ஃ✿ Chapter 10 ✿ஃ

ஃ✿ Chapter 10 ✿ஃ

This morning, I glimpsed from a distance, a guy standing near the school gates. As I approached slowly, I realized that it was Angel. He had some sorta long bat in his hand. I quickly rushed the other way, escaping the demon’s frightening punishment… and its solid bat. I couldn’t resist looking back to see if he notices me, unfortunately he did see my great escape, and decided to run after me.

He began chasing me, so I got more terrified. “Come back here, Peasant!!!” he yelled as he increased his speed, and I increased mine. “You can’t escape me!!!”

I began yelling in terror, I could see the neighbors complaining from their windows and shouting “Keep it down, you kids” but I couldn’t stop myself from yelling in fear. He chased me all the way backwards, I even passed my house. I was too scared to get tired, I kept turning my head back to see if he’d given up the chase already, but he looked all fired up, making me fear for my life even more. “I’m gonna kill you” he yelled at me, almost catching my backpack.

On the way, I was surprised when I saw Cedrick cluelessly walking to school, “Cedrick, HELP ME!” I yelped as I went pass him, he certainly got confused when he saw Angel running after me. I proceeded with my yelling and running, hoping that Cedrick would come to my rescue. We went so far with the running and chasing, that I tripped on what seemed to be a small anthill. My face reached the ground first, and so, I was flat on the ground. My right knee was scratched, though it didn’t hurt much… but I decided to freeze on the ground, hoping that Angel would take pity on me, and eventually… won’t harm me.

He approached me. “What are you doing?” he said while catching his breath, sounding exhausted.

“Pretending to be dead so that you’d leave me alone…” I murmured in hesitation, really hoping that he’d leave me alone.

“Pretending to be dead…?” he laughed. “I’m not a bear, you know”

I was surprised by his intelligence, he must be familiar with bears. He continued to laugh at me, I still didn’t dare to budge. “Come on, hit me already… get it over with” I depressingly said, hiding most of my face between my arms.

I heard his footsteps approaching… and my heartbeats racing. “I can take the pain…” I squeaked as I curved up, I shifted my body and hugged my knees… getting ready to bear the pain. I waited for a fist or a kick… at least something painful… but he didn’t give it to me. He just stood next to my curved up body without making a single move, for a couple of minutes. I was beginning to think he left or something… but I could hear his exhausted breathing. I thought about checking up on him to see if he was Ok or something.

“You Ok?” he softly kicked my backpack, probably feeling responsible for my injuries. “Get up, you’re beginning to look pathetic…”

“I’ll get up when you leave” I said, my head was still hidden between my two great towers… my arms. I was afraid he’d get more angry and step on me, but I thought I’d be more stubborn with him. He’s not the boss of me… is he?

“I’m not leaving till you get up” he insisted, sounding all impatient.

“You leave, I get up” I insisted, making him super furious.

“You’re gonna get up right now, or I’ll kill you” he roared furiously and impatiently, he started pulling me up by grabbing my wobbly thin arms and causing me pain. “ON YOUR FEET, COME ON” he continued to bellow.

“Ow! You're hurting me, let go” I whined in pain, struggling and refusing to stand on my feet. He soon got tired and released my arms, causing me to fall again flat on the ground, back to my old position. He, on the other hand, fell backwards and landed on his butt.

“You are freakishly stubborn” he hissed angrily at me. “Fine, you won’t get up… I’ll sit on you” he sat comfortably on my back, all his weight was painfully heavy for a skinny freshman.

“Ow ow ow…” I cried out in pain. “Get off me, your weight is crushing me”

He let out his evil victory laugh and made himself comfortable, “Sorry peasant, I tried dieting…” he smirked. I pushed him off to the side and he fell on his back, I took deep breaths and was relieved from the pain. “OUCH, you loser” he yelled at me. “Look at my shirt, it’s ruined!”

“Get your legs off me, I’m late for school” I pushed away his legs and got up on my feet, at last. “You crazy mad man, you shouldn’t have chased me all the way here, now we’re both late for school”

“HA, you’re the crazy lunatic… you left me with an empty stomach yesterday, after I specifically told you that I was broke and needed your money” he pointed his finger angrily at me. “You’re lucky I lost my bat on the way, I would’ve skinned you alive”

“Is that all you do…? Think about your personal benefits and completely ignoring the fact that I’m a human being and I have a life too?” I gave him a pitiful look. “Do you even know my name?”

