Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Isabella's pov;

"Mr Davis said we're having a quiz by this Wednesday." Tracy told me as soon as I seated in my place.

"That's tomorrow! When did he even tell you that?"

"Like yesterday. After you left the class."

"And, why am I hearing it now? You should have told me yesterday, right?"

"I didn't see you for the entire day. You were so busy backstage."

"We met before I left college."

"I forgot that time. Because Jose was beside me winning the competition. How could you expect me to remember the quiz while I was happy for Jose?"

Jose stood up from his place and placed a peck on Tracy's cheek and said, "My baby."

"Shut up," she responded, but didn't pull away.

They both grinned at each other for another couple of seconds.

"Hey lovebirds, if you don't mind can you tell me the topic for the quiz?"

Tracy said, "Mr Davis said it's from the past week's lecture."

"Awesome. I wasn't even in the class. What am I going to do in the test tomorrow?" I dropped my head on the bench thinking about the test tomorrow. I was not looking forward to this. I didn't want to fail it because I am lazy but I also wanted to pass this test. I don't want to be in the detention room just because I failed the test. What if Big brother heard about this? What will he think of me? Will Mr Davis call Big Brother to the college if I fail the test? What if he comes to know that I spend half of my classes in the detention room? So there I sat, with a headache.

Tracy tapped on my shoulder and gave me her notebook and said, "There's notes here. I took it for you. Thought it'll help you since you spend Mr Davis classes in the detention room."

"Awwww! You're my lifesaver, Tracy." I hugged her to give a kiss on her cheek.

Jose kept his hand in between my lips and Tracy's cheek and said, "It's reserved only for me."

I took the notebook and said with a bright smile on my face, "I'll return it by this evening."

"Okay."

During the break hour, I came to the library in search of books related to the lecture notes given by Mr Davis. I found one book on the topic for tomorrow's test and sat down at a table for myself. It was one of those rare times where the library was not too crowded. The librarian had been kind enough to give me my own section.

After some time, I began to get lost in my thoughts when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Hey, Bella!"

"Jeremy!"

It's not like I didn't want to see him, or anything like that, but it's hard to look at someone who you barely know.

He took the seat beside me and asked, "Do you come to the library often?"

"Only during the test." And laughed to break the awkwardness around him.

The librarian shushed us. She was one of the kind people who never seemed to get tired from helping other people with their books.

Jeremy whispered to me while looking into his book, "What did you think about the concert?"

"Why are you so interested in inviting me?"

"I don't know. Maybe it would be fun if you come, I guess."

"I haven't been to concerts for a while so I don't know what to do. The curfew time is around 9 pm at the house."

"You sound like you've never been out of the house after 9 pm."

I nodded my head and said, "Yes, consciously."

The librarian shushed us again.

Jeremy wrote something on a piece of paper, placed it before me and left.

After he left, I took the paper to check what it was.

He wrote, "Bennett Valley road. 8 pm. Jeremy."

What does that mean? I stuck that paper into my pocket and looked at the book I took for tomorrow's test. While reading, I fell asleep on the top of the book.

When I woke up, I looked at the clock on the wall above the librarian's head. I have been in the library for almost half an hour. Ah! It's Ms Greta's class. I have to hurry up. I took the book from the library and started running to my class.

While I was running, I accidentally bumped into someone which made them drop the books on the floor they were holding before.

I took the books and arranged it for them and said, "I'm really sorry. I didn't see… Harry?"

It's Harry Williams. The bully who liked me in my high school. What is he doing here?

"Bella…"

"I… I got a class to attend. See ya later." And left for my class.

In the class,

Ms Greta didn't come to the class yet. I walked to my place breathing calmly.

Jose teased me, "It must be one of your lucky days."

"I don't think so. I just met my high school bully on my way here."

Tracy asked, "The one who's crazy on you?"

"Yup! He's the one."

"What happened?"

