Where I Belong

by Stella Andrew

  “Who started this rumor?” I demanded through clenched teeth.

  “Me of course,” Noelle remarked pridefully.

  “What proof have you got Noelle?” I question her in rage. She’s not only putting me in the dirt but my Sarah too.

  “I heard it of course. Two days back, you were talking to Ethan and I heard you saying, ‘I killed my best friend’.” She finishes with an arrogant smirk plastered on her face now.

  Oh, how I wish to slap it off o her scrawny face.

  “You were so excited about spreading rumors on what you eavesdropped, yet you didn’t want to wait till the end of the conversation?” I snapped.

  Her nose flared in anger when I emphasized she had eavesdropped.

  When Noelle and I are about to start a catfight, or fistfight or whatever, the morning bell rings and a second later Miss Valerie walks in. She finds us all clustered together and asks what’s going on.

  When no one replied, she yelled at us to start arranging our booths and not stand idly.

  Everyone quickly gets busy with preparing the class and our booth. We were hosting a water balloon brawl booth, but everyone in class acted like we were holding a beauty pageant for the president to see.

  Since Miss Valerie was present no one dared to look my way nor whisper. Everyone carried out their duties promptly.

  Theodore being the class president barked orders at everyone.

  “Amelia, Help Florence to set up the prize table,” he shouts at me from the other corner of the classroom.

  I walk up to Florence, who gives me a shy smile before continuing to do whatever she’s doing. Thank heavens she’s treating me as usual. She wasn’t giving me weird stares or disgusted looks. Just a shy smile now and then. Florence was the class shy-girl. With her porcelain-like face and petite body, she looked like a French doll out of a store. Her voice was so soft it’s barely audible. She’s very timid and I’m not usually close with people I can’t mess up with, but Florence is one of the few girls in class who approached me with a friendly aura.

  Ninnon and my eye meet when I turn around to look for her. She’s helping out with hanging the ribbons and balloons on the windows. She looks at me skeptically and through her eyes tries to convey the message ‘we got to have a talk later’ across to me. Pierre being the meddlesome dude he is, was nowhere to be seen.

  “Brooke. Ms. Valerie asks for a student. Mind seeing what she needs?” Theodore ask me walking up to me. I notice Florence shrink even more at the sight of him. Just how much is he afraid of guys? Theodore is like the daddy-bear of the class. Who’d be afraid of him?

  And where did Ms. Valerie go to now? She was here just a minute ago.

  “Sure why not. I’ll be leaving Florence.” I turn around to face the petite girl. She’s back to her normal stance once Theo had left. She nods at me and shoo’s me off with a smile.

  The hallway was in a rush. In half an hour, the school will be open to the public. Final touches to check into. Makeup and costumes. Everyone seemed to have something to do.

  Sighing I walk to the Teachers’ lounge, my mind clouded with worries. I had decided to talk it out with Ninnon and Pierre. And now it’s all become a mess.

  My mind was already packed with unwanted worries, the last thing I wanted was the good-for-nothing stares and whispers. I quicken my pace, trying my best to zone out completely.

  “Oh, if it isn’t the famous mademoiselle Amelia Brooke.” Says a voice from behind me.

  “What do you want?” I snap at whoever it is even before glancing his way. Big mistake.

  “Oh.” I let out a gasp. Shit Amelia. You moron.

  It’s the school’s number one idol. And beside him is the school’s beauty queen. I can clearly see why she’s called that. With her long and wavy brown curls, hazel eyes and slender model figure, she most definitely looked like a girl who had come from a beauty pageant. If only she was like the other snots who thought they’re Miss-universe cause they’re a tad beautiful than the rest of the girls, I’d have ignored her completely. But miss beauty-queen is well known for her kind personality along with her looks.

  The president wasn’t any less. He had tousled dark brown hair, which was thick and lustrous. His eyes were a mesmerizing deep ocean blue, with flecks of silvery light throughout. His face was strong and defined. A playful smile adorned his thin lips.

  Now you see why he’s the number one idol? I heard these two can’t walk on the streets, what with model agencies desperately trying to recruit them.

