ARLENE MARIELLA's POV
I stopped breathing and my eyes widened at what he said! Oh God, I can stay away from Stewart but I can't have him—
"It's a prank!" he laughed out loud, people were already looking at us. "That's epic though." he pointed at my face. Probably because of my reaction to what he said.
"Tsk." I shook his hand.
"I was just joking, girl! You're not my type, eww."
"Eww! You're not my type either. Yucks!" I tormented him. "Well, I'm going home-"
My phone vibrated, I picked it up immediately.
Riana texted me.
Riana:
Sorry for leaving you there, Arlene. Daddy had high blood pressure so Mom sent me home immediately. I'm sorry, best.
I typed my reply.
Me:
Okay, I understand.
I put the cellphone back in my pocket, Sterian is staring at me. I arched my brow.
"What?"
"I'll send you home, let's go." He pulled me to the parking lot. I just sighed and let him pull me somewhere. I was tired of looking for Riana, I was exhausted.
We stopped in front of a mustang that mixed gray and black. Wow. Seriously, are they that rich?
"Get in," he commanded. He inspected the interior. I was stunned to obey his command.
"Is that yours?" None of my questions of him sitting in the driver's seat.
"Yeah! Are you crazy?" he winked at me.
"Hmm," he warmed the car first before we left that place.
"So, what? Did Stewart talk to you?" he asked sarcastically.
"Why would he talk to me?"
"Oh, I remembered he forgot about you, sorry." he chuckled.
My God. It hurts like hell, motherfuc*er!
I rolled my eyes, "Did you just offer to take me home to harass me like this?" my eyes narrowed as I glared at him. He's pissing me off!
"Oh, girl. I didn't mean to say that." he bit his lower lip.
"I didn't mean, I didn't mean,"
"Words, young lady."
"I don't fucking care."
"You're too young to learn those kinds of words."
"As much as you know, you're irritable " I stared at him and just faced the window. The two of them don't have much in common, it's just that it's better than Stewart's. But, if we talk seriously, this is a win. The same is true when it comes to their outward appearance.
"Anyway, how's life without Stewart?" he asked seriously now.
I feel like I've lost my energy because of that, I don't know what to answer. How would my life be without Stewart?
"I... feel alone. He's the only one I had, at that time... but he chose to leave me, instead of staying by each other's side, and face all the challenges ahead of us." I looked outside. My chest tightens again.
"But, Arlene.. why didn't you fight for him?" he glanced at me, I could feel it.
"How do I fight for my love if my strength wasn't with me?"
"Oh God!" he had trouble slapping his forehead.
"And... if I fought for my love, do I have a chance?"
"I-i don't know.." he closed his eyes tightly.
"That's it! My fight will be useless if I don't have a chance. Bro, he's already happy with Ciara... And I don't want to ruin his happiness." The tears ran down my cheeks but I wiped them away immediately.
"T-they broke up," he said softly.
I turned to him with menacing eyes. Is he serious? What could be the reason?
"What?" I pretended to ask.
"They broke up!" he said loudly.
"Really? Are you kidding me?" One of my eyebrows rose.
"I'm serious!"
"What the— what happened?" I am now facing his side.
"I'll tell you tomorrow, we're here." he came out of me first. When I look outside, we are already here! Why didn't I even notice that? I unbuckled my seat belt before Sterian opened the door.
"So? How can we talk tomorrow? I have classes to take." I asked after leaving.
"I'll pick you up, after your class, then."
"And?"
"We'll go to the mall."
"Okay! Thanks, bye!" I smiled and passed him.
"Hey, wait!" he chased and grabbed my arm back.
"Hm?"
"Accept my friend request, so I can message you."
"Oh! Sure! Bye, take care." I turned around again and left him there. A few more minutes passed before I heard him leave.
What could have happened? I asked as I lay down on the bed, I had just finished taking a bath. Stewart will break down again, I'm sure about that.
I didn't sleep well that night, repeating in my mind what had happened in the past. I don't know what to do, it's hard to get rid of everything, if I could just change my heart and brain I would have done it.
The next morning I woke up late, I took a shower immediately and ate.
"Are you in a hurry?" mama asked me.
Only now did I notice how fast I was eating. I was embarrassed to slow down the meal, before looking up at him.
"Yes, I'm late." my answer.
That's true, I'll wake up at eight in the morning! I had a good night's sleep so I didn't wake up right away, it's a good thing my cellphone is still alarmed.
"Oh! Hurry up there," Manang whispered.
"Manang just prepares food for her, so she can take something to her school," Mama begs Manang. It acted immediately, I also hastened to eat so as not to be late for class.
"Hija." Mama chased me as I stood up and took my bag. "Keep this." She showed me the money, it was pure blue.
"No, Ma. I have money, I can buy things for myself." I smiled at her before I turned away.
"She's the resemblance of her father." I heard Papa say before I could get out of the house.
Who else will I inherit, you're just my father? Since my mother was released from the hospital, my behavior has changed. I don’t accept the extra money they give, even though I know I need it, I still am not. I learned to be frugal and to be content with what I had. My dealings with Mama, especially Papa, became cold. I'm angry with myself because even my mother who did nothing but make me happy, I still avoid and ignore. She was also hurt, even though she shouldn't be.
I'm sorry, Ma...
"Arlene Mariella!" I was distracted by the shout of our professor.
I stood up without myself. "Yes?" my voice is still a little grumpy. Arlene! My classmates laughed.
"Define Identity Crisis!"
Wait for what?
"Sir—"
"Answer! Your head is floating there, where else is your mind flying?" My classmates laughed again. "Quiet! You all will be next to her!"
I will answer.
I scratched my nape.
"Sir—"
"What now?" he crossed his arms.
"Sir. Raffy, I'll answer." I said sarcastically.
"Go, then."
I want to struggle with annoyance.
"Identity Crisis is a period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person's sense of activity becomes insecure."
"Just one? Okay, next,"
I was about to sit down but he shouted again.
"Hep, hep! It's not over yet, I'm not even telling you to sit down. I still have one question! Define Abstinence!"
I simply took a deep breath.
"Abstinence is a practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something typically alcohol."
"Good, sit down."
I sighed and sat down, ignoring the laughter of my classmates. When you're called too, I laugh too!
"Mr. Uy! Stand up! Define Abortion!"
That's what I'm talking about.
"Sir Raffy, I don't know," its yield is pointed.
Hmp!
"You only know how to laugh, don't you? Sit down!"
A few hours passed as I focused on the class. I wasn't afraid of being scolded by the teacher, I was just afraid that my Mama would find out again that this is how I behave in class.