(WEDNESDAY)copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡORjj0uS9g5
EVERYONE APPLAUDS THE principle when he ends his boring speech, and we all get up, wanting to do nothing but leave the grounds of Roset High when he dismisses us. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6edhZQnwOu196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fS8uFkzug
Assemblies are boring. Never fun unless you have entertainments, aka random performances. But that rarely happens, especially when everyone's too chicken to get up there. Our last performance was a pianist. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwjGMVuWgu196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG73YsD0TAS
Zion. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5lcpmGivX196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsf0QgB9rK
I remember, the sound of crickets echoing throughout the auditorium when his name was called out. No one expected him to ever play the piano, much less go up on stage. But he did, and my my, was he spectacular.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCbBUbrhHg196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr0MAurV4V
As I follow the parade of students outside, yesterday's incident flashes in my mind-not that it's left it anyway. How can it? A teacher tells me some good looking human likes me and plans to sit him next to me, and you expect me not to overthink it?copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDM5jy0Ouh196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK3eJvSJps
Sigh. I do not want to get involved with anyone this year, much less a guy like Zion. I mean, there's nothing wrong with him and I wouldn't mind but it's Zion. There's no need for me to even spell it out. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡionDBM0i5w196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpURqK81Uz
"Yoohoo Vallyhills!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡft8q53Cwlj196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO1MACg1xl
I groan and pick up my pace. Come on, you're nearly there.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7Xzdh8e5D196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI60XPwPzV
"Aye Vel, come here for a second!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn2T1DF1VL196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibkd2LXbNS
Go away.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaeGBjKdQ5196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzHMmhoDjW
"Vellary!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDcvdqMmES196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhF4iCUOst
I halt in my tracks, nails digging into my palms, and turn around. "Yes Hugo?" copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0af23hGJjB196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKE5YHQWSD
He waves me over to where he is with the rest of his friends. "Come here!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRMIxo2hCS196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODdvqzNPd7
I hesitate but eventually make my way there, slowly. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9wAFK0r6E196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbpqfH39vv
"What?" I snap, mouth tugging into an unimpressed frown. Hugo and the rest are huddled together, some leaning on the brick wall, others seated on the concrete stairs. I inwardly snort. They look like a wannabe boy band. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7Oz9SRPBa196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgghleYbbR
Hugoshrugs. "Nothing. Just wanted to say hi."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡr51dOzBRRe196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZv3vVCjKQ
I purse my lips, ignoring his snickering friends. The urge to throttle the boy is getting significantly hard to hold back these days.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeogP30Pv6196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw1QXhx0r3
Exhaling through my nose, I narrow my eyes at Hugo and pivot, intending to make my way to my parked car, when I bump into someone. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOejonbfdM196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4jNmE2lQd
"Oomph!" copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFSrSH0uyS196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFcHIIDl2n
I stumble back a little, and look up when strong hands steady me. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi67yVayLF196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtUdjRuQRW
Sigh. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfuTzThK8v196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo0cbmRdIH
Zion stares at me with his doe-like eyes, surprise etched on his sightly face. He retracts his hands from my shoulders unsurely, and to ease the awkwardness, I smile awkwardly.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyaq0371yG196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUnDC6mfso
Yes awkwardly because I'm pretty sure I was grimacing, not smiling.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡThYZpxVz5H196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDERxRapm1g
"Sorry," I manage to squeak out, my cheeks reddening in embarrassment. Please god, don't let him hear my beating heart. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLXKFwDXgM196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUEj7QGZ3o
His mouth twitches up into an amused smile, and he shakes his head in what seems to be dismissal. "It's okay." copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOlDelHmmf196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuj57WbucE
I blink. Instant voicegasm.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fx1fWybwE196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPiJnaUMxV
Clearing my throat, I gawkly avert my attention from him and to my parked car. I need to get out of here before I do something irrational. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLpPv5m92C196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QQHaXyRXB
