Restrain - Chapter 3
Throughout English, Calculus and History; Charlie wasn't in any of those classes that I was in too. I had my eyes at the class door, praying that he won't happen to come in to it. Thankfully, I didn't see him nor his silhouette. I was relieved, up most – grateful. The other thing that I was very most grateful was that Lilia hasn't told anybody yet of my background. I just had to do anything and whatever it takes to keep that girl shut.
When the bell rang at the end of History, I packed up my notes and pens and shoved them all in the back pack; zipped it and then swung it over my shoulders. It was now recess, and my stomach rumbled like thunder hitting the highest peak of a mountain. I was hungry, very much. I had just biscuits that was three days past the due date, but it tasted fairly good. I walked out of class, and so did all the students of Solomon East Academy. They all headed to the one place that was dreadful yet the only resource of their food. Walking into the cafeteria, I went straight up the counter. I didn't take a tray, I wasn't bothered too. Queuing up in a orderly line, I waited my turn.
“Fancy meeting you again,” a nice low voice startled me from the behind. I turned around, gave a little smile and turned back. “So how are ya going to hold your lunch? See you holding just – nothing” Micah said with a slight chuckle. “I have my ways to hold on stuffs” I said.
My turn was up next, I picked up a muffin and skipped all the other things that I really wanted to eat at that moment. Micah looked at me, just silent as he took his turn to take the food.
“Only that?” the cafeteria lady looked at me holding on the muffin. I nodded. “Well, it's a dollar” she said. I took out the only crumpled dollar bill out of my pocket and handed it over. “Thanks” I said, and quickly walked out of the cafeteria. I took the muffin and myself to the Round Spot. The schools resting area where students hang out during recess which has a fountain in the middle of the Round Spot. I sat down on the loneliest bench I could find and it was near the Aristotle Block. There wasn't much people around, all of them were at the cafeteria, it was still the early peak of recess, soon enough they'll be moving over here. I opened up the sides of the muffin cup slowly and then took my bite of the double chocolate chip muffin. I sighed as I chewed on the sweet savior. I had to savor it, make myself full by eating slow to keep myself full till the last period of school.
I took another bite, counting each chews I took. Then I took the third bite and my muffin was half gone. I wrapped it up with the muffin cup paper and gently placed it in my bag pack, a place where it won't get squished easily.
“Here,” he handed out a carton of apple juice. I looked up at him. “Muffins and apple juice, a classic pair. Here, take it” Micah took my hand and placed the juice on my palm. I wrapped my fingers around the juice and looked down on it. I didn't know whether I should give it back or just stare at it till it disappears. Micah sat down on the bench next to me.
“Why?” I asked as I turned my head towards him as he was taking his satchel off across his shoulders.
“Huh?” he asked me when he placed his satchel on his lap. I looked at it, it was definitely branded. And then I looked at mine, it was worn out. “Why are you giving me the apple juice? Isn't it yours?” I said. Micah Martin smiled and shook his head, “Nah, I bought myself one too” he said as he took out another carton of apple juice out of his satchel. Great for you since you have money. “You must at least be thirsty after that muffin, it's dry as hell”. True.
I pulled off the straw from the back and took off the wrapper then punching it through the hole. I sucked up the the juice and it was what I wanted to drench my thirst after the half ate muffin.
“Thanks anyways” I whisper.
Micah just smiled. He drank his juice too and I drank mine. We were silent as we sipped slowly to our juice. We looked around the Round Spot. Students walking in the Round Spot with their friends, notes, food; talking and laughing, throwing ball to one another – just enjoying the 45 minutes lunch break. I knew who Micah Martin was but he definitely didn't know me. He was to school's top elite, everybody knows him, everybody wanted to be his friend and everybody wanted him. He was friends with Lilia Quinn, the popular girl. And I looked at him, his hair in between golden blond and ombre that was combed to a neat quiff; a great refine jawline yet his face was subtle. He sipped his juice looking around with his legs crossed. I wondered, why was he sitting next to me? Shouldn't he be somewhere else, hanging out with cool kids and not the girl who only had one dollar of pocket money. People was staring but he didn't seemed to realize that. I definitely did. And probably they'd be thinking, why was Micah Martin drinking juice next to that girl I've probably never seen before.
