CUPID

CUPID - The Insight

Chapter 2

“My dad is the Chief Of Police. That’s the highest rank of the Police Force in the United States,” Tessa said, as she winked at Lucretia. She paused for a while as if to be lost in thoughts and proceeded to talk. “My mom works as a Therapist. I’ve always wanted to have a sibling so we could play and share things; good and bad. However, my mom couldn’t take in anymore since she always had a miscarriage each time she took in.”

“That’s a lot to handle for you and your mom,“ Lucretia said, feeling somewhat piteous and emotional about Tessa’s story.

“That’s fine. I’m much better now,” she said.

“I only saw the photos of my dad and mom. My aunt told me they died in a fatal car accident because of a tornado disaster. I was so lucky to be alive because I was held by the seatbelt at the passenger seat,” Lucretia said.

“You’re so lucky. We’ve had tough times in our lives and we can only be grateful for the fact that we can still breathe,” said Tessa. “I’m excited because I feel safe and comfortable for the first time in this school. I’ve been able to share one of my challenges with you, even though we just met. Do you mind me visiting during the weekend?”

“That’s fine. I’ll be happy to see you,“ Lu said and her face brightened immediately as though she was expecting Tessa’s request.

“Saturday it is,” Tessa said and grinned.

Few minutes later, the bell for break rang and the cafeteria was filled up with students – each trying to get something for lunch. As they walked towards the cafeteria, Lucretia noticed a guy who kept staring at her from a distance. He was tall, had brown eyes and dark hair.

“Do you know him?” Tessa asked Lucretia, curious about Oliver’s interest in her as he came by.

“Yes, we bumped into each other this morning,” said Lucretia, frowning as she couldn’t fathom why he was staring at her. As they got closer to the cafeteria, Oliver stepped closer and greeted them and offered to sit with them. Lucretia looked at Tessa and they both nodded in agreement. She noticed that Oliver kept looking at her, and couldn’t help but feel flattered.

“Seems you made a friend already?” He said as he looked at Tessa who happened to have been mute all along.

“Oh yeah. We became friends today,” Lucretia said as she scanned through all corners of the cafeteria as if she was expecting to see people staring at her since she was talking to the most endowed boy in school.

“That’s cool. Hi,” He waved at Tessa that stood closely to Lucretia.

“Hi,” Tessa replied as she couldn’t muster anything to say at that instant. It was a miracle that she finally got to stand one on one with the hottest boy in school. He looked smartly dressed in his uniform; a fitted pair of trousers, white long sleeves, a shiny black belt that complimented his black pair of Oxford Versace shoes perfectly adorning his fine legs that somewhat made him look like a model whenever he walked with the captivating gait of his. His neck tie was perfectly positioned and his collar looked relaxed and concealing every trace of his tie asides the front view. He had this alluring physique; a slim body size and charisma that’d capture your attention in the slightest glance. He had a curly hair and with the most charming smile ever. And his skin? It looked like silk and spotless as if he was made of skincare products, which genuinely, he never used. And he was 6ft tall. He had a perfect dentition and wolf-like eyes, sparkling brown. His lips were thin and pinkish with a pointed nose that sat on his flawless face and a portable square like skull to sum it all up. The scent of fresh rose perfume oozed from his uniform in abundance. If there was a perfect creature, Oliver would have been the clear definition of it.

“I’m famished. I need to get something to eat,“ Lu said and went to get food as Tessa and Oliver followed suit. As they ate, Oliver told Lucretia a little about himself and how he had to leave his ex-girlfriend after she cheated on him with his best friend. Tessa could hear everything but never said a thing as it appeared that Oliver only paid attention to Lucretia. Lucretia found herself sympathizing with Oliver, and was pleasantly surprised when he asked her if she wanted to go with him to explore the woods around the school after lunch. She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately agreed to go with him. As they walked through the woods, Lucretia and Oliver talked and laughed, and she found herself enjoying his company.

His girlfriend, Nadia, a Grade 12 student just like Oliver, felt insecure about how Oliver has been looking at Lucretia even while they were together on the corridor as Lucretia and her friend, Tessa walked down to the cafeteria. Nadia was tagged the Queen of all the girls in Dreame High School because of how manipulative she was, and in addition, she was from a wealthy family.

Not long after, Lucretia and Oliver came back from their exploration as the break was almost over, and they parted since Lu felt she abandoned her friend, Tessa.

“Wow! What just happened?” Tessa asked, looking perplexed.

“I beg your pardon?” Lu said, and turned to look at Tessa.

“You just talked to the most alluring student in Dreame High School. Do you know how fulfilling that is?” Tessa asked as her eyes widened as if they were about to pop out.

“He’s a student just like the both of us. I don’t see anything special, “ she said, hiding whatever she felt for Oliver.

Five minutes later, the break ended and it was time for History class. This was where Lucretia took keen interest in reading up stories about how a demon terrorized the City of Miami some 100years ago started. It was said that lots of people died because of how violent the demon was. And there was one Mr. Edmond that hid the book that could be used to summon the demon underneath the school’s library. It was banned from anyone getting in contact with it as it was tagged, “The Cursed Book.”

“Good afternoon, students! We’ll be talking about the Ancient History of the Violent Demon that was cast into ‘The Underworld’ a century ago,” said Ms Asher, a slim looking lady in her mid twenties, light skinned, average height and with a bulblike hair with glasses to match.

“How did this demon come about?” asked Christine.

“It was said that one depressed man, Mr. Clifford, after losing his family to a fire accident, went to the museum in Miami, and to the section of artefacts where he thought he’d be able to get himself together since he loved arts. However, he later got possessed by a demon after entering a cave that was forbidden of every human to go in. He got home, acting all strange and scripted down every single details of his experience, perhaps, no one would fall prey the second time. His best friend discovered the book after he visited him. He saw how odd he looked with reddish eyes, messed up hair, blood stained clothes, mouth filled with blood, sitting motionlessly. He saw the book that had the inscriptions, ‘The Cursed Book’, took it and ran for his dear life as he found a faraway place where no one could find it and buried it until the end of time. Mr. Clifford became ferocious and nearly unstoppable. The strongest Priest in Miami was called on to help cast out the demon from him. It took days before the demon was finally locked behind bars in “The Cursed Book,” explained Ms Asher.

“This is interesting,” Lucretia said, as she had it in mind to do more research on the just spilled knowledge about the demon.

“Aren’t you scared?” Tessa asked, looking a little tensed because of the aura the word, ‘demon’ sent to her.