole ever.
Still, I shouldn't let him get away!
Pulling my courage from God knows where, I snatched the knob, turned it over, and opened the door fully, ready to yell the words, "Hey, asshole! Where do you think… you're… going?"
So, bad news, the person was no longer there. On a side note, there's a bunch of kitchenware on my doorway. My stomach grumbled. I kneeled and checked each and every single thing sitting on the concoction of plates, jugs, and bowls with plastic lids before me.
"What the…" I audibly mumbled. Did they leave some food for me? And… who are they?
Though I heard it's bad luck, I stepped over the dishes and jumped to my lawn, looking around to see a sign of life inching away from my house.
I didn't see anyone, so I turned back and almost lost my train.
"They're so sweet, right?"
A couple of unsuspecting pebbles were crushed by the back of my thighs, enough to make me wait, but that's not what's important right now! I looked at the girl sitting on the bench by my patio, looking over the food in my doorway.
Scratching my back to ease the pain, I walked up the wonky stairs and asked, "What the heck are you doing in my house?!"
In case you still don't know, it's Avery, wearing her sly grin together with that musty uniform of hers.
"No kidding, Joaquin. These foods they left you look appetizing."