He sucked in the last drop of the juice and then throw it into the bin that was a feet away from us. My juice had finished too, but I wasn't going to show off my throwing skills so I just put the empty carton in my bag pack like I did to my muffin. It was still quiet between us, it felt up most awkward and weird.
“So Smay,” he cleared his throat. I turned my head, jaw clenching to word Smay, dammit Charlie.
“What happened there?” he pointed to my knee. I looked at my knee that had a band aid. I have totally forgotten about my knee, probably my anger hurts more than it did during the escape of Charlie. And it instantly reminded me of this morning. How he played with my feelings, drank my water, and named me Smay.
“I fell during this morning run” I said shortly, not wanting to elaborate more of the whole experience of the fall.
Micah cleared his throat again, and this time it sounded a bit different.
“You know, that Charlie kid at lane A1?” he said as he loosen up his tie a bit, “how long have you been friends?”
I chuckled to the question, “we're not friends and I don't know him” I said clearly.
“What? We had connection” Charlie said. To my surprise and probably Micah's, a Charlie came out of no where. Lilia was standing next to him, rolling her eyes.
“Oh hey, Lilia. Charlie” Micah said. “Gotten the debate points gathered yet?” he asked Lilia. Lilia glared at me and then her expression changed to Micah's question.
“Yeah, it's in a pen drive, when do you need it?” Lilia said as she took a seat between us, shoving me aside.
“Tomorrow?” Micah asked. “Great!” Lilia said cooing. I looked at Lilia, she's more annoying than she has ever been. Then it was Charlie's turn to roll his eyes, “Okay well, enough smart talk. I need Smay with me right now” he said as he tried to take hold of my hands. I pulled away, sneering at him “why?”
Micah looked at me and then at Charlie, “You're my school guide remember” Charlie said as he grabbed my arm. “No I'm not” I said in a modest way yet filled with anger.
“Listen, don't make me expose you” he said, glaring at me with his eyes.
My heart stopped. Micah stared at both of us with confusion. “Hey, hey, dude back off. What are you trying to say here?” Micah said as he stood up and pushed Charlie aside.
“Smay here is a pathetic daughter of a mai -"
“Fine!” I said angrily.
“Great,” Charlie said smiling. “Now, show me around” he said with sarcasm in his voice. Lilia acted like she knew nothing. Micah stood there confused. Charlie took gripped of my hand and pulled me along.
“Hey Smay?” Micah called me after, I turned myself around pulling my arm away from that filth.
Charlie folded his arms, feeling irritated to be held back from the stupid school tour.
“See you around later okay?” Micah said.
“Come on” Charlie pulled me back and this time walking faster getting out of the Round Spot. He pulled me as he brought me to lane A2. He took me to a locker and when everybody was out of sight he came up close to me, so close that our breaths was felted.
My heart was beating fast, I was terrified to what was going on and what would happen to me. It felt like Grim Reaper approaching.
“Don't go talking to that jerk again, okay?” he whispered. “What?” I pushed him, I didn't want his face near mine. It felted like an infection was going to happen. “Who are you telling me what to do? You can't control me” I said sneering.
“Just don't talk to him okay?!” Charlie started raising his voice. What was his problem? What did he want?
“Make me!” I shouted. And with great force Charlie pushed me against the lockers, hitting me hard that my head felt like exploding. My muffin in my bag pack was definitely now all squished. Nervous sweat was beading out. What was going on?
“Do what I say – maid” he grudged in my ears.
And I swear to God; my heart stopped.
Restrain - Chapter 2
I refilled my water bottle with the jug water that we had on the small table. I tied my hair into a pony tail and tied up my shoe laces.
“Mom, I'm going out okay?” I said as I made my way to the door. Mom turned back from the piles of clothes she was currently folding and nodded. I shut the door behind me and made my way to the black gate, pulled out my key and unlocked it. The time was 7:00 in the morning, an hour before school starts. As I made my way out, I pulled out the earphones I had kept in my back pocket and hook it in my ear. I played my current favorite song and made my way through the narrow path, jogging my way out.