“Your name…?” he looked confused and shocked. “Your name…?” he repeated his phrase while scratching his head. “That’s weird… I thought I knew your name since I’ve been bullying you for a week now… Fatima? no, no that’s not it…”

“See… because you’re not treating me like a person” I raised my eyebrow at him and crossed my arms. “Being the heir of the school and having all that power must really got into your head, I don’t mind if you’re gonna keep making my life miserable… but you could at least spare the humiliation and remember your victim’s name”

“Shut up and give me your stinking name” he angrily blushed. I bent down and picked up his customary white cap, it got a bit dirty so I patted it gently to get rid of the dust. I looked at his unfairly handsome face, his cheeks were strawberry pink and his eyes were golden. He was looking directly at me, exploring every inch of my face. I don’t think I ever got a better view of his face… than that moment. Same thing goes to him, he looked like he was looking at me for the first time.

“Leela” I said as I gave him a friendly smile.

“What did you call me?” he said in a little temper.

“Leela… that’s my name” I gave him another friendly smile. He was in mute mode, he didn’t reply and was looking deeply in my eyes. He started to make me feel utterly uncomfortable… We both paused, looking at each other…

“You have big green eyes… like a frog” he muttered in amazement, I was shockingly insulted. He immediately added “Take it as a compliment”. To tell you the truth, his compliment totally insulted me, but I thought it was nice of him that he noticed.

“Thank you, Angel…” I faked a smile.

I got over his annoying comment about my eyes when we ended walking to school in silence. I earned a great complimentary and angry long lecture from the head teacher, but Angel told him to let me off the hook this time. I was grateful… yet surprised. Is it me… or is Angel beginning to act like an angel…?

… Does that mean I’m off Angel’s hook too…?

“Bring me a sandwich tomorrow” he said, before he left the head teacher’s room. I guess he’s not an ‘angel’ after all…

ஃ✿ Chapter 9 ✿ஃ

ஃ✿ Chapter 9 ✿ஃ

I didn’t give a damn about Dominique anymore, you wanna know why?! Because Cedrick started treating me like a girl! As crazy as it sounds, he even started laughing on my lame jokes! I was so happy and thrilled to go to school this morning, forgetting about the crucial fate that has been awaiting for my arrival.

“Peasant, I want my sandwich” said hell’s most favorite demon, Angel. He has been bullying for a while now, not that I care… I actually started to enjoy making extra sandwiches every morning, ‘cause I get to spit on the ones I give him. “Oh wow peasant, what a pleasant smile you got there! Somebody’s in a good mood today” he gave me an evil smile as usual, I was forced to wipe off my pleasant smile.

I handed him his sandwich. “Here’s your bologna sandwich, no mayo” I huffed, he pulled it out of my hand and began chewing it down… along with my spit. “Anything else?”

“Yeah… I'm broke today” he said with his mouth full. “I might need you to buy me lunch from the cafeteria today, I don’t want you disappearing during recess. Do I make myself clear?”

I really wanted to punch him, pound his unfairly handsome face with a good smack. He was bossy and evil… he’s more evil than Dominique! I hated his guts. Being the principle’s son and the school’s heir must be one heck of a job. He snapped his fingers, waking me up from my daydreams. I immediately nodded as usual. The bell soon rang, so I was heading to my classroom, but something stopped me halfway there. Outside the window on my left, I glanced at a red-haired guy, he looked like Dominique! As soon as I approached the window, I confirmed that it was the one and only red-haired guy I know, Dominique. I noticed that he was having a loud conversation with Cedrick. I peeked quietly trying to hear what they were saying. Dominique looked angry, unlike Cedrick, who was strangely cool and calm…

“I can’t believe you… being all cool with that hideous girl…” groused Dominique so angrily, looking like a mad man. I knew that he was grousing about none other than the only hideous girl he knows… that is me.

“Calm down, Dominique… I can’t see where’s the problem in making new friends” Cedrick replied, scratching his lovely hair, and making me feel so special… hearing him defending me. I was happy!

“Dear Cedrick… WE HATE HER, remember?” Dominique yelled back at Cedrick, furiously approaching him. “She’s no friend… she’s a girl, she could make you fall for her… do you want a girlfriend… Cedrick?” he gulped, slowly lowering his voice tune.

