Chapter 10

Alitha's POV

"Hey."

"Hey." Glen look up and smile at me.

"Can I join you?"

"Sure." He moved so that I could sit next to him. "Where's your food?"

"Ah, yeah." I forgot. I stood up and walked to the counter. I get my usual food and drink. When I walk back at Glenn's table, I accidentally look at Nikolai. I gasped when I saw him looking at me. But I didn't stop walking. I immediately averted my eyes away from him.

If he's not the one who texted me, he should just answer that he is not. He won't insult me ​​anymore. Although he is handsome, famous and mob by the women here on campus, still he have no right to insult me ​​like that. He's not the only person who is bearing that characteristics, he should not be proud of.

"It's that all you've got?" Glen stood up and took the tray from me. He put it on the table. He's kind of gentleman which is I like most. He is like a brother to me just like how Glaiza treats him.

"Yeah." This is okay with me. I sat down and started eating.

"By the way, this is Marc. My classmate and a good friend of mine. Marc, this is Ali. Galiza's bestfriend."

"Hi, Ali. It is my pleasure to meet you."

"Hello. Same here." We shook hands. I find him cute and charming. I am sure Glen and him have the same thing in common. They are one year younger than me.

I talk to them while eating. I never looked at Glaiza's table again because I am facing at Nikolai and Tracey's side. What will they think when they see me looking at them? Tsk. I might be insulted again if ever.

"I'm sure lots of men are jealous of us right now." Said Marc.

"Why is that?"

"Because we had the campus crush at the table. And we ate together."

"Campus crush? Who?" I wondered.

"You." Glen said pointing at me.

"Me?" I was surprised. "I'm a campus crush?"

"Yeah. Haven't you noticed it?"

"Noticed what?" I only got more confused.

"The men look at you every time you pass by. They just look at you when you turn around." Glen said. "And Marc is not an exception."

I can see Marc's cheeks. He is blushing that made Glen laughing out loud. However, I couldn't believe what they just told me. I did not know that men were looking at me when I'm around. I didn't noticed it maybe because I didn't mind looking around. I don't look around me especially if men are the ones I pass.

"I don't believe you." I said facing at Glen who is now smiling from ear to ear.

"You don't believe us?" I nodded. "Okay. Why don't you look around? Look around you, as in now."

Weird as I think it is but I followed Glen. I slowly look around and I didn't know how I would feel when I saw men looking at me. Not all but many of them. Some averted their eyes from me, others were ashamed to smile at me. I quickly looked back at Glen. I dumbly asked why that was.

"I told you." He winks.

But why do it felt strange? I'm not scared but I don't like the way they look at me. Even if it is just admiration, I still didn't like it. I'm also not happy to know that there are people who like me. It's okay to like me but I just don't like them to get near me.

When I looked up, my eyes welcomed by his bizarre stare. Nikolai's eyes were oozing with madness. That didn't last long because a blank expression changed on his face. But he doesn't take his eyes off me. What's his problem again? Why does he look so hard at me?

I fought his gaze. The kind of stare I gave him was sarcastic. I let him know I'm still not afraid of him. And even more I'm not ashamed of him. We just stopped staring when we heard the bell. Signal that the break is over and the class will begin again.

I got up and said goodbye to Glen and Marc. I will go out first before Glaiza can see me. And because I don't want to go with those with her. I don't want to plasticize those with her especially that Tracey girl.

"Ali! Wait for me, Ali." As soon as I heard Glaiza's voice, I stopped midway. I haven't got out yet. I don't want her to think that there is something wrong so I waited.

"Hey, are you okay?" She asked as soon as she reached me.

"Yeah."

"I thought you were going to leave me here. You are in a hurry to walk."

"I was thinking of going to the comfort room before our next class begin." Bravo, Ali! You are really such a liar. That's new.

"Is that so? Okay I will come with you." Cedrick and his gang still followed her. Even Nikolai I knew was just behind us.

"What about them?"

"Cedrick and Nikolai will be with us. They don't seem to have a class yet so they will hang out near our room first."

"Huh?"

"Why are you shocked?"

"I was not. I was just speechless. You seemed too close already."

"Lower your voice, Ali. It's embarrassing he might hear you." Her boyfriend can't hear because we are far away from them.

"So what? It's the truth."

"Anyway, what did you and Nikolai talked?" I was stunned but I didn't let her notice. This time, I need to minimize my voice.

"It was nothing. Not important so don't bother to know."

"Really? Why was he silent when he returned to the table? He didn't speak after you talked."

I shrugged. Is he that angry? Will he strangle me because I accused him?

"I do not know about him. Why didn't you ask?"

