I don't know if I will answer her. Besides, I don't have the guts to open up about it.
"It's better not to know anything. I think it's obvious that I don't want to talk about it, so..."
"Yeah. Yeah.. Sure.. I'm sorry..Okay, then, I won't insist. Hmm, Aren't you hungry yet? Let's eat at the cafeteria together." Jaz invited me, but why? After what I did to her ?! So good to be true .. Maybe she was planning more cruel revenge for me. I need to be careful.
"No thanks."
"Why not? People don't normally reject me." She said, pouting her lips.
"Then I'll be the first to do so," I replied.
"Perhaps you are afraid of me.." I grinned unwillingly. Why would I?
"Okay, fine if you are that desperate. I'm giving you a chance." I said meaningfully.
"No! I'm not!" She blurted it out with reddened cheeks.
"I'm just being friendly. I can sense you have no friends. Great, so let's go. And maybe someone will see us here .." Jaz was right. If someone caught us, it would be our end, my dead end.
When we got to the canteen, there were too many people. There you go again, trying to get her attention. Every guy who sees her always says hi.
Jaz grabbed my hand before pulling me in, approaching the counter then she let go.
"What do you want to eat ?!" she asked excitedly. I licked my lips and then requested a clubhouse sandwich with mountain dew.
"Is that all? Aren't you going to eat rice? You can't be satisfied with bread, Anika .." hmm, am I right? Is she concerned about me? Or just my feeling?
"No.. I'm okay with the sandwich." I insisted, but then she offered more.
"How about additional french fries?" I can see the frustration on her face, but why?
"Sorry, I think it will not be enough for a whole day's class. At least add fries?" Jaz uttered, trying to convince me. Her eyes seem to hypnotize.
I grinned before I gave up. She's really something, and it's really new to me because I had no friends even before.
Not.. because nobody wanted me but because I refused to have one. I hate it.. Only with this girl. How did she do that? How did she make me go with her?! I'm impressed..
I used to have a break, eat alone.. I was exhausted if somebody was around. I used to hate crowds, but she brought me here with this so many people looking at us.
"Hi, Jaz.." A girl greeted her.
"Hello, Trixie.."
"Who is she?" The girl asked..
"She's new here.. Anika.. her name is Anika.." The girl stretched her hand to shake hands, but I ignored it. Her frustration came out, but I didn't care. Even though she's Jaz's friend doesn't mean I have to get along with her too.
"Amm Trixie.. I'll see you later, okay?" Jaz interrupts as she feels the bad vibes starting. I stare at her to see her reaction to how I responded to her friend earlier.
"It's fine, Anika.. Don't give me that look.. I understand if you are not comfortable being friendly. Talk out to others. Same on me, but not like you that you can be yourself anytime you feel."
I understand what she means, but why endure if she doesn't want to? Then don't.. why need to be good at everyone if you don't feel like doing it.
After getting our food, we walked to find a seat, but I pulled her out of the canteen because I was annoyed with the people who simultaneously greeted her, looking at us.
"Where are we going? Anika ?! Take it easy .."
"If you want to eat with me, you get used to not eating here because I hate crowds, and why do they always pay attention to you? What's wrong with them? Don't get me wrong, but there is nothing special about you, Jaz." she looked at me wickedly as we walked. When I found a nice place with no people, I just stopped.
"So, is that mean this will not be our last?!" I know what she's referring to, but I ignore it.
"Here! We can eat here .." She smiled at me.. And then I realized her white teeth.
"Okay.." She handed me my clubhouse sandwich and fries. I snigger as I recall how she insists on adding this to my meal.
[JAZ AMANDA POV]
I'm happy I got her to eat, and guess what is outside on the vacant bench that seems like no one is going to this part of campus.
"Do you really eat rice every break? Daily?" she suddenly asked me. Why is there something different about eating rice every day? That's what our body needs to survive the tiring day, right?
"How about you? That's all you really eat every day? Daily?" we laughed together .. as we realized each other."Because I'm not easy to digest, I eat light or less .."
"Hmmm .. I get hungry fast. I eat a lot but don't gain much weight, so it's okay .."
