"Gold." He slowly lifted his right hand and placed it on my left cheek.
"I'm not a good comforter though, but I'll try my best to make you feel better." I smiled.
He suddenly moved so I tried to move back but he immediately grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to him. My face is literally an inch far from his face. We both stared into each other's eyes. I can feel his breath. Seconds later, he moved his face closer and closer like he's about to kiss me. Is this it? Will he really kiss me?
I cleared my throat and decided to avoid my gaze.
"Gold. Only you can make me feel better," he stated.
I stood up and sighed before I looked down to him. My face showed no emotion. It's like I'm a titan looking down on the villagers.
"Neil, I am not an ordinary girl. You gotta work hard to get my kiss. This thing's very precious to me." I turned around and took a step away from him. Geez, what the heck am I saying? Hell, I'm a conservative type of girl so ev
"Hey! What made you think that?!" Neil yelled as he pointed the kid."Because big sis Janice is your girlfriend. If big sis Marie is not big bro Kit's girlfriend, then maybe big bro Kenneth's!" The kid pointed Kenneth so the guy lightly scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment."Listen, kid!" Neil walked towards the kid. I sensed something bad so I pulled Neil back. Don't tell me he's going to do something bad to just a kid?"Hey, Gold! Let go of me!" Neil yelled at me but I still won't let go of his arm."He's just a kid!" I yelled back at him."I know he's a kid! I'm not stupid!""Can't you calm down?!"The both of us are yelling at each other. Honestly, I never thought I'd be this noisy though. Why do annoying extroverts like Neil influenced me to become noisy just like him? Should I be happy that I slowly get to blend in with the real world?"You both look like a couple, really," someone commented."No way/ He
I thanked Kenneth for bringing me to the clinic. He smiled and said it's okay. Whenever Kit and Neil are fighting over me, he had no choice but to get in the way. We both headed towards the hut but no one is there. We noticed that something's going on at the back part of the hut so we went there.Everyone was busy decorating the yard. Ella was helping in the decorations, while Kit and Neil were lifting boxes. The two of them aren't talking to each other maybe because of what happened earlier."I'll leave you here, Marigold." Kenneth said as he tapped my shoulder. I smiled and nodded and just stared at his back as he run towards his friends."Hi, dear."I was almost scared to death when grandma suddenly spoke beside me. I never thought she'd suddenly appear right beside me like a ghost."Grandma.""You realized their feelings for you, haven't you?" She asked as she just looked at the people busy with their works.I looked down. Kenneth
"Good morning, sunshine!! Good morning everybody!! Good morning to myself!!" I heard Kenneth shouting so I immediately opened my eyes. Geez, that guy. I hate alarm clocks! I still wanna sleep—"Hey, Marigold!! Wake up, wake up!!" I immediately rose up from lying down when he opened the tent."What are you doing, jerk?!!" Ella yelled at him. She also woke up when she heard his loud voice."It's already 6 in the morning and there are still things to do here. Come on, lazy ladies! Wake up!"I glared at him but he just put on a teasing smile on his face.I tied my messy hair without combing it and went out the tent wearing a usual look of a newly woken up princess."Good morning, Marigold," Kit greeted me with a charming smile. I greeted him back with the same vibe. A normal lady would've fallen inlove with him already the moment he showed his smile so early in the morning. Imagine if a guy like Kit would be the first person you discern, i
I looked at myself infront of a mirror as I combed my long, straight and black hair. Now where should Ella and I go? We should have left this place already. We spent our day with those guys and it would be shameful if we stayed here longer. But where do we go? Should I go home already and accept my parents' punishment? There's no other choice. Sooner or later, my parents will find me.I came to the dining area and they are already there, breakfast was already served. Their eyes nailed on me as I walked downstairs. I can't help but feel uncomfortable. I'm not used to people giving their attention to me.I sat beside Ella and looked down on my lap. They're so quiet and I can still feel their stares on me."Marigold, mind to share us your plan?" Kit suddenly asked so I lifted my head to look at him."Plan?" I asked him. I don't get what he meant."Are you going to stay with us longer? I know that's not what you want," he said."She'll stay for
I don't know what to feel. Should I be happy because my brother was the only one who found me? Or should I be nervous and scared? I don't know what he will do. Will he bring me home? But I am not ready to face my parents yet.Whatever. I should go to him and hug him first. I missed him!I was about to take steps towards him when I suddenly saw two figures appeared to his side. The people that I never thought I'd see. The people I wished I could never see."Marigold, my dear!!" Mom yelled and ran to my direction. I don't know if she's just faking it but she's acting like a worried mother.I just stood here waiting for her to come nearer. I don't know how I should react. How did they find me?Mom hugged me tightly. I didn't hug back for I didn't know if she's really worried about me or she's just being hypocritical."You're so stupid! You made us so worried!!" She released the hug and cupped my face. I stared at her in the eyes. I want to read
I swayed my body with a smile on my face as I walked my way to the classroom. Well, who wouldn't be? I am happy that I finally get along with my family, although I'm still a little bit shy when I'm with them.Before I could step in the building where my classroom is situated, I grabbed the headphone my brother gave to me which I placed inside my bag. I put it on and music started to play. I don't know what will happen if I step inside the classroom. Earlier I went to the powder room first and I made Ella go on ahead so now here I am, walking alone.I'm still the introverted kind of person just like the way I am. I don't want any connection with my surroundings especially inside the classroom. I don't even know if Ella would return to her old self or have she changed?When I stood at the entrance, my eyes widened when all of my classmates were gazing to my direction. I don't know if I should continue to step in or not. They were all wearing smiles on their faces.
