I can already feel the strain in my eyes and the numbness in my hands from writing this confession. Do you really still want me to keep going? Of course you'll say yes. That's just how we are, way too curious about other people's messes.
Can we just keep my past a secret? I don't really want to talk about it. Besides, it's my life, and let's be honest, you guys are just here for the gossip. If I didn't love you all so much, I'd shut this down right now. But knowing you, you'd probably keep me up all night until I cracked. Seriously, I even outdid those caught by Jigsaw. Well fine, here it is. I will confess now.
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I kept trying to give the notebook back, but she absolutely refused to take it. She said it was a gift. Talk about giving a present. She straight up threw it at me. I finally just accepted it, and it even came with a pen. She said it was from Jerusalem, when a group of social workers, including her mom, toured the Holy Land. I'm not totally sure, but maybe that's why it's so unique.
The days went by, and I still never got tired of teasing her. I was happy and excited every time I walked into our Math 1 class. I even enrolled in BS Psychology because that was Misaki's course, so I was basically copying my crush whenever I could. Then one day, Misaki didn't show up to our Math 1 class. I had no idea why. I kept texting and calling her, but she never answered. I'd gotten her number a while back when I briefly borrowed her phone without asking. But don't worry, I gave it right back.
Well, Misaki was actually upset with me. She asked why I was going around telling people she was my girlfriend when she wasn't. I started to get nervous. Maybe that's the real reason she's been avoiding me. My bad. I admit, it was my fault. No matter what I do, sometimes I just can't control this habit of stirring things up. It feels like it's part of my DNA now. It's stuck on me for good. If I can't even stop myself, how could anyone else?
Later that afternoon, around 6:40 after my last NSTP class, I was walking down the hallway alone. My life feels so empty right now. I don't know what to do. This is the second day Misaki hasn't shown up to our Math class. What could have happened to her? I'm really worried. I'm totally down without seeing her around. I guess this just proves that she's already part of my life.
My last NSTP class is on the second floor, so I was heading down the stairs when it happened.
"Looking for someone?" I turned around at the sound of a girl's voice behind me and immediately frowned when I saw Sarah walking toward me. What's her deal now? She's a Grade 12 student and Bryan's younger sister. A lot of people on campus know her, and her looks are really popular, especially with the guys.
Back when she was in Grade 9 and her brother and I were in Grade 10, she told me she liked me. I can honestly say she wasn't exactly the conservative type when it came to that stuff. The kind of girl who clearly knew what she was doing. Of course, I turned her down. Even though I'm crazy, a bit of a jerk, kind of full of myself, and always thinking how handsome I am, but what I feel for Misaki is real, and won't change even if you say there's no such thing as forever. I didn't look away until she stopped right in front of me. How did she know I was looking for someone?
"Have you seen Misaki?" I never actually planned to ask her, because I knew she wouldn't care anyway. But then she started with those flirty moves again, and I just panicked inside. I couldn't think of any other way out of it. Besides, it was a way to make it clear to her that Misaki is the only one I want, even though I've told her that a dozen times already.
"That bitch!" she said with an eye roll. Even though she said it under her breath, I still heard it.
"Why are you looking for someone who isn't here, when I'm right here?" she said with a hint of a flirty tone.
I backed away as she slowly moved closer, until I was leaning against the wall. Her left hand reached from my neck down to my chest, but I immediately pushed it away and shoved her back so I could break free.
"Sorry, but I'm not interested." I smirked when I saw her face twist in annoyance. But then I was completely caught off guard when she suddenly grabbed my collar with one hand and shoved me back against the wall. This girl really seemed used to pulling moves like this. Well, maybe it's second nature to her by now.
I was too stunned to say anything. Then, she tried to kiss me, but we both froze when we suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Hey!" A voice I'd missed so much, even if it had only been two days since I'd heard it.
"Misaki?" My shock turned into nerves. Seriously, why did she have to find me in a scene like this? This is messed up! Who knows what she was thinking. But honestly, it's good that she came, rather than me being taken advantage of by this vicious woman.
I breathed a sigh of relief when Sarah finally let go of me.
"Oh, it's you. Why'd you just pop up like that? You're interrupting us," Sarah said to Misaki with a teasing smile, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. Misaki's already narrow eyes sharpened even more. She didn't move from her spot at first, but then she started walking toward Sarah, her eyes blazing.
What she did next completely caught me off guard. She slapped Sarah hard and immediately grabbed a fistful of her hair. I couldn't believe someone as usually reserved as Misaki could do something like this. She had a warrior's kind of courage.
"Ouch! My hair! Let me go!" Even as Sarah struggled, Misaki kept pulling her hair, calmly walking and dragging Sarah along. Sarah had no choice but to bend over and follow every move of Misaki's left hand, which had a death grip on her hair, nearly forcing Sarah to her knees.
"Stop it!" Sarah cried out, her voice strained with pain and on the verge of tears. I stepped toward them to break it up. I tried to pull Sarah away and help her up, but she just winced in pain, Misaki still hadn't let go.
"Misaki, that's enough!" I said, which finally made her stop. She released Sarah's hair. I was really glad she listened to me. I helped Sarah stand up from the floor, her hair completely messed up. Besides, I only helped her 'cause I knew this was gonna get back to her brother Bryan. Once she was back on her feet, she shot Misaki a nasty glare.
"How dare you!" Sarah screamed, furious. Honestly, it's a good thing no one passed by at this hour, most classes were over for the day. If anyone had seen us, they'd probably think I was some player who had two girls fighting over me. Sarah tried to rush at Misaki to get even, but thankfully I blocked her in time, stopping her right in front of me.
Meanwhile, I was reaching behind me, trying to find Misaki's arm as she stood silently. I could see the girl in front of me, this senior high school student, starting to tremble, on the brink of tears.
"You'll regret this!" After saying that, she turned her back on us and ran off, sobbing loudly like a kid. I just watched as Sarah ran farther away.
Afterward, Misaki pulled her arm free from my grip, turned around abruptly, and started walking away fast.
"Misaki! Wait!" I called out, chasing after her. She totally misunderstood what happened earlier. I really wanted to explain, but she wasn't giving me a chance.
We ended up at the car park. I saw Serenity and Theo still outside the car. When Misaki reached them, she didn't say a word, just got inside. Seren followed after saying goodbye to Theo.
On the drive home, The told me that Misaki had actually left the car park earlier to look for me before heading home, because The had asked if she'd seen me. So Misaki decided to go find me. Of all the luck, she had to find me with Sarah. But even now, I still wonder why Misaki disappeared for two days. Where had she even been?