I made my way by the mansions, ignoring it as I moved. I knew I wasn't a rich kid, I knew I was a daughter of a maid, I knew that my mother worked for a girl's family that goes to the same school as I do, I knew that the school I went to was fund by Lilia's father until my mother pays the debt of my education, I knew that I was fake to all those people at school, I knew I was nothing to them; and all those things that I knew very well was unknown by most – and I would cared if they knew as much as I knew, because whatever I knew would make things worst for the situation I was in. So I didn't care if people didn't know anything about me, it's for the best.
I slowed down my pace, unhooked my earphones, taking breaths to fill up my empty lungs and stopped by the tree. I slumped down, breathing rapidly as my heart rate was rising. I opened up my water bottle lid and chugged down the water. My esophagus was making its wave dance as the water flow through it, while some water droplets went down my throat as I was being greedy. I was tired and still out of breath.
I closed the water bottle lid and placed it next to me. I laid back, trying to control my breathing. As sweat rolled down; I closed my eyes to calm myself down. Slowly, I took control over my fast breathing pace and finally I conquered it. My chest movements were finally calm, and I pulled my legs in, curling it in. And I started to get drowsy, my eyes were getting sleepier and then I made my decision to lay my head down on the knees of my legs.
As I was about to drift away to sleep, I felt a soft material against my forehead and then down my neck. I looked up and I see a guy, holding a cloth as he wiped my sweat away.
I tugged away, feeling quite distress by a stranger who is currently getting rid of my toxic excretion. He smiled at me as he put down the cloth and sat beside me. My eyes widen, and I wasn't sure whether I should jogged away or stay. But unfortunately, as I gazed into him more; he looked quiet familiar.
“So you like to exercise before school huh? The fitness girl kind,” Charlie said to me as he took my water bottle and drank the remaining portion left.
“Sometimes; mostly to get rid of stress” I answered him, looking at my water bottle which was now empty. I felt upset, he finished my water – how rude.
“Oh yeah? What is there to stress about anyways?” he smirked. I was quiet, I needed to choose my words wisely.
“Some personal things that aren't your business to know” I said sharply and looked away. He chuckled at my reply, “What? Why would a maid be stressing on about?”
Those words hit me, and felt irritated from the peak of my hair to the sole of my feet.
“What is to you that my mother is a maid? Huh? I don't even know you, and you dare to talk crap like that to me?!” I raised my tone, my breathing started to lose control again. I stood up and jogged away from that jerk. As I thought that I was getting away from him; Charlie decided to follow my trail with that stupid smirk on his stupid face. I was starting to boil up from the inside.
I was so focused on 'jogging away' that I didn't realize there was huge rock ahead of me, and the fool I was tripped over it. I stumbled and crashed down, feeling my knee scraping against the road.
I grunted in pain, and Charlie stopped beside me.
“Hey, are you okay?” he said in a soft tone as he came down to look at my knee that I was moaning in pain over. And then I felt so stupid, ever so humiliated that I was actually being like this. I was crying.
“Hey, hey, it's okay” he hushed me as he tried to hold on my knee. I pulled away, it was bleeding and of course it hurt as bad as when he was talking shit earlier on. “Let me take a look, don't worry I won't do any harm,” he said in a assuring tone. I dropped my guard down and let him take a look at me bleeding knee. He took the cloth that he used to wipe of my sweat and carefully wiping the blood away. I was gritting on my teeth in a way like squeal to the sting. Magically, he took out a band aid out from his pocket and placed it over the half-blooded skinned knee.
“There...” he said as he made sure it was sealed.
“Thanks,” I said quietly. As I lift my body up, my legs started to tremble. “Woah, be careful!” Charlie said as he hold me by the arm. I shrugged away, I was thankful that he aided me, but I was still mad at him.
“Look, what's your name?” he asked me trying to get hold of me again when I made my move to get away from him yet again but this time by limping.
“Still mad at you” I said, as I pushed him away. He sighed, “Hey, Still Mad At You; let me at least help you” he shouted from behind me.
“No, I'm fine thank you”
Ahead of me there was a bench, slowly, I finally reached it and sat down. I sighed, it was tough to walk five feet away with a limping leg. And yes, Charlie followed me – again.
I sighed once again, but this time louder. I looked at him who was sitting beside me and blurted out “who are you and why are you even here?”.
Charlie was taken aback. He was quiet for a moment there and then he asked why I needed to know. “Because,” I said
“Because?” he questioned.