"I was rushing to class and accidentally bumped into him. I didn't have time to talk so I excused myself because I have a class to attend."

"What are you going to do when you meet him again?"

"I don't know. Since it's been a year since I saw him, it felt different and weird today."

While we're talking, Ms Greta came into the class and apologised for her late coming.

Tracy whispered, "Tell me if anything happened."

I nodded to her and listened to Ms Greta's class.

After the classes got over,

"I'm taking off early. See ya tomorrow."

After bidding them goodbyes, I walked to the entrance of the college.

I saw Mateo who was waiting for me at the entrance. I raised my hand and waved at him.

Some figure came in between me and Mateo and waved its hand at me.

I blinked and saw who it was. Harry Williams.

Harry walked towards me and gave me a hug saying, "How are you doing? Did you put on some weight? Your cheeks look a little chubby. It's cute by the way." And pinched my cheeks.

I remained silent, thinking about what to say to him. He talked like we just parted yesterday.

"Why are you silent? Are you out of words seeing me after a long time?"

"How are you doing?"

"Doing great. What about you? Are you studying in this college? I wonder why we didn't bump into each other before."

"Huh?"

"I'm doing my final year in finances in this college too. What year are you in?"

"First year."

"That explains why we didn't get to meet even though we're in the same college. Did you get busy with freshy contest?"

He looked happy. His eyes were lit up and his face was flushed with excitement, a huge grin on his lips, as he talked to me. I didn’t really know why, but I just felt like he was trying hard to make a smile in front of me.

"Yes."

I took a look at Mateo who was waiting for me and said to Harry, "Um, I've gotta go. Let's talk later."

When I walked past him, Harry grabbed my hand and said, "Do you still remember the day when we…"

Mateo took Harry's hand off and said to me, "Let's go, Bella."

I took a glance at Harry and said, "W-We'll talk later."

Mateo dragged me out of the college and asked, "Who was he? Why did he grab your hand like that?"

"He's my friend once." And got into the car.

At Mr Martinez's house,

While I was studying with the book which I took from the library, Big Brother asked me, "What a surprise! You're studying. What are you studying?"

"I have a quiz tomorrow."

"Why are you holding onto a book? Don't you have class notes with you?"

Since I spend my time in detention rooms, I couldn't be in the class to take notes. How can I say this to him?

"I wrote my notes on a piece of paper. Somehow I lost it, so I got a little help from the library." I lied to him.

He gave a doubtful look.

I stood up and said, "I'm going to study in my room."

"Who disturbed you? Did you forget that I was the one who teaches you during your high school years?"

"I didn't. I just couldn't study surrounded by people."

He took a look around and said, "Surrounded by people… the only people in here were you and me. Mr Martinez was in the study room, others were working. Then who did you mention? Do you see some ghost around here?"

"I'm leaving to my room. I've got a test to pass."

"Is this some kind of puberty?"

I made my way to my room since Big brother was teasing me. If I didn't have a test, I would have talked back to him but i couldn't since I got a test to concentrate.

In my room,

I lay on the bed and looked at the ceiling. It's tiring already. I got to pass this test somehow. You can do it! Bella! I cooped up all my strength and took the book and started studying.

After a while, I heard knocks on the door.

Rose came in and said that dinner is ready to be served and left.

When I looked at the time, it's 8. I couldn't believe that I studied for three hours straight. I placed the book on the table and came downstairs for dinner.

At the dinner table, Mr Martinez was eating his food. I walked to the table and sat in front of him.

After my food came, I started to dig in since I felt hungry from studying.

While I was eating, Rose asked, "Did you finish preparing for the test?"

"Yup! I had it all in here." Pointed at my head while saying it. "Um, did Big Brother leave?"

She gave a nod and said, "He said his daughter wasn't feeling well so he left early."

Yuyang's sick?

I stood up from the table to make a call to Big brother.

