Written in the Clouds

Chapter 1

"DAGGER! Wait for me!" I shouted at a man who was in a hurry to get out of the gate of the school we were studying at.

His face showed annoyance and irritation when he heard my voice calling him again. He ignored me and just kept walking.

I did not stop chasing him. I don't even care about my fellow students I bump into. Someone is complaining and I feel bad. Someone was shouting at me. But I have nothing to say. What is important to me now is that I can chase Dagger Santiago.

"Dagger! Just a moment! Dagger!"

I immediately grabbed his hand that was tucked into the pocket of his pants. He stopped walking and turned to me.

"What do you need from me ?!" He hissed.

It was obvious in his eyes that he was irritated by my presence. I have no idea what he is showing me.

I smiled at him with sweetness. I handed him a love letter at the same time. His gaze followed that. "What's that again? How many times that I tell you not to- "

"Take it! Stop making arguments with me," I cut him off.

He stared at me in surprise. It was my first time that I answered him while he was still talking.

Dagger is handsome, the truth is, most of the women here on our campus are chasing him. He is smart, good in soccer sport, good at Math, good at singing and most of all, he is handsome and has a good physical aspect, and he is also s blessed with height.

But there are opposite from those I mentioned. He was stubborn and stuck. Not only that, but he is also a snobbery. It like he is not in this world, a loner or a mysterious type.

"I can't accept that," he denied directly in front of me.

I pouted. I know this will happen again. I know he will reject my letter again because he already rejected some of my letters.

"But Dagger, accept it. . . please. . ."

He stared me in the eyes. "I am sorry, but I have to go."

He took my hand holding his wrist then turned his back on me. He left me dumbfounded.

He didn't accept my love letter again. What is his problem?

*

"Sis Lola! Did he accept the letter?" Melody happily asked me when I got to our house.

She is my sister, and we are only two. She is in third-year high school while I am in fourth-year high school.

And Dagger is my batchmate but we are in different sections.

My sister's smile suddenly faded when she saw the sadness on my face. And it looks like she can read that in my eyes.

She sat on the sofa as her tears flowed. "H-he never accepted again."

I immediately let go of my shoulder bag and approached to comfort her. But she cried even more. "S-sorry, Melody I didn't force him again. . . sorry I did nothing."

She nodded while sobbing. "It's okay, sis. I know he won't accept it again. I just can't help to get hurt."

I hugged her and caressed her back so she could stay in her crying. I know it hurts for her when she finds out Dagger rejects her love letter again.

"Don't worry, youngest. I will take again another way so that Dagger will accept your letter."

She stopped from whimpering and looked at me. I could see hope in her eyes. "Sis? You will take away?"

I nodded at her while smiling. "Yes, I will take away."

She hugged me tightly, and at that moment I could feel her joy. "Thank you so much, sis, thank you very much."

I could not destroy and deprive her of happiness, even though I was in so much pain.

*

THE morning I went to school easily and brought my sister's love letter again to give to Dagger.

Melody has long admired Dagger, and that is why she always sends letters to Dagger. Where I am the bridge to get that to the man she loves.

But even in one of her letters, Dagger did not accept anything, he always refused the love letter I gave him. So my sister feels very sad. And I do not want to see my dear sister unhappy.

This time I will not allow Dagger to reject the love letter I will give him again. Because this is the only way to bring joy back into my sister's eyes.

I can't blame my sister for falling in love with that man. Dagger is mysterious, thus Melody admires him. Dagger smiles captivate women. Even though he smiled once, he could make the panties of women dropped.

Dagger's eyes melted. His red lips seemed to taste good. He has brown eyes that I can't get enough of but to stare at.

I slapped my forehead because of my thoughts. I shouldn't have done that, what would Melody just say to me when she found out that I thought about Dagger?

When I saw Dagger coming out of a room I immediately appeared in front of him. I looked surprised at him because his eyes suddenly widened. I would have laughed if he hadn't just shouted.

