Chapter - 6 Proposal

Autumn was on sick leave for almost three days and in those three days she ignored every text and call from Roy. She liked him but she wanted him to realise that this time he was in the wrong.

Christy didn't came to visit Autumn even once because she was jealous of Autumn and angry at her for being with Roy but at the end of the day she needed Autumn for her good image and grades.... Not the other way around.

Autumn was hurt and sad to know that not even once Christy came to visit her... She wanted to be an understanding friend and didn't wanted to disturb her but her anxiousness overtook her mind.

'Why isn't she here to visit me? She didn't even text or call me... Am I that insignificant to her that she didn't even think it is necessary to at least text me?.... She only ever come to me when she want to ask for my help or when she gave me her assignment and homework to do... Why? Am I that unlikable that even my friend is not by side when I'm ill....' Autumn thought.

All sort of thoughts began to pop up in her mind and the more she thought the more she felt lonely and sad. But Autumn was not a weak person she felt heart broken but she took that as a lesson and tried to thrive for her happiness.

' I will not let anyone use me as they want... I'm not some pushover that you can throw any thing on me... If you want to distance yourself from me then from now on I'll maintain a distance between us.... A wall.. so to say' Autumn thought.

Neither Christy nor Roy were aware that their behaviour actually made them stand on the losing side..... It wasn't Autumn who needed them it was them who needed Autumn...

The next day Autumn was all well and was ready to go to school. Her parents offer her the car ride to school so as to not strain her body too much but she refused at first... then her father persuaded her and she had to say yes.....

Christy didn't knew that the Autumn she was waiting for was now a bit changed...

Autumn got to school and went straight to her class with her umbrella on.

Words reached Roy's ear that Autumn is now back at school..

For the past few day Autumn wasn't in the school Roy indulge himself in flirting with girls... Earlier he used to do so behind Autumn's back but now that Autumn was on sick leave he was like an unleashed dog...

Roy went straight to Autumn, thinking that they can have a pleasant conversation and can make up because their mid terms were approaching and he needed Autumn's help....

They have one mid term exam and a final exam in each grade..... They have to submit their assignments before the mid term to get proper scores because assignments can let you earn extra credits..

Roy saw Autumn sitting on her seat and reading a book. He went up to her with a smile.

"Autumn... Hey! You feeling better now?" Roy asked.

Autumn looked up at him with cold eyes...

" Yeah.. I'm all better now thanks your concern." Autumn said with a fake smile.

Roy noticed that because he was always surrounded by girls so he was now able to read their expressions.

" Autumn.. I wanted to talk to you about the last time." Roy said.

"What is there to talk about?.... Didn't we came to a conclusion that day?... Or is it that you forget about it?" Autumn said in a mocking voice.

Roy was irritated because not even once was he treated this way by a girl.... But we was in no position to say anything because he needed her.

" Autumn... we never came to a conclusion because you stormed off." Roy said trying to be pitiful.

"Oh.. Come on... You said so yourself that from now on you will do your own assignments and homework...and that you don't need my help and will not come to me for your assignments.... Because I messed up your assignment when I was so sick." Autumn deliberately said so in a loud voice so that everyone can listen and be aware of the fact that it was Autumn who did his assignments all this time.

Roy was flustered when everyone began to whisper.... But he didn't have time to think about others because Autumn refused to help him in his assignments and homeworks.

" Autumn.. What are you talking about?.. I was just angry that day.... If you are still upset about that then I'm really sorry but why are you being so cold..... You yourself told me that you will help me every time so how can you refuse to do so now.... Then how will I be able to complete my assignments..... My scores will decrease.... Let's do this, help me this one time and that's it... Okay? "Roy said trying to persuade her.

'Not even once he said sorry for making me work when I was ill... All he care about is his assignments..... Why? I liked him so much.... I did everything he asked me to do, so that he don't hate me but.... Why?' Autumn thought.

"You said you are sorry right?" Autumn said.

"Yes?.... Yes! I'm sorry.. Really.." Roy said.

"Then... If you are sorry that means you did something wrong... Right?" Autumn said.

"Yes... I did something wrong.." Roy said.

"Then... When you do something wrong there is always a punishment for it... Right?" Autumn said.

Roy looked at her with confusion and nodded his head.

'Maybe she will just give me some puny little punishment and then agree to do my assignment as usual... Hah! And here I was all worried about what will I do with my assignment....' Roy thought.

" Then your punishment will be.... For you to do your own assignments from now on because I won't be doing that from now on.... Not anymore..... And that's your punishment.... Easy right?... All you have to do is complete your assignments yourself...." Autumn said with a smirk in her face.

"Yes yes.... Wait... What?.... What do you mean?... Did you just hear what you are saying... Huh?" Roy said in anger.

