Lies Written by the Stars

Memories

Chapter 6: Memories

CHRIS’S POV

There are a lot of unexpected things that could happen in our lives. If I will be taking it literally, in one second, our lives could be taken away from us. In another second, by some miracle, it might be given back to us.

But why?

Placing both of my palms under my chin, I am just here sitting by my desk and watching all of my classmates on the first day of our class. All of them busy in the early morning, buzzing like bees. Do we deserve to live? Aren’t we all just people ruining this world? I huffed.  I don't know why I'm thinking of these things this early in the morning. But it has been bothering me ever since that night. What good is left here anyway? I asked myself.

The door opened, and came two friends holding food from Mc’s. I watched them as they took the seat far from the crowd and went on to start their breakfast. What good, huh? I think as I continue to watch them, relationships, maybe? They look like they are a perfect match of friends.

Then my eyes focused on her. Elle looks happy whenever she eats. In her high ponytails and complete get up, like nothing bad has ever happened to her. I smirked. Is it a coping mechanism?

She looks completely different from the way that I saw her that night. I looked away from her. Diving my head to my arms and resting them on the desk, I should stop thinking and observing others now. I should be more worried about what happened to me.

I remember full well, what happened that night. I was just watching the city lights by the ledge. But why does it feel so wrong? Why do I feel like I don’t belong here anymore? Even if I’m pretty sure I am alive.

Sighing, I placed my head back at the desk again. I’m alive… and he’s not. I felt the guilt come back. If I just didn’t ask for us to drive there, then maybe, just maybe…

“And Mr. Chris?”

I raised my head, looking at our professor. How long have I been spacing out?

"Okay then, please tell us a lie and you have to mean it. Convince us. And after this class, you will be given the liberty to choose whether to tell us a lie or a truth and we will guess if it is indeed a lie or a truth. We're like your lie detectors. So Mr. Chris? Can you please start a lie for us?" Mr. Yada said.

I stood up, placing my hands in my pockets. Okay, I have completely no idea what they were just talking about, but I think I need to tell a lie? That’s the topic right? Damn, Mr. Yada.

“I’m ugly.”  I blurted out of nowhere.

The class made a series of noise and laughter so I guess I might have said it right.

“Okay. Good enough Mr. Chris and now Ms. Elentiya?” he looked at her and I went back to my seat and waited for her answer.

She looked at them, her “friends” and said, “I’m stupid.”

My eyebrows rose, well that's impressing. That looks like it took her a lot of courage to say.

After that scenario, I went on and listened to the discussion about lies and smiles.

I think I’d love to spend my whole life living the reality, rather than believing something I’m pretty sure will end up hurting us in the end as well. We’re just prolonging the agony if we do that. But then again, I couldn’t care less. As long as you do you, and you don’t mess with me  or anyone dear to me, I’m good.

Then my eyes drifted to her. I wonder what she's thinking. It's not that I care a lot about her, it's just that there's something about her that keeps on getting my attention. It's as if she plays a big role about me on something.

Well that sounded like a line out of a movie. I scoffed.

Then as if she knew I was looking, her eyes suddenly wandered towards me. I docked my head at a side, and I think she was about to ask me why I was looking but Mr. Yada called her. Then she returned to whatever it is she’s doing and didn't looked back at me anymore.  

The discussion continued and Mr. Yada asked us to stand in front again to tell another lie and he told us that Elle and I will be partners for the whole semester. I think Elle doesn’t like the idea of me being her partner because she looks so funny. Why is she so bothered?

Then she spoke. “I don’t care what other people think or tell about me.”

Hmmm. She looked so confident, but I can see it. The hurt? Then I looked at her so called “friends.” Right.

Realizing something, I smiled widely back at her and said, “I know when people are lying.”

Then I saw her smile faltered, I didn’t bother removing the smile in my face because hey, she looks so funny being uncomfortable like that. It looks so weird though, she looks like she has seen a ghost while she’s looking at me and can’t wait to run away from me.

But one thing’s for sure, she was lying. I know her. She cares far too much, even if she doesn’t want to. So I shrugged and watched her gather her things as she went straight for the door.

Before going out though, she looked back at me.

So I took that chance to tell her what I was thinking, “Liar.” I mouthed at her.

She walked out of the room and Liz and Raph followed her while calling her out. I removed my hands from my pocket and went on to grab my things and follow them as well. Was I too inconsiderate? I mean, I was just telling the truth. And why is she even looking at me like that?

Don’t tell me she doesn’t remember what happened that night?

I reached where they were and I may have overheard what they were talking about as I was leaning by the wall. Raph is nowhere to be seen so I assumed he must have went on to the cafeteria while Liz and Elle talked. Staring at my shoe, I heard them laugh and it went completely silent afterwards. I think they have noticed my presence now.

I looked up to them and said, "Ready to grab some snacks? Or are you two just going to talk about my looks?"

Elle glared at me but then continued to walk while completely distancing herself from me.

While we were walking, I noticed she had stopped on her tracks so I watched her as I re-think of her recent actions. What does she even remember? She can’t even blame me for whatever it is that happened to her that night.

Feeling irritated of being clueless as much as she is right now, I pulled her by the corridor and pinned her by the wall.

"Shh. Elle. Whatever it is you're thinking, you have it all wrong. Stop blaming me." I tell her.

“I’m going to remove my hand on your mouth and you have to promise me you are not going to scream, okay?” and she nodded at that.

I looked at her lips, and back to her eyes. She looks so scared. So I gave her an apologetic smile. I didn’t mean to scare her. I just want to clear things out.

"What the hell are you doing?!" She hissed.

What does she think I’m doing? Wait... does she think I’m going to do something to her? I grinned.

"Just explaining, I can't stand being hated for something I didn't do." I told her, looking straight in her eyes.

"Were you at the acquaintance party?" She suddenly asked.

So I answered, “Yes.”

"Are you the man in the rooftop?" She asked again.

She doesn’t remember.

I shrugged and said, "Maybe."

Is she in shock? What does she mean the man in the rooftop?

"Did you kill somebody? Were you trying to jump?”

What the hell? I stood up straight, hands in my pockets. She thinks I killed somebody. This is infuriating, funny and as much as I don’t want to feel this way- hurtful.

I looked at her, walked towards her and whispered, "Ask the right questions, Elentiya. Start living the truth."

I started walking away. What’s going on? I need to talk to Liz and Raph. Far too many things are happening and I have no idea where to start.

Then suddenly, I felt it. Like someone had just picked something on my brain. I stopped. What is it now? I feel like I just forgot something important; like it was taken away from me.

This is getting out of control.

I need answers, now.