"You again ?! Then now you are shocked ?! What do you need ?! If it is again about the love letter you give me every day, I tell you. I will not accept that ... "

He should have passed me by when I spoke instantly. "Anything I will do for you, as long as you just accept this love letter I give you! Please. . . Dagger."

He turned his back in front of me, and I did not know if I would be happy when he did that.

"You are willing to do anything? Just for that love letter?"

I nodded, even if, I couldn't too! For my sister, I will do everything, just to make Melody happy.

It's up to Batman, Ironman, Superman, Spiderman, Wonderwoman, everyone that has a man.

"All right," he said, unexpectedly.

My eyes widened and I couldn't help but smile broadly.

I approached him and stared intently. "Really? Aren't you kidding? As in ?!"

"Do I look like I'm joking, Miss Lola Maximo?" He angrily asked me again.

I jumped because of satisfaction, then I suddenly hugged him. "Thank you very much, Dagger. You do not know how you made me happy. Thank you!"

I can feel how he straightened when I hugged him. But I was not isolated because of that. I'm so happy now, I don't feel comfortable anymore. I'm sure my sister will be happy with my good news to her later.

I let go of him and he still looked stunned by what had happened. "Here, please read it right away, Dagger."

But he just stared at what I was handing him- the love letter. He sneezing before looking away from me.

"I said, I agree to accept that love letter when you have done everything I will ask you to do."

"Huh? What do you mean?" I wondered, did I mistaken for what he meant a while ago?

Does that mean he can't read my sister's love letter for him yet?

"You will be my slave for one month, in exchange for the love letters."

My eyes widened because of what he said. Is he saying that I will be his slave for a month in exchange for Melody's love letters for him? Does that mean that after a month he will receive the love letters ?! What ?!

"No! That couldn't be!"

He slammed into his pants. "That is my condition, Lola. If you don't want to, then it's okay. I will not accept that love letter of yours."

Why is he so nasty? Do I look like a servant to him? Then, a slave for one month? How could he?!

He was about to leave when I spoke with my eyes closed. "All right, I agree to be your slave for a month in exchange for the love letters I will give you."

He smiled annoyingly at me. And in those moments, I seem to regret my sudden acceptance of his condition.

*

Mariana was very upset with me when she got to the bench where I was sitting. Usual, she brought her intriguing face again.

"What did I hear from our classmates, Lola? You said you were being a slave by a Dagger Santiago, is it true?" She immediately asked as she sat down next to me.

I took a deep breath then continued reading the book I was holding. Why would I even answer her question if the statement is true? Nothing will change if I lie to her.

"So, it's true. Silence means yes," she is the one who confirms and nods.

I did not answer her again. "Are you doing this again because of your sister and- "

"That's it, Mariana, so I hope you understand. You know the reason why I do this for my sister."

She took a deep breath then tapped me on the shoulder. She stared at me gently, "go ahead if that's what you want and want to do to your sister. I'll support you."

I smiled and then hugged her. Sometimes, Mariana can count on, when it comes to serious conversation. And I am glad that she became my best friend.

"Thank you, Mar. Thank you," I said as I hugged her tightly.

"Just promise me you will be safe, Lola. Promise me."

I nodded then smiled greatly. "I promise, Mariana. Promise, I will be safe. Don't worry."

"It's good then, I'll give you some coke and a sandwich later."

I laughed then stood up and followed her.

Chapter 2

"ALL OF THIS ?! Are you serious about what you are going you want me to do?" My eyes widened as I stared at him.

I can't imagine and accept that he will give me so many assignments and he will need them tomorrow. I shivered when he did not answer and only stared at me without emotion.

We are now in his secret place behind the school. At first, I did not know where he called the secret place is. I had almost wandered the entire campus before but I could not find it.

Fortunately, he sent me to one of his friends, so I am now in front of him.

