Chapter 19
"Well, well, well!" was the very first greeting from a classmate as soon as I dragged my feet closer to the gate of Emerald High. I ignored her, believing that she will only ruin my day besides I was gone for a couple of days and just got off from the hospital.
I continued past the oval ground fastly walking. Hopefully, Kerry won't catch up with my speed. But I saw her evil smirk before getting off her. Kerry must be up to something. Well, she's always up to something.
From the left side of the principal's office, I spotted some teachers talking with a student.
Trexie? The teachers are talking to her and there are couples in the middle of the space, probably her parents. But why?
I just curled my forehead and say no more. I am more eager to look for my best friend who seemed to be having trouble understanding what happened to me and Khai. Norton came to visit the hospital yesterday but left after putting the flowers on the table. Did not even talk to any of us in the room before leaving.
"Norton!" Finally, I spotted him in the classroom.
He looked up at me. I moved my eyeball from left to right, waiting for him to greet me with at least a hello or a hi?
Maybe I'll just do it for him.
So. "Hi, Norton!" I was making my teeth pop out of my mouth hoping to give him a cuter smile.
But he just look at me unblinking. He is so weird. Normally I sat next to him. I stared but still did not talk. Snap my finger in front of his face. Then he looked away.
"Okay, so I am here to explain," I started talking but before I could continue he cut me.
"You should see Trexie before she's gone," Norton finally talked.
"Huh! Gone? Gone for what!" I stood and spotted from the window. Three people were walking away, just near the gate.
Put my backpack in my seat and ran fast outside. I ran to Khai walking upstairs and even bumped into his hand swinging. "Hey! Sam!" But I did not mind him and continued running to see Trexie.
Close to the gate, I called. "Trexie!!" Just enough loudness for the three of them to hear me.
I slowed and sped up with my breath out of my body. "Sam?" I hear her. "Sam you came back." Trexie was smiling for me. She was smiling got me smiling too. It is rare to see her on top of clouds.
"Where are you going, the class is soon to start?" I asked out of confusion.
Then she frowned. It was not something else of many emotions but pure sadness, she looked at me.
"I'm quitting this school."
I curled my forehead and my eyebrows met. Still confused. "Why? What happened?"
Trexie took one step closer and tucked me in her shoulders. This is the very first time we hugged each other and she was able to talk to me properly. "Thank you. You were one of the best people I ever had to this day," I hear her say.
Then there was a sob next to it. I detached from her. "Hey," I wiped her tears. "Don't cry." I comfort.
"You're right," she agreed. "I should not. Don't worry, I learned how to become stronger and will never let myself be bullied again when I get to another school." Trexie lets a big breath out. "We will meet again if the time provides," she smiled, and away she goes.
So that's it? "Hey! What exactly happened," I shouted while she walks away backward.
Leaving me confused Texie shouted. "I don't wanna talk about it!"
Then I know she's going away. And I won't be able to see her tomorrow and the next day after that. I never know, but there is one thing that has been carved in my heart.
Trexie was once this soft-hearted emotional and weak person but look at her right now, she's been able to talk to me strongly differently. I think she, 's not the Trexie I used to know but I will never forget her that's one thing to remember.
The car had already gone and I was left standing. "What happened!" I blurted to myself laughing.
Then someone tapped my back. "The class has already started," Khai said as I turned my head.
"She's not coming back."
"I heard from Paul, something happened last Monday," Khai explained.
"Why what happened?"
Both of us approached a stone nearby and sat. We were less than half a meter away but I did not mind. Normally I would prefer to not be near him but just for now, I'll let myself with him. He is not gonna bite me. And no one will see, the class started half hour ago.
"Well, we haven't seen it but Trexie did it," Khai proudly said. "I'm happy for her to wake the lion sleeping inside that shell."
"Did you see Clarisse?" I raised a question. At least to satisfy my mind to if Trexie had done it.
"No," Khai burst a laugh. "But I saw the video."
"Do you have it?"
And Khai digs from his pocket to reach out for his phone. "Look for yourself."
And there it is. A strong proof that Trexie fought this time. It happened last P.E. day or should I say Monday. I can see on the screen how Clarisse threw the ball at her. And goes how Trexie threw the ball back with a strong enough for Clarisse to fall on the ground.
Clarisse was a tough girl, she got up and the fight between them was on.
Well, that's it. The video got leaked and the whole school knows the truth about who started first. And it was history to all of us that Trexie fought for herself.
"I could not believe she listened," I whispered before tapping the button.
"What?" Khai heard me.
"Nothing, it was my fault she's never coming back."
"Why is that?" Khai asked.
"It was me who told her to fight them back and see what happens," I explained. "And she listened. And now she's gone," a tear fell wetting a spot in my white pants.
And Khai would reach for my cheeks. "It's not your fault Sam. It was her choice to do what's right."
I cleared my head.
And I agree. Maybe it was time for Trexie to start a new school life in other places. Of all the things that happened to her here, it sure was not easy to begin again.
"So will we keep talking here and not attend class anymore?" I asked.
Khai laughed. "Let's not disturb the class."
"What?"
"Let's have some fun today," he suggested.
"Have some fun. You're crazy! Mom will get mad if shell knows it." I refused.
"She's not gonna know."
"She's gonna know. You don't know my mom. She is better than the FBI in finding the truth."
Khai laughed. "She's gonna know but she's not gonna be mad," Khai still insists.
"What? Skipping school is one of her no-no rules. She's gonna be so mad about it," I explained. Looks like Khai is not good at this.
"Trust me," he stood and popped his palm for me to follow him stand. I looked up at him before landing my five fingers on his.
"I have troubles trusting you," I said still in refusal.
"Okay, let me put it this way," he lets a loud sigh. "If your mom's mad at the end of this day, which is not happening," he even neared his face to mine. "You can beat me to death."
I laughed. "Is this some kind of a joke or what?"
"I'm serious, you can do anything."
"Anything?" I confirmed. "Then maybe we should stop talking to each other if that happens."
Khai looked at me. Glaring at me. Or just that he couldn't believe I said that.
"Do you hate me that much, Sam?" He asked.
"No," I answered. "I do not hate you at all. To the fact that you saved me. I was thankful enough for that but come on. Trexie is gone which means I'll be off with the chick girls this time but if I'll stick to you. You know what's gonna happen."
"Come on Sam," Khai denied it.
But I continued to explain. "I really want to graduate peacefully and I can only do that if we stay away from each other," I said.
"That is not always the case Sam," Khai denies.
I looked at him. Why does he always turn the table? I listened, maybe I am getting this wrong.
"What?"
He smirked. Oh, how I love when he does that. "Nothing. Since your making this harder for me then let's bet for real." Huh? Does he think I'm joking? "If I win, be my girlfriend."
"I'm serious, Khai."
"And I am more serious," he said. I looked at him again and he stared at me. He is not bluffing, he is serious.
"Do you like me that much?"
I couldn't stand it. It's getting serious between us.
"Don't mind it. Let's just have some fun today."
Khai grabbed my hand. For the second time, I felt it again. The soft and comforting touch he is giving me. Just let myself feel it and gave in.