CHAPTER NINETEEN: CHIT CHAT WITH JOHN
He turned to look at me and nodded his head and said "I am just uncomfortable talking to people I just meet and I hate sharing things with people I just meet"
I turned to look at him understanding him and for the first time since I sat beside him, he talked calmly to me "I get it now. I am sorry I didn't know" I said before focusing on my book
There were moments of silence; I started wondering whether he is still uncomfortable since he isn't saying anything.
"It is actually not your fault for not knowing. I was the one that talked to you anyhow that was why" he said as he clenched his jaws as if he was forced to say it
I can feel it since he had not been like this to me before. I hope no one threatened him
"I actually understand. Let's read" I said trying to ease the uncomfortable air we were breathing with
He didn't say anything after that; he just focused on his reading
I wondered if I should still ask the question "Can I ask a question?" I asked him looking at his side view since he is focused in his textbook
"Go on!" he answered not bothering to look at me
"Okay, so… If you don't want to answer, you can just choose not to reply to the answer" I said to him before I asked the question
He turned to look at me as if interested in the question I am about to ask him "I am listening" he said still focusing on me
"The scar, can I ask how you got it?" I asked pointing at his wound
He looked away almost immediately and sighed "why are you still on the question?" he asked not looking at me this time
"I was just concerned" I answered him
"Why are you concerned? We just met" he responded and turned to look at me slowly
"Don't think of my concern wrongly; I am not crushing on you. I am just always concern about the people around me" I said sincerely"
He looked at me and then looked away "Just exclude me from 'the everyone'" he said and flipped the page of his textbook
"I cannot exclude you because you an human being as well" I said as I shook my head at what he said
"What is it? If I was been beaten by seniors, what would have done?" he asked looking at me closely
I am just glad his voice didn't attract the class "seniors? Why?" I asked wanting to know the reason since I know mature people don't act without reasonable reason
"Why are you so oblivious in not knowing that seniors beat juniors if they don't do what they want?" John answered not bothering to look me in the eyes
I remembered Victoria telling me similar things that seniors do. So cruel of them to beat a junior and leave a scar.
"Sorry about that. Why can't you report?" I asked looking at him even though I might be sounding babyish but at least, it is something that can help
"That is the most annoying response I have ever heard" he said looking at me with an irritating expression
"I am sorry but, I think that can help"
"Again, think before you talk. The teachers aren't going to help, they will punish the senior but that doesn't stop them" he answered as he turned back to his book
"That is very bad"
"Enough with that already, it is not helping at all" he said as he brought a jotting note from his bag
I focused on my solving as I thought of what John said
"I will tell my brother to help you out" I said to him not turning to face him
You have a brother in this school?" he asked looking at my side view confused at the mention of a brother
I guess not everyone think that my brother and I look alike. I feel hurt by that somehow
"I have a brother in the senior class" I answered him as I turned to look at him
"You look like someone that should be the first born of your family" he said looking at me before turning to his book "Well, it is cool that you got a brother in the senior school" he said nodding his head
"I guess so" I shrugged
"So, what is his name?" he asked turning to look at me
"Francis, his name is Francis" I answered looking at him
"Wow, senior Francis?" he asked looking at me "Now, I see the two of you look alike" he responded as he nodded his head
"Whatever" I shrugged
"Your brother might be cool but he is sometimes cold to juniors. I like him because he is not like other seniors that send juniors on an errand like dogs and he sometimes supports juniors if the senior sends him too much of an errand" he said looking at me and smiling "he is also cheerful"
"I know him as a very responsible brother and caring one" I said to him while nodding my head in agreement to what I said and to what he said
"But needing his help is not going to help my reputation… I will have to decline your help" he said and just then the bell rang for prep over
"I hope you will be okay" I said to him as I packed my books into my bag
"I hate that you worry for me when I am okay" he said as he packed his books into his bag as well and stood up
I also stood up as I zipped my school bag "I am sorry if my concern for you is too much" I said to him as I looked at him backing his bag
"Floral, let's go" Morayo said to me as her and Victoria stood behind me
"You don't need to say sorry" he said a little uncomfortable and then looked at my friends and me saying "Bye!" and with that he left the class
"Cool, you guys are already friendly to each other?" Victoria asked smiling
"Yeah, we are closer… No worries, I will tell him about your crush for him"