Chapter 25

El"s pov
My entire weekend was spent having fun, and I quickly forgot about the things that were bothering my heart. Jas and I kept going into each other, and I had to force myself to forget about my feelings for him. I was learning to be okay with the fact that we were just friends, and I decided to eradicate my liking for him. I understand it's difficult because I can see and be with him, but I'm doing my best. I'd like to redirect my attention away from him and avoid thinking about him unnecessarily. If my feelings for him threaten our connection, I'm willing to put my feelings aside and prioritize our friendship. Perhaps it is preferable for me to make this decision so that nothing between us is destroyed or affected.
It's Monday, which means I have another week to learn new things, get new experiences, and possibly meet new people. I no longer request another friend because I already have three. Ivan, Jas, and Aly.
Ivan is a friend of mine, which is hard to believe. I confirmed him on Facebook, and despite the fact that he adores me, I don't feel weird around him because he knows I only consider him a friend. Ivan is just being naughty, and he's most likely lying. He's just having fun with his Facebook post. He merely wants his admirers to be intrigued about the girl he's talking about because he enjoys their attention.
I'm not sure why, but I'm looking forward to seeing Aly. Is this how you feel about a friend? We haven't friends in a long time, but she is a significant figure in my life, and I hope she treats me with appreciate. I'd be devastated if she abruptly moved away from me, and I wasn't sure whether I'd be able to trust anyone again after that.
It's easier for me to trust, especially when I'm at ease with someone, but it's difficult for me to rebuild my trust once I've been hurt. So when Jas hurt me, I understood I needed to put my love for him aside and treat him like a friend, like he treats me. I don't want to have another breakdown because of him because not everyone is willing to help me all of the time.
I was ready to walk through the gates of our campus when I noticed that, like me, they had a good weekend since a smile was drawn on their lips. Even though it rained the days that passed, that did not stop the students from feeling sad. We experienced a variety of experiences, but we all found the happiness we deserved.
"El!"
When I heard someone shout my name, I turned around and saw him waving and beaming at me. He went closer to me and I started walking when he got to my side.
As we walked along to the senior high school, he said, "My morning is great El."
"Did I ask you if you had a good morning?" I asked, and his expression immediately changed to a pouting. I tried not to laugh as I said, "You're ugly to pout."
"It's your fault. Your attitude is terrible when it comes to me, but it's great when it comes to Jas. I can see you have a bias against your friend," he added, pouting.
While we were heading down the corridor, I looked at him. "I'm not sweet to Jas," I rolled my eyes at him, "I just adapt my attitude to the person I'm with. Do you want me to yell at Jas? Maybe he won't talk to me then."
"What do you want to convey? That I'm not mad even though you shout at me? I'm only human; I can be irritated with anyone. I'm not always kind; in fact, I'm mad at you, so you'll have to find a way to make me forgive you."
I'm not sure how Ivan's mind worked. To think of him, he's weird and childish. Based on his appearance, his deeds are too far away.
"What should I do if you're mad?" I asked, a slight smile on my face. "You can be as angry as you want."
"You're terrible," he remarked, his voice huffing.
I knew he was only pretending, so I just laughed at him before we started walking down the walkway to the Shs building.
It was only now that I realized how many people were staring at us, so I took a step back from him. I barely managed to get a few meters away from him without warning.
He chased me and asked, "Hey, why are you running?" As I walked, he followed me again, so I quickened my pace. He didn't notice the students looking at us and added, "Why are you hurrying? You're not late for class yet."
Maybe he doesn't notice because he's accustomed to being the center of attention. We live in different worlds, and I don't want to live in one that is in turmoil like his. I don't want any problems, and I want to live a peaceful life. I don't require other people's attention because they are incapable of helping me in my life. They can only cause me problems and headaches, therefore I'd better stay away from them.
"Can't you see? Our classmates are already staring at us, and I know they don't like you being here; look at their expressions; they're whispering while staring at us."
When he returned his sight to me, he simply smiled and said, "I don't care what they think. Let them think what they want to think." We came to a halt in front of our classroom.
"I want a tranquil existence, Ivan," I explained, "I wouldn't like to get involved in any issue, and even though I consider you a friend, I will still keep away from you when I need distance."
People can easily judge with their eyes, and even if they have no idea what the genuine story is, they can believe the nonsense. Ivan and I are just friends, but I'm sure that some who see us think differently, especially because they're inquisitive about the woman Ivan mentions in his posts. Now that they've seen me with Ivan, they'll assume I'm the woman he's talking about.
"Let them go, El. We know what's true, but you don't have to be concerned about what's going to happen because I'm here to make it clear to everyone who we are," he said, smiling. "Go inside, and I'll treat you to our snack break later," he says.
