Kapittel 13

Vanessa

It took us less than a moment to arrive at the second floor, but Asher and I already had discussed millennia of topics in our conversation. It started with trivial topics like the weather, subsequently transitioning to shallow issues like celebrities and gossip, then we slowly delved deeper into trivial yet somewhat personal matters like favorite songs and series, and things went from one thing leading to another.

"As I was saying, Derek is the only innocent person in the series..." I paused briefly, "I mean, he's the least suspicious, and he has the cleanest narration in the entire series. Plus, he's got no traumatic backstory or anything that suggests he's the killer, and the narrator doesn't have shady comments against him."

"That's why you're missing the point. You aren't seeing the big picture. Have you heard of the Rashomon effect?" he asked to which I shook my head. "It's a way of storytelling that shows the event from the different perspectives of the different characters. What you're seeing in Murders in the Attic is only fragments of the happening based on not all, but most of the characters' experience of it. They had different views and experiences before and after the murder. We hadn't seen what actually happened yet. The narrator too seems like the shady type. Do you remember episode 15 wherein he lashed out at the badly reputed doctor when he thought that the latter had other intentions, but turns out only wanted to help?" he asked to which I nodded.

Asher then continued, "His judgment is sometimes clouded by his emotions and mental state. He's also affected by other people's comments either about him or anyone else. Also, I believe that you already know the term 'wolf in sheep's clothing', the series hasn't gotten much deeper into all of the characters' stories. We're barely getting more details yet, and they're hooking us up with sudden revelations. So I don't believe yet that Derek is the only innocent person in there."

I was about to respond with a rebuttal but I shut my mouth close when I saw Georgia's recognizable figure. "Georg–" I opened my lips in an attempt to call her name but I shut them close again midway when I realized that she was talking to someone.

Looking at the way she was glaring at the person she was talking to, how the corners of her mouth curved down six feet under, and the fact that she was balling her fist suggested that they had a heated verbal argument. It looks like they were on a verge of throwing hands at each other. I must stop that from happening. Things would not come out well if a fight ensued, especially that the faculty office door was just behind Georgia.

Quietly taking a few steps forward, I tried to read their lips, but what I could only comprehend between the lines was something about incompetence and worthlessness. I then noticed the veins in Georgia's smooth neck popped, and her jaw clenched when the other girl mentioned something I could not comprehend. Gosh, I understood what Haley and Sophia were talking about earlier, but why not this conversation now?

The vindictive, violent flames of anger extinguished when the girl slightly bent forward, raised a brow then waved her hand away in short motions before turning on her feet and walking out, leaving my friend alone in fuming yet restrained anger. That was when I decided to take my cue.

"Who was that?" I asked, coming up behind her.

"Woah!" she gasped audibly in visible surprise, taking a few steps back, clutching her chest, and making a goofy expression that I have never seen once in my life. I knew it would be mean of me if I laugh, but I could not help it.

"You scared me! Don't do that again!" she exclaimed, expelling a heavy breath.

"Haha, sorry for coming up to you so suddenly," I apologized, my laughter still uncontrollable. "And yes, I won't do it again," I said as I succumbed into erupted laughter that I held on my knees.

My laughter traveled around the halls for a while before I could finally calm down. I was laughing so hard that my midrib started to hurt, and I almost peed. Good thing there weren't many people in the hall, and the faculty office is soundproof or I would end up embarrassing myself. Meanwhile, Georgia watched me with her arms crossed with one brow raised, and Asher– oh God, Asher! He was behind us all this time!

Immediately, mirth left my system and was altered with pure embarrassment. I stood on my two feet properly, fixed my posture, and cleared my throat, which made Georgia's raised brow go higher that it was close to getting to heaven.

"Excuse me," I faked a cough, then scuttled beside Asher.

"By the way, Georgia. Meet Asher," I introduced him, "He'll be eating lunch with us today."

