[i]It always started with the last horrible menit of being trapped inside the front of my dad’s wrecked car. Only in my dreams, I wasn’t the frightened eleven tahun old girl screaming and twisting vehemently to free herself from the restraining hold of the seatbelt while trying to shake her bloodied father awake. In my nightmares, I was my present seventeen tahun old self and instead of being trapped oleh the kursi belt, I was outside our totaled car watching through the windshield as my father heave his last breath. I knew what would be next, as if I have engraved this in my memory, I would always look down on my bloodied trembling hands, choking, tears and blood streaming down my face.[i/]
I woke up gagging. I freed my mouth from my purple satin pillowcase and took a huge deep breath. I must have tried to stifle my screams during the night explaining the wet and icky pillowcase. I took off the pillowcase and threw it to the corner of my bedroom with disgust.
I hugged the naked bantal tightly and let out a deep breath as I waited for my erratic heartbeat to normalize.
I looked around my room with purple, berwarna merah muda, merah muda and blue floral wallpaper, my eyes squinting. Everything is the way it should be, from my white and purple bed, my white vanity table, the wide teluk, da? windows on my left, which are my favorit oleh the way, the purple dipan, sofa oleh the window with a small white membaca meja where I left my laptop last night, down to the purple and black striped rug at the foot of my bed. I’m into purple, thank anda very much.
“See? Everything’s normal. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” I muttered softly to myself. I tried to smile shakily. I sighed and pushed back strands of my now limp wavy hair, sticky with sweat and saliva away from my face. The nightmares always left me feeling exhausted. I snuggled deeply into my covers and closed my eyes.
“Just a little lebih sleep before the morning starts.” I muttered sleepily.
I groaned as my alarm clock went off. My eyelids opened with an effort. I rolled sideways, reached for the clock on my bedside meja and jammed my fist on the puncak, atas button, silencing it with grim satisfaction. After a couple of menit of moaning and whining about wanting to stay curled up in bed, I left my tempat tidur regretfully; I walked sleepily towards the corner of my room oleh the window, scooped up my bantal case and tossed it on the dirty laundry basket just outside my bathroom door.
“Three points!” I berkata with glee, allowing myself into a little victory dance that includes shaking my bottom and swaying my arms sideways. I laughed pushing away the dream to the farthest corner of my head.
I took my time in the bath, enjoying the warm water. I shampooed my hair with my favorit stroberi and vanilla scented moisturizing shampoo. I scrubbed myself with loofah and shaved myself afterwards. Waxing is off my book. It is just plain torture. I stepped out of the bath and hummed my favorit Katy Perry song as I toweled myself dry. I rubbed lotion all over my pale skin. Then I yanked open my closet and scrutinized its contents until I finally decided on a sleeveless floral dress. The dress was a swirl of yellow, green and brown that fell just above my knees. I particularly like this dress because I think it brings color to my eyes, softening them a little bit. I laced my peep-toe ankle brown boots then turned to check myself on the mirror.
The girl in the mirror gave an awkward smile. I sighed. I applied concealer carefully under my eyes to hide the tell-tale sign of another sleepless night, puffed powder on my face, applied mascara on my lashes, a little blush on my cheeks and ceri, cherry tint on my lips. Lastly, I sprayed DKNY perfume on my pulse points. I usually save the perfume for special occasions but since nothing special is happening in my life right now so I thought why not? Besides, a good perfume could really mengangkat my spirit.
I took a step back from my mirror and stared at what my effort brought.
“There. Not so bad after all.” I gave my reflection a silly grin. The girl grinned back; her eyes sparkling a little bit. I’m not drop dead gorgeous as I always hope I would be but I know I am not an ugly anak itik, bebek either. I have to thank my parents’ genes.
I just wish I was diberikan a different eye color. I have what I consider to be cold grey cat-like eyes.
“They’re not cold, honey.” My mom used to tell me soothingly after endlessly complaining why my eyes can’t be beautiful like her blue green eyes atau warm and brown like hot cokelat as my dad’s. “Anyway, they’re not entirely grey. Your eyes are blue grey.” She insisted, smiling softly at me. I would always roll my eyes at the ceiling. Blue grey is still grey.
Because my eyes were cold and lifeless, my hair made up for the lack of brilliant color. Actually, my fiery hair was too much for my taste and way too much for me to handle. It comes in wavy abandon past my shoulder blades. There were days when I have to battle with it for hours with tons of ant-frizz serum and my ever reliable blow drier. Those two were a must in my life. I would have kept all this hair inside a bonnet atau a scarf if it weren’t for my trusted friends.
