Class was finally over and Shane had assigned homework. Angel noted it in her planner; she noticed she had no class meetings so she could go straight home.
Angel sat in her seat as she packed up her books and sighed. She was a little afraid to walk home. Bobby seemed so angry and she didn't know if she had the nerve to stand up to him. She loved him and it scared her how easily she became submissive with him. She felt weak and stupid for not being stronger but love always makes the knees go weak.
"Angel" Gerand said breaking her from her thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"Me and Andrian are going to karate practice"
"And?" Angel replied sarcastically.
"And, we don't want you walking home alone, so why don't you come to practice with us"
"As tempting as that sounds I have to go home, I want my homework to be done before dinner."
"Just do your homework while you wait for us."Gerand said annoyed by her stubbornness.
"If I didn't it in the library, technically I would be alone, so there is no point."
"No I meant that you would sit in the gym"
"Yeah…..no!" Angel exclaimed. "Um what about Mush"
"No way, I know you girls think you're invincible but that's not the case."
"Okay what about Kent"
"He went home early; he started feeling sick after lunch." Gerand answered. Angel sighed to herself as she ran out of ideas.
"I'll walk her home" zhul said joining the conversation. Angel smiled relieved. She knew Gerand was worried and so was she but she refused to stay in the hot gym while Gerand and Andrian practiced.
"Problem solved"Angel said smiling. Gerand raised his eyebrow then decided that Zhul could be trusted. He did save Angel from Bobby earlier.
"Okay, I guess I'll see you later angel" Gerand said smiling at her and making his way out the classroom.
Angel and Zhul gathered their stuff and she followed him out the classroom.
"Thanks zhul" angel mumbled embarrassed. zhul chuckled at her and smiled.
On the walk to angel's home zhul and angel were very cautious. They searched from the corner of their eyes if anyone could possibly be spying since demmy was in practice.
"Do you work today"Angel said to ease her tension
"Yeah"
"How do you like it" she said desperately trying to start a conversation all about him, she didn't want to discuss Bobby.
"Its not bad, Ricky is always making bad jokes, Shane is always eating, Hannah is pretty quiet and does a lot of heavy lifting."
"Seems fun"
"I guess, have you met their kids?"
"Jacod and Kara ?"
"Yeah, the girl is nice, but the boy is a little bastard always making jokes about my hair" zhul said.
"Well it isn't exactly the most normal hair color" angel commented.
"Shut up midget" he mumbled. Angel elbowed him in the stomach. He fell to his knees holding his stomach and Angel kept walking as if nothing happen. He smiled at her retreating form.
He didn't know what it was about Angel but she was different than most girls, she was strong and confident but she could be shy and vulnerable at times. No matter what zhul could tell she was comfortable with who she was. zhul realized he may have had a little crush on her, she was beautiful after all.
"Thank you for helping me this morning?" Angel said to zhul surprising him.
"Stop thanking me, I had no problem punching that loser in the face" zhul said smiling widely.
Angel giggled. "I guess I can't avoid him forever" She said as her smile disappeared.
"What do you mean?" zhul asked
"I'll probably call him tonight and talk it out"
"I hope you mean you will break up with him"
"Only if I have to"
"What?! He practically manhandled you in school, you should dump his sorry ass" zhul yelled.
"Dammit zhul, I told you to stay out of this"
"Well considering I almost fought him for you, I say I'm in it."
"I didn't ask for your help" Angel snapped back. "I am grateful but Bobby is my boyfriend, this is my relationship, so butt out"
zhul just looked at her wide eyed and a little hurt. He didn't know where this urge to protect her came from but it was there and he was upset that she wouldn't accept his advice or help. Angel turned away from him but realized her home was right down the street.
"I should go, thanks for walking me home" angel said to him. zhul nodded and headed home. Angel looked back at zhul who was walking away. She sighed to herself. She knew zhul's heart was in the right place but it was the wrong time.
zhul arrived home fifteen minutes later.
"ZHUL!" victor yelled as her ran to zhul. zhul extended his leg out and kicked his father in the face.
"I'm not in the mood Dad" zhul said walking into his home.
"Hi zhul" kimberly said happily with a bowl of ice cream in her hand. zhul smiled warmly at his sister.
"The carrot top is back" lorry snickered to herself when she saw her sister's delight.
zhul smirked. "How's the ankle, cripple" lorry smacked his hand away. "Fine" she huffed.
"Hello zhul" Marisa said entering the living room.
"Hey mom"
"Your home kind of late, you don't have a lot of time to get ready for work"
"Yeah sorry, I walked my friend angel home and-"
"Angel?" Kimberly said excited "How is she?"
"She?" Marisa and Victor said in unison. "MY SON HAS FOUND HIM A NEW LOVE?'
"NO!" zhul yelled.
"Don't be embarrassed zhul" His mother said teasing him. zhul rolled his eyes and made his way to the stairs.
Back at school…
"Can't wait for our tournament this Saturday" Andrian said proudly.
