Chapter Seventeen

"What do you think about Paige?"

"I think we can go on with this project without her. C'mon, she left three days ago."Liam answered. They were both seated on the roof of the school.

"That's not an appropriate answer."

"I know. It's the truth. You're slowing us down. I know she's not coming back..."

"How did you..."

Liam laughed. Damien looked horrible and in some way only Liam understood what his problem was. Since Paige left, he hasn't gotten enough sleep. As his roommate, Liam knows everything.

"You are not the only one who gets all the school's gist before others..."

"Who told you?"

"You, of course."He jeered. "I overheard your conversation with Miss Roon' on the phone."

"Pf!" Damien playful punched him.

"C'mon guy, what's up with you huh? you're not the Damien I know anymore. She's gone, out of our school. Why are we still waiting?!"

Damien hissed. "You never told her. About the pictures. Do you still hate her for hurting you?"

"No man. I've forgotten that long ago."He paused. "Just a little beer and all is gone from my brain. You know who got the pictures leaked. It was from my phone. Due to my carelessness. It's me anyways. I shouldn't have had it in the first place. It only ruined our friendship. I got lost in the fun. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have taken advantage of a new girl. I won't blame her. She's just a victim of me."He laughed at his folly.

He paused and stared long at Damien who seemed to be lost in thoughts. He had dark rings round his eye and his hair wasn't styled as he loved to. Liam noticed something else, he found no reason to style his hair. Things became clearer.

"Why do you look as if you never wanted her to leave?"

"Of course I don't."Damien snapped.

"Awwwwnn..."Liam pouted, sarcastically. "You're making that picture look more like a kiss to me."

"Shut up."

"Are you sad that she's not here?"

"Why should I?"

"You didn't study last night."

"I don't study every night. What are you saying Liam?"

"You didn't sleep either. I saw you, writing. Oh wait!"He snapped his fingers as if remembering something. "You had your guitar. Were you writing a song?"

"Hm."

"For the project? Why didn't you inform me?! Gush Damien, you're so..."

"Gush!"Damien winced. "I told you we won't start any project until Paige Kam is back."

Liam glared at his friend, puzzled. "Are you okay? She's not in Mcade high anymore!"

"Are you finding that hard to believe?!"

"No, shut up!"

"Then let's start this damn project. What's even the theme? Huh Damien?"

He walked away but Liam stopped him.

"Hey, brother, I know how much this hurts. You never had the chance to tell her how much you like her. Don't be so shy next time huh? Be a man!"

And he punched him.

*

"Dad, I want to go back. I'm not following you to China. Never." Our luggage was already packed in the car and I sat on the couch a cup in hand. I had a chemical, Arsenic and silica gel, mixed together in the cup. I found it some years back in our kitchen cupboard and I've kept it in my room out of curiosity. I knew it'd give me the best kill. I would rather die than go into seclusion with my father.

"Stop all these shit and let's go."

"I'll drink this dad, if you don't let me."

He moved closer, peeped into the cup. "Water?"

I flinged the chemical in his face. He screamed. I've never seen him that terrified.

"Where did you get that?! Paige! Oh my God!"

I saw him move closer and I held ito my mouth.

"Move one more inch and I'll gulp this down. It's no joke. I would do anything to die by my own hands if you'd like my death."

"Calm down. Arsenic kills faster. It's not joke. You might not survive this time."

"Take me back to school."

He thought for a while and said. "Our flight is in an hour time."

"I'm not going with you."

"I have a business meeting to attend in China."

"Take me back to school Jude Kam!"

"Fine!"He shrieked. "Drop the damn cup. I will!"

"I don't believe you."

"Join me in the car. I hate your suicidal attempts gosh. It's sickening!"

And I did. I have my life back.

*

"Paige, you haven't said a word to me since you came back."Andra said to me the next morning. I haven't had the guts to speak to anyone since I got back. I still felt out of this world and my head ached. I spent three days in an hospital contemplating on whether to end my life or not. 

"Paige..."

"Andra."

"You're back, so soon."

"How's your health?"

"I'm taking my drugs. I'll be fine. Still can't go out though. What about you? Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine too."

"I have good news. Sorry but it can't wait."

"Spill it."

"Damien. It's Damien. He helped me get a sign language teacher. Once I'm better I'd be able to attend classes! I'm so excited. I feel like I really can be a doctor."

Her enthusiasm was contagious. My mood was lightened.

"Wow. That's good. How did he do it?"

"He talked with the principal I guess. Gush! He's such a god. I'm so happy. He had helped me without even knowing me."

"That's good. Don't be over excited though."

"Why?"

"He's not a god. Forget him. Don't let him into your life Andra."

"What are you saying?!"

"I'm saying. Don't adore him so much. It's not worth it. He's nice but not nice. In life Andra, try as much as possible not to give your heart to anything. It would disappoint you and you'd be left alone...broken, alone."

"I don't understand you."

"Never mind."

"I think he likes you, Paige."

That didn't register quickly and when it did, she was already talking.

"I'm just saying though."

"You're thinking too much. He hated me. He helped you because... It's Damien's nature. He must have done that out of his free will."

"Do you like him? I mean-- do you like Damien?"

I was quiet. I had no intention of answering. Instead, I was thinking of something else to say. Do I like Damien?

Well...

"Paige, answer me."

"Only people who live gets the chance to love. I'm not that lucky."