Arshilyn

Since she was a child, Esmeralda always dream of entering one of the most respected and elite school in the city. Every time she sees students coming out from the gates, her eye glimmers with awe and admiration.  Yet later on be replaced with a big sighs while lightly tapping her faces, and whisper in the air the same thing she always hear from her mother " As if it would happen, that, I’d rather believe I'll marry a beggar than keep on believing that someday I’ll get the chance to enter and go to high school." she can't help shaking her head in disbelief about how negative her mother outlook life, her face crumpled remembering those and picture out the face of her mom every time she told her that. She wouldn't deny the fact that she came from a very poor family and already accepted her fate that she wasn't born with a silver spoon on her mouth. She lives with her mother in the small apartment, after her father dies from cancer five years ago.  Walking alone on the street in the middle of the night is what she loves, others would be scared but to Esmeralda it gave her the peace of mind to think and reflect. The city she live in doesn't have that much you could say bad guys or someone that would harm because there's a lot of houses in the area and police respond quickly unlike what you saw in the movie. She likes it 'cause the silence gave her time and be able to focus thinking about plans for the future because she wants to achieve her dreams, for her mother to realize that she's wrong and that everything is possible. At the age of 19 Esmeralda didn't continue her studies after Elementary, due to that, in High School, even government schools required payments. Yeah that's how poor they are for not able to afford such cheap amount. Her mom doesn't have a work and only do errands from their neighborhood, enough so that both of them could eat for at least twice a day. While Esmeralda tried to work on her mother's friend small bakery which is near the school she dream of, the reason why she always see students pass by. She's not even working there, where she receive monthly salary cause the shop doesn't need a lot of workers, just like her mother she only do errands where they will tell her to do this, send this, get those you know she does not have a specific job to do. Right now she's walking straight to her home and silently wishing that her mother comes home first before her and already sleeping. It’s just that she don't want to hear her mother talk again about how hard their life and why she should marry someone to escape poverty. She can't believe where supposed to be she's the first person who will support her in the first place. There where time she just wanted to give up everything and followed her mother's advice but she just couldn't, she knows that it will make things worse and possibly make more of her life a living hell. Suddenly the wind blows hardly that it almost trips her off. Gladly she was able to compose and hold herself from falling, she eyed her surroundings thoroughly, she clasp and rub her hands together when suddenly the whole place gets colder. “Perfect. Why did I not bring my jacket!" she let out in dismay while wrapping her arms on her body to make herself warmer. "It's fine. Home is almost there!" she said in almost whisper when her eyes sighted the roof of the house where they rented the room. She was about to take another step when a loud sound coming behind her back cut the silence. It was then replace by the people shouting and a loud bang of music. When she saw where it came from, she can't help but blurted out her complaint "Tsk. another brat they got to live the life of wealth and abundance but they never know the word discipline and respect!" she blurted it out annoyingly. She's just concern to the family whose already sleeping right now because they are probably awake from the loud music played and also from their big mouths.  The only thing she could do was to roll her eyes and continue walking. She rubs her shoulders due to the cold temperature. She blames herself for not bringing her jacket and now she might die from freezing.  She might as well slap herself for wearing only sleeveless and pants. Good thing she wore her socks and boots which somehow help a little to ease the cold on her feet.  "Just pass me. Just pass me. Just pass me." she quietly wishing, repeatedly murmurs the same words when she feel that the car is almost right behind him. s**t!  She cursed in her mind when it slows down to keep up on her. She didn't bother looking at them and quickens her pace to avoid them but they are so persistent and also increase their car speed. She's not afraid it just that she doesn't want to deal with them at this moment. "*whistling* Oh, look what do we have here!" one guy said playfully, the one that seats at the back. She notices that they also low down the volume of their music which she thinks a good thing. She looks at the corner of her eyes. There were five of them 3 boys and 2 girls. The other guy in the driver seat is just quiet and serious. While other guy on the passenger seat chilling and drinking his drink. "Hey, beautiful!" the guy on the passenger seat forcefully stretches his body just to see her while holding a can of beer in his hand. He said his words slightly tipsy. It happens because she's on left side of the road. Again she didn't bother giving them her attention and let them do their stupidity. She stop walking when she already reach home but the problem is, she still need to cross the road but the car block her way.  "Why don't you come with us and hang out?" the guy who speak first before added. He looks smoothly at her from head to foot.  "Yeah girl you're seems fun to hang out with!" the girl in the back finally said something while eyeing at her hardly. She let out an annoyed sigh first before finally decided to face them. She was able to fully see them and the car they are using. She almost cough when she recognize the car this people are using. She can't believe, it was a Rolls-Royce Dawn. She's poor but she knows things like this. Wow this brats really knows how to spoil themselves!  