"Philanthropist's son my ass," he grumbles. "Sean Martin has some sense atleast. He cancelled his card when he came to know of this and asked him to reflect on his mistakes."
"So that's it then... She'll marry him."
"If only she's prepared for it... Or..." Damien sneers. "Serves him right."
So after that big fight...he decided to take the blame when the teachers asked about it. For the sake of his sister... According to Chris, Damien literally admitted that it's personal and that he behaved rashly. Still, the profs are too ignorant to let go of such nonsense. Guess as long as Damien Frost and his team brings fame to this university, it doesn't concern them. I kinda feel bad for him and it's weird too.
Chris's caller id pops up. "Ah why's he calling now?"
"Receive it," he gestures at my phone.
"Why should I? He's been ignoring me for the past four days."
"Up to you then," he says fixing his serene gaze back to the sea.
"Are you aware what you just did, Damien?" In the past I never called him by only his first name. But lately I do. But he never calls me only Saint. I wonder why?
He blinks in clear perplexion. "You tell me."
"You've said something you haven't told anyone yet."
My statement catches his off guard for a second before he recovers from it. "Don't be too giddy about it. I only told ya because I know a stone statue cannot possibly go talk to others about it. All you do is focus—on things that are deadly boring while looking like the perfect cold porcelain doll."
I try to calm the brewing storm inside me while keeping a straight face.
"Your cold stare holds the capacity of the gorgon sisters. I bet none would wanna ask anything 'bout me from you because... They can simply come to," he flips his hair in a flashy way, "this cool looking guy." The small waves touch his feet as the setting sun's last glory reflects on his face.
"You self-obsessed jerk..! I'm leaving."
"Hoi! I was just kidding," he runs after me. "But you can't deny I'm the most perfect jerk for you."
"Yeah... A jerk nevertheless."
••••
"Honey it's 10.30a.m!" Mom's yell from outside echoes throughout my room again. "Get up! Wake up already."
As my phone vibrates for the 8th time I shoot up straight. "Shit! I snoozed my alarm again!"
Mom knocks the door again and this time I open it. "From the look on your face I can tell you don't plan to go to school today either, bed-head."
"Mom, you know I came late last night... And I still feel tired."
She pushes some of tangled locks from my forehead. "Then stay in, I guess."
"That means you'll make my fav dish today."
She breaks into a laugh. "When did I say that?"
I embrace her like a demanding kid. "You will, in the next five minutes."
"You're still the same Sein, haha... Fine. As you wish."
••••
I hone my voice the whole day stressing my throat in the process. Oh I told mom that I met Damien's group in the beach when I came home last night around 10. Because of him I was late practically. And she didn't even complain about anything.
s
Mom brings me orange juice. "Thanks mom."
She stretches her mouth in a grimace as her lower eyelids tense up. "You should stop now Sein. Any more than this and you'll strain your voice."
"But it should be perfect mom" I state. Everyone knows Damien is the guitar demon with a baritone voice. I don't want to be any less than him...to be lost under the shade of his glory."
"And it is. Trust me. Drink up now. Dinner will be served in 15 mins."
What? Already? How long have I been in my room?
I come back to my room again after dinner. I pull out the diary to write my thoughts again. —Her forehead appears more veiny and pale. While serving her hands seemed to shake a little. Right now I want to sleep but it won't be easier.
"Saint we need to talk." A text notification pops up. From Chris. I switch off the phone and do what I mostly do when I face trouble sleeping—thinking.
The first alarm wakes me up from the light sleep. When I see the time the fatigue overwhelms me. Only 6 of the morning. Suddenly I remember I did something very stupid around 3 a.m. when I was half asleep, dozing. I sent that voice clip of me singing his assignment song 'You're an accident' to Damien asking whether or not I was singing it perfectly.
Let's see if he's seen it. I check the message. Yeah, he's seen it but haven't replied yet. Typical.
I help mom in the kitchen to make breakfast at 7.30. She was surprised seeing me.
"Honey, Chris is calling," she yells from the kitchen.
"I know," I say setting up the table.
"Why won't you pick then?"
"I don't want to talk now... My throat's kinda sore. I'll call him later." What does he needs to talk about? That Henrietta thing still makes me quiver. I call Damien but his line comes busy. What's he busy with first thing in the morning?
When I pass through the school gate I find Chris waiting inside at the front door. He won't leave me will he?
"Saint," he calls out. "I know why you're upset with me. But I should be the one to mad at you."
I cock my eyebrows. "What're you saying?"
He takes the bag from me then starts pulling me towards the new building. Out of the corner of my eyes I manage to catch a glimpse of Damien entering and Kate who possibly came with him now waves him goodbye.
"Didn't you eat anything after you woke up?"