"Aurelia?" I called Neil's fiancè who was sitting beside the vacant seat that belongs to Neil. He's still not around so probably he'll be absent again so I'm asking Aurelia where he is right now."Yes?" She innocently looked at me."Why is your fiancè absent? I mean, it's been 2 days already.""He doesn't really tell me where he is. He doesn't care about me." She said, smiling. Okay? But why is she smiling?I just smiled at her and went back to copying the notes on the board. She's kinda weird. Does she really care about his fiancè? Or does she really love him?The morning class has ended but still Neil didn't show up. Is he really trying to make absences without even leaving an excuse letter?I grabbed my headphone from my bag and put it on. I wanna be alone for now. I'm sitting here at the canteen, probably assuming that Neil could be here. I don't know why I even thought about that but whatever.I sensed people
"What are you doing here, young men?" The maidservant asked Kit and Kenneth with a smile on her face as she opened the door for us. She, then, shifted her gaze on me and Ella, wondering who we are. "And who are these beautiful ladies with you?""Hi, I'm Ella!" Ella joyfully stated which made the maidservant gasp in surprise. She never thought Ella would be full of energy.I felt Ella elbowed me so I cleared my throat. I know she wants me to introduce myself as well."And I'm Marigold." A fake smile flashed on my lips."Marigold? I think I have heard of that name somewhere but I can't clearly remember." She thought deeply as she placed her index finger on her chin."Who are they, Cecil?" A woman's voice was heard inside the mansion. Somewhat young, could Neil possibly have a sister?"The boys Kit and Kenneth are here with their girlfriends, young miss." The maidservant answered as she looked behind her back where the woman is standing. I coul
I was on my way to Neil's house. I was seated here at the back part of the car while my driver's the one driving. I can't help but feel nervous. Neil's parents are that desperate to make him marry Aurelia? But Neil's not in love with her! How can he marry someone he doesn't even love!Suddenly, the car stopped. I asked the driver what happened and he said that a kid was blocking the way. I frowned and went out of the car. I saw the kid kneeling and no one dared to help him. So I walked to him and helped him get up."Can you stand up?" I asked him. He looked like a ten year-old kid. Why is he alone here?"Rence!!" Someone from far away called."Aunt Shiela!!" The kid shouted at her. My eyes widened when the aunt that the kid was referring to is Shiela, one of grandma's daughter who was living at the province. And the girl whom I saw with Neil that night, kissing. Geez, I should have forgotten about it.
"L-let me apologize, Marigold. I know, Neil's in love with you. B-but I still have the guts to come back to him after leaving him—""You don't have to apologize, Janice. I understand the reason why you left him years ago." I cut her off."Gerard told you, huh?" She chuckled but I know, she's just forcing herself to do it because I can still see that she's in pain."You know what? I told Neil that I still love him." She said, smiling. She just focused her eyes on the ceiling.I suddenly felt something stabbed my chest so I held it with my hand."But too bad... he doesn't love me the way he did before. He feels only pity." I saw tears falling down from her eyes. There's something in me that feels happy because Neil no longer love her but I feel sad for her, though. She has a valid reason to dump him just like that! She isn't even betraying him!"I told him to lie so I could die happily. But he don't want to. He just wanted to tell me the
I was listening to everything Gerard says. And I can't believe I am hearing all of it. Janice didn't intend to leave Neil years ago. She just thought that leaving him would be the best thing to do.I formed my hands into fists. Why do I suddenly feel like I'm losing? Like I am no longer a part of Neil's life? Why do I suddenly saw only him and Janice?"She was diagnosed with cancer 3 years ago. We thought she's gonna die. She wanted to stay away from Neil, she doesn't want to hurt him, and she doesn't want him to suffer just because of her. She decided not to tell him about her condition." Gerard explained as he was sitting beside me. We both sat here at the waiting area. No other people are here except us. He just kept his eyes on his fingers as they were being intertwined. I can feel that he is nervous as he explained all this."She planned that we should pretend like she was betraying him. She kissed me because she knew that Neil was around. That's when Neil
"M-marigold..." Ella uttered the moment she lifted her head and saw me. I can see bruises on her face. I can clearly tell that she's in pain."Oh, freak. Here's your fellow psycho, by the way." Aubrey smirked as she pointed the two kneeling. I looked at the brother of Ella. He was totally defeated. But why? Why isn't he fighting back? Why does he feel helpless? Why?"Aubrey, Audrey. Please, stop it." I said."No way. We have come this far, freak." Audrey smirked.Aubrey turned her gaze around the people surrounding us."Listen up, people! This girl is just like them! She's also a psycho! Earlier, she threatened us that she'll break up our bones! We don't tolerate that kind of behavior, right?!" She shouted as she pointed me."Yeah! Kill her too!" The people shouted so I closed my eyes, trying to ignore them. I must protect Ella, no matter what.I slowly walked towards the two kneeling. I stood beside Ella, the reason for her to look u
