It has been over two weeks, and few things have happened. Grace was beginning to recover from her mental state, as she was operated on again.
Her whole family relocated outside the States, to give Grace a new beginning. To them, once Grace completely recovers, they will do everything within their power to make her life the best life possible.
****
Rachael stared at her reflection in the mirror and for some seconds, she felt like she might end up making a bad decision. Grace has been like a second role model to her, apart from her mum being the first. She learned a lot from her, as she was one in a million.
She could not help but wonder why the good ones end up making the bad decision. She was not trying to mock Grace in any way, but somehow she felt shallow. She had a feeling, she might end up making a bad decision. 'I just have to be careful, she told herself
Her phone beeped as she picked it up to read the message Joy sent to her. A smile curled up to her lips, as she realized that the last but not the least person in their friendship group will arrive back to school today.
Andrew was the 5th on the list. Andrew happened to be just like Grace except that he was a boy who sees things in a more realistic sense, more like out of the experience. While Rachael, Joy, and Kevin have been friends since childhood, Grace and Andrew joined their best friend group while in their early years at high school.
Rachael quickly put on a black denim skirt that reached her knee and a white top with a black set of sneakers to match. She made her blonde hair into a bun, which was not that easy as her blonde hair was very long, almost reaching her waist.
Getting downstairs, she greeted her mother who has placed her breakfast on the dining table. She quickly gulped down her milk, munching the sandwich alongside which find its way down her throat. Not quite long, she began to cough, as she has choked on her food.
Her mother quickly rushed to her and stood behind her, placing her arms around her waist and bending her forward. Rachael felt a sigh of relief as she began to breathe well.
Her mother furrowed her brows and wanted to snap common sense into her 17-year-old daughter.
"Mummy, I am sorry. I will try to eat gently okay," she tried to beg her mum who kept looking at her with a complicated look.
" You should be careful and not eat like someone that has not been fed in weeks. I believe they have taught you table manners and etiquettes while in school"
Rachael's mouth dropped as she realized her mum must have been very worried about her. She was a single mother in her early 40's who got divorced by a man who claimed to love her.
Rachael's mother, Mrs. Eva Harlowe was previously known as Mrs. Eva Jenkins divorced Rachael's dad when she discovered his promiscuous activities to the extent of having a family outside. Rachael's dad accepted the divorce and has left them ever since then, leaving the house to them, as the only thing for their daughter.
"Mrs. Eva, don't get mad at me. I am guilty, I accept that. I do not want to keep Joy waiting since she will pick me up today," Rachael turned on her last card ready to make her mum less worried and angry.
" It is okay, eat your food. You need it for growth and energy," she replied, giving her a warm smile as she looked at her beautiful daughter, constant thoughts running through her mind.
Rachael gently finishes eating her food, not wanting to provoke her mum. She took her backpack as she made her way outside, her mum behind her.
As she got outside, she halted as she groaned realizing she has forgotten something important. She turned to face her mum as she folded her fist, thinking of the stress of going upstairs to pick her History assignments.
"You forgot something?" her mum asked as she nodded.
" My History Assignment. I forgot it on my study table," Rachael answered
"Do not worry, I will get it for you," her mum said sweetly as she went inside.
Rachael decided to sit on the chair outside as she awaits her mum's arrival. She started pressing her phone as she looked through her F******k posts.
" Hello, beautiful",
Rachael almost froze, realizing the voice of the person. She raised her head as it came in contact with dark brown eyes twinkling with mischief, as he looks rather manly in a blue hoodie and blue jeans with black sneakers to match.
'What is he doing here?' she thought, a flash of Joy seeing them together came to her mind. She doesn't want to see her best friend jealous.
"Zack", she pursed her lips unable to say another word.
He smiled and winked at her, as her face blushed. The feelings she thought she had buried came back to life.
'Stop this Rachael', she cautioned herself as she kept a straight face.
" What brings you here?", she started staring back at her phone.
"Haha, is that the right way to treat your neighbor?", Zack moved closer as he stoops down to gaze at Rachael whose heartbeat has become rather plummeted as she avoids looking at the attractive figure in front of her.