I have a small pert nose and lips that could have been sexy I hoped if it weren’t for the deep curve on puncak, atas and slightly fuller bottom.
“Sanya! Breakfast’s ready.” My sister Sally hollered from the dapur breaking off my self criticism. My stomach grumbled as my nose picked up on the delicious smell of bacon, eggs and toast. I decided immediately to leave my hair alone. food is summoning me downstairs.
“Coming!” I shouted back. I grabbed my brown leather bag, stuffed my make up kit and my precious iphone inside and went running down the stairs to the kitchen.
Sally was already finishing her cup of coffee when I sat on the table.
“I thought the mirror swallowed anda atau something.” She berkata wryly.
“The berwarna merah muda, merah muda scrubs look good on you. It brings out the color of your hair.” I berkata laughing.
Sally rolled her eyes. “Thank you.” She berkata dryly.
Sally is my sister, ten years older than me. She also has red hair but hers was a rich coppery brown kind of thing. While I got stuck with a pair of cold grey catlike eyes, she has beautiful round turquoise eyes. To add to my jealousy, my sister is petite, soft and graceful curves all over while I stand five atau six inches taller and would always be a little bit round to pass as slender, no matter how much I exercised atau stay away from the evil calories I cinta so much.
It’s just us now. Our dad died in a horrible car accident when I was eleven while our mom finally succumbed to liver cancer two years ago. Sally works as a nurse in the nearby hospital. I thought we were living quite comfortably on my parents’ insurances and on the little extra money that they left us but according to Sally money started dwindling away due to my mom’s hospitalization and treatment. We were lucky we didn’t have to sell the house after our mother passed away but Sally still had to accept extra shifts to support us both. There is never a hari that goes oleh that I did not thank the heavens above for her. She’s all I got and I’m really lucky to have her. I vowed for the nth time to scout for a part time job as well. I do not want to be too much of a burden to her. Although she keeps saying no every time I brought up the subject. She berkata part time jobs could drain away energy that should be solely poured on school. She hopes that I would get a scholarship in order for me to go to college.
I do want to go College but I know I wouldn’t take it against her if I couldn’t. I could save up for it myself atau take educational loans anyway.
“I might come halaman awal late tonight.” Sally announced while washing her cup on the sink.
“Got a hot date?” I teased.
She laughed. It always amazed me how dainty her laugh sounds while mine always comes out as a guffaw.
“I would cinta to say yes but no. I volunteered to take another shift after mine. That other girl has the hot date.” she said. I don’t know if it’s just my imagination atau she sounds a little envious of the other lucky girl.
“No one’s stopping anda from having a hot date.” I berkata my mouth full of daging babi asap, bacon and toast. I turned my eyes on my plate avoiding her eyes. I sometimes feel scared that one hari she’ll have a serious relationship then get married and I would be left alone. Half of me also wish with all my might that she would find cinta and happiness soon. She deserves it and besides whether she admits it atau not, she needs someone to depend on to.
She chuckled, interrupting my thoughts. “And what do anda know about hot dates?”
I did not reply. I was too busy stuffing my mouth with egg. Besides, she knew she wasn’t the only wallflower in this house.
Before she grabbed her shoulder bag and keys, she ruffled the puncak, atas of my hair affectionately.
“Hey!” I complained ducking my head.
“Don’t stay out late just because I’m gone.” She warned easily.
I made a menyeberang, salib my jantung sign while gulping the last of my jeruk, orange juice.
She closed the door with a smile and a wink.
“Be careful.” I berkata loudly not sure if she heard me. It’s not until I heard the Camry leaving the driveway that I remembered school.
I jumped from my seat. I hastily cleared the meja and brought my used plate on the sink; I made a mental note to wash the dishes after school. I grabbed my bag and buku and dashed out the door.
I folded myself into my beat up yellow Volkswagen and hit the gas which would make my parents roll in their grave.
I parked in my usual spot right beside a white corolla where my best friend, Julia Austin was waiting for me, fluffing her shoulder length dark brown hair, her cokelat brown eyes glinting mischievously.
“You’re a little late, Redhead.” She drawled jokingly.
“Hiya back, Brownie.” I berkata smiling.
She giggled and hooked her arm around mine. She’s wearing a white ruffled sleeveless puncak, atas and a black rok plus black laced up wedges. With the extra height the wedges provided, her glossy dark brown head reached me just below my cheekbone.