“Because I've never seen you before in my life neither in Lilia's life” I said.
“I have...” he slowly said
“What?”
“I was Lilia's childhood friend, we grew up together. And her parents hit the jackpot on their business, she moved here” he finished saying with a deep breath.
“And why are you here exactly?”
“Because,”
“Because?” I questioned.
“Because, my parents are dead” he said and then he was silent.
“Oh, I'm.. I'm so sorry about that” I bit my lower lips, feeling bad that I was kind of harsh on him.
“No, no don't be. I'm lying”
“WHAT?!” I was furious. Was he playing with me like I was some kind of toy? Charlie was laughing historically as I went ballistic.
“Hey, hey” he said as he wiped off his tears. I was angry, I didn't want to talk to him nor look at his stupid face. “My parents are on a business here like Lilia's parents. At the same time, I need to move school” he said as he toned down from his laughter.
“Why are you moving schools? Wait... don't tell me you're going to SEA's?” I was quivering.
“For reasons that a maid shouldn't know,” he said.
That's it. I had enough of his shit. I stood up, limping as I walked slowly away steaming.
“Still Mad At You, where're you going? School doesn't start in an hour!” he shouted from behind me. I knew by the tone of his voice he was being sarcastic and annoying.
Screw you, I cursed beneath my breath.
* * *
It was now 8 in the morning, classes doesn't start till the next 30 minutes to come. I walk through the hallways, only see a few early students. When I reached the lockers at Lane A1, I instantly limp ahead to Lilia's locker. I unzipped my back and pulled out the assignment and slipped it through the vent. And once it was in, I leaned against her locker and slowly slumped down. I sighed, hoping that this assignment would keep a mouth shut until the next assignment come in by Lilia for me to do.
Somehow, I felt sleepy. I was sleepy earlier on before Charlie interrupted me. I closed my eyes, I just wanted to sleep for the least of 15 minutes before students come piling in the hallways.
Five minutes have passed, and no one have barged in my quick nap. 6... still no one. 9... thank God. 11... it's going great. 13... just two minutes left. 14... one minute, just a minute to go. 14.30... thirty seconds. 15... “Not enough sleep?”
I opened up my eyes. At least I opened up my eyes to the amount of sleep I wanted.
“No, apparently not” I answered to a boy who was currently taking out books from his locker that was the opposite of Lilia's locker.
“So, why out of all the places here at SEA's, you choose sleeping at Lilia's locker?” he asked as he shut his locker and stuffed his satchel with the books.
“It just look like a nice place to hit the sack” I said scoffing. He came closer to me and gave out his hand. I took it and he pulled me up. “Thanks, I'm not always like this though” I said managing down my skirt.
“Well, it's not a first for me” he said chuckling.
“Oh yeah, when was the first?”
“Kindergarten - I swear a kid was dead asleep while taking a dump. Teachers were wondering what took him so long. Found him sleeping on the toilet, pants down, and his passings” he laughed and I laughed with him. His sky blue eyes sparkled and I could see perfect sets of teeth. He skinny though, but his features suited him well.
It was nice, to have someone to talk to without any worries. Without any thought that they might used anything against me.
“Micah Martin, and it's a pleasure to meet you for the first time oddly enough we go to the same school together” he shook my hands with the prettiest smile a boy could ever own.
As I was about to say my name, there was interruption from afar.
“Smay!”
We both looked at the direction of the sound it came from. And annoyingly enough it was Charlie walking in SEA's uniform with Lilia Quinn behind him busying herself on her phone.
“Smay?” Micah asked me. I was confused as much as he was. Charlie came closer to us with the same old smirk on his face that I was still not used off. Lilia walked over to her locker and unlocked the combination. She took out her assignment that I slipped in earlier and put it in her whatever-kind-of-weird-fashion-bag she was holding on. She left us like we were nothing. I didn't expect a 'thank you' from her anyways.
“Well, that's odd” Micah said as he tried to loosen up his tie. “Have I seen you before?” he asked Charlie who was standing in our presence. I looked at him, I didn't get why he needed to follow me again. “Well bro, this is my first time being here and Smay here is going to be my to-go guide, we're closed friends by the way” Charlie placed his arms around me. I almost gagged by the stench of his presence and use of his slay words.