"Me too, we can show the freshman and other new members how martial arts is done" Gerand added.
carl and gerand were stretching in the school gym (well on of them). Practice was going to begin soon.
"Where's angel, I thought she was waiting for us" andrian asked, as he took a quick glance around.
"She went home" Gerand said. Andrian shot him a glare. "You let her go home!" Andrian yelled. He grabbed Gerand collar and looked at him with anger. "She got attacked by her boyfriend today, he has people watching her, how could you let her go home by herself, she was supposed to stay here until we finished practice, what the hell is wrong with you?' Andrian ranted.
"Don't worry, she didn't go by herself" Gerand answered calmly grabbing Andrian's wrist. Andrian looked at him confused. "Did Kent walk Angel home?"
"No, zhul did" a deep feminine voice answered before Gerand could. Both men turned to see Rhesalyn.
"Zhul?" Andrian said
"Yeah, he offered to take her" Gerand explained. "I mean he did protect her this morning"
"Well as long as she is safe" Andrian said slightly worried. Rhesalyn noticed this. "zhul is a good kid, he will protect angel" She said walking away.
"You are still in love with angel aren't you?" Gerand said quietly to Andrian. His face automatically turned red after Gerand's comment. Gerand laughed at him "I knew it"
"Shut up" andrian mumbled.
"OKAY GUYS LETS GET PRATICE STARTED" Mr.Roxas yelled. Rhesalyn walked back over to the Andrian and Gerand. "Which one of you wanna be my sparring partner"
"Uh sorry but we need to be serious I don't have time to hold back" Gerand commented.
"Excuse me?"
"Well we have a tournament coming up and-" Andrian started.
"And what?" Rhesalyn asked impatiently
"We need to be fighting at high levels, we can't hold back so we can fight on your level" Gerand finished
"Oh really?' Rhesalyn said before giving Gerand and Andrian two swift kicks that both men didn't see coming.
"Now stop acting like a bunch of bitches and fight me" She growled. Both men regained their composure and took their stance ready to fight. Rhesalyn smirked and got in her stance.
"That's what I'm talking about" Rhesalyn said before running and getting ready to attack.
Elsewhere…
"Yes Mr.Rusty " Demmy said as he walked the streets of Cagayan on his cell phone.
"Will do sir" He said before hanging up. He began searching his phone for text messages. He had other people spying on Angel while he was busy. He kept walking until he was taken aback by someone bumping into him, He simply stumbled back from the impact but the other person fell on the floor. Demmy noticed a young girl, with brown hair.
"I'm sorry" She said apologizing to him.
"Its okay" He said simply. He looked around and noticed some cans on the floor and a couple of groceries bags. "Is that stuff yours?"
She looked around and noticed her stuff n the floor. "Yes, it is" She quickly started to pick up the cans. Demmy decided to help. He picked up one of the cans and the girl looked at him. She noticed his beautiful emerald eyes. She then recognized him "Demmy Rivas." She said.
"How do you know my name?"
"I'm sorry, I am Darlene Resalute, I transferred to your school from cagayan high"
"I think I might have seen you, you sit with zhul alexis at lunch time"
"Um yes I do, he is one of my friends" demmy said. He simply nodded and proceeded to help her pick up her groceries.
"Thank you so much" She said bowing.
"Its fine," He said. "Let's get you home"
"What?" Darlene said taken back by his suggestion.
"As a gentleman I will walk you home" He said. "And I don't except no as answer" he said sternly. Darlene nodded then began walking. They walked together in silence. Darlene glanced at him a few times. She noticed he was extremely handsome. But she was more enticed with his eyes.
"Are your eyes real?" She asked. Demmy raised his eyebrow at this question. Darlene realized how weird her question was. "I mean, is that your natural eye color?"
"It is" He said flatly.
"They are beautiful" She thought, not realizing she said it out loud.
"Thank you" He said smiling at her. He looked over at her grocery bags. "Making dinner tonight?"
"Yes," She exclaimed, "My brother just got a promotion at work and I wanna make him a great dinner"
"What are you making?"
"Chicken stuffed with wasabi, red bean paste and this American stuff called 'bleu cheese" Darlene said happily. Demmy raised his eyebrow again at her.
"Sounds…heart stopping" He said. She didn't hear the sarcasm in his voice so she took it as a compliment. "Thanks." They finally arrived at Darlene's home. "Thank you Demmy" She said bowing.
"No problem Darlene." He took her hand and kissed it. Darlene's whole face went red. "See you at school" he said letting of her hand and walking away. Darlene stood there shocked and a bit flustered.
Later that day…
Angel walked down her stairs smelling the delicious dinner Mhadz prepared. She walked into her dining room and saw her idiot of a best friend, Gerand, setting the table.
"When did you get here?' Gerand asked slightly annoyed that he was such a free loader.
"A couple of minutes ago" he replied as he put the silverware by each plate.
"I asked him to help me set the plates" Mhadz said as she entered the dining room with a large dish. Angel quickly took the dish from her. "I'll get it" Mhadz smiled. "Are you hungry?"
