Where I Belong

by Stella Andrew

  “President Ethan. Vice President was being mean to me.” She whined.

  Okay. That’s it.

  I’m making her bald.

  My fingers are itching to grab her hair.

  “Excuse me?” I asked aloud. I don’t care if I create a scene.

  Ethan sighed.

  Oh, he’s fed up? I’ve had enough of all this drama.

  “Is this necessary? We have so much to do. I don’t need more to worry about.” He said tiredly.

  He’s also a best friend to me. I feel sorry for the guy. But is he really believing what she said?

  And just look at her!

  She’s gleaming with victory all over her face.

  “Can you not disturb Amelia? Please take your drama elsewhere Diana. Leave Amelia alone.”

  Wow.

  He stuck up for me. Well duh. We’re buddies. He made me feel proud.

  Oh so her name is Diana.

  Diana’s face well, replacing it with an ugly scowl. Once more she glared at me and marched off, down the stairs to the freshman floor.

  “Thanks, Ethan.”

  “I’m sorry Amelia. I know you’re already stressed out with work and to top it off you haven’t been seeing Adrien.”

  Ethan looked really upset.

  “Dude. I’m not blaming you for every girl who picks a fight with me over you. You were born pretty to be fought over.” Ethan cracked a smile as he gently bumped into me.

  “Weirdo.” He joked.

  “I’m on your side pal. Let them come. I’ll protect you.” I tease. He gives me an eye roll but then smiles.

  “Let’s get back to Principal Camille. He wants to meet the three council members.”

  Saying so Ethan leads the way and I follow beside him.

  “You okay? Why do you look partially dead?” Adrien asked me while sipping his frappe.

  “Partially dead? Thank goodness. I thought I was a corpse with a battered soul.” I groaned dropping my head on the table.

  Adrien laughed.

  “Is it that bad?” He asked in a carefree manner.

  I lift my head to look at this mean human.

  “Bad? The next time I see Evan, who happens to be the reason I’m in the council, I’ll throw at him whatever that’s in my hand.” I huffed annoyed. Adrien continued looking at me amused.

  Great. I’m a joker now.

  “So? Tell me what’s gotten you troubled?”

  “This... This girl!” I spat out venomously.

  “Girl?” He said with a confused tone. “I’ve to worry about a girl? Not a guy?”

  Is he for real?

  Seeing my glare directed his way, he shrugged.

  “I have enough on my plate than to get tangled with a guy. It’s this girl who’s hovering over Ethan that’s a bother.”

  “Why are you getting mad over that?”

  “It’s not the fact that she’s even more glue-i-er than Vivienne. It’s that she’s distracting us all with her continuous stalking.”

  I let out such a loud sigh that a couple seated nearby turns and stares. Adrien apologized on my stead and flicked my forehead.

  Oops.

  “Leave that aside. The festival. You are coming right?”

  Adrien stops all movement.

  “Well?” I pressed. I had a bad feeling.

  “Mia...”

  I sigh once more. Less audaciously.

  “You can’t make it,” I state.

  Adrien grabbed hold of my hand and clenched it tight.

  “You know I’ve been dying to come to school, to the festival, just so I could walk around holding your hand, and showing off to the guys.”

  This made me blush.

  “It’s just that the Art students of my college are hosting an exhibition. And well since Esmee is an Art student, she has to be present and Evan begged me to be there as well.”

  He looked so disappointed.

  I wasn’t mad. I knew how hard he tried to make time for me. He never failed to tell me every day how much he loves me. I clasp his hand in between mine. I tighten them feeling his warmth.

  I then lift it and give a soft kiss.

  My bad boy’s cheeks are dusted a fairy pink, a look of embarrassment and his earlier disappointment blending together.

  “I understand Adrien. You know I always understand the cause. You would definitely be there if there had been away. Don’t worry. So stop looking so funny with such an expression.” To the end, I crack up.

  Adrien scowled as he grabbed the cookie plate which we had ordered and throws a cookie at me.

  I laugh more earning a pinch from him.

  We finish up with our evening date and leave the I hand in hand.

  Three days to go for the school festival.

  The second and final time I’m going to witness the great Harriet high school festival.

  The last one had been most extraordinary. My friends from Miami had come all the way to France.

  This year, what awaits me at the Harriet High school Festival?

  CHAPTER THIRTY- FOUR

  The festival began with a speech by the principal and then everyone scattered about, rushing to their respective classes.

  I remember the last time I was the same when we held the water-balloon booth. This year it was different. I didn’t have to rush to the classroom and get yelled at by Theo instructing us on final arrangements.

  Nope. This year I was free. I’ve only to walk around inspecting the classrooms.

  The seniors, which is, of course, the kids who are on my floor of the school, were free to visit the stalls and booths.

  No studies weighing them down today.

  Which was why I find Benjamin, the second clown of our class after Pierre, running around like a kid set free at a circus.

  “Hey, Amelia.” He waved at me excitedly. “Bye Amelia” and he ran off.

  Why the hell did he even bother calling out to me?

  Shaking my head at his fleeing self, I continue walking around the school.