  Oh, and yeah, you heard it right. I just snapped at the school’s Student Body President.

  He doesn’t seem offended though. His usual friendly smile faced me, his eyes dancing with amusement.

  “Thank god jerk face isn’t around,” I mutter to myself. The President, whose name I’m still not aware of raised a brow at my statement.

  “Who’s a jerk face!?” and there he makes a grand entrance. My mood darkens automatically. I scowl. This seemed to amuse the handsome President even more.

  “Adrien seems to be very much protective over you. It’s the most unusual and surprising thing I’ve ever come across ever since I’ve known him, so I’ve been very much interested in getting to know you, Amelia Brooke.” The Secretary of the Student body finally speaks, her voice soft and melodious.

  I stare at them bewildered. What did I hear just now?

  Adrien chokes on his own spit. He stares at his friends completely and utterly in horror.

  “The fuck are you saying Esmee!? Stop spouting nonsense. This annoyance of a human already has an ego bigger than the universe. Don’t enlarge it, even more.” Adrien yells at the secretary, whose name I guess is Esmee. She just shakes her head, chuckling at her weird friend who is yelling so loud for no god damn reason in the hallway.

  Where are the damn teachers when you need them? Why is this guy not being hauled to the detention center for disturbance of the public?

  “She sabotages my omelets. My omelets! Why would I ever in my right mind care for this sorry of a human?” Adrien continues fuming.

  Blockhead! How dare he.

  “It’s because you’re born with the wrong mind.” I say flicking my hair. Adrien glares at me and I glare back at him. What’s his deal?

  The president grabs jerk face by the collar and pulls him away from my face.

  “Please don’t mind his arrogance. He’s always been this way.” The President says ever so sweetly. I couldn’t agree with him more. Adrien’s face darkens even more with rage but he keeps silent, crossing his arms over his chest and looking the other way. Spoilt brat.

  “I’m Evan Lionel. This right beside me is Esmee Moore. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Amelia Brooke.” The president introduces himself and the secretary. I give him a nod. What more am I to do?

  “Alright already! Now you’ve all become one happy family. Can we get going? We’ve work to do.” Adrien’s snarky voice disturbs the friendly atmosphere. Evan must have suddenly remembered some unfinished business. He excuses himself and both he and Esmee wave goodbye and walk the other way. Adrien stops and stares at me for a couple of minutes.

  “Are you alright? What’s up with these rumors I’ve been hearing?” he asks a hint of worry visible in his tone. Great. Now he acts concerned.

  I just sigh and shoo him off. I’m too tired to be explaining. And so with one final look, he walks away.

  I groan aloud, not giving a shit on whom I scared the living shit out of and stomp towards the teacher’s lounge. I’ve kept Ms. Valerie waiting enough.

  Some guy with glasses dropped a cardboard box and out flies papers. Since everyone is in a haste, no one notices the guy panicking weirdly trying to grab the papers without being stepped on.

  I crouch beside him and pick a few. He stares at me surprised but doesn’t say anything. Well, of course he’d know who I am. I give him the stack I picked up and he mumbles a ‘Thank you’ with a small smile and quickly rushes away.

  I’d been so occu
pied helping the glasses guy I hadn’t paid much attention to the surrounding. Now that I was back to my senses, I heard the whispers louder. Give me a break.

  A few students stopped to stare. But not at me but behind me? Is Evan standing behind me again for a surprise attack?

  Before I could turn around to find out what it was that’s perked up everyone’s interest, someone speaks out.

  “Mia.”

  My heart stops.

  My breathing stops.

  I literally stop my movements.

  Only Adrien calls me ‘Mia’ in France and this is so not his voice.

  God, are you messing with me as punishment for something I had done?

  I’m all the way in France. That voice can’t be here. I’m hearing things. Maybe I’m feeling a little homesick.

  “Mia.” Again. The voice calls out to me.

  I could feel my body shivering. A cold sweat broke out. Why do I feel like I’ve committed some crime?

  The students who were busy gawking at the stranger were all staring at me now.

  Have they never seen a foreigner for god- damn sake?

