Kapittel 7

Vanessa

Days have passed since we moved back to town, and I was getting accustomed to this place back again. The days were great with the frequent visits from some old neighbors who welcomed us back with delicious gifts, especially Mr. and Mrs. Harbinger who brought us a large pot of gumbo and a basket of newly harvested bell peppers, rambutan lemon, and oranges.

We had lunch with the old couple with the food they brought and some squeezed lemonade. Catching up with them about our respective experiences from 3 years ago was fun. I got to learn that their eldest and second child now had their own families and children while their youngest was still in the middle of finishing their doctorate, which Mr. Harbinger was proud of, being someone with a doctoral degree himself. They were thrilled to meet Zach and tried to teach him to call them "mawmaw" and "pawpaw".

"Mawmaw..." my younger brother pointed at Mrs. Harbinger with his small, chubby index finger. "Pawpaw," he said, and then pointed to Mr. Harbinger.

"What a bright young man!" Mr. Harbinger exclaimed as they clapped their hands in joy. The little man, being the jolly kid he was, became elated when he realized he was being praised.

The harmonious lunch went on and the elderly woman suddenly asked where dad was and said she hadn't seen him since we moved back. Immediately, mom's beaming face went crestfallen. My heart broke seeing her beautiful, smiling face drop into a frown.

"He died," she answered, her voice small, and broken.

The entire room was silent for a while. Awkwardness befell the entire dining room and none of us attempted to speak, the atmosphere had become too thick for us to breathe properly. It was Mrs. Harbinger who broke it with her heartfelt condolences, "It must have been hard. I'm sorry to hear that, dearie. We didn't know."

We proceeded with our lunch with happy faces again, like the question was never asked. It soon ended shortly, and our visitors went back home since they had prior arrangements to attend to.

But as much as how enjoyable my daytimes were, my nighttimes were horrible with all the nightly visits by aching terrors. I was afraid of sleeping since the nightmares would come back but we couldn't control ourselves from closing our eyes when tired then unknowingly slipping away from consciousness and entering slumber. I'd always find myself awake at dawn, and wait until it was around 4 to jog and get things off my mind. It was effective, however, the less that I think about it the worse and more gruesome my nightmares became that I'd fight myself from sleeping.

"Sweetie, are you okay? You don't look so good," mom asked while we were cutting weeds in the front yard. It seemed that my sleeplessness was starting to affect my complexion.

"Yeah. I'm good, mom," I answered her and forced a smile. The truth was, my body was aching all over, especially my eyes that were deadset on closing but I've been fighting them off. I didn't want to sleep. I didn't want to encounter those repetitive nightmares again.

"You sure?" she asked for assurance, her eyes were full of worry. As much as I didn't want to lie to her, seeing me still devastated after what happened might break her, and I didn't want that to happen.

"Yup," I answered, popping the "p". "I'll tell you when something's bothering me." Lies.

"Good." A broad, bright smile stretched on her face. "Just know that I'm always here for you." Same here, mom. Same here. But I'm sorry, there were just things I couldn't tell you.

"I know. Thanks, mom," I replied, the same fake smile still plastered on my face.

I was visited by another one again but these past sleepless nights exhausted me too much that I wasn't in the mood to jog for today. After drinking a glass of water, I went back up to my room where I laid plopped myself harshly on the bed.

I blankly stared at the lightless ceiling for a good moment and I let out a small giggle before closing my eyes shut and rolling over to the other side of the bed. I groaned feeling the mushiness of the soft pillows and the comforter hugging my body, my weight making me sink into the bed. Ah, I feel like becoming one with the bed. I now desire to become one with this natural latex foam. It was like time was moving real slow and I felt like floating in the sky, laying down on a thick cloud. Nothing was better than this kind o—

"Vanessa!" Dang, mom. Sometimes, it irritated me the fact that she was a morning person, she'd wake us up at 6 and tell us it was already afternoon. I feel like I was drafted into the military because of how early she woke me up and moved out of bed, but of course, I knew the military was harder and way earlier.

I groaned once again and opened one eye, staring at my newly decorated study table blankly when I noticed the small calendar I put there, the date with a red circle on it particularly. Gosh, last night was Sunday right...? Then today must be...

Monday

Much to the horror of my realization, I groaned again and pulled the comforter over my head, snuggling on my pillows, the muscles of my body suddenly weakening. It seemed that time wasn't as slow as I had imagined it was. I hadn't realized that today was Monday and not just that, today was my second first day of school. Dang it, I still wasn't ready. I better go back to sleep and maybe go to school tomorrow, if I was in the mood, that was.