  It was about an hour before the school gates would be open for the public. There wouldn’t be enough space to walk freely. And so with that in mind Ninnon, Pierre, Ethan and I decided to check out every booth and stall and enjoy our last school festival.

  But... Where the hell are those three? Why am I alone?

  “Amalia!” Cute Florence came rushing towards me with Theo following close behind.

  “Hey, Florence.”

  “Why are you all alone Amalia? Do you want to come with us?” She asked so innocently.

  Only I notice Theo looking uncomfortable when she asked me to come with them.

  I wanted to laugh. He must have been looking forward to spending time with her.

  I look at him straight and he gives me a weird smile.

  That’s it.

  I end up chuckling and earned a groan from Theo.

  “C’mon... You’re teasing me, Brooke.” He said. Florence who wasn’t sure what was happening stared at the two of us blankly.

  Struggling to stop my chuckles, I kindly declined the offer.

  Her face dropped. But when Theo mentioned the candy store stall, her face brightened up once again and so they left, and I’m all by myself once more.

  I grab my phone and dial in Ninnon’s number. It rang twice and she picked up.

  “Girl... Where the hell are you?” I shout into the phone. I don’t care if she goes deaf.

  I hear her sighing.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  “It’s all birdbrains’ fault.” She groaned annoyingly. I could very well imagine her clenching her teeth.

  Pierre?

  “I’m sorry Ameliaaaa....” I hear his voice in the back.

  “Ninnon? Are you with Pierre? What happened?”

  “This idiot was so excited to get to school, he didn’t see a man pulling a fruit cart. He bumped right into him and the poor man let go of his cart. All the fruits tumbled out and into the street. I happened to be walking
that way and so Pierre practically dragged me in to help him pick everything up.” She let out another sigh.

  That guy! Just how stupid can he be?

  “We’ll be there soon. Just go around with Ethan okay?” She said.

  “Sure.” And I cut the line.

  I didn’t want to tell her I wasn’t with Ethan. She’d surely leave Pierre and come or get mad at him for leaving me alone.

  Oh well...

  I get a message notification, so I pulled out my phone from my blazer pocket once more.

  ~Hey. Having fun?~

  It was Adrien.

  Just the person to keep me company.

  ~Hey there. Festival hasn’t started yet so strolling around.~

  ~Don’t worry. You’ll have tons of fun.~

  Aww... He’s so sweet.

  ~Hopefully. How’re things on that side? With the art exhibition?~

  ~It’s fantastic. To be honest I hadn’t expected it to be this huge of a deal. In this college, everything they do is triple the times on a large scale than what we ever did at school Mia. Wish you could have been here.~

  Just the message showed me how excited he was. I wish you would have been here too.

  I don’t text it though. I don’t want to ruin his excitement.

  ~Wow... Good to be you. Well then, friends calling. See yah~

  ~Bye Mia. Let me know if anything is wrong okay? Love you.~

  I leave the message as read and pocket my phone.

  Don’t you dare lose your motivation now Amelia. Wait till Ninnon arrives. You will definitely have fun.

  Somehow I’d lost the excitement inside of me. And the festival hadn’t even started yet!

  Speaking of... Where the hell could Ethan be? He’s the president for crying out loud. He can’t skip.

  I didn’t want to keep calling and texting people only to learn that they’re nowhere near.

  It would just make me feel like going home.

  So I get down to the first floor of the freshmen and loiter around.

  Some kids come rushing, asking me to visit their class. I promise them I will do once all the council members gather. This excites them even more.

  This goes on as I continue walking in the hallway.

  The students who were going to have their first Harriet high festival were ecstatic. They didn’t stay in a place for a minute.

  I wasn’t this way. Nope. I had been too nervous in confronting the class that I didn’t have time to be excited.

  I hope these kids have fun to the extreme.

  I don’t quite look where I’m going and bump into someone. She yelped so loud, anyone would think I was fucking beating her up.

  So dramatic.

  I look in front to see who the drama queen was and lo and behold! It was none other than Diana.

  My day just got plenty worse.

  “Why do you have to be so rude to me Vice President?”

  And now she was whining.

  God save me from strangling this child.

  “Sorry. I wasn’t really paying attention to where I was walking. Are you hurt?”

  Being the Vice Prez means you have to care for the students even if they’re bitches and bimbos.

  “Of course I’m hurt!” She screeched making me want to cover my ears. “You hurt my shoulder.”

  Bitch! I bumped into her while walking. Not while running. How could that hurt? And I bumped with my shoulder, not a fucking truck. Why is she complaining so much?

  I grit my teeth and try to be calm. Stepping aside I tried to walk away before she creates a scene. My responsibility was to make sure nothing of that sort happens.

  But before I could completely walk away she rudely grabbed my arm, and then let go as if she had gotten burnt.

  “Where is President Ethan?” She demanded.

  Yeah, that’s something I’d like to know as well.

  “I don’t know.” I snap. I have no reason to keep having a conversation with her.

  “Don’t lie. Tell me. I know you made plans to be together.”

  Wow. She’s a creepy stalker.

  “That has nothing to do with you, Diana. Now shoo.” Yeah I’m treating her like a dog if she’s going to be a bitch to me.

