CHAPTER 10

I sighed for the ninth time getting annoyed by this creature.

"I said stop following me, Zoren."

I just came to school and peacefully walking on the hallway when he interrupted me. There are no days he won’t appear in front me. 

"I'm not following you." 

I rolled my eyes and went on my locker then gladly he did not bother me again. He continued taking his way and now I'm at ease again.

I was looking for my keys on my bag but I just realized that when he closed my locker yesterday, he did not gave me the keys. And to say it, my keys were on him.

My phone vibrated and I felt relieved when Aron called me.

["I forgot to ask, what time is your out."] 

Oh! I forgot to tell him too.

"Three in the afternoon I'll be out and hopefully, you have no class that time since I want you to accompany me. I'd like to buy clothes."

["My class for today is only a half day but I will wait for you and then we'll go to the mall."]

I smiled widely, "Thanks." Then I remembered something.

"By the way, have you seen Zoren?"

He had a moment of silence but I heard him chuckled.

["He's actually here."]

"Where exactly are you?"

["Ahmm. He's leaving, Jez."]

"What? Tell him to wait for me there or give you the keys of my locker at least." This man is really annoying.

["He already left. But he told me that he'll be in the court."]

Court? What court and where can I find it? This is school is so huge.

I continued to wander around when I bumped to someone. He’s taller than me and my heart throbbed fast because of nervousness.

“Look who we have here.” He said to his friends behind him

They laughed and made a high-five. 

I tried to walk into another direction but Stephen blocked me. He grinned and held my bare shoulder because I was just wearing white off-shoulder dress now.

I removed his hand.

“Excuse me, please. I have somewhere to go.”

“Somewhere to go? Where? Zoren, that piece of shit? Come on, baby. I’m better than him.”

I am hoping that someone would come and get me the hell out of here. I’m starting to become scared. He won’t let me pass and people around us are not giving shits.

“I don’t care if you’re better than him or not. Just let me go because I don’t want looking at your face.”

“Oh!” his friends grunted

Suddenly, he grabbed my arm. He seemed mad.

“Hey! Hey! Fucking get off.”

Aron saved the day. He came and distance me from Stephen.

“Aron, you’re a big intruder. Someday, I’ll let my guys handle you shit.” And with that he left with his friends still looking at us and smiling devilishly.

I exhaled and turned to Aron. “What did they mean by that?”

He smiled and patted my head. “It’s nothing. Come on, I’ll escort you to Zoren.”

“You know where he is?”

“Yeah, he told me just now.”

We went to the court he’s referring but something came up.

“Tricia! Shit. Hey, Jez I’ll be leaving you here. You can found Zoren in that court. I need to go after my girlfriend.”

“Sure, sure. Go, I’ll be fine here.” Then he left.

I was still at the top of the wide stair when I’ve seen that he’s not alone there. He has people with him and I don’t want disturb them. But I also have to get my keys. 

I made steps going down and when I got to their place, his friends’ attention were drawn to me and he turned from his position. Our eyes exactly met.

“What are you doing here?” he asked 

“Can you give me back my keys, please? I have class and I’ll be late if you keep on doing this.”

He was about to talk when his friends came and looked at me from head to toe like they’re examining me, then their hand landed on Zoren’s shoulder.

“Finally, I got to see the new rumored girlfriend of yours.”

“Nice to meet you, miss. I’m Conor.” He offered his hand in front of me and I don’t wanna’ give bad impression so I planned to accept it but someone shoved his hand away.

“Don’t. Step back dude.” his tone is serious like something is scary about him. The man moved away and then Zoren looked at me again.

“Let’s go.” He walked past by me and I followed him until we got inside the building again but he’s walking like a king because everyone moves out of his way and me at the back feels like a slave. I stopped him from walking and luckily, he faced me.

“I just need my keys. Give it to me, please.”

It’s on his hand now but still not giving me. He went closer and whispered, “In one condition.”

“W-what?”

“We have a party later—”

“Enjoy.”

He faced me, “Shut up. I’m not done yet.”

“I want you to be my date and I accept no for an answer.” And with that, he just left me still processing what he wants to happen.

