FACADE

Chapter Thirty

Laila POV

I met Mathias in the class when I get to school. When I sit beside him the first thing I notice is his hand. His hand is wrapped with a white band. 

"What happen to your hand?" I asked looking concern at his hand. 

He smile. "It's nothing Laila." He said. 

"What do you mean nothing?" I asked. "Your hand was okay the last time we see on Friday." 

"I said I'm fine Laila. I just punch some one who deserve it." He said smiling. 

Why does this guy smile at everything? I thought angrily. He takes everything too lightly. I have never knew him to be violent. He is a calm person. 

So I wonder who get him so angry that he had to blow someone. 

"And who is the person that make you hurt yourself?" 

"No one you need to know." He said turning to face his mathematics textbook. He is trying to avoid answering my question. I can't force him to answer questions he don't want to answer. If he wants to give me reply, he would never hesitate so I let it go. 

Then the class fell a little quiet. Without looking up I know Jason had enter the class. I notice Mathias look up from his textbook and i look at him and then follow his eyes to whatever he was looking at. He was staring at Jason. 

Jason also stood to look at him but i can't tell what he is feeling because his face is expressionless right now. 

I was about to turn away because I am still hurt about what he did to me when i notice the mark on his lower lips. I had never seen a injury on his body. His body is always flawless. So it looks strange. I'm sure i am not the only one surprise to see a wound in Jason face. 

Then my brain registered what seem surprising. 

Then I look back at Mathias hand and then Jason bursted lip. Now I know who he punched. 

Mathias was the one who punched Jason. 

Mathias punch Jason! 

Mathias of all people punch Jason on the face. 

That's impossible! 

It's can't be. 

Mathias is not so bold to make such a move. But with the way they glare at each other, it's prove it is true. 

Why will Mathias did such a thing? What gave him the courage? And also what did Jason did to deserve a blow from Mathias? 

After Jason had went to his seat. I stay quietly wondering what had cause the throwing of blows between the king bully and the most quiet boy in the class. 

But then I notice Jason had done nothing to Mathias. Except from his bandage hand, he isn't hurt in any other part of his body and Jason also seem fine. 

"What happened between you and Jason?" I asked quietly so the girl sitting next to me won't hear of it. 

His eyes grew wide open. He turn to look at me. 

"How do you know?" He asked. 

"That's not what I ask. What happened?" 

"Nothing. It's between the both of us." He said and he turn back to his book. I heave a sigh angrily. He is not going to talk anymore. 

I shake my head frustrated. 

****

The thrid term mid term break had started and it is almost over and it is a relief to everyone, myself included. 

I have notice the teachers sending students to call Jason. He keep sighing in frustration whenever he is called upon by the teacher. 

I am surprised myself because it is very unusual because the teachers hardly summon Jason to their staff room. 

"Have you noticed the teachers had been calling upon Jason to the staff room?"I asked Mathias quietly. I am hoping he did not think i am stupid to be thinking about Jason or worrying about him. 

He look at me with a small smile on his lips. 

"Don't tell me you are still thinking about him?" He asked but not in a mocking way but in a curious way. 

I look away and replied quietly "You can't blame me." I shrug. "I still like him. I can't stop not the thinking about him." 

"I am not blaming him. He is just a fool not to notice you." He said. "But yes, i notice it too." 

"Do you perhaps have any idea why they are summoning him?" I asked because I know he is very close to most of the teacher and his aunty husband is also among the staff. 

"Well I am hearing things like..... Jason is falling woefully in this term exam." He said with a shrug. "I'm not so sure but that is what i am hearing." 

It might actually be true because the teachers don't usually call Jason to their staff room. They like staying away from his business. No matter who he bullies or what he do, it is non of their business and they don't meddle in it. But this is very surprising. It's like almost all the teachers had call him and there is no doubt about why they call him. 

Jason must have failed. 

But why? 

Why? how? 

How did Jason failed? 

He never failed. 

The truth is we both  compete for the highest position in the class. Tejiri is thrid on the rank with us. The competition runs mostly between the three of us. 

He might be a jerk, a rude bully but I give it to the guy that he is very smart and also intelligent. 

And since I have been here, he had never failed. So I think it is one of the thing that make him get respect from the teachers. 

I'm really curious. 

Is Jason having some problem? What could have affect him so much to affect his education? Is he unwell? I keep asking myself all the Different questions. 

This is actually non of my business. In fact, I'm supposed to be happy that maybe Jason is paying for all his sins including hurting me by failing. But I'm not happy about it and I am actually concern. 

Very concern. 

I need to know. 

***

"Hey Jason." I said walking up to Jason. I'm grateful he is not with Christain. He is on his way to the cafeteria. 

He said nothing but just look at me and begin to walk away. 

"Jason please wait." I said and he reluctantly did. I am hurt by his attitude toward me since the confrontation but I can't seem to stay away also. 

"I heard some rumors about your result...." I'm not sure how to say it to him so he won't get angry. "What happened? Are you perhaps having any problem.....with your works?" 

He look at me like i had grew an horn. 

"If I have one, it is non of your business. You should learn to mind yourself. No one need your pity." 

"I'm not pitying you." I said hurt. I think I now realize that he is the only person after my aunt that I really get so affected by whatever they say. He had this power to make me feel curious, angry, sad, happy and also pain. And he had been doing the latter frequently." I'm just concern." 

"Well I didn't ask for it." 

"You don't have to be mean you know?" I said holding back the tears that threatened to fall. 

"I never ask you talk to me or aske either." He said. 

"I just thought I could help. I'm just concern because it is so unusual." 

"Don't talk like you know me Sofela. Just because I kissed you once doesn't mean you know me. You don't know anything about me and you mean nothing to me so stay out of my way." His voice is cold. 

I fist my hand to a ball trying to hold back the anger and the pain. I feel like slapping him. But I can't do it. Not right now. Not at the hallway where all the students are passing by. I don't want to create a scene. I am already getting a few stares just by talking with Jason. I don't need any drama right now. 

And most especially i am the reason he had to talk to me this way. I should have just stay away and mind my business. 

He had hurt me countless time but I keep going back to him. I should just learn to stay away. 

"I'm.... I'm sorry." I quickly wipe the tears that fall away from my face and gave a force smile. "I'm sorry for meddling. It is not my problem. I am so sorry. I really am." I said and quickly walk away.