Chapter Four

I am on my way to school. Dad was off to work as well and Mom insisted that she will drive me to school even if it's just three blocks away. She parked the car and before I can even open the car's door she bombarded me with reminders.

"Honey, your antibiotic ointment, don't forget! and also don't go to dusty places, okay? No parties for now, when your wounds finally heal then parties are alright." She kissed the top of my head.

"Got it, love you, Mom!" She replied the same and I left the car and walked to the entrance of the school.

I am very lucky to have my parents. They are very supportive and understanding. Mom and Dad allowed me to go to parties because they said that if they won't let me do it then I will just sneak in the middle of the night to go to one. because that was who they were back in the days. I thank God for my parents. 

I missed school.

I missed it, even if it is exhausting and draining. Our school is surrounded by lots of trees because we support environmental movements. Every little thing that we can do to help, we do it.

Everyone was looking at me, who wouldn't? It's the popular girl, WMHS' cheerleader who got dumped by none other than Finn Evans, got into a car accident, five days in comatose with stitches on her temple and arms.

"It's not a rumor? She legit had an accident,"

"Oh My God, look it's Carly!"

"She looks ridiculously pretty with bandages!"

"Suits her, though Finn left her!"

"I heard she tried to kill herself, it's not an accident,"

"Finn broke up with her,"

There was laughter in between silence. I heard some say awww

In school, everyone really hates me. Because Finn and I were together and I was the one he dated the longest, I am running for valedictorian and all the teachers love me. I am a cheerleader and I am good at what I do. So, I can't blame them. 

They're just a big group of insecure people. A population.

One of the people who hate me the most is Frida and her two little witches. We're all seniors, she hates me because when we were juniors, she cheered for Finn during the tournament, she was too boisterous that a group of people threw their foods on her. I remember one hit her with a cheeseburger. It was rude, I pity her. 

I can't find Vanessa, where could she be? I scanned the whole place to see Vanesa is around but she's not.

I went to my locker to get my book for history class, which is the first one I'll attend. I wonder what lessons I missed. I bet this is going to be hard, all the catching up and stuff. I am running for Valedictorian but it doesn't change the fact that I'm human.

"Awww, our poor cheerleader how did hell felt like?"

I rolled my eyes before turning my head to look at the person where the voice came from. Of course, the three witches are here.

"Pardon?"

"She was asking you how hell felt like, are you deaf?" one of the witches repeated what Frida said. I never got to learn her name, she looks new. I forgot that Frida changes her witches every time she gets sick of them. She throws them out like garbage. One thing I am certain of is that Frida doesn't know how a friend should behave.

You just don't change friends once you got bored. You appreciate them, you show them that you love them. Besides having my parents as my parents I am fortunate to have a best friend like Vanessa. 

I pity these people. 

"No," I said and paused. "I saw the stairs to heaven Frida, I think I'm not going to hell, maybe you are," I added that made her angry. She gritted her teeth like a rabbit which made her jaw look more squared.

"How dare you!" Frida shouted. I'm impressed by how her dark locks bounced as she shouts.

"So just tell me how hell will feel like once you get there! Send my regards to the devil!"

I saw her roll her eyes before turning my back. It's rude, I know. I sounded like a really bad girl, but that's what I've learned for the past years. People will bully you no matter what your level is in this school.

When I was in my eighth grade they bullied me a lot, saying that my Mom bribed the whole school so that I can run with false honors.

I learned that you don't need to be too dramatic to cause a scene, sometimes when they insult you, you just do the same, it makes the game of insults fair.

Vanessa was nowhere to find, she said she was busy so maybe she's off somewhere doing God knows what she's assigned to.

I went to the Principal's office as what my Mom told me to. She said that the Principal wanted to talk to me, alone. I wonder what we're going to talk about. Well, I think she's just going to ask me if I'm fine or if I am ready. I am ready and I feel absolutely lovely. 

I entered Mrs. Scarlet's office, her little pink sofa welcomed me. Our last Principal was a guy with OCD, this room was minimal and white, neat and clean but now it turned into Barbie's Life In The Dream House office. Mrs. Scarlet, very feminine, with a husband without kids.

"Good morning, Mrs. Scarlet!" I greeted her with my utmost cheerfulness.

"The cheerleader is back I see!" She paused, "with bandages," she added.

"Mrs. Scarlet, I promise to catch up as soon as possible and finish the practices with the squad before the game takes over," I told her.

"I know you'll be able to catch up,  Carly. You are one of William Memorial High School's treasure! But I'll ask someone to guide you, you're smart enough but you still need someone to learn from." She said as she seats down on her hot pink swivel chair.

I pursed my lips and smiled, "I understand,"

"And about the squad, your Doctor insisted that you should rest and take all the time you need to heal the wounds,"

I almost rolled my eyes when I heard that my doctor insisted. First, the Psych consults and now cheerleading?! My doctor will never understand because first off he is a man who never cheered for the football team. he's not a cheerleader who has a squad and he had never wear a skirt and pompoms. So yes, he will never understand and he had the courage to brought it up with our Principal. 

