VI

~Aoife~

The morning was cold and foggy, just like my life going on these few days. I used to love this weather when mom made hot cocoa for me, and we watched movies together. And now she is gone; this weather makes me feel alone. I was awake, looking at her picture close to my bed.

“Good morning, Mum,”

 I remembered she loved to kiss my forehead and never forget to mention, welcome the new day with fresh energy, but I didn’t want to get out of bed.

Why would I? No motivation was left to make me stand out of my bed, nor was I eager to start my day.

When I came here, I was ready to win the world. But in the last few days, everything changed. And all I wanted was to hide where these people couldn’t torture me anymore. I just wanted these days to be over. 

But what about the promises I made to my mother? I promised her to conquer everything, every fear in my life.

I glanced at my tattoo, Love Never Fails.

She used to call me the love of her life. She reminds me of her presence with me. If she were here, she would never want me to hide. While I was in the turmoil of my thoughts, I heard a knock.

“Who is this?” I whispered.

“Hey, babe, it’s Clara.” The voice came from the other side.

With no delay, I rushed towards the door and opened it.

“Hey, are you ok?” She entered my room.

I hugged her, as I couldn’t control myself with the emotional ride.

“I fear them. I fear Xander.” I said.

She quietly listened to me or what else she could do. We, freshmen, had no power over seniors, and putting our expectations on the management was a waste of time.

“I have an idea.” She held my shoulder.

“What?” I said in a hopeless tone.

“Just say sorry to him.”

“But why? Is this my fault?” I answered.

“Listen, you want to end this or not? I know it’s not your fault. Just say it. All they wanted was for you to feel sorry for what happened.” She tried hard to convince me.

She was right. All these people wanted to listen to one thing from me. I agreed with her suggestion.

“Let’s get ready. Today we have some important lectures to attend.” Clara fueled my spirit.

I made myself ready with a black stocking, black boots, and a royal blue full sleeves dress. Clara didn’t allow me to tie my hair.

This time, I listened to her as we walked out of the room.

The chilly wind made me curl my toes and nose like a red cherry.

“It’s cold out here,” I said while hugging my bag.

“The weather is pretty good. We can go for a long drive.” 

I literally ran inside the building to get some relief from the calm winds.

We reached my locker, and there I saw Xander pasting some papers on my locker. I kept my peer down and walked towards it. He didn’t notice my presence and left the hallway.

Tears filled my eyes when I glanced at the poster. 

It was a poster of a girl wearing glasses covered with weird liquid. It was yesterday’s picture of mine.

“Clara,” I showed her.

She ripped the paper as we could read some nasty comments about me.

I couldn’t stop my tears from ripping that paper from my locker.

“I need to talk to him,” I whispered, while slapping tears from my eyes.

“Not now. I think it’s better when you talk alone.” She signaled as Zareena and Victor smirked at me.

I pulled my hair behind, wanting to calm myself with this torture.

We took our stuff and walked towards our class.

Today, I have to talk to him. Otherwise, they will not stop.

******

~Xander~

After we finished our last lecture, all my classmates went out except me.

I got a call from Raph; He is my elder brother and my mom’s responsible son. Raph took responsibility after our father’s death. As mom used to handle international clients, he handled local matters in our business. Although we have a mansion across the city, I never like to cage myself with business meets and clients. I have my own life, which I want to enjoy the most. I have my luxurious apartment near the college. I wanted Matt to shift with me, but he never liked my living style. Girls and booze. He is not into any bad habits. Sometimes I wonder how he became my best friend. We are different. He is a one-woman man, and I am the opposite of him.

“Hey, big brother, how are you?” I answered the phone.

“When will you come to meet us?” He snorted.

“Brother, I know why you are inviting me. I am not ready to join our family business. Let me finish my graduation at least.”

I answered.

“You are wasting your time. Come and join us. We need you. I need you.” He played the same record.

He wanted me to join the business, but I love my freedom more than anything. We argued a bit about the same old topic, where I wanted some more time to think, and he got angry.

Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door.

I turned and saw it was her, Aoife.

“What are you doing here?” I said as I walked toward her.

“Can I talk to you?” She whispered, keeping her eyes down.

“What?” I answered while roaming my eyes to her.

Fuck, I saw her in the same dress in my dreams.

“Can I see you?” The words that came out of her mouth froze me.

What? Seriously, I looked at her intensely.

“Hmm,” the answer came out without my knowledge.

She raised her blue eyes with big lashes towards me. 

Our eyes met for a few seconds as I could feel her eyes taking me all in. She exhaled warm air as she blinked heavy lashes.

Her cheeks could give competition to tomatoes and that little nose.

“I am sorry. Whatever the reason is, I am here to say sorry. Please forgive me and let me live my life peacefully. I will follow all of your rules.” She started with a confident voice, but her voice got distorted as she reached the end.

I listened and could not understand why she was apologizing to me. 

My face was blank, and my mind played glimpses of the morning dreams. It was the effect of cold weather as she continued to fidget fingers.

She erased her tears before they spilled out from her eyes, and I saw her tattoo again. It made me angry for a second, but why was I feeling all this emotional ride for her? 

Suddenly, she bent down towards me. Without my knowledge, my whimpers came out as I jerked my head up. Am I dreaming, or is she about to give me that?

“Are you ok?” she whispered while she stood in front of me.

My eyes were gawking at her with confusion. Why did she bend down?

She extended her hand and showed me the pen cap.

I exhaled a burst of air as all these things teased my core. I saw something else in my dreams, and all she did was extend me the pen cap.

She continued, but I was lost in my world of pleasure.

I raised my hand to caress her cheeks. But before I could touch her, Zareena entered the room like a storm.

“What the hell are you doing with my boyfriend?” She screeched.

She pushed Aoife to the floor.

Within a few moments, everything changed. Zareena’s irritating voice dragged me from my La la land.

“What are you doing?” I screamed at her.

I extended my hand towards Aoife, but she ignored it and stood alone.

Zareena wanted to fight with her. But once I grabbed her hand and glared at her, she stomped herself out.

“I am sorry,” I said.

Aoife was crying with this humiliation, and I felt helpless looking at her.

“Please, I want peace. I didn’t come here to upset any of you. I came here to say sorry to you. Please leave me alone.” Her sobbed voice pierced my heart.

Why is she so innocent? Why was she saying sorry even though it’s not her fault? 

Suddenly, we heard the bell ring. She left the room with her questionable eyes, looking at me.

*****