ஃ✿ Chapter 7 ✿ஃ

ஃ✿ Chapter 7 ✿ஃ

My life turned all black and white, ever since I met that Angel of death. Imagine being bullied by an Angel! I walked to school like a zombie… I was totally out of it. I was getting even luckier, it started raining again and I forgot my umbrella. I didn’t give a damn, because I knew that a fatal fate was waiting for me at school, why not catch a cold and be hospitalized for a week? I started playing in the rain and dancing.

“You’ll catch a cold” a guy commented on my craziness, it was Cedrick. “I see, you finally lost it”

“No, that’s not it…” I quietly said. “My life is totally wrecked and I’m just trying to find my happy place”

We both paused for a minute… my smile soon faded, it turned upside down… I found myself crying for no particular reason. I couldn’t keep it in, my tears just started pouring down and I couldn’t do anything about it. Cedrick was surprised, yet he approached me and pulled me under his umbrella. “What are you crying for?”

“Jadrien… I want Jadrien” I cried even louder, like a baby lost in the rain. Cedrick was confused, he surely started wondering who’s Jadrien. I’ve been mentioning him to you quite a lot, but Cedrick never knew about you.

“Hush…” he pulled me to his warm chest, I was shocked… happy yet sad. “There there… calm down”

He didn’t even bother to ask who was I wanting so much… who’s Jadrien… I was hearing Cedrick’s heartbeats, their rhythm got stuck in my head, they became music to my ears. I began to wonder what side was I witnessing… this side of Cedrick I never knew existed. This freakishly beautiful, warm side that is so unpredictable and unsuspected. He smells… just like you… I wanted to be trapped in his arms forever…

“Are you still crying?” he stared at my face. He was surprised… I had this huge silly smile on my face, I was so happy and grateful. He quickly pushed me away. “You’re such a dork”

“That was the best 13 seconds of my life” I approached him happily, like I was walking on clouds. “You never told me that you’re a hugger”

“Get lost” he stepped back, his face was completely red. “I’m going to school”

I followed Cedrick to school, he was quiet and was still blushing. He kept on saying ‘leave me alone’ and stuff like that. But I didn’t care, he gave me a hug. That shows that he has a soft side after all… and I thought he was all macho and mysterious. This was my second walk with Cedrick to school, and I’m beginning to consider myself as his official girlfriend… not that he’d know anything about it…

“Where will I find you at recess?” I asked him in a sweet tender tune.

“You’ll find yourself in hell if you find me” he angrily said.

“Oh stop being all macho…” I giggled. “We all saw that sweet and caring side of yours”

He left without saying another word. I looked at him, leaving… looking all mysterious and calm. I thought about how you never gave me a hug, Jadrien. I’d die to be between your arms right now…

“Yo peasant” I heard someone calling me from somewhere behind me. The only one who addresses me as a ‘peasant’ was Angel. I wasn’t ready for anymore surprises. I turned around to look at him, he had his back rested on the wall. “I want breakfast” he smiled devilishly.

“Umm… I forgot to bring extra sandwiches…” I smiled politely and let out a little giggle.

His eyes suddenly got wide and scary. “I hope you didn’t think I was kidding yesterday” he said so seriously.

“No no… not at all” I could’ve added ‘master’ to make him feel more respected, but I thought about how much I hated this specific person… this Angel. “I do have extra money… I’ll buy you something”

He gave me that evil smile again. “Yeah that’s what I’m talking about” he said, and left his position, looked like he was heading to the same direction that Cedrick went to. I was mad, but still delightful and happy. After the hug Cedrick gave me, nothing… I say NOTHING can ruin my day…

“Haha” I heard a laugh as soon as he left, I looked around to find the owner of that offensive laugh. He popped from behind the gate… Dominique! I was like ‘Oh great, the whole party is here’…

“I saw the whole thing, wow… you are pathetic” he laughed hard at me.

“Yeah… well I’m still happy” I replied, looking all proud. “Nothing can ruin my happy mood today, not even you”

He looked confused. “It’s not you birthday, is it?”

“No… as matter of fact, it’s not” I grinned. “I walked to school with Cedrick today”

He took a long stare at me… shocked. “You did what?!”

“You heard me…” I continued my proudness, ignoring Dominique’s scary expressions. “He gave me a hug too”

Dominique approached me so slowly, making me fear for my life… but I tried to maintain my ‘proud’ pose and happy expressions. We paused. Dominique had this amazingly scary look on his face, giving me chills.

He let out a little devilish laugh. “That’s it… I’m gonna kill you right here, right now” he angrily yelled, grabbing my wet shirt.

