CHAPTER 12: EYES DON'T LIE

The month of May came. All the 4th year high school students are excited for the final list of graduates. It was 6:00 am in the morning when Kiesha arrived in school.
“Oh! Dear! Good morning. You’re so early today.”, greeted the security guard.
“Hello good morning. Ahm yes. I want to be early.”, she replied.
“Will you graduate this year?”, asked the body guard.
“I hope so.”, she replied.
Kiesha went to her classroom and suddenly halted in front of the main door. She remembers how Matilda mistreated her everytime she enters the room. She went to her arm chair and thought of something.
“The Graduation is coming. Yet, Matilda was not yet around. According to my mother, Mrs. Juliet have told them that their daughter was not yet at their house. Where could she be?”, wondered Kiesha.
She stared deeply at the window. Meanwhile, Justin came into the room and touched Kiesha’s right shoulder.
“Hey, good morning. Are you okay?”, asked Justin.
Kiesha was startled when he heard his voice again. She turned her head and found out it was really Justin.
“Oh you. Yeah I’m okay. Good morning.”, replied Kiesha.
“It seems that you are thinking into something very seriously. What’s that about? May I know?”, he asked.
Kiesha stood up from where she was seated and faced Justin.
“I really wonder where is Matilda now. Don’t you have the feeling of at least contacting or searching for her? What if she will be kidnapped for ransom? You know what? These words that I have just said must be coming from your mouth. I just don’t even notice that you’re concerned about her.”, she replied.
“No, I am concerned. It’s just that..”, he replied.
“What?”, asked Kiesha.
“I am confused.”, asked Kiesha.
“Confused about what? Your love for her?”, asked Kiesha hesitantly.
Aivy, Kiesha’s best friend enters the room and heard their conversations.
“Hey, look what I saw. Good morning guys. What’s up with you too? Do I have to know something in here?”, asked Aivy.
“No Aivy. It’s nothing. Good morning and bye.”, said Justin as he looked deeply into Kiesha’s eyes.
Kiesha looked at him until he was gone. It seems that she noticed Justin’s teary eyes.
“Hey, what are you both talking? Why are you so serious?”, asked Aivy.
“Good morning Aivy. I came here so early and I did not expect that he would come here. He was just asking if I am feeling okay lately. I think that’s why he entered the room because he noticed me that I am staring at the window so deeply.”, she replied.
“Then why are you acting that way? What’s the matter?”, asked Aivy.
“I told him that I wondered where is Matilda.”, replied Kiesha.
“So? I saw you asking him badly.”, replied Aivy.
“It’s because I don’t know why he keeps on following me. Why he asked me if I am okay. Why he is concerned about me. While he forgot he has a girlfriend too. He can’t even give us an update about Matilda’s situation.”, replied Kiesha.
“Then why are you so concerned about her? Don’t you remember that is the freak girl who almost took your chance to be in the graduating list? If not for Justin, I don’t know if you will still stay at 4th year.”, replied Aivy.
“I’m sorry Aivy it was just I am confused about how Justin would approach me.”, said Kiesha.
“Then why are you so confused? Are you thinking if that he likes you but is shy?”, asked Aivy.
“You know what Kiesha frankly speaking, I’m sorry but if Justin really likes you, he should not let you wait for so long. If he don’t like his girlfriend anymore, he should tell you that and find a way to break up with her. Right?”, replied Aivy.
“Right best.”, replied Kiesha.
Kiesha sighed. She went back at her seat and waited for the flag ceremony.
It’s already 7:15 am when all of the students came from each classroom to witness the ceremony. There goes Justin who sat by at the bench near the canteen and watch how the 4th year diamond students came out from their rooms. Until he saw Kiesha. His face enlightened when he saw her.
“Oh, her face is so sweet and lovely.”, he whispered delightfully.
One of his friends noticed him and asked.
“Hey bro, I know where your eyes are looking at huh.”, said Kenneth, his close friend.
“Huh? What do you mean?”, asked Justin.
“I know you like Kiesha. Don’t you.”, replied Kenneth.
“Oh, why would I like her? I have my own girlfriend.”, said Justin.
