2 Hey! I Just Wanted To Eat Peacefully!

I still couldn’t believe that my friends left me while I was in the restroom. Now, I’m walking alone. Honestly, Dwight was also there; but I just didn’t count him in.

“Tania…” I turned around when I heard my name.

Big eyeglasses, braces, slightly attractive… Wait a minute. I know this guy! He’s from 4-E!

“Hey, Johnny,” he had to look up at me as I’m taller than him. It’s awkward ‘coz people are now looking at us. I’m expecting that there will be a new gossip about us and it’ll reach everyone’s ear in the academy before this day ends. I knew that Johnny likes me; and although I’m being nice to him, I already made it clear that he should never expect anything in return as our feelings isn’t mutual. He said he’s cool with that; but he also said that I shouldn’t avoid him ‘coz there’s no way he would stop liking me.

He lifted the small pink paper bag. “H-Here… I bought this when we were in Hong Kong. I wanted to congratulate you so...” he’s blushing and he’s avoiding my gaze.

I accepted his gift wholeheartedly. “You didn’t have to! But thank you so much! You—”

Someone bumped into me, so I dropped the paper bag. I was about to let it pass, not until I saw who it was. Irritated, I called him before he could escape. There’s no way in hell I would let him have his way!

“You, asshole! Come back here!”

He stopped walking and he looked at our direction innocently. “Did you call me?” he smirked as he pointed to himself.

Did you see that?! This thick-skinned doofus is getting into my nerves! And, he’s clearly enjoying every bit of attention I’m giving him!

With his hands inside his pockets, he walked towards us. His eyes are on me like he’s not aware that I’m with someone.

“Why did you that?! Ten elephants can fit into this hallway and you chose to walk between us? What are you bitching about? You’re being rude ‘coz I left you? Why? Do you want me to carry you all the way in here?”

I scoffed and put my hand on my hip. This is ridiculous!

“I did what I had to do, Tania. You two were talking in the middle as if you own this hallway. Next time, be mindful of others if you don’t want to be disturbed like this,” he said coldly before he left like nothing happened.

What? It’s my freaking fault now?! Look who’s talking! He is such a hypocrite!

Johnny handed the paper bag to me. He’s really worried. “Tania, are you okay? I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”

"Don't worry, I'm fine.” I faked a smile. “Don’t mind that attention-seeker. Just leave him to me, okay?”

I went to our classroom and everyone noticed my sour mood. I put my earphones on and played my favorite song from One Ok Rock. But I wasn’t able to enjoy that when Cailah tapped my shoulder.

"Who gave this?" she’s inspecting the content of the paper bag.

"Johnny…” I replied without looking at her.

“What’s with him and his gifts? Is he courting you?” Danielle pulled her chair and placed it in front of mine. “Dana and Stacie, come here! Tania will spill some tea!"

Great! They all managed to corner their target!

"This is so cute! I’m jealous!" said Cai as she hugged the Minnie Mouse stuffed toy.

Danielle nodded excitedly. “That guy’s really sweet, Tania! And he flew to Hong Kong Disneyland just to get that cute little… thing?”

I shook my head ‘coz it wasn’t true.

"May I see that?” Stacie took the stuffed toy from Dana’s hands. She really loved it ‘coz Minnie Mouse is her favorite Disney character. She asked me if she could have it, so I just gave it to her since I’m not fond of that thing.

“Thank you, Tania!” her happiness was really contagious, but Ranie had to spoil the mood.

"So, this is why you are all busy! Stacie’s grinning because of this weird creature!" he clacked his tongue and called Matthew.

"Where did you get that?” he asked.

"From Tania’s stalker,” I glared at Cai.

Ranie’s eyes widened. “Really? What does he look like? Is he also studying here? Do we know him? Where—”

Danielle hit him with her bag. “Gosh! You’re so annoying! Can you shut your mouth just this once?!”

“Ouch! Dude, did you hear that? Danielle hates you now!” Matthew teased his friend.

