LONESOME BOY

During our last subject in the afternoon, I am still contemplating whether I should approach the lonesome boy sitting on the row where I am seated. Nothing changes as he seems to know only one direction, and that is the whiteboard. He only moves his head up to the board and down to his laptop.

I jolt to the ring of the bell, which indicates that the first day of school has ended. I gather my things, put them in my bag, and wait for the entire class to go out of the room. Cassy and her friends glance at me before they leave. I just shrug my shoulders and look away. My eyes land on the lonesome boy who is heading to the door. I took the opportunity to jog after him, hoping to approach and thank him for the favor he did to me.

"Hey," I said, my voice barely came out. The lonesome boy didn't even bother to look back; probably, he hasn't heard me call out for him. I remember Cassandra called him Mad. While in the hallway, I called his name again.

"Mad?" My voice appears to be a little more of a question than someone calling a guy she knows. I'm not sure if I voice it out louder, but he shifts back at me.

I froze when his eyes dart on mine. His orbs wiggle as he looks at me. He is probably wondering why this poor transferee dares to call out his name. "I'm sorry if I had to approach you here," I said, my hand's grip on the handles of my backpack, but my lips manage to press a thin smile.

"No problem. I'm just a bit shocked."

It’s a relief for me knowing he is not angry. "I just want to thank you for what you did this morning. You know..."

"Don't mention it. Cassy could be messy sometimes," he said, shaking his head.

"Yeah, she is. But I can take care of myself. Nobody could ever bully me on this campus." I told him, my voice firm in conviction.

Mad's almond eyes widen a bit. But I didn't expect what would happen; next, he burst out in laughter. Slowly his almond eyes become smaller, covered by his eyelids, and his fair cheeks flush.

I laugh with him, too, as his laughter is contagious. But on second thought, I'm a bit insulted. "What's funny?"

He stops and pulls the hem of his polo uniform. "I'm sorry," he said as he raises a hand as if to swear his sincerity. "I just think you're too tough for a petite girl."

"Hey, I'm not petite; Cassy is," I answer, glaring at him before I step out of the building, pretending to be angry.

I hear footsteps following me. The lonesome boy is fast to catch me, possibly because of his long legs. He walks by my side. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. You're too cute; you know that?"

I know what he meant, but his words sent butterflies in my stomach, which is strange. Never did I experience this weird feeling in my whole life. "Thanks," I reply.

An awkward silence follows for a minute. But he breaks it first. "Maddox, that's my real name."

"Nice, I'm sure you already know mine. Not unless you were not listening when I stood up in front of the class."

"Nah, I was attentive."

Possibly, because he only turns his eyes up and down. "Nice to meet you, Maddox. You are my first friend on this campus."

"Happy to know that. Uh, would you like a ride? I can take you home; where's your apartment?"

I suppose to ask him how he knows I live in an apartment. Still, then I remember I mentioned it when introducing myself. "You are so kind, but a taxi is waiting outside. Already contacted a grab driver."

"Well, hopefully, next time, I can drop you home."

"Maybe," I reply. But, unfortunately, my voice wasn't strong enough with conviction. Would a rich kid be interested in taking me home?

We part ways when Maddox reaches his car. I wave a hand when he drives off in his Mercedes Benz S-Class Coupe.

My pace fastens as I head near the gate of our enormous school. Standing a few inches ahead of me are Cassandra and the same three girls in the hallway.

"Hey, transferee," Cassy called out for me.

"What is it now?" I retort as I come near her.

She gasps. "Don't be too proud; your savior is no longer here. So don't expect someone will come and save you."

"I don't need any. I'm fine by myself."

The three girls behind Cassy laugh like the usual villain in the movie. So cliche. More like an Ursula vibe for me. Even though the three were taller than me yet, they don't send chills to my bones. One of them is morena, and the two were like Cassy in pale white skin color.

"I don't need three idiots tailing behind me." Intentionally directing my glare to the three girls behind Cassy.

"You..." said the morena girl.

Cassy raises her hand as if to command her to stop. "Let's make things clear here. How a poor girl, raised by a single mom, working as a secretary, would be able to send her poor child to our school?"

This petite girl is getting in every fiber of my being. But I won't give her the satisfaction of watching me being annoyed. "I'm on scholarship."

Cassandra cracks as she folds her arms around her chest. "This is not a charitable institution, transferee. Wake up," Cassy yells at my face.

Contemplating her words makes sense. I even questioned the scholarship, but I couldn't find the right words to ask mom. However, I don't want her to feel I'm not trusting her. 

"Did your single mom sleep with one of our school executives or one of the owners? It wouldn't be surprising you don't even know your dad. Your mom is a whore." Cassy added when I stay silent.

"Shut up, Cassy, you don't even know me. You barely know my name and my mom. Mad was right; you are such a bully."

"Wow," she said, slowly clapping her hands, an act of sarcasm. "So, you started collecting boys as well like your mother?"

I'm about to retaliate when a white car park not far from me caught my attention. A tall and medium build man steps out of the car.

"Angel, I came to pick you up. Your mom asks me," he said, and he walks to the passenger door near me and opens it.

There are too many questions running in my head. When did we have a white Audi? Who is this man? Do I need to ride this car now? It's not like I'm rich that someone will abduct me. Yet, I'm hesitant. But seeing the three girls' reactions, their mouths fell open. Cassy raises an eyebrow. The satisfaction of watching them annoyed is priceless. It's the only reason I'm not declining the offer. No one would waste time to kidnap me anyway; we're poor.