Tangled in Notes

Chapter Thirty

“Come on, Julia! We’re gonna be late!” said the voice that kept banging the door.

I groaned and kicked my blankets off. I rose from my bed still half-awake. Who wouldn’t be mad for disturbing such wonderful dream with Harry Styles?

I sighed and forced myself to reach the door. I turned the knob and as expected. It was the great Armin Hannes with his usual annoying morning-call face. I frowned at him with my eyes half-closed.

“Hey!” He flashed me his yet expensive watch – gold white and they shone bright as the sunlight hit its wrist. I tried to see it but the arrows remained blurry and it doubles every time. “It’s already 7:14 am!”

I was surprised but I think my body wasn’t. I was too lazy. What exactly happened yesterday again? Oh right! I was finishing yet another project proposal for our research class and I was with the midget at night. Everything could’ve turned well if not for his last words.

“It was nice chatting with you, Jared. You’re not that bad after all.” I smiled and he creased his brows handing me a piece of paper. I grabbed it from him. “What’s this?”

“See for yourself.” He stood and left the room without further ado.

I frowned and unfolded the paper. I looked at it. It was a familiar penmanship that obviously belonged to him.

Finish the papers I left in your room at the house. Finish it by the end of the month or else.

-red

I smirked and recalled everything that happened.

“Ha! Look at this girl.” I hear Armin whisper. I glared at him. “You even have the nerve to smile in this type of situation.”

I crossed my arms. “Easy for you to say. All you do is check the mirror if you have booger in your nose.”

“I do not do that.”

I scoffed. My whole body was aching. The fact that I was trying to finish a lot of paper works is stressing me out. And I know it won’t do good for my health.

“Five minutes!”

“Idonotdothatfiveminutes, bleh!” I shook my head in frustration. I wanted to sleep so badly. I furrowed my brows and shut the door close.

“I’m telling you! If I don’t see you downstairs in five minutes, I’ll seriously leave you here! SERIOUSLY!”

I gasped and dashed back to my room to get my towel. I hurried my bath and put in my uniform. There was something in his voice that sounded so serious and it made me nervous.

My tie wasn’t even right but urgh! I ran down after locking the door. Without even brushing my hair, I ran out the building and saw him with a frown. He was already sitting inside his car.

Just when I took a step forward, he started drifting away. My jaws dropped. I ran my finger through my hair. “So much for five minutes.” I sighed and fixed myself after I decided to walk. I was never late. Just this time. I wanted to sleep. I don’t know why I felt so tired.

I stopped and checked the time, 7:28. I clucked my tongue. “Urgh!” I ran.

My feet muscles were already telling me to give up when suddenly, I bumped into a middle-aged woman who was carrying a bag of oranges. I bit my lower lip and helped the lady pick up the oranges that fell— because of me. ME.

The lady seemed grateful as she smiled and bowed. I bowed back, “I’m so sorry.” And proceeded back to running. I frowned and looked at my watch. 7:41. I ran faster even if I was running out of breath. I know I shouldn’t do this especially that it came from a doctor’s mouth but it’s not like I have a choice. I didn’t want to spend money.

I stopped in front of a popular pancake house in the city. I gulped hard and I feel my tummy growling in hunger. I haven’t even eaten my breakfast!

I frowned when I saw— Armin’s car!

I felt relieved as I approached the car with a smile. He was standing next to his car and he turned to me. Even if I was still a few rulers away from him, I could see him sigh.

I ran to him with a grin. “Min!”

“Get in.”

I nodded. “Funny how that… rhymed.” Then ran to the other side. I stepped inside and the moment I sat back down, he entered and grabbed something from the back. I was surprised when he suddenly landed something over my lap. I frowned and stared at the brown paper bag.

“Eat that before we reach the campus.”

My eyes bewildered when I realized the bag was watermarked ‘House of Hotcakes’. I clapped in glee. “Yep. Definitely… Definitely what I need right now.” I gasped for air and opened up the Styrofoam. Immediately, the sweet sensation of the maple syrup lingered in my nose. Heaven.

I smiled and grabbed the plastic knife as well as the plastic fork. The car began to move but I was too focused on what I’m about to eat. As I cut a part of the cake, the fluffy texture of it made me more anxious to eat. I munched the pancake in my mouth and my eyes voluntarily closed. “Thanks for this. I haven’t eaten anything.” I said still munching the cake.

He smirked and kept his eyes on the road. “I know.”

I smiled. “You knew I was going to pass by here, didn’t you?” I wiggled my brows.

He just chuckled silently.

I teasingly poked his arms. “It’s nice to know that you actually care for me, Min.”

“That’s right. I’m such a good friend.” He glanced at me with a smirk.