Julia Austin, my dear friend since freshmen year, the wicked sprite, she earned the nickname after dumping Mack, her boyfriend of twelve weeks, in football practice, in front of all the guy’s team mates, after she caught him making out with Michelle, whom she called a stupid waif. She gave him a lot of pain in between his legs with her red killer stiletto as a parting gift.
I often wondered how somebody as tiny as Julia could be as fierce as she is. I think that’s one thing I admired about her aside from being brutally honest, loyal and an effortless flirt. I grinned at the last characteristic of her.
“I am charming and friendly when I want to be, sweetheart.” She would always say that in a defensive fake southern drawl which never failed to make me laugh my head off.
“Well, to be honest I didn’t mind anda being a little late today.” She berkata her perfectly penciled eyebrows raised, her lips painted in her trademark red lipstick. We headed directly to our lockers. We barely have time before English, our first class.
“Hmmm….” I replied a little absent-mindedly. I was trying to give a little sense of order inside my locker. I jammed aside notebooks and papers, I grabbed my buku and was about to shut my locker close when I saw him walking towards us. I shove my locker door shut with a dull thud.
It’s like a scene in a movie, a new kid in school getting stared at during his first day. Only this time, the girls were practically drooling on his feet and the boys were studying him, trying for the cool i-don’t-care look and failing, while I stood there oleh my locker, staring unblinkingly at him, transfixed for what seemed like a good matter of minutes. I barely registered Julia giving my left arm a painful squeeze.
He walked like he didn’t care about the people around him, like he didn’t care about the world at all.
“Well, anyone could walk like that if anyone looks like that.” Julia whispered. “He was the sole reason I didn’t mind anda being late.” She added sheepishly, giving my arm another squeeze.
“Huh?” I asked absentmindedly. I was still trying to drink him in. I can’t stop staring at him. He stopped in front of the rows of lockers across ours. My eyes instantly became busy roving the length of his back.
“Yum.” Julia whispered, dead serious.
He has ebony black hair that reached the kerah of his shirt. He stands a little bit over six feet. His back rippled with muscles as he took his buku from his locker. Though he’s obviously toned, he didn’t appear to be beefy like the other hotshot sporty guys. He looked a little bit lean to be called buffed up. He was wearing a long sleeved grey kemeja pushed all the way up to his elbows, the cottony material stretched perfectly on his back.
I would so cinta for him to turn around. I bet the kemeja also stretched perfectly on his chest.
He’s in faded denim pants and boots, a little scruffy that made it a lot sexier. He used his left fist to shut his locker door close then turned to face us. And to my devious delight, I was right; his kemeja did stretch on his chest, perfectly.
He took us in for the first time. He gave Julia a casual once over. I felt Julia squirm a little beside me. Now, that is something I do not see everyday.
Then, he turned his undivided attention on me. I already knew he’s gorgeous but I still gave a little gasp of surprise. I wasn’t prepared for how breathtakingly beautiful he is. The face before me could be painstakingly chiseled atau lovingly sculpted oleh an artist. His eyes were the bluest I have ever seen, a strong nose, and a full sexy mouth that promised a lot of things. He would have looked androgynous if it weren’t for his strong cheekbones and stubborn chin. The cleft on his chin was the final touch on a master’s work of art.
He did his own investigation on me, too. His eyes slowly started from the puncak, atas of my head to the tip of my boots then back up again to finally rest in my eyes. I don’t know if it was my imagination atau his eyes really did linger a detik atau two on my cherry-tinted lips. He stared into my eyes. I was pleased to see that what he saw in front of him meets his approval. Though his eyes were appreciative, his lips didn’t curve into a smile.
I still can’t stop myself from staring at him and now it looks like we were waiting for the other to look away and break the spell. I can’t and neither could he. I don’t know how long we stood there staring into each other eyes until Julia gave a little nervous laugh. I have completely forgotten she was beside me. I dropped my eyes to the floor, my face scarlet with humiliation. I was silently cursing my fair skin when I heard him clear his throat and speak for the first time. It took everything inside of me to stop myself from looking up at him again.
“Can anda tell me where first class Physics is?” he asked. His deep voice sent delicious shivers down the length of my spine.
“Physics huh? Third floor, detik room on the right.” Julia said, a little too brightly.
“Thanks.” He said.
I looked up just in time to see his smile, his perfect white teeth dazzling me. I held my breath waiting for him, willing him to acknowledge me but he turned and sauntered gracefully away and I was devastated. I didn’t even get his name.