Tears started to form in my eyes as I just nailed my eyes on them. I held my chest when I felt it tightened. I can't believe I'm seeing this right now. It felt like my world just crashed."G-gold..." Neil looked at me when he noticed someone was watching them. And there, totally, my tears fell down. He is looking at me with sadness. He suddenly took steps towards me but I stepped back. Janice, who was standing beside him, looked at me like she's saying sorry inside her mind.I decided to ran away from them, still with my tears falling down on my cheeks. But I wiped them off like what a brave woman does. I shouldn't feel like this. If Neil is into Janice, then fine.I just focused my attention on my feet and I don't care if I bumped into a sturdy structure or even fall into a cliff. What I want is that I should get away from all of them. From both of them.And what I expected really happened. I bumped into someone. I stopped and I covered my face with my h
I immediately pushed him away from me. I was totally shocked, I never thought he'd do that. I felt my cheeks burning hot. Even if I feel embarrassed, I still looked at him. He didn't expect he'd do it as well. I gulped when he bit and licked his own lips, like he's trying to taste the kiss."I have to go!" I stood up and ran away. As I was running, I touched my lips with my index finger. He kissed me. What is he thinking? What pushed him to do that?But I can't deny, I liked it. Because I'm in love with him.I went back to the bench where we left the others. I didn't see Janice and Gerard, just the other officers. I decided to sit with them. Their eyes were on me and I can't help but feel uncomfortable. I wanted to leave right away but, I just can't leave here."Hey, you knew officer Vernon and that Janice's past relationship, right?" One of them who's sitting beside me asked."Janice is his past lover. And Marigold knew tha
"Is there something wrong here?" We turned around to face the guy who spoke. I sensed something heavy and dark so I faced Neil beside me. He was clenching his fists. He was frowning, and it clearly tells me that he didn't like seeing the guy. I looked at the guy and he was wearing an ROTC officer's uniform. The difference is that he came from a different school. So he was that officer the others were talking about. He's a good-looking guy and just by his appearance, I know he's a kind person. He was smiling at Neil, didn't bother to look at him the same way how Neil looks at him right now."I'd expected that I'd be seeing you again. You haven't changed a bit." The guy told Neil."What the hell are you doing here?" Neil stated in a cold voice. He has calmed a little bit."Don't worry. I came here for the formation. Not for you.""Neil..." The girl who was sitting at the bench walked past us and stood beside the guy. "Can we talk?"
I was sitting with Neil's fellow ROTC officers. They were his senior and all they do here is talk about him. They say he is a good officer. Everyone likes him.I was staring at him standing infront of his platoon on the field. Under the heat of the sun, he's commanding them to do some stuffs. I can't help but smile as I watch him. He looks so cool."By the way, we saw you with him. Are you his girlfriend?" One of them asked.I immediately looked at them beside me and gulped. Something within me is celebrating, or maybe it's just the butterflies in my stomach. They're making me insane!"N-no, I am just a friend," I answered them, feeling a little bit uncomfortable. Imagine talking to an ROTC officer. They look really intimidating with their uniforms on."Are you sure you are just a friend? I don't think so, though. He looks at you different from the way he looks at other girls.""H-he's a bully, and he thin
"So, where's Ella?" My brother asked me the moment I stepped inside the mansion. He was sitting at the couch as he was watching the television. He's also holding a bucket of popcorn. He was focused on it and I don't know how he knew that I went home alone."She... She stayed at one of my classmate's place. We have a by pair project so..." I just thought about that reason just now. I don't want them to get worried. I'll solve this problem myself. I'll surely bring Ella back so we could live together again.I just stared at the ceiling as I intertwined my hands and placed them on my chest. I looked like a dead person with opened eyes. I just can't remove the scene off my mind. Ella's brother was the creepy guy who killed her own family. But she told me before that she didn't know him. She told me he was the guy who kept on following them wherever they go. According to what she told me, she clearly doesn't know him. Was she lying to me?I heaved a