Lies Written by the Stars

Queen of Spacing Out

Chapter 7: Queen of Spacing Out

ELLE’S POV

Did he want to admit it? Why did he stop? So was it really him? Or do I have it all wrong? What really happened that night? Why was I so scared? What is Chris trying to tell me? Or I am right that he is trying to play me? Maybe I am a witness on what he really did.

I shivered on that thought.

"It is official Raph, as of today, I'm bestowing Elle with the title, 'The Queen of Spacing Out.' Are you sure we shouldn't have her get checked? I know I've been joking about concussions these past few days but I'm really starting to worry now."

These questions had been bothering me these past few days. What if something else happened that night? Something crucial for my well-being…

I held that thought, no. We would not have that kind of connection. Impossible.

"How can you even tell she is spacing out, she just looked focused on the book she's reading."

"Well duh, I've been stealing her french fries since we started eating here and look. Not fazed at all."

Who are you Chris? What do you know? Sigh.

"--Chris." I heard someone say.

I have been asking myself for a while that I just noticed that I’ve been reading the same paragraph for quite a while. Or should I say, looking.

I looked at the book I was reading, I mean actually looked at it for the first time after being loss in my thoughts and pretended again to read it after hearing someone say his name, listening.

"Yeah, he has been absent for 3 days in a row now. I wonder what happened." Raph stated worriedly.

My train of thoughts went to the incident that happened between us near the fire exit. What truth? I trailed as I went to grab some of the fries I bought earlier for snack, but my hands were dipped on whatever sauce was left on the plate.

"Hey! Where are my fries?" I glared accusingly at them.

"And so she speaks!" Raph said.

Liz nudged him. "Are you seriously okay Elle? Did something happen between you and Chris that we should be concern about?"

"Like what?" I asked, feigning innocence.

"I don't know, me and Raph just thought something happened between you two. You've been spacing out a lot lately, and him? Nada. No trace at all." Liz said as a matter of fact.

.

"Don't worry, aside from my overreaction during class, nothing else happened, nothing important for that matter. I'm sure he's just pissing other people off. So we better get to class now before we start pissing off our own professor." I grabbed my book and walked off to return the plate to the cafeteria.

Clearly, I am avoiding further discussions about Chris because I can’t handle more conversations about him anymore. I’ve been having enough conversations in my head to deal with the others’ as well.

Raph followed me but before he can leave where we were staying I heard them quietly talking about me while I was walking away.

"And we are just accepting that explanation? Really Raph? Something is not right." Liz objected.

"Liz, I know you're concern, but she's our friend. If she doesn't want to tell us about it now, or not ever, we just have to let it be. She will come around soon." Raph answered, and then he followed me.

Thank you, Raph. And now I am left with a pang of guilt for lying to them. Am I really a liar now?

But I just can't tell them yet. Not when I don't know what is going on myself. I can handle this. I just had to know whatever secret or lie is Chris hiding. It is for my peace o mind and everybody's safety if my suspicions are correct.

What should I do when I see him again? What should I ask him?

I did not even notice that we are now in front of our class door until- "ELLE!!" Raph and Liz shouted synchronously.

Liz must have been right, if I heard that right earlier. I am officially the queen of spacing out, because you know what happened when I was about to enter the door? I tripped. Now here I am, palms on the floor, supporting myself from the fall. What a f*****g show.

The whole class erupted into laughter, loudly; mainly maybe because it is me. I looked at Jake and his friends, at Jean. He looked away.

Great, just great; so much for not crumbling in front of everybody.

Tears started forming in my eyes but I took a deep breath and stood up. Picking my things and acting as if nothing happened.

Liz and Raph followed beside me, observing my reaction and what I need, concerned.

"You think that's funny?!" Liz shouted at the people who are laughing, probably everyone.

The reason why I tripped was because they placed a translucent tape by the door which is very mature of them, if somebody will ask me.

Raph stopped Liz from making any more scenes by pushing us three to our seats. They know enough not to touch me when I am in a verge of crying or anger. Because trust me, I will detonate like a bomb.

"Are you okay Elle?" Raph asked, worried.

I sat on the chair and sighed. Checking myself, I don't see any blood or an open wound. Only a gash on my right elbow, so yeah, I'll live.

"I'm fine, nothing is bleeding don't worry." I answered him.

Raph looked at me, and I can see the worry in his eyes. I don't see what else is there to worry about so I guess he's overreacting a little.

"I'm really okay, Raph. Go take your seat." I assured him.

Raph just shook his head and went to sit down on his own chair. I don’t want any more attention.

Completely aware of my surroundings, I noticed that the class has stopped laughing already but what I didn’t notice is the return of someone I know until he started clapping.

*clap* *clap* *clap*

I looked at him. He is sat on his usual seat.

