Her Miracle

CHAPTER 25

This time during our classes, I was taking down notes. Handwriting after a long time of not writing much is odd. It felt off. My notes were in a particular order. A result of having a great talk with one of your brothers in the morning made me feel okay. I felt okay. 

I named my bike. Not that I want a name that’s already in my name. ‘Mallows’ is the name I derived from my second name, Mallori. Mallori at some point- sounded like a fish’s scientific name if I’m not mistaken or it’s just me disliking it and my head playing tricks on me. 

I whispered to myself, "C'mon, Andy!" 

I still haven’t figured it out who gave it to me. It looked brand new and was flawless when I rode it coming here to school. Aiden lent me a lock that he found in our stock room so I can lock it at the bike stands at Willoughby. But some are really fortunate to have cars. I did want to have my own car but after the accident, I vomited at the feeling of riding in one, mostly when I was in the front seat. The memories just flood back. 

Castle Rock might be a small town, people knew people all around and even had a history with almost every generation. The town folks just like my classmates only care about things and those who matter to them--mostly, their image. They love preserving it to the point they would want to bring people down to lift themselves up. I’m a living example. I’m happy nobody has been bothering me in class for the past couple of days. But I’m at my happiest when I’m working at Eleanor’s and being with Titus. 

The thing I love about being with him is that everything is lowkey. People from town might know him as one of the new residents but nobody knows he’s friends with me and hangs out with me most of the time. And that’s a secret I’d like to keep. Yet, it’d be a great feeling to show to Castle Rock that I’m not alone as they think I am

I inhaled and exhaled my way through. 

I continued writing, trying my best to get the right words next to the words I’ve written down. Ms. Perri had tons of sentences with bullets on the board. I let myself reminisce about how free I felt the first time I rode my bike. The earth beneath my own wheels and I was in control. Fresh air touched my face and a rush of excitement flowed through my veins today. A huge smile formed on my face, much eager to finish jotting this all down.

Even at this time with my girl best friend not talking to me and my boy best friend who sat quietly now. I needed an explanation from Kai to clear things up about everything. But coming from Izzy? Her blank face completely fixed on the board filled with Ms. Perri’s notes from Beowulf and our other topic last meeting. 

Izzy’s posture was stiff. The tension between us was real but she kept shrugging it off. She avoided my direction and continued looking the other way. Kai, who was beside me, also paid attention to Ms. Perri’s explanation of her notes. He didn’t seem tired like the past first few weeks of school are attempting to join the Lacrosse team. 

Lunch then came. The bell rang as a sign. It’s like the 3rd or 2nd day I’m eating alone at some unoccupied tables in the cafeteria. I shrugged it off and shoved down my notebooks inside my bag. 

Izzy rushed out of the room. Was that a sign of guilt? Or was it a sign she didn’t care? I let her be and I’m tired of chasing people. Most especially, when they don’t want to be chased. I’ve already lowered down my pride for everyone and this is just not it. 

I slung my backpack on my shoulders and got out as the rest of the students piled out. They waved at our teacher with their faces eager to get to the cafeteria. They were hungry and excited to see their group of friends. Well, I have barely any. Not that I'd like the entire school population to be my friends. But in high school, it's exhilarating to feel like you have no friends and they make you feel weird and indifferent which isn't supposed to be the case because being lonely isn't that bad. These high school kids don't know how to utilize their solitude and embrace their alone-time. 

A presence appeared beside me. I could feel them walk to where I was going and turned to face the person who I might be prepared to talk to. But just not here. I stopped in my tracks. 

I started to say, “Kai, if you want to talk about the things...that happened. It’s best if not here. Most especially, not now that we’re in the middle of the corridors. People everywhere,” I pointed out the students that passed by.

We continued walking towards the cafeteria. 

He asks, “Are you still mad?”

“Would I be talking to you if I was still mad?” My voice was teasing as I rolled my eyes at him. “As much as I’d like to talk and catch up, let’s get to lunch.”

“Why is Izzy ignoring you? And also me? Did you do something wrong? Did she do something wrong? Did I do something wrong?” His eyebrows creased in confusion as to why Izzy was acting weird. 

“I really don’t know. The only significant thing that I remember was I didn’t do anything wrong. And she was the one who left me alone at the carnival…” I voiced out with hurt in every word. 

“She did that? What on earth got inside her head? By the way, want to go to the carnival? If that makes you feel better…” 

Kai was really soft. Even if he hasn’t hung out with me and Issy for a while, it was something innate with him to be caring. He must’ve been swimming and working out too much. Aside from having those chiseled abs and toned biceps, he has gotten tanned. Maybe it’s from training too. 

“It’s fine. I enjoyed it anyway,” I give him a warm smile. 

“Here we are… do you want to sit with us?” 

I interrupted, hushing him with my hand. “Hell, no! I can’t… My brothers might be at the same table as you are but no, I don’t mind sitting alone at an empty table. I don’t belong on the Lacrosse team, you dimwit! Unless you want to sit with me but I know you can't... ” I playfully smack his bulked arm. 

“Oh, yeah...right!” He giggles like a sweet boy in love with his beau. 

We paused at the entrance. Kai gave me a look and gripped my arm as a sign of his support even if he wasn’t sitting with me. He was just like Aiden. They were a cute match actually. 

“Go on… Aiden is there waiting for you together with the team. Just be careful!” I called out. “You know what I mean.” 

He winked as he turned his back to me and walked towards their table. Kai still hasn’t changed one bit. Just physically. I sighed and it was my turn to walk the runway in this cafeteria. I gripped on my shirt to relieve the anxiety that people might have their eyes on me. 

Today was my day. I reached the counter and bought my snacks. This day was my invisibility. Nobody cared anymore whether I was the girl at the accident or not. I grabbed some sandwiches, an apple, and bottled water from the smorgasbord. My smile might have caught some weirded out but it seemed to infect the lady who gave me my order. 

I carried my tray with me, firmly steadying it on both my hands, making sure it didn't fall. My eyes scanned the entire cafeteria to look for a perfect table. Should I be relieved that the only empty table was right next to Calyx who had a table all to himself as well? But I think it's perfect. Two loners both occupying their respective tables away from civilization. 

I cleared my throat and sucked in a breath, and in no time made my way to the empty table right next to Calyx. The tray is set perfectly on the table and I can now eat in peace. Not so in peace with the noise that broke all-around this room and where this table was located. 

I wore my earphones and played some random playlist. I had to avoid the entire world, shutting them out completely. My sandwich was too compelling so I grabbed it and peeled the wrap off. Ham, mayonnaise, and lettuce entered my nostrils. 

In no time, I took a bite. The surge of the sweet tender flavor of the ham got my tongue-tied aided with the sweet and sour taste of the mayo. The lettuce complemented it. I missed Aiden’s sandwich. He really does make good food. 

I was too engrossed in munching on my food that I felt a figure sat across me. Irritated as I was. I was in my solitary pleasure and here he goes wrecking this up. I didn’t need to look upon who it was. 

I removed my right earpiece. “Go away. If you’re here to annoy me, annoy another table. I’m not interested. Thanks!” I say in a most sarcastic way. 

“You don’t want me to be here?” A tone that I didn't expect I'd hear. 

My dangling earphone on my right made me want to put it back in but what caught me was his voice. The familiarity of it. And I know I've heard it before. 

At some point, I thought he was Calyx or maybe the dudes who love making chaotic s**t about me. It was no other than my favorite person in the world. My mouth hung open. 

“What… are you doing here?” I stuttered as my voice cracked in shock. "You're not supposed to be here... since you're not enrolled. How did you even-"

Titus.