05

All of the students and professors gathered in the gymnasium, when the girls spotted Clydesdale and his buddies, who happened to be standing just next to them. As they "accidentally pushed" Alyssa towards Clydesdale, the girls turned their gaze and smiled with a malicious look on their faces.

"Woah, easy there. Are you all right?" Clydesdale inquires, his face concerned.

"I'm OK, thank you," she murmured nervously as she brushed her hair behind her ear.

With a smirk, he said, "Fortunately, I caught you in time."

"Bro, let's leave. The men found vacant seats," Jordan remarked, tapping his shoulder. "Oh, hey, I didn't see you girls we're here," he waved and smiled at them, looking flustered.

"Hey, Jordan," Alyssa said, "we just happened to run into you guys, I mean since we're all here."

He said, "We still have several vacant chairs where we were seated; come join us."

"Are you sure we'll be able to sit with you guys?" Alyssa inquires, her face concerned.

"They're offering us a seat," Camille murmured, nudging Alyssa's elbow. "Let's take their offer because we won't have seats left later."

"But, what if Clydesdale girlfriend is going to be there?" Alyssa said quietly.

"She won't be here because I won't allow her to be here," Angel abruptly added to the conversation as she murmured.

"Let's go, girls," Clydesdale said as he led the way, clearing his throat to grab their attention. "We don't want our seats to be stolen," he continued.

As they hurried after Clydesdale, the ladies immediately spread. Jordan, who was standing next to Alyssa, gently pulled her forward so that she could stand next to Clydesdale. Alyssa became agitated as she turned around and scowled at Jordan, who was staring in the opposite direction.

"Hey, was what you mentioned back when we were in the school garden true or was it just a myth?" Clydesdale said, his voice quiet.

"Yeah, that's how my parents met, even though they worked in separate departments; they still made time for each other until they had me at the age of 18, when things grew tense between them and dad got sick," Alyssa stated, regretfully.

"Oh, I'm very sorry about your father," he says, his eyes troubled. "But, he's okay, right?" he asks.

"He's been in the hospital for approximately two years, but I'm not sure when he'll be released because the doctors can't figure out what's causing his illness," she explained.

"Well, I hope he gets better soon and the doctors discover out what's wrong with him so he can be with you," he replied.

"I hope so," she groaned deeply as she glanced down. "But even if he improves, there's nothing I can do if my parents are separated and my mother is planning to remarry shortly."

"I'm not sure how to reply to that," he said, smiling awkwardly.

"You don't have to, but thanks for listening, I really appreciate it," Alyssa replied as she took a seat next to Camille and Jelyn.

Clydesdale also took his seat beside Jordan and the rest of his friends. The gymnasium went quiet when the principal tapped on the microphone to catch their attention.

"Thank you for coming, now, I have an announcement for the students, as you all know you've been re-sectioned once again and that you've all got your sections already. Your classes start tomorrow at 6:00 am. For the students and professors, I expect each and every one of you to attend the flag ceremony first thing in the morning. Everyone should have proper hair and make up, proper wearing of the school uniform and office wear. Everyone should show respect and manners because the university who gave donations to our school is coming," she announced. "You may return to your dorms and offices and go on with your work," she said, adding, "Thank you, and that's all."

Following the statement by the principal, all students and instructors exited the gymnasium. Alyssa and her friends were left behind to wait and avoiding the crowd exiting the gymnasium.

"Class resumes tomorrow, and we haven't had any class breaks in the last three weeks," Jelyn grumbled.

"It's like they're overworking us; I'm sick of being a student," Camille grumbled.

"Me too, and the worst thing is that we have to get up at 6:00 a.m. every day, which is much too early for a class," Elvira remarked with Camille.

"I know, everyone is still sleeping at that hour," Clydesdale says abruptly, causing everyone to jump out of their seats.

"Kamjagiya! Yah! Your still here?" Alyssa exclaimed, slapping Clydesdale on the shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm still here. I didn't want to join the crowd walking out because I didn't want my gorgeous and handsome face to get ruined," he joked to Alyssa.

"We get it, you're handsome. Good for you," Alyssa replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

As he taunted Alyssa, Clydesdale rubbed her head and grinned. "Don't be sarcastic like you didn't fell for this lovely face," he murmured.

"Ha-ha, very funny; I didn't fall for your good looks, but for your deep voice, fool," Alyssa sarcastically observed.

She was the first to get up and leave her seat, followed by the rest. Clydesdale followed her and took a position beside her, with Alyssa looking him in the eyes and her arms crossed.

She asks, without looking him in the eyes, "Shouldn't you be with your girlfriend right about now?"

He murmured, "Yes, I would've gone with her, but sometimes I need a break from her."

"Why are we whispering?" she inquires, adding, "it's not like she's still here."

"Just in case," he added anxiously, "because if she hears what I said, I'm screwed."

"You're frightened she'll murder you if she finds out," she added.

"You guys, have you seen Anne and Abegail?" Jelyn inquired as she came to a halt.

Jordan asks out of nowhere, "Who are Anne and Abegail?"

"Kamjagiya! Can you people quit popping up out of nowhere?" Alyssa said, breathing and exhaling to try to calm herself down.

Jordan apologized in a quiet voice, "Sorry about that, I was only asking."

Camille stated, "Anne and Abegail were our new housemates; they had just moved into our rooms an hour earlier."

"Were they with us when we got here?" Alyssa inquired, her face furrowed.

"I didn't notice if they were with us because I was right next to you when we arrived," Camille shrugged.

"Didn't anyone notice if they were with us?" Alyssa inquires, her face furrowed and her arms folded.

As they shrugged, everyone shook their heads and exchanged glances.

"Perhaps they walked out first before us," Camille speculates as she mulls.

"Perhaps," Alyssa muses, "but they don't know how to get back to their room."

"Hey, don't worry, we have student support on campus who can help them get back to the dorm," Jelyn said, grabbing Alyssa's shoulder.

"Yeah, you're right. Let's get moving," she said, smiling as they walked back to their rooms.