“So your name is Smay, how unique?” Micah lifted a brow. As I wanted to object to the all sudden name giving by Charlie, the bell rang and it was time to head to class.
“Oh well, see you some other time huh Smay?” he gave an assuring smile and walked away. As soon he left, I turned my direction to Charlie which lead his arm to fall off my shoulders and me punching him on the chest.
“Hey what's that for Smay?!” he said as rubbed his sore chest.
“Why is it that you keep following me huh?” my eyes went bewildered, I was irritated.
“Because, you're my maid Smay” he said jerkily. I rolled my eyes, he was really pushing my buttons.
“I'M NOBODY'S SOMETHING” I sharply said. I turned around and walked away before - “Smay, hold up!” Charlie shouted after. What was it with him and calling for me whenever I want to get away from him? I turned my body around with full power – despite my limping, with full anger invested in me and screamed “why are you calling me that?!”
“Because,” he said.
“Because?" I said, keeping my shit together.
"Because..." he started trailing off.
"Because what jackass?!” I was loosing it.
“Because, Still Mad At You is your name” he chuckled.
By any minute now, this ticking bomb was about to blow up.
And before it does, Charlie you are already dead to me.
My "Book" - Restrain (Chapter 1)
All
I could hear was the rustling trees, swaying to and fro by the rhythm
of the wind. The more I paid attention to it, to more I felt
delusional. The howling wind sounded as if it was speaking to me and
by the time I thought I saw a smiling fox, then I knew that my mind
was messed up. I pulled in my jacket, covering myself tightly because
I could sense that soon I will catch a cold which I really thought
wasn't necessary as The Parliamentary Debate's coming up. So, I
needed my health more than days off from school.
As
I walk more on the path back home, I started to realize how the
neighborhood seemed a lot scarier and darker when you're alone. And
my mind started playing it's cruel game on me that someone might as
well be following from behind. That's when I got really frightened
and hurried myself to the open street, a street I won't normally
take.
When I started seeing people, I sighed out of relief. Every scary unreasonable thoughts ran away and I felt a lot better to walk back home after my first shift at 7Eleven. Walking through the streets, not as far as the road I'd normally take back to home, I realized that most of the people around me looked happy. I thought to myself I should as well take this road next time I've finished my work shifts. They were enjoying themselves as much that tomorrow would be the end of everything. Street lamps glow it's way along the path, laughter from each side of the town and the glimmering stars that seemed a lot brighter than it would in the dark.
I continued walking pass the shops, bar and local library when someone stopped me with a grab by my arm. I turned around, and my heart started racing, my breathing became rapid and my mouth started to stutter.
“Done my assignment yet?” her eyes gazed into mine, they were empty – almost lifeless. I shook my head, and stumble back a bit. And that was when I realized there was another person with her, he just stood there as if he was waiting for her to get her business done with me. His eyes were blunt, someone I've never seen before. Can't be her brother, she's the only child as well as I know.
“So?” Lilia Quinn spoke again, staring at me like I was something unusual to look at. “I'll do it as soon as I get home,” I said to her once I finally gather up my courage to speak in proper pronunciation. “You'd better have my assignment slipped into my locker by tomorrow morning, if not -” I gulped when she wanted to blurt out what I feared the most. The boy behind her was just looking at us both, probably trying to figure out our relationship. For sure, it's not friendship because I'm petrified of this person currently gripping on my arm and threatening me so I'd do her homework. I didn't know who he was, and I didn't want him to know what I had buried deep into my pile of secrets and biggest fears.
“- I promise, it'll be there before you'd reach school” my voice started breaking it's vocals, I could feel beads of sweat rolling down the spine of my back. She gave me one last look before she let go of my sore arm.
“Common Charlie, I need a Starbucks” she said to him as she turned around, limping her legs. She started walking as she grabbed hold of the boy (whom I presume is Charlie by name), pulling him towards her so he'd follow her trail. I sighed out in relief when they were gone. It struck me every single time she comes at me, always trying to use me with the way of using my secret against me. And I needed to stay in good behavior, if not I'd risk my mom's only source of living to keep us both alive. And it hurts me everyday, having to go to school with a secret that I'm ashamed of exposing in case people find it somewhat revolting and pathetic.