  Slowly, taking my own precious time I turn around hoping and begging to god this is was all just my imagination.

  I come face to face with someone I wasn’t ready to face yet. My world turns dark and I feel myself falling deeper and deeper into complete blackness.

  Why? Why are you here? Why is this happening now? Today of all days!

  While I stand panicked, guilty and at a loss, the guy in front of my eyes, gives me the gentlest smile in the world, his deep blue eyes shimmering with happiness and delight.

  “Ryan.” His name escapes my lips in a whisper.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  I run and run but the distance doesn’t get any smaller. Well, it’s understandable since I’m trying to outrun the ace sprinter of my previous high school.

  “Mia. Mia stop!”

  Why in the world was he still following? I can’t face him. Not yet. I shut my ears as I continue running, trying to block out his pleading voice.

  Up ahead, I find Ethan surrounded by girls looking uncomfortable. He looks up and stares at me confused as to why I’m running for my life as if a madman is after me.

  “Amelia?” He calls out but I dash past him without a stop. I don’t have time for a chitchat with the guy when I’m being chased. He notices Ryan and something dawns on him. He pushes past the girls and follows behind Ryan.

  I break into the classroom shutting the door hard. The class grows silent and stares, wondering what’s going on.

  Brilliant idea Amelia. Let the entire class know the shitty-drama that’s to come.

  “Amelia? Are you alright?” Ninnon asks concerned. I give her a vague nod clutching my knees to even out my ragged breathing.

  Please. Please don’t follow me in here. Please.

  As I stand up, the door opens and two strong arms wrap around me tight restricting any movement.

  “Mia. That’s enough!” Ryan breathes raggedly.

  “Mia? Isn’t that how Vice Prez...” Pierre whispers to Ninnon but she shuts him up.

  “Let go!” I demand my voice shaky. But he doesn’t let go.

  “I refuse to. Not you too. I won’t ever let go of you. I’m holding on to you for the rest of my life.” He says his grip tightening. It’s not only his grip that tightens. Somewhere inside of me, I feel my body tightening as well. My heart feels like it’s about to burst in pain.

  “Ryan. Let go! Please.” I’m about to burst into tears at any moment.

  Ninnon stares shocked at the guy behind me realizing who this was. I shut my eyes tight pushing back every thought. Every single memory I’m trying so hard to get used to. Sarah’s body in the hospital. Her smiles. Her laughter. Her face when she’s mad. Our days back in school.

  A sob escapes from me and Ryan pulls back surprised.

  “Mia?” He says unsurely. At that moment a hand appears out of thin air and grabs mine pulling me towards him.

  “Let’s go.”

  And I obediently follow not even looking up to see who it is that grabbed my hand.

  “Ethan? Where are you going, man?” Pierre calls out but Ethan continues to pull me away from everyone. So it’s Ethan.

  “The hell is going on in here!?” I hear Vivienne’s loud voice. I’d very much like to know myself, Vivienne.

  Ethan drags me to the abandoned girls’ washroom. Once we’re inside and the door closed I flop down on the ground and the tears roll out. I couldn’t stop once I’d started crying.

  “Why? Why is he here? He shouldn’t be here. I… I didn’t know what to do. How to face him. I wasn’t ready.” I was going on ranting. Ethan stood leaning on a stall door silently.

  Shit! Shit! Shit!

  “You do realize you hurt him right? The look on his face when I took you away was beyond shattered.” Ethan finally speaks.

  I look up with tears still dripping. I’ve become such a crybaby ever since THE incident.

  I know I hurt him. It’s not his fault. It’s no one’s fault but my own. I’m such a coward. Why am I still running away from reality?

  Ryan already lost a soul friend. And now me acting this way shutting myself away from him was clearly tearing him apart. Right now, running away from him, was the finishing blow to his already wounded heart.

  “If you really want to move on then you shouldn’t push the past away but accept what happened. Only then can you really face the future Amelia. And Ryan is someone who’s not just a guy in your past. He’s your past itself. Ever since you guys were toddlers you’ve been together right? That relationship is far more important than any other relationship in this world. Don’t sever your ties with him, Amelia. You’re hurting him and more importantly your hurting yourself.”