"After class, do you have any plans?" I was able to ask her. I immediately avoided turning her gaze to me.
"Same as usual. Maybe in the park or at the mall. Depending on where I can think of going."
"You are lucky. You are allowed to go anywhere ?!"
"You can also do that .. it's up to you if you do what you want ..Jaz Amanda," she mentions my full name.
"My parents won't allow me. They think I'll neglect my studies .."
I saw her smile and shake .. why is that? What's on her mind?"Maybe your parents aren't strict, Anika .." I postscript.
"I don't have .." I stopped eating. Did I hear it right? Does she have no parents? Then who takes care of her? Now I understand why she is just like that .. That is probably the main reason ..
Because of what I learned about her, I feel I need to take care of her. I must say I prefer to take care of her.
"Are you done? I want to smoke." I heard her say.
I don't want her to smoke because it's terrible for the body. Why do I seem to be even more concerned with her now?I inhaled, then stood up.." Okay.. then.. Let's go.."
****After their last subject, Jaz and Anika could hang out outside the campus for a while."My fetch is here, Anika, so see you tomorrow ?!"Jaz let out, which made her dimple visible."Yeah .. See you .." Anika replied, waving as she watched Jaz. Jaz was about to hop in the car when she turned around again."Hey, what's your number?" she asked Anika ..Anika was slightly silent and could not speak immediately .."What for?!" this question surprised Jaz .."For the project .. so I can update you and let you know once I'm done..I know you don't really have any plans to do that, but we can talk about it at least, right? Even if you don't want to, you need to know it, for Ms. Gonzales does not notice that we didn't do it literally together.." Anika nodded as she perceived it. [JAZ AMANDA POV]I don't use to tolerate this kind of act, but I don't know why I'm letting her." Are you sure?!" "Yeah .. I'm sure .. I Can't force you to help me, but at least try to pretend that we work on it t
[JAZ AMANDA POV] My eyes were already peeking for Anika during the flag ceremony, but she wasn't there until I got to the room. She didn't attend school. I wondered if she was sick or if she was skipping class. Usually, I'm pleased to learn in class, but it's different today. First, second to the third subjects, I had no interest. Should I message Anika to know if she's okay? It's noon, and it's time for a break. I still couldn't help but look around. Do I expect Anika to come? Leaving the room not to eat but to go to the place where Anika and I once hung out. "Hey! Jaz! Since when have you been here?" my sight turns to where the voice came from. That's Rexel, the top two rank student. Consistently after me, pressured to defeat me and get my place. He has a crush on me too, but I doubt I would like him because there's nothing particular about him. "Only for today, Rexel. I was trying to get away from the crowd and breath nicely," I said with a stingy smile. "Oh! Can I join? "He
[JAZ AMANDA POV] The following day when I entered class, I was happy to see Anika in her chair. There aren't too many people yet, but I'm hesitant to approach her or not. "Anika. Hi! Do you want to smoke first? Ms. Gonzales will be late, so we can skip a bit." I greeted her first, but she didn't even look at me. I was saddened by the sudden change in her treatment of me. I thought we were okay. I sit on, stick my elbow and place my chin on my palm. My brain is running everywhere again. I also didn't sleep well last night, and I don't know why. A few moments later, our professor came. "Good morning, class." She greeted then we replied. "Anika." I heard her call. Anika approached, and the next thing, she came out of the room with her bag. My eyebrows met. What's happening? The students began to whisper. They are all really gossiping. These are all that brunette bad doing. Time for recess, but Anika is still gone. I immediately heard the rumor that a transferee had been expelled f
