"Van, I'm so happy for you! And I'm very excited! Make me as your make-up artist, okay? I'm dreaming about it ever since I was young!" Rocelia exclaimed, and she's been like this since earlier.
I gave her a flat look, obviously not happy about the latest announcement. She stopped celebrating and she ended up pouting after she saw my unhappy face. She grabbed her armchair in front of me to face me properly. It's our vacant time right now and my classmates are free to do whatever they wanna do and the result is this, our classroom is like recently devastated by the sudden storm.
"You're not happy about it, are you?" Rocelia asked sadly.
"Yes, I'm not." I answered frankly. Her lips protruded even more.
"Well, I understand where you're coming from. I think it's fine if you decline the duty. Maybe we can talk to Mrs. Rossetti and change her mind. Let's tell her you don't want to be the muse of our section and just replace you with our other classmate. I think Harriete will nail it! What do you think?" She suggested.
My forehead remained in crease while she's waiting for my response. She mean, Harriete? The quiet and prim girl at the back row? But Harriete is a shy type! I don't think she's going to win our section. Just stating my opinion.
I tilted my head."I don't think she can do it." As I said that, I looked at the back to see Harriete.
As usual, she's just there on her seat, sitting firm and reading some help books. I heard Rocelia groaned.
"No, no. Don't you underestimate the capability of an introvert. That's bad, Van." I put back my gaze at her, she's shaking her head, giving me a warning look.
I let out a deep breathe."But I'm a bad girl. Have you forgotten about it?" I narrowed my brow.
She frowned.
"I'm still not convinced! I know deep inside, you still have a good heart. I know you're just hard outside but you're a soft-hearted person inside." She wiggled her eyebrows.
That made me stared at her."How can you be so sure?" I narrowed my eyes.
Her face crumpled."Van, trust me. I'm so much sure. You're just considering yourself as a bad girl because people sees you being one. But for me, I'm seeing the other side of you, not just your appearance and how you treat all the people around you. I know there's still some kindness within you." My shoulders jumped up when she held my hands.
I looked at the other direction and removed my hands from hers.
I cleared my throat."You don't know what you're saying. Just drop this topic out. I have already made a decision."
"Oh. What have you decided?" She asked excitedly.
I took a deep breath first. In the end, I know I might fall in two outcome if I let go the role. It's either I'll regret it at the end or I'll be gone happy because I have experienced new things in life. Aside from that, I think I can give it a try 'coz it's somehow a once in a lifetime kind of experience.
"I won't back out anymore. I'll participate to the Ms. intramurals and I'm gonna represent our section." I told her.
Really, Vanez? What's with the change of tea?
I'm just hoping I won't regret this decision of mine at the very end. Rocelia's eyes widened in surprise that she even stood up from her seat and raised her fist in the air.
"Yay! Vanez won't back out anymore! She's going to represent our section!" She repeated, more loud, more energetic.
Our classmates heard it. I ended up massaging my temples when they started cheering and celebrating about Rocelia's news.
"Go, section 8! Go, Vanez Amelia! Go, go, go! Going fight, Vanez!" They cheered and Rocelia joined them.
My God. I just wanna duck my head on my desk. However, I don't find them annoying and I don't know why. Probably because they're showing me some support I never thought I will receive from anyone especially from them. And somehow... it's more than enough for me to think that I made the right decision.
I'm going to represent the section 8 and compete with the other sections.
I went home feeling light. I let the bodyguards hover around me and fetch me when our class ended. I'm banging my head while listening to my favorite songs in my playlist. I'm too busy vibing with the music that I didn't even notice Bougart is calling me.
"What?" I removed my earphones to hear him.
He scrathed his head."We're here already, young lady." He informed.
Oh. I thought he's going to say random stuff.
I nod my head and held my bag."Alright. Thank you!" I opened the car door but I saw how shocked he is after I thanked him before I could go out.
It's not a big deal for me though. Well, can't blame him. I'm thanking people and saying sorry once in a blue moon only. I'm just in the mood today that's why...
I left a message to Rocelia. I informed her I just went home and demanded a text back from her. I slid my cellphone inside my pocket again. We exchanged numbers since the day I declared that we're best friends already. Yeah, best as in best. She's too optimistic that I hesitated to tell her that we're just friends, not best. I never thought there's someone I can't resist ever since I changed myself. She's too good to be my bestfriend. It's like, I don't deserve her kindness and genuineness. She's not like the others who's taking me for granted. We're very opposite and our beliefs are way further than the essay we have answered in recitation.
