Chapter 8: Fights and apologies.
1597 Words
There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.
- Laurell K. Hamilton
Arsala's POV
I'm so pissed off right now and worst part is that, I don't know who my anger is directed to. I don't know if Its Imran or the damn news club for falsifying such a sensitive topic.
I get the gossip segment job is to, well spread gossip. But its not right to invade people's privacy or falsify contents. A picture doesn't mean I'm dating Imran, like hell I'd never date him not even if he was the last man on the planet.
I just want the class over so that I can finally have a word with the rude brat. He has a lot of explaining to do.
"See you all on Wednesday." Mr Ayomide voice interrupt my thought.
Exactly what I was eager to hear.
Mr Ayomide exists the classroom, after which students continue existing the classroom. Imran was about to walk out of the class with some of his friends. I gently tap his shoulder.
"I need to have a word with you." My voice was audible enough for his friends to hear.
A blank look is plastered across his face. More students exit the classroom but the weird stare from people is undeniable. It looks like nobody is staring at me in a weird manner but I feel otherwise and I know its not all in my head.
"Um....see you in SEN class bro." A dark skin dude from his friend click said and they all excused themselves.
After some minutes the classroom is empty and we are alone.
"I have a class in the next fifteen minutes. What is it you want to talk about?" He asks.
"I'm just going to go straight to the point."
"There are rumors going around about you and I dating...." I feel like throwing up just at the thought of us dating.
"So....?" He shrugs.
"What do you mean by and so?" I ask a bit confuse.
"Wait, why don't you look surprise to hear this? Was I the only one surprised to hear this?" I ask a bit shock.
"Its just rumors and you're not the first girl they assumed I was dating." He shrugs nonchalantly.
"Have you seen the picture that was taken of us?" I ask feeling he is still unaware about how serious the situation is.
I'm certain the picture was taken at the pool party, that to the moment he grab my arm and pull me close.
"Yes, I think Dayo took those." His voice bear a bit of uncertainty.
"So you knew something like this was bond to happen?......"
"Ignore this after sometime they would find something new to talk about." He interrupts me before I could finish.
"Why are you even the SGA president if you can't do your job properly?" I ask looking at him in an irritated manner.
"I have other important....."
"What could be more important than this?" I ask interrupting him.
"The news club posted an article filled with falsified information and you think that's not important?!" I raise my voice a bit at him.
"Can you please not make this a big......."
"If this article accused you of r**e would you speak up and defend yourself?" I ask with my hands at akimbo.
"Did you just compared me to a r****t?" He stares at me in disbelieve.
"Answer my question. Would you do something about it?" Ignoring the disbelieve look on his face I ask.
"Of course I would. I'm not a r****t but this is just a....."
"You're nothing but a darn hypocrite." I clench my teeth together.
"Did you......"
"Shut up!" I snap at him angrily.
"I don't give a damn who wrote that article. I don't give a damn if you feel like this issue means nothing to you. To me it means a lot and I'm not okay with the fact that such an article about me is posted out there for the whole school to see...." I stop to catch my breathe..
"I don't care if hell is going to break loose. Make them take down that article...."
"Who do you think you're bossing......" He interrupt me.
"A student and as the SGA president. Part of your duties is serving the student, me include." I'm boldly staring into his already red looking eyes.
"You're going to make them take down the paper from that stupid gossip room. Issue a public apology to me or else I'd make sure this is the last semester you spend as the SGA president." I storm out angrily before he could say anything.
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I walk out of the library and making my way down the pathway. I'm starving and exhausted. I just want to call Haider to come pick me up but I don't know if I should do that.
Today itself has be draining and annoying. The stupid stares from girls who probably see me as a competition. The stupid article from the new club gossip room which did a pretty good job ruining my mood.
I cough a bit feeling a bit weird, making my way to the bus stop I spot Imran walking towards me.
"Oh God not him!" I groan out.
At this moment I wish I have superpowers to become invisible. This would be the second time I'm seen in public with him. Which I really don't like, because to me its like I'm giving them more to talk about. I also can't say I enjoy having him around.
"Hey..." He caught up to me. "The paper has been taken down and...."
I walk pass him, something about him feels off.......
"Are you even listening to me?" He grab me by arm and turn me around to face him.
Like whats it with him and grabbing my arm every time?
"Let go off me!" I demand, struggling to free myself from his grasps.
"Calm down........"
"Wait a second." I sniff him a bit. "Did you smoke something or...."
"Yeah, do I smell so bad?" He sniff his shirt.
"Let go off me!". I snatch my hand away from him and continue walking away.
"Are you now upset with me because I smoke." He took long strides and caught up with me.
"I'm not upset with you, besides it your life and your choice. I just can't be around you." I pull down the nose mask I have on to my chin. Covid 19.......
"You can't be around me? What does that even mean?" His face bears a confuse look.
I remain silent trying to ignore the tightening feeling on my chest. Please tell me its not what I think it is.
"Its been quite sometime since I smoked, how come you can still perceive the smell?"
"Whatever you smoked has a pungent smell. Now, stop following." I stop in my tracks and stood staring blankly at him.
"Where are you heading to from here?" He ask, ignoring what I just said.
"Home."
"You stay off campus.........."
"Stop asking me questions and tell me what you want." I cough out a bit hard.
This is bad!
"I just want to know you........"
"Today is a wrong time and I really can't be around you most especially when you reek of something." I continue walking.
I'm seconds away from reaching into my bag and pulling it out. I just don't feel comfortable using it with someone present.
"Why is whatever I smoke now a problem to you? First the article now what I smoke......."
I quickly open up the smaller compartment of my backpack looking for my inhaler because that's why I usually put it.
"I can't....find...it!" I struggle to mumble out and squat down looking for it. I'm getting short off breathe.
"What are you looking for?" He ask also squatting down with me.
I place my bag on the ground and open up the big compartment to find it. After a little search I found it in between my notebooks.
I quickly took it out, open the cap and made use of it. After regaining my breath, I threw it back into my backpack and zip it up.
"Stop staring at me like that." I snap at him.
"Sorry." He retract his eyes from me.
"I'm the reason you just had an asthma attack?" A look of guilt is plastered across his face.
"No, it was already building up after I ran a bit this morning." I stood up. Running down the staircase so fast this morning was a bad idea.
"Why didn't you use it before now?" He also stood up.
"It wasn't that serious....."
"If you don't mind my asking, do you feel embarrassed to use your inhaler in public?" He pick up my backpack from the ground.
I gave him a weird look. What's it with him and figuring out things about me so quickly?
"Yes I feel insecure about using it out in public." I pull out the nose mask completely.
"My backpack...."
"I would hold unto this till you recover properly." He threw the backpack on his shoulder.
"I don't need pity from you..."
"Oh shut up!" He groan out.
I stood staring at him blankly.
"Meet me in the car." He shouts out as he walks towards the parking lot a few steps away from the bus stop.
I stood there rooted to the floor. Did he really just told me to shut up?
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- Writer