"My wounds are healing, I can do it," I gave her a smile, an assuring one.

"I know, Carly. We also insist, you just got into an accident, you were in a coma for days, it's not that easy. You need to get hold of your body," she explained.

"But," I sighed, "Who was the one you placed in charge of the squad?" I asked with my eyes getting wet.

"Vanessa, your best friend! The squad is in good hands!" She exclaimed.

I was shocked, Vanessa knows how important the squad is to me. She didn't even tell me. It would be fine if she told me. Why didn't she tell me?

"It's my senior year, Mrs. Scarlet! Please, I don't want to miss it!" I begged her while seating on her pink sofa.

"I understand, Carly. But it's what's best for your health. You still have the quiz bees, not just this one. The physically exhausting ones."

I gave her puppy eyes but they didn't work. I cried but they don't work either. I guess I can't join the squad for this year, my last year. Shame, I got so much planned. What do I do now? Why the hell should this happen to me, at this moment! WHY?!

"Mrs. Scarlet?" I called her while she's busy writing with her pink ballpoint pen on her record book. "Yes?" She asks.

"You told me someone will guide me, like a tutor or something, who is it?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm still picking from the bests. I'll let you know," she said.

"Can I make a request?" I asked with a big smile plastered on my face without revealing my agenda and the person in mind.

"Well, I can't give you the squad but I can make your request come to life, so spill it," she said putting down her pink pen.

"I want Luke Lewis," I told her with confidence and conviction.

"What?" She was confused.

"I'm sorry, I--" I laughed and continued. "I didn't mean to give you the wrong meaning. What I mean is about the tutor thing, I want Luke Lewis to be my tutor."

"Ah, yes, my mistake. I thought you want him to be your boyfriend," I was shocked and my eyes squinted.

Ew! I don't even know him personally, we're in the same classes but no, I'm good with Finn! When  I saw his picture on Facebook, his face was familiar to me. we're classmates, never interacted, even once. I never talked or smiled at him, like never. And now I'm supposed to make him believe in love, it's unbelievable. 

And if you only knew, Mrs. Scarlet that his fate is intertwined with Lily, the cheerer who's so kind. Then Cupid's face popped in my head, glaring at me, telling me not to spill about our negotiation. 

"That's funny, Mrs. Scarlet!" I faked a laugh. I returned into my serious looking face as soon as I opened my mouth. "But don't tell him I requested for him to be my tutor, Mrs. Scarlet," I ordered her.

"No problem," she said.

"It's a negotiation then. Thank you, Mrs. Scarlet!" Then I went out of her office and leaned on her door, catching my breath.

"Negotiation then," I turned on my side and it was Cupid laughing with his hands on his mouth, trying to prevent himself from laughing loudly. 

"Shut up!" Then I went to my class.

**

It was a peaceful class. My history teacher welcomed me back and some of my heartwarming classmates who don't hate me that much also did. My teacher said he was happy I am back. I think he got feelings for me. He said it thrice, one when he entered the room, second when I raised my hand to answer his question, and third when the class was finished.

I went back to my locker to put back my history book. Looked at Vanessa's locker beside mine with unicorn stickers and rainbows. No real thing as that, though.

I haven't seen her ever since I came back, maybe she's in the gym, practicing the choreography and routines I made, being the substitute cheerleader.

I walked to the cafeteria and was raised to see a tarpaulin with the whole football and basketball team saying Good luck William Wolves! Thought it was the Campus' Officers that made that but Vanessa's name was written on the lower right corner of the tarpaulin. All capitalized and bigger than the message.

So she's gone pathetic now?

I took a tray, placed some cheesecake and fruit juice. My Doctor didn't give me a list of foods I shouldn't eat and this is what I want. Well, even if he did gave me a list, I won't bother and still eat what want.

Vanessa wasn't with me so I looked for a vacant seat from afar but I decided I don't want to look like the popular girl who got into an accident and now lonely so I walked to Luke's table.

"Hi!" I greeted them. "Can I?"

"Can you what? Join our table? Of course, you can, we don't have a choice," Jelly Anderson said in displeasure.

"Great!" I said cheerfully, placed my tray on the table, sat beside their fat friend whom I don't know, and started eating.

"What did you do to her?!" Jelly hissed at her friends silently. I pretended that I did not hear her even if it is so awkward right now. I never imagine myself seating at a table during recess with people I had never interacted with, at all. I can be friendly but not with my kindergarten classmate who hates me.

Luke shrugged, looking cool. And the fat friend said, "Didn't mess with Carly,"

"What did they do to you?" Jelly asked me. I took a sip of my fruit juice. "Your bandages looks awful, by the way. Suits you," she added, mocking me.

"Really, what did my friends do to you, Carly Davis?" She repeated pointing her fork with the salad's mayonnaise at me.

"Ask him," I said casually pointing at the person seating in front of me, Luke.

"What did you do?!" She yelled at him.

Luke was not looking scared or anything, he was emotionless, someone who doesn't feel anything even if you shout at him.

He's cold, I told myself. After all, he doesn't believe in love.

Then Luke opened his mouth and started talking.

"I am her tutor,"