About That Night

VIII. I want to protect her.

Storm

She walked away before I could even thank her. I might be the coldest person she had known now but I was grateful for what she gave me. We were not on talking terms but she still managed to walk up to me. She didn’t make the pancakes but I appreciate her giving them to me… a lot.

Sighing, I put the box of pancakes in my backpack after she disappeared into the crowd. I was tempted to eat the pancakes but I had to go to my first class. Putting the thoughts of my favorite food in the back of my mind, I walked into the hallway. My presence was easily recognized. Not to brag but I was famous in school because of my racing career and soccer plays. I wasn’t part of the football team but I was the top student in this school. That made me popular.

Anyway, I ignored the hungry stares of the ladies as I passed by them. As usual, I didn’t look at their way, not even a glance. They were not worth my attention. They were ogling at me shamelessly. I knew some of them had boyfriends already. How could they stare at me?

Aren’t you so arrogant?

No, I’m just stating facts. Besides, they should be loyal.

I was used to the crowd since I was sixteen. The number of people in school was way lesser than the crowd at the racing events I had raced at. Even if I was exposed to people, it didn’t mean I liked it. I preferred being alone and be peaceful by myself. I did go to a party at times but just with the people I know.

As I kept walking, the ambiance suddenly felt weird. It seemed like there was a scene ahead. I heard people booing then laughing. I wasn’t wrong when I thought something was going on. I wasn’t that near and that far from it. Ahead, I could see Deborah Watson, the cheerleader all dressed in pink. Her blonde hair was half natural and half extensions. If you would yank it, you could get some thick extensions. I cringed when I saw her face with full makeup on. It was so cakey. Just seeing her presence made me regret that she was a fling before. I felt like gagging just remembering those awful times. I didn’t want it. She was so damn clingy. I had to dump her after two weeks. I couldn’t take it anymore. I hated looking at her face.

As always, her slaves were with her. Margaux Jones and Bree Johnson stood beside her on each side. The favorite colors of the three of them were so painful to my eyes. They could wear their favorite colors but they shouldn’t just have worn the same color for their bags and other accessories. I wondered if they look in the mirror before going out of their room.

That was when I realized they were facing and talking to someone in front of them. It wasn’t just anyone but it was someone I absolutely knew. Olivia Marie just got herself in trouble with the power puff girls. I just knew it was her. I remembered what she was wearing which was a pair of skinny jeans, a sweater, and the same converse she wore when they visited us last week. But, what did she do?

I wanted to know what got herself in trouble so I kept watching them. I could feel the eyes of the students on me. They must be probably surprised that I stopped and actually watched a daily occurrence. Yes, this happened almost every freaking day before. Nobody got in the way of Deborah, except me. I didn’t why they were scared of her. They could just get a frog, throw it at her and she would be running like a madwoman.

I couldn’t just leave her so I waited.

“Kiss my shoe and wipe it clean.” The b***h suddenly said.

My jaw clenched when I saw Deborah lifting her left foot in front of Olivia.

What the f”ck?!

My eyes were on Olivia, waiting if she would actually do it or not. She needed not to. There was no way I would her to it. The people were anticipating too, some were laughing, booing at her, and obviously siding Debora the b***h. Margaux was holding her phone and obviously taking a video of everything. How dare she?

They don’t know what’s coming to them.z

Olivia slowly bent down. She would actually do it. I took a step forward then another to stop her. Damn it. I was just about to take another step further when the b***h spoke again.

“I don’t want your bacteria in my shoe. I’ll just have this cleaned at the dry cleaning, nerd.” Deborah withdrew her foot back and made a disgusted face while staring at Olivia. “Next time, wear another pair of glasses.”

That caused another round of laughter and booing from the crowd. I felt an emotion inside me as I kept my eyes on her back. There was a pang in my chest and I had to ignore it before I could make a scene too.

Deborah walked past Olivia, purposely bumping her shoulder. Olivia almost lost her balance but she managed not to fall. The people started leaving too when the b***h walked away. I turned around when the three of them walked past me. Fortunately, they didn’t notice me. I waited for everyone to leave and it was just right in time when the bell rang.

Silence engulfed the hallway as I stood there staring at her back until she turned around and saw me. I stayed in place, not going anywhere as I looked at her from a distance. She looked so damn broken and that voice in my head was telling me to comfort.

And then she just cried silently as she kept her eyes glued to mine. Her tears did something to me. It broke my heart. She took a step and then two more. I badly wanted to meet her halfway and wrap my arms around her just like that. I felt so bad and stupid about myself because I could not even lift my foot and take a step towards her.

She was nearing me. A few more steps and she would finally reach me. But I had another thing to do in my mind other than being a little more patient. I couldn’t stand her tears. I could not stand seeing her like that. It was too much to watch, too much to bear. Being the i***t I was, I turned my back and walked away, disappearing to the corner and hiding behind a wall.

I heard a sob. It echoed in the hallway. I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the wall. My jaw clenched as I listen to her cries. I could just come to her and hug her so tight but I wouldn’t because I had to do something.

With a heavy heart, I climbed the stairs to my right and walked to the second floor of the building. I had to find them. Those three brats that humiliated Olivia had to pay. I saw them taking the stairs. I assumed they could still be in the bathroom before going to their first class. They had to be in one of the stalls, putting another layer and colorful icing on their cakey faces. They thought they actually looked good when they actually looked like ugly Barbie dolls.