The time for lunch came and I haven’t seen him. I’m with my cousin and he’s not mentioning about the party.

“Aron.” I began calling him. He raised his head.

“Are you coming to a party later?”

He questionably looked at me. “What party are you saying?”

So he doesn’t know? Then why am I invited?

“Zoren told me, they’ll be having a party later tonight but he didn’t told me where.”

My cousin stopped eating and looked at me again. “I didn’t know about that.”

“Why? I thought you’re friends?”

He laughed a bit, “Everybody’s mistaken about it. We’re not really friends, we just hang out sometimes. Have you not noticed? He’s with every different person. Everyone knows him here. But anyone who he doesn’t talk with is his enemy or near to become his enemy.”

I became silent after hearing it from him. The whole school knew him. I wonder who he really is or what he is known about. Is this like what I’ve read in every books or watched in every movie? Maybe Zoren is the son of the owner of this school.

“What are you thinking?” my cousin interrupted me.

“Can I ask you a question?” his eyebrow upraised asking me what it is.

“My classmates told me to be careful with him and I’ve seen people very distant with him like he’s scary, something like that.”

He played with his tongue and sighed the he put his arms on the table.

“Zoren is…”

“I presumed you’re very curious about me.”

I nearly jumped on my seat from the voice behind. I know who he is. Zoren went beside me and he looked at my cousin before me.

“If you’re really curious about me…” he lowered his head and went nearer to my face. “Then you should come to the party.”

I was about to utter a word but my cousin did it.

“What is this party, Zoren?”

“You know it, Aron. We do it often but I stopped for a while and thinking to go back again. How’d you like that?” He answered while his eyes are still on me. I heard my cousin cursing and it feels like he doesn’t like the idea.

“Jezcyl is not coming. She’s just new here. Not my cousin, Zoren.”

I am becoming nervous because of their conversation where I don’t have any idea.

“As if you can stop me, Aron. And besides, she have something to get from me.”

The evening came and I am already home. I am in my room and I can’t understand why I can’t stay still until a knock in my room came and I went there right away and I saw Aron in front.

“You’re coming at the party?”

I don’t know. I am not even dressed yet and I don’t think he’s serious because he didn’t messaged me.

“I’m still doubting and I don’t think I can go there alone, I mean you’re not coming with me. Maybe I’ll not come, Aunt Nelen might not permit me and besides, he’s still not texting me.”

But I have to get my keys, though. Arghh! I don’t know what to do anymore.

“I’m afraid my mom is permitting you. She’s now talking to Zoren, they’re in the living room.”

My eyes widened and my heart started to pound for unknown reasons. 

“He’s here? When did he came?” 

He shrugged his shoulders and left. I decided to go downstairs and he immediately turned to me with his one eyebrow raised.

“Jezcyl, why are you not dressed yet? Zoren’s here to fetch you. He said you’ll be coming to a party with him.” said aunt.

His hands are just on his pocket and while playing his feet.

“Y-you’ll let me, aunt?”

Aunt Nelen smiled at me, “Of course. I’ve known Zoren for a long time and he’ll be returning you without a scratch.” 

She knew Zoren for a long time? But then Aron told me that they’re not really friends? I don’t understand anymore. 

Maybe, aunt noticed me became quiet all of a sudden, “Go. Dress up. We’ll be waiting for you here.”

And without uttering words, I walked towards my room. I don’t really understand them. I don’t wanna’ give attention to these things because we’re not related and we have known each other only recently, but they are all making me curious and confused about everything about him. And maybe this night, I can finally see at least half of his character.

He convinced my aunt and now I am with him. We're just turning direction but I can already see the crowded people and the loud bang of music. 

He parked the car and opened the door for me. I heard the music and that title is really unforgettable, it became famous in the Philippines, 'Teach Me How to Dougie'. 

That was the music while walking towards the direction of a circled men and women with their drinks and cigarettes.

He told me that if I'll come to the party, he'll get to know me. So is this him? Is this Zoren?

"Hey, man!" A tall man approached us and they appeared their hands down.

I did not say anything but I know they looked at me, though I'm not looking at them especially their eyes.