"What? You already accepted my condition, didn't you? You will be my slave in one month, in exchange for the love letters you give me. Simply tell me if you don't want to. Address me easily," he said, seriously while still crossing his arms.

My eyes glaze over as I stare into space. I think I am slowly torturing his notebooks in front of me.

If only I could have done it earlier! Maybe I'm celebrating now because he's gone. But that is not going to happen, and that is what I hate the most.

I stood up then put away his notebooks and put them in my arm. I glared at him with annoyance. "Tomorrow morning, seven-thirty (7:30), you will be here in your secret place. Don't be late." I commanded to him.

"Yeah, of course. I'll do it. Just go!" he said, without any emotions in his eyes.

I ignored what he said and turned away from him. I stopped for a moment then looked at the notebooks I was holding, then I realized something that made me smile secretly.

*

"MY GOSH ?! Are you serious, Lola? This is so much! Thirteen ?! Thirteen assignments?! But you also had thirteen! Just in one night? Can you finish all of these?" Mariana reacted hysterically when I told her that I had a conversation with Dagger earlier.

We are going home now since our school is just a walking distance. We do this every day. Mariana is living next door so the two of us went home at the same time.

"I can do it, Mar. I will. Don't worry," I said with a wide smile.

She shook her head and then stared at me as if she could not believe it.

She took a deep breath first. "Are you going to kill yourself, huh? That so much, think about it, Lola. Ugh! It just because of that love letter!"

"Mar, relaxed. It looks like you don't trust me. If you are acting like that, it looks like you don't know me," I said sadly as my mouth pouted.

She punched me in my shoulder. "You! Give me half of those. I can take care f them."

I gazed at her in disbelief. "Are you serious, Mar? Aren't you kidding? Have you eaten something today? I hope it doesn't melt and stay there in your stomach."

"Are you crazy? I'm serious! And what are you saying that I had eaten something? I haven't eaten anything! You see, you might have lost your mind. Give me half of that. I will only offer once, Lola, don't miss it, there will be no next time. "

I quickly gave him half of it and then smiled at her widely. "Oh, thank you very much, Mar. You're the best," I said while having a big smile on my face.

"Tss, don't thank me. I won't do this again. I do this because I'm in the mood," she artfully replied.

"Whatever, still, thank you, Mar ."

She just patted me on the shoulder and we continued our walk.

When she arrived at their house she immediately said goodbye. "All right, Lola. I'll give these to you tomorrow. Six (6:00) in the morning, okay?"

"All right, Mar. Thank you. I'll wait," I smiled, said goodbye then waved at her.

Marian entered the gate and I was left alone on the road. I breathed out deeply then stared at the sky. I felt that the cold air touch my skin.

It's getting late, I'm sure Tita is looking for me now.

I instantly went upstairs to my room when I arrived. I put Dagger's notebooks on my study table and prepared the things I would use later.

I went to the bathroom then put on the uniform I was wearing at home.

"Lola! Are you here?!"

I hurried out of the bathroom when I heard Tita's voice outside my room.

"Yes, Tita! I'm here!" I answered from inside. I headed to the doorway and opened the door. Auntie's worried face surprised up me.

"Where you from earlier, Lola? Melody and I were looking for you before. I was worried about you, did you have your dinner?"

I smiled then held her hand. "I'm sorry Aunt if I make you worried about me. Mariana and I went to the library earlier, so we had dinner. I won't do it again." I lied, hiding the truth.

I can't tell her that I met Dagger to get the assignments he asked me to do. I'm sure Tita will be mad and confront Dagger tomorrow! It's good for Tita doesn't know about it.

She took a deep breath then squeezed my hand she was holding. "Next time, text me, okay? So that I don't have to worry like this anymore. I can't forgive myself when something bad happens to you and Melody."

I nodded then held her hand tightly. "Yes, aunt. I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

"That's okay, as long as next time, you will say goodbye to Melody and me first. Arrange your things now, then go downstairs, when you're done so we can have dinner together," she said with a smile.

