Nightmares’ Fairytale

Weight of being Unwanted

"Wake up! You are no VIP to take this much time out of me..were going to be late for school." I woke up with the furious voice and loud knocking of Sva..Steve standing at my door side looking at me like I am some food that he would eat alive 

 “What is the point of knocking if you already opened the door?” I asked with my sleepy voice and yawned.    

"good your awake get ready, My mom wants me to told you that breakfast is ready. And next time wake yourself up I ain't your slave." he said walking out if my room. 

Seriously, does he have a period?! I mean, I thought we get passed the bickering stage. 

With a sigh, I stood up, fixed my bed, and took a bath. Changing into a dark blue pants partnered with a long sleeves lime sweatshirt and some sneakers, I got down the stairs greeted by Steve and his parents whose eating a breakfast which happens to be a strawberry pancake, that I really love.  

Excited in the sight of my delicious breakfast I almost fly to my seat and grab some pancakes into my plate. The sweet and captivating smell of strawberries hits my nostrils that I did not even realize I ate two prices of my pancake. I notice that they are looking at me and instantly get conscious about my actions. The lovely couple gave me an amuse look while Steve stares at me with brows furrowed and glaring eyes but... I didn't missed that there is a little bit of amusement in it. The small glint in his eyes makes me smile a bit. I knew he doesn’t hate me that much and if this arrangement did nit happen, I am quite sure that we would be friends. 

 "Slowdown sweety, no one going to get it from you." Aunt Lauren giggles while Uncle Arthur just gave me a big smile and said "looks like you love the breakfast." 

"oops. I am so sorry, its just that it is my favorite and yuh..oh and yes I really love it." I shyly answered the both of them and laughed with how at ease I feel around them. 

 "Hurry up princess before we got late" Steve said standing up. Way to ruin the moment buddy. We ride in his car without any words. I know I am not a very loud person but geez this silence is killing me. A block before our school Steve stop the car in the sidewalk and looked at me. 

 “Get down and don't dare to tell anyone about this engagement, its embarrassing." He said signaling me to get out of the car. 

 "Why? I mean I understand if you want this engagement to be secret but everyone know we are friends so it is nothing for you to drive me to school." I said as a matter of fact. 

 Last night I decided not to get mad at him even though he is purposely making me suffer. Maybe because I feel guilty or maybe I just can't hate him. 

 “I still need to fetch my GIRLFRIEND and I don't want her to be bothered by you so get out." he said as he pointedly looked at me and unlocked my door through the button on his left side. 

 Ouch it hurts, really. Not letting him see through my pain I just gave him a smile, said okay and that he have a sweet time with his girl before getting out and walking to school. While walking I heard his car take a U-turn, maybe to fetch his girl,obviously. With that I feel something drop at my cheek and realize that it was a tear. Taking a deep breath. I wipe it away with my hand and force a smile. 

Nightmare wasn't able to defeat me before,it might bring me down but with each time I am able to stand up. And that is why, it won't let it defeat me now. I became stronger and this stupid engagement and the feelings I am developing for him won't defeat me. I'll make sure of it...... 

 "Hey guys what's up. I miss you so much!" I greeted to the boys before hugging Ethan who return it with a hug and kiss in my forehead, before I go to Donny who did the same but takes more time. 

 “were fine Zel, other than being lonely without your presence everything is good." Donny jokes but I know that they also misses me just like I do. 

“How are the Rodriguez, do they treat you right?" asked Ethan. “Oh come on Tan-tan brighten up! They treat me good. The Rodriguez is a very lovely family." I assured them. And it is true they are lovely beside how Steve treats me like a trash. 

“Just know Zelly, if anything happens were just one call away, alright" he said not stopping his stares until I replied with an "of course I will" 

 “one call away, I'll be there to save the day....."Donny sang. Leave it up to him to brighten up the mood. I just laugh while Ethan push him a little. 

With a smile on our lips, the three of us walk inside the school and attended our class. We were eating and laughing before the whole canteen becomes quiet. Like in cue, after I turns my head to look, Steve and a beautiful girl which I think to be his girlfriend entered the cafeteria and sat down to his usual sit with Michael and Jason. Seeing them eating together gives a pang in my heart. So she is her girlfriend. Veronica Ramirez. 

She is beautiful and smart woman whom like by most people, but she is not attending this school. I heard she visits sometimes, now I know why. 

“Who's she?" Ethan asked as he motioned his head towards Veronica's direction. 

“His Girlfriend" I said as if it doesn't matter, which isn't for my mind but it does for my heart. 

“Girlfriend?! Is he crazy?! he have a fiancee" Donny whisper-shouted at me. 

Looking up from my food I saw that both if them are already have a clenched jaw and their hands are already shaking. oh boy this is bad. Standing up to block their view from both of them, I said "Boys let it go, it doesn't matter alright? Everything is arranged and we have our own lives." I convinced them. 

 I really don't want to see a fight. Steve is tall and sturdy and I know he can fight anyone but when that anyone is Donny and Ethan who happens to be fuming mad then no one can win against them. Both of them in a fight is invincible. After an couple of minutes of convincing them I am able to get them to calm down and out of the cafeteria. .... 

"Class dismissed. Don't forget your homework" Mrs. Tiffany shout as the bell rang. Walking to the hallway, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and saw that Steve is calling. 

J: Hello 

S: Go wait were I drop you off. I still need to drop Veronica off to her house.

J: Uhmm how about I just take a cab or ask Donny or Ethan to take me home? I am sure they wouldn’t mind.

S: And make me look bad? No, wait out there no questions ask. 