His question annoys me. "Sure have you idiot."
"Then why are you biting your lips?"
"What do you want to talk about? Aside from your problems in love life?"
He makes a sullen face. Chris has always been good with drums but what he needs is a good supportive team which he had but the parents of the lead dude in his team recently passed away which affected their team. Chris's become ignorant too. That's one of the reasons why he's been desperate to get a girlfriend to keep his mind off of things.
"Chris why are you silent?"
He brings me to a corner only then I notice who's waiting there; Henrietta. She gives me a guilty look as Chris nods at her. "Tell him already." His face hardens.
She hesitates.
"Tell him that you like him and that you only pretended to get close to me so you could get closer to Saint," Chris orders.
"Even this time someone I like has fallen for you Saint! You're so cruel and ignorant," he asserts.
"That makes no sense, Chris. I never even wanted to give her my number," I argue.
The 3rd party Henrietta's futile dreamy pleading face doesn't stir me a bit.
"I love you Saint!" She says.
Love? Is that what she calls it? They all say so. "I love me too I guess. Thanks."
As I was walking away Chris jumped in front of me. I fetch my bag from him so I could leave.
"How can you be so insensitive?! You stoic bastard!"
He's never been mad at me—we've been best friends for a long time. Why must a girl ruin everything? I push him out of my way. "She's yours Chris Issac to deal with. I have already wasted..." I check my watch. "Nine minutes. See you later."
On my way out I hear an agitated huff. I won't tell you what she did... Chris.
In class I avoid Damien when he tries to grab my attention or give a sign to talk to me. It's quite embarassing that I sent him a voice clip at 3 of dawn.
Finally comes the moment of assignment submission. I feel the edgy corners of Damien's wide almond eyes at the back of my neck. Just after this team, it'll be our turn. Mika saving himself from Prof. Adrian's scrutinizing eyes throws a paper ball at me. "Boss wants to talk to you."
Did something happen? The handwriting is indeed Mika's. I open my exercise book to scan the lyrics again. I have to do this. I nod at Mika signing him that I'm prepared. My eyes accidentally meet Damien's and I see him masking his harrowed expression. After this assignment drama is over, we will go back to how it was. We owe nothing to each other.
As Prof. calls for us, Damien with his guitar comes forward. I do the same.
"Saint and Damien hm... Alright very few students have picked composition for their assignments. Class B has two groups and this one has three. Can't believe it," says professor shaking his head in disappointment. He then raises his eyebrows at Chris. "I assumed you were serious about this."
Chris lowers his head. "Our group's facing some difficulties professor."
"Well, you're always welcome to discuss it with us. But it's pathetic to imagine that M.H. academy's only hope this year remains Damien's band," he sighs. "Every year our students give their all and still... Only once I wish our academy attains victory."
After his grumble he allows us to continue with our assignment. "I still haven't mastered it perfectly so I may need to have the copy while..."
He shrugs. "Do whatever."
As Damien's fingers strum the chord of his guitar I take a deep breath ready to sing. Here it goes...
At the second line my voice betrays me. My throat feels so rough and strained. I cough then try again but a very husky lowercase comes out.
I'm doomed.
Yeah.
I should've listened to mom.
"I see a problem has occurred," Prof. Adrian clicks his tongue. Some guys in the the back who were always jealous of me because of those girls' attention, sneers.
I don't want to be here. I've messed up.
Damien's waried eyes silently assures me but I stand up. "Excuse me professor."
I head straight to the library without looking back. It's rather isolated today here. Only three other people. I take my usual seat beside the window. Nearly a month's preparation and this is what I bring forth... Remembering those guy's mocking face, a coil of wrath and pessimism twists around my mind. The book which I grabbed from the nearby shelf a moment ago, I slam it back in its place and look out of the window—at the faraway clouds. My hands clutch to my sides tightly as I regret coming today.
Several minutes pass by. When I look at the old library clock I realise class's been over for more than 10 minutes now. A shadow looms behind the brown curtain at the library door. I notice only I have remained here. Who's there?
As I get up from my seat the figure emerges with a rabbit like nose and monkey genes in his body. Yes it's Damien.
"Hello there partner. Are you done sulking yet?"
"Who's whose partner?" I turn my head away. "It's over," I assert pressing my teeth hardly. "I won't have to stick to you anymore. What a relief!"
He pounds his open palm loudly on the desk. "Look at my eyes partner and say that right on my face. Say that you hated us working whatever little time we had together."
I spring up with equal force and almost knock over the stool. Then suddenly I bring my stoic face back realising I hate being with my naked emotions.
He leans in, close, dangerously close to my face and I feel a twitch in my left eye. I close my eyes feeling a subtle ache throbbing in my head again.
"Be my permanent partner, Saint Angel."