Chapter 11

[Chapter 11]

(GARNETT'S POV)

When I got to the lobby, I saw the three of them and immediately walked over.

"Hey, what are you guys doing here?" I asked.

"Oh my gosh! Jerome has a fiancée!" Elisha exclaimed.

Huh? What? I glanced at the Star Prince. They were talking to a girl.

"I'm hurt," Hazel said.

We all turned to look at Hazel. She clutched her chest while staring at Jerome and the girl.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Does it hurt that much, sis? I told you, don't fall for the Star Prince because none of them like us," Ami said to Hazel.

Hazel turned to us, and we were surprised to see tears welling up in her eyes.

"My gosh, Hazel! Do you really like him?!" Elisha asked.

She nodded.

"It really hurts when you see the person you like with someone else," she said.

Oh boy.

---

(JEROME'S POV)

"Hubby!"

My eyes widened at the voice calling me.

My fiancée!!

She approached me.

The three guys with me were stunned.

"I've been waiting for you here. Good thing I finally found you," she said.

Tch, such a hassle!

"Who's that?" Dexter asked.

"Oh, hi! I'm Cristina, and I'm his fiancée," she said, pointing at me. I swallowed hard.

"Dude? You're getting married?!" Arvin asked, shocked.

I shook my head and quickly pulled Cristina out of the campus.

When we got outside, I immediately let go of her.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I'm here because of you," she smiled.

Tch.

"But I didn't tell you to come here," I said.

"I wanted to see you. Is it bad to visit the man who's going to be my husband?" she replied.

Tch! Annoying.

"Go home!" I said, turning my back on her.

But she suddenly grabbed my ID.

Ugh!

"So your name is Jerome, huh?" she said, but I quickly took back my ID.

"Leave," I said seriously.

"Tch, I'm not leaving."

"Fine, don't leave. Do whatever you want."

After saying that, I walked away from her and bumped into the freak gang.

My eyes immediately met Hazel's. I swallowed hard and quickly avoided her gaze.

W-Why is she like that? Is she crying?

Tch! Did she see what happened earlier???

Okay, fine…

I-I have a crush on her…

Yeah.

A-Actually, it's been a while, but… ugh! I don't want her or anyone else to know. I don't want them to find out I like a freak. Tch!

---

(GARNETT'S POV)

As the four of us walked, Hazel was unusually quiet. Ugh! Love is so hard, especially when the person you love doesn’t like you back. And worse, you find out they’re already with someone else. Ugh! So painful, man!

ring ring ring

I immediately grabbed my phone.

It was Mom calling. I sighed. I knew it—something must be wrong at home. I answered.

"Oh, Ma? What’s up?"

("Child, how are you?")

"I’m okay. How about you?"

("To be honest, your sister is sick. I have no one else to turn to but you.")

I sighed deeply.

"What happened to Jaylene?" (That’s my sister.)

("We’re at the hospital now because her UTI acted up again.")

"Really? What can I do to help?"

("Child, even just some money for her medicine. I’m sorry for asking.")

I smiled softly.

"Ma, don’t apologize. It’s my responsibility to help. Don’t worry, I’ll find a way to send you something."

After that conversation, I sighed deeply. What now? I need to find a part-time job to send money to Mom. Ugh!

"What did your mom say, girl?" Ami asked.

"My sister is sick. Mom needs money for her medicine," I said.

"Alright. If you want, I can lend you some?" Elisha offered.

"No, Elisha. I already owe you too much. I’ll just look for a part-time job."

"A part-time job while studying?" Hazel asked.

"Yes, I need to," I said.

"Where will you find a job you can manage alongside studying? Remember, Garnett, you’re top 1 in class. It’d be a shame to lose that," Ami said.

I paused and looked at them.

"I don’t care about being top 1. I just need to graduate," I said.

"Still, it’d be a waste," Elisha said.

"Yeah, you might neglect your studies," Hazel added.

I started to think. Where could I possibly work? Ugh!

"Wait, what if you try the restaurant owned by Sir Ravil?" Elisha suggested.

Wait, that’s a good idea!

I smiled.

"Yes, I could apply there as a service crew member, right?"

"Exactly! And don’t worry, we’ll visit you every time you’re on duty," Ami teased.

"Tch, you’re all crazy," I laughed.

