MIRABEL
"Let's just go. No need to meet him, please, " I pleaded with Antonio, making an attempt to leave.Still, Antonio wouldn't listen to me. He held my hand tight, pulling me close."We are going to see Derek. I won't take no for an answer," He stamped, pulling me along.I trembled, unable to argue with Antonio over this. His eyes were filled with determination as he forced our path open, pulling me through the crowds.I just followed him from behind, feeling my heart pounding over his decision.Oh heavens!We're going to see Derek!Successfully, Antonio and I got into the gym, looking for Derek.We only saw the others going head to head with a basketball, but Derek wasn't with them.His absence gave me a sudden peace, making me believe that he wasn't here."Seems everyone just want to watch the guys only, " I assumed, about to get Antonio to forget about seeing Derek.MIRABELThe following day, Mr Hallman, just like yesterday, suggested he'd drop me at school.He didn't bother to ask his son, since Derek knows his way around. In short, Derek doesn't like going anywhere with his father, except for occasions involving wealthy businessmen and women.Inside the car, on our way to school, I sat quietly, staring out through the window.I was lost in thoughts, thinking about Tania and her wrath. All because of Derek's action, she wants to punish me.If Antonio hadn't stepped in yesterday, who knows what would have happened to me.And Derek... He doesn't care, nor does he want to listen. He now thinks I'm trying to cause a wedge between him and Antonio.I felt so frustrated."Is everything okay?""Huh?" I uttered, turning over to face Mr Hallman.He glanced at me, then at the road, repeating, "Is everything okay?" He drove, taking a right turn."Yeah, every
MIRABEL"What?" Mr Hallman uttered in shock.Derek got to his feet to check the paper in his father's hand, while Mr Hallman drew closer to me, pulling me near."Who's after you? Tell me, " He requested, helping me to one of the seats.I tried to control my fear, telling him about Tania and how she always bullied me at school."An incident occurred off recent between her and her Derek, and now she's trying to get her hands on me. She wants to punish me, " I cried.Mr Hallman was stunned.I saw him directing his gaze at Derek, who didn't even look concern one bit."So she's planning to attack you because of Derek?" He asked me.Before I could nod, Derek sparked out."Quit using me as an excuse. Tania isn't coming after you for anything. You're just exaggerating," He sparked, getting angry.Mr Hallman called his name in a strong voice, ordering him to be shut. "No, I won't. You
DEREK"Come on, more pushups!" Coach whistled out, ordering us.The others were acting all lazy while I was carrying out the task with seriousness."Be more like Derek here! He's doing it perfectly!" Coach compared me to the others, getting them to the ground.He thinks I'm doing this with passion, but I'm the only one who knows why I'm going like a machine. It's all because of her, Mirabel.After that night at the kitchen, I've not been myself. Her action left a spark of fear in me, leaving me scared of her rage. Who knows what will happen when next I make that move again? She might pull out a screwdriver or pocket knife and sink it into my chest."I hate you!" Her voice echoed in my head, distracting me.I lost my focus, falling to the ground."Wow! What happened, Champ?" My coach asked, drawing nearer to me.I sat up, swaying my head."I need a break, sir, " I s
DEREKThe red light to the emergency room was still on.I was pacing outside, desperate to know when all these would be over. It has been an hour already, and no one has stepped out to speak to me.Is it that serious?What am I saying? The bruises and the blood I saw with my eyes, wasn't that enough to show that Mirabel was attacked brutally?"Pull yourself together!" I groaned, finding it hard to control my shivering body.I've been restless since Mirabel was taken into the emergency room. Her bloody swollen face, stamped in my head, gave me no chance to find peace.She's the only one my mind.I can't help it.Antonio's apology from the ambulance, echoed in my head, filling me with regret.I came to a stop, leaning against the wall, thinking about those times she tried to talk to me, but all I did was attack her for meddling in my life.Her tears from that night, when she pointed the
DEREK "What do I do now?" I sighed, leaning against the wall, close to the door of a room at the hospital. With all that was going on, I couldn't think straight. My mind felt empty, having no clue on what I should do or where to go. It felt like the angel of loneliness had fallen on me somehow. My father doesn't want to speak to me, and my friend sees me as the villain. I was stuck. "Please get better, " I heard Antonio's voice from behind. Looking to the right, I peeped into the room I was standing outside and found Antonio taking hold of Mirabel's hand. His face engulfed with sadness, caressing her hand with bitterness in his heart. "Please Mirabel, " He begged. My heart quivered at the sight of this. I have only seen Antonio being jovial and friendly, but his rage and sadness was a new phase for me. We've been friends
DEREK"What is happening?Father returned with the cops, looking raged over something.He was fuming in anger, letting out curse words while stamping his feet in rage."Why?!" He yelled, grabbing his hair in frustration.From the look of things, it was clear that something had happened at the college.I was close to the entrance of the hospital when I saw him storm inside, with the cops calling out to him from behind."Mr Hallman, listen.""No, I won't! You can't just take what they said despite what you were told. You should have arrested that girl! " He roared, getting attentions on him."What's going on?" I muttered, stepping closer to listen to their conversation.Father's eyes had spotted me, but he just ignored my presence, still arguing with the cops."That young man told you who the culprit was and you didn't do anything. I can't believe you guys!""Mr Hallman, you heard what the school said themselves. It's not like you weren't there, " One of the cops said, trying to get fat
DEREK"Please, I'm looking for my daughter. Her name is Mirabel."I couldn't stand seeing Mirabel's mom in pain, as she begged from one nurse to another, seeking for Mirabel.Antonio and I stood at the corner where her eyes couldn't spot us quickly. Otherwise, if she had seen us, she would have raced down to here to demand for her girl.Unable to bear her demands, I patted Antonio on the shoulder and said, "Go and get my father.""On it." He nodded, rushing back to the room.I gave out a sigh before stepping out to meet my stepmother.The moment I came into view, she saw me."Derek? Derek!!" She yelled my name out, rushing towards me. Her hands fell on my arms, squeezing tight with desperation. "Where's Mirabel?!" She asked with her eyes popping wide.I tried to calm her down, but she wasn't ready for it."Derek, tell me where Mirabel is! You can't tell me to be calm when my girl is here. Where is she?" She demanded. Just then, her eyes lingered to the side, with her face all froze
DEREKI stared at Antonio and Mirabel from the door.My friend gazed back at me, but Mirabel didn't. She just took her eyes elsewhere, getting comfy on Antonio's lap.And the sight of this was beginning to eat me up."What's up? " Antonio asked, running his hand in Mirabel's hair, and petting her.I held back my feelings towards this, pulling myself together. I needed to be calm than getting annoyed. Cooling my mood, I asked Antonio, " I thought you said you'd head home as soon as we arrived?""Oh, shoot! That's true, " He exclaimed, lifting Mirabel's head off his lap and jumping out of bed."I haven't been at home for days. I promised my parents I'd be home today, " He shared, smiling at me then at Mirabel.When he said that, Mirabel's face came all dull. She stared at Antonio with sadness in her eyes, like she was begging him not to leave her alone.And my friend noticed this mood from Mirabel. He smiled at her, cupping her face, saying, "Hey, don't worry. You're home now. I just