“Whew! That was something.” Julia said.
I turned to looked at her and saw her grinning wickedly.
“Yeah.” I admitted weakly.
Then, Julia laughed and playfully shoved me towards the direction of our class. I was thankful as the bel, bell rang. It helped me pull myself together and clear my head.
My classes were a blur. I was disappointed I didn’t have him in my morning classes. I was busy scouting the hallway, searching for him, I tripped a lot.
Julia just shook her head at me. Call me pathetic. I was happy when the time came for lunch.
There’s no way I wouldn’t see him again in here.
Julia waved at the corner meja near the salad bar as I entered the school cafeteria. Students were a little excited today probably gossiping about DDD as in Dark, Delicious and Dangerous. It was the nickname Julia decided to give him since we didn’t know his name.
“What made anda think he’s dangerous?” I asked Julia after she told me what each D stood for. “Dark and delicious, I agree with anda hands up but dangerous?” I couldn’t hide the incredulity in my voice.
Julia shrugged. “Well, he’s driving a Ducati.” She berkata as if that explained everything. “I was having the time of my life watching him take off his ketopong, helm and shrug off his leather jacket. Did I mention that his bike, ketopong, helm and jaket are in black? Black is for danger.”
I shook my head at her, my eyes wide, picturing him on his bike and wishing I was there to witness the scene Julia told me.
As if membaca my thoughts, she said. “Really...you should have been there. He could be a model for a TV ad campaign atau a wicked daydream. I think anda should choose the latter; anda wouldn’t want to share him with everyone else. anda would want to keep him for yourself.”
I tried to snort with disgust although she hit the bull’s eye. I am not the sharing type. I scanned the crowd. I gave a little sigh of disappointment.
“Not here yet?” Julia asked biting her apple.
“No.” Then I caught myself and blushed furiously.
“That scene oleh the locker was epic oleh the way.” She said.
“What do anda mean?” I picked on the ceri, cherry tomat on her salad with her fork. I decided I would just share hers. I don’t feel like having lunch anyway.
“You two looked like anda were undressing each other with your eyes.” She berkata wickedly. I choked. I took several gulps of her cranberi, cranberry jus before facing her.
She was admiring her perfectly manicured fingernails, a knowing smile on her lips.
“Oh come on, Jules. No… it’s nothing like that.” I denied shaking my head feeling the warmth spread on my face once again.
“Then, why the blush, girlie?” She teased.
Crap…
“I think he’s not tampilkan up.” I berkata in order to steer the conversation away from the undressing part that Julia wanted clearly to elaborate on.
Julia raised her eyebrows as she looked around her.
“Well, I guess this is not his scene.” She berkata a little too late.
I was surprised to see that the students have started a food fight. Julia hid under the meja just as a splat landed squarely on my chest. I shrieked indignantly.
I looked around searching for the culprit but couldn’t pinpoint him atau her amidst the flying spaghetti, selada and squirting ketchup, shakes and milk.
“I’m going to clean myself.” I announced darkly to no one in particular, grabbed my bag and stormed out of the cafeteria.
I went to the fourth floor comfort room. I don’t know why I stomped all the way here. Maybe I don’t want to share the same luar angkasa on the first atau detik floor kamar kecil, kamar mandi with the other chatty girls lined in front of the mirror scrutinizing their hair and make up for little imperfections while I recite my monologue on How life could be unfair, The hazards of teenage life atau It sucks to be me right now.
I gave the door a vehement push and gave a huge sigh of relief as it opened. I knew this place has no single soul during this hour. This is where I hid when the pain in my chest became too much for me during the time my mom was battling cancer. This is the haven I run to when I want to be alone. This little kamar kecil, kamar mandi at the end of the fourth floor hall, I claimed it for myself.
My secret little hiding place.
Although the mirror is not what it used to be, it only provides a foggy reflection of me, I was thankful that I couldn’t see clearly the messy girl in front of me. I placed my bag beside the sink, grabbed a scrunchie inside and pulled my hair into a hasty ponytail.
“Really…Really! What were they thinking? I really wish they would stop being childish and act their age for once.” I shouted angrily, knowing no one could hear me.
I grumbled, “Gross.” and “I really like my outfit today and now it’s ruined.” as I lifted a piece of salami and cheese off my chest. I grabbed a handful of tissue, placed it under the faucet’s running water, and wiped viciously at the ketchup and mayonnaise on the front of my dress. I blinked repeatedly, trying to keep away the threat of angry tears.
