His Touch Remains

6. Slap of Truth

It didn't get better. Yesterday morning, my granny went to my room to wake me up because I was already running late for school. To her surprise, she found me sleeping in my bathtub.

I didn't remember how I get there but it happened to me many times while in the US. Because of that, I didn't come to school until today. I slept all day yesterday and I still not energized to even walk to school.

I glanced at myself in my full-length mirror. I was wearing a sweatshirt tucked in my mom jeans. I put on a belt just to give style and wore white sneakers. I applied tint and a little bit of makeup just to look like I'm glowing.

I didn't want to go to school looking like a very depressed student because I was trying not to be. Now, my delicate and baby skin looked like one even if in fact, everything inside was a war zone.

Alex and I were walking on the other side of the street across the school when we saw Louisa, Venice, and four more others lurking behind the large tree in front. They were like terrorists waiting for someone to ambush.

"What's with them?" I asked. Seeing their faces this early just made me think that this day was another helluva day.

"Don't know. Don't mind them."

Just when we were about to cross the street, Louisa's eyes met mine. She walked in front of the pedestrian across from us. My look hardened when I saw her crossing her arms and grinning.

"Is she looking at us?

"Yeah. Don't do anything and just let me handle it. Run if you can," I said to her, not letting go of Louisa's glare.

"I am sure you can handle them but you just got sick!"

"I don't care. I couldn't still forget that they poured me a bucket of water and I need to seek justice for myself."

"Go," I commanded when we were just a few steps away from them. She walked in a different direction while I walked straight until I arrived in front of Louisa.

"Do you need anything?"

Louisa smirked at me. The other girls were just behind her, backing her up.

"Yes. You delayed our plan because you are absent yesterday. So, are you okay now?"

I rolled my eyes at her. So, does anyone know I was sick?

"If you're okay now then that's good so we can give you another round of it." She rested her arms over my shoulder, motioning me to step to the sidewalk.

I moved and jerked my body away from her but I was still weak so I failed. Her nails went deep on my shoulder and I gritted my teeth not to show that that hurts!

Fuck this b***h!

"Girls," she said then the five girls moved towards me and tightened their grips on my wrist and arms.

"What the hell!" I was too late to push them away because I couldn't surmount them. They got me there but I wouldn't let them touch me more.

"Listen," Louisa stood in front of me. Her look was very annoying. I glared at her with so much irritation.

"What the hell are you doing Louisa?!" I shouted.

"It has been reported to me that you are recently seeing Apollo."

My eyes widened at the mention. What?

"No, I'm not." I strongly denied it. "Get your facts straight before spreading rumors."

Wow! Things were getting bigger unexpectedly and that's the worst gossip about me yet. Like, what the hell? There's no way I'm seeing the man who looked like the person who caused me so much pain. Where did they get that gossip? My goodness. They make my head hurt more.

"Don't deny it. You have pictures! Where are the pictures?!" she angrily asked the girls. Venice handed her something. I clenched my jaws when I saw a photo of us when he went to the library.

"How can you deny this one?!"

There's even nothing suspicious about that except a guy checking out a book! But that was not the case for me

"What do you think of me? Showbiz that you have us followed?" I asked in disbelief.

"That's because you are like a leech! What now? You want Apollo to be yours just because he helped you get away from me?!"

"I don't know what you are saying. But you have us followed. You're such a die-hard paparazzi," I smirked. Still not believing that she had us followed! What the hell! Even my parents didn't do that to me.

She cupped my chin and pressed it hard. I moved my face but everyone was just so strong!

"I am telling you now. This is the last time I will see you with Apollo or else, I can get you kicked out of this school," she threatened.

"You are desperate." Now that I remembered what Alex told me, I guess it was true.

"What did you say?"

"Apollo got you friend-zoned but you are still hanging into him. Who's the leech between us?" I shouted that so people who were starting to gather around will hear me.

"b***h!"

My cheek burned when she slapped me real hard. I even tasted blood on the side of my lip but I didn't show her any sign of irritation. I just smirked at her again to piss her more.

She was stepping forward with her game, huh? And this was just because of a guy!

"So it's true? You are just manipulating him to be your friend when in fact, you wanted more. But how many years have passed and he still not given you even a tiny feeling of love. You are just making yourself pitiful!"

Louisa's eyes blinked and shrank. I absolutely hit the spot inside her that everyone had been avoiding to tell her.

"Wake up girl. You will remain just as a friend to him and that's where you belong. He will never like a b***h like you."

"Shut the f**k up! You don't know anything about us! If I am going to be like that, then you don't deserve to be near him!"

Her palm smacked my other cheek, adding another stinging pain. But I don't care, I slapped her with the truth and she was just bubbling something about me which wasn't even true.

"Like I care about your Apollo," I murmured.

Her brows formed a line. She was really mad. She freely pulled my back hair and I was hopeless! I couldn't fight with these people holding me!

"If I were you, prepare your things out of the campus and leave peacefully if you don't want your life completely ruined. I'm the Mayor's daughter and no one will have the chance to mess up with me," she whispered on her gritted teeth.

"But I already did. So where's your father now, kid?"

She was about to slap me again when someone shouted her name.

"Louisa!"

All of us turned our heads to Apollo and Clarence who were running towards us.

Shocked, Louisa let go of my hair and so did the girls when she motioned them to let me go, probably because Apollo was here. I wiped the blood on the side of my lips.

"Fake b***h," I whispered enough for her to hear because I know she wouldn't do bad in front of Apollo.

