Chapter Twenty

"We have to get back to school sooner. Hop on my back."

"No, I'll manage."I had a brace on my knee and I limped. My dislocated limb was also bandaged. I couldn't walk well but I also can't picture him carrying me.

"You won't."He lifted me up himself and backed me. I felt weak.

"Hold on tight"He began to move. "First, I'll get you new glasses. So the eye clinic first. Then we go to school. We can't do all while you leap. "

"You can get new glasses. My frame is expensive. Besides how did you pay the bills?"

He flashed a golden card across my face. Wow! He's rich.

"How did you get that? You don't work."

"I have it okay? Stop asking questions and rest."

"Don't get new glasses. I'll ask my uncle to..."

"Hush, rest."

When we got to the clinic, my frame was changed into the exact one that broken. I was awed when he paid. The frame worth half a million bucks. 

"You're rich?"

"Not really."He winced.

"So how did you get that credit card?"

"My dad gave it to me. My allowances are paid in it. So that is just a kind of saving. I'm not rich."

"You spent your savings on me?!" I couldn't hold back my surprise. "You shouldn't have done that!"

"I never knew you talked this much."He murmured.

"I'll pay you back the money. You should not have..."

"I don't need your money. I did what I had to do. Besides, I don't think you can pay me. "

I can't pay him money because I won't tell Jude anything about what happened, never! But I was beyond grateful and it is as just too much for me to take in.

"What's it with you rich kids? Do you always have to pay back favors? A simple thank you wouldn't kill you would it?"

A pang of guilt stunk my belly. He just categorized me as an aristocrat.

I was quiet till we got to school. He found a way to get me to my room without anyone noticing. 

"Thank you. For everything."I hugged him tightly as he dropped me by my door. I could have sworn that I felt a kiss on my hair. 

"Good night. Try to get some sleep."He said and left.

*

"Paige! I'll be attending class today!" Andra who had an handheld device in her hand danced all over the room, excited. She was exhilarated and I could understand. First, her immune count has improved. Second, Damien has made...

I dreamt about him all night. He might really be an angel but can I have him. My heart, my life, all my being just can't. I'm empty, I'm pure darkness, I'm worthless. He would know all these very soon and leave. I still can't say whether he likes me or not but I won't believe if he does. But apparently we're friends, that's enough fulfilment for me. I woke up with a smile on my face. My dad is out of the town. I have spies all around but I don't care about them anymore. I have Andra, I have Damien. I have hope for another kind of peace, not peace in the dark, not peace in death. Oh Paige! I could not help but cry.

"Why you crying?"

"Just...too excited."I lied. 

"Awwwwnn... You see. Dark days really do pass. Your lesson is in thirty minutes, mine also. We should prepare."

Dark days do pass...

How true is that?

Andra...

*

After class that day, we had our first meeting as a team. With about three weeks gone, we were lagging behind. Other teams already had their presentation in progress but we weren't disturbed. I especially, was relaxed. I knew that anyhow, anyway, Damien would find a way. He's just too smart. Unlike Paige. Cause that's a dumb idea too.

"Fairy baby, long time no see."Liam jeered as I joined the group. We were at the music room. That was the only empty room we could stay without being oppressed by the other's presentation.

I didn't respond. Damien passed a can of soft drink to me.

"Let's go straight to the reason we're here. We don't have time. Liam, you said..."

"Yeah. Paige, forgive me."

It's probably the first time he called me my name.

"My uncle is a .... I won't say. But yeah, he sent that picture with an unknown number. He wanted to make trouble for me or he liked it and saw it as fun also. I'm very much like him but I hate him so much. I should not have kept that in the first place. You guys, I believe you didn't kiss. I guess I was just too jealous and wanted to have you for myself"

I could feel the tension in Damien eye and I could tell he was as surprised as I was. Have me for himself? How? Paige, calm down.

"I mean -- it was a short infatuation. It grew into hatred though. But forgive me Paige. You're still my fairy baby but no more bullying okay?"

"It's alright. You're not bad. I overreacted."

"Cheers to friendship and love, forever!"Damien cheered.

"Cheers!"We echoed.

"We have two projects. Which one is first?"Liam asked.

"What if nature feels?" Damien said. "It's our theme. Has lotta meaning. What do you think Paige."

"Huh..."I wasn't expecting any question from him. "It's vast. We're young so nature is literally us. How we feel..."I trailed off thinking I was spewing out the wrong thing.

"I get your point. You're not that dumb afterall."Liam jeered. They must have expected at least a smile from me cause they were both staring so I faked one.

"What can you do? An artistic representation should be what we can do at our best. We don't have time to make big projects. What are you best at. Let's incorporate the theme in it."

"I'll take some photos with this."I haven't noticed a camera hung around Liam's neck until now. "I take pictures a lot. Some pictures would explain the theme."

Liam was smart too. Who would have thought?

"What about you Paige?"Damien asked.

I had only one answer to that.

"I don't know. I'm best at... Nothing."

Absolutely nothing.