"So, are you applying there today?" Hazel asked.

"Sure, why not?" I smiled.

"What are we waiting for? Let’s go!" Elisha exclaimed.

---

When we got to Sir Ravil’s restaurant, we immediately went inside.

"Where could Sir Ravil be?" Elisha wondered.

"Hmm, I think he’s inside," Hazel replied.

"Should we ask someone?" Ami suggested.

A handsome chef passed by.

"Hey, handsome!" Elisha called out, catching his attention.

"Yes, Ma’am?" he asked.

"We were wondering if Sir Ravil is here?" I asked.

"Oh, yes, he’s here. Wait, I’ll call him for you," he said with a smile before leaving.

We exchanged knowing smiles.

Moments later…

Oh my gosh! Why is Sir Ravil so handsome?! My goodness!

"Oh, Garnett? What brings you here?" Sir Ravil asked.

"Ah, Sir, I wanted to ask if you’re hiring?" I asked.

"Actually, no. But are you planning to apply?" he asked.

I swallowed nervously.

"Y-Yes, Sir…" I said.

"Don’t worry, Sir. Garnett is very hardworking. You can count on her," Elisha chimed in.

Sir Ravil smiled.

"Don’t worry, you’re hired," he said.

OH MY GOSH!!!

"R-Really, Sir?" I asked.

"Yes. I’ll assign you as a waitress. Is that okay?"

I smiled widely and nodded quickly.

"Yes, that’s fine with me!"

"Alright, you can start tomorrow. Just give Raven your schedule so I can fix it."

"O-Okay, Sir," I replied.

My goodness!!! How could I forget that Raven is Sir Ravil’s son?! My goodness!

---

When we got home, hours passed, but we still couldn’t sleep.

"She’s so beautiful," Hazel said while looking at her phone.

"Are you stalking Cristina?" Elisha asked.

"Move on already, sis," Ami said.

"I didn’t even know you had a crush on Jerome," I said.

"She didn’t have to tell us; it was obvious!" Ami replied.

"Sigh, what do I do about my feelings for him?" Hazel asked.

"Just un-feeling it!" Elisha quipped.

I laughed.

"Not long ago, I was the brokenhearted one. Now it’s Hazel’s turn. You two better watch out—you’re next!" I teased.

"As if! I’ll never crush on a Star Prince," Elisha said.

"Me too!" Ami added.

THE NEXT DAY

When we arrived at campus...

"Hi, girls!" someone suddenly approached us.

"Cristina?!" Elisha exclaimed.

"Yes, I am. Hihi."

"You know her?" I asked Hazel.

Hazel frowned.

"Yeah, she's Jerome's fiancée," she whispered to me.

My eyes widened.

Whaaaat?! No way?! To be fair, she's gorgeous.

"W-What are you doing here again, Cristina?" Hazel asked.

"I'm here because I'll be studying here now. Hihi!" she replied, smiling as always.

"Oh, really?" Ami said.

"By the way, I'm Cristina... your new friend," she introduced herself to me.

Ehhh? For real?! I shook her hand and smiled.

"I'm Garnett," I said.

"Whoaaa, so you're the top student on the bulletin board?" Her eyes widened.

"Yes, she is," Elisha answered.

"Actually, the three of us are ranked 6th to 8th," Ami added.

"Wwwhoooaaa, really? OMG! I'm so lucky to have friends like you," Cristina said.

The four of us exchanged glances. Hazel remained frowning.

"Okay, what year are you guys in?" she asked as the five of us walked to our classroom.

"We’re second-year students in Section Moon," Elisha said.

"Star section, actually," Ami corrected.

"Oh, right."

"Omg?! I’m just a first-year," Cristina said, looking disappointed.

She seems nice, though.

"It's okay, Cristina. You're still our friend, even if you're just a first-year," I said.

She smiled slightly.

"Actually, I don’t know where my classroom is. Garnett, can you help me?" she asked.

I looked at the other three, and they nodded with slight smiles.

"Sure, let's go," I said.

As we walked, she started chatting non-stop.

"You know, my fiancé is super handsome! It’s a shame we’re not classmates since he’s in second year," she said.

Jerome is handsome? Well, yeah, he is. But gosh, my poor friend Hazel—having a crush on someone who’s already taken.

