Mark sat down beside me as I was facing Shaun who's apparently beside my friend.
"Can we exchange places?" I asked Mark in a whisper and he just gave me a small nod before he stood up and held the chair for a while as he waited for me to sit down.
We could now finally eat at peace.
But scratch that. Shaun immediately made up a scene under the table, trying to kick Mark's feet, but he accidentally kicked mine, so I glared at him.
"Shaun, if you don't have anything to eat, go on and buy yourself. Don't kick under the table." Mark suddenly raised his head and gave his friend a deadly stare.
His friend chuckled before he looked at Jia, looking like he wanted to say something, but he did not continue.
"Does he like you?" I turned to Jia and she shook her head.
"You know who's the one I like, Taliyah." Her tone is kinda giving me the "you-should-know-where-to-place-your-questions" vibe.
I just laughed a little before I proceeded with eating what's on my plate as Mark placed a sprite float in front of me.
"I don't remember having that drink," I said before I gave him a look and he just shrugged. "Thanks, anyway."
;
It was fun eating with them, to be honest. Only if Shaun did not do something childish after he got back from the cashier.
"Yoshi, let's convey them first before going to your place," I looked at Ishanna when she said that, but I did not bother to tell her anything that I wanted to say or shout at her.
We had known Yoshi for almost a year already, so he nodded and looked at me apologetically.
"Yoshi, shut up if you're going to say sorry for earlier." I irritably said, but he just continued.
"I'm really sorry for the attitude earlier, Taliyah." He rubbed his nape. "I'll treat you to wherever you want tomorrow, just please forgive me."
I shook my head. "I don't want to." And gave him my most teasing smile.
"Taliyah," he pouted and was about to clung his arms on my shoulder, but Mark coughed, so he stopped.
"It's getting darker. I still have a lot of homework to do. That could wait for tomorrow, right?" His tune is really saying that he's being sarcastic now.
"I agree. My parents are already searching for me," Jia answered.
"Ohh, I'll convey you," Shaun, who's still here, suddenly offered.
I put Jia behind my back. "Who told you she's coming home with you?"
"Her mom?" He showed me the phone number of the person who texted him.
I searched for my phone inside my bag and looked for the number of Jia's mother.
"I'll come with you." I said with finality and followed this man while holding Jia's hand griply.
I bid farewell to Yoshi, Ishanna, and Mark properly.
We were about to ride Shaun's car when he was stopped by someone he knew.
"Going home already?" That person asked, I don't like his aura—because he winked at me.
I rolled my eyes at him and looked at my phone when it vibrated.
From: +63900 000 0000
Uh, text me when you're already at home. I don't trust he'll drive safely.
-Adie
I frowned at his text, but still, I replied.
To: +63900 000 0000
I don't trust him either. :((
I pursed my lips and looked at this man, still talking to his friend like he doesn't have any woman to accompany right now.
"Jia, let's just take a cab," I yawned and stretched my arms before I turned my back to them and saw Mark walking towards us.
I frown. "What is he doing here?"
I did not bother fixing myself, but I sensed thousands of coffee spirits being inside me right now. Wow, I'm alive.
"Uh, you forgot this one." He handed me an envelope. "Why are you guys still not on the highway at this moment? I mean, you should be heading your way home already."
I pouted and looked at Shaun who's still talking to his colleague.
"Let's take a cab." He whispered and I nodded at him before I silently pulled Jia out of the side of Shaun's car.
I saw how she looked back, and how she fell silent after we left the man without us telling him.
He deserves it!
"Hop in," Yoshi parked his car in front of us, the reason for us to go inside and just in a moment, we're already heading out way home.
"Jia, take care." I said as she stepped out of the car after falling asleep.
"You too." She smiled, but something was off with her smile.
I looked at Mark and saw him looking at me too like he was also trying to guess whatever I'm thinking right now.
"Probably," he sighed before looking out the window. "But don't think too much of her. You can guide her, but you can't rule her."
"Mind reader, huh?" I chuckled before I fixed myself because after just a few seconds, we're now in front of our gate.
He stepped out first and assisted me because I don't want to cause any trouble if I go to the other side.
"Thank you." I looked back at Ishanna and Yoshi. "Take care."
They waited for me to enter the gate before they finally went back into driving their way home.
There are still no people inside, or maybe they're all in their rooms, watching Netflix or resting.
To: Adie
Take care. Thank you.
After I sent that message, I fixed myself and started studying for my homeworks.
"This is a lot." I exhaled sharply before starting everything and did not even have the chance to have a glimpse of my phone since I used my laptop for this and started printing other requirements for the other subject.
I was so tired that I just found myself searching for something in my bag—more like a pen or a paper or something, but it's nowhere to be found.
I heard my phone rang and I immediately picked it up without looking at the caller ID.