Georgia looked at me with her sockets wide and bulging enough that her eyeballs could fall off, and her jaw, like a piece of metal attracted to a magnet, dropped and glued to the floor. Her robust, well-defined frame was shaking, and she looked like she wanted to scream but she couldn't.

"Georgia?" I called for her when she suddenly held my hand tight.

"Uhm, excuse me. My friend and I have something to talk about," she told Asher before pulling me. I think she just wanted a little distance that we could talk without him hearing what we were talking about.

"Sure...?" Asher replied, but I'm sure that Georgia didn't hear him since she was too busy dragging me away.

"Girl, what's this?!" she asked, pulling me to the corridor on the right, and pinning me on the wall. Guess I was wrong on the little distance part.

"First, Lazarus, and now the handsome exchange student?! Who's next? Zac Efron? Henry Cavill? Jesse Williams?!" she whisper-yelled at me. I watched her clutch her head while biting her lower lip. She looked pretty thrilled. Also, I don't understand. How come Lazarus was suddenly involved in this conversation?

"I've been friends with Lazarus since middle school, and I met Asher first on my first day here," I said, scratching my cheek with an index finger, and tugging my lips for a small smile. I don't know why but I suddenly felt a bit awkward talking about my friends.

"Did you save the country or a colony in your previous life? You're so lucky!" she suddenly grabbed me by the shoulders and began shaking me relentlessly that I began seeing stars. Just a few more shakes and I'd be close to seeing my dad reaching his hand to me while he floats above the clouds.

"He's eating lunch with us, right?" she asked, and I nodded.

Immediately, I saw Georgia make the widest smile, her eyes lit brightly with a glimmering shine, and her cheeks flushed to a bright apple red. She looked so beautiful with that big beam and blushing cheeks. The passive hostile aura around her from earlier had gone and turned awfully bright.

"We shouldn't make him wait any longer, let's go!" she grabbed my hand again, dragging me back to where we came from.

There, Asher was standing idly by the doorframe, leaning his back on the wall while typing on his phone. Noticing our presence, he glanced in our direction and then placed his phone back in his pocket.

"Hi! Sorry if it took us a bit longer," Georgia's mood had completely changed, offering her hand to him with her grin growing wider than earlier. "I'm Georgia,"

"Yeah, I know you. Georgia Moore, vice-captain for the cheerleading team and former swimming team member." Asher smiled before taking her hand. The two proceeded to make a friendly handshake while I stood between them, astounded by the new information that entered my ears. I'm learning new things every day– every second rather.

"You were from the swimming team?" I asked her, flabbergasted. "Looks like you've got a lot of secrets more than I do," I remarked, wiggling my brows at her while she squinted her eyes at me.

"Yeah, I kinda went to nationals," she replied, rubbing her arm awkwardly before lightly smacking Asher's arm. "And you. You know a bit about me too much. Are you my stalker?" it was her turn to wiggle her eyebrows but at Asher this time.

"Let's just say I know a thing or two," he chuckled.

"Anyways, let's go to the cafeteria! I'm already starving," she said, clutching her stomach and the three of us proceeded to the cafeteria.

"Dang, it kinda smells good in here," Georgia asked while we were lining up in the queue. I stood behind her while Asher was behind me. "I bet the food's good today."

Per usual, the noisy cafeteria was crowded, divided unevenly by the students grouping in with their cliques, barring each other with invisible walls.

"Yeah, it's Taco Tuesday today," Asher answered her question. I looked at his face from behind, craning my neck due to his Brobdingnagian height, and saw that he was staring far ahead at the food served in the display case. I could see that he was looking forward to today's lunch.

"Oh yes!" she squealed, turning on her heels to face me excitedly. "They have the best tacos here, Van!"

"I'm looking forward to seeing what it tastes like," I said, the corners of my lips lifting into an exciting beam. I haven't had tacos in a while, and now I kind of want to have some for lunch today.

"Would like to add some more beef and cheese for that tacos, sugar?" the lunch lady asked with a bright face when she placed down the tacos and a generous scoop of assorted meat on my plate. Wow, I never knew they could this sweet here. "Some fruits, too. Would you like some?" she offered. I'm beginning to like this lunch lady.

