A month had been passed, Kenya's mom is back from her out-of-town work. Things seem to be sailing smoothly as they had been in the past few years. Though she does not want to admit it to herself, Kenya feels relieved that she is not living alone in their two stories house.
Sometimes, she feels a faint pain of resentment towards her mother for making her feel alone. But she wonders if she even has a right to feel that way towards the person who provides for all of her needs. Before she have come to Thylex High Academy, all she wanted is to become an adult so she could live wherever she wanted to, but when she met her new friends she does not regret meeting them.
She still often feel an ominous presence of an eye watching her especially when she was alone, but she just thinks of it as paranoia. It has never manifested, thus she does not want it to manifest at all.
Without a word, Kenya left the house to go to school. Her mom was still asleep so she does not want to wake her up as she looks tired.
___
While Kenya was on her way to her classroom, she passed by into a hallway. Her teacher, Imran Gavdasco, the one she feared before is having a conversation with one of the teachers. She does feel uncomfortable towards him but he had not done anything since he apologize to her, so she thought that she could just forget it.
"Mr. Gavdasco can I send that document late, I haven't finished it yet," Said by a female teacher in a seductive and flirtatious way towards Imran.
"Yeah sure, take your time" Imran replied wearing a thin smile.
Kenya continues to walk till she reached her classroom. She is trying her hardest to erase the unnecessary things in her mind especially the thought of her teacher as she does not see a red flag as of this time.
"Look who just came" All eyes are now directed to Kenya as she enters the classroom "Your momma done feeding her coochie toochie?" Abrianna commented in sarcasm, then they all laugh in an annoying way. They all are forcing their laugh just to get on Kenya's nerve.
Kenya just rolled her eyes as if what she heard is ridiculous enough. What does her mother have to do with the situation? She laughed bitterly in her mind. Her mother has never fed her by herself even as a child. So their mockery sounds like a joke in her ear.
Kenya continued walking just as though she did not hear anything. The moment she reached her chair, she sat silently. The first person who greeted her with a warm and genuine smile is Terrence. He is now one of her newly found friends in this school, along with the others.
"Good morning" Terrence is jolly welcome.
"Good morning" Kenya replied giving a warm smile.
"Look who just found a boyfriend. Does her momma knows that her toddler already collecting dicks?"
Abrianna and her friends laughed once more like Kenya and Terrence's conversation is a huge spectacle. Kenya looked at them trying to control her annoyance.
"What the-" Averin retaliation was cut off by Kenya stopping her.
"Don't" Kenya whispered
"Would you just let her say such bullshit to you?" Averin annoyed sentiment.
"No, but it would not be good to have the both of you be dragged in this mess" Kenya answered in a low voice
"We're your friends" Terrence answered in a serious tone "though I don't mind her ridiculing me, I don't like how vulgar her words are towards you"
"Yes! we are friends after all, what's the problem with defending you?" Averin replied looking hurt by Kenya stopping her.
Kenya has already had bad records like what her teacher, Imran told her. Although she wanted to hit Abrianna on the face she could not do it as she fear that if someone unravels the reason for their steamy fight, Terrence's name will be dragged. She does not want to make things worst.
"No, I can't get into fights. Mr. Imran warned me already" That's the only thing that Kenya was able to say, but deep in her mind, she was trying not to be noticed by Imran.
Averin looked away from Kenya, sulking. Kenya knows very well that Averin will always have her back and she is thankful for that but, she heeds Imran's warning to her. Also, Averin's family seems to like Kenya being around Averin. She does not want to ruin that reputation she had for them.
Terrence seems to understand her side as he looked at her in an understanding eye. His expression is telling Kenya that he is sorry that a dispute has occurred between Kenya and Averin.
"Just let her be for now"
Kenya heaved a deep sigh and nod
"I hope you won't take it to heart" Terrence continued looking worried
Kenya made a forced smile and nod her head lightly, she did not expect Terrence to see right through it.
"I'm alright" Kenya replied to stop him from worrying.
"What a couple" Abrianna commented again but Kenya just ignore it like she never hear anything.
"I hope you wouldn't mind it" Kenya looked at Terrence feeling embarrassed. They are just friends but if some issue goes on like this, it may tarnish their bond.
Terrence smiled "I wouldn't mind it at all. It's not that-"
Terrence's words were cut off by a deep authoritative voice. The smile on their faces faded like it was never there.
"Seems like all of you, are ready for a test," Imran said with a dangerous scary smile on his face "A fifty question test is good to keep your mind moving"
Although Imran was smiling, everyone can sense that he was in a bad mood state. Kenya's forehead wrinkled by just thinking about lectures in Math class thus, now they should answer a fifty questions quiz. Imran has taught their lesson very well, but now, he wanted to give them a quiz about something they have not tackled yet. How would they answer that?
"Sir! We haven't tackled that lesson yet" Appealed by the smartest student in their class.
"That's exactly the point," Imran said in a stern but very sonorous voice "That's how will I know who's taking this class seriously and who's just chillin' when I already said to do an advance study"
Kenya looked freely at Imran's expression to comprehend what he is thinking. His eyes seem dead serious and his lips tightly holding a garish smile. In simple words, he is mad or angry.
How fast Imran changes his expression sends Kenya in awestruck. Just a few minutes ago, she saw Imran with his co-teacher, chatting about something in the hallway. Imran look happy and in a good mood, and she thought he was having a good time flirting with that co-teacher of him. What's with this sudden change?