Stacie’s gaze is continuously moving from Ranie to Danielle. She has no idea that I’m watching what she’s doing.

Ranie called the brute at the back. "Dude, check this out! Tania’s stalker brought a mouse!”

“What?” Dwight removed his headphones, narrowing his eyes at Ranie. He snobbishly ignored the stuffed toy even though Matt’s already pointing it to him.

As if he wasn’t satisfied, he stood up and walked pass by me. He went straight to the boys and examined the “mouse”. Based on his reaction, he wasn’t impressed. In fact, he hated it.

“Is that it? Looks like they’re twins.”

See?

“Jealous…”

I looked at Stacie ‘coz I didn’t hear what she just said as our teacher suddenly came in and announced herself to the class. We all went back to our designated seats. My gaze accidentally ran over Dwight’s direction and he looked away as I caught him staring at me. I rolled my eyes and focus my attention on Miss Andrea. We already know each other, so we don’t need an introduction.

She assigned our very first task. “Write an essay about your summer vacation. Just type it in your MacBook and send it to my e-mail. I’ll dismiss you earlier than usual since it’s the first day of class.”

I opened my MacBook and started immediately. After a few minutes, I sent the five-page essay to Miss Andrea’s e-mail.

From the monitor, she glanced and smiled at me. “As expected from the top student. Good job, Tania!”

I smiled back at her and loosened up a bit since I’m already done. Dwight was the next to pass and the next thing I knew, the rest are done. But there was a problem with Ranie’s essay.

“Ranie, I clearly instructed you to write an essay about your experiences during the summer vacation. But the very first page of your work is filled with girls’ names! How did you spend it, then?”

Ranie rubbed his nape and smiled sheepishly. “That’s the point, Miss Andrea. My summer vacation was all about them!”

We groaned as we listened to his nonsense explanation. In the end, Miss Andrea accepted his essay and dismissed the class. And when we went out of the room, we heard the screeches of those students who waited for us. It didn’t surprise us as we’re all used to it. The hallway fell in silence as we started walking towards the lift. It feels like we’re in the movie where people would give way for the main leads. It’s happening right now—minus the dramatic music and effects ‘coz Ranie and Matthew are enjoying the spotlight.

“What’s for lunch, Cai?” we just got back in the house and Ranie’s already thinking about food.

“Don’t ask, ‘kay? Just wait and you’ll see,” she replied and went straight to the kitchen.

“So grumpy!” Matthew pouted his lips. He and Ranie decided to go upstairs to play some videogames.

I took off my coat and stretched my body. I felt Dwight’s gaze all over me, so I scowled at him. Stacie saw that, too; but she instantly bent her head down when she noticed that I was staring at her.

“Guys, let’s have a sleepover at my house! We used to do that a lot back then, but the boys fell in love with their videogames! Please? This also calls for a celebration ‘coz we all made it! I’ll host a party, you guys!” Dana curled the tips of her hair and glanced at us like a lost puppy.

“I don’t know, Dana. I’m not sure if my parents will let me…” said Stacie.

Dana poked me. “How ‘bout you, Tania? If you’ll come, so is Cai. Danielle already said yes…”

“Okay, but I need to go home first. I’ll get my things.”

Dwight was typing something in his laptop, but he paused momentarily when he heard what I said.

The girls clapped their hands. “Sure! That’s great!

I smiled and sat on the couch. They both went to Stacie, trying to convince her to come.

“Come on, Stacie? It’ll be more fun if we’re complete!” the host almost pleaded.

Stacie pursed her lips. “I’ll ask my parents first.”

“Goodness! You’re 15, Stacie! Do you still need your parents’ consent? And it’s my house! It’s not like you’ll book a flight to Japan!” Dana groaned as she couldn’t believe that Stacie’s parents are not as lenient as hers.

Shaking my head, I grabbed the closest book to me. Dana and Danielle will never know what it feels like to be under the watchful eyes of our strict parents. Of course, it’s not a bad thing. They’re not overly protective to the point where we need to update them every now and then. Asking their permission is just a simple act of respect and obedience. Another thing is, these two didn’t grow up in the Philippines, so I really couldn’t blame them as they had adapted the Western culture.

