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•SALOME ALAN•

I close my principal's door with a thud, advancing toward my class while repaying our conversation. She asked to see me while our English teacher was in class. Everyone already knows what's going on, they should be used to seeing me walk out of class at intervals now.

What I wasn't ready for though, was Mrs. Devi telling me that I would no longer be tutored by Mr. Alex privately.

They don't understand, and I blame the one that started the whole thing blindly. Kenny. Not until this morning did I discover that he was present at Cintra restaurant and took a clear picture of Mr. Alex and me.

I don't know if I should be mad, or confused, or both. Now stuck with distasteful judgy-looking gazes from girls.

I suck in a deep breath, pulling my locker open in the empty hall to take out the economics textbook. I'm trying my best to stay focused it's just seeing the faces of people who might strangle me at any point that throws me off at times.

I meet up with the remaining minutes left for economics class before the closing of school for the day. Am I ready for our examinations after the weekend?

Don't ask me, I don't have an answer yet.

•••

When you tell your feet to lead you to where your heart desires, consider asking your brain. Because I did both, yet found myself standing at the gate of my teacher's home. I didn't see him at school today, and didn't reply to any of my texts so I got worried.

I pull on my bottom lip before pressing the tiny silver button at the side of the gate and taking a deep breath.

While I wait for it to automatically open as usual, I double-check my uniform and wipe the flaps of my blazer jacket.

The lock clicks open in less than five seconds. I walk into the open gates and it closes itself.

The few steps to his threshold make me instantly double think showing up all of a sudden. I mean, what if he isn't home?

Before I could raise my knuckle to knock, the door frantically pulled open, revealing him.

I open my mouth to greet as I drop my hand but smile instead.

"Salome," Mr. Alex calls in the most hoarse sexist voice I have ever heard. I hum since I'm suddenly wobbly to construct words. "Come in." He smiles without exposing his dimple. He's dressed in a tiger-skin cardigan and black sweatpants.

I step into his welcoming abode filled with his forever intoxicating scent, aura, aesthetically pleasing pieces of furniture, and clean space. I notice a change of curtains from wine to grey, giving the sitting room a more cozy energy. I keep my bag on the couch.

Mr. Alex closed the door and turned around to see me standing right in front. With a relaxing exhale, he leans down and wraps his hands around me in the most comforting way. I willingly press my cheek into his chest, basking in his warmth.

"I saw your text not long before I heard the doorbell," His voice rejuvenates as he sleekly slips my hair down. I think it's something he loves doing.

"Oh," I lick my lips. "I was worried. A part of me thought you were fired."

I hear his body vibrates in a chuckle. "Something like that."

"What?!" I quickly veer back from him to see his unfazed face. My chest jumps on remembering the conversation between me and Mrs. Devi. She didn't just end our tutoring sections but fired him?

"I wasn't fired, Salome. I was suspended." He says, taking my hand and rubbing my palm slowly. I look down at his acts and back up at his face. He's staring into my eyes, and it makes my heart ache.

"Suspended?" I whisper, shaking my head. "No... you didn't do anything to get suspended. Why would she do that?" I look away at the set of couches, my eyes building up with tears.

"Hey hey," Mr. Alex gently cupped my face to remain on him. I do so, drawing a deep breath. "It's okay." His honey eyes do that look of confidence and support.

"It's not," I mutter, my body physically weak to the extent of talking audibly. "It isn't."

"They had picture evidence." He adds.

The picture I believe Kenny sent to the whole school. The fact that it's coming from someone close weighs me down more.

I meet his eyes, "And so if they find out I'm here with you, what would they do, burn the house?" Anguish speaks for me, and I let my mouth do justice.

Mr. Alex shuts his eyes for a second, taking me back to his hold. "Come here."

My chest rises and falls immensely, my body gets weaker and I feel strength leaving my body. I chew on my lip as I continually swallow to keep the tears from slipping out of my eyes.

The more I tried to be a better daughter, my family got disputed. Now trying to be a good student with Mr. Alex by my side, they found a way to snatch him too.

"It's scary, the world," I say, letting the tears drop down my face.

"The world shows itself however you see it, Salome. In times when things don't go our way, it means it's going how our creator wants it."

My chest tightens, and I close my eyes to calm myself. "But it hurts..."

His plastered hand on my back smoothly rubs there. "Life teaches all sorts. Guess you have to pick to becoming wiser, braver, or let it crash you down and dare you to get up again."

I gradually let go to see his face. Now I see the sparks of hurt in his eyes, the pains of withdrawal from how closely he holds me any chance he gets.

Mr. Alex wipes under my eyes with his thumb, while I don't take mine away. His hands stay on either side of my nape.

Steadily, he lowers his head and presses his lips on my forehead. I let out a breath from my mouth with my eyes closed, touching his fingers. We stay that way for a while. My body dissolves and reheats, before he gently pulls away, hands not leaving my face.

I swallow painfully. I wasn't ready to let go.