“OUCH… let go, that hurts” I struggled, but I was no match for his man-strength.

“You cow, stealing everything” he yelled in rage, shaking me back and forwards, making me sound like a blender. “Why can’t you just get your own Cedrick?!”

“Let go of my shirt” I yelled back at him. I finally managed to shake his hands off my wet shirt. “Why do you assume that I’m trying to steal Cedrick?”

“Because Cedrick is mine, and you keep chasing him like a fly” he said furiously. “I thought I told you to stay away from him”

“Calm down, you moron… and what do you mean that Cedrick is yours?! Pardon me, but you’re acting all dramatic over a guy who happens to be your friend” I yelled back at him, trying to insult him in a none-insulty-way. “What is it with you and Cedrick?”

Dominique froze… so suddenly. I was shocked. He looked all hesitated to respond… he blushed as he bit his lips, nervously gave me a sad stare. I felt like I somehow hurt his feelings…

“Y-You SHUT UP” he yelled so unsuspectedly. “You’re a cow” he added as he ran away from the scene, leaving me all offended and feeling stupid… not to mention, confused!

As he almost disappeared from a distance, I heard his shout “I hate you” making sure I’d hear, he turned around and pointed his finger at me. I was shocked by his behavior… he was acting super immature… how old is he again?

Jadrien… there’s something about Dominique…

ஃ✿ Chapter 6 ✿ஃ

ஃ✿ Chapter 6 ✿ஃ

I dreamt about Cedrick again for the first time. Right before I get in a cool warm shower, my cellphone started ringing. I didn’t even bother to guess who it might be, I just answered it.

“You ugly cow” the first words I heard as I picked up the phone.

“Hello?” I said confusingly, wondering if it’s a prank. But I soon realized it was Dominique. “Dominique…? Is that you?”

“Yeah damn right it’s me” he replied angrily. “I was waiting patiently for Cedrick yesterday and guess what did he say when he showed up an hour late? ‘I was with Leela’ he said”

I was surprised of Dominique’s reaction, he sounded very angry with me. I knew he had a bound with Cedrick… but he sounded like he’s been stood up by Cedrick.

“You’re stupid, I thought I told you to stay away from Cedrick” he rudely scolded me with a scary serious tune. I was speechless… so I just hanged up. I received a text message a minute later saying ‘I’m gonna kill you’ giving me chills.

I was terrified to go to school, I told dad that I wanna skip school for the day, but he refused. The ‘I’m gonna kill you’ message was haunting me all morning. I reached school looking so paranoid and scared.

“Are you OK?” Serena said to me, looking worried. “You look all chocked up and frightened”

“Oh no it’s nothing” I laughed. “nothing at all… I just watched this new horror movie last night”

“I see…” she giggled, then she raised her hand to look at her watch. “Recess is a minute away… where are you planning to eat?”

“Today… I’m staying indoors” I smiled. “I’ll be at the cafeteria”

Hell yeah, I’m staying indoors. I’m not setting one foot outside the main building, even though I was planning to see Cedrick who doesn’t stay in the main building during recess. I won’t take my chances with the devil’s child, Dominique. He doesn’t seem to have any problem with hitting girls. I better be careful!

I rarely go to my school’s cafeteria, it’s so crowded and boring. Plus, the food is terrible. I waited in line anyways, I thought I might grab something new like that taco everyone’s been talking about. Luckily I got the last piece! I was so happy, I paid for it and just when I was about to turn around to go find me a seat somewhere, a huge shadow appeared behind me.

“The last taco, eh?” a guy said. “Lucky…”

“Thank you” I said proudly and delightfully, but it all cracked when he grabbed my taco with his hand and started eating it. I was surprised and instantly became so angry. “Give it back!” I yelled at him, trying to take back my taco, but he was a lot taller than me.

“Beat it, kiddo” he said with his mouth full. “Or I’ll beat you to death”

It all started coming back to me when I took a deep long stare at his face as I was reaching for my taco. He was the same guy who was punching Cedrick last week… the guy Serena told me about a few days ago, Serena’s crush… what was his name again?!

“Angel!” I said to his face, making myself sound stupid and confuse him. He froze to wonder how I knew his name. Everybody was watching and I was feeling utterly uncomfortable, and what bugged me the most is that nobody even bothered to help me.

“Wait a second…” he gave me a scary glare. “You’re that girl who stopped my winning fight with that loser, Cedrick… I remember you!”

Dear Jadrien, I got two guys trying to kill me today. I think I’ll be joining you sooner than I thought. Ain’t that great?