“Don’t hide it Justin. I feel you already. And if you really want to pursue her, then grab the chance. Your only problem is Matilda. You know why I wondered? It’s because you can’t even tell us about Matilda’s condition right now. I mean you haven’t updated us for weeks. I don’t know if you still care for Matilda. I’m sorry to hear this.”, replied Kenneth.
Kenneth tapped Justin’s back and preceded their way to the line before the start of the flag raising.
Kiesha saw Justin forming a line and she suddenly looked down with her confusing heart.
“Not this time Kiesha. Just don’t look at him. Okay?”, she said to herself.
Justin’s line was parallel to Kiesha’s. So it’s very impossible that the two could not stare at each other. Justin could not control his eyes from staring at Kiesha. Kiesha saw that he looks at her and she quickly gazed somewhere as if she don’t like him.
“Hey, she’s looking at you huh.”, said Kenneth as he smiles back at Justin.
“Really?”, replied Justin as his face blushed.
All the students in Benjamin Atlas School returned to their respective classrooms waiting for their teachers to enter. Justin passed by at 4th year Diamond’s classroom. He slowly walks by as if he was looking for someone. Aivy noticed it and looked at Kiesha. She looks back at Justin if he will stare at Kiesha. The destiny can’t control their feelings towards each other. It seems like Justin halted at the center of the hallway near their classroom and stared at Kiesha’s eyes. Aivy noticed it all. She then went outside to talk to him.
“Hey, Justin wait.”, said Aivy as he followed him.
“Oh Aivy, what’s up?”, replied Justin.
“I know you.”, said Aivy.
“What do you mean, you know me.”, replied Justin.
“I know what you are doing with my best friend. Just back off while it’s early.”, replied Aivy.
“Why? What’s the matter?”, asked Justin.
“Sorry to interrupt the situation but you know what I mean. Okay?”, replied Aivy.
Kiesha saw the them having a serious conversation.
“Hey, wait!”, said Justin.
“Why are you letting me back off?”, asked Justin.
“Because you’re not good for her. You will just make her stupid Justin. And soon you will just treat her like a doll. Even though her family is not rich, at least she’s not like your girlfriend, Matilda. Why? Are you now weary and are you not interested with your girlfriend anymore that’s why you looked for other girls you think you can make them fall for you? I think Kiesha is not like that because she’s smart.”, explained Aivy.
“Oh, I understand Aivy. What happened? Did your boyfriend breaks up with you or what? Why are you saying these words to me? As if you know me a lot. FYI. We’re not that close. So please move your way.”, replied Justin sarcastically.
Aivy was surprised about Justin’s arrogant face.
“See? The way you talked to me shows no respect.”, replied Aivy.
“I’m sorry but so you are as well.”, he replied as he headed his way.
Aivy’s face turned red and wanted to kick Justin’s butt. Not later than an hour, their teacher enters the room.
“Good morning Ms. Jane!”, greeted the 4th year Diamond students.
“Alright, good morning. Actually, I can’t take you any longer today because the school has plans for the upcoming graduation. As I’ve said last week, I’ll post in this classroom the top 10 students and for the list of graduating students. For other sections, their advisers will announce to them and post their final list of graduates to each respective rooms. Good luck!”, announced Ms. Jane.
“Oh gosh. I’m nervous right now best.”, whispered Aivy to Kiesha.
“I think you’ll be in the top 3. But what I’m nervous about if Matilda’s name is not there anymore. I feel pity on her Aivy.”, replied Kiesha.
“Oh come on. Good for her.”, said Aivy.
“Just seat for a while my dear students. You can see the list after I come out from this room. No shouting, no yelling just keep quiet.”, reminded Ms. Jane.
Only what Kiesha prayed for is her name to be included in the top 10.
As Ms. Jane went outside already, the students stood up from their seats and face themselves to the bulletin board and search for their names. Aivy also stood up and shouted when she founds out that her best friend was still the top 1 from the class followed by her.
“OMG!! Guys! Listen. Our Class Valedictorian is still Kiesha Jones and guess who followed the Salutatorian. It’s me! Yey!”, she shouted with joy.
Kiesha was surprised and hugged her best friend happily.
“Really best? May I see?”, replied Kiesha.
