•SALOME ALAN•

"Salome?"

"Aunt J-jenny," I mutter her name in the speaker of my phone plastered to my ear.

"My baby," Her voice echoes through, followed by light sniffing. "How are you?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but a sigh left my lips instead. Then I nod like she's standing in front of me. "Yes, I am," I answer, softly sitting on the bed.

There's silence from her end. Then shuffling of some crushing like a polythene.

"Aunt Jenny, where are you?" My conscience isn't taking it any longer. My whole body is numb, my breathing feeble I can barely feel myself breathing. "Are you okay? Are you hurt? Have you had anything to eat?"

Yet another shuffling and footsteps. "Yes, I am, Salome. I had something to eat and-"

"What was that?" My curiosity spikes. Something tells me she is lying and just trying to cover up. "What did you have to eat?"

Aunt Jenny draws in a breath. "Salome, I know Maria explained what happened, and words can't explain how deeply sorry I am to you," She snuck in, her voice overly shaky. "You don't deserve it."

I swallow hard, reminiscing the whole scenario about seeing a gun in my Dad's room the day I left for camp, the weird papers I stumbled upon, and... how secretively sensitive he has always been about work.

That explains it. My dad is a bad person and could be the reason I was tailed home weeks back.

I slap my free palm over my mouth, sniffing at the sudden realization. I was openly blinded to whatever was going on, and the more I think of it, I proposedly chose to because I was scared. My hand drops slowly from my lips.

"We kept it from you because it wasn't something your dad and I are proud of, Salome." She tells me, but who am I to judge, I have no stance of speaking against my dad or her. "It wasn't supposed to turn out this way, I need you to believe me."

"I believe you." My voice is merely above a whisper.

She sighs down, muttering "okay"

"Have you seen Alex? Your teacher?"

I tear my eyes from the gigantic grey wardrobe to my feet, shaking my head. "N-no."

"Okay."

Why was she asking though?

"He will be back soon," I add for clarification. I can perceive how much my aunt wishes he was here right now. "Possibly tomorrow."

"Oh great," Her voice raises a tad bit. "I can't wait to see you again, Salome. I will tell you everything when I do, and your dad..."

"I love him, regardless." I carefully slide in. She is keenly picking her words and trying to reassure me that I am still priceless to him and he loves me. "And I can't wait to see you too. Uh, is it safe around you?"

"Yes yes, it is," She is quick to reply. "I would be staying with an old friend for a while, and-"

"Jenny, you have to end that call right now, your phone is been tracked!"

"What?" My eyes and ears perk up at the voice of a man's voice from my aunt's end.

"Oh my, Salome, I'm so sorry but I have to go now, I promise to reach you at the slight chance I get, okay? I love you so much, bye..."

"Oh bye-" The phone cut before I could say anything more. My heart picks up beating faster as I slide my phone from my ears, intently looking at her name recently called. I could never have thought...

•••

I changed into a pair of black sweatpants, a navy blue hoodie, and grey socks after having my bath. I picked them from the bag of clothes Maria gave me, some are mine and most are newly bought.

Settled on the brown center rug, I slowly fold the remaining clothes neatly aside, a cool breeze slipping through the thick curtains. I push some of my curly hair behind my ears as it keeps getting in my face, slipping down the clothes with my palms.

Maria came to check on me at intervals before she finally said good night to me. Last I checked the time was 10:05 pm. Such a long day.

My eyes catch a familiar black jacket in the pile of clothes. I slip it out of the bunch out of curiosity, stretching it open to...

"Oh my God..." I mutter, my mouth dropping at realizing the jacket belongs to Mr. Alex. My whole body falls in cold as memories flood through my head.

The day I sneaked out with Theodora at camp. When he saw me, and wore it around my shoulders. His room. The time he asked me to keep it in case I think of sneaking out again, to at least wear something warm.

My hands grip the fabric tighter as I stare into space, reminiscing on how it got to me. I blink down at it, taking calm breaths, sudden calmness washing over me.

He must be worried. So worried.

I glance up at my phone on the nightstand, a part of me itching to reach for it and check my texts. Yet, a part of me is willing to hide in isolation.

I swallow, taking my eyes back to the black jacket. On its own, my hands raise it to my face, and I shut my eyes, sniffing in his reminder of his scent.

What would Mr. Alex say to me if he was here?

'Salome, we will get through this?'

'It's all going to be fine?'

'I am here for you?'

My lips part opened in his vivid voice in my head, coupled with his scent. His presence. My chest tightens as my eyes flutter open.

I can't wait. I miss him so much.

Pulling myself up from the rug, I climb the bed with the jacket in my hand, turn to the side of switch off the bright lights to dim blue. The clothes could wait till tomorrow.

I pull the purple duvet up my chest, and lay on my side, holding the jacket closest to me. Gradually, sleep takes me in its embrace, my surroundings fading away.

•••

"Salome, you sure? You don't have to go if you don't want to." Maria presses as she watches me flip my blazer jacket over my shoulders, adjusting my hair to spread around my shoulders. I woke up early and suddenly felt like having my hair straightened. Now, it's almost waist-length.