"His friends was asking him but he did not answer. Cedrick said he's in a bad mood. He always glanced at his cellphone."

"Maybe he was not in a mood. Don't mind him."

"But I noticed something about him earlier, Ali. I don't know if others noticed but I did. He was obvious."

My forehead furrowed. We have reached the comfort room. Glaiza said goodbye to Cedrick for a moment. I didn't look back and went straight inside.

We finished our thing first before facing the big mirror again. No one is inside so it's okay for us to talk here.

"What did you see?" It's not that I care for him. I am just curious and wanted to continue our conversation. That's all.

"He was looking at you. Not just a simple look, Ali. He was staring at you, big time."

"Hey. Your eyes were fooling you. Maybe he's not looking at me. There's a lot of people at the back. I'm sure he's looking behind me."

"I'm not stupid, Ali. Neither blind nor story maker. He is really staring at you."

My chest throbbed harder. It's like a kicker who wants to get out of its place. What I am feeling for him every time he is near is overflowing. The feeling that I couldn't give a damn name.

"Your sight is only deceiving you, Glai. Let him go. Don't mind him. Forget what you thought you were. It might be hard when he finds out, he will insult us for sure."

"Whatever. You're right, Ali. Let's leave him. If it was about you've talked earlier, maybe he's angry or hasn't moved on yet. That's the reason why he kept on looking at you."

"Yeah. Let's go." I went out of the comfort room first. Cedrick's other friends were gone except Nikolai. Nikolai's back is facing me so he hadn't seen us walking out from the comfort room.

I could no longer see him looking at us because I had turned my back on him. Why is he still with Cedrick? Will they be in the same class? Maybe.

Glaiza stepped aside to walk over to me. I felt the two men behind us. I am not a conscious person but at this time, I suddenly experience what they call consciousness. My back is facing him and my gracious chubby ass keeps on swaying as I hurriedly step forward. Oh well, the hell of that nerve.

We got to our room and I still didn't look at him. I left Glaiza who was currently saying goodbye to Cedrick. Our class went on and on until lunch time came. But before we got out of our room, I received another text message.

Unknown number: Hi

I was just stunned when I read the message. I checked If I blocked the unknown number earlier and it's blocked. So some unknown number texted me again. I did not reply but I did not the message either. I will just leave it here.

Lunch time and we're on school cafeteria again. This time, Glaiza begged me to sit next to her. I couldn't refuse her so I agreed. Meaning, I will meet and be with that Nikolai again. I just wished he didn't go with Cedrick so I wouldn't see him. But I don't think I'm strong with God because he didn't grant my request.

I saw him sitting in front of Cedrick. But why are they just two? Where are their friends? Where is his girlfriend?

Come on, Ali. Relax, will you?

Oh my God. I have been talking to myself already. Am I getting crazy? Can I still back away? But Glaiza was holding my arm and here we were in front of them.

"Hi, love." As usual, Cedrick stood up and made Glaiza sit. The table they got is only good for four persons. Next to their usual spot here in the cafeteria. So, I have no choice but to sit beside this brute.

I sat down next to Nikolai. He was just silent as he is busy with his cellphone. While there was a playful smile on Glaiza's lips. I can be civil with him around. And I don't care if he is still angry with me.

"What do you want to eat, love?" Cedrick asked Glaiza. In my case, I need to get my own food so without telling them, I stand up and walked towards the counter. They didn't say anything nor call me so I assumed there's no problem with what I acted. I didn't want to expect Nikolai to ask me what I wanted to eat. We are not lovers so why should I?

I'm hungry and my consciousness can't stop me. After I finished from the counter, I went back to the table where Glaiza was. She was sitting alone. And I didn't bother to look at the line if Cedrick and Nikolai is there. In fact, they don't follow the line. Most of the students are afraid of them so they couldn't say anything nor complain.

"Why did you go alone?" Glaiza immediately scolded me.

"What are you expecting me to do? Wait for Nikolai to get my food?"

"Yes."

"Oh no. He won't do that."

"Who knows he will do it. He was even surprised when you just stood up suddenly."

"He was just surprised but not going to get my food. So I went ahead."

I waited for those two men before I eat my food. I heard my phone beeped so I get it from my pants pocket.

Unknown number: Ali

I think I suddenly have a headache. I cup my head and debating if I reply the message or not.

"What is wrong?"

When Glaiza spoke, I abruptly remember I forgot to ask her if she had given my cellphone number to anybody.

"Did you give my number?"

"What? No. Why?"

"Someone is texting me."

"Who?"

"I don't know. Unknown number. Actually, this is the second time. The first one was early this morning. I have blocked it this morning. And this." I showed her my cellphone. The text messages from an unknown number.