A new curtain was drawn, a new show began and a new chapter was flipped over. A new year began as well, it was winter again! I had spent my Christmas with Grandma's at Puerto Rico together with Rosa.
As expected, every new year came with a new beginning and new faces in schools. New students trooping in, new faces in class and new games to play as students. I and Rosa appeared in the same class again! We welcomed quite a few number of new students than usual,one of which is called Leo,Leo Buston. He seemed quite older than any of us in class, tall as expected, admirable, dark skin, black hair, flat top hairstyles, british accent, full-bodied for a teenager, pale face and yes cute smiles- I adjusted my glasses to my nose and turned away, he isn't my type, I love Brian with an under cut hair not some black flat top dude. I thought disgustingly making an expression with my face.
"Average height, slim, light skinned, blonde and long hair, you must be Alison Winston, the genius, and even if I'm to doubt, wearing those glasses tells alot about you"
"Look, these glasses are fake, okay? I addressed tapping the lens with my index fingers, and what's up with ideology of smart people wearing glasses? " I asked disgustingly, drawing the glasses close to my nose, bending my head and looking at him like the french professor in college.
He made that "I don't know" expression with his whole body," well maybe because they tend to read alot"
"Whatever" I answered nonchalantly as I laid back to the desk
"Qualities 2, they tend to be rude"
"What?" I asked as I looked up to him almost pissed
"Nothing"
"You think I'm rude right now? Go over there and ask about me" I said pointing over to the door, almost yelling
"That's fine, no need to get upset, I'm a new student and I was asked to meet you, maybe for some sort of orientation or guiding rules"
"Body expression, so wrong, Mannerism, very wrong, yunno for a new scholar with an empty brain you're rude, and why will you think I'd give you guiding rules? did you pay your fees directly to my account?"
"But, I was ask..."
"Shut the fuck up and get out! Go learn the guiding rules from the dog, they know much about it than you can ever imagine!" I yelled as I stood up to leave
"In other words, they're better than you" he drawled, feigning attention to his feet
"I hate you!" I yelled, pointing fingers at him and trying to control my anger and turned back to leave.
After classes, Leo was appointed a senior for some orientations and rules that weren't found in the school rules. I and Rosa decided to sit under a shade. it was a cold winter Monday and barbecued chicken could be the best for the weather. I thought
"What's up with Brian I haven't seen him around today?" Rosa asked
"I don't know either"
"Is he avoiding you or something? that's unusual"
"I hear he had new students in his class as well. Maybe he's probably showing off to the new girls yunno"
"C'mon, I didn't expect such a cold reply. You were going crazy during the holiday now this?"
"That spark died" I answered as I picked a leaf and shredded it into pieces and turned to look sideway, holding the tears and avoiding Rosa's contact.
At that moment, the best she could do was leave, but she stayed, massaging my hands like Brian does.
"I'm sorry!" I didn't expect Rosa to apologize, no wait, the voice sounded deep and more mannish. I turned to see who it was and found Leo holding a bottle of soda
"Mr newbie, what do you take me for? Some middle school playmate?"
"I know I was rude back then, I didn't mean to. I only doubted the principal when she said you're nice, I'm ...."
"I'm two phased, I'm nice and rude. Trust I made your doubts right.
"No you didn't, you're nicer than the smart people at my old school.
"I'm not in the mood for your tale, what do you want?
"I'm here to apologize, I came across a bottle of soda and thought of sharing it with you" He said as he offered the soda
I took it from him and emptied it to the ground, "I don't like being called "nice" makes me feel like I'm so accessible, now get the fuck out and go hang around with your class, I don't match your status" I yelled
"She's in a very bad mood now and she can be so aggressive, I apologize" Rosa pleaded
He nodded his head like a child and walked away.
"Put yourself together girl, what are you doing to yourself?"
"That dude looked me in the face and said the dogs are better than me. The he thinks he can buy me off with a can of soda? In case you bump into him, tell him mom got a free 2 years supply of soda and it's just 3 months gone"
"No need boasting around in his absence. You and I clearly knows that Brian is the reason you're acting this way, can I go talk to Brian?"
"Why? he got memory loss or something? Let the dude be, I was doing fine before I met him"
"C'mon!"
"Can we just stop talking about him, please?"
"Okay, let's go" Rosa said as she protruded her hands to me for a lift, I took it and stood up.
By morning, I stood at the entrance waiting for Rosa when Leo walked up to me.
"Hey baby girl!"
"Hey! what's up, have you by any means seen Rosa around?"
"Nope. what's up?"
"She was acting really weird yesterday, accusing me of falling in love with you, I think she likes you" I whispered
"Likes me? That's weird" he answered irritatingly
"I know right? Because she seemed wasted"
"Oops! I'll be looking around for her, do same as well"
"Sure!" I said giving him a knuckle
I stood at the entrance, throwing my eyes all around and trying to check if she'll be among the crowd.
"Alison!" Brian called out
I ignored kept throwing my eyes around
"Alison, we need to talk"
"No Brian! we have nothing to talk about, were cool and that's fine"
"No we're not"
I paused, looking at him in surprise,"What? your girlfriends finally abandoned you? You've been rejected?"
"What are you talking about?" he asked softly reaching out for my arms
"Stop it!" I yelled throwing his hands away
"Wait, are you actually going out with Leo?"
"Oh! so this is what this is all about huh? When did you suddenly care? oops! it hurts seeing me around him?"
"Hey! what's up with you both?"
"Leo, we're having a conversation" Brian warned
"What?" I asked irritatingly, " We're in no conversation, let's go" I said taking his hands to leave
"Are you okay?"
"Did you see her?"