  “It has everything to do with me! He is supposed to be with me at my first school festival. Not you.”

  Okay. That does it. Come here, you idiot. I’m killing you!

  I take a step in front to give her head a good knocking but someone grabbed her arm tight. She yelped once again.

  “Don’t you dare talk to her that way.” The guy practically growled.

  Shyne stood behind Diana, anger seething out of him.

  “Shyne,” I called out his name. He turned his face to me, giving a soft smile and then turned back to Diana with a glare.

  “She isn’t someone you can just snap at. She is also not someone who lies. Don’t you ever yell at her again. She is the Vice President of this school’s council. Show some respect.”

  Wow... I never thought I’d hear this guy talking so highly of me.

  Shyne being here means naturally a crowd would gather. He always gets a lot of attention.

  So a couple of kids nodded to what he was saying. Some even spoke up and asked Diana to back off.

  I just stood there not sure what I was supposed to do.

  Diana fumed as she jerked Shyne’s grip on her arm and left while flicking her hair.

  “You okay?” He asked.

  What is he so worried about? Do I look like some damsel in distress?

  Heck, I’ll never look like that ever again.

  “Do I look like someone who would get all upset just cause some brat spoke rudely to me?”

  To this, he gives a cheery laugh.

  “Yeah. I should have known you’d definitely be alright. Sorry for butting in.”

  “Nah. She was being too dramatic. Thanks for the save.”

  He beamed happily. Reminded me of Pierre when he sees cakes.

  “Speaking of... Why are you alone? Why are you not with the President?” He asks confused.

  “I don’t think he’s in school yet,” I say with a shrug. Shyne looked even more confused.

  “I don’t think so. I saw him earlier this morning.” He said with a furrowed brow.

  What?

  Then why did he not come looking for me?

  Then it hit me.

  Diana attack.

  “Thanks, Shyne. I know where he is. I’ll see you later.”

  And I rush towards the unused girl’s bathroom.

  The same place I had run off to when I felt like crying after my friends had appeared. I’m not really sure if he would be there, but somehow I had a strong feeling.

  I make sure the coast is clear and then enter.

  “Amelia?”

  Hell yeah!

  “Ethan? What the hell are you doing here!?

  I try not to laugh at him.

  His expression when he saw me was relief. But now it turned to anger and frustration.

  “That stupid girl. She’s fucking driving me crazy!”

  Ethan never gets this mad. He never snaps.

  “What happened?”

  “She somehow got a hold of my number.” He said through clenched teeth.

  Fuck. That’s a whole new level of stalking.

  “She had me up all night texting and calling. I left my phone at home this morning. And when I reached school, what do I see first thing? Diana standing by the gates!”

  “Okay. This has gone too far. I’m complaining her to Uncle Cam and having her suspended.” Anger was running through me.

  This has got to stop. The girl was going over her limits.

  “Forget it. She kept following me and this is the only place I knew she had no idea of. I was planning on leaving once the festival had begun.” He said with a strong sigh.

  “Dude. You would have been called Psycho President if anyone had seen you coming out the girls’ washroom.” I cry out exasperated.
>
  “Technically it’s unused.”

  “You want me to hit you? Do you? It’s the same fucking thing!” I snap at him.

  Everyone is driving me insane today.

  “Anyways there’s just a few seconds until the gates open. Let’s go.” And so grabbing him by the hand, I leave the washroom.

  Once we get to the senior section, I let go of his hand and we enter the classroom to find a battered Pierre getting scolded by an exhausted Ninnon.

  “What happened to them?” Ethan whispered to me.

  “Long story short, Pierre got in trouble and dragged Ninnon along,” I whisper back.

  “Amelia! Thank heavens. There you are. Were you alright? As soon as we got to school, I met up with that kid Shyne. He told me you were all alone.” She stopped to stare at Ethan beside me and then looked confused.

  “I just met up with Ethan. I’m fine. I just went around the first floor. Anyways you two okay?”

  Ninnon’s face darkened as she glared daggers at Pierre. He quickly got off the chair and hid behind me.

  Typical Pierre.

  “Stop all this. We need to hurry to Uncle Cam to get our armbands and then head to the entrance. C’mon”

  I quickly get a sip of water, since my tongue felt all dry, and then we headed to the Principal’s office to get the student council armbands we were supposed to wear.

  We check each other out if we’ve got the uniform on properly without any creases. It will be a big ordeal if the Student Council members weren’t appropriately dressed.

  And so once everything was in place we made our way to the front.

  The gates opened and an army of guests rushed in.

  Anyone would think they’re here to meet the country president. But that’s how big the Harriet festival is.

  We partner up two by two and take turns patrolling. While we were deciding partners, Pierre somehow ran off and Ninnon ran after him scolding all the way.

  And so Ethan and I walked together.

  I felt a strong presence behind me. But every time I turn around there was no one in sight.

  Weird.

  “What’s wrong?” Ethan asked since I stopped walking.

  I shake my head. And we continue.

  I find Shyne surrounded by cute French girls. He looked up and gave me an embarrassed grin.

  Too bad I took my eyes off the course and looked at Shyne. Because Ethan had been taken by students into their classroom.