She only said it through her mind while staring on the black car in front of her.  "Hey baby what’s your name?" she finally snaps out when one of the girls asked her. She forgets that she's already blankly staring at the car. She thinks it’s absolutely embarrassing they might find her weird for reacting that way. She lifts her head and finally sees their full physique and complexion.  Three people seated at the back, 2 girls and 1 guy who’s in between. Base on their looks there probably the same age as her. She decided to ditch them out when her eyes falls on the uniform their wearing. She can't help but swallows her saliva when she reads the logo on their uniform and recognize it was her dream school. "I'm Esmeralda." she said weakly and she wanted to punch her face that she can't even have the guts to say her name loudly. She just can't believe she is talking to one of them. She can't help but feel shy and intimidated. "Esmeralda. That's a lovely name."  The guy from the passenger seat said while slowly nodding his head. "You have such a cute name darling!" the girl with a short hair said and gave her a wink. The only thing she could reply was an awkward smile. The girl then rest it’s head on the cars open window and gave her a sweet smile which she didn't find creepy. "Thank you!" she replied with a small smile. The hates she felt a while ago evaporates the moment they shared small talks. She thinks it’s not bad to be friends with them. "What are you doing outside this late?" Esmeralda shifted her gaze towards the guy who's in the driver seat. Instead of replying, she points with her finger the house in front of them which is on the other side of the road. All of them look on the house then return their eyes back to her. "Oh! You live there? Is that your house?" this time the other girl with the long hair, asked her the question. The girl also stick her finger to points the house and innocently look at Esmeralda. Because of the fear that they might avoid her if they know she came from a poor family. "Yep. Ahmm it's our family’s house!" she lied. "Cool!" the guy between the 2 girls exclaimed with amusement on his face. "Do you always walk this late?" she forgets that she wasn't able to answer his question before regarding her whereabouts. She's not annoyed about him asking twice already about her going out late but instead she kind the feel good about it. "Yeah. I'm used to walking home alone even it’s already late at night." she answered while looking straight into his eyes. After that he immediately avoided Esmeralda's gaze and acted like his doing something.  "I'm sorry! We forgot to tell you our names but we've asked yours." The girl with the short hair apologizes. "No, it’s fine!" she then flash an assuring smile. The girl giggled like a kid and start introducing her friends. "So I'm Trisha by the way. This is Christ.." pointing the guy beside him. Christ smiled to her showing all his perfect white teeth. "The other girl in the group is Ashley, the b***h hahahaha.." Trisha jokingly said, Ashley just rolled her eyes on Trisha and waves her hands to Esmeralda and mouthed “Hi”. "And that's Arthur.." referring to the guy in the passenger seat. "Hi! Esmeralda!" he said drunkenly and even blows a kiss to her. Everyone including Esmeralda can't help but laugh from his action. "Of course the one holding the steering wheel is Diego.*smile*" Diego only nod his head towards her. After that Esmeralda drop the question she’s eager to ask since the moment she saw their uniform. “Does anyone from your school normally wear uniform when you go outside?” Esmeralda straightly asked them. She’s just holding herself from asking them, they might think she’s rude but now that they told her their name, she thinks it’s fine. She waited for them to answer her question. The silence made her nervous when she notices that they seem shock that she ask about it. Because of that it makes her mouth shut like it was glued and began to feel uncomfortable. I guess it’s bad to ask them. They seem to be offended. Esmeralda! Seriously? You’re such an i***t! “Ahmm..Yeah! Probably and we came from our friends birthday party…that’s why, I guess hahaha. I think it’s normal and I’ve never remember or heard that the school prohibited us.” It was Ashley who answered Esmeralda’s question while everyone nod their head agreeing to her. “Where planning to go to Diego’s house and you know have some fun…Do you want to join us?” She looks at Arthur who’s sipping his beer in can and honestly she was tempted to accept on his invitation but she didn’t feel right hanging out with them when they are on different level. “Ahmmm..” she don’t know what to say. “So?” she moves her head towards Trisha’s direction and meets with her provoking face. Esmeralda started slowly shaking her head off and begun to lightly tap her feet on the ground. “I don’t think I ca—“ Trisha cut her from what she’s about to say. Trisha comes out from the car and slowly walks towards where she stands. Trisha put her arms on Esmeralda’s shoulder “Oh come on! Sometimes you have to do the things you usually don’t do and only think of having fun at least once in your life. No worries will bring you back here later I mean Diego will *wink*” though she can’t deny the fact that Trisha absolutely convince her and for the mean time she want to forget her problems and for who she is, at least for a short period of time. “But If I will. I don’t think another person could fit in that car.” She sticks her finger out, referring to the seats. “Oh my god! That’s absolutely not a problem. Beside Christ could sit beside Arthur. Right?” in a second Christ never hesitated and immediately moves himself to the front. “He can sit on my lap!” Arthur even joke about Christ sitting beside him which makes again everyone to laugh, will except for Diego who’s been quiet the whole time. Christ doesn’t give a mind about it. “We’re good!” Christ while showing a thumb up. “Are you sure?” Esmeralda asks the two men on the passenger seat, she just wanted to make sure they’re comfortable. “Yes baby. We’re good as f’ck here.” Esmeralda