Chapter 7

Bike

For the first time in my whole existence, I woke up late. 8 minutes late than my usual wake up call. What the hell? Am I that tired last night? Or I think too much about Van and his stupid number.

I hurriedly get up my bed only to groan in pain coming from my legs. I forgot about my wounds for a second. I still tried to walk down the bathroom and took a shower.

Putting clothes on was never a hard thing to do unless you're like me who can't lift my leg properly. Ugh, this is so frustrating.

After wasting a lot of minutes in dressing, replacing the bandaids with new ones, and putting on a shoe, I hurriedly come down the stairs that I nearly stumble and bump into Zach's small body.

"I'm sorry, kiddo. I'm just in a hurry", I apologized and check his face and body if I hurt him.

"I'm okay. What happened to you?", he asked after noticing the bandaids plastered on my elbow. I put my arm down after fixing his glasses.

"I crashed my bike on a lampost last night", I lied.

I can't tell him about it. He's too young to understand. I can't tell it to my mom either. She's just gonna scold me. She might not even allow me to do my job again. I can't let that happen.

"Are you okay? It looks painful", he said while still trying to peek into my arm with a wincing face as if he is the one feeling the pain. He is cute. I guess our time yesterday afternoon made him a bit comfortable with me that he actually ask me a question.

I gave him a reassuring smile and said,

"Yeah. It's far from the intestines. I better get going. Is Mom gonna send you to school?", I asked when I noticed he is in his uniform and backpack.

He nodded. I nodded too and patted his head before going out.

My leg is still aching and swelling a little but I can manage to walk normally. I walk towards the grills of our gate, where I usually lock my bike only to see that it was not there. Where is it?

Before I could even panic, a memory from last night crossed my mind. I remember crashing my bike to avoid bumping it to a bad guy, then Van picked it up and put it in the trunk of his car. Oh great. I forgot to tell him about it last night either. When did I had a dementia?!

I pulled my hair in frustration and tried my best to think straight. Maybe he forgot about my bike being in his trunk too, that's why he forgot to take it down his car.

I was thinking of a way to solve my piling up problems when I heard a car stopping in front of our gate. I walk towards it to see who is it. To my shock, it's the guy I was just thinking about. Not in a romantic way, I mean.

I opened our gate and walk towards him. He was already outside of his car waiting for me. I know he has a reason to wait. I have his jacket with me. So, I pulled out his jacket out of my bag and handed it to him.

"It's already washed. And again, thank you for lending it to me", I said which sounds ungrateful to me as usual. He take his jacket on my hand and stared at me again. Waiting for something.

"By the way, I left my bike in your car last night. I'm sorry about that", I said while rubbing my hand at the back my neck. A sign that I'm embarassed or shy.

Because I really am.

"Is it still there? I mean, it's my ride to school", I added.

He looked at me then walk towards the trunk of his car. I looked at him to see if he is getting my bike, but he didn't. He came back with a small thing on his hand and gave it to me. It was the red string with a cross pendant that I tied on the handle of my bike. It's for protection as what my Mom told me.

"You bike's fork is broken, as well as its derailleur. I left it at home so I could fix it", he said in a serious, monotone way. Far from the tone of his text last night. I shake it off my mind and focused on what he said.

"What? You shouldn't have done that. I can manage it", I said. A bit guilty that I took another of his time.

Now another problem has arised. How will I get to school? I have to walk a few blocks to get to the bus stop. And I already reserved my legs for biking and school. Well, I could just spend my biking energy to walking.

"Anyway, then I'll just pick up my bike in your house later. If you don't mind. For now, I'll get going", I said before turning and started walking.

I looked at my watch and calculated the time it would take by walking and riding the bus to school. The outcome numbers are bad. I'll still end up late.

I haven't taken at least five steps when I heard his voice.

"Hop in", he shouted behind my back.

I turn around and saw him standing beside the open passenger door.

"No, thanks. I'm all good", I said and continue walking sideways so I could still see his reaction.

He walked towards me and held my wrist dragging me a bit to his car. Because it's near, we are already in front of it before I could protest.

"I insist", he said seriously and then guided me to hop inside his car.

The next thing I know, I was already in with a sitbelt on. An image suddenly flashed my mind and that brought me back to reality.

"I can't. ", I said trying unlock the sitbelt on my side.

I was about to push the car door when the car started moving. I looked at him with disbelief.

"What?", he asked flatly when he realized I was staring at him.

"I can't go to school with you", I explained.

He arched his brows making him look more serious than usual.

"Why?", he asked without looking at me , because he is driving.

"Because you're Van and I'm Eli", I pointed out at him.

"What?", he asked, looking confused now.

I'm getting frustrated that he can't get it. And I'm starting to get pissed with his replies that is nothing but 'WH' questions. So much for being a short tempered.

"I can't go to school with you because you're Van with whatever surname. A popular guy in school while I'm Elianna Perez, with a homosexual relationship issue with my bestfriend. It will cause an uproar. I can't be associated with you", I explained to him more clearly. I hope he get it this time.

"What does that supposed to mean?", he looks seriously puzzled this time.

I slapped my forehead in disbelief. This is ridiculous. He is ridiculous. I can't believe he's a slowpoke and lacks some common sense.

"It means it will be another issue if they see us together", I said with a tone of defeat. I don't care if he still didn't get it.

"So?", he replied while shrugging his shoulders.

"What do you mean 'So?'? Look, I want to graduate highschool in peace, okay? I'm already settled with the issue I have with my bestfriend. I don't care if they think that way between me and her. Love wins", I reasoned out.

"Then you shouldn't care with the issue that will happen between us, too", he said as if it's the best answer I have.

"It's a different story. A disastrous one in the making. And I'll definitely take all the damage since they can't even talk or ask you", I still tried to point out.

"Then don't say anything as well. They don't have the right to ask you, anyway", he responded as if it was that easy. At least for him, since people find him cold and intimidating. Even I was intimidated by him at first.

Unlike me, I will be bombarded with questions, first and foremost, by my gossip queen friend and maybe some other courageous, gossip-seeking students at school. I'll absolutely take a critical hit.

"Okay then. Let's just do this. Just drop me off two blocks from the gate and I can walk my way in while you drive your way through", I suggested to him.

He paused for a while before nodding.

Okay, that solved the brewing issue. I, then settled myself peacefully in my sit and waited for us to arrive at our departing spot.

When we reached the agreed spot, I was flustered when he didn't stop. What is he doing?! I thought he understand what I said.

"Hey, we're over pass it. Stop now", I said and tap his arm. He didn't even look at me and just continue driving his way through the gates of the school. The gate of hell for me this time.

"What are you doing?!", I finally said trying to hide the frustration in my voice.

The sly fox just made a half smile without looking at me and it was at that moment, I knew... I fucked up.