"If it's all right," I replied with a coy smile.

"Of course," she said laughed warmly, then proceeded to give me some extra, and I heard Asher whistle.

"What?" I raised my brow at him. What was with the whistle?

"Nothing," he shook his head and stepped forward. The lunch lady took her cue and gave him a copious amount of food as well, though she didn't offer him extra fillings for the tacos like how she did to me and instead, offered to give him more fruits to which he agreed.

"Let's go?" I asked him when he went off the queue, and we went to walk toward Georgia, who was waiting for us the whole time.

"What's taking you guys so long? Let's eat already," she grumbled, obviously hungry before adding: "I've been eyeing a free table, let's go there before someone else gets to it." She pointed at a vacant table not too far away from us.

"You could've just sat on the vacant table instead of eyeing it, you know," I chided as we walked side-by-side.

"I know," she retorted with a haughty expression on her face, her lips curving into a playful smile. "But I don't want to," she continued which made me look at her in disbelief. I appreciate that she waited for us though, but she wouldn't be grumbling at us if she didn't.

As soon as we got into place and made ourselves comfortable, Georgia looked over my tray and whistled. "Looks like the lunch lady likes you," she remarked.

"How so?" I instantly asked.

She rolled her eyes at me playfully in reply. "Duh, she gave you a lot more than usual. Look at mine."

She handed over her tray in my direction, showing me the contents of her lunch. She was right. Asher and mine's trays were so full of food that the contents were close to spilling off the edge while hers was just the right amount. Now I'm thinking of rescinding what I thought earlier about liking her.

"Looks like she likes Asher, too," she commented, looking over at Asher.

"No, I looked over at Vanessa's tray and whistled seeing her being given the VIP treatment. She must have sensed that I might call her out, so she gave me plenty too," he only shrugged nonchalantly, reaching for the taco, dipping it in the sauce, lifting it to his mouth, and taking one huge bite.

Unconsciously, I caught myself staring at him as he ate. I lowered my gaze down his pinkish, thin lips when a trail of cheese stretched from the taco and ended up sticking on his bottom lip. Slowly, I elevated my eyes and watched how his cheeks puffed and moved in an up-and-down motion as he chewed while his eyes rolled to the back of his head. It was pleasing to the ears to hear the crunch of the toasted tortilla as he took every single bite. Just looking at him was making now making me hungry. This guy could do good as a mukbang Youtuber.

Giving up on my primal impulse, I began digging in too. I don't know if this was because this taco was the best I've ever tasted in my entire life or because of how deliciously Asher ate his, but I was eating more aggressively than usual. I ate bite after bite, piece after piece, savoring each chunk that entered my mouth and gets ground in my teeth.

"They do have the best taco," I mumbled after swallowing, looking at the half-eaten food. My heart lurched seeing that only half of it was left and it would be no more.

"I told you," Georgia winked at me before standing up, fixing the wrinkles of her skirt.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Don't mind me. I just gotta do some lady business in the powder room. I'll be quick," she said, stepping off her chair.

"Okay. Take your time," Asher said, and she took off.

"So, how's the experience in Trinity Knight so far?" Asher asked when Georgia was out of sight. He just finished his taco and was now eating his fruits. "Damn, now I want to get some sloppy joes," he released a sigh and placed an elbow on the table, resting his cheek on his hand.

I took a bite of my lunch first, chewed, and swallowed it before answering his question: "It's okay. Lunch is better than my previous school, and the teachers are cool too." It was true. I have only been here for two days, and the education in this school is unimaginably different from my previous school. The tuition truly speaks for itself.

"I heard from Georgia that you're an international exchange student?" I took my turn to ask him.

He nodded. "Yeah. I got a period of 2 semesters then I'm going back to the Philippines after finals end to catch up to my graduation."

"So, how's the experience in the exchange student system?" I asked, copying his question from earlier.

