My Getaway

CHAPTER 5

The weekend came, I was at the club again. This time I went down join the crowd who were dancing. It’s really fun clubbing.

Afterwards, I went back to Liam and he told me that Rachel and her friend were coming tonight.

"Another one? After putting me in an awkward situation last time?" I asked Liam strictly while drinking.

"Sorry!" He laughed.

Rachel and her friend came in and they both sat down.

"You've met Rachel, so here is Josie..." Liam said.

Josie and I made a handshake.

"Lielle." I smiled at her awkwardly.

It was really awkward for me to meeting new people but Jane outstood.

Liam and I drank quite a lot but the both of them just drank a few.

"Josie, what’s your business again?" Liam asked.

"Oh. It’s a chicken restaurant. I love eating chicken so much so I made business out of it," she chuckled.

Wow. These people are successful. Can I really hang out with them?

"Both of you are so great. Lielle, want to come at Rachel's gig next week?" Liam asked me.

"M-Me?" I asked confusedly.

I have plans to study…

"We'll see," I responded.

"What see? You should go! Right Rachel? She should?" Liam was cornering me.

"Yes! It's just around here too. It’s not that far," Rachel pointed out.

"I'll be there too!" Josie added.

"Okay, I'll have to try my best," I replied lowly.

After the both of them left, I talked with Liam.

"What was that? You turning down my offer?!" he asked bossily.

"I told you I'll be studying next week!" I argued.

"Whole week?"

Right... I haven't asked Jane about that.

"I don't know… Maybe." I sat down while he was standing up.

"Hey, it's your type," Liam said which made me stand up quickly.

"What?! Where?" I asked immediately.

"Stupid," he laughed out loud.

I just realized he just teased me.

"I'm really not coming next week anymore!" I said angrily.

"Haha! She's seriously your type, am I right?" he teased me again.

"Hell no."

"How could I not know from your eyes." He drank.

"Have you talked to her?" he asked.

"W-What? The girl? N-No..." I answered.

I lied because surely, he'll tease me about it if I said yes. The thought of Jane annoys me so much too.

"You should start doing it then."

"Tch. No thanks."

If he only knew how bad it is to talk with Jane!

"You're giving up?" he asked.

"She's not my type, dude!" I answered strongly.

After we drank a few shots, we went home immediately.

It was already Sunday and during Sundays everyone stays at home even if we're just on our individual rooms. As long as you're in the house.

I can’t believe I slept half day today! I went out to eat lunch seeing my stepsister eating toasted bread. I got food and sat down the dining table along with her.

Ugh, I hate her.

She was using her phone while eating and didn't even take a peek on me. My dad suddenly came.

"Eating together?" he asked.

My sister quickly hid her phone.

"Yeah! Happy Lunch dad," she smiled at him widely.

What a fake.

He smiled back and drank water.

"Happy Lunch to the both of you,” he said then he left afterwards.

My stepsister went back to using her phone and I couldn't stand it so I went back to my room.

I got bored so I tried searching out the lessons I had on the internet. It might help me. But in the end, it just gave me headache.

I lied down on the bed.

Does Jane even know about these lessons already? I think she does, guess she's smart enough.

I listened to my favorite artists on earphones to feel their vocals but somebody bothered and messaged.

"Tomorrow's your first day right, student Lielle?" Jane messaged.

"Yes, stop calling me that," I replied.

"Hmm... Okay."

We stopped texting, I continued listening until I fell asleep.

The next day at school, I couldn't listen to my professor's review because I was nervous for my session with Jane later. Will she mess around again like she did the other day? Gosh. It's really a wrong choice to have her as a tutor.

It was already time to meet her.

"Do you want to study in the stone tables or library?" she messaged.

"Library sounds better," I replied.

"Okay, on the way."

I went to the Library but she came running late.

"Sorry I fixed some stuffs. Did you bring your books?" she asked while catching her breath.

We were sitting facing one another.

"Yeah..." I responded.

I showed it to her and she received it.

"What subject do you want to study by the way?" she asked.

"Math?"

"Okay. Let me see..." She got my book and looked at the table of contents.

"What chapters?" she added.

"13 to 17," I said.

"Quite a lot. You sure you can handle it?"

Is she underestimating me again? Or asking me purely out of concern? But she has a point.

"Depends on the teacher." I scratched my head.

She looked at the graphs and analyzed them.

"Actually... I have no idea about this yet..."

"What?! Seriously?" I asked aloud.

"Shut it, we're at the library."

"Then how will you teach me?" I lowered my voice.

"Give me 10 minutes." She read the book.

Gosh. I just waited for her. I was already becoming familiar with her facial features and it's captivating.

"Okay, I get it now. Sit here.” She tapped the seat beside her.

She made me sit beside her and I did. My body was a little bit behind hers but it went closer when she was pointing at the book.

She's now sketching graphs which I couldn't even understand.