"Well yeah, that's why I am down here" Angel said
"Don't act like you didn't eat when you came home, is aw you sneak up two bags of chips, a pint of ice cream and a box of strawberries."
"So what, its brain food, and now that my brain is full, my stomach need attention." Angel said drooling as she smelled the food.
Gerand laughed at his best friend as Mhadz brought in the rest of the food.
"Lets eat" Gerand said happily. Angel greedily ran to her seat.
"Um we are waiting for someone" Mhadz said smacking Angel's hand from grabbing her spoon.
"Who?" She asked annoyed.
"Me" a cold voice said joining them in the dining room. Angel and Gerand automatically stood up and bowed. "Good Evening Mr.Perez." "Hello Franz"
Franz smirked then walked over to Mhadz who was giggling. He smiled then kissed his wife. "Hello there" Mhadz said. "Now we can eat" Angel and Gerand cheered and sat down. After the prayers were said and the food was served Franz began his usual dinner conversation.
"How is school" Franz asked Angel
"Its fine," Angel said, she hated his questions because he would usually asked the most annoying question like…
"How is your 'boyfriend'" Franz hated Bobby.
"He is fine too" Angel said slightly annoyed. Gerand coughed purposely. Angel gave him an evil glare.
"I don't see why you are with that barbarian" Franz continued. "He is not deserving of you"
"Didn't your family say the same thing about Mhadz " Angel shot back.
"Angel!" Mhadzyelled.
"Its fine Mhadz, she is right they did say that but none of them had met Mhadz when they made that judgment, I have met Bobby and have concluded he is a barbarian." He said coldly.
"Just because you guys had a disagreement doesn't mean he is a bad person."
"Why don't you let Franz hook you up with one of his colleagues' teenage sons" She suggested.
"Uh no thanks"
"Or Andrian, he was such a nice boy" Mhadz continued.
"We are just friends!"
"To you maybe" Andrian mumbled.
"What was that?" Angel asked not hearing him. Gerand simply shook his head pretending he didn't say anything. Angel glared at him when she noticed bruise on his cheek.
"What happen to your face?" Angel asked.
"Nothing just something I got in practice"
"Andrian must have got you good" Angel joked.
"No, it was Rhes-" Gerand stopped himself but Angel enough.
"Rhesalyn? HAHA" Angel laughed.
"It was an accident" He lied. Angel saw right through it.
"Whatever"
"What about Zhul?" Mhadz asked. Mhadz was determined to bring back to conversation. Angel stopped and looked at her. The mention of Zhul wanted to bring a smile to her face but she shook her head. "He is a friend" Angel said not exactly sure if that was the truth, she yelled at him last time they talked. She felt bad, because Zhul was so nice to her, and she treated him like he was shit.
"I like zhul, he is really handsome" mhadz added. franz raised his eyebrow at her. Mhadz laughed. "Don't worry franz, I only have eyes for you." Franz smirked at her. Angel huffed and returned to her food.
Alexis Clinic…
"Diner was great mom" zhul said.
"Thank you sweetie, after working you should come home to a good meal" Marisa said taking his plate. "Kimberly its your turn to help me with dishes." Kimberly happily picked up the other dishes and ran to help her mother. zhul got up and headed toward his room. Not before kicking his dad who tried to sneak up on him from behind. "GOOD ONE SON!" he yelled. zhul cursed under his breath and went to his room.
He decided to start his homework. He sat at his desk and searched his book. He opened one of his drawers. He was shocked to find an old picture of him with a girl. He picked it up and painful memories shot through him. "Dammit Anica"
Angel was ready to go to bed. She had on her Teddy Bear pajamas and fuzzy socks. She looked through her bag for her iPod to listen to, but she found some pictures. It was from when she went to Teddy Bear World with Zhul and Kimberly. An employee offered to take five pictures. One was Kimberly and Angel together. Second was of them making funny faces. Third one, they convinced zhul to join them, he was frowning. Fourth one was zhul and kimberly. She was one his back. He was smiling a bit. The last one Angel couldn't help but smile at. It was her and Zhul, side by side. kimberly snuck out the picture just in time for it. She hung all of them up, but eyes kept lingering to that last photo.
"Stupid strawberry" She smiled. She sighed and picked up her phone.
zhul looked at his phone as he did his math homework. Angel's is calling me. He thought as he looked at his caller ID.
"Hello?"
"I'm sorry, for being a bitch to you today" angel said. zhul was a bit surprised but was happy.
"Its fine"
"Its not, you have been pretty nice to me so far, so I might as well be nice back, but promise me you wont mention bobby anymore"
"Look, angel I can't promi-"
"Please zhul! I know he isn't the best boyfriend, but you aren't the only one who hates him, my friends and family hate him too, but its my life, so I need to decide on my own if I want to stay or leave"
zhul sighed and agreed. "Just be careful"
"Thanks I will. See you tomorrow bright and early" angel said
"Yeah night midget" angel laughed. "Night strawberry"