"Copying me, eh?" he smirked when he realized that. "Well, it's a big culture shock..." he trailed off, "Like, everything here is huge." He started to list down all the things that amazed him the first time he came to the country.

"And the chicken nuggets, how can you guys eat so many of them?"

"C'mon it's not that many," I replied, laughing. "They're so good, too."

"It is that many," he chuckled. "But yeah, they are good. Also, not gonna lie, I find it amusing seeing how rowdy you guys go in waffle houses."

I gasped audibly, my lips wide agape that my choco milk's straw fell off my mouth. "How long do you stay up and stroll around that you get to witness that? I haven't seen a fight in waffle houses yet, only McDonalds."

"I wake up early," he shrugged at me.

"Early like 5 AM?" I raised a brow at him.

"Earlier than that," he retorted with a smug grin.

"And here I am, can't even manage to wake up past 5 unless I'm depressed."

"There you are," a voice said that sent shivers down my spine.

Dreading for my undetermined yet seemingly obscure fate, I turned my head and craned my neck upwards at a turtle's pace. Alas, I have come face-to-face with the incarnation of the devil himself.

"'Sup, Van?" Friso asked cooly, a sardonic smirk plastered on his annoyingly arrogant facade. I swear God made a huge mistake making this guy's face with fear and wonder since his personality didn't align with it. He was holding his immensely full lunch tray, his bag hanging loosely on his left shoulder. Behind him were his peers. Looking at their jerseys, I could surmise that they were from the soccer team. I could recognize a few, especially Lazarus, but I couldn't recognize most of them.

"Better," I hastily retorted, my lips twitching for a fake smile. "If you weren't around," I added, and I saw his eyes waver.

"Well, I guess that's bad for you," he told me, suddenly settling his bag down beside me, making me slide away on the rectangular seat. I didn't want to be near this guy less than a meter. "Since I'll be around," he continued, putting his tray beside mine.

"You, go away," he looked at Asher and motioned his hand away like he was shooing the latter.

"What did you say?" Asher was about to speak and defend himself but I beat him to it. "No one speaks to my friend that way, Friso de Vries," I seethed through gritted teeth. No one does, even if it was.

"I just kept my eyes off you for a second, and now you're with another guy? That hurts me, baby," he said mockingly, clutching his chest dramatically like he was pretending to be hurt by my words.

My brows furrowed, and I glared at him while he looked at me with mocking eyes. He was probably thinking about how to humiliate me in the back of his head.

"Friend of yours?" Asher asked that severing my heated eye contact against Friso.

"No." I found myself replying faster than the speed of light.

"It seems that he doesn't like us to be here though," he said, the tone of voice sounding like he was provoking Friso.

"No, just you. Now move," the guy in question responded.

"No, we're staying." I turned to glare at him again.

Meanwhile, his peers behind him began to talk amongst one another. Realizing that the noisy cafeteria had gone quiet, I looked around and realized that everyone was now watching our table. I immediately looked away, embarrassed that I was in this situation.

"Who is she?"

"It looks like Friso has taken an interest in her."

"Looks like another flavor of the week."

"Right."

"I've never seen her around before. Is she a transferee?"

"I think she is."

"She's with the exchange student, do you think they're dating?"

"Maybe? Even if they are, that wouldn't stop Friso."

"Uh... how?"

"Bitch, you know Friso, he gets whoever girl he wants. Whether she's dating someone or not."

One guy stepped forward and placed a hand on Friso's shoulder. "C'mon, bro. She doesn't wanna sit with us." He looked at me briefly and saw something glimmering in his eyes. Was it amusement? Entertainment? Delight? Nonetheless, I could feel that he was empathizing with our discomfort with their presence.

"No, we will sit with her." Friso was being the persistent prick he was, he looked at me with a credulously innocent gaze, looking like a puppy pleading to his fur parent. "For old time's sake, baby?" he asked. He proceeded to pull my last straw by adding: "Don't you think your dad will like it better with us eating together? I'm sure he'd be delighted."

