The Billionaire's Final Venture

T w o

 Something was gurgling beside me. I can hear it moaning, and it felt…hot. Like the thing was burning, and it was also vibrating. I forced my eyes open, not minding the sharp ray of light that pierced through the windows.

 I was frozen in place, my arms crossed on my chest where I can feel my overly beating heart.

 My teeth chattered as I glued my eyes to the ceiling. I didn’t dare to poke the thing beside. If this is my last day here in on Earth, at least I got eaten by an unknown being. Surely I’ll be in front of those magazines and books.

 ’Local boy gets eaten by extraterrestrial being’

 Wait, ain’t that bad. They’re gonna see how stupid I was to get eaten.

 No, this can’t be happening! I should poke it, right? Well, what if I die? Oh God, I should’ve finished the book last night. Now I won’t have the time anymore!

 Come on Elliot! Just poke it! What even are the chances of it being an extraterrestrial being?

 I shakily brought my finger to the figure, my eyes still locked on the ceiling and an out-of-tune breath.

 IT MOVED!

 I jerked my hand away, covering it with the other. I bit my lip to suppress any noise that comes through it.

 It may be drawn to sound. As long as I keep quiet, it won’t hurt me. I nodded to myself and the figure moved again.

 Why did I move! Oh god, oh god. This is the end, isn’t it?

 The gurgle turned into a…loud snore. And the smell was horrible! Is that how alcohol smells like?!

 “Hey Eve! Wake up!” I shoot up from the bed and assumed a sitting position, rocking Eve’s dozing body awake.

 “Hmm.” Eve mumbled as she turned her body once more, revealing a wet trail on my pillow.

 “Ew! Eve! You got spit on my pillow!” I continued to shake her, more viciously this time.

 “Gimme…minutes.” She grumbled while I saw her eyes winced.

 There was no use waiting for her to wake up. I grabbed my book from the nightstand and jammed it in my slumped bag on the floor. How can she party all night while knowing it was a school night!

 Is this how normal teenagers should act?

 I don’t really know the concept of partying. You just go to a place where it’s noisy, put harmful substances inside your body, and waste away? Isn’t a good book in a quiet evening enough?

 Plus, the people! Their stares, their words. It’s a nightmare!

 I gazed towards the clock to see it was already 6 AM. Just an hour before school starts. I’ll wake her up later, right now I gotta prepare. I head straight to the bathroom and opened its light, where I am met with striking blue tiles from the wall to the floor. If it weren’t for the hanging shower heads and toilet, you’d mistake this for solitary confinement.

 But at least I got some time alone. Except for that mirror.

 I got into a habit of after I take off my shirt, I would close my eyes and cover the mirror with it. I didn’t want to like at myself, or even catch a glimpse. I slowly opened my eyes and my shirt has successfully covered my horrible appearance.

 Yey!

 Immediately as I turned the shower knob, I was awaken by the sharp, whip of cold water.

 “WooOOo.” I screamed.

 “You..okay there?…Elliot?” Eve had her raspy voice, and I can tell she was still groggy.

 I rubbed my arms for warmth and shouted through chattering teeth. “Y-y-yeah!”

 This was a routine for me. The school dormitories don’t provide a heater to showers so we had to wake up not to our alarms, but ice cold water.

 I let the heat from earlier’s…overreaction dissipate unto the water. Then, I scrubbed every inch of skin until I was good to go.

 I wrapped a towel around me and opened the door, only to be hit with the cool air once more of the air-conditioned room. I felt my body shiver from the intense cold as I ran to the closet and grabbed my clothes. I didn’t had time to pick so I settled for a plain blue shirt and dark jeans. And right after that, I dashed back to the bathroom where the cold air can’t reach me.

 I slipped on the clothes and marked myself as ready for school. The opposite for Eve who is still beside the water dispenser with a hand on her head. The room got dark, noticing that the curtains covered the entirety of the window.

 “I think I can’t go to school today.”

 And from those words, my heart dropped.

 “Wh–wh–what?” I stuttered, feeling my whole body tense up from those words.

 “My head hurts and I can’t even stand the light.” She winced as she continued to take a sip of her water.

 “Bu–but–”

 Eve walked, more like limped to me like a zombie, and grabbed my shaking shoulder. “You’ll be fine. I know you have one class today, just finish that and go home.” She flashed a reassuring smile, that made me feel warm for a second, but as soon as she drew back her hands. The shivers came back, and not because of the air-conditioning.