"All right, aunt. Thank you."

When Tita came down the stairs, I rested deeply.

Aunt Paulina is the only one left in Melody's family. After mama died because of heart disease and Papa because of a car accident, Auntie Paulina is the one who cared for us, she even helped us.

She was a good sister of Dad and a good aunt and stepmother for Melody and me. He already treated us like his real child, maybe because he didn't have a child so she got closer to Melody and me. I am very grateful to her, for all her sacrifices and hardships barely filled Melody and me with the need for education and everything. She is also filled with love and longing. So my sister er and I are very lucky and she is our partner now.

Even though I know that Tita is having a hard time, she still tries to cope and shows us everything is okay, even though I know it is not okay when it comes to her.

I wiped my tears from my cheeks when I felt them dripping again. I wish that one day I would reciprocate her sufferings, for Melody and me.

I stared at the picture of Mom and Dad smiling. Melody and I were together. It's been two years when my mother left, and my dad left. Melody and I lost our lives almost at the same time.

I am only fifteen years old at that time, and Melody is thirteen. We were too young for them to leave but we could do nothing but accept that painful event. It's God's will, and we need to accept it even if it hurts. Time will heal us, but until now it still hurts to the point that I think about it.

I held the picture frame then stared at it.

"I miss you, mama and papa. I hope you are now happy, wherever you are. Don't worry about Melody's condition. We are fine, then Aunt Paulina does not leave us alone."

I wiped the tears from my cheeks again. A tear led to sobs. "I miss you so much, you will always remember that Melody and I love you very much."

I kissed the picture frame then hugged it. I just found my shoulder shaking from crying.

"Sis? Sis? Are you done with the removal? Tita is calling you, we are going to eat," I heard Melody called me outside my room.

I pretended quickly. I put the picture frame in its original location. I wiped my tear-soaked cheek.

"Yes, I'm going down, Melody. Please tell, aunt, that I'll be right next. I'll just finish this and the rest!"

I immediately arranged Dagger's notebooks and then sorted them. I will probably have another big eyebags tomorrow.

*

I gasped as I laid Dagger's notebooks on the small table when I arrived at his secret place. Quarter to seven I came here. And I shook my head when he is nowhere to be found. At least, I told him to meet me here at seven-thirty (7:30).

I looked around. This place looks like a secret place because students like me rarely passed by. Then you will not notice that there is such a view behind the University.

Why didn't I see this right away? Maybe I'm the one who's always here and not Dagger.

How did he find it?

I was gloomy and looked at the clock on my wrist. I have been waiting for half of an hour. Why didn't I have my breakfast first?

I touched the bottom of my eye and I was just breathing deeply when I realized how big and deep it was. "Hayts! It won't happen again, Lola. This is the last."

Fortunately, Mariana helped me if she didn't, I just don't know if I can still get in now because of my eyebags. I did not realize that I had fallen asleep waiting for Dagger to arrive.

I felt a weak tap on my shoulder. I moaned then I locked my head even more in my arms. I still want to sleep, especially when I having lacked slept last night because of Dagger's assignments.

"No ..." I muttered as I avoided my shoulder from the person who is tapping me.

I was about to smile when that person stopped tapping on my shoulder when I stood up in no time when I felt something cold dripping down my cheek.

My eyes widened when I looked at the person who did that. I touched my cheek and I felt it wet with water.

I could see Dagger's wide grin as he looked at me. "Sleeping beauty was awakened by her prince charming .."

My eyes narrowed then I blinked. I pointed my forefinger at him. "Hey! You! Why did you pour water on me, huh ?! Don't you know that I am sleeping? Do you know I have no sleep because of doing your assignments? Then now, you woke me up? Do you have no mercy? And what- you say that prince charming ?! You have a big face! You are not my Prince charming! "

He stared at me with full of amusement. He lets me scream. I stopped myself talking and I felt my cheeks thicken with shame.

