Chapter 5 by Fathiah Zarafi
I was too afraid to take the risk. So just like any other nights, I swallowed two pills and laid on my bed, waiting for the effects to wash over me. Mary Anne was still at work so I sneaked in easily and headed straight for my room. As I waited sleep to overtake my consciousness, I stared at the ceiling fan blankly. It wasn't until my eyelids began to droop that I saw the face of Chayton, staring softly at me. I slept with a smile on my face.
I was startled out of my dreamless slumber by a persistent knock on my door. "Wake up, Adele! It's time for dinner!" Tristan's voice shouted. I groaned loudly, burying my head under my pillow. I glanced at the wall clocked and once again grunted in displeasure. It was only five o'clock yet Mary Anne had already finished dinner that can be fed to a team of footballers.
"Adele, wake up!" Tristan yelled, pounding on my door harder. I rolled my eyes in annoyance, peeling the covers off.
"I'll be down in a minute!" I hollered back. After unsuccessfully taming down my nest of hair, I made down to the dining room slowly. As I descended the stairs, I failed to notice the tense atmosphere until it was too late. Mary Anne kept a hard stare at me when I sat down opposite of her at the table. Tristan kept his head bowed, shoveling food into his mouth.
"Adele, dear," Mary Anne started, "is there something you want to tell me about school?"
My fork froze in mid air, processing her words. I decided to play dumb so she could maybe let it pass.
"No, not really," I answered innocently. Mary Anne quietly set down her utensils before reaching for my free hand. I cleared my throat uncomfortably, averting my gaze to Tristan but as usual, he avoided.
"Your teacher told me that you skipped school, dear," she stated softly. I couldn't stop the gasp that left my mouth and felt the familiar heat creeping up my neck. I tried prying my hand away from her but it only resulted in Mary Anne tightening her grip.
"It is because of your Algebra class?" she continued, much to my predicament, "because I've also been informed that you're doing badly in it. Do you want to change classes, maybe?"
"No, Mary Anne," I protested in shock, "I went home early because I wasn't feeling well." Mary Anne's face softened though she never loosened her hold on me and my hand was starting to feel numb.
"What about your Algebra class, dear? Are you sure you still want to continue with that teacher?"
"Yes, there's nothing wrong with him," I answered, frowning at her question. She then proceeded to smile and patted my hand before returning back to her food. It was weird how she pressed on my Algebra marks but I decided to let it slip. I didn't realize she was staring at me the whole time until I caught her. She quickly covered up and said I had some sauce on my face. I doubted her but I pretended to wipe my cheek until she faced her plate back.
That night, I decided to double up my usual intake of sleeping aids as to forget the whole strangeness of tonight's dinner. Instead of falling asleep to darkness, I dreamt of colors. Vivid colors, red, blue, yellow, dancing in my vision. The colors then faded to black, seeping away my happiness as it did. Just when I was about to beg for the colors to come back and brighten my life, I woke up blearily. Following my usual routine, I got ready for school.
I was walking up the stairs when my name was called. A glance to the back showed me it was none other than Gina and her group of friends, staring expectantly at me. My gut was telling me not to even step a foot towards their direction but I couldn't back away from them so I approached Gina slowly. One of her friends eyed me from head to toe before leaning to whisper into Gina's ear.
"Yes?" I questioned, careful not to sound frightened. Gina smiled, which now I have learned to be fake.
"We were just wondering if you would like to join us for lunch," said Gina while flipping her hair over her shoulder.
"Um, it's okay," I declined, "I'm already sitting with my friend."
A snigger was heard. "She has friends?" a voice breathed harshly. I decided to ignore it and smiled back at Gina. Her lips were set in a thin line, trying to contain in her laughter.
"Really?" she feigned innocence, "Who is it?"
"Me." I didn't need to turn around to see Chayton standing behind me. I was mildly shocked when he casually draped an arm across my shoulders but I was careful not to let my expression waver.
"Sorry," Chayton continued, "she promised she would sit with me, didn't you Adele?"
I nodded vigorously, slightly delighted when Gina's jaw dropped open. She quickly regained her senses and smiled a little too brightly.
"Well then, I guess we'll make other plans when you're not—so busy," said Gina cheerfully. As her goons strutted past us, one of them 'accidentally' bumped into me, giggling as she did so. It wasn't until Chayton stirred me around that I realized I was frozen in place. People used to worship me back home and I was shocked by how I was treated today.
"You okay?" asked Chayton anxiously. I threw him a hopefully convincing smile as we walked silently together to Algebra class. Perhaps Mr. Charles would bring me news about my situation. Chayton was making small talk about his coincidentally weird dream last night when we unceremoniously bumped into Tristan. His blonde hair was wild, eyes wide as saucers. Chayton emitted a small chuckle upon his sight.