Stacie shrugged her shoulders. “Yeah, I think so. And you two don’t know the struggles…”

The cushions sunk in a bit, so I tilted my head to my right.

“What?” Dwight asked me while he was setting up his laptop on the center table.

I didn’t say anything and just rested my head on the couch. I feel a little bit drowsy ‘coz I wasn’t able to sleep properly last night. We had a party to attend to so…

I was surprised to wake up at my own bedroom in the second floor. Maybe, Matthew or Ranie brought me here. How nice… He even wrapped me in the comforter, so I wouldn’t feel cold.

I washed my face to freshen up. Then I brushed my teeth and combed my hair before I went downstairs. I was standing on the stairs’ bottom landing when I saw Dwight in the living room. Too focused on the laptop screen, he didn’t notice me. He’s alone… I wondered where the others went, when they don’t usually go outside much often.

“You’re finally awake…” he said without looking at me.

“Oh, no. Don’t get fooled. You’re talking to my soul,” I replied sarcastically.

“Really? Am I a ghost, too?” Smiling, he glanced at me. “Didn’t expect that heaven would be this beautiful…”

I cleared my throat. “Where are they?”

“I have no idea. They just… left.”

I didn’t point out that our friends were being weird ‘coz I know that he was thinking the same.

“Kay,” I just said that to get out of the conversation.

Frowning, he instantly looked at me. “What K are you talking about? For your information, Miss Rank One, ‘K’ has a lot of meaning. So, you’d better be clear if you don’t want me get the wrong idea.”

And he totally got the wrong idea!

“Kay! O-K-A-Y!” I rolled my eyes and moved to the dining room.

Thank God ‘coz my cousin left some Chicken Curry for me. Both of her parents are chef; they own a chain of restaurants located in Metro Manila. I prayed before I started to eat. Once I’m done, I poured the iced tea into the drinking glass. But the jug almost slipped in my hand when ‘Dwight The Mushroom’ appeared out of nowhere!

I stood up and glared at him. “What the hell?! You can’t just barge in here whenever you want! I’m still here!”

“What? I can’t even get a glass of water?” He placed his hands on the table, closing the distance between him and I. I swallowed hard ‘coz he was looking at me intently. “First, the hallway. And now I’m not even allowed to go in the dining room? Why’s that, Tania? Hmm? Tell me.”

“J-Just don’t startle me like that! It’s not funny!” I took the drinking glass and was about to storm out, but he leaned closer so I couldn’t get out.

“W-What?!” I swallowed harder as I tightened my grip to the drinking glass.

He clenched his jaw; his dark gaze was running over my lips. Then it went up to my face again to stare at me longer than he ever did. I lost it when his lips touched mine. His kiss was really fast and shallow. It was just a peck! But that kiss had set the fire within me aflame—turning my anger into something that of a fury. I was so furious that my eyes heated up. So furious that I couldn’t look at him.

“You don’t own everything, Tania. Including me. So, you have no say on whatever the heck I want to do.” He removed his hands off the table as the corner of his mouth rose up. He drank the whole glass of iced tea and smiled evilly.

“Now be a good girl and mind your own business. ‘Kay?”

He left me dumbfoundedly. Feeling the weight of my body, I sat back on the chair. Gazing open-mouthed at the empty drinking glass, I tried to digest what he said… everything he did.

“Tania?”

I jumped in shock when my friends started to show up at the doorway one by one. We all looked at the floor where the drinking glass scattered into pieces.

“Hey, you alright?” my cousin rubbed my back. Dana and Danielle decided to pick up the glass shards, but they were watching me.

Stacie leaned on the wall and crossed her arms. “She just couldn’t believe what had happened…”

My eyes widened. D-Did she see that?!

“W-Why? What happened?” Cai asked cluelessly.

“Ask Dwight…” she glanced at me and smirked.