"You can see the slope here. Then the x and y on these lines… Are you following?" she asked.

I just nodded but couldn’t deny that I was amazed on how she got the lesson within only 10 minutes while it took me almost forever. I was listening to her explanations.

"Go on, try it." She gave me the pen.

I started applying what she taught me.

"What?!" she suddenly asked while I was graphing.

I got nervous because I think I got wrong. Why is she suddenly raising her voice though?! Math is not easy!

I didn't respond to her.

"Why did you put the line over there? It should be at 25 on the y-intercept,” she explained.

My hand was still holding the ballpen on top of the notebook while her hand was just above mine, very close to each other. Our bodies were also starting to touch each other's, slightly. And I could suddenly feel my heart beating.

"What? Why 25? Not 27?!" I argued.

She removed my hand which was covering the graph then she explained.

I was just looking at her side profile the whole time and I didn’t notice that I lost focus while looking at her. She suddenly looked at me causing me to look back on the graph quickly.

"Now, you do it,” she commanded me.

"Okay..." I tried to answer it, hoping it was right.

"Perfect!" she smiled at me.

Why is she being kind all of the sudden? She's not going to tease me or what?! Is she doing this for the study materials?

We took a break for a few minutes and she grabbed me to the shelves.

"Can you help me find a book? It's about Greek history."

"W-What? Uh... Okay," I hesitated a bit.

I looked for the book along with her. She was walking in front of me. Such a superior.

"There," we both said and our hands touched as we held the same book.

We felt awkward about it but she quickly grabbed it anyway, leaving me alone.

I quickly followed her and sat down in front of her.

I looked at her eyes, which were skimming the contents of the book. Is she a nerd who understands everything in just a few minutes?!

"I have to study this for history class," she said.

She's really very studious. Hope I was too.

"Oh. Quite a thick book though,” I said.

"Yeah, it's fine. It'll be done in two days."

T-Two days? While I could finish mine in two months. Gosh. She's a confirmed nerd.

"Do you still want to proceed to chapter 14? Or another subject?"

"I can do the other subjects. I guess… I just need help with Math," I answered.

"Okay." She placed the book down and was already trying to get back to our lecture to teach me Math but I grabbed her arm.

"Can we continue tomorrow?" I asked.

"Why?"

"My head needs a break."

"Hmm... Okay," she agreed.

She grabbed the Greek book.

"Are you going to study that now?" I asked.

"Just reading..."

"Can I go now?"

"Why? So you could go clubbing?" she asked bossily.

"I like clubbing so if you don't, just shut your mouth," I said strictly.

"I didn't say anything."

I suddenly saw Liam passing by. She took a glance at Jane and teased me with her using his facial expression.

"Wait," I told Jane as I followed Liam onto one of the shelves.

"What was that?" I asked him.

"What?"

"Your face!"

"What do you mean?" he was about to laugh.

"Are you teasing me?!"

"It's just great to see you study," he chuckled.

"F*ck."

I thought he was going to talk about Jane.

When I was about to leave, he grabbed my arm.

"Clubbing later?" he asked.

"What?" I asked with a low voice.

"Club, club!"

"My mind's exhausted!"

"Oh. I don't know what gets you inspired in studying though but hope that'll last!" he said.

I went back to the table not seeing Jane anymore but her things were still there. I looked for her in the shelves and saw her from afar. I think she's looking for another book. I was just observing her as she was reading the back part of a book but I suddenly noticed a book which was about to fall down her head, so I quickly ran and got it.

Just look at my effort!

She suddenly gazed at me, which caused us to stare at each other silently. It was very silent and I could only hear my heart beating. What’s happening?!

I quickly placed the book back on the shelf while she just continued walking. She's not even going to say thank you?! Yeah right!

She really has no manners at all.

I followed her and we both sat on the table.

Liam was still there.

"Why aren't you leaving yet?” she asked me.

"H-Huh? I thought I still couldn't," I replied nervously.

"You said you wanted to continue learning tomorrow?"

"Yes?"

"Then you can go now, student Lielle." She patted my head twice and Liam saw that. It’s such a shame!

I quickly grabbed my things and left. I avoided Liam as soon as I noticed that he was following me. I went inside the car and went home immediately.

I never felt so under in my life.

I was already in my room using my phone.

"What a cute pat." Liam messaged me.

"Shut the f*ck up," I replied.

"Why? I'm complimenting."

"It's not worth a compliment. It sucks."

"So you got yourself a new friend? She seems quite familiar. Might have seen her somewhere."

It's a good thing Liam isn't that observant. I bet he forgot about Jane's appearance already.

"What?! How is she even familiar? She's not my friend!"

"Not your friend? Yet you're together? Oh no! Were you forced to study with her? Bravo to her, no one could command Lielle like that."

"Shut up! I'm studying on my own will not by her command! I told you I want to crush my stepsister!"