can’t help but smile. She does even more convince about their intention to her and made her super grateful she was able to meet them and be friends to the students from the school she dream. “Ok!” she flash a big smile that makes everyone shout in excitement will except for Diego. “Nice! I’ll be sitting in the middle.” Trisha said to her and then kisses her cheek. Esmeralda was left astonished. “Here!” She blinks her eyes quickly returning to her senses. She moves her head to the side and sees Diego was already standing right beside her, patiently stretching his arms to hand her, his own jacket. Esmeralda look at her confuse. “I know you’re cold. You can wear this.” After that Diego returns inside the car. She stared at the black jacket that’s now on her hands. She just shrugs her shoulders and thanks him. “Thanks!” Esmeralda immediately put them on her body. She’s jealous about how can simple jackets could smell so damn good. You’re just poor Esmeralda! She blows the small hair on her face and wrinkles her nose to express her annoyance. You don’t have to state the obvious! She wanted to laugh for debating her own mind. Before Esmeralda finally open the cars door she took one last glance on her house and bite the bottom of her lips before letting out a small sigh. Her mother would be in distress knowing she didn’t go home. She shakes that idea off.  “Esmeralda can I have your number?” Trisha smiley asks her. She could fully see her full face now that they are facing each other and only inches apart, Esmeralda felt insecure on how smooth Trisha’s face compared to her. Esmeralda realizes that she never owns even a single phone and think of a ways she could escape it. “Ahmm..I think I left mine at home and I don’t want to disturb my parents.” Esmeralda shows uneasy smile to make it more realistic and Trisha seems to believe her. “Oh? It’s fine. Here! You can have mine. Just call me and let me know it’s you when you get reach with your phone.” She politely accepted the card and gave her a warm smile in return. At the back of her mind, her mouth are wide open, aside from it’s her first time to ride someone’s car, and it’s probably even a million worth, she was literally just hiding her admiration. Esmeralda secretly checks everything on the inside, yet she’s still careful enough they might notice how ignorant she is or worst called a pretender. These made her even more realize about how far is her life from them. She feels a little bit sad about it but somehow the happiness she felt kicks that negative emotion and decided to show, act normally and go with the flow. “Esmeralda?” her attention was then turned to Arthur when he called her name. “Hmm?” “Do you have a twin sister?” Arthur asked her. It also caught everyone’s attention. “No. Why?” she answered and at the same time confused. Why would she have a twin sister when the only thing she lives with is her mother? She looks on Arthur confusedly. “Then who’s that woman standing exactly beside the main door!” Esmeralda followed the direction where Arthur is pointing. She notices that everyone’s eyes are also on the direction where her house or to the house where they rented a room rather. The car is not that far away from her home, so anyone could still clearly see what’s in there even at this dark because of the Streets lights. “That’s probably just her mother?” Trisha said trying to convince everyone while stretching her neck behind to see the person. “Oh look! It’s waving on us!” Ashley surprisingly exclaimed. The car continues driving its way on the road making the person standing there less clear. Esmeralda focuses her sight and narrowed her eyes even more to be able to see clearly but she knows that it’s not her mother since the person standing there are a bit thinner and younger. But she remained quiet and tried to process or remember someone she knows whom visited, she also think that maybe it’s one of the tenants. Esmeralda knows she can’t tell them that. “Where? I didn’t see anything!” Christ frowns and sharply diverts his eyes to Arthur. “Seriously bro! I swear to god I saw someone!” Arthur defends surely. “Agree. That person even waves its hands on us.” Ashley seriously exclaimed agreeing to Arthurs. “Esmeralda?” everyone became quiet when Christ asked. They immediately diverted their eyes on Esmeralda waiting for her to answer. “Ahmm. I-..I’m not sure but I guess it’s just one of my parent’s friends.” “But you said a while ago that they’re sleeping.” “No. I’m sorry. I lied—Ahmm the reason I was outside in the middle of the night because I’m avoiding someone, who’s my parents friend, actually, I hated it when that person is around. It waves its hands because she probably thinks I hang out with my friends.” How many times did she lie just for this night? Esmeralda felt relief when they nod their heads, believing to what she said. The truth is Esmeralda didn’t even know who that person is. She just said that because she doesn’t want everyone to be bothered. She took one last glance behind her back and saw no one. She can’t deny the fact that it creep her out but she shakes that thoughts off and shows unbothered happy smile. “Oh that makes sense! Anyway let’s forget about that and focus our thoughts on this night. Right?” Trisha “YES!” Arthur and Ashley shouted that made everyone laugh while Diego just shake his head. “Finally.” Christ says in a relief. . “Esmeralda, do you want some?” “Are you sure?” “More than sure darling. Its best that you have something to eat since it will take a little bit longer for us to arrive in our destination, so a piece of cupcake is not bad.” “Ahmm..” “It’s fine we got this on our friends birthday, remember we came there.” “Ok. Thanks!” “No problem.”   IN THE MORNING 10:00 AM   Just before the dawn, the city police found a dead body lying on the ground behind…. It was confirm to be a body of teen age girl. Multiple stabs of wounds are found on her body. According to the police report, also state that it’s possible that the girl was r**e before stab to death. It was not yet confirm who the victim is and the investigation is still on going. I’m Abeth of-----