"How did Jerome become your fiancé?" I asked.

"Actually, we just met last week when my family and his family had dinner together. We were betrothed by our parents even before we were born. And you know what? The moment I saw him, I liked him already," she shared excitedly.

"But that time, he left immediately, and I didn’t get to know his name," she added.

Wow? That’s something. Life really is different for the wealthy, huh?

I accompanied her to the registrar, and after she got her schedule, I showed her to her classroom. After that, I hurried back to ours.

While I was walking, I ran into George. He smiled at me from a distance.

"Garnett," he called.

"Oh, George?" Gosh, I suddenly remembered my missing necklace.

"I have something for you," he said as he rummaged through his bag.

"What is it?" I asked.

He pulled out some chocolates.

"For you," he said, handing them to me.

"Wow, thank you," I said, smiling.

"Uh, can we eat together later?" he asked.

I smiled again.

"Sure, no problem. But..."

"But?" he asked.

"My friends will be with me," I said.

He smiled.

"That’s fine," he said.

I smiled broadly.

"Alright then, see you later? Bye, George," I said and ran off.

Ugh! Garnett, you're late.

As I turned a corner, I bumped into someone.

I held my head.

Ouch, that hurt!

"Why are you running?"

It was Raven. I clicked my tongue.

"What’s it to you?" I snapped and rolled my eyes while still holding my head. It really hurt!

"Are you okay?"

I was startled when he suddenly moved closer and held my face, inspecting my forehead.

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP

Our eyes met...

We both froze.

My god, Garnett, why can’t you move?!

"Mr. Alvarez?"

We immediately pulled away from each other.

I swallowed nervously. Gosh!

Mrs. Ablola approached us.

"Did I interrupt something?" she asked with a teasing smile. My goodness!

Raven and I glanced at each other, then quickly looked away. I scratched my head, sighing.

"By the way, class is about to start. Go to your classroom before ants swarm you," Ma'am said before leaving.

My goodness! Tsk!

Raven and I exchanged glances again, and I suddenly remembered something.

"Ah, Raven!"

"What?"

"Hmm, I’ll give you a copy of my schedule. Please give it to Sir," I said.

"No way," he replied.

Seriously?!

"Sir Ravil told me to give it to you," I said.

"Why don’t you just give it to him at the restaurant?"

"I know the place."

"Then why don’t you hand it to him yourself?" he said, rolling his eyes before walking into the room.

My goodness, how annoying!

---

BREAKTIME

We were at the canteen with George.

"What year are you in, George?" Elisha asked.

"Second year," he replied.

"Oh, what section?" Ami asked.

"Regular section, 2-B," George answered, smiling.

"Okay, how did you meet our friend?" Hazel asked. Tsk, how nosy!

George looked at me and smiled.

"Uh, I know her because you four are pretty popular on campus," he said.

Oh, true. The Freak Squad is well-known.

"So, do you have a crush on Garnett?" Ami asked.

"Ami?!" I scolded her. These girls are too much!

George glanced at me again. Ugh, why are you smiling like that, George? I can’t help but think about the necklace.

"W-Well, sort of," he said, smiling before looking away.

"What’s up, guys?!"

I was startled when Raven suddenly sat beside me.

"W-What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Eating. Why?"

Tsk. The others looked at us.

"There are plenty of other tables. Why sit here?" I asked again.

"Is that a problem?" he replied.

I ignored him.

"Oh, what’s that dish? Can I have some?" he said, taking food from my plate.

"Hey! Why are you taking my food?!"

"I’ll give you some of mine," he said, putting his food on my plate.

I just stayed quiet. I couldn’t even get annoyed at him this time. Tsk!

"Come with me later," he said.

"Where?"

"The restaurant," Raven replied.

"Ah, Garnett, you’re starting your part-time job at Sir Ravil’s restaurant today, right?" Hazel asked.

"What?" Raven looked at me, seemingly surprised. "Is that why you’re giving your schedule to my dad—because you’re starting a part-time job at the restaurant?" he asked me.

I nodded. He fell silent and just ate.

After our break...

"Come with me," Raven suddenly said, pulling me along.

"Wait, where are we going?!" I asked.

"You’ll see."

I glanced back at the three girls. Ugh!

To be continued ...