I stayed indoors with Andra for the rest of the day. We were quiet most of the time and I felt like I was going to be alright. The next morning, I didn't attend any class. I could not bring myself to. Besides, I still felt sick, Andra had said I look so much pale. I didn't want to cause any more controversy about my looks. It was late afternoon when I heard a knock on the door and went to get it. It was Damien. I almost slammed the door back on his face. He was the last person I wanted to see. I felt miserable. The last time we talked he had warned me to stay away from him. He looked elegant as usual. His hair... I would learn to take my eyes off it. His eyes were unusually saggy but they only made him better.
If only I could...
"Hi Paige"He smiled.
"Hi"
I expected him to say something, at least the reason he had knocked on my door but he just stood there, staring into me. I suddenly became self conscious. My hair is a mess, I look so sick, Andra sa
"Will you stop?!"I said. "I don't understand what you're saying.""I can't explain. Forget it."He started to move. I could not help but think. Did he just say he was worried?"You have to explain. You're spending the rest of the day with me. I have to understand every word you say.""You don't want to know.""I do."I murmured."Well... I just can't explain. You just think about it."I winced. "Do you know how annoying you are?!"He only smiled."First, you say I'm sick and then you acknowledge the way I walk, like you were watching me the whole time."I paused to catch my breath. "Then you say you're worried about me?! What the hell?!""What?"He questioned. I knew I was blabbering but I suddenly felt like I had no reason to be shy since we were deep in the woods. It's the only moment I have."It's weird. You're acting too weird!" I added."That's understandable. It should be."He said. "It's my first time alo
"We have to get back to school sooner. Hop on my back.""No, I'll manage."I had a brace on my knee and I limped. My dislocated limb was also bandaged. I couldn't walk well but I also can't picture him carrying me."You won't."He lifted me up himself and backed me. I felt weak."Hold on tight"He began to move. "First, I'll get you new glasses. So the eye clinic first. Then we go to school. We can't do all while you leap. ""You can get new glasses. My frame is expensive. Besides how did you pay the bills?"He flashed a golden card across my face. Wow! He's rich."How did you get that? You don't work.""I have it okay? Stop asking questions and rest.""Don't get new glasses. I'll ask my uncle to...""Hush, rest."When we got to the clinic, my frame was changed into the exact one that broken. I was awed when he paid. The frame worth half a million bucks."You're rich?""Not really."He winced.
"I'm best at nothing."A wave of silence swept through the air. I only said the truth anyways, so I wasn't bothered."That's not true" Damien said. "Maybe I didn't ask well. What can you do? What do you like? C'mon Paige.""Swears."I murmured. "I have none. I don't like... Anything. Can't do... Anything.""Pf..."Liam hissed. "Rich kids.""That was inappropriate Liam."Damien warned. I wasn't hurt though."Paige, you can do something. You just...""Don't mock me. I can't!"I yelled at him. "It's the truth. You can go on with what you can do. I'll do other things but art? I know nothing. Don't make things harder than it seems. We had little time."Damien thought for a while."Liam, you go get some pictures. Leave us. Please."Liam smiled. "Okay boss."He left.Damien change position to the piano set and began to play. I felt like I was being left out. He's doing music definitely. I just sat there, listening to h
"I'll teach you how to play the guitar. You don't need to sing that song if you don't want to. You'll write your own songs. We'll write about out theme and sing together. That's the plan.""I can't sing...""You haven't tried.""It'd be awful.""I'm the only one here."I winced. "You act a lot like a man.""Maybe I am."He winked.*"You're so obsessed with this..."Andra said one morning. It's about a week since I started receiving lectures from Damien and I have learnt a lot. I sang all day, and all night. Not my fault, that was one thing I've found worth holding on to in my new life. Plus, it's Damien's personal guitar, he gave it to me and I sensed he had another. I adored it like I would adore him, I owe my life to him."You should be glad.""Sincerely, I am. You seem happier nowadays. But it's taking your sleep.""Do you sleep?""Of course!"She exclaimed. "I sleep for some hours after stu
When I woke up they was no one in the room. I was vexed that I'd asked them to wake me when they're leaving but they didn't. I was about to get some snacks from my locker when the phone beep. It was my dad."Hey Paige, how are you doing?""I'm okay."I yawned."Hm. That's good. I'm back from China. And I miss you so much, so I'll pay you a visit at your school...""Don't!"I imterupted him. "You can just do a video call. I'm fine. You don't need to stress yourself.""I'm not complaining. Remember you're the only one I have. I will be at your school tomorrow. I'd have come today but I have some things to sort out at the company.""Jude Kam. Stay at home. I'm not the only girl with a father in this school. I don't want you to come. Don't come Jude Kam!"He laughed on the other end."Don't you want to see me?""You have enough spies. Didn't they tell you how fine I'm doing here?""I want to see you myself. Period
"You're not going out today" Andra who was feverish on her bed said." And you. Sick? "" I'll be fine. My doctor would be here soon. "" You exposed yourself too much yesterday. I heard you went out with Liam. "" And I heard Damien was with you throughout the day. "" Not really. We both have gists then. You first. "" Now I'm feeling like I'm not sick at all. " She smiled." Yesterday, I was so happy, I mean, excited. I had to catch up on a lot though. But it wasn't as hard as I had expected it to be. Then I met Liam. He asked me to go out with him. When I got back. Do you know what Paige? It was the first time a guy...oh my I could not reject it.""You neglected your health for him?""C'mon Paige, I can't say "no, I'm sick. I'm scared I can't go out" Who does that?!"She paused. I felt like she was using too much of her energy to speak. "I can't do that if anyone would do that. My health can't stop me from livin
"you took your day off yesterday or what?" Liam challenged me after our usual morning lessons the next day."Andra was a bit down. I had to be with her."I saw his countenance change. I had to change the topic. "Did you guys have meetings yesterday?"The I saw Damien join us. I could not look good into his face. His expression was bland and when he talked, it was like nothing ever happened."We have just two weeks left. Let's go work on the song. Remember there's another.""Can I have a break, I need to see someone?"Liam asked."Andra's probably asleep. You can't see her now. "I said and then blamed myself for being too forward. I just read his mind."Oh well."He groaned."Shall we?"Damien led the way to the music room."What can we do with fifty dollars? "Damien began."Nothing. Obviously. That money can buy my socks"Liam said."That's why it's a test. Think!""Well, let me think." Liam arched his brow. "It
I stood by the window of the studio Damien got for us. I was in a baggy pink customer and my hair was plaited. I felt different, for the first time in my entire life I felt like I'd achieved something. We just completed the video shoot for our song and I was in tears. Tears of joy, maybe, maybe not. I haven't done something by myself in a long time, but this song, this whole show, I wrote it. I felt like I've just found a new Paige and I didn't know how to react to her. I knew I was going to love her anyways. Paige, that girl, that me, that musician. I never would have thought. And if someone had said that to me some months ago, it would have sounded pretty awkward, but here I am, feeling like the "eilish queen".I was too lost in thought to notice that someone had loined me."That was perfect Paige."I knew who it was without even taking a look at him. My teacher, the one who has been so unusually formal with me since I asked him to leave. It seems I'm the only