You’re mean.

I don’t care.

My long strides took me to the girls’ bathroom but I waited outside. And I wasn’t wrong because I heard their annoying pitchy voices, so painful to my ears. Nevertheless, I endured the pain and leaned against the wall beside the door. They were talking and

I could hear every single word that came out of their mouth clearly.

“Who’s that nerd?”

That came from Margaux. Olivia must be their subject. Those three bitches were the judgmental ducklings who like to gossip around. It was their favorite subject in school.

“I don’t even know. She’s new here obviously. I haven’t seen her around before. All I know is that she’s a poor, ugly nerd.”

I wanted to laugh out loud at that statement. That was Deborah. Couldn’t she be ashamed? Too bad, she had way too much confidence. Maybe, their mirror was broken, or maybe just really thought she was the most beautiful female ever created. I would only agree to that if she was a crocodile.

No one can compare to her beauty.

“By the way, didn’t you see Jackson Storm earlier?”

This time, it was Bree and they were talking about me. I bet she saw me and the two did not. They called me by that name because I hated it when they called me by just my second name.

Let’s see what they have to say about me.

“Wait. Did you see him? Where? Why didn’t I see him?” Deborah almost exclaimed. She was too dramatic. “Why didn’t you tell me he was there right when you saw him?”

“Why should I?”

I pursed my lips. It was actually fun sensing Deborah’s annoyance.

“What do you mean why should you? I haven’t seen him for a long time. I miss him.”

Pfft.

I scoffed at that. She was insane because I did not care about her at all. I did not even think about her. Who even was she?

“He doesn’t even talk to you anymore.” Bree Johnson said as a matter of fact.

“I don’t care he’s still mine.”

I almost gagged at that. I felt like I was some sort of property when she said that.

But damn, what was taking them so long? I just hoped Margaux did not post it anywhere or shared it with anybody. Getting impatient, I walked to the opposite side, leaning against the wall facing the door. Crossing my arms over my chest, I kept waiting.

Finally, the door opened, and walked out the power puff girls. Of course, Deborah was so surprised. Her eyes widened and then her mouth formed a big ugly smile.

You think I’m here for you, dumbass.

“Jackson! I’ve missed you so much! I didn’t know you were waiting for me here.”

I f*cking hate that name. No, I don’t. I hate the way it came out of her mouth.

She was walking towards me but before she could lay a finger on me, I moved away from the wall and maintained a two-meter distance away from them. I didn’t want to get bad bacteria from them.

Deborah frowned when she realized I wasn’t happy at all and I was not there for her. Why would I even want to see her? She was indeed crazy.

“What’s wrong, Jackson?”

“I’m not here for you.” I got straight to the point and looked at Margaux.

Margaux’s eyes widened and I knew what they were thinking because the other tow girls’ eyes went wide too.

“You’re her for her?!” Deborah shouted.

I hated to close my eyes and rub my ear.

“Yeah,” I said without looking her way. “Phone. Give me your phone, Margaux.”

“W-why?” Margaux stuttered. It seemed like she couldn’t take her eyes off me.

“What the heck is going on here?! Are you two seeing each other? Margaux, what is this?”

“Come on. I need to give you my number before I get to class.” I ignored Deborah’s crazy rants and kept my eyes on Margaux who was about to lose her mind. Bree, on the other hand, was confused too but she kept quiet.

My eyes followed Margaux’s shaky hand as she unzipped her violet bag and took out her phone. “He-here.” She stuttered again.

Another dumbass.

I flashed Margaux a smile and that just made Deborah even crazier. I thought Margaux would faint right there because she held Deborah’s arm for support but Deborah swatted her hand away. I pursed my lips. It was so satisfying to see Deborah going insane.

With the mission in mind and with Margaux’s cellphone in my hand, I quickly opened her gallery. Surprisingly, it wasn’t locked. A video was the last on the list. I saw Olivia’s face on the thumbnail and I swiftly deleted it. I then went to Recently Deleted, tapped the most recent deleted file which was the recorded video, and deleted it again. There was no way they could recover it.

“There you go.” I smiled again and handed her phone back to her. But deep inside, I was very mad and I couldn’t just go without telling them one thing. “You really think I came up here just to give you my number?” I scoffed. “Idiots. Do you know how ugly you three looked in the hallway earlier? You may be wearing the brightest colors and the most expensive accessories, but you girls… are cheap.”

“What did you just say?!” The three of them chorused.

I chuckled bitterly. “Too bad, you haven’t cleaned your ears too. Dirty and cheap.”

“What the f*ck, Butler?!” Deborah exclaimed. “Where are you getting with this?”

“I’m here to tell you to never ever humiliate the one you called an ugly nerd again or else I will tell the world all your secrets.”

“Don’t you dare?!” Deborah sneered. The other girls beside were nervous, I could tell.

“That’s all. Nice seeing you, girls.”

I hoped they noted the sarcasm before I turned around and walked away.

“That ugly nerd is the one that’s cheap and dirty!” She screamed at the top of her lungs.

No, that beautiful nerd is the one that’s pure and innocent.

I just shook my head at her childish attitude before taking down the stair back to the first floor. I need to get to English. I was late but I was not worried about it. What I was worried about was the possibility that we could be in the same class. It would be hard for me because I might give in and swallow my pride. Inside me, there was an urge to do something from now on.

I want to protect her.