The gym echoed with the sound of basketballs being shot and dribbled on the ground, and the squeaking of shoes against the floor. Chatters could be heard from the students on the bench, some eating their lunches while others watched the game. The scent of sweat filled the air, mingling with the unfamiliar ambiance of the court, as I sat quietly on the bench with Zabi and Xayvion on either side. Zabi communicated with Xayvion through written notes, and though I struggled to catch all the details, their interaction intrigued me. Meanwhile, I found myself gazing out at the basketball court, observing the little kids as they passionately played the game.
The children were undeniably cute, and they reminded me of my little brother.
Suddenly, Xayvion's voice broke the silence with a tone of disbelief, catching everyone's attention. "You lied to me, didn't you? She's not really here!" He was referring to Rhaella.
I looked at Xayvion's grumpy face, contemplating whether this boy ever smiled. Every time I caught a glimpse of his perpetually annoyed expression, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance myself. I wondered if he ever smiled and what it would take to see his face light up.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I discreetly glanced at Zabi's response to Xayvion. She had written, "So, you're looking forward to seeing her?" Xayvion's reaction was immediate: he fell silent, and his face turned a deep shade of red, resembling a ripe tomato.
Zabi's laughter filled the air as she continued to write, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. I couldn't help but wonder if she genuinely enjoyed this playful banter or if it was all part of an act. While I contemplated her true intentions, I continued eating, my focus solely on my food.
Then, unexpectedly, Zabi passed me a note, her expression filled with astonishment. "Isn't he adorable when he blushes?" she questioned. I observed her face, uncertain of how to reply. Indeed, Xayvion bore a remarkable resemblance to Zabi, and his innocent flush added an endearing charm to his features, reminiscent of an innocent child. I couldn't deny that he possessed a handsome allure, one that could potentially make him popular if it weren't for his attitude. I couldn't help but ponder if Zabi wore a similar expression when she had feelings for someone.
I nodded in agreement, even though I didn't utter a word. I didn't want to lie, but telling the truth felt awkward.
Xayvion, unwilling to let it go, made an attempt to snatch Zabi's notepad. "What did you write to your idiot friend?" he demanded.
Although he called me an idiot, I couldn't bring myself to be angry with him. I was too captivated by the sight of his, which reminded me so much of Zabi. It struck me as odd that I could see him as merely another version of the rude Zabi. I couldn't help but stare at him, feeling a mix of pity and curiosity.
"I have a name for a reason. I'm Miciela," I introduced myself, my disinterested tone barely concealing my hurt.
"Who cares? I didn't ask your name," Xayvion retorted, glaring at me. Startled, I pouted, hurt by his words, and sought refuge behind Zabi. It was strange how I found solace in her, as if she were my knight protecting me.I smiled contentedly, feeling a sense of comfort in having Zabi as my ally. Instead of getting caught up in a potential conflict with Xayvion, I chose to rely on Zabi's presence and let her be my protector. It brought me joy to quietly giggle as I observed Xayvion's familiar expression of frustration and irritation.
That was the first day I had lunch with Xayvion. Despite feeling uneasy around him due to his rude behavior, I was trying to get used to it because of Zabi. It seemed like Zabi wanted Xayvion to distance himself from his bullying friends.
As the days passed, we continued eating together, but my relationship with Xayvion didn't change much. He still didn't seem to like me. Then, something significant happened—the news spread throughout the school that Xayvion and his friends had been suspended for bullying another student on Monday morning. The next day, Zabi didn't attend school for the first time.
Probably Emily reported the situation to the teacher, which led to Xayvion and his peers getting into trouble. I was also shocked by the turn of events, although deep down, I had a feeling that something like this would happen.
I felt a sense of loneliness and emptiness without her. She must have been shocked by what had happened, and it worried me. I wanted to text her when I got home, but I didn't know what to say. Lost in my thoughts, I noticed Rhaella laughing and making fun of me as I sat alone in my chair during recess.
"Isn't it a pity to have only one friend?" she taunted, intentionally walking past my table. "Though everyone is happy about Xayvion and his fellows getting suspended, don't you think the Cyrillus siblings are just the same?" With that, she continued on her way, resembling a pitiful princess. The thing I despised the most was that I couldn't even protect Zabi.