He placed his chin over his right hand and his arm by the desk and said, "What a nice group of kindergarten students. Is this what mummy and daddy taught you?" He cooed.

Looking at everybody, he continued speaking. "Scotch tape really? I thought you are all better second graders than that?" He said, emphasizing some of his words.

"Stay out of this Chris. This is none of your business." Jake said.

So I guess, that was really meant for me. And I completely fell on their trap. And yeah, he was one of them, my personal bullies. Or I should probably call them, The Traitors.

"Well, I was supposed to stay out of you and your foolish friends’ childish business, but then, I can't stand it when you have almost made someone dear to me bled." He looked at me.

Dear to him. What the hell is he saying? This is too much for someone not wanting to have any more attention.

Now the whole class is looking at us again, especially me.

Jake scoffed. "What? So you like Elle now?" He mockingly said, looking at his friends and laughing.

As if I am a joke to them. Now, I feel as if a cold water was washed over my body. Liz leaned her arm beside me. Telling me she’s there. I looked at her and  gave her a small smile.

"Seriously? What's so good about her? If I know, she just keeps on seducing men."

I was about to stand up to give him a taste of his own medicine when a chair fell on the floor loudly.

I looked where the sound came from and from that point I saw Chris striding towards Jake.

Towering over Jake, I looked over the fallen chair and I almost felt bad for it. He had stood up fast enough to make that huge sound. Fast and strong. Is he actually mad?

"So you do like her huh?" Jake provoked.

My heart thumped against my chest. Stupid heart. Why are you reacting this way? What do you want to hear?

"Maybe, maybe not." Chris answered vaguely, inclining his head. "I do find her rather interesting, she's smart." He added, looking at me.

And then he looked at Jake and the traitors.

"Smart enough to leave this circle. Unlike you fools." He looked at all of them.

The class reacted with surprise and with that Jake got so infuriated he threw a punch at Chris, which he easily dodged. Chris then took a step back and things happen so fast that Jake ended up on the floor with a bleeding lip.

I can't disregard the fact that there were a couple of cheers in the background. That was a good punch.

"JAKE! Baby!" Ariel screamed.

Chris raised both of his hands and said in a light manner, "Oops, self-defense." He grinned.

"What the hell is so interesting with her? You are so going to regret this. What does she even have in you? She's nothing." Ariel said.

Ariel is her girlfriend and now she’s kneeling beside him. Chris blatantly ignored her and made his way towards me.

*thump*

This stupid heart won’t shut up.

"She does not have anything in me." Chris replied, still striding towards me.

He’s walking towards me and everything feels like it’s in slow motion.

Why does he say that at if there’s more to that?

And then he stopped. Both hands on his pockets again.

"But I do, have something of her." He said, his eyes never leaving mine.

It was like there was a loud question on the whole room and he must have read the question in my eyes because he then followed what he was saying with an answer and still looking at me as if I am the only person in this room.

"I have her blood on my hands." He smirked.

As if what he said did not send shivers down my spine. I could not hide the surprise in my face; I cannot act as if it those words did not break the entire trance I've been having since earlier. He definitely knows something.

"Still spacing out huh?" Chris smiled.

He looked at the whole room and said, "Show's really over now guys, you can now leave. Mr. Rock said he won't be able to meet us today.” With that, after a series of yes’s and excitement from my classmates, they started to leave the room.

“And Jack? I have about 35 students here beside your foolish group who knows what really happened. I would not dare telling the dean if I were you." He winked at Jake.

He really did just wink at a squirming Jake that apparently is still strong enough to kick a desk and a chair before leaving.

"Damnit!" He cursed while leaving.

He sure knows how to make an exit.

I looked at Chris again. I have her blood on my hands. Another question left unanswered. I have my questions and he has my answers. I know that now. I'm willing to play along with this partnership or whatever play he is playing at just to know whatever it is that really happened that night.

That smile, those eyes, and the blood. And everything under that dark sky at the rooftop, illuminated by the stars. I had to know. No matter what happened.

So I looked at Chris’s eyes, stood up and did the unexpected. I smiled at him; almost smirking. At least that’s the most genuine smile I have.

I am done spacing out. I'm going to act- starting now. 

He must have been caught off guard because I saw a slight surprise in his eyes before returning it to his confident face expression. Not a very good liar either huh.

So, I smiled and said. "Thanks for your help but you did not have to. I could have done all of those by myself. See you on our project meeting."

I grabbed my bag, looked at Liz and together with all of the courage I have mustered; we left the room with this as the only thought in my mind, game on Mr. Chris.

Raph must have had something to say to Chris because I noticed that he stayed. We still belong to the same circle of friends after all. 

And as I exit the corridors I could not help but think about what will happen soon. I had to know. Curiosity killed the cat and I don't care. I'm a f*****g lion. Because after all, just like what Mr. Yada stated, "The truth shall set you free."

Right?