"W-what are you staring at me ?!" I asked him nervously.

Instead of answering me, he just teased me and then sat on the bench. "Hey! Answer me!"

"Why? Isn't it? I am your prince charming right? You are in love with me, because of the love letters you give me. Don't you say that you like someone else besides me?"

I was stunned by what he said. I can see how dark his face is after he says those words.

What does he want to convey?

"W-what. . . I don't give anyone else a love letter. Just you. Did you hear that? Only you!"

Chapter 3

"THAT'S IT! ONLY THAT, listen carefully ..." I said while teaching him about his assignments.

Dagger's forehead was now furrowed as he stared at the paragraph I was pointing at him. He is good at Math but he is weak when it comes to English. I am weak when it comes to Math but good at English. It's the other way around.

He let go of the ballpen he was holding. We are now in the library, he suddenly pulled me somewhere and brought me here.

But it looks like I've been explaining this for an hour and he still hasn't learned anything yet. How could he not understand if he did not seem to be listening?

"Tss... I don't understand. You should the one who fix that. Stop teaching me," he also complained.

I stared at him wickedly. "You are unbelievable! Why aren't you listening? If you had been listening earlier you would have understood all of this."

I sighed heavily. "Tss, okay listen. Let's go back to the beginning."

He could do nothing but listen to me. I just smiled as I saw him frown. He is still handsome even his forehead furrowed. I giggled because of that.

I was in the middle of my writing when he suddenly stood up. I looked at him. "Oh? Why did you get up right away? We're not done yet, you might finish that first."

I heard his breathing deeply. "This is what I hate in English when it comes to paragraphing and sentences .." I heard him moaning.

I raised an eyebrow when I heard what he said. "You hate English but if you are speaking in English." I reasoned out, hardly.

"It is not that difficult to speak English, but it's complicated when it comes to the lesson and subject," he admitted.

I nodded. I've been Dagger's 'slave' for almost a week, and I don't think I can get over everything he does. This is too much, too much that I want to kill him right now.

I have eyebags every day. Not only that but also having physical pain. Will he always send me his heavy bag out of the gate to his pickpocket.

I want the end of the month to come easily, but I can't avoid what is my real reason for doing this. I also couldn't help but be happy because I was able to get closer to him even with only a little time left.

"Let's go," he whispered as he finished putting away his belongings.

I frowned. "Where are we going? I'm not done pointing you out--"

I did not finish what I was about to say when he put away my belongings and put them in my bag lying on a chair. He picked it up and slung it over his shoulder.

He took my hand then pulled me out of the library. My eyes widened as I stared at his hand holding my hand.

"D-dagger ..."

"Don't ask me, if you want to ask."

I smirked and stopped myself from talking. I let him pull me wherever he wanted to go. My mind was buzzing at these times. I couldn't think properly.

I couldn't stop my heartbeat from speeding up. I could not help but shudder, especially in the fact that Dagger was now holding my hand.

He stopped walking when the two of us arrived at his secret place. I laughed suddenly causing him to look at me. He let go of my hand.

"Why are you laughing?" He frowned.

He was laying my belongings on the small table in front of the bench. He sat on one so I sat on the other, in front of him. I have already begun unveiling my need to re-educate him.

"No, I thought where we were going somewhere, but it ends up here."

"Tss ... why? Where do you think are we going?" He also asked me back.

I just shook my head and then just stared at the notebook I was holding. "Nothing, where did we stop earlier?"

He frowned, then took his notebook from me. He stared at it too. "There, we are in the sentences of mythology."

I was gloomy and stared at him seriously. "Do you believe in myth?"

"No .."

I frowned. He sparingly spoke and answered.

"Did you know that Hades is not a man but a woman?" I asked.