Many kids rejoiced over the news, believing that Xayvion and his friends deserved their punishment. Xayvion and his gang were intimidating and mean to everyone, especially the chubby boy. However, despite Xayvion's rudeness, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Zabi. She wanted her brother to distance himself from his bully friends, but things didn't go as planned. Clenching my hands, I stared outside at the sunny morning, trying to contain my emotions.
My eyes welled up with tears, but I fought back the urge to cry in the classroom. I took a deep breath to compose myself and redirected my attention to the food in front of me.
I unwrapped the sandwich my mom had prepared, and the delightful aroma of fresh bread and savory ham filled my nostrils, instantly making my stomach growl with hunger. I took a satisfying bite, relishing the combination of the soft bread, tangy mustard, and flavorful ham.
As I ate, Emily appeared out of nowhere. She had hurt Zabi before and never apologized, so I didn't particularly like her. Her presence suddenly made me feel tired, as if dealing with her was a chore.
"Where's your best friend?" she asked, taking a seat in front of me. I replied, lacking interest, "Probably somewhere," while I continued to munch on my sandwich, stealing glances out the window.
Emily sat there, starting to tease me. "Are you mad at me? Why are you always staring out the window? Is there something super cool out there, like an alien?" She giggled, clearly trying to provoke a reaction from me. Frowning, I turned to face her.
"What do you want, Emily?" I asked, wondering why she had sought me out.
She leaned in closer, her voice filled with curiosity. "I'm curious why you're still friends with Cyrillus. I don't mean to be rude, but there's something about her that I don't like. Even Rhaella didn't like her when they first met." Emily's gaze held a hint of intrigue, though her usual lack of concern for others remained evident. It seemed she wanted me to reconsider my friendship with Zabi.
In a hushed tone, I impulsively expressed my thoughts and opinions, "Rhaella has influenced you. She dislikes Cyrillus because she's envious of her. Zabi is both beautiful and exceptionally talented." Although I wasn't entirely certain about the accuracy of my statement regarding Rhaella's reasons for hating Cyrillus, I believed it to be true. As I became aware of what I had just said, I felt a cold sweat forming, realizing I had spoken out of turn.
Emily appeared shocked by my response, her expression transforming into one of realization that contradicted her earlier beliefs. After a brief pause, she continued, this time expressing concern over the insulting letters I had received.
"Were you the one who put those letters and the others?" I accused her, desperate to uncover the truth.
She shook her head, denying any involvement. "No, I'm not responsible for the letters. I only cleaned yours and Cyrillus's letters last time. I thought maybe Cyrillus wasn't as bad as I thought, but I was wrong. According to Rhaella, she just wants to gain favor with the teachers because she's mute," Emily explained. Her insult toward Cyrillus ignited a flame of anger within me, and I glared at Emily, refusing to let anyone insult Zabi.
"That's not true," I stated firmly, defending Cyrillus's character.
Emily was taken aback by my response, hesitantly standing up. "Then so be it," she replied before walking away.
I was left alone once again, surrounded by the cacophony of chatter and laughter. Memories flooded my mind, reminding me of the times when my first friends had rejected me.
It was a melancholic realization, but I knew I had to grow accustomed to being alone for the time being.
When lunchtime arrived, I made my way out of the bustling classroom, observing groups of friends forming around me. Unwilling to endure their pitying stares or their potential teasing, I resolved to find a solitary spot outdoors to enjoy my meal. The gym seemed crowded with students, making it an uncomfortable option. I considered eating alone in the classroom, but the thought of Rhaella's disdain for Zabi made me hesitate, filling my mind with unreasonable worries.
My gaze turned to the tall and graceful Metasequoia trees standing beside the school gymnasium. A row of sixteen of these majestic trees formed a captivating sight, lining up with elegance and poise. Alongside the gymnasium, they created a natural corridor, beckoning me with their beauty.
The Metasequoia trees, though not giants, still commanded attention with their impressive height and slender trunks. As I looked at them, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. Their lush green foliage, delicately branching out, created a canopy that provided shade and tranquility.