Mr Martinez asked, "Where are you going in the middle of the dinner? Finish your food and leave."

I let out a sigh and ate the food hurriedly and left the table.

I made a call to Big Brother and asked about Yuyang's health.

"She's got cold. I gave her the medicine, she's sleeping right now."

"Can I come see her tomorrow? It's been two weeks since I saw her."

"Yeah, you can come anytime. She's also asking about you."

"Okay. Will she go to school tomorrow?"

"Looking at her condition, I don't think she will. She will be in the house tomorrow. You can come see her after your classes are over."

"Okay, big brother."

"What about the preparation? Did you study well?"

"Yup! I bet I'm going to score the highest score."

"All the best. Where are you right now? Was Mr Martinez around you?"

"I'm in my room. What is it? Is it some secret?"

He let out a chuckle and said, "No, I just wanted to ask you something. I couldn't ask you in the house since Mr Martinez was around."

"What is it, big brother?"

"Where did you go this weekend with Mr Martinez?"

"This weekend?"

"Yes, Mr Martinez looked weird in the office yesterday and today."

"How weird was he?"

"He didn't seem like he was in his right mind. He acted absent -minded throughout the day. Even in the meetings, he couldn't concentrate properly."

"Was he mad or…"

"No, it doesn't look like he's mad. It's more like he was haunted by something… someone."

"Big brother!"

He let out a chuckle and asked me, "So, what happened between you two? Did you two get into a fight or something?"

"No, we didn't fight. But… he kissed me."

"Who kissed you?"

I heard Mr Martinez's voice in the room. I turned and took a look. Mr Martinez was standing near the door. How long was he standing there? Did he hear everything?

I whispered to Big brother who was on the call, "I'll call you later. Gotta go…"

While I was talking to Big brother, Mr Martinez walked towards me and grabbed the phone from me and asked, "Who's it?"

I grabbed the phone back from him and asked, "What are you doing? Why did you grab my phone like that?"

"I wanted to know who you were talking to."

"Why did you want to know about that? Why do you care with whom I'm speaking to? Who gave the rights to act like that? Is it because I'm staying in your house that I have to listen to whatever you're ordering me? I'm not a slave. Leave."

I pushed him out of the room and slammed the door against him.

Is he crazy? Why is he acting like that?

He knocked on the door. He's not going to leave, right?

I opened the door and asked, "What do you want?"

"I'm sorry."

"You're not going to leave til I accept it, right? Okay! I'll accept your apology. Now, please leave. I'm already having a headache here. Don't make it worse."

After he left, I closed the door. Why is he behaving like a crazy person? I know he likes me but is it the way to behave with their loved ones? I'm fed up with his possessiveness. I hate when he's being like this. Does he think I'm going to run away with someone or what? Why does he want to know what I am doing, with whom am I speaking with, where am I at?

Even if I started to like him a bit, he does something and makes me hate him. What is his problem?

On the next day in the college,

"How did you do your exam?" Tracy asked me while packing her notes back into her bag.

"Good."

"I heard that you got a new friend in the library. Who's it?"

"It's Jeremy. We met during the freshy contest."

"So…"

I pinched her ear and said, "He's just a friend."

She shrugged her shoulders while saying, "Just asking. Even if you want to court him eventually, I can help you." And winked at me.

"He's not my type."

"What's your type? Do you want me to set up with one of my friends from the sports club?"

"I'm not interested in relationships. It's so boring. You gotta stick to that one person all the time. You can't do anything on your own. We have to text them, call them, be with them. Blah… blah… blah… I don't want to be in that shitty hole."

"Let's see. The person who's speaking like this is the one who fell in love quickly and harder."

Jose wrapped his hands on Tracy's shoulder and asked, "What were you girls talking about without me?"

Tracy, "Nothing. The usual stuff. Where did you go?"

"Mr Davis asked me to take all the test papers to the teacher's office. By the way, Bella, are you free today?"

