CHAPTER 10
1533 Words
I am gasping for air as I am sprinting for how many hours now. Someone with a black hoody and black jogger pants, running by his black shoes is chasing after me without my knowledge of what he really needs from me. I didn't commit any crime, and I didn't even do something to that person because I don't even know who the f**k he is.
"Let me go! What do you need?" I spoke while I seldom look back at him abruptly while still on the race- as if.
He didn't utter any words, even just a cough or any signs of panting. I think he became one of the top sprinters in the world, but I commend myself, for he can't run after me.
From afar, I saw a little space beside the road, enough for me to hide. I won't let that person catch me. What if he kills me? What if he cuts me and sells all the things inside me? I just don't want those to happen. I wanna live. I still wanna live, for I have someone whom the reason for me to live.
I deeply swallowed my breath and doubled my pace until I got there. I wasn't aware of all the things happening. The wind is cold, and the sky is dark. I think it will gonna rain.
I looked at where that person was standing. He was looking for somewhere I could be hiding. There's no way he could see me here. The tree beside the road was tall and wide enough for it to cover me.
I feel relieved when he started walking straight from where he was. I then peeked out to see if he's still there, but I could see no shadows of him. I had the courage and time to leap out. I looked at my right and at my left. It's safe for me to run back home. I don't even know where I came from. It's so sudden.
I was about to run, but I was startled when a knife just came out from above of my right shoulder, and a warm arm has been wrapped around me.
"I am pretty sure you're searching for me," he said calmly with his deep voice near my ears enough for me to feel his breath coming out.
"Who are you? Why are you chasing me? Let go of me," I complained, and I gripped his arms with my both hands for him to let me go, but it wasn't enough. He's too strong.
"You'll know and recognize me soon, baby boy," he said while still holding his knife where I could see my resemblance on its shining blade. I didn't have any idea when it would be plunged into my precious body. Vielka's face flashed in my mind. Would it be my last time to see you? I hope I had the chance to kiss and hug you more before I settle myself to death.
Without a warning, I noticed his hands moved. As I looked on it, the knife was about to dig into my chest. I fell, I bounced up and down; I bathe with my own blood.
I came to realize knowing it was just a dream when the bell just rang. It's already lunchtime, but I don't know if I still have my appetite to eat, remembering how gross my dream was.
I can't calm myself because of my thoughts. I feel like I am a captive of my mind. I couldn't make myself free from being bothered. I am lost like an angel in hell. I didn't realize that I am this weak until that guy in a hoody just appeared in my dream.
My mood became fine when raindrops just fell consecutively outside the classroom. I looked at the window as I am just beside it. Everybody is out. They all went outside the classroom to eat their lunch. I smiled when I remembered what happened last night- on what happened to us last night.
"Hey! Are you not gonna eat?"
I immediately looked from where it came, and I saw Clyde with his hands inside his pockets. He has changed compared to his style during grade school. He looks very wholesome.
"Zach!"
And there I saw Lawrence with his hair being messed up. Did he just make out with his girlfriend? He looks crazy. You read it right. He totally had the courage to court Amanda, Vielka's friend and good to say, they're in good terms for now. I don't know when would be their last day, but I hope Amanda wouldn't let Lawrence break another girl's heart again.
"The hell!" I ranted as I was hit by something on my head. I realized that I was dumbfounded. I scratched my head, and I noticed Lawrence holding a book. Great, he just hit me.
"I know I'm handsome but the f**k Zachary. We're both men. Don't you---" I didn't let him finish what he was gonna say, and I spoke.
"Shut up with your nonsense. You should even borrow Amanda's comb for you to fix your hair," I sarcastically said. I was just annoyed about my dream. I stood up from sitting to go out. I heard them following me.
***
Everybody's busy with their chores here at the university's dining hall. Babel could be heard from the different groups of students minding their own businesses.
I am trying to look for Vielka, but I can't see her from anywhere. Did she eat lunch somewhere outside the school with her friends? Or did she just eat inside the room? It's been a few weeks since her grandma just settled on her tomb. I pitied her, for she'd be alone for the rest of her life. But I promise to always stay beside her, no matter what happens and whoever interrupts.
And out of the blue, I smiled immediately when I just remembered something. Yeah, the kiss; the make out. It was good like heaven. I didn't think that kiss would be like that. I'm just totally insane.
"Hey? Zach!" it's Lawrence getting my attention again from being so damn thinking about Vielka. I looked at him.
"Delicious?" he asked. I was confused.
"Delicious what?" I asked, and he just laughed. I just became conscious when I noticed myself pinching my lips. I immediately removed my fingers, and I was totally embarrassed.
"You're so innocent, dude," Lawrence teased me again.
With a shut of an eye, my mood just changed when I remembered what I just dreamed a while ago in the classroom.
"By the way, I had a bad dream a while ago before lunch, and it was really damn creepy," I said, and the two of them just focused on me.
"I just bathed on my own blood. I think there's something about that dream," I followed. I noticed Clyde being choked after sipping from his juice.
"What the f**k, Zach!" Clyde ranted and gestured like he smelled something stinky. We just laughed upon realizing that he was drinking his favorite red-colored tomato juice.
While I was munching my food, I felt excited when I saw Vielka with her friends entering the university's dining hall. I just forgot all the things happened a while ago. She's definitely an angel in disguise. She's dainty.
Without any words, I immediately went to their table when they settled down to eat. I brought with me my food. Clyde and Lawrence just followed me.
"Hi! Can we join you?" I asked, looking directly at Vielka's eyes. I think I'm already full. Just a glimpse on her face just makes me feel good, but she didn't respond. What's wrong with her?
"Yeah, why not?" said Amanda. Vielka just became emotionless. I heard Lawrence giggled.
We all settled ourselves on one table. I was in front of Vielka, Lawrence was in front of Amanda, and Clyde was in front of Melissa. We happily ate lunch together and dallied a little because we still have enough time to stay. However, I just noticed one thing, it's Vielka uttering no word.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked her while munching, but she just shook her head.
"But why aren't you talking?" I asked for the second time.
"Just nothing," she answered. I didn't interfere anymore. Maybe she's just not in the mood to talk.
While I was eating and roaming Vielka's face, someone just caught my attention from the right side of the dining hall not much farther from our area. He's Steven. That bastard again.
What is he doing? He's just looking at me. Is there a damn wrong with my face? He's acting weird. He's glaring at me.
"Vielka?" I got her attention for a while. She tilted her head. I finally looked at her, and I felt safe.
"How's you and Steven?" I asked.
"Fine," she plainly answered and shrugged. She got back from eating. Why is she like that? Is she on her period today?
"He's weird to---" I stopped as I noticed that Steven has gone. Where did he go? The bell didn't ring yet either.
"Nothing, it’s nonsense," I continued, and I also continued eating but still thinking about how weird Steven acted today. Then after a few minutes, someone just poked me. I looked up and what the hell is he doing? My eyebrows furrowed about what he asked.
"Can I join you?"
He's making me annoyed for no reason.
- Writer