Now it's my turn to raise my hand to his shoulder. With the sudden weird adrenaline wavering through my insides, I drink in his gaze as I tip-toe to get closer to his collarbone. He makes it easier by tilting his head a bit but then glances down at something that seems to break him completely.

My uniform.

Mr. Alex shuts his eyes and throws his head back a bit, taking a wholesome breath. His hold loosens around my waist, and I blink down at it. He subtly steps back like I'm suddenly on frames.

I open my mouth and close it back, nodding. "I-I understand."

He twirls his eyes at me, hooded with emotions I can't decipher. "You don't."

I frown but remain stagnant. "I honestly do."

And just like that before I could process anything, he marches up to me and I'm been lifted in a bridal style off the ground. I gasp softly as I hold onto his neck, my chest hitting heavy.

I am up the stairs in no time and into a familiar bedroom. I couldn't get the chance to properly see his bedroom before I am been laid on his king-size bed, his bigger figure hovering over me.

I blink into his eyes which are unexpectedly calm again, my mouth parting but no words coming out.

"You don't understand." He repeats, while my chest rises and collapses like I could be transported into a coma soon.

"I..." I want to say I do, but words fail me. His hands are placed on either side of my head, something I've only read in books.

"I'm not trying to scare you, Salome," His eyes bore into my nervous ones. "I'm just showing you the reason I almost didn't want you here at first."

My body intentionally relaxes. I look from his eyes down to the dangling silver necklace on his neck.

"I like you so much that I can't wait to have you, but then seeing you in uniform had always been a reminder that instructs me." He confesses, more sparks of hurt in his eyes. "And your dad..."

My eyes widen at the mention of my dad. "My dad?" I whisper.

"I promised not to hurt or distract you, in any way. Even if it means withdrawing from you, but it's so hard." He shakes his head. I turn away from his eyes to the long wardrobe. He met my dad.

"Okay," I swallow with hurt and discomfort. With my eyes still on the wardrobe, I sense him take off his hands and get off the bed. I wipe my eyes as I do the same. Mr. Alex holds out his hand to help me stand but I know how much his hold affects me.

Bitterly, I get up myself and without sparing a glance, walk out of his bedroom as I wipe my eyes continually.

Salome, Please stop crying.

I reach for my bag in no time and approach the entrance just to be halted by a hold of my hand. I squeeze out a smile at Mr. Alex, now seeing sparks of red lines in his pretty eyes.

"I understand." I simply say, nodding with tear-filled eyes.

"I'll give you a ride." He slowly leaves my hand and goes to grab his car keys. I tighten my hands, breaking down internally.

•••

I barely talked to anyone at school. After the exams for the day, I'm home before the others think of walking out the gates. My teachers were worried, and my classmates thought I was going through a series of changes and possibly heartbreak. My friends? I've been distant from them since Kenny.

But I have my dog, Lexi.

Whenever we take a stroll, I reminisce about the day I saw him. I was with Mr. Alex.

I haven't seen him since that day. It's been three weeks. He's trying his best not to distract me, but only if he knows that I don't have to see him to get distracted. He always sends me topic outlines to help me study.

We had our literature exams yesterday, and I couldn't help but remember being teased in class by him. I tried my best, I want to make him proud.

I've been going to my home to clean sometimes. Zara, Theodora, and Taiye come to help. I appreciate their help in making me feel better. I can't just wait to be done.

"Salome,"

I take out my earbuds as I look up at Maria from my textbooks. "Yes?"

"It's time for dinner." She casually walks to the dining where I'm seated and closes my books. "You've been studying for hours, take a break." She would say like always.

I drop my pen with a sharp exhale, realizing that's a meal of grilled shrimp with brown rice and mixed veggies. I stare at how she skillfully places my books aside and draws my food closer, a grateful smile greasing my lips.

"Thank you so much," I sincerely say. She winks at me, going over to sit beside me. We bless the food and go on to eat.

Certainly, I haven't been eating so well, and she tries her best to be by my side, guiding and helping me as a loving mother. I'm thankful I gave her the chance.

We eat in silence. The only noise is the cluttering of spoons and forks. My thoughts are filled with my math exams tomorrow, while my mind is solely on the last day of exams in a week.

We are done eating and I help with the dishes, even though I was told severely not to bother. But I wanted to show how grateful I am and would start showing from now.

"I saw Alex today," Maria mentions as I keep the last plate on the drainer. I try to pretend like I didn't get a thud in my chest, and nod.

"Oh," I say, going ahead to store the mugs. I sense her eyes on me but keep myself busy, working through and arranging them properly to steal time.

"He lost his dad."

My body stiffened grows cold, the last mug in my hand slipping and falling on the ground, completely shattering on the tiled fall. Maria veers back with wide eyes.

"What?" My voice seizes to come out fully. She quickly pulls me by the hand away from the shattered glass.

"Salome, are you okay?" She searches my body while I stand soulless. Concern marred her face as I looked at her. "Are you hurt?"

