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Forty Two
v e r n o n
The realization dawned into me like nightmare coming true. My heart was hollowed, and my body froze for the ice-cold shiver that penetrated through my veins. Cruel thoughts raced through my head, and not the biggest effort could hide the venomous wrath that has dominated my body.
“Are you okay?” Catherine’s soft whispers momentarily brought me back to sanity.
At that very moment, I just wanted to destroy Jackson. The truth that I held begged to be freed. But as I looked at Catherine swimming in the shadows of the dark and worn-out bookshelf corner, her night-cloaked eyes holding me cautiously were the purest reflection of the sincerity that lies beneath her, I felt guilty.
I could not lie to her. It’s terrible enough that her boyfriend lied to her. But I could also not be impulsive enough to say something that can change everything for her.
She took another check o
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Euphoria Forty Three
c a t h e r i n eIt vexed me when Vernon called all of a sudden. He asked to meet in a haste despite the already late hour.It was only a good thing that I was alone in our house, and Jackson wasn’t around despite the fact that I’ve been inviting him a lot lately.Without further thoughts, I trailed the mounted roads and narrow alleyways that lead to the Good Day convenience store. The sight of it when I was a few steps away tugged at my heart string. There was something about it that would never fail to make me feel warm. Its huge name, which says "good day" greets every visitor, no matter their purpose of passing by, with almost an imaginary smile.Inside its glass walls, I saw the new part-time worker behind the counter. The tables were wide empty, and the pa
Euphoria Forty Four
c a t h e r i n e“You sure want to talk to him?” Jackson checked in on me worriedly.It was the very same night he saved me from that party, I talked to him on his car and asked whoever tried to do it to me. He was reluctant at first but I convinced him through it.“Yes.” I said with a nod.“But wouldn’t it be harder for you?”“No, I want to talk to him. I can’t keep my anger to myself.”“W-what are you going to do? Are you going to sue him? Tell your father about it?” Jackson grew excessively panicky.I shook my head no. I am certain I
Euphoria Forty Five
c a t h e r i n e“You can’t do this. You need to calm yourself.” Vernon kept telling me as we rode the bus to Jackson’s neighborhood.“Maybe you should meet him another time. Please, this is bad. Let your anger subside. Face him when you’re rational.”“I am rational.” I made emphasis while restraining my anger.Ironically, I could barely speak soft nor breathe subtly for my chest is heaving so hard with unshed fury. Even my fists were balled, my fingers were burying so deep in my palms I am sure it was wounding by the second.I flinched when Vernon’s palm rested on top of my fists. He caressed it, leading me to relax.
Euphoria Forty Six
v e r n o n“What’s with the solemn face?” Mingyu shoved my arm.Disturbed from my reverie, I glanced at him with a scowl. It was early in the evening and we were playing basketball in a nearby court just outside our high school. Some of the late classes had just finished, and the teachers had already left too.Mingyu and I were practicing for our tryouts like usual. We sat on the bleachers to refresh ourselves, and for just a moment of rest, my mind instantly wandered to Catherine.“I was thinking about what might have happened to Cath..” I admitted after gulping from my water bottle.“Yea. That sucks.” Mingyu shook his head.I have a
Euphoria Forty Seven
v e r n o n“I don’t know about you, but my family can’t know I am using drugs!” Mingyu grunted in growing panic.I resumed putting on my shirt, and with a heavy sigh, decided not to worry about it for now. It is equally scary for me to be found out, but I could not be panicking right now too, especially that Mingyu’s going nuts over it. On top of that, I had Catherine waiting for me. That should take priority now.“I need to go, Mingyu. I’ll talk to you later.” I patted the taller guy’s arm and carried my duffel bag away.
Euphoria Forty Eight
v e r n o n"I can't do it." I protested as we stood outside our usual hideout.Together with JB and Mark, we waited on a hidden alley a few blocks away from our school. It's a vacant street that looked like a dumpsite, given the vacant establishments that stood along it. We had often come here and never for a good cause. We came here to smoke, to get high, and to pick fights."Snap out of your cowardice, dude! This is for us! For college!" Mingyu shoved my arm as he tried to make sense of this plan."We still can't get into college even if we get into the basketball team! Don't you think there wouldn't be any medical examinations before then? We would still be found as junkies. The moment we did this, we destroyed our fucking future!" I lost control and yelled back at
Euphoria Forty Nine
Forty NineCatherine insisted not to walk her home that night. So I remained on the bus as she went out for her stop. She waved at me despite her already heavy eyelids. She was tipsy. The soju bomb had taken a toll on her, I could tell that by her over talkativeness and hyperness. I have never seen her that way and it was too amusing.Despite the obvious tipsiness, she insisted several times that she could go by herself. According to her, she can manage. And I could never win an argument with her so I did not insist on accompanying her home.Back home, all the guys were present in the living room. Some trap music was blaring in the background as the weed smoke reeked in the tiny space. JB was on his computer seat; Mingyu on the sofa, and the two guys were sprawled on the floor. Bottles of beer and cigarette sticks lie with them.
Euphoria Fifty
v e r n o nI woke up still stoned the next day. But miraculously, I managed to make it early to class. I just took a couple of downers and I'm half-alive to function. I still felt like shit of course. My headache and fatigue is immeasurable but I pushed myself just so I could see Catherine.I texted Mingyu and asked if he'd seen Catherine or if she's in our class already but he said she isn't. So I waited outside the school's gate for about twenty minutes. I was only disturbed when I saw the gates slowly being closed by the school guard and by the discipline officer, Mr. Song. I cursed inwardly when I glanced at my clock. It's five minutes past 7 am and Catherine is still nowhere to be found.I was about to call her when my eyes found her running from a distance. Behind her are the other students running their life towards t
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