Time ticked away like an arrow and it was lunchtime. Mia beeped me that I should find my way to the canteen and they'll meet me there. I kind of need the map of Dora, blame it on this huge sumptuous school for it takes me half of my time to track the canteen.

Opening the door, the aroma of food finds its way to my nostrils and my stomach grumbled in answer. The room was huge, with high ceilings, large glass windows, and tables with built-in chairs accommodating all students. I picked my lunch and I mentally perform a happy dance that the cafeteria doesn't serve blandly foods- sucks.

I found my way to an empty table adjacent to the window. I walked with much careful, afraid that my tray will slip off from my hands as students came hastening my way like tractors and smashing my shoulder into a pulp.

I opened and took a bit of my sandwich as I watched the scenery in front of me hap. I watched from the distance the swaying trees, dancing arithmetically where the wind blows, the rustling leaves tumbling down to the wide green field of Costados. A group of teens is playing soccer on the field; they burst out laughing when one of the guys falls on his butt as the ball hit his head. On the far side of the bench, another group of chicks is sitting, lounging, laughing.

Loneliness embarked and my heart squeezes tightly just seeing them having fun.

I missed my school. I missed my friends. I miss my sister.

I missed when everything is normal.

I wish I could go back to when I was so carefree, reckless, and tactless. Now, I no longer know-how.

I feel like a lost puppy in this wild place called the world searching for an owner to take care of me. A puppy that doesn't know where to and what to do.

I was fetched back to reality when someone slapped my back harshly earning me to choke.

"Hey Annathea, what's up?" Phillip asked. He took a seat across from me, snatched my fries, and chewed it. Easton followed so was Brett.

"So good until you turn up and tried to kill me. I don't know I was enrolled in a school full of killers and murderers. " I replied rubbing my back. From bumping to smashing and slapping, It won't be a surprise when the school ends I'll be crippled, completely lying back in bed.

"Surprise. Surprise. You're still alive. And aren't murderers a killer?"

"Ha, Didn't I say 'tried'?"

And aren't you all a sadist?

"Anyways, where are the girls? Where's Mia?" Phillip asked, taking in around the canteen. "They let you walk here by yourself? Easton, you were with Annathea-- can I call you Ann? Your name is so mouthful."

I smiled.

He looked at Easton back. "You're with Ann just earlier and you left her alone?" He asked. "Some jerk you are."

"Will you stop with inquisitions, your honor? You make me dunk like a bad guy. I walked her to her next class after our same class ended." Easton defended.

"I don't know if I'll be thrilled that you care about my being or be offended you thought of me as a four-year-old kid unable to handle herself." I mused at Phillip and he flashed me a knowing smile.

"Be flattered. You can't find such a handsome, thoughtful and caring friend as I am."

"Ego man. I'm afraid you won't fit at the hem of your shirt after." I chuckled.

The boys grabbed their lunch and they tried to make conversation with me while waiting for the others to pile up. Thankfully the wait wasn't awkward except for Brett throwing some subtle insults at me. He doesn't like me. I guess.

The gaily girl I know suddenly marched into the room with a moue on her face.

"What's with the face?" Brett laughed.

Mia glared at him.

"I hate school and no one can change that. Remind me why do we need to go to school? To learn music? There's YouTube. "

"Geography? I have a globe in my house." Zonia continued.

"Math? That's why we have calculators. " Luvelle said matter-of-factly.

"History? They are all dead anyway!"

"Very original." Brett sneered.

Their depth of indignation was asserted toward their widow teacher who bombarded them with loads of seat works. A very inhuman thing for a teacher is what they say. I also heard them say between the line 'does she knows that the first day is also a catch-up day?!' or something. Not so sure because I wasn't fully on ears of their blabbering. My mind dozes off to something else. My detention. I guess we all have a bad first day. For the record, I never have been in detention before. Goody Girl? I'm afraid I am. Cliché? Maybe. Thinking that my record was now grungy flicked my nerves in dismay.

"Everyone," Brett started, catching the attention of the group. "Ann wants to tell us something." My jaw dropped. Brett smirked at me. Gracious, I want to punch that smug look off his face.

"Really? What is it?" Mia asked.

"What? Me? I have nothing to say." I answered so quickly. The smirk wasn't leaving Brett's face. The look on his face is taunting me-- he was now getting on my nerve. What's wrong with this guy? In the beginning, he often sends sly browbeats at me. I got the gist he doesn't like me but I don't understand why? Did I do something wrong against him? Offend him? I can't remember any.

"Got the best experience with Mrs. Black?" He said innocently but his eyes watching me warily.

My eyes widen. How does he know about it? My eyes darted at Easton who shrugged and mouthed he doesn't know.

I laughed nervously. "Well, nothing so extraordinary. I got introduction from here and there. Nothing much happened." Liar. Liar. My mind butted.

"Where's Steve? He's not having lunch with us?" I asked trying to slip the topic away from me as I don't want to disclose that I will spend a remarkable moment of my life with Ashton. I know they don't like him and so don't want them to know.

"Yes, where's Steve?" Easton backed me up and I smiled at him.

Mia knitted her brows and answered. "I don't know. I thought you were with him."

"No. He said he's going to see Ann and tour her." Phillip replied, averting his attention to me.

I shook my head." I never saw him."