I look back at Zion-who's again, like last time, is zoned out-and give him a brief smile. "I'm just gonna..." I trail off when his eyes snap to mine, pointing at the silver thing.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvrh8FCP2Z196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE5AJdwVII
A nod is the only thing my mind acknowledges before I quickly leave, making my way to my beautiful car. I can still feel his eyes on me; when I stop to unlock my car, when I get in, and when I lock the doors behind me. I don't dare look in his direction though, not when yesterday's words still roam my mind.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54fD5uzEG5196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAyTkV3fHB
My goodness.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡizRIpnNLwQ196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKs0sDY0vW
I sigh tiredly and insert the key into the ignition, lips twitching when the it roars to life. But compared to others, its roar sounds like a kitten yawning, not that I'll ever admit that. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡnslPKuumkw196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLAIlkWSfE
A few students walk past in front of my car, and I purse my lips, waiting till they pathetically pass. Somehow though, whilst waiting, my eyes traitorously cast a glance in Zion's direction, only to meet the eyes of another.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqBB3H6ClM196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPf8JA4NPM
Immediately, I look away, releasing the parking breaks and speed out of the school. Escape, I need an escape. Because it wasn't Zion who was staring at me the whole time, it was Hugo. And my god did he look pissed.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEmAmLXawu196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZxR00vZ10
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I HATE HOMEWORK. It's stupid, it's annoying, it makes student depressed and a whole lot of other mental issues, and I despise it. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UXnJHRe4c196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBWdKFNOsD
Picking up my dropped pen, I continue summarising notes into my book from the online text. As much as I love history, the notes are time consuming, which prevents me from doing the things I love, like cooking with grandma. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqCm2F38ip196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARD8ID8dD9
"Vellary!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡV03hBq3yAz196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyNZ497Vt8
Sighing, I finish the last of my notes quickly, making sure they're still readable enough. Because as I've said before, my mind tends to work faster than my hands, which means my poor fingers have to work harder than necessary.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bt1YdJQrN196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qJXEtCsi5
"Vellary!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ceFyhkCpC196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TWI1Em9SZ
Holding back another sigh, I get up from the couch and make my way to the kitchen. She's most likely asking me to get her a pot she can't reach or something. Not that I'm any taller. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lD4DevGN5196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6y66DgeyJ
"Yes grandma?" I reply, leaning against the doorframe. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRHKSGXBxp196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmza5xPzahR
She looks up from the bowl of cooked potatoes and casts me a soft smile. "Do you mind giving me a hand?" copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡpABEf9VALl196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnKb5LQsVJ
Instantly, I perk up, happily obliging. "Sure. What do I need to do?"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNGQSk5n1T196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseP1lWECad
She motions me over and places a small cup in my hands. "Make mash potatoes."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡthKa1DQZfo196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxNwDkmcuD
Huh? I look from the cup in my hands to the cooked potatoes in the bowl. "You want me to squash the potatoes with a cup?" copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFY0jeaeOV196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K0OV6AMzv
She hums in reply, heading over to the pot on the stove. I on the other hand, stare at the bowl of potatoes, the only food that I can happily compare myself to. Because a potato can turn into fries, and everyone loves fries. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1JgSBBYZC196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1Kk25hHIr
And so, the process begins; the process of repeatingly bashing the poor potatoes further into the bowl with some small cup. They turn out looking good in the end, at least, that's what grandma tells me. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsTCCVftVv196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4ZHAC2XOx
"Now Vellary, I want you to get the cream from the fridge and pour it in the bowl." copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkaQkt4uIS196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAShBHdIhZh
Without further demands, she returns to the stove, this time taking out the boiled chicken breasts. That look delicious. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiU9yML9LK196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvjxQmD73l
I return to my task, taking out the cream and pouring some of it in the bowl. The colourful handle of a large spoon catches my eye, and I grab it from where it's hanging, and begin mixing.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCcFePBuix196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXpyF0aHXY
Half an hour later, the food is ready, table set up, and my stomach's grumbles are loud for the neighbours to hear. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaR90cD5Gl196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyRvayJSPI
