Chapter 5 APOLOGY

"The votes are final, Ms. De Guzman will be the class representative of your block," Sir Castriel said without looking at me.

I let out a loud sigh. It seems that destiny doesn't want to take me away from him and wants to bring me closer. Like please... stop. This is not funny at all.

"After class go to my office for instructions regarding the activities of your block. That's all, class dismissed."

I tugged at my hair and annoyed looking at Dale.

"What? You look like a witch because of your hair," he said innocently, making me even more annoyed.

"Thank you for encouraging our classmates to vote for me. I really appreciate it," I said sarcastically before sinking my face into the table.

I will go crazy with what is happening. I don't even want to have a reason to get close to Sir Castriel. But here I am and it looks like he will be with me every day.

Why is it that this school knows so much more? What are we? In high school?

"Why? Shouldn't you be thankful because you'll get closer to your crush?"

"Thankful? Do I look thankful ?!" with a raised voice I said but he just laughed.

"Chill sis. This is just a gift for you before graduation. Why? Has what you wanted changed? Is Richard the one you want to be with everyday?" he whispered in my ear which made my day even worse.

"Fuck off! Gay witch."

"I know sis, don't brag." He even laughed so I covered my ears because this woman seemed like a curse in my life.

Never in my life did I imagine I would be annoyed like this with him. Just now. Just now, really.

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With narrow eyes I knocked on the door before I opened and went inside. When I entered, the first thing I saw was another student talking to him. I breathed a sigh of relief because of it because at least I have someone with me and we won't be left alone.

"That's all, you can all go. Make sure you can give that to your classmates."

My ears tingled when I heard what he said. I was suddenly nervous as they left the office one by one. I thought we wouldn't be left alone but I was wrong.

"You're late Ms. De Guzman," he said as the two of us were the only ones left.

I was not surprised when he called my last name. Like come on... can I still expect him to call me by my name after what I did?

No, of course.

"Because my last professor extended his time," I replied. I just also stayed where I was because I had no intention of approaching him, that's hard.

"How can I tell you what your block needs if you're away from me?" he asked. He was smiling now as he looked at me as if nothing had happened between us.

'Why is he smiling again?'

I made a sigh before walking closer to his desk. I put my bag down next to the chair before sitting down on the chair itself. I continuously avoid him because I don't want to see him smile. I hate it.

"Next week, you will have a report regarding the topics that I will give later. It's by group, to be fair, it is better if you will be the one to choose their groupings according to surnames. Reporting should only take five minutes, all of you can use powerpoint or any materials that you can use for reporting. After that, we will have an evaluation per group to see who helped or just joined. The leaders will be in charge of the evaluation and the members of the groups will choose who will be their leaders, " he explained at length and continuously.

I watched him take the folder on the shelf behind him and hand it to me. "That's all the topics the groups will need. Any questions?"

I took the folder he handed me but I didn't bother to look what's inside because I wanted to get out of here immediately. "None sir." I nodded in response. I got up and took my bag. "I'll go first," I said again, turning around to leave. But before I could take a step, he grabbed my hand to keep me from getting stuck with him.

"Can we talk?" he asked sincerely.

'Don't look at him, Miriana. Don't.'

"If it wasn't about school work, I'd go first." I insisted and tried to remove the hand he was holding which he released immediately.

"I'm sorry." An apology that stopped me from walking.

'Sorry for what?'

"Meet me tomorrow at the mall, I'll be waiting for you at the big fountain," he added that I no longer ignored.

I walked quickly away from his office and just breathed a sigh of relief when I got out.

"Miriana?"

I turned to the person who called my name. "Oh... Richard." I adjusted myself before walking closer to him.

"What's with your look?" He laughed at the question that bothered me a little.

"I'm not in the mood with your jokes Richard."

"Okay... okay... too hot-headed. Are you going home? Because I'm going home, you want me to take you?"

I looked at my wrist watch, it's already dark and there were definitely no cars to ride outside.

"All right, so I can save the fare that I will use."

"Hahaha. Let's go." He grabbed my bag and started walking.

I just shook my head and let him take it. But even before we could get any farther there, my eye caught Sir Castriel opening the door where he looked at the two of us away from there.

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"And what are you doing?" I asked curiously as Richard entered the house.

He went straight to the long sofa in my small living room where he sat casually as if it was his house.

"Can't we hang out here for a while? About an hour?" he asked with his eyes closed.

I took my bag that was next to him and just let him do what he wanted. Even if I drive him away, he won't listen to me so let's just let him do whatever he wants.

I went straight to my room to change. Even though I'm used to my uniform skirt and blouse, I still prefer to wear comfortable clothes.

I put the bag down on the chair and then went to the closet to get some clothes. When I got it, I took off my clothes one by one to change. I was in the middle of changing when I felt like someone was looking at me from behind. Turning to the door, I saw Richard watching me as he leaned to the side.