"Congratulations, Vanez! You have my full support!" Innov welcomed me with his wide happy smile.
He even grabbed me for hug and I froze for a moment, thinking why the heck he's being like this. I immediately got back my senses so I pushed him and moved myself away from him.
"What is your problem, Innov?" My brows furrowed as I asked him.
But his smile just grew wider. He grabbed me again and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.
"You think I wouldn't know that you're the muse of your section and you are going to compete with the other muses each grade level?" His voice was full of glee and excitement.
"Wait a minute..." I tried to remove his arms around me first."Where did you know that? Don't tell me you have an eye in everywhere, too? You're all creepy!" I shierked and pushed him a bit.
He roared a laugh."Please, don't freak out yet. One of your girl classmate told me about the nomination. I have no eye in everywhere as what you think. I'm not like Tito Martin." He shrugged at his last statement.
My forehead creased to the highest level.
"Why would my classmate tell you about it? Oh damn boy. Don't tell me..." my eyes narrowed.
"What? We're friends on Facebook and she chatted me first. We had a bit conversation and that's all. She's not my type and I have no plan to babysit so..." the fuck?
"You sounded so defensive!" I punched his arm that aimed a groan from him.
"I am not!" He chuckled. I crossed my arms and observed his reaction. His brows shot up."Come on, I'm not hiding something. I'm saying the truth!" He defended himself before he diverted the topic."Anyway, why is that... you're not shooing me away nor walking out today like what you used to do whenever I'm talking to you?" He pointed out all of sudden.
I left with no words. I don't know what to reply. So I chose to walk out then, since he told me about it. But I'm not making a step yet when he held my hand. I ended up facing him again. I sighed boringly.
"Hey, don't walk out. I just told you about it because I noticed something different in you today but above all, I'm happy..." his eyes beamed. I slightly pursed my lips."I'm really happy because it seems you're enjoying your days being grounded." He suddenly, teased.
"Damn you." I cussed.
He frowned.
"No bad words allowed." He looked at me flatly, as if warning me.
I don't know what spirit have possessed me but I found myself sticking out my tongue at him, like a kid teasing her playmate. His eyes widened, didn't expect me to be this childish towards him.
"Is it true? You're the muse of your section and you're going to compete with the other muses?" A small and girly voice echoed.
We both looked at Akira who's stepping down the staircase with her usual resting-bitch face. Her left brow was arched as she fixed her eyes at me.
"You heard it from your room? I envy your radar, huh." Innov is a bit amused when he asked her sister.
Akira shook her head."No. I'm just right there on the staircase, watching you two since Vanez entered the mansion. You're talking too loud so why won't I hear about your topic?" Her voice sounded so sarcastic.
What's concerning about me, being the muse anyway?
"So? Did I hear it right? You're joining the Ms. Intramurals?" She turned to me with a mocking face.
I hardened my face."Yes. How about you?" I tried to be casual.
She seems surprised because of my sudden acknowledgment.
"Me? No, I'm not the muse. I'm a dance troupe member, remember? Though they're nominating me as their muse but I needed to decline because I value world class performance than low class beauty contest." The mocking in her eyes, reflected even more.
I tightened my fists. Damn this bitch.
"Oh, is that so? Good for you then. I hope you won't stamp in the middle of the event." I beat back. Her face reddened.
"I hope they won't apply the worst make-up on your face." She controlled her raging voice.
My lips curved an evil smile."I trust my friend. I know she wouldn't dare apply something worst on my face."
"You have a friend?" She seem shocked about it, eh?
"Uh, yeah?"
"That's impossible! I'm sure that friend of yours will betray you soon like what your friends before have did to you!" She said that fueled the fire.
"Akira, stop!" Innov blocked my sight at his sister."I'm sorry, Van. Just go to your room and don't mind what she said." He told me with his requesting voice.
My eyes were sharp as I looked at his sister."She's different from them, bitch." I don't care anymore if she's with her brother. She's making my blood boiled.
I left them there. I marched upstairs furiously. She just ruined my mood! Damn. I should have known that; once a bitch, always a bitch. I know she's not yet done with me, she'll immediately tell the tea to her mother and Dad will surely know about it.
I wonder what would be his reaction?