Cedrick didn’t reply… I was rolling on the floor with happiness. Cedrick didn’t say ‘No’ or even defended himself… I was filled with gratefulness and joyfulness. Oh sweet, sweet Cedrick! I loved him twice as hard…

After a few seconds of rolling with joy, I felt the atmosphere changing outside the window… I peeked again, Dominique had a very shocking expression on his face. He looked terrified. “… Cedrick?” he gulped… in terror. Looking at him gave me a uncomfortably scary feeling for some reason.

Cedrick paused. He looked all hesitated to respond to Dominique’s serious tune. “It’s just… you been keeping me away from people, especially girls, for as long as I remember…” Cedrick looked away, giving Dominique his back. Dominique looked even more terrified. “I-I’m sorry… I’m just thinking too much…” Cedrick said immediately.

For some reason, I wasn’t happy anymore… I couldn’t be. Cedrick looked awfully sad, and Dominique let out a little laugh. I stared at Dominique’s face… I saw tears running down his cheeks. He was crying.

“So it’s all my fault now, eh?” he muttered. “I’m the one who’s keeping you inside a box…”

Cedrick turned back to Dominique, gently trying to grab his shoulders. “I’m sorry, Dominique… I didn’t mean to upset you…” he said, but Dominique quickly stepped back, avoiding Cedrick’s hands. He wiped his face with his arms, crying even louder. Cedrick got ahold of Dominique’s wrists, making Dominique struggle to wipe his tears. “Dominique… stop it…”

I paused… they paused… everything else just paused. In that moment, it felt like everything in the world just stopped moving, except for Dominique’s tears… he almost stopped crying, but couldn’t resist making that enchanting sad face… the saddest face I’ve ever seen.

“I don’t want you to fall in love with Leela…” he weeped.

I was left in astonishment, feeling the urge to cry as well. The outlook of Cedrick grasping Dominique’s wrists in silent and Dominique in pain… was so magically sorrowful. I never seen Dominique so miserable, I wished he’d stop making me feel so horrible with his miserable face. In that moment, I felt like I was the bad guy in this whole situation. I wondered how Cedrick’s gonna respond…?

He took deep breaths, he started showing a little sad smile. “Anything for you Dominique… if it’ll make you happy, I’ll stop seeing Leela” he gently started rubbing Dominique’s hair, the same way he rubbed mine once before.

I wondered was I still jealous of Dominique…? This conversation made it clear that he was jealous of me too. I always knew that… but I never used to care. We both wanted to keep Cedrick all for ourselves, not caring about each other’s feelings. We were selfish… I was selfish. Still, I wonder why would Dominique want to keep Cedrick all for himself…? Can’t we share?

I was traumatized when I got back home that day. I was absent-minded for the whole day. Better yet, that night, right before I closed my eyes to count sheep in bed to sleep, I remembered my dreadful date with Angel. I felt a sudden fear that I might die tomorrow… I started crying and praying that I’d die in my sleep, so I won’t get to face Angel’s consequences.

ஃ✿ Chapter 8 ✿ஃ

ஃ✿ Chapter 8 ✿ஃ

I had trouble falling asleep that night… thinking about Dominique’s problem with me. What does he has against me? What about Cedrick? Does he see me as a threat to his relationship with Cedrick? … I hope not…

I went to school, hoping I’d meet up with Cedrick again… and yup, there he was! Right ahead of me, sliding his smooth fingers through his beautiful blond hair. I thought about surprising him… then again, he looked like he’s in a bad mood.

“Cedrick, good morning” I waved my hands at him. He didn’t bother to turn around and look at me. I thought maybe there’s something wrong with my voice, since he didn’t reply at all. I tried again “Cedrick, Hello!”

“I heard you the first time…” he sighed as usual. “… Hi”

He looked awfully annoyed when I stared deeply at his angel-like face. He was pretty quiet as I began to wonder what could be the cause of his crappy mood today. Maybe he was still embarrassed from the hug he gave me the other day… or maybe he just got himself in another fight with those silly boys from gym… like Angel.

“What’s wrong, Cedrick?” I asked, trying to investigate. “You look pretty annoyed… it’s not me, is it?”

He took a deep breath. “No… it’s not you… well, not this time anyway…”

“Then who? Who dares disturbs the mighty beloved Cedrick?!” I said heroically, trying to boost up his happy level. And it surprisingly worked! He let out a little laugh, but soon turn into an upsetting smile.

“It’s Dominique… we had a fight” Cedrick said in a sad tune, I recalled Dominique’s strange behavior yesterday. “He has been acting really weird lately…” he added. “I told him what’s his problem with having new friends, and he suddenly got really angry and kinda insulted you…”

I raised an eyebrow. “He insulted me…?”