"Hi!" he greeted with a smile.

I finished wearing my clothes then approached him to kick him in his leg.

"Pervert," I rudely said just passing him by.

I heard him laugh even though I kicked him completely. At any rate, they are the same as Dale.

"Why? I saw that already yet you're still embarrassed by all that? I even ki--"

"All right, go ahead, said it. You'll taste something you will never forget," I threatened but he just winked at me and moved closer.

"Taste? Can we start now?"

I quickly covered his mouth as he intended to kiss me with my hand. I also pushed him away before heading straight to the kitchen to cook a meal.

"Miriana..." he teasingly called my name.

I looked at him for a moment, but he winked at me again in response. "If you want to stay here long, get organized. I might not be able to hold back and pour boiling oil on you."

"You aren't goofy, I'll eat here."

I heard his footsteps away but I didn't waste any more time looking at him. Definitely a spectator, let's just do what he wanted to do rather than saying things that are far from what is happening now.

I did what had to be done. The first thing I did was to cook in the rice cooker that will be finished after cooking the dish. I plan to have beef steak because that's what my stomach is looking for. The meat has been marinated so all I have to do is cook it.

If you're asking where I get the money for my daily food, fare and other bills like electricity. I get it on the monthly allowance that comes with my scholarship.

As long as my grade is at least 85, I am still eligible and I will receive money every month until I graduate. Sometimes, after semester I sideline online. I tutor for extra expenses here at home. After all, Dale and Richard gave me this house because I was just renting. They still wanted to give me a bigger house but what would I do there if I was all alone?

"My stomach is crumbling because of the smell!" Richard shouted as I started to sauté the meat.

Like before, I ignored him and focused on cooking. When the meat was ready and cooked, I peeked at the rice and as expected, it looked cooked well.

I unplugged the rice cooker and left it open to evaporate its heat. I also pulled out two plates that I laid out on my small table before picking up the dish and rice. I took water placed in the jug and two glasses and a spoon.

"It's time to eat!" I called that I think he heard because I saw him turn off the tv then walked into the kitchen.

"Hmm... that looks delicious." He sat down in front of me so I spooned his food.

We are like this when they come to my house. Sometimes, they bring food. But mostly I cook, because they don't know how to cook. Life rich kids thing.

"How was your first day at school?" I asked as we started to eat.

"Average, it's just funny that the students are so close to me."

"That's already given."

"Because I'm handsome?"

I stopped chewing on what he said. "Because you're windy."

Yes he was handsome, but not for me, because in my eyes, he is someone carried by the air everyday as they are both windy.

"What else are you planning for tomorrow? You don't have a class, do you?" He changes the subject.

"Tomorrow? I'm just not here to--" I didn't finish what I was about to say remembering what Sir Castriel had said.

"So you have a plan? You didn't finish what you were going to say."

I erased from my mind what I remembered. "I'm just here at home. Why did you ask?"

"I wish we could go out tomorrow. I'll treat you."

"Pass. Just go with yourself."

He frowned like a child at what I said as he always does because he thought he was cute.

"All right..." he said like a child that I just ignored.

Have I already told you that he has this habit? Now you know.

"You can't convince me by doing that, Richard."

He pouted but after a few seconds...

"Miriana..."

I felt him press his foot against my foot. More on his foot in the middle of my legs, so before he could continue his plan, I kicked his foot hard.

"Ouch! It hurts!" he moaned as he caressed his foot.

"Maybe you want me to paralyze your leg?"

He frowned more and stared at me. "You're really an ill-tempered person," he said childishly and continued eating.

I just stared at him and continued to eat.

He won't be waiting there tomorrow, will he?

Epilogue

"Can I eat here again?" Richard asked like a child. His head is still leaning on my shoulder because we are here in the living room.

He said he wanted to hang out longer. So here we are, watching cartoons. Yes cartoons, this is one of the reasons why we get along. My favorite cartoon to watch is Grizzy and the Lemmings. I love to watch the stupid things they do that make me laugh most of the time.

"It's up to you. Next time, bring food, I'm getting tired of cooking." I took the chips that were just in front of us. He also brought canned drinks but he was the only one drinking.

He left leaning on me, I could feel his stare that I had not noticed yet. I just felt him approach me again and lean his chin on my shoulder. "What if I already have food here? Shall I bring more?" He pressed his face against my neck so every time he breathed his breath hit my neck.

"When I count to three and you haven't gone far yet I--"

He didn't finish what I was saying because he was even faster than lightning to go away.

I looked at him as I had a mouthful of chips. "Try again Richard to be a ninja, you know what will happen to you."

He gave me a grin before focusing himself in front of the tv and drank the canned beer he was holding.

He's a ninja that acts fast when it comes to bullshit.