Love Born From Revenge

Chapter 10.

Pree

My stomach growls loudly and hungrily, like a rumble of rumbling thunder. My entire body aches as if it gets beaten, even though I was perfectly fine yesterday. Fighting the pain, I get out of bed and head toward the bathroom, finding myself reaching the destination slower than usual. When I come out, I gasp in shock to see that it's one-thirty already.

I'm going to be late for school.

Tossing the wet towel on the bed, I pick up any clothes that are next to me and put them on without bothering to look at myself in the mirror. I don't even have time to grab a few bites of lunch as I rush out of the house, along with my old motorbike.

Thanks to the generous traffic today, I make it to school just in time. I head to the classroom to find the door is left ajar, proving there are people inside. Walking closer, I hear a giggling sound of none other than Mia and a deep voice that recently becomes an annoying sound to my ears coming out from the room.

Strangely, I find myself peeking inside, watching Al and Mia sit next to each other, talking and laughing like good old friends. Or maybe more than that.

Pree, what are you doing? A voice pops up at the back of my head. Why are you eavesdropping on other people's conversations? It would be best if you didn't do this.

No, you want to know what they're talking about. Keep listening. Another voice appears to argue with the last one.

It is like my brain is divided into two parties and is carrying out a heated debate.

This isn't right. You know it.

It doesn't matter. No one sees you. Aren't you curious if he is talking to her the way he has spoken to you?

I end the debate, let the affirmative side win, and continue listening to Al and Mia's conversation. I can't make out the words clearly, given my distance, but they seem to have fun.

I can't believe it. He's flirting again? A strange sensation washes over me, making my body feel hot and my hand clenching next to my sides. Wasn't it yesterday that he tried to get close to me? Has he changed his target already? How could he? My body trembles in rage at the thought, but what's more incandescent is the fact that I am affected by this.

The more I see how close he gets to Mia, the more I keep getting enraged. Using my knowledge from the romance novel I have read so far, I seem to have a little understanding of what this unfamiliar sensation is. Nevertheless, I refuse to admit it.

"Pree, stop! What are you saying? Whoever he is flirting with is none of your business." I murmur, hoping to calm down and obliterate the strange sensation that is overwhelming me.

Surprisingly, I can't bring myself to do it.

Al suddenly turns in my direction as if he has heard my muttering, making me hurry to hide. I stand with my back on the jamb, hands parallel to my body, to obscure my shadow. I feel like I can make a hole in the wall with my body's shape, given how I keep leaning backward. I try to slow my beating heart, and rapid breathing resulted from the fear of getting caught, hoping the sound won't blow away my cover.

"What's wrong?" Mia asks him.

"I thought I saw something there."

Please, don't tell me he has seen me.

"What is it?"

"I don't know." He pauses.

Without waiting to hear the rest of it, I rush out as silently as my feet can bring, fearing that he will step out to check.

I let my feet decide my destination, and eventually, it is the bathroom that it led me to. I don't know why the bathroom is the only place to calm down my nerves or let out my anger. I just know that whenever I am in a dilemma, this is where I end up.

After taking several deep breaths, I walk to the sink and wash my hand, splashing cold water on my face. Dabbing the wetness off with the facial tissues, I look into the mirror to see a messy-hair, pale heart-shaped face and cupid bow's chapped lips staring back at me. The reflection leaves a condescending sneer on my face the longer I linger my eyes on it.

Look at you, Pree. Compared to Mia, you are way too far behind. Although both of you are girls, you're no match for her. If you were a boy, the answer is way too apparent as to who you would choose between the two of you.

"You're right. Who am I to compete with Mia? Besides, whoever he flirts with is none of my business. Who he chooses has nothing to do with you. Pree, you promise never to fall for him. Better keep your words." I sneer at the reflection, looking at her straight in the eyes like I am making a vow and letting her be the witness of my solemn words.

Walking into the class, everyone is already there since it is nearly time for class to start. I make sure to keep my eyes straight ahead as I go to my seat, ignoring a pair of raven-black eyes that are trailing after my every move. After saying hello to Suda, I sit down and take out my k****e to read. However, I find my vision blur the moment I start reading the first line. A twinge of pain hit my head, bringing in waves of dizziness.

I click my tongue in annoyance as I close my eyes, hoping the nauseous will go away.

"Pree, are you okay?"

Suda must have heard it, for she asks me in a worried tone. Massaging my temples, I reply with my eyes still closed. "Nothing. Just a little headache."

"You look terrible. Do you want to go to the nurse's office?"

"No, I think I'll be fine."

"Are you sure? You look horrible."

"I didn't brush my hair."

"Not that. I am referring to your complexion. You're so pale."

"I'm fine. This happens all the time when I get a lack of sleep."

"What were you doing last night? Don't tell me you pulled an all-nighter to finish your novel. If you do, I'm going to hit you with this book and say, 'you deserve it.' You need to stop doing that. Learn to take care of yourself like the way you look after those books." Though Suda's tone switches to anger, there is still a worry embedded.

"I didn't read last night. I just..." I trail off, not knowing how to end it.

"Just what?"

I just couldn't get Albert Stanley out of my head since we met in my neighborhood yesterday. Though this is the ending line of my previous saying, I keep the thought to myself.

Suda is my best friend, and I don't mean to keep any secret between us. However, I am not sure how to tell her about this. I don't know how to begin. I am not even sure what I am feeling, so how can I explain this to her? I've clarified that I don't want to have anything to do with Al, but he keeps appearing, confusing me with his flirtatious act and sugar-coated playboy lines. I am not the type to fall for all those, but admittedly, with that handsome frame and the fact that he is taking after one of my favorite characters, it is not that easy to stay unwavering.

I'm all conflicted inside.

"Pree?" Suda asks when I haven't given her the answer.

"It just took me too long to fall asleep. I swear, I didn't read last night."

"Well, if that is so, it's good. But you need to go out more, Pree. Stop locking yourself in the room all the time. Do some activities. It's good for your body, and maybe it can help with your sleep too."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll remember that."

"You only remember but never try to do it." Suda sighs. Even without looking, I can tell she is shaking her head. "Do you want any headache pills? I think I have some."

"Yeah, thanks. I forgot to take mine."

I feel better after taking the pill. I can open my eyes and stay awake during class. Nevertheless, my head is all fuzzy. Although I want to go home and rest, I don’t want the absence to affect my score. Being a scholarship student requires stricter rules, especially the attendance score, so I can't help but stay until class ends. Even though I know it is a waste since I can't pay attention to anything, I still have to endure it.

Class ends earlier than usual, and I can't be more thankful. After assuring Suda that I am fine and capable of riding home by myself, I drag my feet to the parking lot where my old motorbike is waiting. When I am about to reach there, giggling sounds echo from behind my back, followed by a shout.

"Don't run! You're going to bump into someone. Watch out!"

I don't even have time to turn around when a body bumps into me, swaying me from my place. The impact isn't that strong, but I find myself losing balance since I am not in good condition. The concrete ground gets closer to my vision, showing that I am falling.

Nevertheless, a pair of muscular arms appear out of nowhere to break my fall, pulling my exhausted body into the warm, broad chest.