 “Wh–what if…people…ta–talk to…me.”

 “Ignore them, what’re they gonna do anyways–Ow!” She dropped to the floor. 

 I grabbed her just in time as I crouched to the floor with her. I can her head throbbing right now from her pained eyes. “Are you okay?”

 “Just a headache,” she smiles once more and gazed at me, “do we have aspirin here?”

 Without even replying, I scrambled to the mini-kitchen we had and inspected every jar and container.

 “Yes!” I shouted while holding a single tablet of aspirin. I hurried to grab her some water and gave both of it to her.

 “Thanks El.”

 She took the aspirin along with the water. “I’ll catch some z’s now, come on, you’re going to be late.” She pointed to the clock with her lips.

 It’s 6:45!

 What do I do? Do I just go out and not talk to people? Wait, what if someone asks me something? What do I reply? What if…what if.

 “Elliot, you’re gonna be late. Don’t worry, just imagine I’m lurking behind you and ready to pounce on anyone who tries to talk to you.” She grinned.

 I gulped the large lump in my throat and shakily grabbed my bag and slipped on my shoes.

 I head to the door and fumbled with the knob. Maybe I should go absent today. Yeah, take care of Eve. But my scholarship…won’t it.

 I should go to school. I fished out the phone from my pocket and it read…

 6:50!

 I sprinted outside and slammed the door in a hurry. I bolted through the hallways, stairways, and every way to the school. I didn’t had the time to see if there were other people. I just ran, ran, and ran.

 Then, I reached the building. I read my watch again and it was 6:53. I could be a great runner. Three minutes to run from my dorm to here. It’s a perso–

 “Move.” A bellowing voice echoed through my ears as I felt myself drop to the ground. Followed by a wave of deep laughter that faded into the distance, I tried to take a glance of them but I only saw their matching green varsity jackets.

 Why did they push me? Did I do something wrong? Oh god are they gonna do this to me everyday now? Should I fight back? No, they might kill me. But if I don’t. I’ll still die.

 I scrambled to stand up with shaking knees as I tread the building halls slowly and watching every step I took until I reached the classroom.

 6:59, just one more minute ‘till I’m late. I crept through the door and made sure no one noticed me. Immediately heading straight to my chair perfectly at the back so no one sees me. Placing my bag near my feet, snatching the book from inside it and covering my face with it.

 “Hey! Isn’t that the guy from earlier?”

 Oh crap!

 It’s them! The one that pushed me! They’re gonna kill me right now, aren’t they? Oh Eve why did you drink the night away last night. Farewell, world. My heart lurched out of my chest as I heard those words. The deepness of the voice sent me circling down my own personal hell as I feel footsteps coming towards me.

 “Come on guys, leave him alone.” I think this was Marcus. Don’t know his last name, I just heard the teacher call him some time ago and the class laughed at him and because of him.

 Wait, what. One of the jocks defending a small guy? That’s new.

 “Huh? Dude, you asked us to push him so–”

 “Shut up!”

 I must not put my book down. If I catch a glimpse of them, I’ll be dead. So, self, just focus on your book. Don’t mind them. Just survive this class and you’re done. I peeked from my book to catch the time. It’s already 7:01.

 “I leave Elliot for awhile and you’re all bugging him, shoo.” It was Eve!

 “Come on Marcus, his mom won’t allow it.” Marcus’ friend I presume, a mocking tone in his voice.

 I heard fists contacting a piece of clothing, hard.

 “Ow!” The friend laughingly winced.

 “You can bring down the book now.” Eve coaxed me out of my book, seeing her hands clutching her knees.

 I brought my book down to see her in front of me, face-to-face with a smile.

 “I thought you were sick! How’s your headache!” I blurted out while I slammed the book down on the desk.

 “I’m fine now, look!” She twirled around. “Plus, I knew this would happen.”

 “What would happen?”

 “Come on, don’t tell me you don’t know! I mean who wouldn’t–”

 Suddenly, the door swung open.

 “Okay class, get your textbooks and open to page 275, we’re going to talk about photography!”

 “I’ll tell you later.” She whispered as she hurried to her seat behind me.

