Chaos To Rise

Chapter 3

I really hate waking up early. I have always wondered who was the person that came up with the idea that school classes should start at 7:00am? I sighed as I grabbed my school bag and started packing the books that I would need for today’s class.

The next thing, my mum walked into my room unannounced and said “Lily, there is a very good-looking guy outside asking for you. Do you have something to tell me?” My mum raised her eyebrows as she waited for my response. Oh gosh, here we go again. “Mum, please do not start. Adriano is not my boyfriend. He is just a friend. See you later”. I replied to her as I walked out of the room.

As I got to the gate, I noticed that the guy standing in front of me was not Adriano. Instead, the person staring back at me was Marcelo. The heavens must be playing a sick joke on me because what he is doing here so early in the morning. He smiled and said “Good morning, Lily,”

I tried to remain calm and responded back “ Good morning, Marcelo. What are you doing here at this hour”?

He responded “Well, yesterday, I noticed that you were wearing the same uniform as me. So, I figured out that we go to the same school. And I also asked your brother which grade you were in and he told me that we are in the same grade. So, I figured, since we go to the same school and that we are in the same grade, then that would mean that we attend the same time. So, I thought it would be a great idea if we went to school together.

“Oh, I see. How thoughtful of you. Okay, let us go then”. As we made our way to school, Marcelo just kept quiet and sometimes I caught him stealing glances at me. I swear that was the longest 20 minute walk of my life. As we approached our school gate, I turned around to face him and said, “Here, we are. I am sure you can find your way to your class now. They are easier to locate and that’s one thing I love about our school". I stood there with a smile on my face waiting for his response, but he just kept quiet and stared at me. The next thing I know, he walked away. He didn’t even say thank you or bye. What a jerk, I thought!

As I walked into my classroom, I spotted Elena. Somehow, Elena kind reminded me of Vanessa. They were similar in many ways. They were both beautiful and the guys also used to go crazy over Elena the same way they did over Vanessa.

I met Elena through Adriano; I will never forget that day. On my first day of school during lunch break, I found myself alone in the classroom crying because no one wanted to play with me. And suddenly, this boy with a Brazilian look and round dark black eyes sat next to me and said, “Please do not cry. I am here and I will be your friend forever. I promise” he said with a huge and cutest smile I had ever seen. I smiled back at him, and I knew that Adriano would always be there for me. Vanessa says that day was the day I fell in love with him, and she was right. I have secretly loved him since that day; he was my armor in shine.

He then grabbed my hand and said: “Come and meet my other friend,”. “This is Elena, and she will also be your friend forever”. Elena smiled and hugged me. Since then, we have been inseparable.

“Who is the hunky you were standing with by the gate?” Elena asked. There was no way Elena would miss Marcelo unless he was not very attractive, which was not the case. As I said before, Marcelo was good-looking and, as much as I hated to admit that, even I couldn’t deny it .

I responded “He is just my new neighbour and before you start making plans, I am telling you, Vanessa has an eye on him already. I do not want any problems between you guys”, I told her. Elena rolled her eyes and said: “Are they dating already?” I shook my head in a sign of no.

“Then it is a fair game. May the best lady wins.” She said and winked at me, and I could not help but laugh . Elena was a really funny person. I really loved our friendship. . Before I get a chance to say something to her, Mr. Peter enters the classroom and says: “Good morning class, let’s all sit down because it is going to be a long day.”

Lunchtime Break

I spotted Adriano playing soccer on the field and I couldn't help myself but smile. A bunch of girls were screaming his name as he scored a goal and he, being Adriano that I know, he blew a kiss at the girls. He is such a charmer, I thought to myself. Elena approached me and said “So, will you both stop playing this cat and rat game? It is so obvious that you are so into each other. This brother and sister relationship you think you guys have is just bullshit.” I cannot help but laugh. Elena can be so bossy sometimes. She continued: "I am serious Lily. You have to make a move soon before some other girl comes and steals him under your nose"

I laughed and responded: " Don't be so dramatic, Elena. If Adriano and I are meant to be, then it will happen. Just relax okay. By the way, speaking of Adriano, I have to go now and meet Adriano at our secret spot. I will see you in class, okay.” I smiled and winked at her as I walked away.

When i got to our secret spot, Adriano was still not there. So i decided to sit by the steps and wait for me. I then heard footsteps and the next thing he blinded my eyes and I could feel my heart racing uncontrollably. I don't know why I am always nervous around him. I should be able to control my feelings by now. I smiled as I felt him breathing next to my ears and said to him : " “You are late.”

He responded: “I am sorry; I didn’t know you were waiting for me”. I froze. This isn’t Adriano. I turned around and took a step back. “Marcelo, what are you doing here?”

He smirked and said “I followed you. I thought it would be a great idea if we spent more time together so that we get to know one another better. I have a feeling that you don't like me and I want to change that”.

I stared at him in disbelief. Unbelievable, is this some kind of a joke? Today he walked away from me without saying a thank you or a goodbye when I was trying to be nice to him. And now, he is telling me that he wants us to get to know one another? Honestly, some people like to push their luck.

“Listen, Marcelo, you are right. I am not one of your biggest fans. I believe that you are arrogant and full of yourself. So, forgive me if I don’t find myself keen for us to get to know one another. Please leave”, I said .

“I will not leave until you give me a chance to prove myself” he replied and stared back at me. I can feel my blood boiling but I do my best to control myself. I decided the best choice was for me to leave. I will not entertain this person any longer. As I was about to leave, he grabbed me by my arm and shouted “Where do you think you are going? You are not walking out on me. Lily, no one walks out on me. Do you hear me?” he said with a fierce, that I started to panicky a bit.

“Let me go. Marcelo, you are hurting me. Let me go”, I shouted back at him. The more I tried to free myself from him, the more he tightened his grip on me.

The next thing i hear a voice shouting back at Marcelo “LET HER GO NOW.” We, bought turned around and there standing is my shinning in armor, Adriano himself. I ran toward him and hugged him tightly. “Are you okay?” he asked while hugging me tightly. I shook my head in a sign of yes. Then Adriano turns to Marcelo and says “You should leave. Now.”

Marcelo laughed and said: "Why would I do that? Who are you to interfere with my conversation with Lily?

Adriano replied “I am her boyfriend and you stay away from my girlfriend. If you know what is good for you”.

Marcelo looked a bit taken back. I noticed his hand turning into a fist and then he looked at me, then back to Adriano and walked away.

I turned back and stared back at Adriano and somehow I couldn't stop myself from smiling at him. “What?” he asked me with curiosity in his eyes.

“You said you were my boyfriend,” I told him.

He then stared into my eyes and said “Hmmm, you see, I wanted to talk to you about that. I just could not find the perfect time. Lily, I have always had a soft spot for you since the first day I laid my eyes on you. Back then we were kids. I am not sure if my soft spot was love at first sight, but what I know is that since that day, i knew i wanted to have you in my life forever. I remember seeing you crying and i remember telling you that I would be there for you forever. And then you looked at me with those angelic eyes of yours with your gorgeous smile on your face. I just knew from that day that I wanted to be the person that always put a smile on your face. I guess what i am trying to say is that I am in love with you, Lily” As he finished saying those words, he kissed me. I have waited all my life for this kiss and it was a perfect first kiss.