Chapter 7 - Comparison
1235 Words
“What did you say?!”
I immediately covered my face because of her overreacting. She cleared her throat and gently removed my blanket.
“You could’ve at least asked for the name of that bastard so we can report him to the police—”
“It’s fine, ate. I think my manager already did that.”
“Even so! And you know if Kuya Dylan hears about this, that guy would be done for.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Since she found out this morning from Lacy, she couldn’t stop texting me about it. And because I didn’t reply to any of her messages, she marched straight into my room the moment she got home.
“Ate, seriously—can we not talk about it anymore?”
“No,” she said flatly, sitting on the edge of my bed like she owned the place. “A jerk touches you! Do you think I’m just gonna ignore that?”
I sighed and flopped back on my pillow. “I’m fine. Nothing happened. It’s already taken care of.”
“That’s not the point,” she snapped. “You didn’t even tell me! I had to hear it from Lacy, of all people!”
I stared at the ceiling, lips tightening. “Because I knew you’d react like this.”
I placed the pillow over my face and groaned.
She pulled it away immediately. “And don’t even think of hiding again. Lacy told me someone else stepped in for you too.” Her eyes narrowed. “A guy.”
I stilled.
“This guy punched the creep,” she continued, leaning closer. “She said, this guy held your hand on the way out.”
I sat up fast. “Lacy should mind her own business.”
Amari raised a brow. “So there must be something? Who was that?”
I looked away, pretending to fix my blanket.
“There’s nothing,” I said. “He just… helped. That’s it.”
“Helped?” Amari repeated, squinting at me. “Tali, Lacy said he literally dragged you out of the shop. Who does that for a stranger?”
“He’s not a stranger.”
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Amari’s eyes widened. “Ah. So you know him.”
I clenched my teeth. Great. Nice, Tali. You’re so smooth. What can you expect from the future lawyer?
She scooted closer, her face right in front of mine. “Who. Is. He?”
“No one.”
“Tathaira.”
Her tone made me shrink a little.
I pulled my knees up, hugging them. “He’s just… someone from school.”
“Someone?” Her voice rose again. “Lacy said he was tall, sharp jaw, neat hair, expensive-looking uniform—”
“Why is she describing him like a K-drama character?” I muttered.
“So?” Amari pressed. “Who is that?”
I bit the inside of my cheek. There was no way out of this. She’s not going to stop unless I throw her something.
“Maverick,” I said quietly.
She blinked. “Maverick who?”
I looked at her, deadpan. “Maverick. As in that Maverick.”
Her jaw dropped. “Your ex-crush? No! You still like him!”
“I’m tired,” I muttered, wanting to sink under the sheets.
“No, no, no—don’t sleep on me!” She grabbed my arm. “Is he your boyfriend now? Or…did you seduce him?”
I groaned again. “What? No!”
She looked at me straightly. I frowned again.
“Why don’t you just mind your own business and be with Lucas?”
She rolled her eyes and walked outside. What’s her problem? Geez!
The next day came so fast.
I sank into my chair, staring at the last problem on the math exam. My pencil felt heavy in my hand. No matter how many times I tried to focus, the numbers blurred together. s**t, I might breakdown first before I could break down the solution for this!
When the bell rang, I barely glanced at my answers before the papers were collected. My stomach churned. I knew I had failed.
Lynn leaned over, whispering. “Ugh… this was impossible. Did you even understand question five?”
I shook my head. “Not really. I think I just scribbled something down.”
She groaned. “Same. I swear, math hates me.”
I gave her a small, tired smile. “At least we’re in this together.”
Lynn rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. “Yeah… misery loves company, right? Where will you go after?”
“I’ll submit one project first. Have you done it already?”
“Uh, yeah. I didn’t wait for you anymore. I did it early in the morning.”
I smiled at her. “Okay. I’ll go after you then.”
After she left, I walked alone toward the faculty office, clutching my folder tightly. My stomach twisted with dread.
I reached the door and paused. From inside, I overheard a quiet conversation.
“…Tathaira… Amari and Zeina’s sister…”
Huh? What are they talking about?
I was about to open the door when my hand stopped after hearing something.
“It seems like she’s struggling a lot more than them. Not really keeping up. Look at this, her scores are not so great as them…”
My chest tightened. I froze, my fingers curling around my folder. Why does it always have to be a comparison?
I wanted to vanish, but I couldn’t. I took a shaky breath and wanted to twist the doorknob and submit the project, determined to finish and leave.
However, the door opened first, and Maverick came out. His gaze landed on me.
I lowered my head, trying to slip past unnoticed.
“What are you doing here?”
I don’t want to look at him. I immediately look away and decided to just submit it later.
He must’ve heard what they said… and it hurts because it’s true. I’m not as smart as my sisters. I’ve always been the shadow behind them, never the one worth looking at. And the sad thing is, even as a shadow, I still feel like I don’t deserve to exist beside them.
Before I could move another step, his hand grabbed mine.
I froze, my chest tightening, trying to hide the tears that threatened to fall.
His fingers wrapped around my wrist before I could fully turn away.
I stiffened instantly.
I kept my head low, hoping he wouldn’t notice how my eyes were already stinging.
“Tathaira,” he said quietly.
I didn’t answer.
I couldn’t.
My throat felt tight, like if I opened my mouth, everything inside me would spill out.
His grip wasn’t rough… but it wouldn’t let me run either. It made my heartbeat pound painfully in my ears.
“Tali,” he said again, voice lower this time.
I swallowed hard.
“AH, you’re here. Uhm.. I’ll submit my project—”
I stopped speaking when his hand touches my chin. That made me look into his eyes and now, with me staring at him, made my heart thump so fast.
“Whats the problem?”
I bit my lip, fighting the urge to crumble right there but my tears slowly escaped from my eyes.
- Writer