"W-Why are you here? I t-thought you went to the classroom?" Her voice trembled.

I looked up at him only to see his hooded and dangerous eyes glaring at me like I did him wrong too. I glared at him back and started to walk away from them. I was too fed up to even think about how he looked at me.

"Come with me," his voice hardened and before I knew it, he was already dragging me inside the campus.

I didn't see how he caught my wrist again but I could feel the pain doubled with what he did. Why is everyone hurting me this early?

"It hurts! Stop dragging me!" I shouted at him while pulling my wrist but he didn't let go.

"Louisa thought we are seeing each other and if you are doing this, they will be more suspicious! I told you to avoid me! You are just adding fuel to the fire! Why are you doing this to me?!"

"You are hurt!" He sounded angry.

I wanted to scream at what he said! Anger was also filling up inside me that I wanted to punch him in the face.

"Why do you care if I am hurt? I can manage myself so please, just let me go and don't come near me! How many times do I need to tell you that?!"

He was making me confused about his actions because we weren't close and we didn't even know each other but he was acting as if he cared! I didn't want it because it scared me to see a very familiar face like this every school day!

"I don't want this kind of gossip circulating! It's your fault. You kept appearing wherever I go! I told you to avoid me but you don't listen! What do you want from me?!"

He didn't respond. I felt his grip tightened more that I felt like the flow of my blood has stopped in that area.

The side of my lips hurt as the cut also stretched whenever I open my mouth but I couldn't stop talking!

"If it's because I slapped you twice, I'm sorry. It won't happen again so try to avoid me because I don't want anything from you! I don't want Louisa or anyone that concerns you!"

He let go of my wrist harshly. I massaged it while we were looking at each other with so many emotions in our eyes. I couldn't even get them all. All I know was that we were both angry.

"Get inside," he commanded, ignoring all that I said.

That's when I noticed we're already standing in front of the clinic.

His voice was full of authority that I couldn't answer him. He just gave off that intimidating aura that he doesn't take no for an answer and that's exactly what I hated about it. He was commanding me and I didn't want to be controlled!

"No," I insisted.

"Stop being stubborn and get inside," he said while clenching his jaws like he would hurt me if I disobey him once more.

"No!"

He looked up and closed his eyes firmly, trying to control his emotions. That only made me angrier because I didn't get why would he gave off such emotions when he could just clearly leave me here!

"Just go! You heard what I said. I don't want anything from you!" I shouted.

When he opened his eyes, it lingered all over my face like he could feel how painful it was. Everything vanished and all I could see was his eyes pleading to get me treated. It was shallow, something different from the guy back then.

He nodded. "I understand but let's get you treated first," he said softly but I could still feel the authority in it. I blinked at him with the sudden change of his demeanor.

He opened the door for me and I didn't know what to do. I froze and that for the second he grabbed me on my wrist again, I didn't resist.

"You're helping me a lot but I don't need it." I rolled my eyes at his back but my voice calmed a little bit when he didn't look threatening for the first time. Who is this guy? I'm sure his name is Apollo but who is he?

"You said it's my fault." Oh, so he felt guilty that's why he is helping me? That's a good reason but I just literally don't want to see his face.

"Even so, it's better if we don't have any interaction so people won't gossip about things like this. I am contented with just helping her bullies."

He pulled me with him as he reached for the first aid kit placed on the top of the drawer next to the nurse's table. He stayed silent and I was only standing beside him when he placed the kit on the top of the nurse's table.

I silently watched him the whole time he was soaking the cotton with alcohol. My gaze went down to his hand holding my tiny wrist. It looked so hard with all the veins popping out on his arm.

"It hurts?" He asked while glancing at my lips.

My hand searched for the cut on the side of my lips. "Obviously. Who wouldn't get hurt from a slap?"

He smirked and returned his gaze on the cotton. "Then I'm glad yours didn't," he said.

I raised an eyebrow. Really? But his cheek turned red the first time I slapped him. Like I care! I was satisfied slapping him!

He let go of my hand and faced me. "Here," he said, giving me the cotton. I took it from his hand. "Just dab it gently."

"I know how to do it. I'm not dumb." I rolled my eyes.

He was acting as if I didn't know anything. I just did wrong when I nosebleed. Well, maybe I gave that impression too that's why he was helping me but I don't need his kindness.

"Treat your wound and it's better if you'll stay here for a while." He arranged the kit and placed it back in the drawer. He looked back at me, waiting for an answer.

I nodded unmindfully. "Fine. Maybe I'll stay here again for the whole day! What a nice morning!"

I threw my bag on the nearest bed and sat on the edge. I lightly dab the cotton on my lips but it hurts!

"It will sting," he reminded too late.

"I know. I just felt it, duh?"

He smirked. He was leaning on the cabinet now, drawing sight all over me. I suddenly got conscious.

"You know what I think when you stare at me like that?" I pointed at his brooding eyes. He raised an eyebrow and the side of his lip curled up so little and fast. "That you have a bad agenda towards me."

He shrugged. "You got sick? That's why you're absent yesterday?"

I blinked at him. That's not the words I was expecting.

"I hate to think it's because you fell on the bay."

He's really guilty, that's why he's being helpful. But as I said, I don't need it.

I stared at him with no emotion, just like how soulless his eyes were. "If you're guilty, I advice you to go away now."

He obliged. "But I'll see you later," he said and turned his back. I heard him sigh but it was not a sigh of relief but worry.

Was I hypnotized or something?