Chapter 2: Pumpkin

"Shut up Mildred!", Mr. Sanchez cut me off with authority.

"But-"

I wasn't able to deliver my sentence and I feel like crying because it's the first time I'd encountered a guy like him in my entire life. I feel attacked. I now know how others feel when I bully them. I was wondering, how the hell did those kids I bullied overcame the fear I'd given to them. And now, this guy in front of me is the wildest. I can't tame him. He is so good at making stories.

He slowly opened his mouth and his words made the situation worse. "We really planned to meet there, Sir." He even looked into my eyes. "I was stripped in the stairs adjacent to Mrs. Magno's class that's why my uniform got dirty," he paused again and continued what he was saying. "I just couldn't hold my excitement to kiss this young lady in front of me-"

"Yuck! Are you hearing yourself, Patrick!?" I wanted to hit him this time. "I just met you and really? Claiming me as your girlfriend? Oh c'mon wake up!" I stood while waving my hands in the air because I really felt irritated.

Mr. Sanchez walked towards me with his eyebrows at their peak. "Ms. Garcia, are you really sure that he is not your boyfriend?" Mr. Sanchez seems so confused about whom to believe. "Then why are you caught kissing in the act?" Mr. Sanchez added.

I was cornered with that question, "That, that Sir- That Patrick is a pervert!" I rolled my eyes while pointing my index finger at him.

"But you like it? Right?" He cut me in his words.

I can see the confusion in Mr. Sanchez's eyes. "So, none of you will tell me the truth? Why not call your parents then?"

I felt worried. "Sir, why can't we settle things here rather than calling the attention of our parents?" I suggested.

"That's my point, Ms. Garcia!" Mr. Sanchez laughs. "I'm getting headache here as to whom I'll believe your stories!" Mr. Sanchez fills his cup with water and drinks it. "It's your first time here in my office but it's not the first time I heard you bullied kids younger than you!", he added.

He has a point.

"I know sir but let's just make a deal!" I don't want Dad to know what I did this time. I keep on thinking when Patrick suggests things that make me relieved.

"Why not let us do community service!" Patrick said.

"Call!" I second the motion. This time we both wanted not to involve our parents in this trouble.

I can see that Mr. Alonzo somehow agrees with Patrick's idea. " Okay, okay! One month of community service, I guess," he said seriously.

"That's too long sir, why not make it one week?" I even pouted hoping I could persuade Mr. Sanchez.

But those words were of no help. Mr. Sanchez grabbed his phone and was about to call my Dad's number. "Okay, Mildred, let's call your Father then-"

I was shocked as I saw my Dad's number on his phone. I ran into his position. "You're really funny sir," I said jokingly. "I'm really okay with the one-month community service. Right, Patrick?" I winked.

Along with that agreement, we are asked to sign a contract for legality. I and Patrick will be having community service every after class 4-5 pm including Saturdays and Sundays.

We are done signing the agreement when Mr. Sanchez calls me.

"Alex??"

"Yes," he said.

"Yes," I said.

I stare at him while he's staring at me, too. This time I am really irritated while he's enjoying seeing me so angry.

"Ohh, you two are both Alex!"

Mildred Alex Kate Garcia

Patrick Vonne Alex Alonzo

_____________________________________

We are walking back to our classrooms while he is smirking again. " Hey!" I pointed my index finger at him. "Patrick or whatever your name is, would you please stop smirking and smiling. You think it makes you cool-"

"You want another kiss, Alex?" I paused. I stepped back, to be exact.

That makes my cheeks red. "Pervert!"

He then steps on his right foot near me. "If I'm not mistaken, I was your first kiss," he teased me. "Seeing you like this..." He said while looking at me head to foot. "Your face as red as an apple!" Another step closer to me. "I bet I got the right words to say" he winked at me.

I can feel the hotness on my cheeks now.

His face is an inch away from mine. He even nodded, "You are unlikable!" He paused and examined me. "You're not even close to pretty!" He touches my cheek. "You are not even cute!" His words get deeper and deeper. "You don't have something to be proud of!" I was frozen again. I thought he'd been making my day miserable, but I was wrong. "Did you think you look cool harassing kids who are weaker than you? I've known you since Day 1 Mildred. I've been watching you and will be watching you!" he said emphatically as his eyes narrowed, staring at me. That hits me, his words hit me. I didn't even notice the tears in my eyes. I'm not a crybaby but why am I crying? It tears me down and it keeps my heart pounding for aches.

End of Flashback.

I was 16 during that time and that was the scariest encounter we had, my first love. I've been thinking over and over again. If I hadn't thrown the vase, if he hadn't thrown back his phone, would I have had the roller coaster ride of my high school days?

We had the same name, Alex. The reason why, until now, I can't forget him. I can't forget us.

I am Mildred Alex Kate Garcia.

Teachers call me by my first name and the rest call me Alex, always Alex. I am in my last year in college today, majoring in Tourism. Something is missing. I bet someone is still missing.

Flashback.

I went home with tears in my eyes. Nobody would notice me because Dad is busy at work and my Mom lives abroad. Yeah! I'm all alone. I am just living here with a maid. Dad and I barely saw each other because of work. I can't even contact my Mom because she has her new family now.

I sat in front of the mirror.

"You are unlikable!

You're not even close to pretty!

You are not even cute!

You don't have something to be proud of!

I could hear Patrick's voice over and over again as I stared at myself.

Yeah! I don't have the looks, maybe because I don't have a Mom to take good care of me. I look plain and haggard. With my hair so loose, I really look like a gangster.

I complained to myself.

"You are unlikable! You're not even close to pretty! You are not even cute! You don't have something to be proud of!"

"You think you're handsome enough to say I'm unlikable? Yes, you're tall and your nose is attractive but you're not handsome, Patrick! You're really not!"

I fell asleep thinking about what that fool said. I woke up around 12:30 AM and I checked my F******k account and there were friend requests. One that caught my attention was Alex's name.

ALEX ALONZO sent a friend request.

Wow, he is really something! After he strangled me earlier and said bad things about me.

Confirm. Delete.

Of course, I click delete. I don't want to make friends with Presko, stupid, feeling handsome, sarcastic, and nothing but trash like Patrick.

But before I close the app. I visited his timeline and even stalked his timeline. He has a nice build, an attractive nose and he has a white complexion. I visited his photos but it was just a waste of time. I saw nothing. He doesn't have any albums or maybe it was just set privately.

Another notification came in.

ALEX ALONSO sent you a friend request.

Confirm. Delete.

I deleted it for the second time.

I keep visiting his timeline, still believing I can see something interesting. As I refresh his timeline, I see a post just a minute ago.

Pumpkin! You are not pretty at all.

Updated: 1:30AM

I look at the watch just in front of me and it's still 1:31 AM. "Are you referring this post to me?" I said while looking at the screen.

For the 3rd time.

ALEX ALONSO sent you a friend request.

ALEX ALONSO sent a message.

"Hi, pumpkin!"

So I guess that post was really for me.

I just read the message, but no plan on replying. He is so annoying!

I accepted the friend request and automatically blocked him.

I turned off my data and went back to sleep. I really hate him to death. I just met him hours ago and now he is haunting me! Really annoying!

I was disturbed by a loud tone from my phone. Someone is calling. I opened my eyes and looked at the screen. It was 3 AM at dawn.

"Really? At this hour?" I questioned, thinking who it would be.

It was an unregistered number, so I canceled it.

Another call came in. It was the same number. I canceled it again.

For the third time, my phone ring again. I feel annoyed, so I answer the phone loudly.

"Can't you see what time is it?? Stupid!"

"Hi, pumpkin!" And my eyes widened.