Chapter Twelve

After so much argument with Andra, I finally had the guts to go talk to Damien. He sat on a concrete pavement on the roof. The cold breeze made my face numb. I have Andra's voice in my head, screaming "just give it a try"

I stood at his back for minutes before I finally had the guts to speak.

"D...Damien."I stopped as he turned, his cold stare made me heart shudder.

"I... We..."I bit my lip.

"What you want?"

"Our team. Ain't we doing anything?"

I saw him smile. That was heart-warming enough.

"We don't have a team unfortunately. You know I wonder why all these is happening at this crucial time of our lives."He paused. "It's just few months until we are out of this school." He paused.

"You did the wrong thing Paige."

"I know. I swear I.." I swallowed. "I didn't mean to. I..."

"You don't need to explain anything. At least, not to me."He was walking away. I had to stop him.

"Wait!"

He turned, arched a brow.

"Are you also angry with me?"

"Everyone is. It was a ruthlesss act and..."

"I mean you Damien, our team leader. Are you still...upset?"

He shook his head. "Why should I? I do not hold grudges against my students "

"Then, you can help."I swallowed. "You can get Liam to..."

"He won't. Don't go close to him either. You'd be lucky if he doesn't hurt you."

There was a lot in my head I wished I could spill out in one second, but a lot I might never have the guts to. I get confused most yomes when he talk. Sometimes, I feel like his worst enemy then the next minute my brain tells me he cares. Well, I had to tell myself the truth. He's just doing his job.

"Huh... Then we should start working on it without him."I said and regretted immediately. He eyed me scornfully. I felt like I was going to collapse under those hurt grey eyes. That was Selfish, I know.

"Forget the project!"He left. I just have heard him say: "I thought you were better."

I ran after him to stop him. "Wait!"

He turned, then our eyes met, it was locked for some moments (really I wished I had a stopwatch or a clear mind to count the time.). He frowned and turned his back on me.

"We are not doing any project without Liam. You get that?"

He paused.

"I'll talk to him myself. You should stay indoors. As a matter of fact you look sick."

He took some steps forward and then stopped as if remembering something.

"And... Stay away from me!"

I was deflated that I solemnly vowed that I would not give a damn about the project again. Losing that fifty mark would do nothing to my GP, when in Jude Kam's world, money rules.

Our eyes locked.

I can't ever give up that memory. I'm crazy. I know.

"How was it? Who did you meet?"

Andra asked as I entered. I saw she wasn't studying anymore, trying to sleep. She seems more like a night owl to me.

"Damien"

"What did he say?"

"Nothing important. It didn't work. Never mind."

I guess the rate at which I said those words told Andra I wasn't in a good mood because she was quiet afterwards.

Life became normal after that day. I attended classes when we had one, skipped clubs or sports, skipped all other gathering other than school work. It was my new resolution anyway. I also tried to forget Damien, I had to. I avoided him with all I've got. I guess he was doing the same. I only talked with Andra when I felt like. I appreciate the fact that she understands when I feel like and when I do not. But I still kept my anonymity, no one, I mean no one , can know who I really am. The last time I checked, I'd die if I tell anyone.

One night, while trying to catch on to a novel I was busying myself with on my bed, I heard a knock on our door. At first, I was really reluctant to answer but remembered I had a deaf roommate who was already drowned in her study, I had to get it.

I was awed by who I saw. My class teacher, Miss Roona, a slender blonde, with a unique golden hair and thick brows, whom I've met only once -- First day of school. I must say that I liked her immediately I saw her and I felt honored to have her at my room that night.

"Hi, Paige." She smiled.

"Hi, Miss Roona."

"I've not seen you around during any extra ... Activity, so I came to check if you're okay."

'Good of you but not good for you. Cause if you have come to drag me out, it's not gonna work' I thought.

"Thank you Miss Roona. I'm fine. I just don't feel like."

She sighed. "Why don't you join us tonight? We ain't..."

"I can't. I want to be alone. I'm fine here."

She arched her thick brows, then after some seconds I saw her relax.

"Fine, may I come in?"

"No."

"Why?" She must have been surprised by my sudden and straightforward answer.

"My roommate is allergic."

"Fine."I saw her pull off her coat and boots, leaving her red polo and black pants. She looked like a teenager herself.

"May I?"

"Disinfect."I sprayed a disinfectant on her. I had expected her to be pissed. She finally walked in and Andra turned.

"Hey there!"Miss Roona waved at her and she waved back. She sat on the couch while I , aimlessly roamed the room.

"What do you two do in here?"Her eyes were pacing around the room. I and Andra exchanged looks.

"Sleep."I finally answered. "Really, it's no fun but we're quite okay with it, Miss Roona."

"She's right."Andra said. "I'm Andra"

"Andra. Nice name. You're science right?"

"Yes."She nodded.

"You have any game that we can play?"

"No" we echoed.

"I asked Paige to join us outside. Would you like to join us too?"

She slowly shook her head. "I'm..."

"Allergic."I completed for her.

"Paige, why don't you go out today?"She faced me. I eyed her.

"Miss... Paige would join you. She's been stuck in this room all week."

"No..."

"She will join you shortly."Andra said. "If you'd give us some minutes to talk... alone."

Miss Roona walked to the door. "Sure" She left.