"What do I have to do with that? I don't care if she's a girl or a boy. The important thing is, I'm still handsome," he answered proudly.

My eyes widened when I heard what he said. And this one is arrogant. I sighed then stood up. "What?! Are you handsome ?!"

He grinned then stared at me seriously. "Why? Isn't it? How do you like me if I'm not handsome, right? Then women won't chase me if I'm not handsome."

It was as if my blood ran out of me when he winked after he said that. I just closed my mouth and then sat down quietly again.

"Just answer the questions there," I said as I averted my eyes from him.

Omg! Am I trembling ?! My gash! This is not happening!

I hid my face in the book I was holding. I close my eyes and bite the bottom of my lip as I try to keep it out of time.

Am I that vocal with how I feel? As far as I know, the love letter I gave him did not come from me but my sister Melody? Then I didn't tell him that I liked him!

He has had a thick face! Then he has not even read the love letter I give him, how can he tell me that it came from me? I could just be ordered to give it to him! He is assuming!

"If I became Cupid, I will choose you to be my Psyche."

I looked up at Dagger when he said that. I was stunned by my deep thought. My hands trembled as our two eyes met.

"And when I am Cupid, I will not let the woman I love disappear from my hands," he added.

I just gasped like that while just staring at him. Did he mean something in what he said?

"Is that okay, for the sentences I will answer here, Lola?" He asked me with a smile.

"Huh? D-don't ask me!" I was embarrassed as I shout at him.

Almost all of my blood flowed to my entire cheek when I heard his loud laughter fill around the secret place where we were.

"Thanks for making me laugh, my slave." Dagger said goodbye to me when we reached the exit of the gate.

I still can't look at him now, after what happened earlier in the secret place.

I handed him the bag I was carrying while I bent down. He still does not take what he took from my hand.

I looked up at him. "Won't you take it? My hands are numb! Do you think your bag is not heavy? It's so heavy!" I complained as I looked past his back.

I saw how he grinned at me. "Did you tremble before? Did you think you were the one I was talking about then? I just found out what you are assuming, Lola."

That was the reason my eyes widened again and he let go of his bag. Fortunately, he caught it immediately. My hand trembled with annoyance. He overreacts to me. It's not funny anymore!

"You're assuming! I'm not!" I lied.

"Well, see. . . that's why your cheek was already red," he laughed.

My eyes glazed over at him. "That's blushing because I'm disgusted!"

He grabbed his chin then stared at me with full of amusement in his eyes. "All right, I believe in what you ever reasoned out, I guess," he asserted and then winked at me.

I WAS STUPID as I stared at the emptiness. I also do not understand what Mariana is saying. I'm not in the right perimeter of mind right now, because I can't still forget what happened yesterday. I was embarrassed in front of Dagger Santiago.

"Ahh!" I shouted causing Mariana to stop her blabbering.

She looked at me unbelievably. "You don't want me to tell you now ?! After all, I did to you ?! You don't owe me anything ?! Just tell me if you don't want me to be your friend, I will stay away from you, Lola. I'm easy to talk to and-- "

"Get out."

She got up from her seat on my bed when she heard what I said. "A-are you serious?" She asked, trembling.

I nodded. "Yes, I'm serious."

She immediately knelt in front of me then smiled broadly. "Oh, that's only a joke, Lola. Hehe. That's not true," she smirked at me even more.

My smile looked even better.

I stared at her. "Leave my room first because I'm thinking. You go downstairs first. Wait there for me," I explained to her.

She breathed out a sigh of relief when she heard what I said. "Hey, I thought you were afraid that you don't want me as a friend anymore."

"That will not happen, Mar. You will be my best friend forever, and no matter what happens it will not happen."

She hugged me tightly. "Me too, Lola. Me too."

"Come out first, we might cry here later."

We both just laughed because of what I said. "Okay."

After a while, she came out of my room and I was left alone while taking care of the pain I was feeling while holding my head.

Not again, please.