I've noticed the man in front of us who's giving something to Zoren. It's a blue liquid and an injection.

"Here, to make sure we'll win. It will boost your adrenaline."

I observed them and their reddening eyes plus a black circles around them and I think I know what they're doing.

Zoren accepted it and he put the liquid on the syringe.

"Can you give me a minute?" I interrupted him though he had it all in the syringe. 

He just looked at me and motioned his friends that we're leaving. 

We reached his car and I quickly faced him and my eyes landed on his hands.

"Is this what you're going to show me?"

He didn't answered. Instead, he tried to inject the syringe on him but I took and threw it.

"What the--

"Fuck I am doing?! I'm here dragged by someone just to show me that he's drugging himself." I said in an irritated tone. I didn't even let him finished talking.

"I'm going home. I have no business here and if you're planning to drug me too, then I'm sorry. I won't let you."

I attempted to open the door of his car but he blocked it with his hand.

“Why?” he asked

My eyebrow rose, why is he asking me why when he knew the answer that it’s not right. 

“Why are you hindering me to have that drug?”

I laughed without happiness at all. “Are you nuts? That’s what everybody would do if they’ve seen you taking that. Don’t misunderstand anything.”

“No, that’s not everybody would do. Can’t you see? They just gave me one to take but you destroyed it.”

“Then you’re blaming me? Just sent me home again. I can’t stand being here with you.” 

I turned my back from him but he snatched my wrist making me face him again.

"I won't take the drug, fine. Let's go back. I have a race, I want you to watch me."

Unknowingly, my heart became abnormal. It was thumping hard that I do not know what it was for. I can't also meet his gazes.

"Why would you want me to watch you? You can have brought other girls. Someone who wouldn't stop you from doing anything. Someone who could go along with your hobbies."

His silence is making me uncomfortable. Then he came to me and tackled my hair strands behind my ear.

And in his husky voice, he said, "I'm interested with you." Then he smirked

Then that's it. I was dumbfounded and I stepped back because of awkwardness. He's an American and I'm a Filipina. We both grew from countries with different cultures and we just met each other. How can he have interest on me so easily?

"You have no idea what you're saying." I moved his hand away my face.

"Zoren! Man!" Someone called him from behind and it was a different one. I'm relieved.

"The race will begin, bro. Stephen is here already." Then he left after Zoren just nodded on him.

I looked at him confused, "Stephen? The one with his creepy game?"

He smiled at me, "Yeah. He asked for it and he provoked me." And he turned his back from me and started walking.

"You'll leave me here alone?! I know no one!" I shouted when he's getting far.

The race started and I was left with the man named Calix. He was the one who called him a while ago. We're just both quiet while watching the game when the crowd were cheering.

"You don't look like an American." He said that caught my attention.

"I'm a Filipina. I came from the Philippines and I am an exchange student."

His eyes were set on the game, "Meaning, you'll be here only for a while?"

"Y-yeah." 

I felt him sighed, "Do you know Zoren?"

My attention went to him again when he asked that.

"Why? What's with him? Everybody's asking me the same question and they're even giving me warnings. What's wrong with him? He seems normal, though."

He smiled and he waved at someone. I followed the direction to where he is looking then I saw Zoren getting off his car. So, the race is done and that's why these people are much noiser?

I followed Calix walking towards Zoren and he, he's taking off his helmet. 

"Congrats! I knew it, my money won't get wasted if I'll bet on you." Said Calix then he whispered something to him before waving his goodbye to me.

"Bye, Jezcyl."

I just smiled at him and waved.

I only got awkward when I realized he's looking at me again. I put my hand down and he walked nearer to me and was also about to kiss me when I bended a bit of my body. He's holding me on my waist, that's why.

"I want to claim my price."

“Stop now, Zoren. I’m gonna’ kick your balls until you cannot walk anymore.”

He laughed with what I said, “I’m fine with that but make sure you’ll take care of me for the rest of your lives.”

The cold breeze of the air touched my cheek and flew my hair away. He was intently looking at me which brought abnormality to my whole system.

And with my monotone voice, I responded to him. 

“I’m not going to stay here forever.”