Early morning tea

Chapter 16 : Early morning tea

(Charlotte's POV)

'Sophie, what if I get caught? I'm the one who's gonna suffer the consequences while you'll be in London.' I whispered. How the bloody hell did I end up standing outside my home? And not just outside. The backalley between my house and Levi's.

Earlier when I ended the "conversation" with Levi, frustration and anger grew in me and I took it out on my pillows. The aftermath is as you suspect. Feathers were scattered round my bed and on the floor.

My phone rings and I answer without checking the caller ID. 'What!'

'Dude, chill. What's up?' It was Sophia.

I whined sadly. 'Sophie'

Like the "good" friend I was, I narrated my encounter with Levi at the mall and the window. And as expected, Sophia got pissed. It was her right.

'He's an arse.' Sophia scoffs.

'I know, right?' I roll my eyes.

Sophia leans closer to her camera. 'We're gonna deal with him. He will pay.'

Looking up to Levi's window, I look at my phone. 'How is me standing outside in the cold going to make him pay?'

'Vandalism.' Sophia replied.

'Vanda what?' I couldn't believe my ears. 'I am now resulting to violence? What am I gonna do? Climb into his room and hit him with a stick? Although, I've always wanted to do that.'

Sophia snaps her finger. 'Focus. We're not being extreme, girl. What is anime doing to you?'

I shrug carelessly.

She continues. 'Do you see a rock or a big stone around you?'

My eyes fell on the brown rock next to my slippers. 'Yep.'

Sophia went on. 'Just take a deep breath and remember what shoplifter did. Playing you when he already has a girlfriend.'

'That asshole.' I pick up the rock.

'Damn straight he is. Now, imagine him as that window and throw the rock.' Sophia says.

I snap out of my rebel mode. 'Wait. Throw the rock? What if he's awake and it hits him? What if he gets hurt? What if he sees me?'

Wait. Am I one asking these questions? Why the bloody hell am I worried about that handsome asshole?

'It won't. You've barely good aim.' Sophia roll her eyes.

I frown. 'Are you here to help or add insult to injury?'

'I apologize. Just throw the rock. He won't know it's you. You said he watched you leave the window. He probably thinks you're asleep and is asleep too. Throw the rock and no one would suspect you. The Wrights will probably think its those New Yorkers that love to screw things up.' she explained. Now I'm weirdly calm.

'Okay.' I sucked in a good amount of air and exhale softly. Clutching the rock in my right arm, the pain sucked but I was a better aim with my right.

'Here's to my phone and violating my lips.' I almost yelled. Fret not. No one heard me. I hope.

I did it. I threw the rock at Levi's window. There's a loud crash. It had been broken.

'Whoop. That must feel good.' Sophia laughs.

'Yep.' I begin to sneak back into the house.

Sophia smirked mischievously. 'You did good, darling. Time will mend your broken heart but not that asshole's window.'

* * * * *

Wednesday,

7 : 20 am

I step out of dad's car. Suddenly, they're whispers. I knew I was the subject of discussion.

'Something dramatic always happen the moment I walk into this school.' A blonde whispered to her friend.

'Isn't that the new girl?'

'She isn't wearing her blazer. Mr Langley will have her head.'

'He will do no such thing. Don't you see her father? He look like someone whose kid can be threatened? That car is a BMW 8 series."

'I will kill for that car.'

'Holy shit. That car costs well over $100,000.'

'Damn. Grace was right. She's really loaded.'

Of course, Grace. I totally forgot about her. On Monday, during the Hide and Seek games, she got hurt. I never asked after her. I'm such a horrible person. Hold up. I just resume here Monday. I barely know her.

'Queen.' Dad calls my attention.

I turn to him with a slight smile on my face.

'You'll do good today. I believe in you.' he extends his hand and I reach into the car to take it with my left.

'Thanks, dad.' I smile genuinely this time. His affection never ceases to warm my heart.

I pulled away and watches his car drive off till I could no longer see it. I turn to the school taking in it's image for the first time. I was absent in school yesterday and I'd already forgotten what it looked like. The luxurious school environment exuded a foreign eleganceand grandeur. The school building is an architectural masterpiece. I gotta hand it to whoever designed it. They did an excellent job.

I walked through the open gates admiring the school structure. The corridors were spacious. The high ceilings had intricate detailing. Even the entrance hall was adorned with marble floors, a sparkling chandelier, and ornate art pieces. Cool.

State-of-the-art technology is integrated throughout the school. There's even a free WiFi and don't get me started on the high-speed internet connectivity. It was crazy. My phone is loving it here.

I walk to 3C. I'm the only one here. Where's everyone? Still on their way? I'm an early bird. I look at the classroom. Did it change the last time I was here or was it because I didn't pay much attention to it last time? The decor is tastefully arranged with rich colors. What's with the luxury over a classroom? I complain while rolling my eyes but the adornment really enhanced the overall aesthetic of the place. It's an amazing place to take pictures. Shit. Speaking of pictures, I forgot to send Levi's picture to Sophia. I look at the time. It must be around midnight over there. Nonetheless, I still send it. I get an instant reply. She's still awake. Now there's a video call and I answer it.

