02| He Sounds Cold. Is He From Antarctica?

JULIE

I take a shower and come out of the bathroom. My wet feet would fall on the creamy doormat in the middle of the floor, due to which the droplets slipping down from my body moistened it. I could care less about it. 

I make my way into my dark room and my hand reaches to turn the lights on. The room lightens with a warm orange glow, covering each corner of my room. Most of the things in my room are pink, peach and white so the orange color makes them look like they have been sunbathing. 

Walking to the closet, I take out a pair of hunter-green sweatpants with a white jacket. I pull out a white tank top to wear inside the jacket and put them on to leave the room after making my hair and turning the lights off. 

In the kitchen downstairs, I see my dad filling a cup of coffee for himself. He looks at me and passes me a smile before uttering, “Good morning, princess.” 

“Good morning, dad.” I make my way to him and press a kiss against his cheek before taking a seat beside him. He joins me and then we start munching on our food. 

“Do you have a case today, dad?” I ask when I notice him in his black attire. His gray hair is gelled, shining proudly, and his beard is set as well, unlike ruffled on other days. 

“Yes, princess. I’ll drop you for your classes as well—and yeah! Mr. Winters asked for my presence today but I said I wouldn’t be able to hold it, you understand it, princess, don’t you? So I asked him if it could happen tomorrow and he was okay with that.” I listen to him carefully while having my meal. I know in which way the conversation is going as he continues, “What’s the matter, princess?” 

I sigh, putting my spoon down and licking my bottom anxiously before telling him. “It’s about my performance, dad. Last Friday I was humiliated by Mrs. Lavigne in front of the whole class. Perhaps this matter has gone to the principal.” And to be honest, it was terrible. 

Mrs. Lavigne is my Accountancy Professor and she has a personal issue with me which is nothing but childish. We were at Victoria’s Secret, unaware of each other’s presence there. We spotted a fine piece of undergarments there and both of us loved it but it was last stock. It was pricey enough to escape from her but I bought it. 

I never wanted to show off my father’s money but I am highly obsessed with pretty undergarments so nothing could stop me from buying that flimsy piece, but my professor thought that I wanted to make her jealous and whatever, by achieving what she wanted to have. 

I could not do anything to change her mind but the very next day, she started harassing me. She always used to make fun of me in front of the class because of my low marks, knowing that I am weak in Accountancy. 

She also calls me the spoiled child of a rich father, which I could not bear once, and scratched her face. The whole class rejoiced to see the drama and some were even surprised to see this because I never speak in class, remain silent, and do not talk to anyone except my cousin Blue and her brother. 

It was unexpected by everyone and the very day, I received punishment. 

Since that day her hatred for me has skyrocketed. 

What can I do now? Someone had said that a woman’s mind is in her knees — perhaps they must have said this only after seeing Mrs. Lavigne, then it does not matter at what time this proverb was said. 

My dad chuckles, shaking his head. “I won’t say you were wrong that day!” He laughs after that, throwing his head back and I join him, unable to hold the bubble of laughter about to burst inside me when I see my dad. 

“But that’s childish, dad! She humiliates me every day!” Because Accountancy is a subject which needs a lot of practice, just like maths. “And last Friday she tore my test paper too,” I almost cried, remembering that day. 

“If you want, we can complain, how’s it? And being a lawyer, I know we’ll win.” 

I laugh at what my dad says while wiggling his brows. He is always by my side, no matter what, and I admire him the most. He is easy-going and funny, the reason why I chose him when the judge asked my opinion. I never liked my mother’s behavior and the way she said bad words to my father whenever they quarreled over small matters before the divorce. 

Yeah, my life is kinda tangled but it becomes smooth the moment I am with my father. 

“No, dad.” I sigh. “Blue already tried to do it last Friday, and Mr. Winters said he’ll investigate the matter. I don’t know what’s next.” I take the ready-made cup of my green tea and small sips of it make me feel good. If Blue were here, she would surely say, 'Ew, how can you drink it?' while making a face like a spoiled tomato. 

“Okay, princess.” He puts his coffee cup down which is empty by now. “Today it’ll not be possible, I’ll definitely go to meet him tomorrow.” He gets up then and I follow him, putting the dishes in the sink. 

“You wait for me outside, I’ll come in a few seconds.” 

I nod and leave the house with my bag. I reach the parking lot of my house and wait for him, standing next to his black Audi Q7. He comes back in a minute and gets into the car while I follow the passenger seat. 

There was no talk between us on the way. I do not like to talk most of the time. It seems that seventy percent of the eighteen years of my life have been spent like this — ignoring the people around me. 

My problem is that I get zoned out a bit too quickly. The nature around me with freedom fascinates me. Just like now. 

