CHAPTER 6

"Dave?" I stepped close to Dave to pat him. And he gasped.

"Arien, sorry, what is it?" Dave's voice trembled.

"Are you OK, Dave? I'd like to know what work I should do today." I asked him and looked at him. Dave was avoiding my sight.

"Is anything wrong, Dave?" I asked again. He lowered his head and said, "itttsssnnnoothhinfgg (it's nothing)."

"Hmm? What?" I asked him to repeat what he was trying to say.

He abruptly stood up and said, "No work today, you can rest." And he ran away.

I tilted my head, wondering why Dave acted like a different person.

In the meantime, outside his office, Dave blushed so much, pounding his heart like he couldn't breathe, and he covered his mouth while mumbling, "Why is she dressed up like that? I almost couldn't control myself at that moment."

Arien dressed only T-shirt on top.

Dave never shows up until I go back home. While on the street, I kept thinking about Dave's reaction today. "Is he avoiding me? Did I do something wrong today to make him like that?" That's all I could think about. "I'll ask him tomorrow."

"Arien, you become bold,! Are you just getting home? You go home very late every day! What are you up to? What have you been doing after school?!!? Who was the man you met today? What happened to your neck, and did you cover it with your man? Did you forget about your responsibilities at home?" My aunt growled at me.

"Ahhhh… I have no energy anymore. From school to home. Everyone likes to destroy me. What did I do wrong to receive this kind of humiliation. Do I need to become a villain to scare them off? I want to go to the top of the mountain and scream, WHAT A **** LIFE!!!" I spoke my mind and sighed while my aunt was roaring like a tiger!

I looked at her with no facial reaction. My aunt was shocked and stopped yelling. I returned my attention to myself in order to proceed to my room.

At school, while spacing out at my desk, someone popped out!

"Mrs. Gray summoned you to the teacher's office, Arien." I look up to see who is calling. I sighed and said, "You again? Andy, please stop approaching me, I'm begging you." I stood up and walked away. I left Andy stunned in front of my desk.

When I enter the teacher's office, Mrs. Gray is talking to our school director.

"Ms. Holme! Come on in." I went closer to them.

"Ms. Arien Holmes! Congratulations! You received a scholarship to the prestigious La Empire Academy." Ms. Gray informed me.

"You are the pride of our school. We're not surprised because you've always been a top student. But admitted to the LA Empire Academy, it took our breath away." The director boasted about it.

"You can go back now to your and tell your family about it." Ms. Gray added.

I dashed out of the office to find Cassy and inform her of the news.

"This will be the beginning of my new life! I'm going to put in a lot of effort." I happily mumble to myself.

"Cassy!"

"Arien, where have you been? I was searching everywhere, but I couldn't find you! You look happy. What makes you excited that much?"

Cassy, sorry Mrs. Gray, called me into the office. And I have good news for you!"

"What is it?"

"I passed Cas, and the LA Empire Academy for Scholars.""My work sample was accepted."

"Really!? I'm so happy for you, Arien. Let's celebrate later with Dave."

I suddenly became glum after hearing Dave's name.

"Arien, are you OK?"

"Cas, I think Dave got angry with me? Because he avoided me the day before."

"Impossible! Dave didn't know how to get angry. Anyway, wait for me in your room. It's my duty to clean the room now."

While waiting for Cassy at my desk, I looked out the window and saw a familiar face.

"Is that Dave, outside the gate?" I whispered.

I went to Cassy's room to ask what Dave was doing at our school. And she told me she didn't know and went to the gate.

To confirm what Dave brings to our school. I followed what Cassy instructed me to do.

"Dave, why are you here?" I asked.

"I came here to pick you up."

"Why? Cassy and I are going to your office together, so you shouldn't have to."

"I was worried because of yesterday. Can you hop on my back? I'll call Cassy to bring your things with her."

Dave assisted me in riding on the back of his motorcycle after he called Cassy.

I didn't notice that Rhea saw us.

"Rhea looked at Arien." Rhea's classmates whispered to her.

"She's really tired of leaving. I'm sure she won't come to school tomorrow." Rhea smirked.

Dave suddenly drives fast. I abruptly hugged him, and he smiled. When he saw me closing my eyes and hugging him, he was overjoyed.

Dave went to the motocross field where he always practiced. I hugged him tightly to avoid falling to the ground. After that, he told me to practice driving a motorcycle. And I agreed with a nod. First, he taught me the fundamentals. He handed me the lower-height motor so that I could easily step on it. Dave told me after we practiced, he would teach me every day to improve my skills.

Cassy arrived at Dave's office, and we celebrated, the three of us, to congratulate me.

"Arien, I went to that school as well. I just stopped going because of my business, but I'll be back next year to continue my studies." Dave informed me. And I'm glad I'll know someone when I start school there. Cassy will go there too. Because she couldn't leave me alone.

They surprised me when I saw my aunt and my two cousins at the door of the house. They are fuming, like they're going to kill someone.

"You're here now!" My aunt was screaming at me angrily, and Rhea was sobbing. I'm curious about what happened to them today.

"What's happened, aunt?" I asked. And she yelled at me while yanking my hair.

"You have the guts to question us? How dare you snatch Rhea's boyfriend?" My aunt smacked me hard.

"Boyfriend?" I am so confused about what they are talking about.

"Yes! I saw you get on Dave's motorcycle and go for a ride." Rhea stated.

"Mom, I'm afraid that tomorrow she will meet Dave again." Rhea added.

"Aunt, they don't have any relationships. She's making a story."

"For everyone's sake, I had better lock you in the basement and never try to escape again. I will break your legs." Following her aunt's words, I ran away.

"Mom, Arien is running away!" Roxie shouted.

"Don't worry, we know where she is heading to. I bet she will run to Cassy." It was something my aunt had assured me of.

"They are going too far. They really want to ruin my life. I don't want to be locked in the basement because they never give me food or water and keep me locked up for three months without light again. I made a promise to myself that I would not spend the night in the basement. Anyway, where can I go now? I can't involve Cassy again, like last time. It was extremely humiliating for her parents. I'm sure my aunt will check me out there first." I muttered something to myself.

The rain poured all of the sudden. Then I proceeded to walk down the street. Nowhere to go. I sighed and whispered, "What a lucky day!" I never cried because what I think of now is moving forward. And I don't want to waste my tears on them. Now that I've been accepted into college, I'm going to take all the risks necessary to achieve my life's goal.

Without a thought and a car almost hit me because of strong rain driver didn't notice me. The car stopped and apologised to me.

"Arien! What the heck happened to you!? I almost hit you!"

"Dave, good evening!" I greeted him and smiled.

"What's good in the evening in your situation?"

Dave got out of his car and escorted me inside.