CHAPTER 5

There were still students staring at me. And I heard them murmuring. 

"What's with Marigold and Neil?"

"Geez, now I'm jealous."

"Neil notice that geek but not us? She's not even pretty, is she?"

Annoying. I don't have my headphone so I no longer have a shield from all their gossips. So I just went inside the classroom. All my classmates glared at me. 

"What's with you, freak? Why would Neil waste his time for you? You're not even worthy of his time. You're a freak, weirdo, geek. Look at yourself, you're ugly. You're not an inch of my nail!" Ella crossed her arms infront of her chest.

I just sighed. Calm down, Marigold. Just ignore them.

I was about to go to my seat but.. Ella stood up and blocked me.

"Don't ignore me, freak."

"I don't want a fight, Ella, please."

But she grinned. "But I love it. And we love it. Right, guys?" Then he turned to our classmates. Most of them agree. "Now, entertain us, geek." Ella was about to slap me, but...

"Wazzup people! Hey, hey yow!"

Neil arrived, along with two of his friends. And because of that, the women here, including Ella, well.. what would you expect? 

I just sat on my chair.

"Kyaaaa! The trio is here again!!"

"Kenneth, kyaaa!!!"

"Kit, notice me !!!!"

"Neil is still mine!!!"

Noisy. Too much noise. I really need to buy new headphone ASAP.

"SHUT UP!!" Neil shouted so everyone kept quiet. "The party is tomorrow. The girls will wear casual, as long as it's descent! Boys will wear formal. There will be ballroom dancing there. You can dance with anyone you wished to dance. And oh..."

My eyes widened when Neil looked at me with a smirk on his face. Geez. What's his problem?

"....everyone will be there. No excuses."

After that he looked at the whole class again. 

"Don't forget, tomorrow, 6 PM, Vernon Residence." Then he winked. I heard the girls giggled. 

"Gold!" I immediately turned my gaxe at him. I can see the girls inside the classroom glaring at me! What does this bully want? 

"Follow me."

After that, he left along with his two friends. Should I follow them? Nope. I would never-- wait. If I stay here, Ella will bully me again.

In the end, I followed them. But they are nowhere to be found. Now where are they? Why are they walking too fast? Now I'm lost! Where's the way back to the classrom? I just don't feel like strolling around the campus that's why I wasn't able to memorize the places here. Canteen, comfort room, classroom. Those are the only places I know. 

It took 30 minutes for me to go back to the classroom through my own effort. I don't want to ask other people. I don't want to. 

When I reached the classroom, I stood at the door and looked inside the classroom to check if the professor already came in. I sighed with relief when I didn't saw him inside. I looked at all my classmates one by one. They are all glaring at me. Unintentionally, I caught Neil's attention who's glaring at me as well with his arms crossed infront of his chest. I don't think it is a nice idea for me to come back here. 

"I guess I'll go to the comfort room," I whispered to myself as I turned my back on them. I was about to take a step when Neil called my name. 

"Hey, Gold!" 

Oh geez. What now? 

I faced him. 

"Why didn't you follow me earlier? Did you know that I waited there for minutes?" Anger is evident in the tone of his voice. I slowly backed away the moment he stood up and walked towards me. He formed a fist. I don't know but I'm shaking. He looks scary. Like anytime now, he could kill people. I still took steps backwards, and didn't notice that someone was behind me.

"WHAT THE--?!" The guy from behind pushed me, making me go to where Neil stood. "HEY FREAK! You knew that a lot of people pass by here, right??! So, WATCH OUT! OR I'LL BREAK YOUR FACE!!"

The guy was with another two guys. My eyes widened when Neil pushed me aside, and then he approached the man who pushed me. 

"You watch out. Don't try to hurt this woman.." Neil pointed me and then faced the guy again. "...or I'll BREAK YOUR FACE instead. Do you get it?"

Neil's pronunciation was harsh as if mixed with threats. The guy's companion whispered something to him. 

"Tsk!" Before they left, the guy glared at me.

I was still nervous, trembling. If it weren't for Neil, I would have been beaten up already. But why did Neil even saved me? Because of that, I am indebted to him. But I didn't ask him to save me, did I? 

"HEY, GOLD!!" 

Goodness gracious! Again with the depth of my thoughts. 

"What are you thinking?" He poked my forehead. "We still need to talk. JUST THE TWO OF US." He smirked. 

I looked around. I didn't even realize that everyone's been watching us the whole time. 

"HEY! Are you deaf?!" Neil looked irritated.

"N-no?" I replied. 

He hissed. 

"Come on!"

My eyes widened when he grabbed my hand and pulled me to somewhere. What are we going to talk about?