“Mhm.” I nodded. “You’re a good friend alright.” I smirked and continued eating. As I finished half, I suddenly felt guilty. I didn’t want him to think that my description of being a good friend is trying to use him for money and treats. That’s not really it. I cared for him deep inside as well. I just don’t want to show it off all the time.

I turned to Armin with a smile and he couldn’t keep his eyes off the road. I really am lucky to meet him.

I was on my way to the club when someone tapped my shoulder. I turned and saw Joshua standing in front of me. “H-Hey.” Why do I feel like I’ve done something wrong?

“Hey, Julia.” He said not looking at me.

My brows creased as I shook my head. “A-Are you going to the club?”

He just nodded.

“Let’s go together, then.” I smiled and he just gave me a smile. I gulped hard. There’s something wrong. I’m positive. Could it be that I missed something ou— My eyes widened. “Oh no.”

He chuckled.

“Saturday.” I looked at him. “I’m so sorry I totally forgot!” I felt a blush over my cheeks. I pressed them with my palms and observed his reaction. He looked cool with it though it wasn’t enough for me to not be guilty. I can’t believe I forgot.

“No. It’s okay.”

“Were you waiting for me back then?” I asked and he looked away.

“Well, not really. My sister called me and insisted it was an emergency so I guess, it’s alright.” He smiled with a nod.

I bit my lip in guilt. I gulped. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t remember.”

“It’s okay.”

Right. I was with Jared that whole day. “I’ll make it up to you.”

I was surprised when he suddenly grabbed my wrist and looked at me. “Then make it up to me.”

“N-Now—?”

He chuckled. “Yep. Right now.”

“O-Okay.”

That whole time we stepped out of the school gate, up to the moment we stepped inside a mall near the school, he was gripping my wrist like I’d run away from him – which I’d never do to someone whom I ditched.

I didn’t know why I suddenly felt irritated and uncomfortable by it. I feel bad. I cleared my throat after awkwardly removing my hands away from him.

He stared at it for a moment. I don’t know if he was disappointed that I pulled away from him but it seemed so.

“So, where should we go first?” I asked instead.

He chuckled with his voice shaking. “I-I don’t know. What about you? Where do you want to go?”

“Well, you wanted to go out, what did you plan to do then?” I shrugged and scanned the area.

He looked up looking confused as I am.

“A simple mall arcade would be nice.” I smiled at him.

He nodded with a smile as we both headed to the game arcade. We both played inside. We had a match over basketball and obviously, he won without any effort. I was a girl but playing basketball in a game was a hobby of mine when I was younger.

We played the one that holds a toy g*n and you have to shoot a part of the screen. We played the machine that needs to hammer an animal that pops out of the hole. We both danced crazily in front of the ‘Danz Craze’ game without minding other people.

After the fun in the arcade, he suggested to watch a movie. We both haven’t seen the movie so I agreed. He paid for popcorn and some fruit juice. The movie was ‘Huntsman’ and I thought it was interesting.  It was something I’d watch again but action just wasn’t my style.

After the long, thrilling and action movie, I noticed it was already pass 5:30 – I needed to see Dr. McKinley for my therapy. “What about we grab some too-early dinner before we say goodbye?” he smiled.

 “Too-early dinner sounds good.” I lied. I didn’t want to turn him down right now but I needed my check-up as well. My doctor told me I needed to visit him at least every day for my therapies to work. I guess I’ll just go after this dinner.

We headed towards the food court and scanned for an empty table. I sat down. “Stay here. I’ll go order us something to eat.” He then walked away after seeing me nod.

I looked around. People were around. The table next to me was a couple sharing their food. The guy was currently raising a spoon in front of the girl’s mouth. They both looked totally in-love. I sighed and realized I haven’t checked my phone ever since we got here.

I opened my phone and saw: 18 missed calls, 3 messages. I frowned. Who could’ve called me right now? I opened the call logs. Sean’s name appeared telling me I missed 18 calls and 2 messages from him.

Sean

5:06 pm

Hey juuuls! Please call me once u see this. ASAP

Jared, g.m

4:03 pm

Meet me near the cabin right now. Need to tell you something important.

-red

He must’ve left already so it’s no use. Besides, what could’ve been that something important thing he’s supposed to say? I’m sure it’ll only be another scolding from him. Also, I still need to go to the hospital for my medication and some therapies.

I opened another message which came from Armin.

Armpit

6:39 pm

Where are u?! Mom asking u for a dinner. Call?

I immediately dialed Sean’s number – I could see Joshua over the counter already paying - he picked up after the first ring. “Hey, Sean. What’s up? Sorry for not picking up your call.”

“Ahh! That doesn’t matter right now. We really need you here in the house right now! Something bad happened. Please come as soon as possible.”

“What exactly is happening?”

Joshua came back with a tray in his hand. He stared at me worriedly – maybe he could see that something was wrong as I talked over the phone. He sat across me not disturbing my conversation with Sean.

“It’s Jared.”