Finally, I summoned the courage to choose the tranquility of nature over the noisy gymnasium.
I was drawn to the calmness emanating from these tall trees. The way they stood tall and proud, their leaves gently rustling in the breeze, created a sense of peace and harmony. Their presence offered a respite from the noise and commotion of the surrounding school environment.
Among the trees, I noticed a boy with glasses seated by the first tree peacefully eating his lunch beneath the shade of a towering tree. The serene atmosphere embraced him, as if offering solace. Until that moment, I hadn't realized the peacefulness that awaited me just a few steps away.
Cautiously, I took a seat beside the boy with glasses, making sure to maintain a comfortable distance. Surprisingly, the spot I chose exuded warmth and coziness ,The sight was a balm for my senses, as the gentle breeze whispered through the branches, causing the leaves to sway in synchrony. Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting a soothing, dappled glow upon the ground below.
I glanced at the boy, noticing the visible bruises adorning his body—a testament to the torment inflicted upon him by the bullies. My heart went out to him, for he appeared just as pitiful as I felt. We shared the common trait of being shorter than others.
As our eyes met, he spoke cautiously, his voice filled with curiosity and apprehension. "What...?" he began, leaving the question hanging in the air. Panic washed over me, and my response stumbled out.
"Uh, nothing... I was just thinking that maybe you need some bandages for your bruises," I blurted out absentmindedly, regretting my words immediately.
He replied in a serious tone, "It's not that severe, though." His words halted any further attempts at conversation, and I opted to open my lunch bag and focus on eating instead.
His voice interrupted the silence once more, this time filled with confusion. "Are you... Cyrillus Xayvion's friend? I saw you with his sister," he inquired, taking a bite of his food without directly looking at me.
I clarified, "His sister is my best friend, but Xayvion and I aren't friends." A sudden realization struck me, prompting me to ask, "Are you Emily Finn's cousin...?"
He confirmed solemnly, "Yes, my last name is also Finn. I'm Marcellus Finn." As he continued eating, I observed the stark contrast between his slender frame and Emily's chubby figure. They seemed worlds apart.
"I see... I didn't know that," I simply replied, absorbing this new information.
Silence enveloped us after my response. Neither of us were particularly talkative, so I focused on finishing my meal. When I looked up, I noticed that Marcellus had already finished eating. He tidied up his area, settled back against the tree, and closed his eyes, appearing utterly relaxed.
Removing his glasses, he seemed to embrace the serenity of the moment, leaning against the tree trunk in a way that suggested it was his special spot. Observing his peaceful demeanor, I found myself contemplating a brief nap, lured by the comfort of the surroundings. Placing my lunch box beside me, I leaned against the tree, finding solace in the support it offered. Sitting upright had become uncomfortable without a resting place for my head.
As I succumbed to drowsiness, the school bell shattered the tranquility, rousing me from my almost slumber. Annoyance welled up within me, mingled with a sigh of exasperation.
I rose from my spot and noticed Marcellus still soundly asleep in the embrace of the tree. It was evident that he cherished that particular spot, finding solace in its presence. I couldn't help but wonder how he managed to sleep so comfortably in such a setting. His relaxed posture intrigued me.
Despite the deafening ring of the school bell, he remained undisturbed, as if oblivious to its call. I pondered whether I should awaken him or let him continue his peaceful slumber.
Proceeding cautiously, I called out his last name, "Finn," but he didn't stir. I tried again, raising my voice slightly, but he remained fast asleep.
It was clear that he was deeply immersed in his sleep. Approaching him carefully, I intended to gently wake him up. However, just as I was about to utter his name, he instinctively reacted, raising his hands defensively and curling into a protective ball.
Stunned and perplexed, I stood there, unsure of how to proceed. Finally, I found my voice and addressed him, "Um... I'm sorry, but the bell rang."
Realizing it was me and not a threat, his frightened expression transformed into one of relief. He was drenched in cold sweat and swiftly retreated from my presence, escaping as if he had encountered a ghost.
Left standing there, utterly bewildered, I struggled to comprehend the situation that had unfolded before me.