Chapter 8: Chapter 8

007

Here I am and I'll wait in line always

"Let's play a game," Loud said, bored. He kept on playing with his medical penlight while I was busy memorizing codes and articles.

"Why do we need to play a game?" I slowly said.

"I'm bored," he pouted.

"Count your hair if you're bored or just go away because I'm busy," I suggested.

I flipped the pages of my book and continued reading. Loud took a deep breath. I watched him from my peripheral vision. He picked one of my books and read. After a few seconds, he dropped it. He brushed his hair in frustration as he crossed his arms. I laughed in my mind.

"Eeeh," he whined like a baby. "Let's play a game..." he pleaded. "It's simple. You are just going to answer my question."

"How is that a game?"

"Are you going to contradict everything I say? I mean, you always do."

"Yes," I nodded.

"Whyyy?" He widened his mouth.

"It's fun," I replied.

"What's fun?"

I looked at him and grinned. I pointed. "Seeing your face like that."

"Oh, what?" He raised his eyebrows.

I pulled my pocket mirror and faced it to him.

"Oh! Handsome!" He caressed his chin, bit his lower lip, and fixed his fringe.

I quickly put away my mirror.

The people were already entering the bistro and I only have a few minutes left before my shift. I decided to ignore Loud's presence and went back to reading.

He stayed quiet for a while until he asked, "What are the things that make you happy?"

I stopped. For a second, I thought of answering his question. But, what would be my answer? I know I would really be happy if I become a lawyer. Yet, what does happiness really means?

"Why are you asking?" I decided to say.

I turned to my book and finished a page before he recited, "Brewed coffee, a medical penlight, and a heart in a jar."

I looked at him. He had a brighter smile.

"Those are the three things that make me happy," he added.

"I'm not asking," I plainly replied.

"I just want to let you know, and I was hoping you would say what's yours. You know, courtesy like when someone says their name, you'll say your name too."

I closed my book and argued, "The things that make me happy aren't the same as saying my name."

I almost fell when he asked, "Do I make you happy?"

"No. So, shut up! I.AM.STUDYING!" I waved my book in his face hoping he would stop talking.

He's not helping me focus on my studies. I hate his presence because he's just too bright. I mean, he was glowing in front of me. Okay, metaphorically he's glowing. With those bright smiles, he could make me forget what I should be doing.

I didn't even know why I was still allowing him to sit in front of me and bothered me all day. Or maybe I know, and I was just afraid to admit it. I was scared to say that...nevermind!

"Okay," he laughed. "Let us study together." He grabbed the book from me. "Recite the article and I'll listen. How about that?"

I continued to stare...glare at him, hoping he would be frightened of me or at least he would realize that he was disturbing me because he was so loud.

"What? Why are you staring at me like that?" He pursed his lips. "Do you like me now?"

"When?" I asked.

"When, what?" He said, confused.

"When are you gonna get tired?" I seriously told him.

He parted his lips. I could sense he was supposed to crack a joke when he realized what I wanted to say.

"Do you want me to get tired?"

"Don't answer me with another question."

"People get tired, Gabby," he softly replied. "I get tired. I may get tired of you, and these things later or sooner, but I am here, I will still be here, and I will still wait for you."

"Why do you like me?" I asked, confused. "Okay, I mean. We just met and I don't really believe in love at first sight."

"You used to be in a band during high school, right?"

I glanced at him and tried to remember him, though I was sure I'd never seen him. Maybe I did, I wasn't just paying attention.

"You're not my schoolmate," I said, sure. "So, you came from the rival school."

"Twice. We lost twice in the Battle of the Bands because of you and your band," he said. "I know you don't remember, but I promised to beat you during junior year. Sad to say, you're no longer the vocalist of the band. Why did you stop singing?"

I slowly moved my head sideways. I didn't stop. My mother made me stop to focus on my study, to make me the number 1. But, duh! Even if I studied all day and all night, I wouldn't be able to beat Zack. I couldn't even get the grade he had during highschool even now.

"Still, you don't know me."

"You used to sing --"

"Gabriella!" Suzie called me. "Can you sing now?" She shouted from the counter as she waved a paper filled with requested songs.

"Yes!" I quickly replied. "Sorry, what was that again?"

"My story can wait. I will wait, so go and sing," he winked.

I wanted to say don't wait for me, but at that moment I couldn't find the voice that wanted to let go.

I hid my face down as soon as I saw Zee walking towards me. Damn! What is she doing here? That Loud, ugh, must have said something to Zee for her to go all the way to Taft.

"Hi!" I awkwardly greeted. "What are you doing here, Zee?"

"I came all the way from Espana to scold you, Gab!" She yelled.

"What, why--" I didn't finish my words when she hugged me. "I...Zee..." I bit my lower lip. "You're making me...cry..."

I leaned down her shoulder and let my tears flow. She tightened her grip and allowed me to cry for minutes until I felt like choking from my tears.

"Come on, I'll help you look for a house." She wiped my tears and cheered me up. Though, it was evident she also needed a cheer.

"How did you know?" I sobbed. "Did Loud tell you?"