“Wow! You're hideous up-close” he rudely smirked. “Looks like I got myself a hideous victim this year”

“I’m gonna report you to the principal’s office” I said defensively.

“You mean my dad?” he said, totally surprising me and making me speechless. I was out of ammo… I felt like screaming in terror. “Tell you what… you bring me lunch everyday and I’ll spare your life, deal?” he devilishly smiled, and I was in no state to say ‘No’.

He grabbed my hair, preparing himself to punch me. “I said, do we have a deal?”

I was hoping I’d faint, so I wouldn’t be able to proceed with the deal. His grip of my hair was killing me, it’s hard to believe a freshman would do this to me. Help me, Jadrien…

“Deal” I squeaked, wanting him to let go of my hair.

“Great then… tomorrow I’d like a tuna sandwich, no mayo” he demanded as he let go of my curly locks and completely messing up my hairstyle. “See you tomorrow, peasant”

He left… leaving me completely humiliated and crappy. Serena seemed to have witnessed the whole thing, she rushed to me and grabbed my arms.

“That’s him, that’s him” she gushed with excitement, jumping and giggling. “He’s the guy I’m crushing on”

I looked at her shockingly. “Have you not seen what he’s done to me? He stole my taco and almost chopped my hair out”

“But he was extremely cute, right?” she squeaked happily.

I was assaulted in front of the whole cafeteria… and she’s blabbing about how cute he is?! I was extremely pissed off, staying indoors turned out to be the most ridiculous decision I’ve ever made. And Serena turned out to be the most stupidest friend I ever had.

At that moment, I hated everything around me… Lord take me to Jadrien right now!

ஃ✿ Chapter 5 ✿ஃ

ஃ✿ Chapter 5 ✿ஃ

I tried hard squeezing my brain just to remember Angel’s face. I was pretty sure he had dark brown hair, but that’s just it, the rest is blurry. I don’t even know if he’s a freshman, he was wearing his gym clothes. But I’m pretty sure he’s not a senior; he wouldn’t have picked a fight with a freshman like Cedrick if he was.

The weekend passed by so fast that I found myself walking to school on a random morning. I haven’t heard from Dominique at all. I’m starting to think that me and him could be friends, and that way, Cedrick will be my friend as well. I was also dying to meet up with Serena’s new crush, Angel. It’s amazing how she could bounce back like that after breaking up with her boyfriend. I wish I could be more like her… but no, I don’t want to be more like her. I should stick to loving just you, Jadrien.

I passed by the tennis court, hoping I’d get a glance at Angel. I thought ‘maybe if he’s cute, he can be the new Cedrick’ but I cancelled that thought so fast, hoping you won’t think I’m total loser. The court was crowded with boys practicing and playing, making it hard for me to find a guy with dark brown hair like the blurry Angel image I had in mind.

“Hey you…” a guy from somewhere behind me freaked me out. It was Dominique.

“Dominique! What are you doing here? Are you allowed to wander here in my school’s property?” I sounded like scolding him.

“Shut up you old hag… the tennis court and its surroundings are public facilities” he shoved me lightly on the head, making me feel like an idiot. “I wanna talk to you about Cedrick…”

I came to notice that Dominique always does that serious face when he starts talking about Cedrick… just like last time when he thought that Cedrick was upset with him. I was hoping it was nothing serious. “He told me how you’ve met each other…” he said aggressively.

“Ok…?” I wanted him to get to his point. “Did he say anything else?”

“He said that you’ve started chasing him ever since then” he gave me a more serious look, starting to give me chills. “So I thought I should ask… do you fancy him?”

That question was an arrow aimed directly at me, should I avoid it or shall I die? I giggled, trying to avoid answering his unnecessarily scary question. “Fancy… isn’t that like the british version of ‘like’ or so…”

He gave me a killer evil look. “You can tell me if you like him, don’t be scared… I wont hurt you” he said, making me even more nervous and scared. Dominique looked so serious about the subject. Should I go with the ‘yeah I like Cedrick’ or the ‘No, no feelings here’…?

“Are you gonna give me an answer soon? I have school too, ya know” he groused, more like ‘pissed off’ badly.

“I think I do…” I mumbled so lightly, hoping that he won’t hear my answer.

Unfortunately, he heard my answer. “You think you do?” he raised an eyebrow. “So you DO love Cedrick!”