 The teacher set down his bag on the table and scurried to the board.

 I wonder what Eve knew would happen.

                                   ~~~~

 Eve basically dragged me to the busy cafeteria in our building. It wasn’t as futuristic as the blue and white Hearst Building, but it had its own charm. One part of the wall was filled with graffiti, the other photographs, the other paintings, and four connected TVs hanging from the ceiling that displayed a short film that I didn’t know of. I recalled Eve calling this the Artists’ Den, because you can put some of your art here as well. Plus, it’s in the open, so it wasn’t as cramped since students can eat at the hallways if they wanted to.

 “Hey! That’s seat taken!” Eve rushed through the thick crowd while pointing to a couple seat, earning several mumbles of annoyance that I wish I could say sorry for. But, I felt my tongue tied, and something blocking my voice box.

 She forced me to seat. Hesitantly, and with a palpitating heart after seeing tons of people here, I sat. I forced myself to only look down on the table as I clutched the seat I was in.

 “Hey, hey. Just look at me. Don’t mind them, okay?” She squeezed both of my shoulders, putting me a little bit at ease. She looked down at her toes and shook her head. “Leave your bag there, you’re coming with me to buy food.”

 I gulped the something in my throat and nodded slowly. Following her instructions, she held me close as we traversed through the cafeteria that earned stares from the others. To which Eve countered with a what-do-you-care look.

 We reached to one of the stalls that sold isaw or chicken intestines. The orange curves reminding me of noodles. It may seem gross but it’s tasty! We bought two for each of us, dipping it in vinegar mixed with bits of onion and pepper.

 “Ughh! Ish sho goo!” I said while munching on the isaw.

 “Right?! You want more?”

 “Nah, nah, let’s try the other ones!”

 The array of food left us in a hearty laughter. Our moans from delight were masked by the noisy backdrop of students gossiping the latest news of the school, wrapped in their own conversations. I felt at peace with Eve as we happily munched on some kwek-kwek as we sat on one side of the cafeteria.

 Then, I started to doubt the peace. Everything was dead quiet. And the mobile mob of students stood still. Everyone turned their gaze at something.

 “What’s happening?” I asked Eve as she shrugged her shoulders and stood up, trying to find what’s happening.

 From curiosity–and Eve being there–I stood with her to look at what’s happening. I downed the kwek-kwek in one gulp from what I saw, and my mouth hung open.

 Those jocks in green varsity jackets, with Marcus in the middle, all standing on a cafeteria table.

 “Sooo! Our friend here,” one of the jocks smacked Marcus’ back that flashed a grin, “is finding a little special someone.”

 “Elliot Morales!” Marcus shouted.

 I gulped. The jocks with him started turning their heads trying to search for me. I gripped Eve’s hands and I couldn’t even look at her. I was fixated on those jocks. No, no, no. They can’t know. No. My hand was shaking. I need to leave. I felt Eve covered my hand with hers. She left our food there and grabbed my bag. We put our heads down and tried to escape from the crowd.

 “There he is! Hello there blue-haired angel!” One of the jocks announced.

 Curse my dark blue hair. Can I rip it out right now and escape. My body shook in unison with my hand, that tightened its grip to Eve. I glanced at her, trying to signal at them to stop it. She had a fierce look on her face but the other jocks didn’t care. Now, all eyes were on us. Their gaze like knives stabbing every inch of my skin. I felt something crawl and claw at me. Sweat? Spiders? I can’t move. My breathing hitched and off the roof.

 “Elliot Morales, would you go on a date with me!” Marcus announced, the crowd cheered while I felt myself dying. He started to step down, a grin on his smug face.

 “Hey, hey, hey. Elliot, we’re leaving, just run.” She went on ahead while gripping my hand, dragging me outside the cafeteria. We dashed through the walking students and into the back exit that directed us to our dorms. We went inside and bolted to our room. She opened the door for me and motioned me to go inside. Shakily, I followed. Not long, she went inside and closed the door behind her, locking every mechanism.

 I couldn’t take it. I felt tired, drained, like my soul was ripped out and wringed out like a wet towel. I was happy. Why would they do that. No, not again.

 “You don’t deserve to live you little s**t!”

 Suddenly, I felt myself floating to my bed. Plopping down and my vision turning black.

 Not again, please, no more. I won’t be like that. No. Please.