With that he hang up. Saying my goodbye to the boys, I secretly walk out of if the school so they won't find out that I walk. I am pretty sure they'll get mad when they know. My legs are aching and I already feel very uncomfortable with the stares of the creepy guys across from the street. Its been an hour and he is still not in here. I am already debating with myself whether I should go home alone or not, however I know that he would get mad so I remain waiting.

*STEVE'S POV

I know what I did was wrong and incredibly harsh. I also know that she knows her mistake by agreeing in this engagement and trying to make up for it by being nice. I feel guilty by treating her like this but whenever I see her I just can't stop but feel mad at her. 

Today at school Veronica came with me. She goes to different school, school owned by their family so she can go with me some times. When we enter the cafeteria, I can't resist but to look at Jhozy, she is beautiful and the way she is treating Brandon and Ethan? I know that she loves them so much and so are they. However, when I saw Brandon hug and give her a kiss, I instantly felt annoyed. I mean Ethan also did that but he did not take that long. Aghhh why am I even giving her attention and acting like a jealous boyfriend. I even bring my girl in here so I have no right to complain about her closeness with Brandon. In fact I should not care about anything that has to do with her. I thought irritated by myself. 

“So babe is she your fiancee?" Veronica asked when she realized that I am looking at Jhozy.

“Yes but no need to get jealous or anything I love you" I reassures her while I put my arm around her and kiss the side if her head. ... 

After school, I called Jhozy to let her know that I will drop off Veronica in her house seeing that I am her ride. I know its terrible to make a woman wait in the side of the street but my girlfriend is more important and I don't want Veronica to feel jealous or doubt my feelings for her. I stop the car when we reach Veronica's house. 

Opening the door for her, I said "bye, babe love you alright" looking her in the eye. 

“Can...can you stay for a minute? My parents is still not here and I am just afraid." she said to me when we reach her porch.

“I am sorry babe I still need to fetch Jhozy and your parents are always late...you were never scared." I said as a matter of fact. 

I already made Jhozy wait I can't make her wait more. I know I am harsh on her and that I get annoyed with her but still she is a girl.

“please.. I had a nightmare earlier and I just...please babe?" she begged and was about to cry. Her head is bowed down and she is playing on the hem of her shirt.

With a sigh I agreed to her. Like I said she is more important and I am sure when Jhozy got tired of waiting she would simply go home alone. For the last couple of hours I just lay down with my babe in her bed to calm her down before I realize that the sky is already getting dark. 

Damn-it, Jhozy I almost forgot. She did not stay did she? I bid my goodbye to my girlfriend saying that I should be going home. Still not getting far my phone vibrated signing for an incoming call. Wearing my ear piece to continue my driving I answered the call, who happens to be my mom. 

S: Hey mom why do you call?

M: Oh nothing just wanted to asked if you are having fun with your date with Zel.

Date? What DA..te..oh s**t! she's still not home! how stupid can she be?!

S: Ah yes mom it is fun so I'll just call you again later alright or we'll just meet you at home bye. 

With that I hanged up and drive faster. Getting closer to where I am supposed to fetch Jhozy, I saw a shivering girl who is sitting at the side of street. Getting more closer to it, I realize that it is Jhozy. Not thinking twice. I instantly get off my car and go to shivering Jhozy.

Getting my jacket off, I put it in her rubbing my hands in her shoulder hoping it would help. The instant my skin got in contact with her, I could feel her now ice cold skin and shivering body. What have you done, Steve? You really is stupid! I silently scolded myself.

*JHOZELYN POV

Its already dark and I am now shivering due to the cold air that touches my skin. Not yet a couple if minutes earlier did Auntie called me asking for a reason why I am not still in house with her son. Not wanting to make Steve look bad to his mother, I told her that we are in date and hang up after a few words.     

After a couple of minutes a car stop at my front which I recognize to be Steve's. As soon as the car came stop, he immediately came to my side, give me his jacket and rub my shoulder with his hand. Its true that I found his gesture sweet and I know that he is truly worried and guilty but I can't also pretend that I didn't get mad at him. Nonetheless I still understand him, maybe she needs him that is why he is late, super late. After helping me to get in the car and him entering the car and starting to drive, we remain silent. 

“You okay?" he asked rather softly which surprise me cause he only speak coldly with me and before he only speak flirty.

“Yes, thank you" I answered.

“Damn! why should you always act all nice! You should have left when I didn't come after half an hour! do you really wanna make me the bad guy huh!" he shouted at me which cause me to flinch a bit and get mad more. 

With a heavy heart, I answered "You said you didn't want to look bad and that is why you want me to wait after you drop off your girl and drive both of us home. So I stayed even if I felt extremely uncomfortable with the stares of those creepy guys across the road. I stayed even though I shivering so much and my legs are aching. AND WORSE OF ALL I LIED! I lied to your mom saying we were in a date. Jo..Steve I detest lying so much but I lied and stayed not to make you the bad person cause you don't want that and that is the only way I know to pay you for the pain I gave to you and yet here I am being shouted cause I still did make you feel the bad person." I finished on the verge if crying. 

Calming myself down I continued. "I am so sorry Steve if I ruined your life. I will pay for it for the rest of my life and trust me something is already making me pay for it without you making this stupid stunts but I did not and never will regret this decision I made." 

That is when I realize that we are already in the house an the car is already parked. I left him there with shock evident in his face and go straight to my room. Not bothering to change into anything I lay in my bed trying to be strong and not fall asleep in fear to welcome the nightmare that would definitely be much worse today. It always would get much worse when I am stress.