I was going to respond when he ran. I couldn't help but stand in front of the door, mouth agape. When he got to the door of his classroom, he turned back to face me. He entered with a wave of his hand.
I gulped and walked inside my room, where I was greeted by Aly, who was waving her hand and beaming at me. Because they spotted Ivan and me together, my classmates are whispering to one other. They smiled as if I'd done something good for them.
I simply ignored them and went to my seat. I smiled at Aly, and she returned the smile. I've only seen her smile like this since she became my classmate, and I'm grateful that she gave me her genuine smile. She's adorable, and despite the fact that I haven't seen her without a glass, I'm sure she's even more so.
"Our classmates are staring at you," she whispered.
"I notice it as well," I gulped, "do you have any idea why? Is it because they saw Ivan and I get together?" I asked.
"Yes, you're correct, El," she said, nodding. "And I believe the students love you for Ivan; they're thrilled, except for Mafiah and her two friends."
I bit my lower lip. "I foresaw it; how can I delete what they saw from their memory?" I asked, losing hope of evading the issue and their attention.
"Why are you and Ivan together? I thought there was no interfering between the two of you?" she enquired, rubbing her nape.
"We"re together, but it doesn"t mean that we had a relationship," I answered.
What did we do besides walk together? We only walked once but that was too big deal for the others; they immediately think we have a relationship. We didn't hold hands while walking, we didn't hug on the corridor, but why did they say we had a relationship?
"Why are you together?" Aly asked again because I didn't answer her question properly before.
I gulped and came closer to him, "We are friends. That"s all, " I whispered.Her surprise was clear on her face, and I don't blame her; I too didn't expect Ivan to become my friend, but it did.
That is the reality; everything is unexpected, and you will simply accept it when it occurs.
"I'm curious as to why. How did that happen? Why are you friends now? You detest him, don't you? You claimed he brings nothing but difficulty and headaches into your life, so I'm baffled," she replied, perplexed.
Although I wanted her to tell me everything, our subject teacher in contemporary arts has arrived.
"Ma"am is wrong timing. I"m excited about your story," Aly"s whispered. I just chuckled and our subject teacher start her lesson.
Our contemporary class has been going nicely thus far. Time flew by, and as break approached, my heartbeat accelerated. Because of the strain in my body, I couldn't focus adequately on our second topic. Ivan said he'd take me here and we'd share a snack break together, which meant my classmates would be even more intrigued and shocked. Not just my classmates but all the students at CU because they can see that we are together in the cafeteria. I didn"t know what I was going to do to stop Ivan from coming in my classroom. I don't want the issue to get worse, especially since there is no truth to everything.
I raised my hand in the middle of our discussion in pre-cal. Sir called me and asked why I was hand -raising.
"Sir, may I go out?" I said, hoping he would agree.
It was my first time asking for permission to leave, and I'm hopeful he'll grant it. I'm simply quick, and everything I do matters.
Sir was clearly taken aback because he was unable to respond immediately. He was baffled by my presence and nodded. With a smile and a small bow, I said, "Thank you, Sir."
"Where are you going?" Aly asked as she clutched my wrist.
"I'll be back, Aly," I replied, smiling, "and I'll tell you what I did later." She released me with a nod.
When I left our room, practically all of my classmates were staring at me. I'm not used to being the center of attention, so I'd want to get right to the point.
I walked to the restroom and took my phone out of my pocket as I got inside.
I opened the data and immediately searched for Ivan and I"s conversation. When I saw him online, I breathed a sigh of relief. When I message him right now, he will see the message immediately because he is online. I immediately typed a message and hoped he wouldn't argue anymore. I hope he understands my point that I don"t want to get people"s attention.
To Ivan: don't come to my room anymore. Don't come near me either because they students are thinking that we had a relationship. I don't want trouble, please consider my opinion.
I no longer waited for his reply and I immediately turned off my data. I exited the comfort area and returned to class. It's only a few minutes before snack break and I hope Ivan can read the message and understand me.
Minutes later, Sir's lesson was over and it"s time to snack break. I couldn't lose my nervousness so I immediately confronted Aly.
"You alright?" She asked me.
I shook my head and said my thoughts, "can I have a favor?" I asked her and she nodded as a response. "When you see Ivan at the door, approach him and tell him I'm finishing an assignment."
She swallowed and turned to the door. "He's already there, El," she said, worrying.
I gulped and said, "just say to him that I am not available and I am doing my assignment."
She bit her lower lip. "But, he won't believe it, El."
I frowned and asked why. "Why not? Go ahead, the students will notice that he is hanging out in our room."
"He won't believe, El, if I say you're doing an assignment," she said full of tension.
"Why? Why won't he believe? "
"Because, the assignment must be done at home."