[FLASHBACK] While Anika drinks at the bar, Jaz can't stop calling her out of worry. "Just one more call if you don't pick up then, I'll let you, leaving you alone for good," Jaz said to herself, then dialed Anika's number. For how many times, she could not remember. "Hello! Why do you keep on disturbing me?! What do you need?" Anika replied as she accepted Jaz's call. The intoxication was evident in her voice, so Jaz was even more worried. "Where are you?! I'm coming for you!" She spits out, impatient to get Anika soon. "Fine! I'll give you the address so you can just stop nagging and calling nonstop. It's annoying.. You know.." Anika gave her exact location; without knowing, its Jaz, whom she was talking to, her concerned classmate. Jaz took her driver with her to fetch Anika, and when she got there, she found Anika bent over the table with some empty bottles. "She drinks a lot but can't handle herself," Jaz smirked, trying to hold Anika up. "Brother, let's take her to my car
[ANIKA HODGENS POV] I took a quick bath and prepared for school when I got home. Jaz was at the gate when I arrived. Is she waiting for me?We entered together, and when the flag ceremony was over, we went straight to the dean's office. She held my hand. It was cold, but I felt warm, and it was soft."Ma'am, please, I would like to have a minute to speak with you." Jaz politely says."What is this all about, Ms. Amanda?" formal question of the dean."And why is Ms. Hodgens here too? You are already expelled, Ms. Hodgens." She stated as she turned her sight in my direction. "That's what we came for, Ma'am. We want to counteract the decision yesterday." I admire Jaz's courage in how she talks to the dean. It's not just a teacher but the dean of the school. Where did she get the guts to face this old, strict, scary lady?"Okay, you may continue what you want to say, Ms. Amanda." The dean let her. See, I knew it. She will listen, not like the other day. They did not let me finish talkin
AT SCHOOL>>> [JAZ AMANDA POV] Not as usual. I am not excited to start my day. I am also lazy to listen to the discussion and understand the lessons. All I can think of is Anika. She still hasn't answered my call, and I'm already worried about her. After the last subject before recess, I saw Irish—the person who caused Anika to get expelled. I felt annoyed and wanted to rush and tweak her, but I couldn't do that. Like, the! She got the appetite to enjoy as if nothing had happened. As if she didn't do anything terrible. Doesn't she feel guilt even a bit? As I watched her, I saw her HIT A STUDENT IN THE HEAD. What the F.. She is an asshole. My brain works fast. That's right, and I will take a video of her doing bad stuff. Get ready by now, Irish! It will be a shred of solid evidence. "Perfect! Now it's time for the show." I muttered to myself, smirking. Now, who will be thrown away? "Hey! Irish!" I shouted as I got close to her, looks like asking for a fight. "Oh! Our valedicto
[ANIKA HODGENS POV]Dad, even my car key, took all my credit cards. My energy was fully drained to go against his decision, and for sure, they won't listen anyway. I'm tired of fighting for my rights and explaining my sides of the story, so I just go along. Their image is more important than what I feel or how I feel. After clashing, my parents returned to their respective families. I didn't even get the chance to say that I was expelled from school, but I wonder why it hasn't reached Dad. By this time, he should have been informed by the dean. I was stuck in my room all day and didn't feel like eating either. Every meal the maid brings, I throw in the trash. I want to end my life to stop my suffering so that I would no longer be a problem to my parents. Dad doesn't need to waste his money anymore, sending me to school. He always says that whenever I commit a mistake or even disappoint him. I'm such a shame; that's all he knows about me. [JAZ AMANDA POV]I called Anika several tim
[JAZ AMANDA POV]My mood is a pain in the ass. All day and this cropped up for the first time. It's her choice if she doesn't want to talk to me for good, but I hope she returns to school. That's all I'm concerned about in her. My soul ceases for a moment, thinking. Wait! Is that really the reason? Why do I make an effort like this?! Oh shit! Nevermind!"Jaz, I'm glad you're here now. How's school?" my nanny asked with a sheepish smile. A crooked grin takes over to hide my moodiness as I lied, saying it's all great. The truth is, all I could think of was Anika, the headstrong girl I had ever met in my entire life."Nanny, I'll just get changed and rest for a while. Maybe I'll eat later. Besides, it's too early," I stated, acting as expected. I don't want her to figure out that I'm not okay. Nanny Cynthia knows me very well, aside from my parents. It won't help if she worries."Okay, my dear. Just let me know. I'm only here in the kitchen." Nanny Cynthia responded. I went to my room af