"Aye. Miss me, babe?" Someone said from behind and made a nauseating kiss sound on Easton's face.

"Where have you been?" Mia reprimanded.

"Somewhere." He answered with a cheeky grin on his face.

"Uh, Steve? You've got a lipstick there." I said pointing at his jaw.

"Oh. he-he." He laughed nervously and wiped it off. The boys wolf-whistled.

"Somewhere." Mia mimicked, her arms crossed. "Where?"

"I uhh, I and Lavender made some catch-up moments somewhere. You know, having a sweet time together since we haven't seen each other for a week--"

"Right. I got it. Don't need to share with the whole gang how fantastic you spent your time with your lovely buddy." Mia asserted and stressed the word lovely as if it sounds the most disgusting adjective of all. "And really Steve?! Just a week? Why of all ladies out there why have to be HER?"

At this moment, they start bickering like the sweet siblings they are. Very normal stuff if you have siblings to annoy. Their voices were hushed yet seethed with pure emotions.

Lavender is Victoria's sister who happens to be the girl Mia despises so much. Albeit she doesn't know about the girl that much Mia detests someone related to Victoria. That's considered why she's not a big fan of her twin's lovely buddy.

Steve looked pretty fed up and close his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. "They're throwing a party this Friday and all of us are invited."

"Oh really?" She smiled, "We're not coming."

"You won't. But we will." Steve fired.

~~

I never did dream in my life to be stuck in a ponderous room with a sleeping guy next to me. I never thought I will ever stay in a detention room with a heart-pounding abnormally in my chest without any reason.

Ashton was scrunched down on his chair, his head resting on his arms. Thirty minutes had passed since I barged in and found him already in this position. I look at him closely. His disheveled hair unfairly suits him. His dark hair seems so soft, softer than mine that I wanted to smooth it like my Scooty's fur. I was just kidding though about touching his hair because I wouldn't dare to touch someone thinking that I might assault him or something.

Like my eyes have a life of its own traveled off his well-toned arms every time it reflex. He got a strong physique, I can say. I wonder what sports he's in. I never have been this close with him after the night incident.

Shut up. You were face to face with him early this morning. My mind kicks in. His phone blares in his pocket.

It rings again.

And again.

But he didn't answer.

I poke him but soon retreated. No Ann. It's not your affair to pry.

But what if it's important? An emergency? A life and death case?

Concerned by the caller, I try to poked his cheek.

No response.

I poked him again. "Hey," I whispered.

He squirmed at my touch. He looked up, showing his little red-shot eyes. He blinked repeatedly adjusting from the light. I offered him a smile which he turned with a frown.

"What?" I just stared at him. Don't know what to say.

"What the fück do you want?" he snapped.

I open my mouth then close then open then close, flopping like a fish. Say something!

"Thank you!"

He knitted his brows in confusion. "For what?"

"Huh?... Oh yes. Thank you... Thank you for..." I bit my lip. What am I thanking for? Dang. I'm so stupid. All I suppose to say is tell him his phone was ringing. Simple as that. Not to complicate things and now I look like a complete idiot in front of him. Eyes wide. Mouth ajar. Thoughts are jumbled.

"Thank you for saving my life last night."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"But- you helped me from those goons one night. I don't know what would've happened to me without you. I know it was you."

I was taken aback by how his electric blue eyes were so cold and distant. I was the one to look away, can't bear the intensity of his eyes sending me. He stood up and trudge his way out of the room. I followed him.

"Hey! Wait!"

He turned his back to me. "I don't know what the hell you're talking about so stop following me." his voice low yet bleating.

"It was you!"

"Fück off! Did the guys send you to annoy the hell out of me?! Congratulations you're doing a marvelous job. "He growled.

"Wha-- No!" I answered quickly. "Why would they? Why do you keep on snapping at me? I mean no harm. I did nothing to you. Supposedly I should be the one to be mad here for tagging me in detention."

"And stop cussing," I mumbled. I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to be rough and malign him and be rough again for I somewhat felt offended by his cursing, his accusations. Why did he have to deny helping me? Why have to refuse to admit to saving me when we both know the truth.

Or maybe he isn't.

I'm rather dejected that he wasn't the guy I thought he is. That he isn't the mysterious guy to be my hero. The bad guy I assumed to be nice enough like in typical novels who just put the great wall of China to block others, refraining to see through him. But I was wrong. Completely wrong.

I did my best to stand still. I don't want to be a cry baby in front of him the reason why my eyes focused solely on my shoes, trying my best not to let the stupid tear to fall. I won't give him the satisfaction that he gets under my skin.

He grabbed my arm and pushed me into an empty room. My heart paces a bit. What is he going to do? He walked closer to me and I stepped back every step he steps forward until I feel the cold surface behind my back. I thought it was just happening in movies but now it's happening to me. I've watched movies with multiple scenes like this yet I still don't know what to do. Movies don't help in real-life cases, I guess.

"You know what I hate about you?" he whispered into my ear. His minty breath fanned my face. He placed his hands on the wall beside my head, cornering me. His eyes dance a lot of emotions I couldn't decipher as his eyes moved from my eyes down to my lips.

Gulped.

"W-What?" I breathed nervously.

"You reminded me of her." He whispered into my ear, "And I fücking hate it."

He pushed himself away from me and slammed the door shut.