I skipped along quickly, not wanting to met people nor getting held back. I just wanted to go home where no one could interfere with me as long as I dodged the bullet. After a two miles walk, I got into the Acre's Height street. Mansion after mansion, I finally stopped to the prettiest mansion it claimed to be in this residential area. It was white and it was grand. Two front pillars supporting the front entrance had custom marbling on it, the double doors designed from Antiquity Italy 18th Century, those fancy fountains in the middle of the drive way, and bushes given shapes of animals and sorts. If you were from the school I go to, living in a house like this was nothing new, most of the kids there were from a filthy rich family, living in a lifestyle that an average teen wouldn't. And if someone asked me, where do I live, I'd say at Acre's Height. And they won't question me after that. Which house? What road? None. They understood well enough that I was living in a house just like theirs, which was fine by me; I didn't want people to come at me.
For sure, I lived in this mansion. Near it was a narrow path, a road that people mostly overlooked. I walked into the dark path, took out my phone and turned on my torchlight. And then there was a small black gate. I took out my keys from the pocket of my jacket and unlocked the gates. As I pushed the gate, it made a small screeching sound and birds started flying out from the bushes. I walked in, and there I was; the place I stayed. The house I lived in – I mean the mansion. I locked the gates behind me, looking from left to right; making sure no one saw me, which was kind of ironic since no one had ever gone into the path up here.
I looked around and I saw sheets of bed cloths hanged on the line. Rows of them, probably about seven if I counted. I turned to my left and I noticed that that it seemed awfully quiet from the front. I wondered, where did they go? I looked at my phone for the time it was already near midnight. By this time, my mom would had already gotten into bed. At the back of the mansion there was a small building, just big enough to fit in two cars. But, it wasn't a garage; it's where we slept in. I turned the handle of the door and opened it, and as soon as I gotten in, I saw my mom by the ironing board.
“Hey, mom? You've not gone to bed yet” I said, as I took off my jacket and hanged it on the rack. Mom just continued ironing the clothes as she rubbed her eyes, I sighed out watching her. I went over at her, took over the iron and she looked at me with those weary and tired eyes. “No, it's okay. I'll do it” I said to her, sitting down as she gotten up. “It's late, you have school tomorrow, you'd be tired. You just came back from work” Mom said as she tried to get hold of the iron. “No... Mom it's okay. I'm not that tired anyways. Get your rest. If they call for you, I'll do it for you.” Mom wasn't sure with my words, but I knew by her facial expression; she was totally beaten out. All the housework has to be done by my mom, so it's understandable that she'd be exhausted. I guessed Mom was too tired to argue, so she went off to bed. I continued with her ironing, about two bucketful of clothes. After I was done ironing, I'd gently hanged it on the the rack, making sure I didn't make it crumpled, not even a slight. I pushed the rack, and I brought it outside. As I pulled it towards the front, I gotten into the front door entrance of the mansion and gotten in. I brought it inside carefully and then taking some of the clothes off the rack to be kept into the bedroom. I walked upstairs, turned to my right and went three rooms down – the place I needed to keep the clothes I was currently holding. I knocked on the door, making sure no one was in there. After seconds of nothing, I got in. And by my surprise there was indeed a person. He was standing, looking out from the window.
“Hello? Who are you?” I said, stuttering as I spoke. He turned around, and my heart beat faster than it did earlier. He looked at me, tilting his head and squinting his eyes.
“Charlie,” he said. I quickly looked down and hurriedly walked over to the cupboard and quickly hanged the clothes in there. As I made my way out of there, a voice stopped me;
“Hold one, he'd be staying here for a while” I turned around, and I see Lilia Quinn drying out her hair with her towel. My heart sank. I really didn't want to be bumping into her. I hated it. I looked up, try to get my shit together as I said, “Okay” and tried my second attempt of escaping.
“Are you stupid?” she said with her voice raised. “Pardon?” I turned around.
“Get a room ready for him you idiot,” she rolled her eyes as she walked over to the dresser. Charlie was the same as he was back at the town. I nodded and quickly gotten out. I went to the first room, the only room unused. I opened the door and switched on the lights. The bed was a mess. I went to arrange the pillows and quickly fold the blankets,
“So, you live here?” I turned around and I see Charlie leaning against the door with his hands in his pocket.