"Oh. Lame excuse but okay…"

"Lame excuse? What?!"

"Bye. I'm at the club" he messaged last.

I got quite envious because he's at the club but I decided to review my notes and recalled the things taught to me by Jane.

I looked at my notes and studied the graphs but I forgot the solution on how it arrived to this answer. Never mind! I give up. At least for now.

The thought of getting the book which was about to fall in her head and how we touched our hands made me cringe. What just happened earlier?! That's was so awkward!

Another day passed, Jane just taught me chapter 14.

After studying, Liam found us walking together outside the library.

"Lielle!" he said lowly while walking towards me.

Jane noticed it so she left first.

"What?" I asked Liam.

"Let's go to the club today, Rachel's going to be there!" he said excitedly.

"Hey, it's exams next week aren't you planning to study?"

"Woah. We could study after drinking!"

"No."

"Come on."

I can't take how he's so persistent about it. He let me into his car and we went to the club.

I was seated on the sofa but I only drank a little.

Rachel came in.

"Hey, Rachel." I waved my hand and she did too.

We only consumed light drinks.

"Rachel, why do you like coming here?" I asked as she sat down.

"Me? Hmm… I just want to feel relaxed sometimes."

"Oh. By the way, your gig is on the weekend, right?"

"Yep! You should come, okay? Josie will be sponsoring a whole bucket of chicken!" she said excitedly.

"What?! Really? How cool!" Liam said happily.

It's really cool so I'll really make sure to go.

"I'll make sure to come and support you, Rachel," I said.

"Thank you!" she said while smiling widely.

Rachel and I went home at the same time and I dropped her at her house since she was just supposed to ride a bus.

We both went down the car.

"So you live here?" I asked.

"Yes! It's quite far from the club, sorry to bother you," she said.

"Nah, it's fine. I'll be rooting for your performance. Do well."

"Thank you!" She smiled then I went home directly.

I thought I'd never be coming to the club this week because I'll be studying but this happened! You really can't resist temptation.

Tomorrow, at school, my head was aching but I still went to study with Jane. I decided to meet with her on the stone tables in the campus.

We already started studying but she noticed I was out of focus.

"Are you catching up? You're looking pale," she asked.

"Sorry… My head just hurts..."

"Really? Then we'll have to postpone this. I'll just teach you chapter 15 tomorrow."

I just agreed.

"You want to go home now?" she asked.

"N-No... I can handle it. I just couldn't focus," I responded.

A few minutes later, the headache got mild. Thankfully.

"I think I'm okay now. We can continue," I said.

"Nope. It might come back if I teach you again."

"But I'm really fine now…"

"Gosh. Just listen to me, Lielle. We still have tomorrow and a few days left to study." She read a book while I was just seated.

Looking around.

"Lielle, why do you like clubs?" she suddenly asked and looked at me.

"Me? Umm... Because it's a getaway from my problems."

"Getaway? Tch. You can do something else instead of wasting your money on liquor."

"Wasting? I'm not wasting when I'm enjoying. You probably don't drink, don’t you?"

"I do!" she said without a doubt.

It seems like a lie but I don't know.

"Then let's try drinking together, hmm?" I suggested.

"Nope."

"I'm sure you're weak."

"Weak?! I'm not weak!" she argued.

"Then why don't you like to drink with me? I'll pay for it."

"You're really from a rich family, aren’t you?"

"Of course, that's why I'm at this university. Duh?" I said.

She became silent and she went back to reading.

"Hey! You just changed the topic. You're probably scared of drinking with me, right?" I teased her.

I think I was winning this argument. I wanted to take revenge.

"Why would I be scared of you?! I just don't like going to clubs," she said.

Lies.

"You don't really go to clubs?"

"No. I hate the thought of club so much that's why I don't understand the people who come there. It's crowded and there are also party drugs in there, do you also intake some?!" she asked.

Why is she lying? I saw her there!

"F*ck no way. I'm only there for liquor. And how did you know about that? I didn't even know there were some. I thought you've never been to a club?"

Gotcha.

"Ugh, it's basic to be analyzed, Lielle. Gosh. I'll get going now." She left me alone.

Why did she leave so early? Did she get annoyed by the topic?

The next day at school, I was anticipating my lecture session with Jane but she suddenly messaged.

"Lielle, I can't go today. I have visitors at home, sorry..." Jane texted.

So we'll be studying 15 and 16 in another day? Two chapters?!

"Too bad, okay," I just agreed.

I went to the club alone but only drank a few, then went home.

My stepmom was watching television. And I heard in the weather forecast that there would be heavy rain this Saturday. It was the day of Rachel's gig but it didn't affect me. I have a car. I don't have to worry about a thing, right?

I went to my room and studied other subjects.

If Jane was here, things would've been easier because I wouldn't struggle in understanding this alone. I wonder if she's already sleeping now. Why am I even curious about that?!