~ Wednesday, Erudites High ~

She was hoping that she would see Kendrick to apologize for the fight the week before but he didn't come to school for two days. She tried his cell but it was unreachable. She had given up hope of seeing him when he appeared the third day without a scratch.

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She stood there, transfixed. He was in the hallway and his friends were cheering him. He hugged and pecked a girl who had run to him and smiled. Patra cringed from where she stood, in front of her locker. How dare she?, she boiled in rage. And how dare you too?, she checked herself in time. He's not yours to keep. Don't let it get to your head.

His eyes finally fell on her and his smile faded. He approached her and she stopped him as he got too close.

"Patra, please", he said calmly and made to move out of her way but she stopped him again.

"I just wanna say I'm sorry for what happened on Friday night. He's just...", she apologized.

"Yeah, don't sweat it", he replied and walked out on her. She sighed and took out a book from her locker. As she walked to her class, she overheard some girls talking in low tones. And it was about her.

"She is hitting on Kendrick", she heard one say.

"Yeah, I mean, why would she wear something that drop dead gorgeous, at that party. Because it sure got her the attention she wanted", another said. She didn't wait for the rest of the conversation but she heard something like, "She's a wannabe. Nerds like her are always trying to fit in". It was probably my imagination, she told herself.

Luc, who was looking at the duo from a distance appeared when Kendrick left. He got to her.

"What do you want?", she spat coldly.

"I need to see you. We need to talk".

"I can't.  There's nothing to say to you", she replied, glaring at him. Luc furiously grabbed hold of her hand and forced her into the janitor's room, despite the kicking and shouting to, "Let go of me".

"Why the heck did you do that?", she questioned, still glaring at him.

"Why are you with that good for nothing...?"

"It's Kendrick to you, not good for nothing. And why is that of any importance to you?", she spat.

"This is so unlike you. This... this could affect your studies, y...you...you could lose focus", he argued.

"This is my life, okay. I'm doing great and I won't lose focus. He's a friend, got that? People like you don't want me to be free".

"A friend? A friend when he was about to kiss you? Oh God, why? When have you become so gullible?"

"And why do you care so much?", she screamed.

"BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!", he raised his voice and her eyes grew wide. She knew, but she didn't expect him to say it. Pretending to gasp, she asked in a whimper but loud enough for him to hear.

"What did you say?", her face was drained of color.

"Yes, I said it. I said I love you and it cost me nothing  to say it again", he replied. "For so long, I had been waiting for you to discern that but you seemed naïve and innocent and played blind to it", he made to hold her and kiss her.

"Don't touch me!", she drew back.

"You've got to believe me", he pleaded like a love sick puppy.

"Believe you? Seriously, Luc, you disgust me. So that was why you wanted to deal with him, to kill him. Because you're jealous. You really disgust me", she opened the door of the janitor's room.

"Love..."

"Don't 'love' me", she said and Luc made to hold her once more but she slammed the door and walked out with tears in her eyes. She needed time, space, air to think and changed directions to the restroom. She headed to one of the store and cried. She was tired of life and what it had to offer. But you can't take your life, she told herself as she sniffed. She wiped her face and went to the infirmary's office for some painkillers and a pass to go home. She walked to the restaurant and dried her eyes.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you crying? Is everything alright?", uncle Fred asked when he noticed her bloodshot eyes as she stepped in. She nodded a yes and was about to go into the changing room when he called back.

"Does it have to do with you coming before the usual time?"

"It's just headache,  uncle", she replied. And she was shocked at the fact that she lied.

"You've had migraine worse than  this for long as I can remember. Not like this, that you'll cry. C'mmon tell me, what's bugging you", he pleaded and patted the seat beside him. She sat down and spilled the beans, Luc's  lovesick behavior and his expressing it inclusive. He had laughed lightly and calmed her down, advising her on how she could handle it.

By the time they were done, it was already midday and she had not started working. She quickly stood up to change and set to work as soon as possible in anticipation if her aunt's arrival later in the day.

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Her phone rang. It was Stella and the time was 9:47 pm. She sat up. "Hello?"

"Patra, where have you been? I've been looking all over school for you? I'd everything okay?", she asked.

"Um, I called in sick so the infirmary allowed me to go home", she replied and went ahead to tell Stella what had transpired between Luc and her. Stella was shocked by what she heard.

"Just forget him. He's not worth it__. But I hope you are feeling better?". Patra said yes and for a moment there was silence. When Stella spoke again, there was a tinge of excitement in her voice.

"There's a field trip coming up next week and it's  going to span a whole fricking week! You have been picked, obviously. So have I and what's more, I'm the camp assistant to the camp coaches Mr Spencer and Ms Diaz. We're going to see Colorado springs then the Angel Falls, the beach, then we'll__" Stella kept babbling and rattling on and on what Patra felt was unintelligible, for she was already falling asleep. She forced herself to stay awake and listen. "__ and the amazing part __ is that Kendrick will be your room___". Her eyes dropped once more and she sat upright. Finally, she gave up trying to listen.

"Stella".

"Yeah?"

"You know what? I'm already falling asleep and can't place meaningful word you said in my head right now. I don't wish to have another bout of migraine by tomorrow. Can we talk about this tomorrow. Don't mind me for now, my eyes keep dropping and I'm feeling dizzy. Probably when tomorrow comes and I hear all what you're gonna to say, then I comprehend, okay?", she slurred.

"Whatever you say. Have a good night's rest. Do not watch Netflix once this call ends. Get well soon and take good care of yourself. Good night!"

"Yeah, g'night", she replied, sleepily and the line went dead. She sighed, relieved as she dropped her phone on the bedside table. If she she said she heard (or even if she heard) or understood what Stella had said over the phone, she was talking with her tongue in her cheek. She closed her eyes to sleep as all thoughts escaped her mind, leaving it blank, like an empty void.

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Hi beauties

Sorry for a very late update. I was caught up with stuff.
And thank you all for voting and following me. I love y'all cos it is you votes that motivates me to keep writing.

Now to more important stuffs, I realized that I don't receive any comments from you guys. Please, not only your votes but your comments moves me to write.

Asides that, ciao

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XOXO