I didn't response but instead continued making the bed faster than I would. Once I was done, I made my way to the door. Before I could place a foot out, Charlie grabbed me by the arm and looked at me in the eyes with looks of curiosity and unsureness. “What are you doing to my maid?” Lilia Quinn blurted out as she walked over to the room. My eyes widen, my heart raced to its limits, my head felt like exploding. This guy, Charlie, could be the person revealing all the hard work of secret keeping. My days and times of facing threats and endless work for Lilia be ruined if this guy, Charlie, exposes it to somebody from school. And I'd be troubled, people will discriminate me as a liar, worst – a maid's daughter. I gulped down all the gathered saliva down my throat. And I guess by the heavy breathing, sweat forming on my head, the arm that was currently on hostage by Charlie was shaking like a nervous wreck, he knew that I was now also in his powers. That I can also be used the same way I am used by Lilia.
“ Your secret is safe with me” and those word felt death to me. Literally.
When I started seeing people, I sighed out of relief. Every scary unreasonable thoughts ran away and I felt a lot better to walk back home after my first shift at 7Eleven. Walking through the streets, not as far as the road I'd normally take back to home, I realized that most of the people around me looked happy. I thought to myself I should as well take this road next time I've finished my work shifts. They were enjoying themselves as much that tomorrow would be the end of everything. Street lamps glow it's way along the path, laughter from each side of the town and the glimmering stars that seemed a lot brighter than it would in the dark.
I continued walking pass the shops, bar and local library when someone stopped me with a grab by my arm. I turned around, and my heart started racing, my breathing became rapid and my mouth started to stutter.
“Done my assignment yet?” her eyes gazed into mine, they were empty – almost lifeless. I shook my head, and stumble back a bit. And that was when I realized there was another person with her, he just stood there as if he was waiting for her to get her business done with me. His eyes were blunt, someone I've never seen before. Can't be her brother, she's the only child as well as I know.
“So?” Lilia Quinn spoke again, staring at me like I was something unusual to look at. “I'll do it as soon as I get home,” I said to her once I finally gather up my courage to speak in proper pronunciation. “You'd better have my assignment slipped into my locker by tomorrow morning, if not -” I gulped when she wanted to blurt out what I feared the most. The boy behind her was just looking at us both, probably trying to figure out our relationship. For sure, it's not friendship because I'm petrified of this person currently gripping on my arm and threatening me so I'd do her homework. I didn't know who he was, and I didn't want him to know what I had buried deep into my pile of secrets and biggest fears.
“- I promise, it'll be there before you'd reach school” my voice started breaking it's vocals, I could feel beads of sweat rolling down the spine of my back. She gave me one last look before she let go of my sore arm.
“Common Charlie, I need a Starbucks” she said to him as she turned around, limping her legs. She started walking as she grabbed hold of the boy (whom I presume is Charlie by name), pulling him towards her so he'd follow her trail. I sighed out in relief when they were gone. It struck me every single time she comes at me, always trying to use me with the way of using my secret against me. And I needed to stay in good behavior, if not I'd risk my mom's only source of living to keep us both alive. And it hurts me everyday, having to go to school with a secret that I'm ashamed of exposing in case people find it somewhat revolting and pathetic.
I skipped along quickly, not wanting to met people nor getting held back. I just wanted to go home where no one could interfere with me as long as I dodged the bullet. After a two miles walk, I got into the Acre's Height street. Mansion after mansion, I finally stopped to the prettiest mansion it claimed to be in this residential area. It was white and it was grand. Two front pillars supporting the front entrance had custom marbling on it, the double doors designed from Antiquity Italy 18th Century, those fancy fountains in the middle of the drive way, and bushes given shapes of animals and sorts. If you were from the school I go to, living in a house like this was nothing new, most of the kids there were from a filthy rich family, living in a lifestyle that an average teen wouldn't. And if someone asked me, where do I live, I'd say at Acre's Height. And they won't question me after that. Which house? What road? None. They understood well enough that I was living in a house just like theirs, which was fine by me; I didn't want people to come at me.