"What? Did I said something I shouldn't have?..... I mean at the end of the day those all are your assignments and you should be the one to do it..... So I think this punishment is justified..... Right?" Autumn said.

'Haa.... This little.... If it weren't for my good image I would have hit you to bring you back to your senses..... Who does she think she is.... to talk down to me like that?.... No... Wait maybe she is refusing because she is angry.... I have to do my own assignment this time around..... But the next assignment would be done by you.. Autumn..... Watch it... ' Roy thought.

"Okay... If that's what you want.... Then fine..... I'll leave for now.." Roy said in a dejected voice and left.

Christy who was standing outside heard everything....

' Oh my god.... I wasn't talking to Autumn what if she refuses to do my assignments too.... No no... She can't.... I'm her only friend... If I don't talk to her then she will be left alone.... No... Maybe because of those rumours someone else might approach her..... But still I have to do something.... Hmmm... Right I can do that... ' Christy thought.

Christy went straight to the restroom and took out a pen from her bagpack.... She stabbed her hand with the pen.... When it got a little bloody she ran to the Medical room to get it treated.

She went to the class after getting it treated so that she can use it as an excuse.

"Oh my god... Christy what happened to your hand?" The girls in the class flocked around her as she entered the classroom.

"Oh... I wasn't paying attention in the kitchen and got a cut while using the knife." Christy said.

"You were fine yester-" As she was speaking Christy interrupted her mid sentence.

"Oh I was preparing a gift for a friend." Christy said.

"Oh... Autumn you are back.... I was so worried about you.... Are you alright now?" Christy said in a worried voice.

Christy came up to Autumn and sat beside her.

"I'm really sorry... Autumn. I wasn't able to come meet you yesterday because I cut myself while I was preparing a gift for you..... I'm really sorry..." Christy said in a regretful voice.

'I can tell that she is lying.... I have known her for few years now.... That girl just mentioned that she was fine yesterday in the school so the only time she could get hurt would be after school... But her skirt is stained with a little blood which look quite bright to be an old one... She is definitely lying.... But if I said that everyone will think I'm being mean.... She is my friend so I'll just let it go this once after all she still asked me and looks worried....' Autumn thought.

" It's okay... You were worried about me..... The thought is enough for me.... Are you alright?.... Don't do this next time..." Autumn said.

' She actually bought it.... Haaaa.... Thank god...' Christy thought.

Autumn smiled and told her about Roy..

Christy was shocked to hear what Autumn was thinking about Roy.

Autumn told her that she thinks that Roy is just using her because she is his girlfriend.

' If I don't take Roy's side in future she will also stop doing my assignments as well.' Christy thought.

"Autumn... Every girlfriend helps his boyfriend with assignments and it is common for a couple to fight.... If everyone started to think like you then there will be a lot of difference between couples..... Have you ever saw your mother helping your father?.... It's just like that... You are over thinking it.... " Christy said trying to reassure her.

'It's obviously Roy's fault but even Christy is taking his side and is saying I'm wrong... Am I really wrong or is it just that his mistakes are not visible to Christy.' Autumn thought.

Autumn didn't said anything and just nodded her head because she knew even if she were to say anything Christy will still take his side....

Christy also told Autumn about her boyfriend who she just started dating a few weeks ago.

"I'll introduce you to my boyfriend next time we go out." Christy said with a smile.

"Who is he?... Someone from our school?" Autumn asked.

"No... He is not in our school... He is in the Amina high school... He is a year older than us." Christy said.

"How did you two meet?" Autumn asked.

"We meet by chance in the ice-cream shop... The flavour I wanted was finished and I was craving for it.... He was so nice and offered his ice-cream to me and didn't ask for money in return." Christy said.

"Although I insisted he said 'You can just treat me to an ice-cream next time'. I was blushing and asked for his number and he gave his number to me." Christy said.

"Did you contacted him?" Autumn asked.

"Yes.. And that's how we started dating." Christy said in excitement.

"He is so cute and tall." Christy said.

"Oh.. That's great.. I'm looking forward to meeting him." Autumn said with a smile.

Christy was chatting about how he was so caring and all. Autumn saw how happy Christy was and smiled.

'I'm happy for you, Christy.' Autumn thought.

The next day Roy didn't come to find Autumn. He continued this for a few days. He wanted Autumn to realise that he has many more people with him than Autumn can ever have. He was popular and he knew how to use his popularity to attract people but Autumn was different... She never attract people neither she have many people who are interested in her but that wasn't the case and she got to know it quite early. Autumn was at the front gate of the school waiting for Christy to go home together.

"Umm.... Hey... Autumn.." A boy said.

Autumn looked at him all confused.

" Autumn.... I heard Roy and you broke up.... Um... Will you go out with me?" A boy said.

He was not someone from their school. Autumn was already confused as to who he was... And now he was asking her out.