Take care and Be safe

After reading the message I received, my eyes roamed

around to search for the culprit. When I noticed James sitting on

a table with his co-teachers, my eyes squinted.

He didn't bother to look at me so I doubt it was him.

When I finished the food on my plate, I grabbed onto a

bottle of water. It was only on time since the bell finally rang,

signifying our third class; calculus. I wasn't the brightest student

in class however; I can say I've managed it well. I just needed to

be average to pass my scholarship.

It was already at the end of class when I received another

text message. My face turned grim for a second upon checking

it.

"Take care and be safe."

I'm not sure if I should be happy or weirded out. I keep

receiving text messages from an unregistered number. He wasn't

threatening me instead he was being sweet however; I still can't

get it out of my system how it can be a stalker of some sort.

A chill ran down my spine. It's a good thing that my best

friend always stays by my side.

As time went by, my birthday was fast approaching. I

sealed my lips shut, not telling anyone about it so I could focus

all of my attention towards my studies.

For some reason, attending classes became so mundane

and boring; listening to her speaking voice as she continued to

tackle the subject in front of us, made ma sigh in vexation. Looks

like I'll just have to ask Google about the formulas she's

discussing since her words wouldn't sink in my head.

Upon finishing the class, Oddette turned towards me.

"Don't you feel hungry?" she asked.

We were currently in my room at a weekend because we

decided to review for our upcoming examinations and quizzes.

"Sort off," I replied smiling at her.

"Oh, come on, I heard your stomach growling," she said

to which we grinned. We went downstairs to roam the kitchen in

search of food.

"What's your plan?" Oddette asked while I was busy

spreading jam on the sliced bread that I took from the counter.

I frowned. What does she mean by that?

"What?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes and stared right back at me. "Duh!

Of course, it's about your birthday! You'll be turning eighteen in

two days!" she exclaimed.

My face turned blank, unmoved by her excitement. I'm

touched that she remembers it so well but birthdays aren't really

that important for me.

I shrugged my shoulders in response, "Can I ask you a

favor, instead?"

"Tell me what is it?" She looked at me after she poured

the chips on a bowl.

"Can you not tell anyone about it? Let's make it a secret

between the two of us."

"But why?" Oddette stared at me with a confused look.

"You know how my late parents planned everything for

my birthday?" I asked with a bitter smile on my face. "I prefer

not remembering anymore and just let the day pass by since it

hurts," I added. My heart started feeling like it was hammered in

place; just saying those words out felt like I was being stabbed

several times on my chest.

I didn't even notice my tears dripping down my cheeks

when Oddette leaned on my shoulder. She comforted me for how

sad I was. I smiled.

"Thank you," I weakly uttered.

"What are best friends for?" she responded as she

embraced me into a tight hug.

When the examination day came, my head flung half

open. I can't believe this was happening.

My chest felt so tight, I couldn't stomach eating my

lunch at all. I didn't think something like this would happen.

How and why?

It was not yet the final result but I knew something was

wrong with my examination. I wasn't that great in Mathematics

but it was impossible for me to plank, especially with the amount

of effort I put into.

I bit my lower lip, nervous and afraid. I heard his same

voice approaching me.

"I thought, you wouldn't let it affect you? What

happened to your studies?"