That’s when I heard a chuckle. I whirled and I realized to my horror that I was not completely alone. I got an audience. Someone else has discovered my secret place.
anda have to be kidding me! Of all people, why him?!
I woke up gagging. I freed my mouth from my purple satin pillowcase and took a huge deep breath. I must have tried to stifle my screams during the night explaining the wet and icky pillowcase. I took off the pillowcase and threw it to the corner of my bedroom with disgust.
I hugged the naked bantal tightly and let out a deep breath as I waited for my erratic heartbeat to normalize.
I looked around my room with purple, berwarna merah muda, merah muda and blue floral wallpaper, my eyes squinting. Everything is the way it should be, from my white and purple bed, my white vanity table, the wide teluk, da? windows on my left, which are my favorit oleh the way, the purple dipan, sofa oleh the window with a small white membaca meja where I left my laptop last night, down to the purple and black striped rug at the foot of my bed. I’m into purple, thank anda very much.
“See? Everything’s normal. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” I muttered softly to myself. I tried to smile shakily. I sighed and pushed back strands of my now limp wavy hair, sticky with sweat and saliva away from my face. The nightmares always left me feeling exhausted. I snuggled deeply into my covers and closed my eyes.
“Just a little lebih sleep before the morning starts.” I muttered sleepily.
I groaned as my alarm clock went off. My eyelids opened with an effort. I rolled sideways, reached for the clock on my bedside meja and jammed my fist on the puncak, atas button, silencing it with grim satisfaction. After a couple of menit of moaning and whining about wanting to stay curled up in bed, I left my tempat tidur regretfully; I walked sleepily towards the corner of my room oleh the window, scooped up my bantal case and tossed it on the dirty laundry basket just outside my bathroom door.
“Three points!” I berkata with glee, allowing myself into a little victory dance that includes shaking my bottom and swaying my arms sideways. I laughed pushing away the dream to the farthest corner of my head.
I took my time in the bath, enjoying the warm water. I shampooed my hair with my favorit stroberi and vanilla scented moisturizing shampoo. I scrubbed myself with loofah and shaved myself afterwards. Waxing is off my book. It is just plain torture. I stepped out of the bath and hummed my favorit Katy Perry song as I toweled myself dry. I rubbed lotion all over my pale skin. Then I yanked open my closet and scrutinized its contents until I finally decided on a sleeveless floral dress. The dress was a swirl of yellow, green and brown that fell just above my knees. I particularly like this dress because I think it brings color to my eyes, softening them a little bit. I laced my peep-toe ankle brown boots then turned to check myself on the mirror.
The girl in the mirror gave an awkward smile. I sighed. I applied concealer carefully under my eyes to hide the tell-tale sign of another sleepless night, puffed powder on my face, applied mascara on my lashes, a little blush on my cheeks and ceri, cherry tint on my lips. Lastly, I sprayed DKNY perfume on my pulse points. I usually save the perfume for special occasions but since nothing special is happening in my life right now so I thought why not? Besides, a good perfume could really mengangkat my spirit.
I took a step back from my mirror and stared at what my effort brought.
“There. Not so bad after all.” I gave my reflection a silly grin. The girl grinned back; her eyes sparkling a little bit. I’m not drop dead gorgeous as I always hope I would be but I know I am not an ugly anak itik, bebek either. I have to thank my parents’ genes.
I just wish I was diberikan a different eye color. I have what I consider to be cold grey cat-like eyes.
“They’re not cold, honey.” My mom used to tell me soothingly after endlessly complaining why my eyes can’t be beautiful like her blue green eyes atau warm and brown like hot cokelat as my dad’s. “Anyway, they’re not entirely grey. Your eyes are blue grey.” She insisted, smiling softly at me. I would always roll my eyes at the ceiling. Blue grey is still grey.
Because my eyes were cold and lifeless, my hair made up for the lack of brilliant color. Actually, my fiery hair was too much for my taste and way too much for me to handle. It comes in wavy abandon past my shoulder blades. There were days when I have to battle with it for hours with tons of ant-frizz serum and my ever reliable blow drier. Those two were a must in my life. I would have kept all this hair inside a bonnet atau a scarf if it weren’t for my trusted friends.
I have a small pert nose and lips that could have been sexy I hoped if it weren’t for the deep curve on puncak, atas and slightly fuller bottom.
