Deepest Desire

At School too?

“Hello” Mom chirped and I immediately came back to reality. “We are your neighbors and a welcome gesture we are giving you this,” she said in her cheery voice, and taking the box of cupcakes from my hand, she gave it to the weird girl who just looked at us nonchalantly.

“Um...what is this?” she asked and started to scan the box as if she thought we gifted her bomb.

“Probably not poison” I commented and rolled my eyes. Mom elbowed me gently, telling me to behave. I was a well-behaved girl but this girl didn't need that.

“Pigeon got a sharp beak I see” she snorted, looking at me with amusement. I shoot her a dirty look.

Mom was confused and so she asked, “You two know each other?”

“No.” “Yes.” We both said the opposite answer in unison. I didn't know her, only that she was the person I bumped into the Mall and she was also the one who destroyed the last pack of Pamela's cream.

Just as I was turning to go home, a sweet voice came. “Who is it, honey?”

I turned around to find a woman coming towards us from inside. She was surprised to see us and probably wondering what we were doing.

“Hello, we are your neighbors and we thought we could come and welcome you” Mom chimed in, being all sweet and generous. She had all those traits in her but it increased whenever she met new people.

The lady smiled and warmly greeted us. “I am so very grateful for that. Please come in.” she then turned to that weirdo and said, “Why didn't you let them in?”

The punk-looking girl rolled her eyes and acted it was no big deal. She handed the box to the lady and went inside the house.

“There's cupcakes inside. I made them myself. I do hope you will enjoy eating them” Mom said smiling at her. We entered in. I was feeling nervous and uncomfortable. I didn't like going to any stranger's house and it was probably the first time I have initiated to come.

The lady was beautiful with shoulder-length chestnut brown hair which was perfectly styled into a loose ponytail. I assumed she was in her late twenties. But what was her relationship with that weirdo?

The question bugged me but I controlled myself to not spout anything stupid.

She led us to the cozy living room. The brown leather couch was set in the middle with a coffee table in front. In front of it, leaving some distance was the television set up on the wall.

“Sorry, we are still adjusting” she apologized and kept the box on the table, she quickly removed the big boxes which were kept on the couch and put them on the dark wooden floor.

“Please, have a seat” she politely gestured us to sit on the couch and we did not make her more uncomfortable.

~ Half an hour later ~

Mom and the woman named Elsie quickly dived into chats as if they knew each other all along. I was way too bored and just wanted to go home.

Interestingly, I got to know about that weirdo as well. it was a shock when she said that she was a mother and that weirdo is her daughter. It's hard to believe.

That weirdo's name was Ivanna. Even though Elsie encouraged that me and her to be friends, I was nowhere agreeing with her.

God, it was so boring and my ass started to pinch. I need to get out of here. I got up and whispered something to my mother. “I am going home. Tell her I needed to do homework.”

Then I said goodbye to Elsie and hurried to leave the house. Once out I felt I could breathe normally.

It was a stupid thought to come here. I walked to my house and before heading to the front porch, I took a glimpse of the upper window which was half-lit. Was it her room?

Argh! Why was I thinking about her?

Shaking that thought, I headed in and went straight to my room without letting my father know I was home.

**

I gripped one strap of my bag as I inhaled in the air. The hustle and bustle of students, the chit chats and also the looks, kinda made me on edge. I smiled and walked inside the school.

My high school scenario was completely different than what was going on. I thought I would quietly pass and no one will notice but in every corner, there was at least one student who waved at me.

Millie was standing by the locker and when she noticed me, she beamed. “You don't look Barbie today” she teased.

I rolled my eyes, fed up with this name. “Shut up. I never looked like her.”

“It's not only me, you know. Half the school calls you that” she pointed, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

“Drop it. Anyway, how is your Mom?” I asked her, hoping she would change the topic.

The smile faded and I felt bad asking that. “She is doing good, healing, yes, and also she smiled yesterday.”