For sure, I lived in this mansion. Near it was a narrow path, a road that people mostly overlooked. I walked into the dark path, took out my phone and turned on my torchlight. And then there was a small black gate. I took out my keys from the pocket of my jacket and unlocked the gates. As I pushed the gate, it made a small screeching sound and birds started flying out from the bushes. I walked in, and there I was; the place I stayed. The house I lived in – I mean the mansion. I locked the gates behind me, looking from left to right; making sure no one saw me, which was kind of ironic since no one had ever gone into the path up here.
I looked around and I saw sheets of bed cloths hanged on the line. Rows of them, probably about seven if I counted. I turned to my left and I noticed that that it seemed awfully quiet from the front. I wondered, where did they go? I looked at my phone for the time it was already near midnight. By this time, my mom would had already gotten into bed. At the back of the mansion there was a small building, just big enough to fit in two cars. But, it wasn't a garage; it's where we slept in. I turned the handle of the door and opened it, and as soon as I gotten in, I saw my mom by the ironing board.
“Hey, mom? You've not gone to bed yet” I said, as I took off my jacket and hanged it on the rack. Mom just continued ironing the clothes as she rubbed her eyes, I sighed out watching her. I went over at her, took over the iron and she looked at me with those weary and tired eyes. “No, it's okay. I'll do it” I said to her, sitting down as she gotten up. “It's late, you have school tomorrow, you'd be tired. You just came back from work” Mom said as she tried to get hold of the iron. “No... Mom it's okay. I'm not that tired anyways. Get your rest. If they call for you, I'll do it for you.” Mom wasn't sure with my words, but I knew by her facial expression; she was totally beaten out. All the housework has to be done by my mom, so it's understandable that she'd be exhausted. I guessed Mom was too tired to argue, so she went off to bed. I continued with her ironing, about two bucketful of clothes. After I was done ironing, I'd gently hanged it on the the rack, making sure I didn't make it crumpled, not even a slight. I pushed the rack, and I brought it outside. As I pulled it towards the front, I gotten into the front door entrance of the mansion and gotten in. I brought it inside carefully and then taking some of the clothes off the rack to be kept into the bedroom. I walked upstairs, turned to my right and went three rooms down – the place I needed to keep the clothes I was currently holding. I knocked on the door, making sure no one was in there. After seconds of nothing, I got in. And by my surprise there was indeed a person. He was standing, looking out from the window.
“Hello? Who are you?” I said, stuttering as I spoke. He turned around, and my heart beat faster than it did earlier. He looked at me, tilting his head and squinting his eyes.
“Charlie,” he said. I quickly looked down and hurriedly walked over to the cupboard and quickly hanged the clothes in there. As I made my way out of there, a voice stopped me;
“Hold one, he'd be staying here for a while” I turned around, and I see Lilia Quinn drying out her hair with her towel. My heart sank. I really didn't want to be bumping into her. I hated it. I looked up, try to get my shit together as I said, “Okay” and tried my second attempt of escaping.
“Are you stupid?” she said with her voice raised. “Pardon?” I turned around.
“Get a room ready for him you idiot,” she rolled her eyes as she walked over to the dresser. Charlie was the same as he was back at the town. I nodded and quickly gotten out. I went to the first room, the only room unused. I opened the door and switched on the lights. The bed was a mess. I went to arrange the pillows and quickly fold the blankets,
“So, you live here?” I turned around and I see Charlie leaning against the door with his hands in his pocket.
I didn't response but instead continued making the bed faster than I would. Once I was done, I made my way to the door. Before I could place a foot out, Charlie grabbed me by the arm and looked at me in the eyes with looks of curiosity and unsureness. “What are you doing to my maid?” Lilia Quinn blurted out as she walked over to the room. My eyes widen, my heart raced to its limits, my head felt like exploding. This guy, Charlie, could be the person revealing all the hard work of secret keeping. My days and times of facing threats and endless work for Lilia be ruined if this guy, Charlie, exposes it to somebody from school. And I'd be troubled, people will discriminate me as a liar, worst – a maid's daughter. I gulped down all the gathered saliva down my throat. And I guess by the heavy breathing, sweat forming on my head, the arm that was currently on hostage by Charlie was shaking like a nervous wreck, he knew that I was now also in his powers. That I can also be used the same way I am used by Lilia.
“ Your secret is safe with me” and those word felt death to me. Literally.