“Sanya! Breakfast’s ready.” My sister Sally hollered from the dapur breaking off my self criticism. My stomach grumbled as my nose picked up on the delicious smell of bacon, eggs and toast. I decided immediately to leave my hair alone. food is summoning me downstairs.
“Coming!” I shouted back. I grabbed my brown leather bag, stuffed my make up kit and my precious iphone inside and went running down the stairs to the kitchen.
Sally was already finishing her cup of coffee when I sat on the table.
“I thought the mirror swallowed anda atau something.” She berkata wryly.
“The berwarna merah muda, merah muda scrubs look good on you. It brings out the color of your hair.” I berkata laughing.
Sally rolled her eyes. “Thank you.” She berkata dryly.
Sally is my sister, ten years older than me. She also has red hair but hers was a rich coppery brown kind of thing. While I got stuck with a pair of cold grey catlike eyes, she has beautiful round turquoise eyes. To add to my jealousy, my sister is petite, soft and graceful curves all over while I stand five atau six inches taller and would always be a little bit round to pass as slender, no matter how much I exercised atau stay away from the evil calories I cinta so much.
It’s just us now. Our dad died in a horrible car accident when I was eleven while our mom finally succumbed to liver cancer two years ago. Sally works as a nurse in the nearby hospital. I thought we were living quite comfortably on my parents’ insurances and on the little extra money that they left us but according to Sally money started dwindling away due to my mom’s hospitalization and treatment. We were lucky we didn’t have to sell the house after our mother passed away but Sally still had to accept extra shifts to support us both. There is never a hari that goes oleh that I did not thank the heavens above for her. She’s all I got and I’m really lucky to have her. I vowed for the nth time to scout for a part time job as well. I do not want to be too much of a burden to her. Although she keeps saying no every time I brought up the subject. She berkata part time jobs could drain away energy that should be solely poured on school. She hopes that I would get a scholarship in order for me to go to college.
I do want to go College but I know I wouldn’t take it against her if I couldn’t. I could save up for it myself atau take educational loans anyway.
“I might come halaman awal late tonight.” Sally announced while washing her cup on the sink.
“Got a hot date?” I teased.
She laughed. It always amazed me how dainty her laugh sounds while mine always comes out as a guffaw.
“I would cinta to say yes but no. I volunteered to take another shift after mine. That other girl has the hot date.” she said. I don’t know if it’s just my imagination atau she sounds a little envious of the other lucky girl.
“No one’s stopping anda from having a hot date.” I berkata my mouth full of daging babi asap, bacon and toast. I turned my eyes on my plate avoiding her eyes. I sometimes feel scared that one hari she’ll have a serious relationship then get married and I would be left alone. Half of me also wish with all my might that she would find cinta and happiness soon. She deserves it and besides whether she admits it atau not, she needs someone to depend on to.
She chuckled, interrupting my thoughts. “And what do anda know about hot dates?”
I did not reply. I was too busy stuffing my mouth with egg. Besides, she knew she wasn’t the only wallflower in this house.
Before she grabbed her shoulder bag and keys, she ruffled the puncak, atas of my hair affectionately.
“Hey!” I complained ducking my head.
“Don’t stay out late just because I’m gone.” She warned easily.
I made a menyeberang, salib my jantung sign while gulping the last of my jeruk, orange juice.
She closed the door with a smile and a wink.
“Be careful.” I berkata loudly not sure if she heard me. It’s not until I heard the Camry leaving the driveway that I remembered school.
I jumped from my seat. I hastily cleared the meja and brought my used plate on the sink; I made a mental note to wash the dishes after school. I grabbed my bag and buku and dashed out the door.
I folded myself into my beat up yellow Volkswagen and hit the gas which would make my parents roll in their grave.
I parked in my usual spot right beside a white corolla where my best friend, Julia Austin was waiting for me, fluffing her shoulder length dark brown hair, her cokelat brown eyes glinting mischievously.
“You’re a little late, Redhead.” She drawled jokingly.
“Hiya back, Brownie.” I berkata smiling.
She giggled and hooked her arm around mine. She’s wearing a white ruffled sleeveless puncak, atas and a black rok plus black laced up wedges. With the extra height the wedges provided, her glossy dark brown head reached me just below my cheekbone.
Julia Austin, my dear friend since freshmen year, the wicked sprite, she earned the nickname after dumping Mack, her boyfriend of twelve weeks, in football practice, in front of all the guy’s team mates, after she caught him making out with Michelle, whom she called a stupid waif. She gave him a lot of pain in between his legs with her red killer stiletto as a parting gift.