  I know. I understand perfectly what you’re saying, Ethan. I just don’t know what to do!

  He extends a hand and I take it. He pulls me up to my feet.

  “Alright damsel in distress. It’s time you become the heroine of your story.” He says with a playful yet gentle smile and I give him a watery smile back.

  Leaving the restroom, we make our way to the classroom. Every step I took made my heart-beat race faster and faster. Ethan gave my hand a light squeeze. Looking up I see him giving me an encouraging smile. I give him a firm nod and a ghost of a smile appears on my lips.

  Opening the door we enter the classroom which now grew silent. Apart from my classmates, there were others from different classes and even kids from out of school. They all stopped whatever they were doing and wondered what the reason for the eerie silence was. Some even ogled at Ethan. While some looked pumped up for some crazy shit drama.

  Taking a deep breath I turn and look at the front of the class.

  The hell!?

  “Heath? Amethyst? Lara? What- what are you guys doing here?” I ask beyond surprised.

  It’s not just Ryan but the whole team is here?

  Each one of them gives out a sigh of relief when I call out their names. Did they think I’d forgotten them or what? Ryan though a pained look on his face, gave me a distant smile filled with worry and a tad bit of joy.

  Before I could think or act, Ninnon who miraculously appeared beside me from the front of the class, pulled me aside and whispered to me that Adrien had come barging in panicked, demanding if everything was alright and wanting to know where I was. When someone from class had told him Ethan pulled me off somewhere Ninnon says she saw his face fall. An expression that was easy to be read as me not wanting his support anymore and that I was turning to Ethan now.

  Woah what?

  Was the President right? Is he really overprotective of me? No, that can’t be. Uncle Cam must have sent him to find me. But then why did Ninnon say he looked panicked. Is she over exaggerating? I bet she is.

  Somewhere inside my heart, I felt a pull of a heartstring though. Like I felt relieved he had come to my aid.

  Fuck! What!? Wait. Did my freaking hear
t just thump a beat for that guy?

  “Ames!” Heath pulls me by the arm and wrapped his strong buffed arms around my waist holding me tight.

  Focus Amelia. It’s not Adrien you need to concentrate on but these guys.

  “I’ve missed you.” His voice is muffled as he buries his face on the nook of my neck.

  “I’ve missed you too,” I say to him softly as I hug him back. He pulls back and watches my face giving me a wide grin. I remove his arms from me and step back.

  I take a deep breath and look at my dear friends.

  “This makes it a whole lot easier. The fact all of you are here. I want to have a serious talk with you guys.”

  Amy, Lara, and Ryan give solemn nods while Heath stares at me probably wondering why I sound like some drill sergeant talking to his men about the next battle.

  Bud, I’m wondering the same thing myself.

  I walk out of the class and the four of them follow promptly. Before I close the door I notice kids whispering to each other about the drama they just saw and Vivienne glaring at me for god knows what reasons. And then there’s those three giving me encouraging smiles which built strength within me. I send a ‘Thank you’ telepathically hoping they’d get it somehow.

  I lead the way towards the unused staircase a.k.a mine and Adrien’s secret hideout. A part of me wished he would be there taking a break since he wasn’t too fond of crowds but the place was empty.

  What’s with me thinking of him at a moment like this? I internally groan.

  I turn around to face my BFFs. Every one of them had a pained look except Heath who was rocking on his heels, hands in the pocket looking like a toddler on his first field trip. He’s so much similar to Pierre. I couldn’t help but smile at him.

  Now, how do I start? Where do I start? Since when have I been so afraid of facing them?

  Lara steps in front. She keeps looking at me closely without a word and I stare back at her. She then raises her hand and slaps me. Hard.

  The other three gasps shocked while she breaks down crying covering her face. Lara has always been the most sensitive among us.

  “You-you just left. Without a word. Did... Did you ever think about how we’d feel?” She continues sobbing tears trickling down her face. “We had been through so much and you were the most affected. But we, I, believed you’d come back to us. But you just left the country leaving us all hanging... breaking our hearts even more.”