'Holy fuckball. You didn't tell me your Levi was that hot. Jesus Christ, it's just a side view picture. Just imagine how hot he would look up close.' Sophia screamed. I see she has repainted her room. It's purple now.

I roll my eyes. 'He's not my Levi and he's not that hot.'

'You. Are. A. Bloody. Liar.' she enunciated every word.

I sigh. 'He's hot.'

'I knew it. And he says you belong to him. Charlotte, forget about what we did yesterday. You can't lose this big fish. Belong to him.' Sophia walks to her mini fridge and reveals a box of left over pizza.

'Belong to him? He has a girlfriend.' I nearly fumed at the truth but what do I care? I smashed his window and got closure. Period.

'That Lin. I think I who she is.' Sophia holds her iPad to the screen.

'I don't understand. What am I looking at?' I'm confused here.

'Look at the picture.' she whines.

I peer at the image. Its the movie poster of The Crown's Retinue - a bestselling novel by acclaimed author, Adira Hikari, adapted into a movie. It was and still is the top grossing movie. It is also one of my favourite fantasy series. Wait. I see Lin. No wonder she looked so familiar. She played the role of Diana, the female lead's best friend. So Lin's a real celebrity. No wonder Levi's dating her.

'She's a celebrity. That asshole probably thinks he's lucky.' Sophia rolls her eyes and keeps the iPad aside. The asshole in this context is Levi.

I yawn and rest my head on my desk.

'Wait. Are you in school?' asked Sophia.

'Yeah.' I reply drily.

Now, students are trooping into the classroom in their cliques.

'Show me.' she is excited.

'Hold on.' I connect my airpod and put them on. Then I turn the back camera and move it round the classroom.

I can tell Sophia is lost in awe. 'Jesus. This place screams of luxury. Even the walls are adorned with imported tapestries, Charlotte.'

I sigh. 'I know.'

'Lemme see the floor.' I put my phone down.

Sophia gasps. 'Fuck. The flooring is polished marble. Its literally gleaming.'

'Yeah.' I yawn again. Strangely, I feel sleepy all of a sudden.

Sophia scoffs. 'Stop yawning and show me your seat.'

I stood up and direct my phone to the seat I just stood from.

Another gasps escape Sophia's lips and now, I regret wearing my air pod. Every gasp is vivid in my effing ears. 'Plush rugs adorn the student's seating areas? Just imagine the insane comfort and prestige the seat provides the moment you put your butt on it. hmm.'

I laugh softly and turn the front camera.

Sophia went on. 'The lighting in your classroom is soft and diffused. The furniture is of the highest quality, the rugs are made of imported silk. I am positive that the room may also have soundproofing to eliminate distractions. You don't see that in our school in London. You're pretty lucky, Char. Why didn't you take me with you?'

I wish she was here with me and I know she does too. 'The tuition isn't costly for nothing and in here, I'd have to study my ass off. This school will suit you more than me.'

Sophia laughs. 'Now, you're just being nice.'

More students are entering and I feel nervous. The sleepiness is gone. Great.

'I'll leave you to study and don't forget to take another picture of Levi.' Sophia begins to eat her pizza.

'What? No way.' I vehemently disagree.

'Please. You can ask someone else to take the picture when he's not looking.' she keeps pleading.

I whisper. 'Dude, I don't know anyone in my class.'

'Dude, make friends. Its the 4th week of school.' Sophia says it like making friends or even talking to people is such an easy thing.

I roll my eyes. God. No.

'Take the photo or I'll never speak to you again and we both know that you can't live without me.' she threatened me. Playing with my emotions are we now.

'Fine.' I give in.

'Yay. I expect more than 7 photos. See ya.' The call is disconnected.

I slowly remove my air pod and rest my head on my desk. I. Am. So. Screwed. I didn't realise when someone sat next to me.

'Oi. English.' Its a girl. It's Gracie?

I sit up immediately. 'Gracie.'

'Missed me, didn't you?' she smiled.

'Well, yeah. I was worried.' Liar. You just remembered her just this morning. I tell myself.

'Aww. I'm touched.' she placed her right hand over her chest.

She looks totally fine like she was never beaten. There were no bandages on her head and arms but there was a stitch on one side of her forehead. Her bangs covered it but I could see it. I'm sure there are other hidden scars on her body, however, it didn't stop her from wearing her complete uniform. And here I was, not wearing blazer because of a little wound on my arm. Don't worry. No one can see the bandage on my right arm. It's hidden beneath my long sleeved white shirt.

Everyone whoops and we both look ahead. It seemed like someone just walked in but who.

Grace stands to her feet and laughs. 'Our very own Levi is carrying a girl's bag?'

Levi is here? Shit. And who's the girl? Curiosity burned within me and I couldn't help but stand from my seat to check them out. The students crowding in the middle aisle make way for the "so called couple." The couple are Levi and Lin.

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