"I'm glad he told me, Gab! And, I hate you for not telling me! I am your best friend, for God's sake!" She scowled. "You're the only I have since Zack..."

"Sorry, I just don't want to bother you. You also have problems on your own," I sniffed. "By the way, I hate your butlers." I said, turning to the side. I rolled my eyes when the butler glared at me. I would definitely go crazy if I was Zee living with them.

"I hate them, but I can't go anywhere without them. Sometimes, I wished I never knew my mother's family," she said, sad.

"Sometimes, I wished I never existed at all."

She knocked my head and teased, "Loud would be sad if that happens, so shut up!" She clung to my arms and walked.

"Stop that, Zee," I frowned. "How did he even know me? I mean, he told me he likes me. Like, duh! He only knew me for like months."

"Oh?" Zee reacted, confused. "Didn't he tell you?"

"Tell me what?" I raised an eyebrow. "Is there something I should know aside from he met me from high school, and if he fell at first sight?"

Zee chuckled. "C'mon, Gab. Why so cynical? I mean, you used to believe in the most impossible things in the world during high school. You used to believe that if things were meant to be, they were always meant to be." Her tone fell as she spoke the last words.

It reminded me of how I teased her and Zack. Until now, I still hope that they're meant for each other. I may not be able to find mine, I would always pray for their happy ending. They have been the best people in my life.

"I missed Gabriella," I whispered.

"Me too."

We already left the hall when Victoria hushed in front of us. She caught her breath and wiped her sweat before saying, "Gab! The dean is looking for you!"

"What?" I yelled. "What do you...mean?"

I faced the palm. I've been staying in the club room for more than a week. I thought it would smoothly go, but I was wrong. It was actually wrong to stay there in the first place.

I don't usually curse...FUCK!

"I'm sorry, Gab. We tried to reason out and tell them it was because of band practice. At first, it was okay..." Victoria looked down.

"And?"

"It was okay for you to stay until you find a place, but something...someone happened, so..."

"So, they want me to move away?" I nodded. I already expected this. "It's okay. It's not even a house to stay in. I'll go talk to the Dean, thanks."

"I'll go with you," Zee volunteered.

"No," I shook my head. "Go back to España, Zee. Traffic would make you late for class, and you don't want to be late for lectures because you don't have me, and Zack to hand you our notes." I told her.

"I have Lauyton." She stuck her tongue out. "We're slightly friends."

I rolled my eyes. "Go, Zee. I'll handle this." I hugged her and whispered, "Take care. I promise to text you for an update. Okay?"

She nodded. "I'll see you soon. Okay?"

I wanted to say, no, not okay. I wasn't okay because once again, my bitch sister did something to ruin my mood, my day, my life. Couldn't she just stay away?

I ran from home because I thought they would leave the hell out of me. Should I come back home and just forget my dreams? Should I live a fairy tale life with no hardships, just crowns, gold, dresses, and everything fancy?

"I'm sorry," I said as soon as I entered the Dean's room. "I will accept your punishment, but I believe it doesn't include the following options..."

She cut me. "I will not expel you or remove you from your scholarship. I still honor the fact that your family shares a lot for this university. We're all grateful, but Ms. Tan, you need to find a place to stay." She looks concerned.

"Because I also know that if you fail to find a safe place, you need to go back home."

"I will not go back home," I stressed each word.

"Then, go find a home," she smiled. "Your sister and family would be happy to see you at home, but I won't...and you won't." She stood up and offered her hand to me. "I can't help you, but let me see you at court, Atty. Gabriella Tan."

I cried. I literally cried in front of the Dean while she stood there and waited for me to stop. I was overwhelmed. We're not close. SHE'S THE DEAN. We don't talk. I know her because I've seen her at our family gatherings, she's a family friend. Still, we don't talk. We never talk, and this...the first time she talked to me, she made me cry because I never thought some stranger would care for me.

A stranger close to my family would tell me to become a lawyer and not a doctor my family was known for. That's something I needed to hear that someone believed that I could do because my family failed to appreciate what I could offer.

At that moment, I wanted to beg for help. I wanted to kneel in front of her and ask her if I could stay in their house. I could work as a maid or anything they want me to do.

I was so desperate that I wanted to beg every person I've met on campus. But in the end, I couldn't.

I just cried and cried....

I don't know what to do...where to go. It seemed like I was losing hope, and every time I felt that way....he glowed.

"Someone told me you needed a shoulder to cry on," I lifted my head.

Loud lowered himself and wiped my tears. I felt a spark as our eyes met. His lips formed a curve as he said, "Let me offer my hand instead."

I stared at him...at his hands. I wanted to take it, but if I do...

"Ask, Gabby. It's easy to ask for help. I am here."

"You don't know me. You don't know what will happen if you help me!" I yelled. He didn't know how much I wanted to scream for help.

"You don't know me, Gabriella Wong Tan!" His eyes turned darker for a second. It was like he was a different person from what I knew.

"So, how about this?"

My mind went blank when he added, "Your family killed my parents. Want to help me take my revenge?"