“Yeah, which is weird… ‘cause we weren’t even talking about you… he just kept on bring your name randomly to the subject, every example he gave me was based on your stupidity… Leela this and Leela that…” he explained. “I’m getting sick of hearing your silly name”

I thought he’d say it in a ‘pissed-off’ tune, but he was actually laughing. I joined his laughter, which was so adorable, though his laugh sounded a bit sad and unserious… but I was happy to laugh with him anyway.

“I never get tired of hearing your name… Cedrick” I giggled. “Cedrick… what does it mean?”

“I thought it was cool too… not until I looked it up” he looked away blushing. “Cedrick means ‘A gift of splendor’ or something like that…”

I fell in love with his cherry pink cheeks, his beautiful silky blond hair tickling them… making him look utterly cute. When I first met Cedrick, he was hot and insanely handsome… but now, he’s just innocently cute and adorable. If he keeps this up… I might completely fall under his spell…

“I’d say… you’re more like a gift from heaven” I giggled, he looked confused… my face soon became plain emotionless. You suddenly jumped into my mind when I said ‘heaven’ and I believe Cedrick noticed my sudden silent. A gift from heaven… I wish I’d use that phrase again on you someday… if Cedrick was you right now, that would mean the world to me…

“Leela…” he approached, taking a good long stare at my face. He paused before asking “Are you crying again…?”

I reached for my cheek to find a cold tear running down my right cheek… I haven’t noticed it. I was crying…

“Oh… stupid eyes…” I giggled, quickly wiping my tears away. “Something must’ve gotten in my eyes”

Cedrick sighed heavily. “Is it ‘Jadrien’ again?”

Unexpectedly coming from Cedrick, I completely froze. I felt terrified… how on earth does he know your name?! I haven’t mentioned you to him… have I…?

“I remember the last time I’ve seen you crying… it was raining” he said quietly. “Luckily for you… it’s gonna start raining again”

We both looked at the sky. The first drop fell between my eyes… I felt unwanted, broken, lonely… now that Cedrick knows about you… he’ll never want me… I ran off by my own, leaving him and his long stare at the sad grey sky…

He immediately noticed me leaving. “Hey… Leela!” he called me out as I continued to run. I was sure he wasn’t gonna run after me, I never wanna cry in front of him ever again… but I heard his loud footsteps running towards me, approaching me, almost reaching me… I tried to run my fastest, even though I knew I could never compete against his mans speed. It didn’t take long before he grabbed the back of my shirt, causing me to fall flat on my face… what makes it more painful, Cedrick fell on me, all his weight was crushing me… though it didn’t hurt me one bit…

I cried out loud as I hugged the ground, hiding me face between my arms. “Ow… my knees…” Cedrick groused as soon as he got off me.

“Leave me alone…” I cried, refusing to budge. Cedrick tried to pull me up on my feet, but I curved up on the ground, completely refusing to get up. I cried even louder every time he pulled my wrist…

“You’re acting like a baby, get up” he demanded so seriously, trying to pull me up and force me to stand. “It’s starting to rain, you’re gonna get all dirty and filthy”



“If it’s Ok to ask… who’s Jadrien…?” he asked so quietly, making me even more nervous. “It’s Ok if you don’t wanna answer…”

I was still hugging the ground and crying, though I let out a small mumble, “He’s just somebody… who’s supposed to be mine…”

We both paused. The rain started to pour down so heavily. “I hope you’re not planning to rot in here” Cedrick poked me on the head, probably making sure I was conscious. I thought I should get up before getting all muddy and filthy. Cedrick had an umbrella, he pulled it out of his backpack. “Are you thinking of joining me…?” he said in a demanding tune, sounding like he’s insisting that I should join him.

We both walked in silence. I was on mute mood… and I was not planning to say anything else. I was ashamed of myself, I wanted to be buried alive… Cedrick might think I’m a total dork right now. I took a quick glance at his face, he looked like he had plenty of things in mind he wanted to ask me.

“I-I’m sorry, Cedrick…” I blushed, in an ashamed kinda way. “I won’t blame you if you think I’m a total weirdo…”

“I’m not surprised… Dominique referred to you as a cow” he giggled. “From now on… I won’t bring out the ‘Jadrien’ subject, I wouldn’t want you to cry, would I?”

He smiled so sweetly at me, rubbing my wet hair… making me feel like a little puppy… the most luckiest puppy in the world…