"Yeah," I nodded. ​​"For old time's sake," I said, folding my hand into a fist.

My blood began curdling and blasting wildly in my veins like water boiled in intense heat. A tsunami of thoughts began to splash in my mind. How dare he mention that? For old-time's sake? What was he implying? That we should dine together for the sake of our memories back in middle school? Do a toast for the unpleasant things that happened back then? To recap the anguish and pain that we both inflicted on each other? Didn't he hate me? Then why was he bothering me now? Was it also for old times' sake? Did he want to remind me of the things that happened before? He even mentioned dad!

I considered discussing things with him before, but after our encounter in the grocery store and seeing what he had become, I immediately crossed out that consideration. Right now would have been the perfect time for us to talk about what happened and call a closure, but Friso was being an ass, worse than what he had become before. I don't think he'd be open to doing such a thing with me since he loathes me, and more or less mention my dad whom he turned away back then!

I couldn't let him mention the old times like it was some fond memory when it was not, let alone make me remember our old times with dad. Oh, dad... My heart lurched upon remembering him. I can't let Friso get past this. He was already bothering me enough, I shouldn't let him get my dad involved in our private feud, especially after what he had done to dad before.

Acting on furious impulse, I lifted my arm and did the last thing I thought I could ever do in my entire life. I punched Friso square in the face.

"Oof–!" I heard him grunt along with the audible gasp of the crowd.

I didn't waste any more time, I grabbed my bag and pulled Asher with me, running off to God knows where.

The breeze blew against me as soon as we left the cafeteria, sending my hair flailing in the air with some of the strands stuck on my face and the corners of my mouth, especially my bangs. But I couldn't care less. I ran and ran and ran like everything didn't matter like what happened earlier was meaningless. I followed where my feet told me to go.

Opening my mouth as I gasped for air, the realization struck me hard in the head. What in the world did I just do? Did I just punch Friso in the face? Why did I do that? God, I'm out of my mind! I'm too affected by the provocations he had been doing to me lately.

"Vanessa..."

But wasn't I just some bitch to him? Why was giving me all the unnecessary attention? I thought he didn't want me around anymore, but why was he sticking around? Wait, he was the first one to approach me today too. I guess he wanted to put me in a tough spot since I was currently in his territory.

"Vanessa..."

Just as always, he was being capricious! Angelene was right, he was an ass. But maybe I was too. I thought I was mature back then, but I was just another immature, hormonal teenager. But what about now? I'm already 18, but I have thoughts the same as I had back when I was an 8th grader. I should have been more patient, I shouldn't ha–

"Vanessa!"

I instantly stopped in my tracks when I heard Asher yell my name. Like me, he was panting as well while resting a palm on one knee. I looked at his tired face and saw that it was damped with sweat. He was pretty sparged with his sweat that even his hair was dripping droplets off.

"Oh..." I looked further down and realized that I grasping his wrist tightly. "I'm sorry!" I released him. I was catching my breath as well, my knees were hurting like I ran a marathon with no proper warm-up. Gosh, I was too preoccupied with my thoughts that I ran aimlessly and wasted my energy on nonsense!

"I should take note... to never get on your bad side," he said while panting, wiping his sweaty forehead.

"Haha..." I laughed nervously. "Sorry about that." He wouldn't have a bad impression of me because of this, would he?

"Where... are we?" I asked, looking around and realizing that I was in an unfamiliar place.

It was a wide pasture about more than a hundred yards long. From afar, I could see a wide football pitch surrounded by a track with wide bleachers resting on each side. We were standing by the trees surrounding the track field on the left side. In the track's front end was a field a bit smaller than the football pitch, probably the soccer field since there were goals on each end and there were a few students playing soccer. I looked around and only several students were present, and most of them were playing frisbee or soccer. This was probably a school field, but this looked more like a sports complex.

I tucked a handful of hair behind my ear as the wind blew past us strongly, rendering leaves to fall and descend to the ground in small twirls.