I was enjoying a good snuggly-wuggly moment until I heard the door being opened, along with mom's booming voice, echoing in my room. "Vanessa! What are you doing?!" but I ignored her and pulled the comforter closer to my body.

I let out a deep breath, closed my eyes, and shifted a bit when a strong force pulled the sheets away from my body, leaving me exposed to the sun's warm rays that made me open my eyes and look at the perpetrator who got my comforter. Mom was glaring at me with disappointment painted on her face, particularly her cognac brown eyes, the eyes that Zach inherited.

"Mooom!" I groaned, sitting up and pouted at her.

"Darling, it's already 6." She sighed and began folding the thick fabric. Her hands and fingers moved swiftly and gracefully and she managed to set it down on the edge of my bed in a split second. "Get up, today's your first day of school too," she added, putting her hands on her hips and leaning her hips down a bit, posing like a mom catching her child stealing cookies in the jar.

"Noooo, I don't like wanna gooo." I slumped my back on the mattress and covered my face with a pillow. Could I go to school tomorrow instead?

"Vanessa," she said my name with a hint of warning in her voice, like what she usually did in situations like taking too long in doing what she asked or like this, when I didn't want to get up from bed. Somehow, it made me kind of happy, it had been a while since she was like this. After dad died, she usually cried and spaced out in the living room, only getting up when it was time to cook food. When I refuse to get up from bed, she only stayed quiet and told me to eat when I was hungry. It seemed that we were slowly getting back to normal, in a different home— that was.

I removed the pillow from my face. "Mom," I pouted, looking at her with puppy eyes. Hah, I am so going to win this.

"Bye, sweetie! Take a taxi on your way home!" mom waved me goodbye enthusiastically before driving off, leaving me all alone in the parking lot. I groaned internally, ignoring the other students' curious stares at me as they pass by, it seemed that it was their first time seeing someone sent to school by their parents but I was not embarrassed by that though, my mom was a strong woman and I would never be embarrassed by her no matter what.

Again, with mom, she won using the dad card, saying that if it were dad cajoling me to go to school and I refuse, he'd surely be upset. She's got a point though, dad valued education very much as he was formerly a dropout who came back to high school at 20 when he realized the value of schooling and what happened after successfully graduating. Getting a good job and a fine life. He always told me that story of his when I was a kid, that was why I always put in mind the importance of graduating and getting into a good college than a nice job later on. Upon his death, I valued it even more. I began making an ambition of giving mom and Zach a good life.

I sighed, thinking why I was thinking of lazing off earlier, thinking of going to school tomorrow instead of today. Why tomorrow when I could do it today? Why not today? That was stupid of me. Giving in to what I was feeling rather than what I'm ought to do. Self-control sure was hard, huh?

Taking another breath in, I turned on and stared at the façade before me. When we passed by the enormous gate earlier, I thought that it was just a show-off and everything else inside was just like in my former school; buildings with up to three to four floors, an open field large enough for a game of soccer can play, cafeteria and of course, a parking lot. But Trinity Knight here was a lot different. From the parking lot, I could see the enormous building with up to five floors and higher, and it was packed with lots of people, the large cafeteria with a bunch of fast-food chain restaurant slots one after another, and the field is four times wider that the students were playing three sports at once! This rather looked like a university than a high school campus to me. Maybe mom took me to the wro—

Ring!

Hearing a sudden small ring, I took my phone out of my back pocket to see what it was. Turns out it was a text.

From: Katherine

It's your first day of school! 😄 Have fun and make new friends, but don't forget us too! 🥺

The others are sending their regards btw. 😘 💋

A smile formed on my lips as my phone rang again with another message.

From: Katherine

We'll find a way to visit you. 😉

"I wish you guys are here," I mumbled with the same smile etched on my face and touched my necklace. I wanted to call them on Facetime but I was sure they were busy doing stuff and goofing off right now, especially since we were now in our final year in high school and had to make the most of everything. I didn't want to disturb them just for small matters. I was just feeling a little lost and dazed just because I was on a new campus. Not to mention, Katherine texted me with a wish of having fun. That was already good enough for me.

I sent her a heart as a reply, feeling energized at the memory of my friends. Feeling that I was getting started on my day, I thought that it was time for me to move and head to the registrar's office.