After scouping a spoon of mashed potatoes for me and one for grandma, I take a seat, and watch as grandma sets the bowl of boiled vegetables on the table. She takes a seat across from me and smiles brightly, as if signaling me to start eating. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7DShcF3lq196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCdta3PNaS
Immediately, I take a chicken breast, with a whole lot of boiled vegetables, and place them on my plate, giving the tongs to grandma when I'm done.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡN730NiPpM8196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JQzhvzsdx
"Good?" Grandma asks once I take a bite of the chicken. I nod, taking another bite. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMjOWk0zpH196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr5iXgQG8G
We sit in silence, filling our hungry stomachs until grandma suddenly stands up and walks to the kitchen. I frown, but shrug, continuing to eat. This is so good. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnOxg6KV95196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpijCMtGBhR
Grandma has always been the one that everyone's loved. Even back when my parents were still alive, we'd always go to her place because of her fantastic cooking skills. My mum didn't know how to cook, no matter how many times grandma tried to teach her. The memory of her burning eggs brings a smile on my face, and I blink, looking up at grandma when she exits the kitchen. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXdpX1HNrt196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurBl0TRAl4
"Where'd you go?" I ask. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡVngfbczcLY196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Mwd4utVaC
She shake the bottle of cream in her hand and pours some over the chicken on my plate before taking a seat. I watch her pour some over hers too, suspiciously. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGmIeCPYyY196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzVVcHpTjG
Isn't that a little too much cream? I ponder. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UVhjTj0GK196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO7m98f1IB
But I take the risk and begin eating, eyes widening in surprise at the new burst of flavours.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC8KRkXrwI196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PnC3s6xog
"I like cream," I blurt out loud, causing grandma to choke on her food. My eyes widen in alarm, and immediately, I get up to pour her a cup of water from the jug.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqoM9CpYAX196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZQ4V3MkW6
She thanks me when I hand it to her, and I pat her back a little. I don't know, I see it in movies all the time. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡXERTWbMfct196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HU934hj5Z
Eventually, her coughing settles, and red faced as she is, grandma still manages to laugh, a few coughs slipping in between.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G68rYsopY196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbPiNSLUp9
"Are you okay?" I ask unsurely. Of course she isn't idiot. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PpvCy81xJ196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbz91D44qo1
She glances at me and shakes her head, a small smile slipping on her face. "I'm okay."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡZunRnk29zf196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpIqyMvQ6A
"Are you sure?"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAVJInHaM6196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1MEkzx5uX
Sighing, she takes ahold of my hand, and I await for-as I like to call it-her Advice of the Day. "You need to stop worrying dear. It'll get you no where in life."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TWypy7xAE196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFwoGatLAR
I purse my lips, the stubborn side of me wanting to go all paramedics on her but eventually give in to her advice. For now.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz8EqvYtFy196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6hwxQi2Gp
"Good," she grins, patting my hand in dismissal. "Now go finish your dinner. The dishes aren't going to wash themselves."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj8E2Q2K1O196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvqpaKZIQt
THAT NIGHT I lie in the comforts of my room, staring at the glowing stars orbiting the white walls. My dad had stuck them up, one by one, since I used to be scared of the dark. After he died, they became a source of reassurance, something to stare at whilst thinking. And as the years flew by, so did the belief that those stars were the answers to my problems. Long gone was the scared girl without a mother and father to guide her, and who's solution was to stare at the stars for answers. Instead, what replaced her was a girl who learnt forgiveness, the meaning of true answer; something she will forever hold dear.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaHNJ6lQEV196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF58buPmXAW
But now, as I stare at the glowing things above me, I find myself thinking. More like overthinking. Do I want to sit next to Zion? Does he really like me? Am I starting to like him? I snort. Off course not. Maybe. I don't know.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVvDzW9ypP196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo36UAWdDC
I roll over to my side, the clock signalling that it's way past my bedtime. Sleep sleep sleep, I need sleep. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ688eMb5PV6196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh83GjNG1E
I have to stop overthinking. It's not healthy for me. What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMhkA1rWS5196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GJiSd7ebI
Finally, it's as if a vacuum cleaner has appeared and removed all the fog in my head. And for once, the answers needed for my roaming questions are answered. Well, at least one of them.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡSn1n1Aja8J
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