Down System

Chapter 13

My left palm hugged the right one that was so red. While still groaning in pain, I closed my eyes and shook my feet off the tiles in annoyance. How could he do this to me?

That wayward boy Keevan would do anything to take revenge. He was good at planning his move because he just deceived me. He had taken advantage of my weakness to frame me. Such a perverse he was!

I opened my eyes again and thought of following Keevan, but Ferelith's presence stopped me.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Obviously, I'm not fine, Ferelith! That boy clutched my hands, and it's still hurting. I thought you were beside me. Where have you been, huh? You didn't even inform me he was there."

"I'm sorry, I went straight ahead to the comfort room because he made me blush, and I didn't want him to see my red face. I didn't know he hurt you anyway. May I see your palm?"

As favored, I revealed my palm to my best friend. "I have shaken hands with him because he offered me a friendship, and I thought he was true with it. He even told me he's trying to change, so I gave him a chance, but this is what he did to me!"

Still, only the two of us were in the room, and that was why I was vehemently loquacious of telling Ferelith the story. But when the students already entered the place one by one, I calmed myself and just whispered everything to her. Unfortunately, when my eyes caught Keevan invading, I stood furious.

"Keevan!" I shouted, which made everyone turn their gazes at me, including him. "How dare you-" I wasn't able to continue speaking when the teacher arrived saying,

"What's going on in here, Aleera?"

I was about to report the young boy when I remembered I would be suspended doing that. I did not want to bring humiliation to my family, so I just lowered my pride and chose not to speak. I let out a sigh as I took a seat and said, "Nothing, Teacher."

Keevan smirked as the lecturer proceeded to her desk without speaking again about the matter, rather, she gave us students her warm pleasantries. The boy, however, did not cease tantalizing me even during the discussion. He had the guts to do crazy things though he was in front because he knew the teacher would not get mad at him. After all, he was the favorite.

I did my best to steer my glance away from that boy for him to stop teasing me, but there were times that I could not control my eyes to turn to his side.

Biting my lip in vexation, I showed Keevan my clenched fist. I wanted to punch his face that was creating different expressions just to annoy me. I gave him a more scathing look when he took his bag at his back and lifted it to present to me, knowing that the backpack was the same as mine.

How could that boy be this irritating?

My nose fumed watching Keevan happily danced his bag. I liked to not mind him anymore, but his disturbing demeanor was indeed a hook to attention.

"Aleera, please stand."

I gaped at my teacher when she called my name. I didn't know what would I do, so I just stood as she commanded.

"Can you please tell me something about our topic for today?"

I bit my lip, thinking of the lesson I didn't know about. My gripped hand didn't terminate because Keevan's soft chuckle was ringing in my ears. My heart was about to explode because of that boy!

"See? You don't know what to say because you are not listening. Is teasing with Keevan help you understand the lesson I'm presenting here?" the teacher asked. "Keevan, you stand up, too."

I let out a giggle seeing the boy's face surprised.

"You, guys, are already warned, right? Do you want me to account you to the council so that they would suspend you for a week?"

The two of us shook our heads.

"Alright, one has to save you then. Any of you two who can tell me something about what I've discussed?"

"Teacher," Keevan spoke, "you've told us about the short story entitled: The Last Leaf. It's something to be treasured. In fact, I've got lots of takeaways, and if only I could speak them all, I will, but I know we're running out of time. So, to tell you the most significant moral I learned, it's helping through the bad times.

"Berhman helped the ill Johnsy recover from her pneumonia through painting a leaf on the wall. It's love, Teacher. He didn't let his neighbor die of emptiness and lack of hope."

The lecturer smiled. "Very well, Keevan. You two can take your seats now."

I looked at Keevan in disbelief as I sat again, never minding his eyebrows that were continuously raising at me. I did not lend my ears to the teacher, so he was, but how come that he was able to gain takeaways and share them effortlessly?

Stuck in my own thoughts, I did not notice the teacher dismissed us. I had no plans of moving into my place not until my friends approached me and told me to go to the cafeteria for lunch.

I could not believe it was Keevan who saved me this time. If not because of him, I might have stood for long hours. It shouldn't have happened someway because his rescue would mean owing him everything. In that case, it would be hard for me to avoid him taking advantage of me.

"Aleera," Ferelith spoke my name, "there must be really something fishy going on between you and Keevan. Do you mind telling us? I swear I won't get mad if he's your crush, too. The both of us can adore him and it isn't wrong at-"

"Will you please stop pushing me to him, Ferelith? I am too young for this!"

"So, what?" one of my pals said. "We are already in the seventh grade and it's totally normal to adore someone."

"Guys," I said affirmed, "I'm telling you I don't like that boy. If I do, I would rather said him letters than fight with him over nonsense things. You know... I shouldn't be arguing with him in the first place because he's immature, but I just could not control my temper. He's getting down into my nerves!"

"Oh, well, have you heard the phrase: enemy into lovers?" my gay friend asked.

"So, what are you tryin' to say? Enough, please. At this age, I shouldn't be thinking of those cliche love story ideas of yours. Just shut up and let's eat."

My friends were muted because of my spiky glance at them. Since that, they never formed again even the simplest noise.

The warm air inside the cafeteria had embraced me as I worriedly drank water. I knew what had happened would cause me some trouble, nonetheless, I would not let someone or something ruin me, especially that boy.

I had to end this battle before everyone could presume a different side of this story.

It was turning dark, and the brilliant red and orange sun was already melting when I had decided to buy ice cream in the side street. After class, I invited Namika to go out even for some time because she seemed bothered; whether it had something to do with the underground or none, I wanted her to unwind and feel the delicateness of food in the city.

"I told you I'm perfectly fine," the old woman said as I offered her the sundae.

"Take it or I will never let you guide me again?"

"Hoo, that was a scary threat, but it's still a no. I don't like ice cream. Just eat it or give it to someone else."

I ate the ice cream as well that was supposed to be for her without knowing anymore why she hated the desert. Besides, it appeared like she was going to kill me with her eyes if I insisted.

The stars had already appeared in the night sky when we decided to go home. Little did we know that Mommy and Daddy were worried about us. So, we had no choice but to explain everything to them. Plus, it was our fault for not letting them know.

But no, it was all undoubtedly my mistake.

After the long discussion, I headed to the underground right away. To my surprise, the 1578 photo album was placed on the desk again. It was fain to know that the bound was not damaged; however, on the book cover, there was a left note saying,

"The future is in your hands, Aleera."