"Dude, what happened to you?" he questioned. Tristan ran his fingers through his hair, trying in vain to tame it down.
"Gina was um, pissed," he mumbled. Suddenly his eyes averted to me, a frown forming on his brows.
"You didn't do anything did you?" asked Tristan pointedly, "Cause she mentioned your name in her shrieking somewhere."
"Excuse me?" I blurted out in shocked. I couldn't believe my ears; he was blaming me.
"I didn't do anything," I clarified, "your girlfriend is a menace."
Tristan suddenly threw his head back and guffawed loudly. Chayton and I exchanged glances as my scowl deepened.
"Please, Adele," gasped Tristan, wiping a tear from his eye, "Gina is the sweetest girl in this school. I know you're new but you don't need to be jealous."
I saw red. Fury took over at me his words. My fists were curled, ready to wipe that annoying smirk off his face but before I could open my mouth, Chayton grabbed my arms and steered me away.
"Why, would you look at the time," he spoke casually, "we'll be late for our class if we don't hurry. Catch you later!"
With a strong grip, Chayton forced me to walk alongside him. "Did you hear him!" I whispered furiously, "How dare that blonde little—"
"Yes, yes, I heard him loud and clear," Chayton interrupted, "It was uncalled for but you can't just jump him in the middle of the hallway."
"Whoever said about jumping him? I'm leaning more towards strangling." My fingers formed claws, imagining them around Tristan's throat. Two warm hands enveloped mine as they uncurled my fingers.
"You can strangle him all you want when I'm not a witness," teased Chayton, "but as for now, it's time for your favorite subject."
I groaned loudly when he opened the door to our Algebra class, smirking all along.
As usual, I was a little bit lost when Mr. Charles started explaining about functions. So many x's, so little time. I scribbled everything I could into my notebook and tried to process the information as Mr. Charles wrapped up the class. The bell rung and the students rushed to head out. I was busy gathering my things when Mr. Charles called up my name. I waved to Chayton before heading up to him.
Mr. Charles, with his round glasses and scruffy beard, waited patiently for me behind his desk. It wasn't until the last student had gone out that he spoke up.
"So, Adele. How are you holding up so far?"
I had to bit my lip in order to refrain myself from sarcastic comments. "Pretty rough," I answered, "Mary Anne acted kind of weird today."
Mr. Charles leaned forward and rested his chin on his open palm. "Really now? How weird exactly?" he questioned in a straight voice.
"She's been um, too worried about my academics or something," I recalled, "especially Algebra. Saying I should change classes."
My voice drifted off as Mr. Charles sat in silence, thinking intently. Seconds tick by and he was still stiff as a board. I bounced from one heel to another, fidgeting under his intense stare. I nearly sighed in relief when Mr. Charles finally broke the silence though the relief was only momentary.
"You shouldn't trust anyone right now, Adele," he warned gravely, "Looks can be very deceiving. Your enemies are simply wearing masks to fool us."
I gulped at his tone. I nodded slowly, telling him that I understood, before heading to the door. My hand gripped the handle when Mr. Charles spoke up again.
"Remember, Adele. Do not trust anyone."
His grim voice was still ringing in my ears as I sat next to Chayton during lunch. He was busy laughing with his friends so I took that moment to reflect on Mr. Charles' words. I silently pondered if I should trust him but I have faith in my father. Who was Mr. Charles implying that shan't be trusted? My mind was a jumbled mess trying to interpret his message.
That subject occupied my thoughts, lasting until it was time for me to hit the sack. I kept tossing and turning in bed, staring up at the ceiling fan. With a loud grunt of dismay, I threw away the covers and decided to fetch a glass of water in order to calm down. Since it was nearly one in the morning, I crept downstairs slowly, carefully avoiding the woods that creaked.
I was halfway down the stairs when I saw a faint glow of light in the kitchen and voices drifting quietly. Frowning, I stopped to listen.
"Yes, she's in contact with him." It was Mary Anne's voice. I crept a little closer, curious to learn whom she was contacting in the wee hours of the morning.
"He's under covering as her Algebra teacher. We can't have them in contact," she whispered furiously.
My heart skipped a couple of beats upon listening to that. Was she talking about me?
"We act tomorrow. Go to her school and take care of things. He will not ruin my plan," sneered Mary Anne deadly.
My hand flew to my mouth in an instant. As quickly and silently as I could muster, I scrambled up the stairs and flew to my room. I flopped on the bed, eyes wide as saucers.
Do not trust anyone.
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