It was later that day I discovered that Damien was actually my neighbor. He lives directly opposite my house and I watched him all day through the window. It's the first time in a decade that I actually felt alive. I had a feeling and to me that's an achievement. My first day in mcade high, though marked as the beginning of my problem, isn't really is. I had mixed feelings and they remained mixed because Jude Kam was on a business trip and I was all alone at home. I escaped his defilement for that day and that pleased my soul, then the stunning but arrogant class president ends up becoming my neighbor. I was pleased that I'd be able to watch him, anytime I like (stupid, haha) and also scared that I won't be comfortable once he finds out. One more thing changed about Paige. I wrote in my diary. I miraculously had the guts and I made it an habit.
About Damien, I was sure of one thing: we might never cross each other's path again. I've never had issues with class leaders. I might never. * I wasn't so nervous and I didn't stand at that goddamn pavement. I had my student id hung around my neck and I was ready for the worse. On a second day at a new environment, I had much more hope. 'It's a peaceful school' I told myself all morning. It's really peaceful. I was overdressed, aside the long sleeve shirt and short pleated skirts we wore as uniforms. I wore a thick black pop socks and a black tunic draped over my shoulders. I purposely wanted to look different. Besides, it's freezing marching and I can't stand the cold. I wasn't optimistic, I just knew my blank brain would have something else to hold on to. At least.The Class began with English studies. I barely heard what she was saying—even her name. Sometimes I wonder if I'm 'attention deficit' or just stupid, or a little bit of both. It really was an interactive class. I wasn't listening, cause I wasnt interested in reviewing some dumb literature book with them. I just sat there my head buried in a textbook I wasn't even reading.I was shocked when the teacher stopped at my seat and said some things I didn't hear. I don't have hearing problems but my mind wasn't in that school, talk less that class. "Pardon?"I raised my eyebrow, screaming at my unlucky self within."I asked a question."The teacher said. "What was Jem's reaction to Dill's challenge? And what to do think about Jem's opinion of honor?" I had no idea. I noticed they were reading a literature book and she has just asked me a question from it. She must have thought I was following. I'm not really smart but in times like this I always have something to say. At least to save my face from the arrogant class president who would have to take me to detention a second time. I had to say something, anything. "Jem…ehm…"I adjusted my glasses. "Jem didn't like to be challenged. His opinion of honor is quite awkward." The teacher had a i-don't-think-that look on her face. I couldn't have caref less. I was glad when she walked past my seat without saying a word.I was already looking forward to break time.*When bell was rung, everyone rushed to the cafeteria. I chose a seat at the far end of the hall, placed the food made by dad on the table. A book in hand, barely eating but reading. I'm one of those people that became a book lover by force. I find my peace in the books I read. The fictional world is better than my real life anyway. Besides, it would help me hide a bit of my loneliness and sadness.After a while, two guys joined my table. At that moment, I wished I had magical powers, maybe I'd have disappeared. It's Damien and one other guys I do not know. Did I say guy? He looked more like a man. Gosh! How old are these dudes?! Damien's hair was packed in a dough. I wished I could explain why that's the first thing I check whenever I see him. On first thought, I wanted to ask them to leave the table but when I checked around, I saw the others were full.Paige and bad luck!"Look, our new fairy princess reading a fairy tale book." The other guy said, snapping me out of my tangled thoughts. The two guys laughed."Tell me, how's our school? I hear you're from an international School." Damein asked gulping down a bottle go fruit juice. Paige was staring at his throat. For heaven's sake! So dumb."It's good."The other guy was glaring at me. They're both arrogant, I could tell from their looks and the other guy had his school tie tied around his head. Who does that?!" Shit! " He dragged the book off my hand. I didn't expect that so I was rather numb."Hey, easy on her okay?" Damien warned. He took the book from the old brat and dropped as t on the table. "She just joined us yesterday. Paige, meet Liam. The god of our class."Liam had a proud smile on and I didn't know exactly how to react. Did he just say God?Little wonder."Okay. " I picked up my book but Liam took it away as soon as I was about to open it."This is a cafeteria, not a library!"I frowned, he smiled and Damien was dumb. I had no choice than to eat." Damien is my very good friend. He's just so dumb sometimes. " I wondered why he was blurting out those stuff. " Since I've gotten to meet you today, then I'll reveal today."He dropped his spoon noisily, startling the both of us." I have something I'd like to show you Paige." He stylishly withdrew his phone from his pocket. " Mister President, you can have a look too. " He was grinning like a … I won't insult him yet. But this Liam guy annoys me.He opened his phone gallery, my next sight, shook my world. I gasped along in shock, almost choking on my food. It has the picture of myself and Damien, that awkward position in the principal's reception. How the hell?!"You weren't in school yesterday. How…" Mr President was perplexed also.Liam laughed. " How sweet?"PAIGE! You're toast!"Hei, hey! What's your plan huh?" Damien banged his fist on the table in fury? All eyes fell on us. I felt like I was going to shrink away that moment."Calm down bro. You have a reputation to protect." Liam jeered. "I know you Damien. You are not the girl type. So why the newbie huh? Our almighty top student suddenly got a heart huh? "Damien's pointed nose turned bright red. His fist clenched, he was seething."It's not what you are thinking. She fell. That's it."I knew he wasn't the type to explain himself. That was visible enough, from the way he acted. "She tripped over a...""Over a knife? Hahaha!"Liam laughed. I was dumb, nothing to say. I knew deep down that was no explanation that could convince liam. I attempted to leave but he stopped me just in time. His tough hand harshly dragged my arm, hurting my tender skin."What?! Ah!"I gasped."You can't leave now. I'm not done talking." he yelled. "You go around poking at guys on your first day. Who the he