I often wondered how somebody as tiny as Julia could be as fierce as she is. I think that’s one thing I admired about her aside from being brutally honest, loyal and an effortless flirt. I grinned at the last characteristic of her.
“I am charming and friendly when I want to be, sweetheart.” She would always say that in a defensive fake southern drawl which never failed to make me laugh my head off.
“Well, to be honest I didn’t mind anda being a little late today.” She berkata her perfectly penciled eyebrows raised, her lips painted in her trademark red lipstick. We headed directly to our lockers. We barely have time before English, our first class.
“Hmmm….” I replied a little absent-mindedly. I was trying to give a little sense of order inside my locker. I jammed aside notebooks and papers, I grabbed my buku and was about to shut my locker close when I saw him walking towards us. I shove my locker door shut with a dull thud.
It’s like a scene in a movie, a new kid in school getting stared at during his first day. Only this time, the girls were practically drooling on his feet and the boys were studying him, trying for the cool i-don’t-care look and failing, while I stood there oleh my locker, staring unblinkingly at him, transfixed for what seemed like a good matter of minutes. I barely registered Julia giving my left arm a painful squeeze.
He walked like he didn’t care about the people around him, like he didn’t care about the world at all.
“Well, anyone could walk like that if anyone looks like that.” Julia whispered. “He was the sole reason I didn’t mind anda being late.” She added sheepishly, giving my arm another squeeze.
“Huh?” I asked absentmindedly. I was still trying to drink him in. I can’t stop staring at him. He stopped in front of the rows of lockers across ours. My eyes instantly became busy roving the length of his back.
“Yum.” Julia whispered, dead serious.
He has ebony black hair that reached the kerah of his shirt. He stands a little bit over six feet. His back rippled with muscles as he took his buku from his locker. Though he’s obviously toned, he didn’t appear to be beefy like the other hotshot sporty guys. He looked a little bit lean to be called buffed up. He was wearing a long sleeved grey kemeja pushed all the way up to his elbows, the cottony material stretched perfectly on his back.
I would so cinta for him to turn around. I bet the kemeja also stretched perfectly on his chest.
He’s in faded denim pants and boots, a little scruffy that made it a lot sexier. He used his left fist to shut his locker door close then turned to face us. And to my devious delight, I was right; his kemeja did stretch on his chest, perfectly.
He took us in for the first time. He gave Julia a casual once over. I felt Julia squirm a little beside me. Now, that is something I do not see everyday.
Then, he turned his undivided attention on me. I already knew he’s gorgeous but I still gave a little gasp of surprise. I wasn’t prepared for how breathtakingly beautiful he is. The face before me could be painstakingly chiseled atau lovingly sculpted oleh an artist. His eyes were the bluest I have ever seen, a strong nose, and a full sexy mouth that promised a lot of things. He would have looked androgynous if it weren’t for his strong cheekbones and stubborn chin. The cleft on his chin was the final touch on a master’s work of art.
He did his own investigation on me, too. His eyes slowly started from the puncak, atas of my head to the tip of my boots then back up again to finally rest in my eyes. I don’t know if it was my imagination atau his eyes really did linger a detik atau two on my cherry-tinted lips. He stared into my eyes. I was pleased to see that what he saw in front of him meets his approval. Though his eyes were appreciative, his lips didn’t curve into a smile.
I still can’t stop myself from staring at him and now it looks like we were waiting for the other to look away and break the spell. I can’t and neither could he. I don’t know how long we stood there staring into each other eyes until Julia gave a little nervous laugh. I have completely forgotten she was beside me. I dropped my eyes to the floor, my face scarlet with humiliation. I was silently cursing my fair skin when I heard him clear his throat and speak for the first time. It took everything inside of me to stop myself from looking up at him again.
“Can anda tell me where first class Physics is?” he asked. His deep voice sent delicious shivers down the length of my spine.
“Physics huh? Third floor, detik room on the right.” Julia said, a little too brightly.
“Thanks.” He said.
I looked up just in time to see his smile, his perfect white teeth dazzling me. I held my breath waiting for him, willing him to acknowledge me but he turned and sauntered gracefully away and I was devastated. I didn’t even get his name.
“Whew! That was something.” Julia said.
I turned to looked at her and saw her grinning wickedly.
“Yeah.” I admitted weakly.