Throughout the quiz, Kenya could not breathe well. She was too busy answering the questions. Despite all her effort she still fail to understand and ended up not answering all the questions. The only time she could finally breathe was when they were finally out of the classroom. All of them were too focused on answering the quiz. Averin, who was sulking earlier forget that she was sulking.
Kenya and Erin do not have the same class as Terrence so they split up and just meet during their free time.
"See ya later!" Erin yelled before they parted ways.
"Yep!" He yelled back while grinning.
"Did I, just... see him staring at you?" Erin says in excited wide eyes and a smiling face.
Kenya was happy that Erin was back to normal, but she could not believe what she have heard. Who is Erin talking about? Erin seems to notice her puzzled look.
"Uh, girl we both know who am I talking about" Averin replied in sarcasm.
"He was just worried, that's all"
"I can see, you like him," she said mockingly. "You like him! Right? Right?"
Kenya laughed at not a cheery Averin. The dispute they had earlier has now ended. The cheery personality and very outgoing attitude make Kenya feel comfortable being with her.
At the back of her mind, thoughts about Terrence lingers. She had a very good friendship with Terrence and at this moment. That's what matters. She like Terrence but is a type when someone admires and respects someone.
_
During lunchtime Kenya, Averin, Terrence, and Sasha scour and dine together in the cafeteria while talking about random things. All of them agree that Averin is the life of the conversation among them. On a few occasions, Averin tries to be cheeky about her comments towards Terrence and Kenya. Although Kenya just feels a slight crush on Terrence, the thought of him hearing all those random hints is already making her feel fainting.
"Terrence, I heard someone likes you" All of us look at Erin, which is now grinning mischievously. Kenya held her breath as she unexpectedly waited for his answer. She does not want him to answer and at the same time, she wanted him to answer.
"Well, Terrence a good-looking young man, who would not be interested," Said Sasha while munching on her bread effortlessly.
Terrence laughed and gazed towards Kenya. He did not give an answer verbally but since Kenya like him, she felt guilty enough to feel uncomfortable as her face turn into crimson red.
"You're such a bummer Sash!" Averin replied to Sasha in pouting. "Well, how are you and Eduardo nowadays?" Sasha's expression turns horrified about the things that is sprouting out from Averin's mouth.
"Shut up, there is no such thing like that and never will" Sighing deeply, the irritation is visible in Sasha's face.
"You sounds defensive..."
"NO!!! Just stop that" The tone slightly escalated as Sasha speak. All of them seem surprised by her sudden outburst although it is understandable. Surprised on her own, a glint of regret comes after. "I'm... I'm sorry, I just don't like to be asked by the same question over and over." She heaved a breath "And... Eduardo isn't my type. He is more like a brother if he doesn't flirt at me"
"Well, speaking of brotherly..." Averin stopped mid-sentence while looking behind Sasha. Her eyes caught an unexpected person.
Sasha looks at Averin confused about what she meant brotherly and why she stopped mid-sentence. "What?"
"Well... your brotherly friend is behind you" Right behind Sasha is Eduardo standing stiffly. Sasha does not bother herself to turn her head to look at the man standing at her back while holding a flower. Disappointment becomes visible in Eduardo's eyes in a few seconds before he blinks his eyes. It is a wonder how easy it is for him to change the mask. Eduardo seems to have a single emotion, which was a cheerful one.
Every day, Eduardo is getting rejected by Sasha like a pushover. It is a miracle that he still continues to woe her despite Sasha's attitude towards him. No one was sure what drives Eduardo to do so. Some people may think that whatever Eduardo doing is annoying and out of the line, but isn't it admiring? Although Sasha's words are annoyed, there's some glint in her eyes that make Kenya think that Sasha does not completely hate it. Because of Eduardo, a slight smile forms on Sasha's lips when no one was looking.
Pity or whatever, Kenya feel that there is a spark between Eduardo and Sasha. A kind of undeveloped understanding between them.
Eduardo took steps till he reached Sasha's side, and kneel down. "Happy 5th Anniversary my lovely Sasha"
All four of them around the table were shocked, the time Sasha look around with a questioning expression towards Eduardo who is kneeling on one knee on the floor.
"I thought..." About to say by Erin but soon she stopped.
"What are you even talking about?" Asked Sasha.
"Well, it has been five years since we met so it is our anniversary" Eduardo answered proudly all of them ended up speechless except Averin.
"That sounds romantic and the same time... creepy"
"I agree with what Averin said?" Terrence conformed after Averin.
Sasha did not speak but looked at Eduardo in terrifying piercing eyes like she wanted him to explain what all of these are all about.
"You sounds like a stalker for remembering vividly the time and date that the two of you met" Averin spoke like she had read Sasha's thoughts.
"Oh no, no, it is not like that" He started as he stood and sat on an empty chair near them. "Well, the truth is I met Sasha three days after my older brother passed away, five years ago. So that's how I remember it very well"
___
A/N: Sorry for a delayed update, had my work piled up and cannot be late. Thank you for patiently waiting. Please don't forget to vote, share, comment and follow.
This chapter, I want to commemorate my grandfather(my grandmother sibling) and my Uncle(My father's younger brother) who both passed away. Rest in peace to both of you.