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2024-10-29 19:42:56Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.
~Steve Jobs
It was Monday and just as I had hoped the rush had cleared on most parts of my body except for my face but it was not as bad as before, I could hide my face with a mask.
My mother an Arnold dropped me off at school and I walked into the premises going straight to my locker so I could get the books I needed for the first 3 periods.
“Hey hot stuff.” Marcus grinned slamming my locker shut. If I hadn’t moved away quickly he would have hurt my hand.
“Ooh she’s quick.” One of the guys he was with teased.
“Leave me alone.” I told them.
“What will you do if we don’t?” He taunted pushing me against the metal locker.
My back hit the locker with a lot of impact and I knew it was going to leave a mark.
“What, can’t speak anymore.” He taunted coming closer.
“Leave her alone you jerks!” A feminine voice growled from behind causing the group of guys attention to shift from me to her.
“Excuse me?” Marcus glared moving away from me and towards her.
“You heard me asshole.” She spoke confidently.
“You little-”
“What’s going on here?” Raphael and another guy asked appearing out of the blues.
“Your asshole friends are picking on an innocent girl.” Emilia told them.
“Shut up you little slut.” One of the guys snarled causing the one beside Raphael to grab and throw him to the growled.
“Disrespect my girl again and I’ll snap your neck.” He warned and the guy nodded with fear.
“Marcus you and the boys go to the gym, I’ll find you there.” Raphael told him while holding the other guy back from doing any more harm.
Not saying anything Marcus and his gang went their way.
“Are you ok?” Emilia rushed to my side.
“I’m fine. Don’t touch me.” I moved away from her when she stretched her arm forward to touch me.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Raphael asked eyeing me intensely.
“I’m fine.” I responded and turned back to my locker, getting the books I would need, I closed it and started making my way to my first class.
“She doesn’t look ok.” I heard Emilia whisper.
“She said she is, give it a rest.” Her boyfriend responded.
“But babe-”
“But nothing Em, mind your own business.” Raphael told her.
Rolling my eyes I went entered my first class and took a seat at my usual spot which was the first desk in the middle column. After a few minutes students walked in and settled before biology teacher walked in.
Half way through the lesson, I my head begun to ache but I ignored it because my focus was centered on taking down points the teacher that I thought were important and would prove to be useful when I studied the topic at hand. Two crimson droplets fell onto the crisp white page of my notebook, I quickly rose my brought my hand to my nose to check if I was bleeding and I was. The flow of blood increased quickly and without asking for permission I rushed out of the class to the ladies room.
“Darn it.” I groaned washing my nose and trying to stop the bleeding but it only got worse.
“Are you ok?” The pink and purple haired girl I had snapped at when I run out of the gym asked after stepping out of one of the stalls.
“Yeah.” I nodded.
I was not ok, my back was hurting from being pushed into a locker earlier and the pounding headache was not making anything better, my head felt like it was splitting into two. My energy was drained so I was bent against the sink for support. I normally would never lean against these sinks especially after seeing people having sex on them but I was weak and desperate, if it wasn’t holding me up I would have fallen to the floor.
“Are you sure?” She repeated.
“Yeah.” My voice was a mere whisper.
Taking deep breaths I splashed some water on my face and stood up straight. With blurred vision and very little energy, I turned and started making my way to the door.
“Hmm.” I groaned slowly opening my eyes.
“Good, you are finally awake.” The nurse smiled when my eyes were fully open.
“Where am I?” I asked sitting up.
“The sickbay.” She answered and proceeded to check my vitals. “Do you remember what happened to you?”
“Not really, the last thing I recall is me walking out of the ladies room.” I answered.
“Well you passed out and your friends brought you here.” She told me.
“I need my backpack.” I told her.
“I think one of your friends is having it.” She told me after looking around. “Excuse me for a bit, I have to call your parents.”
“That won’t be necessary.” I spoke quickly. “I just need to take my medication and I’ll be fine.”
“Sweetie you passed out, your parents need to come and take you home.” She explained but I shook my head in protest.