I keep staring at the sky through the window. My elbow is perched on the window of the car while I dreamingly look at the sky. It is beautiful and blue. The white clouds are like islands there, blackbirds spreading their wings around. I cannot stop admiring it. 

I did not even realize when my destination arrived. My dad informs me about that because he knows my problem. I nod and get out of the car. 

“Have a great day, dad,” I say, earning myself his dazzling smile. Even at the age of forty-five, my dad looks smoking hot — as many of my classmates say. They drool over him shamelessly, just like now, as I watch the girls around me gawking at my dad. 

“You too, love. Take care!” And with that, he drives away. Sighs of disappointment escape from the girls around me. 

“Hey, Jules! Good morning!” A voice from behind squeals and then the girl jumps onto me from behind, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. Her floral scent engulfs me. 

“Good morning, Blue. You don’t have to lunge onto me like a monkey every time,” I murmur and grab the chance to turn around when her hold becomes light around me. 

“Whatever!” She rolls her eyes, while I take a glance at her. She is wearing a white knee-length frock with red small hearts scattering over it. There is a red cardigan over it. A black bag hanging over her shoulder and a pearl necklace wrapped around her neck. Not to forget, there are heart-shaped glasses with red frames covering her eyes. 

Gosh! She is such a Lolita! And a huge fan of Lana Del Rey, just like me.

“Anyway, let’s get inside!” She holds my right wrist which is hidden under the white long sleeve of my jacket. It is not tucked up to my elbow just like my left sleeve. That is how I wear clothes! Such a shame! 

“Didn’t Jeremy come with you?” I ask, following her to our classroom. Jeremy is her elder brother and he studies with us, in the same year. Jeremy’s thought is like a gust of wind, that comes unnoticed. 

“Oh, he’s in the classroom already. I was delaying getting ready, so he left me and came.” Her tone sounds serious and annoyed at the mention of her brother. No doubt they fight a lot. And sometimes things go so far in the fight that Jeremy pulls Blue’s hair to take revenge, due to which Blue sits two seats ahead of him. She loves her golden hair. 

“Oh-okay!” I answer quickly and it is the moment we step into our classroom. The class calms down for a moment and starts making noise again. Even after passing the twelfth, the passion to create riots is still riding on their heads. I knew from such a habit of all of them because half of them had studied with me last year. 

“Look, there’s the monkey, flirting with Nicole.” She nudges to the front and I see Jeremy at his signed seat, smirking at the girl sitting before him and talking with him. He is playing with the blue strands of her hair as well, his eyes darting to her face. 

“Such a bastard, staring at her lips!” 

Oh, lips? I did not notice though. 

I just ignore Blue and walk to him. I sit behind him, which is my assigned place because there is a window next to me that is always open and the air entering through it makes me smile every time. 

“Oh, Jules, good morning, sweetheart!” He stands up and wraps his arms around me to give me a kiss on my cheeks. Ew! I wipe the invisible saliva off my cheek. He giggles. 

“Good morning, Emy!” I say, sitting on my chair. He sits as well, while my eyes accidentally catch Nicole making a sour face before turning away. I sigh. That is not something new. 

“Call me Jer, Jules! Emy is so feminine!” He complains, scrunching up his nose. I bite back a smile because it will lead to a terrible laugh. 

“Emy is prettier,” I murmur, biting my bottom lip. 

“Emy is prettier,” he mimics, making a funny face. A short laugh leaves me. He laughs as well and the very next moment, he pushes himself closer to my face which leaves me baffled as I stare at him wide-eyed, because such actions make me uncomfortable. 

“You know I saw a new professor outside the principal’s office. I think Mr. Winters decided to replace him with Mrs. Lavigne!” He whispers against my face while his hot breath hits my lips. 

“Oh,” my voice is barely audible. I pull myself back, nodding my head. “It sounds good.” 

“Yeah!” He grins, pulling himself back and I am glad. “If it’s true, then I have to praise Blue for her extra rants about Mrs. Lavigne which she told Mr. Winters!” He laughs again, turning completely to face me. 

“She did it?” 

“Yes!” He nods proudly and I have to believe him because Blue has some personal issues with Mrs. Lavigne. The lady spilled some coffee on her brand-new Lolita shoes once, so I can expect Blue to rant extra about Mrs. Lavigne. 

“Anyway, Blue is still dumb!” He laughs. 

“I heard you, Emy!” She emphasizes the name and I look behind, finding her sitting there. 

“Shouldn’t you be before Nicole?” Jeremy ignores her, asking a question. Jeremy always tries to ignore any cause of the fight between them because he has his crushes around. I think half of the college girls are his crush, including educators and seniors.  