"I wish to, Maria." I smile at her a bit, taking some hair behind my ears. "I need to study and revise for the upcoming examinations."

She nods, her eyes giving away to understanding. "Okay. I will give you a ride, okay?"

"Hmm," I hum, slip my hands down my skirt with a sigh. Maria walks over to her sculpture stand and picks up her car key. "Could we maybe see my Dad after I return?" I've been wanting to ask, and I can't hold it in anymore.

Maria exhales sharply. I reach closer to where she's standing beside the door. "I won't, right?"

"I'm sorry, Salome." She embraces me in a hug, patting my back. "Not yet."

I take deep breaths, nodding with my hands down. "Okay," I mutter.

She releases me, and we walk out to her car parked right in front. I glance up at my home, empty and deserted. If only I knew that I wouldn't come back to it the same way I left for school.

With a sharp breath, my eyes stay glued to my threshold as I pull the car door open and climb in.

The journey to school was comfortably quiet. My eyes were on the buildings and grasses almost throughout, several thoughts running through my head. Luckily, my head feels lighter since it's in a sleek press. I could feel Maria's eyes on me from time to time. She is also worried, so much that I can't measure.

We got to school in a few minutes. I Hop down and wave at Maria who wishes me good luck.

"Thanks." I shift up one hand of my black bag strap, ducking my head to the glass to see her face.

"I will pick you up later," She says, but before I protest, I am already nodding.

"O-okay," I agree, and walk off into the huge gate of my school. In two months, I would be done here. Done with Victoria High and everything that has to do with high school.

A deep sigh escapes my lips as I pass by other students walking in groups, constantly wiping off my hair from my face. I should have a scrunchie in my bag or locker.

The hallway isn't as crowded yet, so I fasten my steps to my locker. A very familiar scent pecks my nostrils the second I open my locker. My heartbeat accelerates without caution. With a rapid head turn, my eyes search amid students passing by, keenly looking for him.

"Now I see how much effect Mr. Alex does have on you."

Out of nowhere, I heard that voice that sounded beside me. I turn to face Kenny leaning on his locker two lockers away from me.

I frown in slight destruction, blindly closing my locker just as he walks toward me with a straight face.

I laugh dryly, "Kenny?"

His face eases at the sound of my voice. Now he's standing right in front of me, my whole body is fully aware of the fact that he has on the exact Cologne Mr. Alex uses. Like his signature, impossible for me to miss.

"Hey Salome," Kenny's lips stretch in his usual beamful way. "And wow, you got your hair stretched."

I hum, touching the tip of my hair, "Hmm yes, good morning Kenny. Can I ask why you uh, have on Mr. Alex's Cologne?" I teasingly poke his upper arm, earning a chuckle from him.

"What can I say? Just trying to confirm something," He briefly greets a guy passing by us.

"Confirm something?" I want him to throw more light but instead, he fans me off. "Come on, Kenny, you started something." I push, giving space for students to pass, my body becoming more conscious of the continual whiff of Mr. Alex's scent oozing from him.

He stares at me with a small smirk, taking a deep breath afterward. "You look pretty."

My eyes widen with my mouth drops open at his sudden compliment. I quickly blink back to normal. "Oh thanks, I appreciate it, but Kenny you need to"

"I am so adamant about wanting to know how much anything concerning Mr. Alex affects you, Salome. And this, this is a pass. One pass." He points to himself, while I just look at him, fixing the puzzle from his view. "I know something is going on, and no matter how much I try to ask, you wouldn't tell me anything."

"K-Kenny I don't-"

"You can't imagine how hard it was for me to figure out the limited luxury of Cologne Mr. Alex uses just to get a reaction out of you, and I am wowed. Had to save my allowance for months just to purchase it, hoping it would be the one. And well, I got lucky." Kenny sounded desperate for the first time, or maybe I'm just in a state of delusion.

I cough out a laugh from nowhere to ease the tight atmosphere. What has he been thinking?

"And I think you are..." He trails, but like he uttered something he shouldn't have, shakes his head at the rest of his words. "I will try my best to figure it out because I care about you."

"Kenny wait... Nothing is going on between me and Mr. Alex." I calmly said, careful not to attract attention to us.

He looks away for a second, turning directly to look into my eyes. "I'm sorry but I don't believe you. Salome, Mr. Alex had always been on your neck and you used to tell me how frustrating it could be. But now... It's different, and I don't trust him."

I frown at his words, my fingers tightening slightly. "You shouldn't trust him because you as well don't know him, Kenny." I shouldn't sound defensive, or he'd have more passes. But I couldn't help it.

He swallows with a nod, "You're right. But I know you, and I would do all I can to keep you safe."

"Keep me safe, Kenny what are you saying?" My heart race fastens no matter how I try to keep it sane.

He takes two steps closer to stand in my stance, his breath mixed with the intoxicating scent of Mr. Alex fanning my neck. His voice is low as he says, "Don't be surprised how far I would go, Salome. I mean it."

My body tensed at the kind of words that left his lips, yet my head thinking all sorts. Kenny takes a step back to look at me, his eyes clouded with curiosity and worry.