"Uh, hello? I'm outside your house. You forgot your things." I froze upon hearing that voice.
I immediately went down and opened the gate for him.
His clothes are still not changed, which bothered me.
"How long have you been waiting here?" I looked around and did not see any trace of Yoshi's car.
"Uh… half an hour." He smiled, but I could sense that he's lying.
He handed me the papers and smiled. "Take a rest after that."
"Tell me the truth, Mark. How long have you been waiting for me?" I looked at him from head to toe. "You did not even change your clothes."
He held his nape and just smiled at me. "Don't mind it. I'm done with my activities before I even get here. Just finish your work and take a rest."
Even if I'm puzzled, I still gave him a nod and smiled at him. "Thank you. You too."
;
The following day, I saw him already sitting in his chair inside the room.
"Hey," I smiled at him.
"Good morning." He smiled, but that faded after he covered his mouth for a yawn. "Argh, I'm sleepy."
"You did not sleep last night?" I asked, concerned. "Where's Ishanna?"
He shrugged. "She may not come here. They're making noises in Yoshi's condo."
I get my own list of the class and checked who was absent and already inside the room.
"Class President?" Someone asked from the outside that's why I looked at Mark and saw him looking at me too.
"Kindly check who was already here." I commanded before storming out of the room to talk to the student council who seemed to have a special announcement on the class.
"We're still not complete. You can go back by nine," I sighed. "That's the only time we could be all here already."
The student council who's here nodded and told me to message him once we're already gathered.
"What's that?" Mark asked as soon as I got to sit down beside him.
I get the papers from him and checked for the list of my classmates when Ishanna just stormed inside the room, with her uniform unfixed.
My forehead knotted. "What's with you, Ishanna?"
She shook her head before smiling so sweetly at me.
Since she did not want to open up, I let her be. She would tell me what's wrong when she's ready. I respect her space.
"Uh, Taliyah, may I see what you wrote about my likes and dislikes?" Mark asked with hesitation in his voice. "If it's okay with you."
"It's in my bag," I signaled it to him as I started walking to the circle of men whom I didn't know.
"Excuse me. Who are you looking for inside our room?" I asked as I stood beside one of my classmates.
"It's their free time," Yves answered. "They'll go later before our class would start,"
One of my brows raised up before nodding, tolerating his reasons.
"I told you, she likes me." I was about to answer him when one of my classmates entered the room, crying.
One of the class officers attended our co-student as I put my things on an empty chair.
I saw how she glared at Ishanna who's also glaring at her. "You know that I like him, right?"
Ishanna chuckled sarcastically. "You know that he likes me."
Yeah, right. They're pertaining to Yoshi once again.
I gritted my teeth and was about to leave the room when Yoshi entered, handling a paper bag of food and went straight to Ishanna.
"H-Hey, are you still sore? I'm sorry about last night." My eyes winded from what I heard. "Here, eat this. I don't know how to make you feel better, but tell me what you need right now, please."
"Yo-Yoshi…" She's now holding the hem of Yoshi's uniform. "Let's just talk later. Don't skip classes."
I know that he understands that's why he had to make sure that before he stormed out of our room, he could plant soft kisses on Ishanna's forehead.
I immediately went into her place and squinted my eyes on her. "Mind telling me what the hell is that?"
I got no response from her.
"Ishanna?" I asked her name, my heart was racing fast. "Did you two just…"
She's biting her lower lip before she nods.
I almost lost my consciousness, but thanks to Mark who was there to give me support and made me sit in a chair that was now facing me.
"Ishanna… why?" My heart felt numb, as well as my body. "Why?"
I felt Mark's hand on my back as I could feel tears starting to roll down my cheeks.
"I thought you're waiting for Jay?" I can't help but to feel sad for that person. I know he's waiting too!
Ishanna shook her head. "Jay doesn't care about me anymore. And he's already in a relationship with another woman." She fiercely looked at me. "I'm sorry to disappoint your heart, Taliyah, but he's not coming back. Not to me, and most of all, he'll never come back to you."
Those words shut my system.
Who am I to dream of meeting Jay again? I am just a dust in his life.
The dust he used so he could have the dreams he had been wanting to have… to touch; and to hold.
It sucks because I don't even know why that person is still the person that I want to see even if he's just going to make me break into pieces.
A man wearing formal school attire, and shades above his head entered the room like he owns it.
I saw how he looked at Ishanna. Those eyes again. Those looks he never gave me.
He was about to walk into Ishanna when I stood up to fix myself and told the class to fix themselves as well because our subject teacher is already on her way to our room.
Mark looked at me with his worried expression, but I did not mind explaining myself to him. He might just be like one of them.
They'll break me into pieces until I will never have the traces to come back into my whole self.