“No. A bitch is already wagging her tail there!” 

“That was loud, Blue!” I interrupt, glaring at her. Her loud mouth can get us into trouble. 

“I don’t care!” 

But Jeremy laughs and looks at the brown-eyed girl before Nicole. “What the fuck! She’s Marinette, my crush!” 

“One of your crushes!” Blue reminds him. 

“Whatever!” He rolls his eyes, just like his sister. After all, they are twins. He has the same golden hair and green eyes to die for. He has an amazing physique as well because he is obsessed with football. He is a member of the college football team as well and some girls are even head over heels for him. But unfortunately, they are not what he desires. 

“Morning, Mrs. Lavigne.” 

I stand up along with the students, still looking down because I am not in the mood to look at her face which is like a crumpled sheet and she tries to hide it hard with a thick layer of make-up. 

“Morning, students.” Her voice sounds weary when she says, unlike other days when she is energetic, barking at me every time. 

We sit and I release a small sigh. Jeremy’s hand reaches up to my desk and he leaves a pink packet with a short note saying, ‘It’d help you’. His electrified penmanship makes me frown but I ignore it, taking the small packet and unwrapping the pink substance from it. 

I look around for confirmation if anybody’s watching me, then I bend slightly and push the sweet chewing gum into my mouth, sighing in contentment. 

With a satisfied smile I earn after I chew the soft thing, I look up at the teacher, eventually finding a man standing next to her whom she was introducing to the class. 

Oh! And I missed the introduction! 

Well, the man standing next to her is handsome. He has dark eyes, just like his hair which is gelled perfectly and shining so bright under the sweet sunlight entering the room through his right and crashing against the side of his frame. How this bright? Did he just put the whole bottle into his hair? 

He is wearing a pair of navy blue suits, and a light blue shirt inside his jacket which is clear before our sight as his jacket is not buttoned up. There is a matching tie around his neck which is tied perfectly. His shoes are shining just like his hair and even the color is the same! Black! Lol!

“What, Ms. Dawson? Did I crack a joke a moment back?” Her sharp voice is back, taunting me right there. I think she was just looking for a chance or else how can Mrs. Levigne miss the golden chance of humiliating me? I did not even realize when I took my joke too seriously to crack a laugh in the middle of her lecture. 

“Silly student.” She continues, ignoring me as I did not answer her but just looked down. I am glad this lady does not run before me to answer her every time. 

“So I hope you’ll be more careful. I must repeat, Mr. Taylor is a great educator, so do not disappoint him, am I clear?” 

“Yes, Mrs. Levigne,” the class bellows. 

“Where’s your answer, Ms. Dawson—oh sorry, how did I forget that princess Dawson’s mouth is busy chewing gum!” 

The class laughs at my insult while I roll my eyes. 

“This type of behavior is NOT acceptable, Ms. Dawson, I can make the principal rusticate you for behaving this way!” 

Fuck off! But I cannot say it loudly. Sad life. 

“Did you understand?” She yells again. What’s her problem? Well, I should not forget. 

“I understand, Mrs.—”

“Great!” 

She did not even let me complete it! And I heard a snicker from behind me. I cannot be sure who she was because the majority of this class has a disease of laughing at my raw insults. 

And finally satisfying herself with the start-up of her day by insulting me, she leaves. The smirk on her lips could not escape my sharp eyes. 

The door releases a soft sound when it shuts off and now the man standing in front gains our full attention. 

He puts his stuff down on the desk before turning and saying, “As Mrs. Levigne has introduced me, I’m Nicholas Taylor, your new Accountancy professor.” 

Oh! This is what I missed! 

“My hard work will encourage you to do better, and in return, I want your sharp presence of mind. I don’t want to catch anyone daydreaming in the middle of class. I demand respect…”

“He sounds cold. Is he from Antarctica?” Blue whispers from behind me, chuckling right after cracking that joke and making me chuckle as well, but not too loudly. 

“Ms. Red, I don’t like my students having a kitty party when I’m telling them something. Keep that in your mind!” 

After all this, the girl behind me tries to clear something. 

“It’s Blue, sir. Blue Bradley.” 

Mr. Taylor cocks his brow and slants his head when he listens to Blue. His arms cross over his solid chest — muscles bulging because of the smooth movement, as he stares at her before landing his sharp and blank gaze on me just to avert it the very next moment. 

“Well, your appearance says something else.” And there, the class burst into laughter except for me and Jer—oh, he is laughing, too. Blue is the only one except me who is not laughing because of course, who laughs at their own insults? 

“Stop it, class!” He commands and everybody stops laughing. “And I want each of you to follow my rules, is that clear?” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Great! Let’s start the class now!”