He said it too loud and disturbingly, I instantly turned as red as my shoes. He was like pointing his finger at me and blaming me for liking a guy like Cedrick. I seriously felt like it was a crime. Dominique looked so angry and pissed off… maybe it had something to do with my truthful answer, or maybe he’s just in a bad mood and wants to take out his anger on poor Leela… I hope…

“Why are you angry?” I defensively asked, trying to lower my shame-O-meter. “Is it wrong to slightly be attracted to Cedrick or something?”

He didn’t reply. He just took a deep breath and said “I don’t want you bothering Cedrick anymore…”

I was shocked. I quickly figured out that Cedrick had a conversation about me with Dominique. Why else would Dominique say something hurtful like that. “Did Cedrick say that I was bothering him…?” I asked.

“Just stay away from him” he promoted his main idea. “If you even think about making him fall for you, I won’t forgive you”

I completely froze. The atmosphere around us turned black. Was he threatening me just now?

“Dominique… are you OK?” I asked. “You weirder than the usual today”

He just left… leaving me utterly confused and scared. I got a bit worried… Dominique seemed to really care for Cedrick, making me even more jealous. I don’t know if Cedrick really told him that I was annoying, but I had to hear it from Cedrick himself. I went to look for Cedrick later on, in our school’s main building. I thought I’d find him rushing to his class, but he was ahead of me. He was having rice balls in his classroom on his desk. I didn’t know if I should walk in, with my senior uniform. But I thought that he’d get angry anyways, so I walked in.

“Cedrick” I smiled at him. “May I have a word with you?”

He choked on a rice ball and starting coughing it out. I knew he’s get super angry, and apparently surprised. Everybody was staring, so he immediately dragged me out of his classroom.

“I need an advice on how to get rid of you for good” he angrily said. “What do you want?”

“Umm… I wanted to…” I hesitated to tell him about Dominique’s strange behavior. I tried to make up a question before he’d start punching me.

“Whatever you want… can it wait till recess?” he sighed. “I’ll be at the gym… stop by”

My mood turned upside down. Cedrick actually demanded me to meet him at the school’s gym. I was thrilled and surprised! I totally considered it as a date.

“It’s not a date though…” he spoiled my day dreams.

“Of course not” I smiled widely at him. But in my head, it’s a romantic candle-dinner date.

I slept through the first three periods, saving my energy to meet Cedrick at the gym. I still couldn’t believe it! As soon as the recess bell rang, I ran to the gym, leaving my lunch and books behind. I got to the gym so happily, I opened the door with excitement… but Cedrick wasn’t there.

I heard footsteps approaching behind me, it was Cedrick… and he seemed to just got here. “Wow… calm down… I told you it’s not a date”

I was embarrassed but I didn’t care. It was a ‘Leela and Cedrick’ moment I’m gonna have, nothing else mattered. Cedrick was in his gym clothes, which he looked as twice as gorgeous in. I had to gain control of my excitement.

“Ok… what was it you wanted to ask me?” he raised his beautiful eyebrows.

“Umm… Dominique told me this morning… that you said that I’m annoying” I blushed from my question. Hoping he’d say ‘no you’re not annoying, Dominique was lying’ or something like that. But Cedrick just froze, trying to recall the night he spent with Dominique.

“I said you were a joke… but I never said you were annoying” he crossed his arms, still trying to remember what he said.

I was happy. First he invited me to meet him at this very gym, and now he’s saying that he didn’t say that I’m annoying, but a joke. I love him!

“Let’s have a seat” he suggested and went to rest himself on the little stage we had inside the gym.

“Cedrick… I thought I should ask” I gulped before asking him. “How do you describe your relationship with Dominique?”

“Dominique…?” he looked at the ceiling, wondering how to answer. “We’re really close… like brothers, we do almost everything together, apart from studying”

“He seemed to really care for you”

“Yeah I care for him too” he smiled politely at me, causing me to blush. Cedrick looked really beautiful. I could tell that he was in a good mood. He looked so peaceful and calm, unlike the previous days.

Jealous… yeah I’m jealous. Dominique created a bound with Cedrick that is so strong and beautiful. My bound with you wasn’t like their bound at all… this makes me miss you even more and jealous of Dominique even more…

Jadrien… I wish Cedrick was you…

ஃ✿ Chapter 4 ✿ஃ

ஃ✿ Chapter 4 ✿ஃ

Dominique told me to give him my number, saying that he'd give me a call if Cedrick didn't show up at his house by that night. Apparently, he was planning to blame me for wrecking their friendship and yell at me. But I didn't receive any call that night… Cedrick probably decided to show up after all… lucky Dominique…

I spent my weekend staring at the ceiling… stretched out on my bed, recalling the unforgotten past that held me close to you. Right now… I have some endless questions for you. Should I let myself fall in love again… with Cedrick?  Is it ok if that happens?  What will happen to you then?  Will I forget about you?  Will I allow myself to forget about you…?  Will I dare…?