I shake my head. No, not outwardly. But I am, my heart aches so much I don't think I can bear it.

"Thank Goodness, go to your room while I clean this up." She instructs, pulling me further away before going back to the kitchen.

I sniff as I lifelessly pack my books and walk upstairs. My bedroom door was opened, so I walked in and closed it behind me, my body suddenly feeling light as I sat on the rug beside my bed.

"No..." I break into tears, my books immediately having stains of drops on them. I squeeze my shirt tightly, clutching onto it like it's burning my skin as I bawl my eyes out. My sob vibrates through the whole room but I don't care at this point.

I can't imagine what he's going through, or how he's feeling and that hurts more. I wish to see him now, I want to, I've been trying to be fine all this while but... I'm not.

•••

Today is my last paper. Catering craft practicals. We are meant to prepare meals in groups. Kenny and I were grouped with another girl, Roberta.

We made a starter of spring rolls and tea, a meal course of grilled salmon with roasted veggies, and avocado and tortilla wraps. Desert of cheesecake and sunset mocktail.

Kenny tried to get my attention, but I was more focused on getting an 'A' than having to speak with a friend I never knew.

After we were done serving and our supervisors had a taste, we were asked to leave the kitchen. I take off the red apron and put where the others put theirs in a big round basket, wash my hands, and pick up my bag to leave.

"Salome wait!" I hear behind me as I corner the hallway. Kenny jogs up to meet me, panting. "Hey,"

I clear my throat, looking at him. "Hey," I say dryly.

He takes a step closer, and I take one back. He shakes it off, looking away for a second. "Are you okay?"

"Hmm," I hum.

He shakes his head. "No, you aren't, I know you."

"No, you don't," I'm quick to retort. "Because if you do, I wouldn't be this okay."

He gulps, hurt flashing in his eyes. I take a deep breath. "Congratulations on getting done with high school," I tell him, then turn around and leave him standing.

A fresh whiff of cool breeze hit me the second I stepped out of school. A unique kind of breeze, the type that assures me that I'm finally done with Victoria High School.

I take a stroll down the sidewalk, reminiscing on how much I wished to be done. I wasn't expecting to finish this way, at all.

On getting to the bus station, I get into the one passing my route, having to see other classmates celebrate with calls from their parents and friends. Some with new phones, flowers, and pieces of jewelry.

I turn to glance at them, but only a few smile at me, the rest are still in a state of grudge.

Maria texted earlier that she wouldn't be able to pick me up from school. So well, wasn't expecting anyone to send me bouquets.

I take out my earbuds and plug in, tuning in to some slow Spanish song I don't know the meaning of. Sometimes I shouldn't understand the lyrics, it's more calming that way.

I climb out of the luxurious bus after what seems like forever and make my way to the threshold. It has gotten darker but the sky is still bright red and orange, another perfect sunset.

I press the doorbell, and rest on one leg, chewing the insides of my mouth as I wait.

No answer.

I press again, looking around.

The door clicks open and slowly opens with a smiley face of Maria popping out. Her contagious smile affects me till she finally opens the door fully.

"Oh my God..." My jaw drops open at the scene in front of me. My head swells as I take steps in complete awe. My bag drops on the fall as I cover my mouth to stop myself from screaming.

"Congratulations Salome Alan," Maria chuckles, encouraging me to look at her with tears of joy. She made a full-blown decoration with balloons that spell, 'Congratulations on leaving high school', cakes, bouquets, and boxes filled with things.

"I wasn't..." I approach to touch the flowers, not able to look at them all the same time.

"Courtesy of Alex, your dad, me, and Aunt Jenny," Maria announces, smiling and watching me keenly.

"Did someone call my name?"

I snap my head to the voice of my aunt at the top of the stairs.

"AUNT JENNY!" I yell without care, my body collapsing in bliss. I run up the stairs and she meets me halfway, hugging me firmly. I whine in her arms, uncontrolled tears falling down my face.

"Congratulations my baby," Her voice rings in my ear. "I shouldn't break my promise of being around when you finish your exams so," She releases me to see my torn face, wiping my eyes, while hers filled with worry. "I'm sorry I wasn't there."

I shake my head, "It's okay, you tried your best." I tell her, glancing back at the amount of gifts. "These can't all be for me."

"Well..." She shrugs, "You deserve it. Your Mr. Alex did the most." She whispers, chuckling afterwards. I laugh with tears, I missed her so much.

"I missed you," I say, holding her hand like my life depends on it.

"Missed you too, baby. Let's see what you got, we'll talk about everything later." She leads me to the sitting room. My heart flips at the boxes around the bouquets and cakes. I sniff in as I graze my hands through.

Maria points to it. "From Alex." She says, sharing a look at my aunt. I purse my lips, touching another. "Yep, Alex too."

I blush down, touching another. "And this?"

"From me," Maria adds before I take my hands off, giggling.

"It feels like a dream," I turn to them, watching them take some boxes to have their seats. "A dream I would rather live in."

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