" I am here to take you to school in my car," he said, as Rachael rolled her eyes, trying to reduce the tension in her mind.
"No thanks, my friend is picking me up," she deadpanned as she stood up.
Zack picked a little grass, as he stood up becoming a little bit offended by the rejection. For the time he has been a player, he has never been rejected by girls he turned to as they tend to fall for him easily.
His well-built body exposed his tanned body, his tall height adding to his features. His light skin with soft pink lips looks irresistible, his pointed nose as well as his well-carved face.
" Zack, you are back," they both tilted their heads to see Mrs. Eva out of the house.
"Good morning Mrs. Eva. Yes, I came back yesterday. Hope you are doing great, "Zack spoke, exposing his snow-white teeth.
Rachael wished she never knew the personality in front of him as it has brought her nothing but distractions and nightmares.
"I am doing fine. Thank you," she responded as she gave Rachael her history assignment.
" Ma'am, I was thinking of driving Rachael to school but she does not seem to accept my offer. She is not nice to me," Zack put on his drama look as he said those words of his, which appeared to be sincere from Mrs. Eva's point of view.
'Can't he just leave me alone?'Rachael could not help but groan inwardly.
'And why is Joy late today, argh', she screamed inwardly
Rachael quickly stepped forward glaring at Zack turning to face her mum.
"Mummy, Joy is coming to pick me up with her driver. Zack can go to school. I will just wait for Joy," Rachael tries to sound gentle, as she seems angry at Zack's determination.
" Go with Zack now, will you? I will tell Joy you left. Be polite to him too and try to catch up with him. We are neighbors, remember?"Mrs. Eva cautioned her daughter.
Rachael breathes in andto get rid of Zack, afraid Joy might miss interpreting the relationship between them.
"Okay, mum. Goodbye, see ya later," she smiled and hugged her mum as she walked past Zack, who smiled as if he had won a lottery.
" Thank you, Mrs.. Eva. See you later," Zack stated as he followed Rachael who had crossed to the other side where his car was.
He pressed on his car key button as the car doors unlocked. Before he could help Rachael to open the door as a gentleman should do, she has already jumped into the car. Not because she views the car as fancy but because she wanted to avoid any kind of close contact with him.
Zack smirked, different thoughts running through his mind.
'One step at a time. It is only a matter of time before my plan brings a positive result', he thought as he got into the car.
Rachael could have felt comfortable if she was in Joy's car or that of Kevin, but she could not think straight, being in the car of the boy she was and still is attracted to.The SUV car of Zack has this familiar scent that she has become accustomed to, a strawberry smell. The drive was rather a silent one and Rachael was less tensed up as she looked outside the car window, different thoughts running through her mind.'Crushes, infatuations, and attractions are part of those distractions in a teenagers life', her mum will always tell her'And that is why it should be properly controlled', she would always conclude.It was easier said than done as she is attracted to Zack's physical features, and her best friend Joy also seems interested in him. The big bang is Kevin whom she has not developed any kind of feelings for aside from their friendship tag.If Kevin figures out her big secrets, he would probably break up their friendship with
Rachael touched her hair slightly, a habit she does when she does not know how to respond to a particular situation. She never thought Joy would ask."Hello, reasonable ladies," They both turned to face the direction where the voice was coming from as their mouths opened in awe. " Andrew, "Joy almost screamed as she went to hold one of his hands. "We miss you," Rachael added as Andrew smiled"Why do you have to call us reasonable ladies and not beautiful ladies," Joy complained, slapping Andrew's face playfully as they all went to the cafeteria.Rachael could only thank Andrew for coming to her rescue. If she had to mention that Zack brought him to school, then Joy might not be happy about it. Not only that, she might ask personal questions. For so
