Chapter 33
Yesterday, Alice ditched school to hit up the arcade, and the next day she got paid for it. The quiz was inevitable.
Honestly, it was a breeze, at least for the regulars. The questions were straight from what the teacher had gone over, all in the textbook. No need to cram; you could just wing it and still do fine.
During the quiz, Declan was all over Alice, watching her like a hawk, worried she might sneak a look at the textbook or copy someone else's answers.
With Declan's eyes glued to her, Alice couldn't help but give him some props.
Declan barked, "Show your steps! You think I'm just gonna hand out points for just an answer?"
Alice, biting back her frustration, scribbled down the steps.
A few minutes later, Declan snapped, "Can't you do some mental math instead of writing everything down? This is a test, not scratch paper!"
Alice slammed her hand on the desk and stood up, glaring at Declan.
"Alice, what are you doing?"
Alice forced a couple of laughs, "Nothing, I was just thinking how much longer I can hold your bad damn temper!"
The teacher, red with anger, pointed at Alice for what felt like forever before finally pointing to the door, "Get out!"
Alice grabbed her bag and stormed out.
Declan figured he had to report Alice's behavior to Oliver.
It was too serious, too outrageous!
"What are you all staring at? Mind your own business, I'm collecting the papers soon!"
"Mrs. Martinez, you're being too harsh," Esme said.
Declan looked at Esme, who had spoken up, in disbelief, "I'm being harsh?"
Esme nodded, "It's already impressive that Alice is even sitting here taking the test. Asking her to write down the steps is pushing it, don't you think?"
"Besides," Esme stood up and shoved her test paper into Declan's hand, "I think one of her sentences made a very good point!"
Declan took the paper, looking blank. "Which one?"
Esme said, "You do have a bad temper."
Before Declan could blow up, Esme grabbed her bag and bolted out of the classroom. Declan's roar echoed behind her.
Esme found Alice at the school's pavilion.
"Girl, are you on your period? You've been really on edge lately," Esme said.
Alice looked at Esme gloomily, "Why are you calling me girl?"
"Maybe 'cause I've heard it so much. David sometimes calls you girl."
"Because I'm younger, so he calls me that. You're the same age as me, why are you calling me that?"
Esme was quiet for a few seconds, then suddenly leaned in close to Alice, "What's wrong? Did you get dumped?"
Alice didn't know whether to slap Esme.
"Looks like I hit the nail on the head," Esme said with a mischievous grin, "Is it David?"
Alice stayed silent.
"Hahaha, so it's really David!" Alice rolled her eyes at Esme and got up to leave.
Esme yanked her back and threw an arm around her shoulder, "Liking David ain't embarrassing, and getting dumped isn't either. Everyone's gotta grow up, and getting dumped is just part of the ride. You'll get used to it. Look at Clara. She's been pining for ages and she's still at it. Learn from her persistence. A breakup? Pfft. Getting assaulted is the scary one."
Alice stared at Esme in horror, slowly crossing her arms over her chest.
"Alright, enough of joking," Esme said, pulling her hand back and looking serious, "Does David know you like him?"
Alice was about to shake her head but then paused and said, "I'm not sure."
"Okay, then how does he act?" Esme asked.
"Just like usual." He even told her to find a more reliable guy to date.
Esme rubbed her chin, "Then he probably didn't catch on. If he had, no matter how much he tried to hide it, there'd be some signs. Since you think he's acting normal, he probably didn't get it. So why are you heartbroken?"
"Alright, I thought it was on your period. Since you left, I ticked off Declan again. Bet Oliver's gonna come get us soon." Esme pinched Alice's cheek, "This is the first time in my life I've been called to the principal's office, all because of you. How are you gonna make it up to me?"
Alice let Esme pinch her, "Want a picture of David in bed?"
"Sure!" Esme nodded.
"In your dreams. I don't even have one, and you want one?"
Esme's delighted expression turned blank, "Serves you right for getting dumped."
Alice fell silent.
The meeting was about to start, and Garrett was holding some documents, ready to call David for the meeting. Just as he reached the door, David came out hurriedly with his car keys.
"Mr. Tudor, the meeting is about to start. Where are you going?"
David didn't look back, "School."
Garrett replied, "Alright."
David picked up Alice at the school gate. "About what happened before, I know you were wronged. I've cleared my schedule for the next two days and sincerely invite you to a two-day, one-night trip to a hot spring. Wanna go?"
Alice looked at David in surprise, "Hot spring?"
"A friend's new Hot Springs Resort. A lot of unpleasant stuff has happened lately, so think of it as a getaway." David took two invitation cards for the Hot Springs Resort out of his pocket and handed them to Alice. "You can find info online. If you wanna go, we can head home, pack our bags, and fly there."
"Yes!" Alice shouted without thinking, "David, I wanna go!"
David was momentarily stunned, then smiled and corrected Alice, "Call me Uncle David."
Alice put away the two invitations and scoffed, "Forget it. I've decided. From now on, I'm calling you David!"
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