“I’m fine, I just need my medication, I have lupus, this is normal, I don’t want to worry my parents when the situation is not as serious.” I protested. “I just don’t want them to start panicking, they already worry enough about me.”
“Ok, I won’t call them but I’ll have your friends bring your bag and I’ll monitor you for a few more hours.” She sighed in surrender. “I’ll be back.”
She left and I lay my head against the pillow because it was still aching.
After a few minutes she returned with my bag and I took my medication. She monitored me for a few more hours and only allowed me to leave after she was convinced I was alright and had eaten a meal meant for 2 people.
Coming out of the nurse’s office I made my way to my last class. I didn’t learn much because it was almost over when I joined. After the class the girl with pink and purple hair walked up to me.
“Hey, are you better now?” She asked concerned.
“Yeah, the nurse told me you took me to her office when I passed out, thank you.” I offered a small smile.
“You’re welcome.” She returned the smile. “Jasmine, my name is Jasmine Paulson.”
“Lyra.”
“Its nice meeting you again Lyra.” The smile on her face grew wider.
“Hey.” Emilia greeted walking into the classroom with her boyfriend following behind.
“Hi.” I smiled awkwardly.
“You left these in biology class.” She handed me my notebooks and a pen.
“Thanks.” I got them and put them in my backpack before closing it and placing the strap over my shoulder.
“Hi Leo.” Jasmine greeted in a flirty tone.
“Hey.” He responded awkwardly.
A lot of tension could be sensed between Emilian and Jasmine and I had a feeling it had something to do with Leo.
“You know I shouldn’t have to follow you around right.” Raphael stated as he strolled into the class. “The tutor looks for the tutee not the vise versa.”
“This is awkward.” He chuckled at the tension in the room while placing his hands inside the pockets of the windbreaker jacket he had on.
“Thanks again Jasmin and Emilia.” I smiled moving around them. “See you around.”
“Catch y’all later.” Raphael told them and we walked out of the classroom.
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Can it be us 36
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Can it be us 35
He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life. ~Muhammad AliRaphael “What is this?” My stepmother growled looking between me and the guard that carried my unconscious brother.“Is the doctor here yet?” I asked one of the house helps and she nodded. “Good, have him set up in his room.”“Raphael!” Stepmother growled angered by my decision to ignore her.“Also,” I continued to converse with the young help. “Have the chef prepare something for him to eat when he wakes up.”“Raphael Oliver Vic-”“Can you not take a hint lady!” I snapped. “Do I need to spell it out that I’m ignoring you, is that what it will take for you to understand.”She was taken back by my reaction, I never raised my voice and that shocked her.“You, take him to his room.” I instructed the guard who nodded curtly before taking to the staircase.Rotating my shoulder blades, I made my way to the kitchen, I thought after yelling I would be left alone be left alone but no, the heels cluck
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Can it be us 33
A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others. ~Ayn RandRaphael She hit me, Lyra Colburn had just balled her small hand into a fist and hit my chest. It did not hit hard enough for it to hurt or leave a mark but it was enough to make me notice. When I averted my gaze from her little fists to her face, I noticed her entire demeanor had changed, she was no longer uneasy and her eyes where calm despite her best efforts to glare at me.“Did you just hit me?” I smirked finding her small action amusing.“Yes.” She raised her fist and hit my chest again twice.“I will report you for assault.” I suppressed my grin.“Go ahead.” She scoffed hitting me again. “Don’t you ever threaten me or Bria.” “Bria?” Grabbing her arm and holding it in place. I repeated the name confused as to who she was talking about.“Yes, the girl you threatened.” She stated pulling her arm away.“Clarify, I threaten a lot of people you know.” It came out as a joke but it was t
Can it be us 32