Andrew took permission to go to the restroom as others concurred. He walked out of the cafeteria and headed to the restroom. One could easily think he wanted to use the restroom for nature calls but that is not all, as he has a lot on his head. Andrew looked through the cubicle where toilet seats are but no one was there. He went over to the sink as he looked at the mirror. Andrew Carter was handsome with his feminine facial and physical features. His eyebrows are thick and curvier than most females. His pink lips are soft like jelly, and most importantly he likes to dress professionally. Shirt, trousers, a tie with a set of shoes and socks however fitted him perfectly as most girls feel comfortable around him because he respects them. He was nicknamed Girls Specialty, Professor, The Best Mentor because of the ways he respects girls and their thoughts as well as the way he dresses
Rachael's face turned grim as she looked at the two girls fighting. The other students were not helping as they kept chanting 'Fight, Fight, Fight'. "I cannot believe they are fighting because of Zack, quite incredible," a girl near Rachael said as the others giggled. " They are quite stupid competing for Zack love," another person commented as they looked at the fight scene Rachael whipped her head only to see Zack sitting, a smirk on his lips looking at the two sisters' fight. To him, it was fun playing both of them, and it was so easy. Like a speed of lightning, Rachael rolled her hands into fists. She walked closer to the two sisters who were holding each other's arms trying to wrestle each other. She stood in between them holding both their hairs, pulling more strands of hair. They both groaned in pain, as R
Everyone knows the consequences of being around someone you are attracted to, especially as a teenager. The feelings keep knocking, wanting to burst out. You feel strong willpower wanting to make you fall at the person's body. 'Just confess to him. Just confess to her', those voices keep coming in. You feel goosebumps, your voice on a red button when near that person. That feeling feels like a trap when you are around that person. That was exactly the situation Rachael was in as she was near Zack, whose hand gripped hers. He was not ready to let her go sooner. Rachael fell into a daze, her heart thumping as she stared at that intimidating brown eyes of his, with his pink lips looking more pinkish. It was crazy how her mind ran wild even though she had said a few bad words to him in front of the whole class. "Will you let go of my hand Zack?" Rachael questioned, turning her head to face Zack.
Joy walked out angrily, trying to get free from Rachael. Rachael keeps telling her that she should not have slapped Maya, as that resulted in her getting into detention. "Hey wait up," Rachael called out as Joy walked toward her locker. Rachael hastened her footsteps as she caught up with Joy. "Okay, I am sorry. I was just guilty because you got into detention for trying to defend me," Rachael begged. Joy heaves a sigh. To her, Rachael was one of the most important people in her life. She looked at her pitiful self, as she began to calm down. She cannot stay mad at her forever. "Do not look at me with those eyes of yours. Next time, avoid taking the blame on yourself," Joy pouted her lips as Rachael smiled. "You almost gave me a heart attack when you slapped Maya. You should have scared her with words, not slap," Rachael stated as she opened her locker
The cafeteria is more like a silent and loud place. While some students stick to table manners and eat their food quietly, others find it difficult to do so. It was break time, after all, a time free of work, and the boring lessons, as well as the interesting ones. Rachael watched as her friends talked about their weekends, a feeling of deja vu based solely on her imaginations. Even though Zack has never made any move since their previous confrontation, Rachael has the gut feeling that Zack is planning up something. Ever since Zack mentioned that he was interested in Joy, she has always been around her friend, especially while they are at school. The thought of Zack finally getting to date Joy has crossed her mind, but she was quick to brush it off. Maybe she was being paranoid, but she could never allow Zack to do something that might disrupt her
Rachael no doubt feels more confident with finding out about who Emma is. Apart from being observant, which was one of her beautiful qualities, she somehow felt the urge to know who she was. She noticed how gracious she was since the beginning of their 12th grade, but her facial expressions show the opposite of what she was. She never wanted to tell anyone about her observations, since there was not enough evidence to back up her thoughts. She was the type that always acts on her gut feelings. Most of the time, these feelings are true. One could think Rachael was the type that was nosy or headstrong, but that was just her personality. She noticed something about Emma and feel she should be investigated. If found guilty, she is not to be mocked, but to be corrected and helped. For some reason, Rachael felt she needed help. - AFTER SCHOOL HOUR