Tragically Fated

Chapter 9

Like them, I'm a cheater.

I found myself sneakily following these guys who seem to know where to find the test questionnaires. I have weighed this moment, never mind the subjects I have studied yesterday. I didn't know that there was an easy way to accomplish it. Every moment I make a step is like a one step closer to the ladder of the trophy. 

The stance of my walk is gentle and deliberated. As they composed to move, I rummaged the whole area reassuring that there's no eye watching but me. Again, they walked a large but a gentle step at the same as the amount of how I walk. 

I took  one last step and it creates a creaking sound that I slid my shoe in the carbonated empty can make me to immobilize in a moment. They also froze too which made my heart hammered as if it will unleash to my rib cage. When I recovered, I hid to the nearest lofty pillar beside me as I glance into their gaze looked at behind where I was. 

I ran as much as I can with a trembling knees hindering me to sprint normally. With my jaw dropped in exhaust in long way mile run I am going through, with a dreadful adrenaline rush and determination to not let me caught red-handed and recognize my face, with a desperation to escape, I managed to get away from that secluded place.

I was panting heavily that I could inhale a cow. I leaned in the cold broad pillar to support my quivering in nervousness as I held my chest drastically pumping in and out while my jaw remained dropped. I pathetically fall on the floor with a narrowed eyes. 

When I was assured that they won't spot me here, I decided to go back to the classroom and I guess, I'll just try another luck next time.

I looked at the seats of the two guys I have been following lately, they're seem finding me yet  seeing their vacant sits in the midst of break time. 

"Gab! I have been finding you. Come on, the class are about to start."

My gaze diverted to her and I nodded unconsciously.

When the class started, our professor is blabbering something in front and my attention was on the other dimension. I tried to listen for the examination nearing to be held yet my mind says otherwise. My mind is lingering with the situation happened awhile ago when I ought to visit grandma in the police station.

Was that just my imagination? No, impossible. I have seen with my two naked eyes that there is an existing police station out there. On the other hand, grandma has an unfathomable magical ability. It's far beyond the belief of normal people. It's something that even a scientific explanation cannot hypothesized. Right, maybe she hasn't really got arrested. It may be a disguise. It may be one of her acts.

You just don't mess with a 900 year-old woman. 

Now, the question is where could I possibly find her? Should I cast some spells to to be able to do it? Silly, Jee. 

'Everywhere, you could find me everywhere.'

And I looked behind my back to see who has been whispering. When I contented and I realized that it's just a gimmick of one of my classmates, I came back to the discussion between me and myself.

Then where, Jee. Think off. Should I go to the deserted forest I where I have been first landed? 

'You don't have to, Jee. You could find me everywhere' 

Tss, I rolled my eyes in my mind. I sardonically blew causing my hair to dance covering my right eye. Teenagers these days, instead of studying hard for their future they are messing in the midst of the class. I tightly closed my eyes as I clenched my fist trying to calm myself.

Inhale. Exhale.

The time went fast. After the vapid day of my class, I started to pack my things and ready to go, my incessant brisk walking interrupted when I bumped to someone's hard chest. My eyes widened when I recognized the guy whose I bumped into.

"Liam!" I exclaimed.

His face reddened as if thinking twice whether he bother to say something or never mind it. "I wanted to ask you for a dinner, are you busy?"

I thought on the subjects I will be reviewing later but I'll just have a short break for a while. 

"Sure! Uh.. Have you already planned something on your mind where could we go?" 

"Actually, yes. I was just waiting for your approval. That's great to hear, then?" 

As he heard my approval, the enthusiasm in his face was evident. I smiled to his transparency. I bowed down to hide my ghost smile plastered on my face. 

We started to walk as he slightly preceded the way. I was behind him so I cannot refrain myself but to stare at his manly posture. His clean cut hair down to his newly-shaved chin. His unbearable clenching jaw line perfectly sculpted, the way his uniform hugging his broad body tightly, letting me see slightly his biceps that's for sure he has worked hard for.

I wasn't naive to his actions. The way his I read his emotions of his transparency, I know he likes me. He is a very good man. He is handsome. He is the ideal guy that is every girl drooling for. 

But my heart already had one man.

Someday, he will confess his feelings, he might get hurt of the answer he could get from me. Those angelic face will be tainted with tears and I don't want it to see. To happen rather. I don't want that innocent man change his perspective just because he has just been rejected. I am contented this way. I will just see him as a friend that fate gifted to me. 

I don't want to risk him.

I don't want to lose him.

In this world full of tragedies, in this world blotted with agony, in my life full of torment, I need a friend who will stay by my side. A friend that I could lean on my journey here in an alternate universe. Friend like Liam and Lily. For the day that I may lose this battle, there's a good memory I will treasure forever.

We found ourselves stopped by in front of a famous fast-food chain. Who could tell that in an alternate universe, there's that place here. I heaved a chuckle.

He massaged his neck as his face redden once again. He's shy. He's so cute.

"Uh, Gab. This is the only restaurant that I could afford. Sorry."

My eyes widened to his apology. "No, don't feel sorry. Besides, I'm not a picky-eater. I could eat what you could serve." Then I winked at him. Where could I find as thoughtful as him.

"C'mon, I'm really fine with it." I said in a convincing manner just to remove his doubtful thoughts. 

When I notice that he has froze in his place. "Come on," I pulled him and began to find a seat for two.

"May you have a sit, I'll take your order. You wait here, hmm?" He patted my head and dishevel my hair.

"What's the order of my lady?" He asked. 

I was froze for his sudden changed mood. I ride on his humor then told him my order.

Minutes has gone, the order was served. I raised both of my hands with a spoon and fork holding and started to dug up the food but before I could began, he stopped me from what I am doing.

"Uh, we usually pray before we eat. Do you mind?" he shyly muttered.

I was ashamed of my behavior. Who would know that this guy values traditional culture. I slowly put the spoon and fork down the plate in surrender and started to pray. 

We both talked about random things we have done from the past few months we have missed while eating. I informed him that I wanted to join the Gifted Program and he was shocked at first and later on cheered me up. I was encouraged by it.

And as it goes saying that every happiness comes with sadness. 

Through my vision from the transparent amber glass pane, I saw Mark walking against our direction with a girl clinging to his forearm while leaning her head to his shoulder as they vanished at my sight as they ride on a bus.

A foreign feeling inside my heart as I saw him with another girl once again perceive it. It's like crashing my world into pieces and will never be whole anymore. There's a lump in my throat draining as I tried to swallow the food hardly.

That's when I lost when I saw the girl kissed him in his right cheeks. My lips trembled, my entire senses became frigid.

I composed myself and began to stood up. Liam was flashed in shocked.

"Liam, I have to go, I'm sorry."

"Let me accompany you," he replied.

"No, don't. Please." I encircled his both hands. "Let me be alone first, I'll treat you next time."

He understands what I wanted to imply. He didn't followed me after that and I started to find a bus to ride on.

I let myself fallen to bed and covered my face with a pillow and started to burst my holded tears. You're crazy, Jee. You fell in that guy. You cry over small things for that guy. You drowned yourself into that guy.

I have let myself drowned in the mud that I know I will never unleash myself in his trap that I had fallen. I'm a pitiful woman who has fallen in love with a guy that will never love me back. 

That's when I realized that he is the biggest obstacle in this sordid battlefield.