FACADE

Chapter Twenty Four

Laila POV

The school had finally resume. I am so glad. I have spend a whole month with my aunt at home. Her emotions had change due to the pregnancy and it is so different and a little annoying. She had finally stop her work at the company. Her fiancée ask her to stop and he opened a new shop for her. 

It isn't so far from where we live and I am sure that is one of the few things I enjoy during the holiday. 

Because I get to leave the house and go to somewhere different. Its an open place so there are people You can talk to and things to watch .

"Are you listening to me at all?" Isabella question me.

Her questions wake me from my cloud of thoughts. I gave her an apologetic smile.

"Sorry my mind is somewhere else." I said.

"Okay. So what are .....you thinking about?" She asked quietly. I can tell she is trying to make sure she did not get me angry. She still feel awkward when she talk to me.

I guess she is still not use to talking.

"My aunty." I replied. "She is pregnant and she is acting so funny recently." I told her.

She smile. "I've heard stories like that."

"Laila." Matthias said coming out of no where.

"Hey you scared the hell out of me." I said to him.

"That's a lie. You weren't scared." He said. I roll my eyes because he is right. I was only trying to tease him. Then he smile.

I'm never going to get tired of his ever cute smile.

He notice Isabella and he said "Hi." to her.

"Hi." She replied back shyly. I notice she blush and looks away from Mathias.

I have noticed she does that always when Mathias is with us. But I happen to just realised that.

Oh!

Its seem Isabella have a crush on Mathias. I don't think Mathias notice this. 

"Excuse me. I will see you guys later.? Isabella said and I nodded. She wave and then walk away.

"It's still surprisingly that Isabella talks to you. To anyone in fact." Mathias said when she was out of sight. I shrug. "So how was your holiday and your aunt?" He asked smiling. I know he is supressing a laugh. 

He knew about my aunt pregnancy and her mood swing. I told him on one of our calls during the holiday.

I nudge him on the arm and he laugh. I join him in laughing.

"Don't worry,it will end pretty soon." He assure me.

I nodded." So how was your holiday?"

"Well my girlfriend break up with me. She texted me 'i thought I love you but i just realise that I only like you. I want to end the relationship. I'm sorry." He said.

"Really?"I asked a little shock.

"Yes. I'm not joking." He said and I see that he isn't joking.

That's a little too mean. How could you end a relationship like that?

He had been dating the girl for almost seven months.

"I'm sorry." I said.

"You don't need to. I think it is for the better. I was actually getting tired of the relationship. I've move on." He said.

"Liar." I said.

"I will move on." He said and I look at him."Seriously. It doesn't hurt any more."

"Alright."

"So how is your aunty?" He asked changing the topic away from him.

Its been a week since the school resume back. Jason had not resume. It is very unusual. His bestfriend Christian had resume. Although he didn't come to school on Monday and Tuesday but he had been in school since on Wednesday. The class seem to notice too but they are just glad they won't be trouble for a week.

I don't know why he is not in school but I kind of miss seeing him. I'm actually crazy thinking about Jason. I think about him and some stupid weird stuff during the holiday. So I miss seeing him.

I decided to ask Christian during lunch break. He is his bestfriend and they also come to school together.

I left Mathias in class when the bell rings for lunch because Christian was already leaving the class with his new friend and seatmate and his other friends.

"Hi guys." I said to them.

They turn around to look at me."Hi Laila."They chorused.

"You look good." One of them commented.

"Thanks." I appreciated smiling at him.

"Can I see you for a minute Christian?" I said looking at Christian.

"Of course." He said quickly." I will meet you guys in the cafeteria." He said to his friends. They nodded. One patted him on the shoulder and they walk away in the direction of the cafeteria.

"What's it Laila?" He asked.

"Do you happen to know why Jason isn't in school? He has not been in school since on Monday and it is very unusual." I asked. I hope he won't tell me that he is no longer attending Greater Height School.

I don't know how I will feel about that. 

I don't want to even think about it. 

"Yes. He is having some personal issues but he will be in school next week." He answered.

"Really?" I said before I can stop myself.

He smile."Yeah. Why do you ask?"

I bit my lower lip. I wasn't expecting him to ask such question.

"Uhm." I said."He is my classmate....and it is so unusual of Jason to miss class and moreover you are in school."

He look like he is thinking about what I just said then he nodded.

"Okay. Thanks for asking." He said and he walk away. 

I sigh and turn to go back to class when I see Mathias approaching. I waited for him to meet me.

"You were asking of Jason right?"

I nodded. "He doesn't miss class."

"Yes. This is May right?" I nodded. "He misses school this same time every year. I don't know why but I once heard the teachers saying it was something related to his family.....his father to be precise."

I thought about what Mathias said and I remember Christian saying he has some personal issues.

I hope he is alright.

"Let's go and eat. I'm hungry." Mathias said.

"Me too. I had to rush to school this morning." I said.

##

Just as Christian said Jason resume the following week. There was something strange about him. He look pale and his eyes has a dark circles around it. Even Mathias did not fail to notice it which he point out to me. He didn't even have his head phone on for the whole of Monday.

Christian keep talking to him continuously. He manage to give comment to some of the things Christian was saying to him. Saheed and Obinna came from their class SS2 Platinum so did George and Favour from their classes to our class. 

They rarely meet in the class. They prefer their usual meeting point - the old music room.

But today they were in the class with him and they didn't leave the class till the break was over.

Nothing change the next day. 

We are having P.H.E and I happen to get to the gym room first then Jason appear. 

"Jason." I said."Are you okay?" I asked.

"Do I look like I am not?" He answered rudely and he went to his position in the room. I can't help but feel hurt with how he reply. Maybe I wasn't expecting him to answer me that way. He was calm last term and he doesn't answer me rudely. 

I went to my position in the gym room and then my classmate begin to troop in. Isabella and Mathias took a seat beside me.

After the class, we went for break and then an hour free period for students to read and other things. I went to the library with Mathias and we study together before he finally left to meet his friends in the mathematics club.

On my way back to class, I saw the light in the old music is turn on. I know Jason and his friends will be inside but i am drawn to enter the room.

So I did. I don't know what take over me but I step into the old room that seem like it is still functioning. It's neat and well arrange. They are still some old musical instruments left in the room arrange at a corner in the room.

The room seem too quiet. Jason friends are suppose to be inside filling Jason on some unnecessary things or arguing among themselves who is the best player and winner of the last football match. 

I know that because I pass this side of the school almost everyday when coming from the library.

I walk inside the cold room. There was no body in the room. 

Maybe they forget to turn off the light. I sigh and turn to leave the isolated room when I saw a white snicker. I walk up the corner and Jason is at the corner sitting on the floor with one of his leg stretched forward. His bag,headphone and drawing pad was lying on the floor beside him. His eyes were close but it is obvious that he is not sleeping.

He look like he is in thought. I decide to leave him in his thought when I notice a tear form a line down his cheek. Its happen again and then the next cheeks.

In that instant, he look so vulnerable and a different person that I had know.

I felt sadness within me. I wish I could help him. I wish I could cuddle in and tell him everything is going to be fine.

But I know he want to be alone. I'm not even suppose to be here. But I can't help it either. I felt weak that I can't do anything. 

I exhale and reluctantly left the room after taking one last glance at him.