Then, Julia laughed and playfully shoved me towards the direction of our class. I was thankful as the bel, bell rang. It helped me pull myself together and clear my head.
My classes were a blur. I was disappointed I didn’t have him in my morning classes. I was busy scouting the hallway, searching for him, I tripped a lot.
Julia just shook her head at me. Call me pathetic. I was happy when the time came for lunch.
There’s no way I wouldn’t see him again in here.
Julia waved at the corner meja near the salad bar as I entered the school cafeteria. Students were a little excited today probably gossiping about DDD as in Dark, Delicious and Dangerous. It was the nickname Julia decided to give him since we didn’t know his name.
“What made anda think he’s dangerous?” I asked Julia after she told me what each D stood for. “Dark and delicious, I agree with anda hands up but dangerous?” I couldn’t hide the incredulity in my voice.
Julia shrugged. “Well, he’s driving a Ducati.” She berkata as if that explained everything. “I was having the time of my life watching him take off his ketopong, helm and shrug off his leather jacket. Did I mention that his bike, ketopong, helm and jaket are in black? Black is for danger.”
I shook my head at her, my eyes wide, picturing him on his bike and wishing I was there to witness the scene Julia told me.
As if membaca my thoughts, she said. “Really...you should have been there. He could be a model for a TV ad campaign atau a wicked daydream. I think anda should choose the latter; anda wouldn’t want to share him with everyone else. anda would want to keep him for yourself.”
I tried to snort with disgust although she hit the bull’s eye. I am not the sharing type. I scanned the crowd. I gave a little sigh of disappointment.
“Not here yet?” Julia asked biting her apple.
“No.” Then I caught myself and blushed furiously.
“That scene oleh the locker was epic oleh the way.” She said.
“What do anda mean?” I picked on the ceri, cherry tomat on her salad with her fork. I decided I would just share hers. I don’t feel like having lunch anyway.
“You two looked like anda were undressing each other with your eyes.” She berkata wickedly. I choked. I took several gulps of her cranberi, cranberry jus before facing her.
She was admiring her perfectly manicured fingernails, a knowing smile on her lips.
“Oh come on, Jules. No… it’s nothing like that.” I denied shaking my head feeling the warmth spread on my face once again.
“Then, why the blush, girlie?” She teased.
Crap…
“I think he’s not tampilkan up.” I berkata in order to steer the conversation away from the undressing part that Julia wanted clearly to elaborate on.
Julia raised her eyebrows as she looked around her.
“Well, I guess this is not his scene.” She berkata a little too late.
I was surprised to see that the students have started a food fight. Julia hid under the meja just as a splat landed squarely on my chest. I shrieked indignantly.
I looked around searching for the culprit but couldn’t pinpoint him atau her amidst the flying spaghetti, selada and squirting ketchup, shakes and milk.
“I’m going to clean myself.” I announced darkly to no one in particular, grabbed my bag and stormed out of the cafeteria.
I went to the fourth floor comfort room. I don’t know why I stomped all the way here. Maybe I don’t want to share the same luar angkasa on the first atau detik floor kamar kecil, kamar mandi with the other chatty girls lined in front of the mirror scrutinizing their hair and make up for little imperfections while I recite my monologue on How life could be unfair, The hazards of teenage life atau It sucks to be me right now.
I gave the door a vehement push and gave a huge sigh of relief as it opened. I knew this place has no single soul during this hour. This is where I hid when the pain in my chest became too much for me during the time my mom was battling cancer. This is the haven I run to when I want to be alone. This little kamar kecil, kamar mandi at the end of the fourth floor hall, I claimed it for myself.
My secret little hiding place.
Although the mirror is not what it used to be, it only provides a foggy reflection of me, I was thankful that I couldn’t see clearly the messy girl in front of me. I placed my bag beside the sink, grabbed a scrunchie inside and pulled my hair into a hasty ponytail.
“Really…Really! What were they thinking? I really wish they would stop being childish and act their age for once.” I shouted angrily, knowing no one could hear me.
I grumbled, “Gross.” and “I really like my outfit today and now it’s ruined.” as I lifted a piece of salami and cheese off my chest. I grabbed a handful of tissue, placed it under the faucet’s running water, and wiped viciously at the ketchup and mayonnaise on the front of my dress. I blinked repeatedly, trying to keep away the threat of angry tears.
That’s when I heard a chuckle. I whirled and I realized to my horror that I was not completely alone. I got an audience. Someone else has discovered my secret place.
anda have to be kidding me! Of all people, why him?!