TBBM IX. Muddy Girl

"You... are immensely annoying. Give that to me," I tried to snag the form from his hands but he was way taller than me--- it was just impossible.

"You can't overpower me, Hicks," he laughed devilishly. "So, don't make me crack the shits, or else, I won't sign it."

"...Or else, I won't sign it," I copied him.

#SoHelpMeLord

#Misfortune

(0o0)

I ended up showing him around. I kept low-key arguing with him, deflecting what he said, but I'd take it back after a minute, each time, realising that he was a friend to the Brother-President.

We reached the Museum of City History and I went for the stairs first.

"Oro, plata, mata. Say it as you take on each step," I initiated.

"Done with superstitions?" he said under his breath, making sure only I can hear him.

"Superstitions form part of History, Sir. Idiots wouldn't know," I furthered. But I realised he was no ordinary. "Just kidding."

He flashed me his devilish stare.

"Uhm... Here's the way of the ladies. There's the men. Please go that way."

"What about hickeys? Where do they go?"

I couldn't believe how far he had progressed in his attacks. so I decided to play along.

"Uhm... for the uglies and the hickies, history had it that they are carried by the men up the stairs."

He shook his head in the most airy and disapproving way and inched near me. This boasty, idiotic creature, what could he be doing next? For some strange reasons, I couldn't anticipate him, sometimes he'd save me; other times, he'd hurt me. The PAC girls were far more consistent, at least.

I ducked my head away in fear.

"What now?" he scoffed. "Don't imagine, Hicks. I'm just looking at the painting."

"Just how can you be that---"

He suddenly faced me. I couldn't fight him when he looked at me like that.

Grrrrrr....

We went next to the Botanical Garden.

"Obviously, here is where many students pass time as they wait for class. From assignments, to readings, you can virtually do anything here."

"I see," he was suddenly attentive. "Can do anything, huh? Like build cars?"

"Fools do," I faked laughter. "Joke."

I hated having to softly retract all the insults I'd been feeding him with. I really meant them.

We walked next to the computer center.

"This is the computer room, ERS. You can use their computers here for free."

"I've a lappy."

"Uhm... internet use is free, too."

"Wi-fi stick," he dug one out of his pocket.

I paused, consumed by muffled anger.

"Below's the Brother-President's---"

"I know. Family friends---"

"Boasty!" it slipped my mouth.

"What?" he displayed the tour evaluation form right in front of my face.

"Kidding," I fake smiled.

Then, we ventured the library, International Student's Office, Square pantry and Farm---yes, we had one inside.

"How much is this?" I asked, pointing on the newly-caught fresh water fish in the farm.

"You buy that? That's edible?" wondered the boasty.

"Yes. But only if you're human. Are you?"

"Are you being sarcastic now?" he pulled out my evaluation form again. "I was grading you---"

"Joke. Joke. Joooooke," I panted.

But he started laughing. I felt really miserable that he had control of me but his face turned red as he laughed devotedly. He looked really sincere as he laughed. It felt warm.

+++

Dear Saint,

Are you even telling God to help me? I mean, I prayed for Red to just spirit away for Good. But why are we even being in need to interact with each other every time!? Today he's been really mean to me.

Please help me. He's really scary.

+++

Dismissal time. I texted James that I wouldn't come see him anymore as it started pouring again. If I'd taken longer, I might end up being even more drenched than if I skipped dropping by his basketball practice and headed home already. He said he'd visit me at the food tent so I sufficed with seeing him a bit later.

As usual, I took my reddish brown coat from the facilitymen's quarters. It rained only briefly that instance so I folded my coat away. It felt no longer necessary. In my peace, I dreamed of James walking with me.

It was still a bit early so there weren't very many students at the shed waiting to cross the street. I was sure that would change in thirty more minutes, when most classes started ending.

The stop light turned green as I ambled in my head about seeing James. But instead of getting a bus, a silver car sped its way before me. It looked like it was going for me.

"I can't die yet," I froze as I looked away in fear.

Everything faded into a slow motion. I counted my last few seconds breathing.

12345679264690463529201999.....

BROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM...

It stopped briefly right in front of me but sped away after spluttering mud and puddles all over me.

And the slow motion ended. I bathed in murk.

I pinched my birthmark as I complained of my ill-fate, "I am now the muddy girl."

I watched as the driver sprinted away with his left arm stretching out of the window, teasing me.

He was wearing a white wrist band.

The exit had been steadily gaining population as I busied myself in drying efforts. But the coat was supposed to be water-repellent so it certainly did very little help. I decided to just wear the coat to cover me.

"Uh-oh," Angie looked amazed as she laid eyes on me. "Driver probably thought it was a placemat."

"Dirty placemats," Cecie added.

I wanted to be affected but she used the plural so...

"What an irritating sight," Phao concluded. "Unlike us, we're DDJ."

"DDJ?" I asked, intrigued.

The other two looked at her, too, similarly as intrigued.

"Drop-dead gorgeous!" she declared with arms high up in the air.

I was sure she'd be miserable once she realised. All the other students surrounding them were all laughing.

#WhatADay

#Misfortunes

I swore I'd get this birthmark removed.

T________T