Entangled in Lust

2. The New Boy at School

After last night’s disgusting incident in the music room, I had no energy and lost all will to do anything— even lifting my body off the bed felt like the heaviest task in the world. It felt like the world had collapsed right in front of me. My eyelids were swollen, puffy, and sore from silently crying all night, drowning in a betrayal I never thought I’d witness with my own eyes.

But this house… it’s even more disgusting. Those two people would be here all day. I couldn’t bear to look at their faces. Even hearing their voices made me want to throw up.

I knew those two revolting people would be home today, pretending like nothing happened, as if they hadn’t just destroyed the only tiny foundation I had left in my life. So I chose to get up. If I had to run away, then I’d rather run to school. At least there I could distract my mind—or at least feel numb.

I hid my face behind dark sunglasses. Not a fashion statement, just protection. Usually, my mother would call me for breakfast, but that morning was silent. No clinking pans, no smell of toast. The house was empty. I could guess—my father and Uncle Anthony didn’t come home last night.

As I opened the front door, Pak Tejo greeted me immediately.

“Pak Tejo, take me to school now,” I said briefly, without looking back.

In the car, our family driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror. “Miss, why the sunglasses? Got an eye infection?”

I nodded lightly. “Yeah, Pak. They say it’s contagious. So… just to be safe.”

Pak Tejo nodded right away, though he looked doubtful. “Oh dear… hope you get better soon, Miss.”

Of course it was a lie. But it was easier to say I had an eye infection than to admit I had just seen my mother with a man who wasn’t her husband—who also happened to be the son of my father’s closest friend.

Once I arrived at school, I said without much expression, “Pak Tejo, don’t bother picking me up. I’ll go to Jessica’s house later.”

But that wasn’t my plan. I wanted to go to Oma’s grave. My grandmother—whom I’ve always called “Oma”—was the kindest woman I knew. The only place that felt safe right now.

As I entered the school gates with heavy, sluggish steps, I didn’t even look around. My gaze was blank. It was as if my body had dragged me here without my soul’s consent. In the corridor, I bumped into someone—hard. My sunglasses fell.

“Watch where you’re going!” I snapped, annoyed, without even seeing who it was.

A hurried male voice replied, “Sorry… I didn’t mean to. I’m rushing to the teachers’ office.”

I bent down, picked up my sunglasses, and walked away just like that, without looking at his face.

Inside the classroom, Jessica immediately greeted me with her signature shout, “Cella! What’s with the sunglasses? You look like a celebrity caught in a scandal!”

Ashley joined in laughing. “Where’d you perform last night, huh?”

I tried to smile faintly. “I’ve got an eye infection. Wanna catch it?”

Jessica immediately backed away and covered her face with a book while yelling, “Ew, gross! Stay away from me, Cell, don’t look at my eyes!”

“You can’t get pink eye just from being looked at. You believe that myth, Jess?” Ashley cut in with her know-it-all tone, shaking her head.

Jessica pouted. “Still, I don’t want to catch it. Cell, just don’t look at me till you’re better!”

“Talking to Princess Snow White is exhausting,” Ashley mumbled. Then she looked at me seriously. “Have you taken any meds?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Our family doctor came last night.”

Ashley still looked worried. “After school you going anywhere? If not, I can take you to the clinic.”

I quickly shook my head. “Can’t. I’ve got an event at home… with that friend of my father’s.”

“Oh… okay. Just get lots of rest, alright?”

The bell rang. Everyone returned to their seats. I deliberately sat in the very back—my only goal: to sleep.

Not long after, Bu Deandra came in with a new student.

“Class, today we have a new friend joining us. His name is Lucas Vega.”

A tall boy with fair skin stood beside her, calm and cool.

“Hi everyone, my name is Lucas Vega,” he said briefly.

Silence. Everyone waited for more, but all that came was—

“That’s all from me. Thank you.”

The class burst out laughing. Even Bu Deandra chuckled.

“Very economical with words, huh? But that’s okay. Class, please help Lucas if he needs anything.”

“Yes, Bu!” the whole class chimed in.

“Lucas, you’ll sit in that empty seat in the back…”

That empty seat… right next to me.

Bu Deandra walked to the back, but her expression changed. “Marcella?” she called.

Ashley and Jessica tried to wake me. “Cell, wake up! Wake up!”

“What the hell… I’m tired. I wanna sleep.” I swatted their hands away and covered my face again.

“Marcella,” Bu Deandra said firmly, standing right beside my desk. “Are you awake?”

Half-conscious, I automatically replied, “Yes, Bu. Ready, Bu Deandra.”

Then I opened my eyes fully and… there was a pair of unfamiliar eyes sitting next to me. But I didn’t really pay attention.

“Did you listen to Lucas’ introduction just now?” Bu Deandra asked.

“I did, Bu,” I replied, half-yawning. “Lucas who, Bu?”

Laughter exploded in the classroom. Even Lucas smiled faintly. Bu Deandra shook her head.

“If you’re not feeling well, it’s better you go to the infirmary, Marcella. Rest there. I’ll inform the staff.”

I stood up weakly. “Okay, Bu… sorry.”

-------

In the infirmary, I went right back to sleep. At least it was quiet there. No Jessica’s loud voice, no kids joking around. No Lucas Vega.

After lunch break, I returned to class. The room was empty. PE class was in session, and I had skipped it claiming I wasn’t well. As I sat down, I noticed a strange boy at the desk closest to the window.

That’s probably Lucas, I thought. But I didn’t greet him. I just continued napping at my desk.

Some time later, when I woke up, I found a neatly wrapped chocolate bread in my hand. Mocca flavor—my favorite.

I smiled a little. “Must be Jessica and Ashley,” I muttered. I snapped a photo and sent it to our group chat.

“Thanks, my loves. So sweet of you to bring me bread 😚”

Replies came immediately:

Jessica: What? Not from me.

Ashley: I have no idea what you’re talking about, swear.

I fell silent. Slowly, I glanced at Lucas’ desk. In the corner of his table, the same type of bread wrapper—only half eaten.

I got up, approached. The wrapper… exactly the same.

“Could it be…”

After the class ended and almost everyone had left, only he and I remained.

I turned and said quietly, “Thanks… for the bread. And… sorry I snapped at you this morning.”

Lucas looked at me. His gaze was flat, but his voice was soft. “That’s okay.”

I extended my hand, wanting to introduce myself. “By the way, I’m Marcella…”

But he just stood up and walked away like that.

I watched his back. “That guy’s so weird…”

But I didn’t have the energy to think about him any further. I still had a promise to keep.

-------

After school, I stuck to my plan. I went to Oma’s grave. Sat quietly in front of the gray marble headstone already growing moss. I sat at the edge of the grave, letting the wind sweep through my hair damp with sweat and a bit of tears. I couldn’t speak for several minutes. Then finally, the words came out… soft, but filled with pain.

“Oma… Cella hates everything, I don’t know who to trust anymore. I hate it so much… Mama… Mama… she…”

My voice cracked. My fingers clutched the damp earth.

“Why did everything change so fast? Why did I have to be the one to see it?”

Tears fell one by one, then all at once. I cried in the arms of the earth, hoping Oma could still hear me.

I fell asleep there until the drizzle started to fall, soaking my face. But it felt… warm.

Like Oma’s hug, soothing the pain in my chest.