- K A P I T U L O U N O -

"Pass your paper, and class- dismiss." Professor announces with her signature brows.

I hurriedly finish my reflection.

“… There are people fought for their lives, love ones and freedom, yet they are slowly and unknowingly pulled down by other people. People and their crab mentality mindset always overruled. . .”

"Ms. Amstel, the paper please!?" our Professor suddenly butt in.

"Ahm, I’m sorry Ma'am just one sec.?" I pleaded.

"Faster!" she replied. I finish my paper and "Ma'am". as I handed it to her, she nodded me for dismissal.

I sat at the corner in the cafeteria. Reading. A moment ago while walking down the street I saw a something little thing which covered with dust and a trash. I pay no attention but the force was to strong – its just that, something is interesting ‘bout that thing, so I look for it. As I pick it up, the looks and literally smell trash I do the checking and wiping , -- whoooaaah – I was marvel it wa-s a book

I pick it up. Wipe it. And I’m marvel it was a book of Circe by Madeline Miller.

"Taking blows on your arms, he said, was better than taking them in your guts. His smile in the dark of my room. Those heroes. You should see the look on their faces when I run straight for them” I silently read –

*blaagg - - - "Hey!!" someone said.

I lift my head slowly to see who is it. There are three bitches inside the campus who love to bully me every day and I know why they are that bad witches and as I 'always do. I keep ignoring them and pretend that I’ve never seen any of them.

“He told me to put down my spear. I told him I could not, but he just kept shouting that I must set it down, set it down. Then he grabbed for me--"

"Whoa, whoa, wait wait the nerd is ignoring us" in her British accent. " Can’t believe it" added the other one. Am still ignoring them.

" What about hmmm--" she was biting her lips while walking slowly and sit with poise in front of me “if we take this" she holds the tip of the book and pull harshly. I’m not aware of that, so she's holding it now. "Poor, Elizabeth nerd, no friends, dirt, hmm tsk tsk tsk- “she’s thinking what next she would say.

Then suddenly chuckle.

" How about Alice if we shred that damn thing your holding, what do you think"

whaa-t shred. Nooo I shout at the back of my mind. But I’m still remaining silent and do nothing.

"brilliant idea Sammy, brains” she snaps “why don’t you give it a try Alice!? Hmmm. -- "Sure Macy" she butts in.

Macy pick up my foods and throw it on my face. Looks like they are trying to make a scene here. To put me on shame of course. I blew a heavy sigh here we go again.

" So Ms. Nobody, how about cutting this book of yours. Sammy gimme the scissor. NOW" while laughing like a mad man.

She cut it into tiny pieces. What I’ve done to them? why are they treating me so bad and make me feel how worthless I am and good to be nothing but a dumb nerd, that I’m stupid. Why they always love to make fun of me.

Well I guess this is what we called life, unfair isn’t it. I cry silently as my book torn into pieces. Though I’ve it in the wayside it becomes a companion for me whenever I wanted to unleash my feelings.

They laugh devilishly like they’ve done so satisfying thing, well that’s a massive satisfaction for them,

whenever they sees me broken and miserable, they’re happy.

"Poor Elizabeth, she chuckled ' You left nothing" then they laugh in unison and leave me hanging and in tears.

Booh,- - booh,. as my schoolmates chants.

My tears won’t stop from falling. as the chants grows louder. I wish the earth will eat me I decided to pick all my stuff and leave this place to find another one away from them, away from people.

I look up in the sky and mesmerize by the beauty of it. I never stop wishing to get out of this miserable life. What if my mother is still alive? I would be able to live a happy life like the others? Please, tears stop. My eyes are already sore.

-

“Take our shirt off” he sweetly said behind my ears, I doesn’t want this things I hate it when everything he’s here the disgusted feeling I have in myself grows every time he touches me, as my hope fades like I want to end my life to.

“Elizabeth” I flinched.. “ No please” I beg once more but he was deaf when comes to this like he love me seeing me begging with tears.

He gave me an irritating look and walk toward me slow-y as I walk backward and trying to stay away from him. But I was cornered on the edge of the table “Please no, De-vin” I pleaded but instead he grab my wrist and push me towards him then lean closer and suck my earlobe “ Did I ever tell you that you smell so good” as he smell me like an addict” De-vin” I cry in a stutter voice “Please.” as his wet kisses goes way down to my sensitive neck and suck it like a hungry baby.. “De-vin don’t do this please. As his hand trying to lift the hem of my dre-

"Noooooo!!! I shout at horror.

" Hey miss you okay? " stranger said "Wh- who are you? a-and wh-where am I " I said while scanning the area.

"He-y you okay?"

"Ahmm. ye-ah, than-ks" "Axel" as he extended his hand. I’m thinking twice if I accept it or not. I do the first. I accepted it and he pull me up.

" There you go, so you are" he grin.

" Ahmm--" "A-huh"

"Elizabeth"

"Elizabeth" He mumble.

The world stops for a while when he flashes a genuine smile while he mumbled my name. Why it is sounds good as he pronounces my name. Why is that? His eyes they are so beautiful it sparkling like a shimmering star, his fair and flawless skin, hiis lips seem so soft-like I wanted to kiss it and-

"stop eye raping me" he snap in front of me

"Ahm" a turn my gaze at the other side. That was so embarrassing. "sorry, I shyly said

" it’s okay, so what’s make you slept here, and where is your home- Ahm if you don’t mind I can drop you off" he shyly said while scratching his neck.

I just stare him plainly I didn’t say anything; I don’t know what to react

" I’m sorry I went too far" he said "

It’s okay, by the way nice meeting you. . . Axel. I’ll go ahead, they might be looking for me" I bet they're not. I said at the back of my mind.

I walk out of his sight. I release a big sigh, home? I don’t think if real HOME exist.

"Waa-it" he chases me. so I stop

"Ahmm if you dont mind I can-" Axel.

"I’m good".

and walk out.

.

- Ensueño