"Here's an individual project for your first assessment test this term. Prepare a presentation about your family. This is not a nursery class so be creative. You've been art students for three years not, represent the idea of what your family is artistically. Then there'll be a live presentation here by third week." Teacher Nam said after her long and breathe taking lecture about the roman art and how it originated. So boring. "You have enough time. There will be no excuse that I will accept. Good day class." She walked out like a programmed semi human robot. It's barely a week in a new term and she's already giving project. I could not take my eyes off the class President thorought the class. He was way too normal like nothing ever happened. Or maybe he really didn't care. That broke my heart. I felt alone. I made a lame deal with Liam, that wretch. "Fairy baby!"His hand was on my head. I cursed beneath my breath. This school, why would so much calamity be
My life went back to normal when my dad returned. I became cold and retractive as I've always been. I was back to my own darkness, all I could do was embrace it. No one, not even Liam's troubles could take me away from it. The first two days I spent in Mcade was just a manifestation of my fantasies and to my sacred memory, it's like it never happened. The life I live with my dad is enough to rub off any memory.It was third week already and I only remember I had an assignment from the semi robot teacher when I stepped into the class. There was artworks everywhere, like the whole world remembered except me. Even Liam, he had his. I was taunted by own self, oppressed by the wonderful sight of unimaginable artistic representations of the damn word "family" The title alone was enough discouragement for me. What "family" do I have?I watched everyone talk about their art and how it related to their family structure or whatever. There were paintings, pen art, embroidery, carved imag
I sat at the large window, the best spot in my room, in solemn silence. I sat there hoping I could watch Damien like I used to. He strolls around the estate with an elderly man, his dad possibly, every evening. I've seen him once with a boy on a wheel chair, maybe his brother. I believed he hasn't noticed that I lived opposite his house. He wasn't out today and I felt more empty as minutes passed.A light flicked from the window opposite the street. With the help of the streetlights I could see clearly who it was -- Damien. My heart melted , though I wondered how long he had known, how long he'd also watched me. Gosh, I am imagining things.He waved at me and I waved back. He had a blue polo on and his hair was packed up in a dough."How are you doing now?"He wrote on his window. I just nodded. He smiled and wiped it off."Where did you go?"I did not return to class and I know he must have searched the whole school for me. I wonder if that's really the work of a class mo
I hide beneath a stair case. It was very low so I was not noticeable. The whole school was in chaos and I could hear threats from students who were searching for me. I also heard Liam had been transferred to the hospital. I felt like I needed to die. I deserved it this time. I could not cry, could not think. I just focused on the darkness that enveloped me beneath the stair case. Darkness-- that's where I belong.After some time, I saw a figure join me in the darkness where I sat. I was shocked that I've been found and I froze in place. To my surprise, the person only couched beside me. I could tell from his smell who it was. Damien."Enough of the hide and seek Miss Kam. Your uncle is at Principal Dane's office."Ideas or rather questions rushed through my head. I wished I could see his face. He would hate me forever for what I have just done. That was heartbreaking enough.I was also curious that he found me. Was he watching me? Oh my… I'm a mess. I felt like plu
"Master Kam, The new robot has caused problems in the Macrigo branch." Jude's manager said. He had taken the first flight to Albany to report the strange incidents in the company's branch that he headed. Jude came up with an invention that could change the workd forever. A robot that sends electromagnetic waves as nervous response to the human brain. It has the ability to control anything. (Anything it's programmed to control). Jude had kept it in his youngest branch to hide it from prospective creativity hackers and also to test run it. Since the robot was installed in that branch, it had brought more customers and more sales for them (he programmed "attraction of clients and dealers in it"). It has worked for three months, boosting his sales five times the usual each month, until reports of insanity came in." Currently, five of our employees have gone nuts. They behave out of this world, some even cut themselves for no peculiar reason. The Secretary now has schizoprenia.
"What was that about huh?" Miss Roona questioned when she finally had the chance to. "What was that story about?" "Anything, Miss Roona."Riley giggled. "Teach', it was just a game, you won't punish us for that." "Of course I won't. It better not be what I'm thinking..." A guy with a bottle jumped into the circle. "Woohoo! It's time for the bottle game!"Everyone jeered. I saw miss Roona stand up to leave. "I'll leave you guys to do that." "C'mon teach', you should stay."Damien countered. "I'm not a teenager. I'll go join the other guy teachers. You guys have fun!" She left. The noise died down and soon the bottle was spinning. At first it started with truths being revealed. I was glad it didn't get to me. A girl confessed her crush on her class president. Another confessed that he still peed in his bed sometimes. It as hilarious but no so hot until the dares started. Truth and dare games always go this way and sinc
"I don't have a good feeling bout this Paige. But..."Jude kam said as he parked his white SUV at the lot. I tried all I could to convince him to let me. I even threatened him tgat Id kill myself. I surprised myself though, because I wasn't the type that would want to live outside my home but the school project, though seemingly hopeless to achieve, I wanted to attempt no matter what. It's one of my resolutions anyway. Though I had no idea how to make our team work."Dad, I thought we have settled that already.""Remember my rules. Do not make silly associations, don't try to make your own show of "living", don't...""I know them all kam!" I shrieked.I walked out of the car, fetch my box from the boot and drove into the school. The others were already at the bus, as soon I joined in, it took off. I took a last glance at my dad's car, I would be away from him for five weeks. My biggest dream coming true. Maybe this school isn't bad afterall. I felt like i'd be hap