"Vanessa Hathern?" the registrar asked me with a small smile and gentle look on her face. Wow, even the service here was amazing. My face sourced when I remembered my previous school's registrar, she'd raise her voice over the slightest squeak and purposely type on the keyboard harshly to show the students she was annoyed with them giving her work.

"Yes," I nodded and she did too, stating, "I see." She then looked down at the monitor of her computer and begin typing. When she stopped, she immediately grabbed a paper and pen out of nowhere and began scribbling fast on it before handing it to me along with a book and other cards with one of them having my face wearing an awkward smile.

"Take these, it contains your class schedule, and your student identification card—please wear this immediately. This is your student handbook, inside it is your campus map, admit-to-exam slip, books list that you need to reference for the textbooks which you need to claim in the book center before you go to class and a letter to the teachers, in case they're wondering who you are and if you are late. This one expires only for a week," she said under one breath, much to my astonishment. She took her breath for a minute before adding: "Welcome to Trinity Knight High School, by the way."

I took the papers she handed to me gently with a small thanks then left with small trudges despite feeling a bit awkward about what she said about the last paper. Looking at the campus map, I pondered. Looks like the campus was so large that students easily get lost and need to have their excuse for being lost legit. But the hard part was I needed to memorize the entire campus only for a week, I wish I had someone to give me a tour. I flipped the card to the back and saw today's schedule. I clicked my tongue, seeing that my first subject this morning was mathematics on the fourth floor of the STC building. Geez, what a great way to start my first day in this posh school.

I scratched my head and stopped in my tracks when I remembered something. Reminds me, the woman told me told to get my books first before heading to class. Grr. I flipped the school map back to the front to see where the book store was. My eyes widened when I learned that the bookstore was three buildings away from the current building I was in right now, the STC building was also two buildings away from the bookstore, and it was currently 7:25, 35 minutes before my first class. Dang, I was given a hard time on my first day.

"Gosh, where am I?!" I fumed, turning my head left and right, looking at every part, side, and corner of the building. It said on the map that the book center was one entire edifice between the faculty building and the Chivalry building. If I wouldn't get my books sooner, God knew what bad thing was going to happen. I didn't like to ruin my first day and give the instructors a bad impression. Sigh.

"The silence

I'm screaming

Calling out your name"

"Huh?" I turned around, looking for the source of the lovely melody of guitar strings strummed and the soothingly lovely voice singing the lyrics. The voice sounded deep but was in tone and sounded soft and gentle, a perfect company with the strums of the guitar. It made me feel warm like I was being cradled in someone's arms, soothing me with the song. I admit I was enchanted.

"And I do reside in your light

That put up the fire with me and find

Yeah yeah, you'll lose the side of your circles

That's what I'll do if we say goodbye"

"Over there?" I mumbled out my sudden thought and turned on my heels towards the direction where there was a thick acacia tree. I narrowed my eyes and saw a person's arm, a guitar's neck, and someone's head bobbing as if they were doing a little headbang. That must be the one singing. Slowly and painstakingly, I walked towards the tree, not wanting to disturb the person singing but wanting to hear him closely at the same time.

"To be is all I gotta be

And all that I see

And all that I need this time

To me the life you gave me"

I closed my eyes, a smile forming on my lips. I stepped another foot closer, closer, and clos— crunch!

"The day you said good n—"

Along with the sound of the twig crunching, the singer also stopped singing midway. They automatically stood up, stepping out of the tree, revealing themselves before my eyes, making me gasp in surprise. He had the complete ideal guy code. He was quite tall that I had to stretch my neck to see his perfectly chiseled handsome face that contained a handsomely sculpted upturned nose, almond-shaped black eyes, nice thin lips, and naturally tan skin that shone against the sun's rays. It was like seeing a deity.

"May I help you?" he asked, his voice deep but at the same time, gentle, surprising me even more. How in the...?!

But despite the surprise felt, I immediately organized myself internally and asked him: "Why did you stop? It was beautiful."

His confused facial expression soon dispersed and changed into something soft. "I'm sorry. I was just a bit confused— I mean, it's my first time seeing you on this campus."

"I'm a transferee. Today's my first day," I told him with a small smile. "I just left the registrar's building and came here to get my books when I heard you sing. Your voice is wonderful, by the way— I'm sorry for suddenly barging in too," I added with an apology. It must have been uncomfortable for him with me suddenly interrupting.

"If you are a transferee and you just came from the registrar..." he said slowly with a hand on his chin and his eyes looking afar as if he was thinking. Moments later, he looked at me and said, "This isn't the book center."

