Season 3 Chapter 16

Julie: What are you doing here?! (She stands in front of her house while looking at me in disbelief)

Clara: Julie, where is your manner? (She frowns)

Julie: B-But….(she looks down feeling guilty) I am sorry…mom.

Clara: Come inside Anne, have some snacks before leaving. (She smiled)

Me: (I looked at Julie) Uhm….maybe next time. (I said before handing over those bags to Julie)

Clara: Ah…alright then. (She seemed disappointed as she takes the bags from Julie's hands and went inside)

Julie: Hey, let's talk. (She glares at me).

Me: hmm…(I nodded)

Julie : Thank you for helping my mom, but I hope you will maintain some distance from her, she is a soft person, she will get heartbroken hearing your cruel 'advices'. (She rolled her eyes) Listen Anne, I don't know why you are doing this to me, but I am not your punching bag. So please refrain yourself from hurting me using your awful way of speaking. I would be really grateful if you maintain some distance from me in the football club, so that I don't end up being an eyesore for you. Alright then, stay safe. (She says turning her back towards me, her hands trembled slightly but she looked more confident due to her anger)

Me: Julie…(I sighed) about today….

Clara: Ah…you are still here. (She walks out of the house with an ointment) I noticed that you are hurt. (She puts ointment on my cheek where Christina slapped me) be careful, alright? Don't ignore your injuries, or it may turn into infection.

Me: (I nodded slightly) Thank you ma'am.

Clara: You sure you don't want to come inside? (She asked worried)

Me: Yeah …I am sure. Anyways I am getting late. (I smiled faintly)

Clara: Alright then, take care. (She smiled patting my cheek) Julie, accompany your friend back to her home. (She instructed her before going inside)

Julie sighed and started walking along with me, there was long silence, we both hesitated and waited for the other person to speak up their mind.

Julie: Uhm…Anne…thank you for helping me out. I am sorry if I have hurt you with my words. (She looked away feeling guilty) This is the first time….I have spoken up to someone. (She bites her lower lip)

Me: How did it felt? (I asked out of curiosity)

Julie: Uhm…. Surprisingly….good?....(she blinked feeling confused) Never felt better….but there is guilt….and sadness….it's a mixed feeling filled with confusion…. Something I cannot explain with words. (She licked her lips before pressing her upper lip against her lip hard, various thoughts crossed her mind as she sighed trying to relax) just …. Confusing….(she murmured)

Me: I guess…that's a normal feeling. (I patted her head and gave a faint smile) Take care. (I kissed for forehead out of habit of kissing Angela's, then step back blinking my eyes getting embarrassed) S-Sorry…it was just out of habit….(I said before running away, I didn't wait there to check her expressions or how she will react, I was too ashamed of my actions, and felt like digging a hole on the earth and burying myself)

I opened the restaurant door, and walked in, Naomi was waiting for me, she brings a bowl of ramen and put it on the table, she was still pissed regarding the broken mirror, as she sat down folding her arms and tapping her legs, trying to control her annoyance.

Naomi: Come here and eat something. (She takes a deep breath)

Me: Hope there is no meat in it. (I enquired regarding it, I already vomited on my first day here, after Naomi served me meat unknowingly)

Naomi: There is none. (She sighed) just sit down young lady, we need to talk. (She speaks in a stern manner)

Me: (I trembled then blinked my eyes while sitting down) Well ….I am sorry….(I gulped my spit)

Naomi: As you should be. (She kept her arms on the table relaxing her posture) Young lady, that room is special to my heart. (Her expressions turned grim as she bites her lower lip) I would appreciate if you don't damage my precious property.

Me: I will try my best. (I looked down feeling ashamed of my behavior).

Naomi: I don't tolerate nuisance in my house, it would be better if you adapt to my rules faster, or else you can find a better place to stay. (She stands up) now finish your food and go back to your room.

Me: Yes, maam….(I said while picking up the chopsticks)

It was a long day, I took a cigarette in between my fingers and sighed while staring at the sky. Recently I have started realizing, maybe…just maybe my way of living is wrong?....nah…maybe not….what am I even thinking? I am Anne Elizabeth, how can I be wrong? This is happening because I am giving too much importance of Julie….yeah…I should maintain some distance from her, then everything will be solved….or will it?....

Instead of smoking, I threw away the cigarette and laid on my bed, closing my eyes, I started having a long dream. Julie stood there covered in blood, she kept on murmuring in a low voice while staring at me face, her eyes were filled with hatred. Christina stood behind me, her hands hugged me tightly stopping me from approaching Julie. 'I am disappointed on you….' I could hear Victoria's voice echoing in my ears. I opened my eyes panting and sweating, only to realize that I got my periods. I got up from my bed groaning, it felt wet and uncomfortable. It was still dark outside, and I have another hour for sleep. There was stain on my bedsheet, I sighed changing my bedsheet, then got into new clothes before laying down to sleep again, my mood felt like shit, and body weak with light cramps which felt so annoying and frustrating that I wanted to cut open my abdomen and put it up for sell.

Amalia: Anne….Anne…Miss Anne Elizabeth! (I snapped out of my day dreaming mode, as I looked up to notice our maths teacher standing in front of me with a mark sheet in her hand). Will you please come out of your dream work? Jeez first you ignore my class, and now you are ignoring me. (She said putting my mark sheet on my table while saying in a loud and clear voice) Congratulations on getting a zero in the surprise test. (Everyone started laughing at me, while Victoria looked away feeling embarrassed) Miss Victoria, I would suggest you to sit beside someone who is intellectually and discipline wise at per with you, instead of an eyesore. Congratulations on securing 80%, though I expect 90% from you. (She said while smiling at Victoria)

Victoria: thank you ma'am . (She said while smiling)

Since morning I was already feeling fucked up due to my menstruation, now this. Dr. Amalia, a native woman with a PhD in Mathematics, tall, short curly hair, stylish, fair skin, confident and prideful. She takes great pride in her achievements, and hates two types of students, one who ignores are classes, and second who are over smart and questions her teachings. Unfortunately, I have both of those qualities.

Amalia: Because, many of you failed to secure good score in this surprise test. Next week I will take another test. Hopefully you would be prepared for that. (She said while staring at me) Anyways, the class ends for today, let's meet tomorrow. (She said before walking out).

To be continued...