Taken For Granted

Few minute later, I was on my way to school, twirling and my hands spread out, taking in the waves emanating from the woods that lined up against the edge of the road. The sun is surprisingly bright considering the heavy conventional summer rainfall the previous night. One would expect the sun to set at noon but it was rather up early… 

Fothoman is a very beautiful town. Blue skies, majestic mountaintops and, green grass… Several times I'd prefer walking to school instead of taking the bus just so I could admire the nature that surrounds it. Fothoman has a nice skyline that is visible from many miles and lots of open space within the city limit is at least 50miles in all four directions. Fothoman is perfect for me because it is small yet, vibrant.

I heard a car approaching from behind. I stepped to the side and glanced up. I locked eyes with the driver of a Chevrolet Malibu. The car slowed to a stop and the driver popped his head out through the open window.

“You look beautiful. Have I met you before?” His eyes narrowed at me thoughtfully.

“uh! No. I’m sure I haven’t seen you before”

He looked at me from up to down, and nods at my backpack.

“Fothoman High?”

"yes! I’m a senior”…

“almost free from that hellhole. Congratulations”… he said, giving me a playful wink.

“thank you! I’ll eh.. see you around. I’m almost late for school” I stormed off without looking back. He drove beside slowly leaning out of the window.

“ I guess I’d see you around. Fothoman is a small town” He gives a broad and flirtatious smile before zooming off.

****

A small crowd trickled across the front yard of the school, waving and calling out to friends as they converged on the front doors. I was struggling to squeeze through the rowdy crowd when I noticed students attention turning towards the parking lot. I trail my eyes, following their gaze and i saw Claire and Bay coming out of the car. My heart sank into my stomach.

Claire holds out her phone to take a selfie and Bay smiled for the camera. A mean and dark smile. They attract so much attention together without even realizing it. I heard people murmuring on how cute they looked together and it boiled down through my veins. Claire’s eyes is glued to her phone as she sway  her waist beside Bay. She is hoisting a designer bag, everything she was wearing from top to bottom speaks class.

Approaching the entrance door students made way for them to pass effortlessly. Bay tucked his hand into one of his pocket. Biting his lower lips as he casted a sidelong glance at me. A dare Devil kind of glance. He slipped out the tip of his tongue and licks his lower lip before disappearing into the hall… The details of our romp in the barn clouded my mind. The physical effect still lingers...

Passion between us didn't just bloom, it didn't whisper. It exploded so that even the air around us anytime I'm close to him seemed to shudder it. I made him feel reckless and he made me unaware of what he was murmuring to me. Mare look at his face turns me on, yes, he has that much effect on me. It should be me walking beside him and not Claire Gustavo. 

I pushed my way into the hall and find Emily standing at a locker next to mine. Emily and I have been best friends since kindergarten. She is the only one who knows how I truly feel about Bay Schuyler. We told each other literally everything.

Emily lifted me up effortlessly and twirled me around excitedly. We didn’t see each other throughout summer break and I terrible missed her. She traveled to nurse her sick grandma in Olivelane District and it was hard for wandering in Fothoman alone with no friend to hang with throughout summer. 

“look at you” she said excitedly spinning me around. “is it just my eyes or you lost weight?”

“ I have been doing a lot of work in the ranch. You know it’s just my Dad and I doing everything… come here!” I said emotionally waving her over for another hug. I pulled away trying to hide the tears stealing out from eyes.

“wait… Hailey, is that tears I see?” she asked cupping my face.

“No… no! It’s not a sorrowful tears. Call it, tears of joy" I chuckled, swiping the tears off with my thumb. “I am just very excited to see you. I’ve missed you!”… I said.

I crashed into her arms again and buried my face in her neck trying to dump the weight of my pains on my shoulder. She pulled away slowly and gave me a knowing look. We moved by the side to lean against the locker as students start rushing past us.

“Hailey are you sure you’re okay?... You know you can talk to me, right?

How can I possibly tell her that I was hurting? That I die every time I see the man that mean the whole world to me with another woman. It hurts so bad. The whole of Futhoman seemed too some and congested and I was literally suffocating. I tried to bottle my emotions but Emily could see right through me.

“if you don’t want to talk about it now, it’s fine! We can talk about it later… okay?

I nodded and ghosted a kiss on her cheek dismissively. She grabbed my wrist and led my out of the hallway. She'd think me fragile and very emotional, hence, the reason she pampered and care for me like she's an older sister even when I'm few months older than she is... Emily is not just my bestfriend, she is my solid rock.  She always gives me her shoulder to lean on .

****