MORPHEUS

The Stakes

Spending the whole day yesterday holed up inside my room made me feel more stuck in a slump. Compared to the consequences that should have gone by if I just endured it---going to school. I tried to move away from overanalyzing things but I just got back in circles.

“Get your sh*t together Bee!” I slapped myself both ways as I faced the mirror. While a black towel hanged on my right shoulder.

Dark circles surfaced under my eyes and a few zits too. While my hair is disheveled. It is a trendy short bob with bangs in ash brown shade and a few highlights. Though I expected it to look cool. Instead it seemed like I’m just a bored woman who cut her own hair on impulse after a break up. Even if I let the professionals handle it. That’s what you get for getting your hopes up after leaving the decision to your hair dresser. It actually looked stunning after the cut and blower but after a few days, I’m stuck with this.

“I can’t even control my damn hair how much more my own life?” I sighed before getting into the shower.

After the shower I settled with a mustard turtle neck long sleeves croptop and a black plaid pencil skirt. Standing on block heeled black ankle boots. Grabbing two toasts and black coffee over breakfast before heading out.

When I entered the campus all eyes were on me. I don’t know if I’m just over dressed or something. But when I saw the posters on the corridor that’s when it dawned on me. Everybody was buzzing like bees too. I never felt so humiliated in my whole life. People should have moved on too. It’s been four months and this comes out now?

Belinda Marsh is a serial killer too! She’s an accomplice!

That is what’s written on the posters. My face is plastered everywhere with horns and fangs. With claw marks in red ink too. I hurried and run to my next class trying to compose myself from all the ruckus that’s going on at the moment. I curled my hands into balls and grinded my teeth trying suppress my seething anger. Ignoring every snide comment the other students have to say about me.

I was completely invisible before and I lived in peace. It didn’t matter what others opinions was as long as I had you around. We would only sneak out and scream at the top of our lungs at some random place. Then I would feel alright. But now with you gone, how can I get pass through this? When you’re the reason I’m being ridiculed. I wish I could defend you most other than myself. But still I don’t hve ang solid proofs yet. All I have are nothing but accusations and assumptions.

Right before I entered the room Lind bumps into my right shoulder. When she look up her face was pale as a sheet. She can’t even make a proper eye contact. Knowing that she was the pushy one since the first time we met. My mouth went agape forming the words in my head but nothing comes out. She walks past me and I was left there hanging. Still I followed her blurring image at a distance until she completely goes out of sight.

If there’s anyone that's capable of doing this slander it’s her, there’s no doubt about it.

When I finally entered the room and sat on the farthest back of our room where seats are arranged in tiers. Only to see the announcement that read:

Class re-scheduled later this afternoon at 2:00 P.M.

I automatically found myself doing a face palm. I was too consumed by my worries earlier that I missed to check before coming all the way back here. Since I got up early I decided to take a fifteen minute nap. Making sure to set an alarm for it. So that I would be able to sneak out before the next class starts.

Time sure flies fast because I heard my phone alarm. Only to be caught off guard again.

Sh*t.

I cursed under my breath while wiping my lips frantically. Clearing out any misplaced saliva while I was asleep. While he just stares at me with a smug face. He climbs up the steps while his hands were tucked at the back.

“Ms. Marsh, did it become your hobby to sleep in class? Besides, this one is not yours too,” he gestures to the rest of the room.

My eyes widen in horror. While the rest looks at me with disdain. His clean cut hair matches with a few day’s stubble on his face. His grey eyes hold me hostage to his gaze. I gulped when he leaned down closing our distance as he waves his hand in front of me.

“Still daydreaming are we?” Then the rest of the students laughed along too.

“Nope this is a nightmare. That’s why I’m stepping out for fresh air.” I pulled my things and looked over my shoulder. “You’re a bully for a teacher you know that?” He just smirks so I leave him be.

I have more important concerns, especially that Lind. I went to the rest room to make sure I didn’t look sh*tty enough incase I confront her. I had my fill of humiliation today and another one will push me to my breaking point.

I started washing my face to cool down a little bit. Just when I was about to grab a tissue one cubicle opens up. My left brow arched.

“What are the odds?” I said while staring at my own reflection at the mirror. Washing my hands this time.

“Of what?”

“Of me running in to you,” I turned around to face her, “you’re the person I’ve been waiting to see and here you are.”

“What’s with the salty tone Bee? Sorry I wasn’t able to greet you properly earlier. I had a bad stomach,” she reasons with a smile even holding it to make it more convincing.

“Really? I’m sorry too because I don’t believe you,” I replied with a straight face. “Let’s drop the act and show me your true colors.”

She shakes her head in disbelief. “Where are you getting at? We were fine just the other day.”

I took three steps forward to gage her. “Lesley Tucker does that name ring a bell?” At the mention of her sister’s name her gaze shifted to the floor avoiding eye contact.

Then she bounces back with a well rehearsed smile from ear to ear. “I don’t know her...first time I heard of the name, “ she lied through gritted teeth.

I pushed back her shoulder length brunette hair. She is not fazed though. “I see, sorry for sounding intrusive. Why don’t I accompany you to the clinic?”

“It’s fine I don’t want to impose on your kindness,” she refuses before pulling out a handkerchief from her back pocket. Then a pink paper fell from it.

My eyes lit up at the sight of it. I immediately knelt to pick it up. When she saw me her eyes grew bigger and she even gulped twice.

“Can I?” I faked asking the permission to corner her and she nod in agreement.

My right hand immediately flew to my mouth, this time I wasn’t faking my shock. “You have a stalker?”

“It’s been going on for four months now. At first I was glad because somebody appreciates me. Though in the long run it became creepier. He knows my every move and who I’m with. That’s why I tried to avoid you earlier. I don’t want to get you involved,” she explains and I can sense some truth into it.

It’s difficult to trust people. There’s more than what meets the eye. Even my own best friend have kept secrets to me all this time.

In that moment my body moved on its won and I just hugged her. The only consolation I could give because I still doubt her.