Everyone can master a grief but he that has it. ~William ShakespeareRaphael“Glad people with emergencies could join us.” Jasmine’s voice came sharp and taunting as her eyes trained on Lyra who in turn drew a deep breath.Her fingers flew to the hem of the cute peach sweater she had on that went really well with the soft tone of her skin and the rest of her outfit which consisted of a dark jeans, a white button down―I assumed based on the collar and the bottom that peaked out of the sweater and a pair of converse. Even though her outfit was basic and simple, it looked perfect on her―everything did.“Leave her alone.” Leo grumbled beating me to it. He held an irritated expression at Jasmine’s words to Lyra.“I was just-”“Leave her alone.” He repeated this time with more authority than the last.“Alright, geez, y’all are coming to her rescue as though I’ve even attacked her.” She scoffed after Leo had interrupted her.“You are picking unnecessary fights Jasmine.” Pedro chimed in, cle
Can it be us 31
Great occasions do not make heroes or cowards; they simply unveil them to the eyes. Silently and imperceptibly, as we wake or sleep, we grow strong or we grow weak, and at last some crisis shows us what we have become. ~Brooke Foss WestcottWalking through the halls of the school, my heart thumped louder and louder blocking out all the chattering noises from the students present, it was packed with people but what did I expect, for the first time in forever, I was dropped off late―My mother happened to have overslept but I did not complain, the longer I took to get to school the more time I had to come up with a proper explanation as to why I had been ignoring Raphael, knowing him, he would be by my locker waiting for me to explain.‘You aren’t that important.’ My subconscious scoffed.“Calm down Lyra, calm yourself.” I took deep breaths and rubbing my hands against the fabric of my seater, I wiped off the seat that had formed on my palms.Calmly I continued to walk until my eyes lan
Can it be us 30
Character is what you are in the dark. ~UnknownLyra It had been a week and so far so good, I had managed to steer clear from Raphael and any trouble that came with him―I couldn’t find myself getting attached to him, not now, I needed to focus on school, he was a distraction, after a careful analysis and receiving my B+ graded paper, I knew my mother was right, I paid little no concentration on my school work since he had come into my life and the big letter marked in red on my answer sheet proved that.Every time I saw him in school or when he called my heart could skip a beat. I wanted to speak to him, to go back to having our late night conversations but I couldn’t, especially not after my encounter with that girl, he was taken―had a girlfriend that was willing to fight tooth and nail for him and I was never the type to ruin people’s relationships hence, I was going to stay away from him.“Are you awake?” Bria asked quietly shutting the door to the study.“Yes, I am.” I nodded ra
Can it be us 29
The pursuit of truth will set you free even if you never catch up with it. ~Clarence DarrowRaphael It had been a good weekend, one I hadn’t experienced in the longest time and it was all because of one person. Small as she was, she held so much power and could turn even the shittest of days into the best with only her words.Over the past 3 days we had spoken, I found myself smiling and chuckling at memories of our late night conversations that would flash in my mind every now and then. I rarely smiled or was happy to talk to someone the way I did Lyra.Lyra Colburn, without even knowing it was slowly breaking down every wall I had built up and melting away the ice around my heart, she made me feel emotions I had trained myself never to experience and I had been doing a great job until now.This girl had me excited to go to school, the only reasons I ever did attend school were Leo and Emilia, they made it worth sitting in a classroom for hours listening to a teacher blubber about
Can it be us 28
A promise made is a debt unpaid. ~Robert W. ServiceRaphael After spending the rest of my day with Lyra, I couldn’t seem to get enough of her. Her presence brought a certain calm to my life and I wanted to feel that at all times. Especially after getting back to my parents― my father and biological mother at each other’s throats as my stepmother tried to step in and my older sister quietly watched them sipping on her margarita, it was never too early to be drinking in our household.“There you are.” My sister announced and all eyes snapped to me.Great, just what I needed, I knew my sister had probably been trying to get away from our parents and whatever where arguing about but had failed miserably, but now that I was here, she had her opportunity and was not going to let it slip away, it was always like this.“Raphael, where have you been?” My mother went straight to scolding.Unlike most parents and children, mine and I rarely shared pleasantries when we met, it was always some s