"It's the field," he answered, looking like he finally caught his breath. "We can have a picnic here as long as we have a blanket and we clean up the mess after hanging out. Since the faculty will scold us if we don't have any."

"I see," I replied while looking around. It was a pretty wide area, though it would be better to hang around at a time like this if we just stay under the trees for shade.

"So..." he trailed off, looking around. "What do we do now?" he asked cluelessly.

"Hang on, I think my phone's ringing," I said, feeling my phone vibrate in my bag and hearing my small ringtone emanating from it. I hastily took out my phone and answered it without reading who was actually calling.

"Girl, what did I just hear about a pretty blonde knocking down THE Friso de Vries before running off with a handsome dark-haired boy?!" it was the first thing I heard from Georgia as soon as I pressed the phone to my ear.

"First it was Lazarus, then it was Asher, and now Friso?" she spoke faster and faster the more words came out of her mouth. "I should have predicted that sooner!" she exclaimed and began ranting about us leaving her alone and having her take care of things by herself.

Meanwhile, Asher stood close to me and leaned his head closely, listening to Georgia letting out her frustration with her words. I could smell the scent of his light cologne, a mixture of vanilla and mint. It was calming and sweet that all the adrenaline and cortisol rushing in my blood had gone.

"I'm sorry for leaving you so suddenly, Georgia," I apologized when she was out of breath from all the ranting.

"Where are you?" she straightforwardly asked. Wow, that was a quick move on, I thought as Asher leaned away and sat on a nearby tree trunk with his bag beside him.

"The field," I answered, slowly sitting beside Asher.

"Stay there, I'm heading there right now," she said and hung up. I pulled the phone away from my ear and looked at my screen blankly, thinking about how long it'd take her to get here.

"What'd she say?" I heard Asher ask.

"She said she's coming."

"I hope she brings at least scraps of our lunch," he said, putting both of his hands behind his head, and leaning behind the trunk.

I winced at his remark, getting reminded about what happened earlier. We both stayed silent in our respective spots. Asher seemed he was taking a nap while I watched my schoolmates play. The wind blew against us cooly with ease, spreading the gossamer scent emanating from him. Seconds, minutes, and moments passed slowly. As time slips away like a river stream, tension was building in the atmosphere and it was difficult for me to breathe. The grass brushing against my leg felt more uncomfortable the longer I sat on the lush ground. I looked at him, relaxingly taking a nap beside me.

I knew he would be wondering why I'd do such a thing, but why wasn't he asking me? He should be asking, right? Wait, why am I having thoughts like these? Am I being paranoid? Gosh, maybe I am.

Nevertheless, I'm kind of glad that he wasn't asking me questions about what happened earlier. But maybe he was considering my feelings? He could be wondering but chose either not to care or he didn't want to bother my feelings. Especially after such a heated encounter. Asher seems like the perceptive guy anyway, or was he?

"Don't fuss about it," he said which sent a chill down my spine. He sounded serenely sleepy with his voice like he was just woken up from a nap. "You seem agitated over what happened, so I'm not gonna ask," he added.

"Thank you..." I uttered in a small voice. "I thought you were napping. But how did you know what I was thinking? Are you a psychic?" I asked, trying to change the subject to ease the uncomfortable atmosphere between us.

"Let's say that I am."

"The truth, please."

"Your back is rigid like you're sitting on guard," he said, his voice getting was getting clearer and clearer as if he was no longer sleepy. "And even though we haven't known each other deeply, I notice that you have a habit of spacing out when you're in deep thought, and considering what just happened."

"You're pretty observant," I commented, running my hand on the cleanly cut carpet of grass. I turned my head to look at him and saw the corner of his lip raised into a small smile before he spoke: "I'll take that as a compliment."

"Heeey!"

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Thank you for reading Bubble Gum Kisses! To keep up with my work, future works, and endless frustrations, you can find me on my Wattpad and social media accounts:

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