"He's seriously gone crazy"
"What if he doesn't stop? will you give in?"
"Why?"
"I dunno I just...."
"Stop! Go meet Rosa, she's the one who likes you"
"What? You can't force me to make such decisions"
"Rosa is no such decision!"
Soon, we saw Rosa passing by, we immediately ran after her, I held her by her collar, searching for unknown answers.
"Stay away from me!" She yelled about to walk away
I dragged her back," Whatever issue you've got, sort it out, stop using me as an excuse"
"What?"
"Even if I love him or he loves anyone of us, doesn't it take two to tango? Stop using me as an excuse for whatever stupid feeling you have" I yelled as I left her collar and walked away. She stood there sobbing.
I walked to the class and met a teacher waiting at the entrance.
"Alison Winston, where's Leo?"
"He was somewhere outside, he should be hanging around"
"Hanging around? You should be really careful with your kind of association"
Right, I nodded my head and walked into the class.
During class, I noticed both Rosa and Leo was absent. I kept throwing my eyes around at class, feeling uneasy and obviously feeling guilty. Immediately after class, I scurried outside the class walking around and praying Rosa doesn't involve in another fight. I found him! Leo was with his team members but where is Rosa? I kept throwing my eyes through every corner when I saw her coming out of the lavatory, sniffing and crying. I ran towards Leo and dragged him out of his teammates.
"How could you?" I asked aggressively trying to lower my voice
"what?"
"what did you say to Rosa, I saw sniffing and crying"
"Rosa? I haven't seen her around" he answered throwing his eyes around the school, faking his search
"Stop it! you know you're not good at telling lies" I whispered as I punched him slightly
"I'm damn serious, I haven't met her"
"Do you love Rosa?"
"Alison! I thought we talked things out? Why do you keep insisting?"
"Trust me when I say, you're something else"
"Trust me when I say, you must be at the court tomorrow to watch me play" he said smiling childishly
"I hate you" I answered folding my hands and feigning anger
"I love you more" he answered, smiling and throwing kisses on the air like a 2 year old
I smiled and walked away.
By 4pm, I was at the lobby waiting patiently for Mr Hart. Rosa was still avoiding me and Leo had to rehearse for the next day's basketball competition. I didn't want to go to the rooftop alone, I didn't see any reason to clear my head, I just wanted to sleep to escape this confused feeling that was gradually eating me up.
I did not know I had fallen asleep until I heard a soft touch on my thighs.
"Are you seriously up for tormenting my life because what is this?" I asked disgustingly
"I'm sorry Alison"
"What? So kneeling down is your new bait to fool me once more?"
"Sincerely, I'm sorry Alison"
"Why, why Brian? What happened all of a sudden? I'm i so much of a joke to you? You think I'm a pair of socks you dump during summer and come running for it winter?"
"No! I'm sorry. I grew upset after you decided to spend the Christmas at your grandma's. You didn't call, you didn't message, I decided to take a break, I thought you stopped loving me, but I couldn't Alison, I couldn't stand losing you" he explained with a teary voice as he bowed his head in shame
I rested my chin on his hair and held his face "Cry, that's what makes us human,it's okay to break"
"I missed you baby" he said as he hugged me, soaking my shoulders with his tears
"I missed you more Brian. I kept having sleepless nights thinking of you, everything didn't seem right in your absence, don't leave me again, no matter what"
"I cross my heart- I hugged him more tightly as we both cried like children
I pleaded with Mr Hart to return back home while I use the subway or bus. Truth is, I wanted to walk home with Brian,I did. Our hands interlocked as we admire the beauty of the night, leaning on his broad shoulders and relating to the feeling Alice had when she was in wonderland.
"Congratulations!"
"C'mon Leo it's too early for this, what?"
"I heard you and Brian are back"
"oh! that doesn't call for such congratulations but I know you're a dramatic person, I won't mind"
"Look at her smiling so beautifully, you wanted this right?"
"Do you feel bad about it?"
"Uhm, no. I'm glad you're fine, see you today by 4"
"How can I forget, dearest alarm" I asked smiling teasingly
"Alarm? okay, not too bad"
"So you're not really going to talk about your love life?"
"Why? why are you so curious about this part of me?"
"Why won't you talk about this part of you. That's why I'm so curious"
"Your boyfriend is here, I'll see you around"
"Running away again, huh?"
"Hey, baby girl"
(smiles)" what's up"
"Free tonight?"
"Nope! Leo's basketball match is tonight"
"oh right! I'd leave for home after practice"
"Okay..."
"Call me when you're home" he said romantically stroking my hair.
I smiled and nodded
Cupid didn't forget me. Love met me again! but this happiness could never be complete with Rosa's absence. Either ways, I attended the match and found her at the court as well. I'm not a fan of athletics or sports, but for the love I have for Leo and Brian, I had to be around to cheer them up.
"How good was I?"
" So good that I regret not asking you out", I teased
"You fell in love with me huh?" he teased
I laughed it out and punched him.
"Let's go!" he said opening his arms as I fixed my hand through it and we began to walk.
"When I was 15, love came knocking at me. I fell in love with the prettiest girl in class. Smallish, smart, pretty, reserved and well mannered. Who was I ? just a little fan of Brenda whom I thought felt the same way for me not until I was rejected, why? because I wasn't as smart as her. As a naive teenager, her words ate deep into my heart. I thought I couldn't be better and I don't deserve anything good or better cos I don't match up with them. You changed that mindset, you changed me. I began to believe in myself, thank you Alison, I owe you my success. My love story"
"I'm sorry she had to put you through all of that"
"it's fine"
"I love you Leo and I'm rooting for you"
"Thank you" he said as he turned and hugged me.