"What?" I asked, confused.

"This is the back of the library annex, a library exclusive for visitors." What?!

"How come it's not on the map though?" I pulled the map out from my back pocket. I'm sure it was three buildings to the right from the registrar's building, where I originally was. Dang, did I get myself lost?

He suddenly swept to my side with his guitar in his left hand. I brushed my eyes on the instruments and noticed there was a beautifully designed pick stuck on the strings near the tuners. It was probably made of acrylic or resin since it was transparent, and had blue flower petals extending from the edge to the flat part where there laid two faces and above them read the words Ben & Ben. His favorite band, maybe?

"Let me see," he said and leaned closer over my shoulder, looking at the map. I ignored the beads of sweat forming on my temples and under my jaw. Nervousness crept in my knees as I felt his minty breath fanned over my neck and his light-scented cologne invaded my nose while he checked the campus map I was holding. I was sure he wasn't making a move on me, right?

"It's this one," he suddenly spoke, pointing a thick, calloused index finger on a teeny part on the map. Taking a little peek, I realized that he was pointing at a small square just right beside the Chivalry building, where I recently was before coming right to this building.

"Wow, it sure is small," I commented, looking at the small spot.

"It is, and is usually mistaken as the book center as its so small that it becomes unnoticeable," he commented before taking a few steps back, standing up straight and pointing to a certain place on the right. "Just turn right, you'll find the entrance to the center."

I looked in the direction where he was pointing and saw a larger building, making me sigh in relief. "Thanks, you're a great help. I thought I was lost and was gonna be late after you said that this wasn't the book center."

"It's no problem."

"I'm Vanessa, by the way," I extended my hand to him since I found it rude just dash off without introducing myself to him. He might be my first friend here too. "Uh, I thought it would be a bit rude to suddenly go away with just thanks that bear no sincerity, and it's my first day here, so..." I trailed off when he stayed silent and just stared at my hand I was offering.

He let out a small chuckle reverberating from his throat before taking my hand. "Asher."

"Like the name from the bible?"

"Mom said I was a blessing to her and dad's lives, so they named me after one of Jacob's sons from the bible, Asher, whose name meant blessing. So... yeah," he explained, giving me a small smile, and I swore to the odds, it made me feel that my day was about to end happily.

"Nice meeting you, Asher," I told him as we shook hands, and he replied: "Likewise."

It seemed to me that my first day of school wasn't so bad after all.

"Anyways, thank you!" I said before going off my way.

It didn't take me long to arrive the book center as it was only a few walks away. Like what was illustrated on the map, it was between buildings larger in stature with only a small space between them, but not too small that people couldn't pass through it. It was like an alley. A smile stretched on my face as I walked to the entrance and reach for its doors.

"Shut it, motherfucker!" a shout came through my ears, startling me. I halted on my spot and squinted my eyes in the left alley, and that was when I realized the alley had people parking in it. The sunlight was being blocked off mostly by the building's façade, so I couldn't see their face clearly, but there were subtle rays striking them enough that I could see their feet and clothes. The guys were wearing dark blue coats, and the girls were wearing the same clothes as mine. They were Trinity Knight students!

They were resting their backs against the wall, smoking puffs of cigarette. One guy was holding a bottle of beer. All of them positioned sturdily on their spots, like they were covering up something. I squinted my eyes even more, and my soul almost jumped out of my body when it registered into my mind what they were concealing behind. There was couple having sex behind them.

"When are y'all gonna finish?" one of the guys asked, he was clearly the impatient one in the group.

"Oh come in, let them be. Aren't you having fun watching them?" asked another guy with a grin, he was glanced at the couple before smacking the guy's derriere and the latter moved his hips faster, which caused his girlfriend to whimper.

"You're fucking gross, Laz," said one girl, waving off the wafting smoke to her direction.

"But you just sucked my dick earlier? Doesn't that make you gross too?" he shot back, to which she rolled her eyes and reply, "Whatever."

"Anyways, classes are almost starting. You guys should finish already," said another girl.

"Says the one who sleeps in class," the impatient guy said.

"Gosh, shut it!" she rebuked and smacked his arm, to which he laughed.

I stared at them blankly before turning away and walking forward to the book center's entrance. It seemed even though this was a private school and all the quality education it could offer, there were still wayward students who let their hormones go on a rage and control them. I shouldn't be surprised, I guess since teenagers are mostly the same. I'd seen worse and I'd seen better in the previous school I was enrolled to, anyway.

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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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