I gasp at the sudden grasp of a warm hand on mine, abruptly pulling me away from Kenny.

Before I could say a word, I found myself walking away from Kenny in the hallway, looking up at Sean walking taking me with him. I look over my shoulder to see that Kenny is still by our locker, watching me.

"You have no business answering everything someone asks," Sean speaks without looking at me. I remain quiet, letting him take me wherever he wishes to.

•••

I would be brutally honest. For the past three classes we've had, I could barely grasp the topics and revisions the teachers were treating. My body tenses up whenever I spot my classmates having side talks, my eyes watching their moves, hoping they wouldn't look at me suspiciously.

I can't imagine them figuring out about my family, my whole life on display like a trendy movie. Calculating my breaths and rubbing my palms used to help me relax but now... I need something more.

Uncoling my hands, I sit up to note down what my government teacher is explaining, maybe it would help me concentrate more. I hold my pen to start writing when the entire class turns to our class door at the appearance of our principal, Mrs. Devi.

With her signature pair of glasses, her eyes searched my class until they landed right on... me.

"Salome Alan? Please report to my office." Mrs. Devi says directly, unfiltered. Our government teacher already paused, nodding at me to go with her.

"Okay, ma'am." I get up from my seat, feeling the whole attention of my classmates on me. I try not to make eye contact with anyone as I walk out of the classroom, slowly walking behind Mrs. Devi in the quiet hallway.

Thoughts upon thoughts stream through my head that I didn't realize when we got to her office. I settle on the couch opposite her, unconsciously pulling down the sleeves of my blazer jacket.

"Good morning Mrs. Devi," I greet my principal. She clears some books and files from her white table and smiles at me.

"Good morning Salome, how are you?"

"I'm fine, thank you." I keep it simple, knowing fully well I should be ready to dive into whatever she's going to ask me.

Mrs. Devi drags in a deep breath. I swallow, the air starting to close in on me. I could have never imagined...

"I believe you know the reason why I asked to see you, Salome." She solely starts to say, eagerly staring at me. "I... I heard what happened and I must say, it's a piece of shocking news to hear."

I chew the insides of my mouth, the whole staff knows about it already, and I can't imagine what had been discussed and decided about it.

Mrs. Devi squint her eyes, leaning closer a bit. "Was it something you knew about?"

I blink down, not knowing if to shake my head or nod. "Yes, Mrs. Devi." We are already at the bottom, there's no need to deny what I chose to overlook because I was... scared. Still is.

My principal gasps, "Oh my, unbelievable..." She throws her gaze away from me to her hands on the table. "H-how did it..."

"I will try my best to stay low to not cause any form of attention to myself or the school Mrs. Devi, I wouldn't-"

"You don't understand, Salome." She carefully cut me off, looking at me remorsefully. "I'm afraid to say it's all over the internet as we speak."

My hands begin to vibrate beyond control, and no amount of tightening attempts to stop it. "W-what?"

Mrs. Devi shakes her head, her brows stitching in disappointment. "I did what I could but this isn't easy for overlook Salome Alan."

My whole body sinks into numbness. The more my principal tells me about how much she tried to stop the news about my dad being a fraudster, and how it could affect the reputation of the school the more I want to vanish. I keep nodding to whatever she's saying which is faint to my ears.

"Fortunately, you're starting your examinations soon and I still would try my best to ensure you come out well. My advice for you is that you focus on your studies, although it might not be so easy." She confronts, me while I keep starting, hoping to yield to her words. "Also, it's possible your schoolmates already heard but I urge you to turn a blind eye to whatever they say because no matter what, they would never understand."

"Hmm..." Her last words hit more than everything she said. They would never understand. "Thank you, Mrs. Devi."

She sighs, taking off her glasses to properly reveal her grey eyes. "You are welcome, Salome. I am here for you, feel free to come to me whenever, okay?"

"Okay ma'am, I will." I force out a smile, getting up to leave. I am aware of her eyes watching me pull the door open and walk out. Pathetic I know.

No, I can't go back to class, not after what I just heard. My legs give away to gravity as I stroll down the quiet hallway, passing my class without a glance.

Beads of tears form in my eyes, almost blurring my vision to the rooftop. One blink, and another to see that my white shirt is stained with drops of tears.

I hear footsteps behind me, my heart beating faster as my footsteps stomp the stairs at the same rate. Am I hiding from people?

The breeze at the rooftop hits differently, almost sweeping me off my feet till I make my seat at the steel bench by the far end, wiping my hair from my face. I keep blowing out air from my mouth to calm myself, patting my chest to relax.

The more I do so, the more choked I feel, almost finding it hard to breathe properly. My body finally releases the burden through my eyes. I sob shamelessly, not attempting to clean up my tears.

My heart aches. My tummy is tightened in knots from crying so much, but if it can ease the emptiness in me, I could go on.

I try to wipe away my sticky tear-stained hair from my eyes, taking it behind my shoulders as I pant bitterly.

I am scared. I can't do this.

I stare down at my shoe, sniffing in. It's hard, so hard. I never wanted any form of attention to myself but now, it isn't just about me, it's concerning my whole family...

God, please...

________________________________________

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