… I don't think so …

I got a mini heart attack when my phone suddenly started ringing. I knew it would be Dominique… but it wasn't. It was my friend, Serena. She wanted to hang out with me… more like ‘she wanted to talk with me about a serious matter’. I wasn't all interested, but I agreed to meet her at the park. Half an hour later, I saw her swinging in the park, not noticing that I came. She looked upset for some reason.

“Serena… what up?” I greeted her. “What did you wanna talk about?”

“Hey Leela...” she quietly mumbled, making it hard for me to hear. “It's about my boyfriend, Louise…”

HA, I knew it! I knew it was something to do with her ridiculous looking boyfriend. Last month, she called me to come meet her at this very spot because of her previous MUCH ridiculous boyfriend.

“Louise broke up with you, huh?” I guessed.

“Yeah…” she smiled so lightly, in a sad way. “Maybe it's for the best”

Damn right it's for the best!  Louise had a certificate for being the worst looking playboy in town. Still… Serena loved him like he’s not so bad looking. I hated Serena for always loving the wrong guys actually. Her ex ex boyfriend was a troll, but she said it was ‘love’ so I couldn’t talk her out of it. Her ex ex ex boyfriend was even worst, but I still couldn’t go against her ‘love’ nonsense. But it really got me thinking… would I still love you if you were the most hideous creature ever created on earth? Do I only love you because you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met…? I might still love you… I think…

“Leela… so how’s your love life?” she pulled my hand to forced me to sit on the swing next to her. “Have you met someone you think is cute?”

I thought about what to say… the first person came to my mind was Cedrick. “I’ve met plenty of cute boys… and I’m almost falling for a guy” I sighed disappointedly. “But I'm completely paralyzed without Jadrien… I’m afraid that if I meet another special somebody, he’s gonna disappear… I don’t want that... I want to cry myself to sleep every night”

Serena knew Jadrien’s story and my long dusty history with him. I felt her looking at me, in a ‘feel-sorry-for-me’ kind of way. And just when I started to feel comforted by a friend, she goes ahead and ruin the moment.

“Have you met anyone that suits me?”

“What?!” I snapped. “You’re such a loser, you’re looking for a new boyfriend already?”

She giggled sillily. “Come on, answer my question” she said as she shoved my swing. “You know I can never be faithful as you are to Jadrien”

I took that as a compliment. I am pretty faithful. But Cedrick is gonna ruin that, isn’t he?  I tried to recall the guys I’ve met the past few days of school. I wouldn’t dare tell her about Cedrick, I don’t want him to become Serena’s next target, so I thought I’d go with the other one. But then again… The devil’s child, Dominique, is out of Serena’s league. So my last option was to smartly avoid answering her question.

“You go to Jocelyn high too, have you met anyone interesting lately?” I smiled unsuspiciously.

“Actually… I’ve had my eyes on a certain tough guy” she giggled.

Tough guy? …Cedrick?! …Is it Cedrick?!! Say it ain’t so! She can’t have met Cedrick in these past few days of school… no, it can’t be the Cedrick I know. No way!

“His name is Angel” she giggled again, giving me a huge relief. Oh thank goodness she didn’t mean my beloved Cedrick. I was about to lose my mind for a minute there. Thank you Oh thank you lord… but who the hell is Angel?

“Do I know him…?” I asked oddly, trying to recall the names of the guys I know from my classes, but I couldn’t remember any Angels. She probably met someone from the high ranked classes, ‘cause those boys are nameless to me.

“I see him on the tennis court quite a lot, that’s where I caught his name from a recent fight he got into” she explained, causing me to freeze shockingly. “Sadly, I wasn’t there to witness the fight… I saw Angel sitting on the side bench later on, with plenty of bandages covering most of his skin, there I had the opportunity to introduce myself to him… not that he was interested, he got really pissed off”

I totally know the guy she was talking about, he was the freshman that was punching Cedrick in the tennis court the other day, the fight I tried to stop, where I met Cedrick for the first time. The guy she’s talking about was in that scene… but I had trouble remembering his face. All I could remember was his messy gym clothes and dark short hair. Was he even cute?

“He was gorgeous!” gushed Serena so happily. “He's two years younger than I am, though… do you know him?”

“I don’t think so…” I replied. I might have met him, but that doesn’t mean that I know him.

Angel… the only Angel I know is you… Jadrien.