"Um… yeah?"

"I have something to talk to you about."

"What is it?"

Tracy asked, "Yeah, what is it?"

Jose said to Tracy, "It's a secret." And teased her.

What does he want to say, why is he keeping it away from Tracy? I wonder what he is going to ask me.

"Okay." I gave a thumbs up to Jose.

While we're talking, our class suddenly became silent. Did anyone come? It's our break, right?

When I looked in the front to see who it was. Harry.

Harry was talking to my classmates in front. One of them pointed their finger at me and he saw me. Harry walked towards me and greeted me in front of everyone.

While I was confused about his presence, Jose asked him, "Who are you?"

Harry greeted Jose and said, "I'm Harry Williams. I'm Bella's friend from high school. Can I take her with me if you don't mind?"

Tracy said, "You can ask her. If she wants to go, you can take her."

Harry looked at me and said, "Shall we go?"

"Wh-Where…"

Harry held my hand and made me stand up from my place.

Tracy, "Bella didn't…"

Jose stopped her and said to Harry, "Yeah, you can take her."

Harry turned to me and said, "Come on, let's go."

In the cafeteria,

"What do you like to eat?" Harry asked me while looking into the menu card.

"I don't feel like eating."

"Okay. I'll then order for me."

After he ordered the food, he asked me again, "What about the beverage? Do you want to drink something?"

I let out a sigh and said, "Pineapple."

"Okay."

While we're waiting, he asked me, "You don't look happy seeing me, do you?"

"It was weird seeing you in here suddenly. Do you really study here?"

He laughed and said, "Yes, of course! I'm studying here. Do you think I transferred to this college all of a sudden after seeing you in the freshy contest?"

"What did you say?"

"Just kidding. Ah! The drink is here. You always drank chocolate smoothies when you were in high school. Did your preference change?"

"I'm trying new things. If I still stick to the old one, I can't know the taste of other drinks, right?"

He nodded his head and said, "Right. But I bet chocolate smoothie was your favourite, right?" And made a smirk.

"Are we talking about the drink?"

"Yes, what were you thinking?"

"Nothing. You look happy. Did something good happen in college?"

"Yes, I met you. It's like I found the one which I lost in the past."

"I still stay with Mr Martinez."

His expression changed but he still had the smile on his face, "I didn't ask you. Well, Mr Martinez? Why are you calling him like that? Aren't you two close enough to call each other by their names?"

"I got used to calling him like that. We can't change suddenly when we get used to something, right?"

"Yes, you're right. Then, are you free this weekend?"

"Why?"

"I'm seeing you after years. I want to treat you to a good meal."

"It's fine. This drink is enough for me."

He gave a nod and continued eating his grilled sandwich.

After finishing the food,

"You don't have to come along. I can go to my class by myself."

"Not a problem for me."

We walked in silence for some time.

Harry asked, "Bella, do you still like him?"

"Yes."

Suddenly, Harry held my hand and asked, "What about me? Do you still have feelings for me?"

"Wh-What are you talking about? It's been years."

"I don't care about how many years have passed. I want an answer. Tell me, do you have feelings for me?"

"No, I don't. I just said that I like him. If I like him then how will I have feelings for you too? Are you nuts?"

He pinned me against the wall and said, "Bella, don't play with me."

I pushed him back and said, "I thought you changed but you're still like how you used to be."

When I tried to walk away, he grabbed my hand again. While I was struggling to take his hand off me, Gia came and separated him from me.

Gia asked him, "What are you doing here? Mr Johnson was looking for you in the class. Go to the class."

He gave a death stare at me and left.

After he left, I thanked Gia for what she did.

She asked me, "Do you know him?"

I gave a nod and stood silent.

"Okay. Go back to your class."

I started walking to my class. When I looked at my hand, I saw a bruise on my wrist which was caused by Harry. What am I going to do with you now? I have to find a way to hide you from Mr Martinez.