“Oh my! We did it! We did it!”, replied Kiesha shouted with joy.
“How about Matilda, is she still included from the list?”, asked one of Matilda’s friends.
“You know what? After the shameful situation she gave to the class? Of course, she’s not included dear. Good for her.”, replied Aivy.
“Aivy enough.”, said Kiesha.
Kiesha stepped outside to go to the comfort room. As she was about to enter girl’s room, someone pulled her closely onto his arms.
“Justin?”, asked Kiesha.
“What are you doing? Let me go.”, she added.
“I just want to tell you that I…”, replied Justin.
But suddenly, Kenneth came from the men’s room.
Justin was startled as he saw Kenneth and said.
“You know what? I really hate you. I don’t like you. So stop assuming. Okay? I don’t like poor girls like you.”, said Justin.
He then pushed Kiesha away from him. Kiesha was really shocked about what did Justin has said to her.
“Oh Justin. That’s a girl bro. Don’t be too rude.”, said Kenneth.
“Let’s go. I’m done here.”, replied Justin.
Justin and Kenneth headed their way back to their classrooms.
Kiesha stared at him but can’t control her tears away. She immediately entered to one of the cubicles in the comfort room and cried quietly.
“Thank you Justin for letting me know. I already knew you’re just making fun of me. And Aivy was right.”, she came outside and wiped her tears.
It’s lunch time already. Because Aivy is very happy of what she and her best friend have achieved, she decided to treat her bestie into the canteen. Aivy belongs into a middle class family but her parents gave her an extra allowance in order for her to buy what she wants all the time. There goes Justin. He headed his way to the canteen too. Kiesha noticed him and looked down. She was ashamed of Justin. Aivy noticed him and pulled her best friend. Justin pretends that he did not see Kiesha. He was really felt sorry for what he did with Kiesha lately. Until it came to the point that the two best friends came in line after Justin and Kenneth are going to order some food in the canteen.
“Oh Aivy, you can get in first with Kiesha.”, said Kenneth.
“Oh thank you. Kiesha, what do you want? Come on, just choose foods you like. This is my treat best!”, said Aivy happily.
“Why are you so happy Aivy? Are you included in the top 10?”, asked Kenneth.
“Well, I’m in the top 2.”, replied Aivy.
“Who’s our class valedictorian?”, asked Kenneth.
“Of course, it’s Kiesha that’s why I wanted to treat my bestfriend.”, replied Aivy.
“Oh wow! Congratulations to the both of you. Congrats Kiesha.”, said Kenneth.
“Oh uhm.. Thank you Ken. Congrats too.”, replied Kiesha as she looked down.
Kiesha was ashamed because Kenneth saw her how she was mocked by Justin that morning.
While they are in line, Justin pretends that he did not hear anything and was staring somewhere else.
Kiesha was really shy because she can’t even provide Aivy a penny just to add on the total amount of bill which Aivy ordered. Kiesha pulled something from her pocket but only 1 penny was left. Kenneth noticed it. So, he asked Aivy that he will be the one to pay for their ordered food.
“Hey Aivy, I will treat both of you today. How much is that Miss? ”, said Kenneth.
“It’s a total of $10 only.”, replied the saleslady.
“Alright, here you go.”, said Kenneth.
“Oh, really? Wow. You’re so generous Kenneth unlike others out there.”, replied Aivy.
Justin was surprised about it.
The two best friends thanked Kenneth and find their seats. Kiesha was still looking at the ground and did not turned her head up.
“You know what, Kenneth is just a great guy unlike Justin.”, said Aivy.
Kiesha did not answer Aivy.
“Hey, what’s the matter?”, asked Aivy.
“Oh huh? I mean what did you say?”, asked Kiesha.
“You should be happy today. We’re included in the top list.”, replied Aivy.
“Yeah, right. Thank you by the way best for having me here. Actually, I used to eat my lunch in the room because their meals and snacks here are very expensive. You know, I can’t afford to buy.”, replied Kiesha.
“Oh just don’t mind it.”, replied Aivy.
Kiesha looked around and she saw Justin secretly staring back at her. She was really in heart broken and confused why Justin did that to her. She thought something is between them but she’s wrong. Her gut feeling turned into shame.