Millie's Mom was bedridden due to a car accident for almost four months. Her Dad was always busy and Millie was the one who had to take care of her sick mother and because of that she sometimes missed school.

“Thanks for asking,” she said, she gave me a small smile. Although she hated expressing her feelings, she was also the one who cried the most.

“Maybe I could come by today and help you?” I offered, but she shook her head.

“No need for that. I am doing well” she said and I knew she didn't want to talk further about that.

I sighed and we both passed the Hall, snaking our way through the crowd, and reached my locker.

Entering the password, I opened my locker and took out the required textbooks for the classes today, I shoved them in my bag.

“Alert” Millie whispered continuously and while I was zipping the chain of my bag, I had to ask her what was the problem.

Oh well, I knew what was the problem.

“Hey” a familiar voice came from behind. Millie shared glances and I turned around to see Andrew Rodgers showing his not-so-white teeth to me.

I forced a smile, “Hey, Sup?”

“You didn't reply to my message yesterday” he informed, making a sad face. Yes because you weren't of any importance.

“I was kinda busy yesterday so I had no time to check the messages. Sorry” I lied without any guilt. From behind, Millie snorted knowing very well I was lying.

“Oh that's alright” he smiled, relieved all over his face. “Well, are you free tonight? I wanted to invite you to the arcade.”

Was he asking me out? I didn't know how to reply to that. I was not going that was sure but how should I reject him without being rude?

Just as I was thinking, Millie chimed in. “Sorry Drews, she has plans with me tonight.”

Millie was my lifesaver. I refrained to smile and gave Andrew a fake apologetic smile.

“Ah, oh, alright,” he asserted, his tone has changed. “Maybe next time?” he asked with a smile, still not giving up.

Having no other options, I nodded. “Yeah sure.”

With that, he went and disappeared into the crowd.

I grunted and made a face. “Learn to say no” Millie advised, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Hey!” Olivia's voice came and I turned my eyes at the front to see her approaching me. Her jet-black hair bounced as she walked.

“Good Morning!” she chirped, appearing too happy.

“Weren't you all gloomy about not coming to school?” I pointed, raising an eyebrow.

“Mood changes Astra! ” she said as it was a common thing and everyone knew about it.

Taking our required material, we headed to our first class. I and Olivia are in the US government while Millie is in World History.

“Mr. Duvall gonna make me sleep again” Olivia grumbled as we entered inside.

I chuckled and took the second seat of the second row. Oliva took the seat beside me and huffed a sigh.

It was Autumn yet this girl had to wear a crop top and mini skirt. Olivia Brandt could never leave the house without being all dressed up and pretty.

Me? I was more leaned towards basic. Dark blue top, skinny jeans with a jacket on top, and knee-high boots. I loved the autumn mainly because I get to wear these lovely fall outfits.

The class was lively with all of us chatting with one another when Mr. Duvall entered the classroom.

We stood and greeted him with a good morning. “Morning, please sit down,” he told and we did.

We all settled in our seats whispering among one another when Mr. Duvall announced, “Historians, there's one more historian who will be joining us from today.”

What? A transfer student?

Students started whispering amongst each other, giving their opinions about the new student.

“I am excited,” Olivia said, wiggling her eyebrows. I was curious as well and we waited eagerly when Mr. Duvall called out her name.

The name was too familiar which I didn't want to believe who I thought it was. But my world turned around when that weirdo stepped in. My eyes widen in shock and my jaw dropped open. Why was she here? She is the transfer student? No way!

She walked and stopped near Mr. Duvall's desk and made a check out of the classroom. She had the same nonchalant expression and she wore black outfits yet again.

As she was checking out the room, her eyes stopped at me and my breath shook.

She raised her eyebrow amused to see me and shocked too.

“Yo Pigeon” she called out smiling like an i***t in my direction. Everyone turned their eyes at me and wanted to hide somewhere.