"You mean Lily and Milo?" I asked.
He hissed, rolling his eyes. "Whatever."
"They're my friends. Very good friends of mine. Milo likes playing games, just like I do. And Lily... she likes books, just like you do." I gazed at him.
He scoffed. "So they're your counselors—the ones who tell you what to do."
I shook my head. "No..."
"No? Then how come you planned to spend time with me here, asking if I really hate you? You've told your friends everything, right?"
How did he know?
He continued, "Now you just want to find out if I really hate you so you can go back and feed them with more thoughts and assumptions."
"No..."
"Then what?" he snapped.
"Don't worry about it."
I tried to leave, but he pulled me back. I thought he was finally going to say something nice or apologize for being rude. Instead, he gently brushed the quiff of my hair to the side of my ear.
"Always keep your hair neat," he said.
I simply gazed at him, unsure of what to say.
My heart pounded so loudly and so fast that I thought he could hear it.
"Why is your heart racing?" he whispered.
I quickly placed a hand on my chest and turned away sheepishly.
"Is it still beating loudly?" I asked.
He sniggered. "Yes, of course."
Now he'd think my heart was beating because of him. How was I supposed to explain that I was only feeling anxious?
I slowly turned back to him, pouting. "What are you thinking? I was only anxious!"
"That sounds suspicious," he said, still laughing.
Suspicious?
Well... he looked cute whenever he laughed. It was the first time I'd seen him laugh so freely. I felt like staring at him until he was done, maybe even telling him to keep laughing.
"What's so funny?" I whined.
He kept laughing without saying a word. I chased after him, and we ran around the orchard playfully. It was the first time we'd ever played together. I wished moments like this could last forever.
Did he still hate me, or was he only pretending to be rude? Maybe he was just pretending... and maybe I should play along with him.
**********
Recess Period...
Xander took me to the canteen. He bought me crispy fries and apple juice. I didn't understand why he was being so nice to me. It all felt a little strange.
"Thanks," I said with a smile.
"You don't have to thank me." He quietly crunched on his fries.
After clearing his throat, he asked, "Who's that boy I'm always seeing you with? Is there something you're not telling me?"
Huh?
"Well... that's Liam. My classmate."
"Are you two friends?"
I shook my head. "Not yet. I'm just his watchdog."
"His watchdog?" Xander arched an eyebrow. "What the heck does that mean?"
"You don't know? A watchdog is someone who protects another person."
"So... you're protecting him?"
I nodded. "Yes, of course. His parents asked me to. He was sick a few days ago, and I have to look after him and make sure no one treats him badly."
"Is that why you pulled me away the other day?"
I nodded. "I'm sorry, but no one is supposed to lay a hand on him, or his parents might blame me."
"So... that's how it is?"
I nodded, taking another sip of my apple juice. "Yep."
"What if I asked you to be my watchdog too?" He suddenly rubbed his forehead. "I think I have a headache..."
"Should I take you to the infirmary and get you some paracetamol?" I asked.
"It feels like my legs are getting numb. Maybe you should help me by holding my arm."
"Okay."
Without hesitation, I slipped his arm over my shoulder and helped him to the infirmary. Fortunately, there was a pack of paracetamol in the first-aid kit.
I handed him two tablets, and he swallowed them with some water.
"You should feel better in about ten minutes," I said.
He looked at me and smiled. "You're really caring. I like that about you."
"My talent is making the people around me feel better," I said proudly.
"Have you decided what you want to study in the future?"
I nodded. "Yes, of course. I've always dreamed of becoming a secretary. You know... working in a big company and earning a monthly salary."
"You're really smart," he chuckled. "As for me, I've always wanted to study Computer Engineering, and I'm not giving up on that dream."
"That's good," I said.
"I feel better now. Thank you, girl."
"I'm Chloe, not 'girl.'"
"A girl's a girl," he chuckled. "Come on, Chloe. Let's head back."
I nodded. We walked back from the infirmary, talking and laughing.
But no matter what...
I still preferred Liam.
**********
Everyone was dismissed from school.
As usual, I expected Liam to walk home with me, but this time he walked away without waiting. What happened? Wasn't he feeling well? Or was he in a hurry?
I spotted him from afar and hurried after him with all the strength I had. I caught up to him and smiled, but he pushed me away and walked even faster.
What was wrong?
I ran after him again and grabbed his arm.
"Liam, what's the problem?"
"Don't touch me!" he snapped, shooting me a death glare.
I immediately let go of his arm. "I'm sorry."
He tried to walk away again, but I stopped him once more.
"What did I do wrong?"
He said nothing. This time, he continued walking more slowly, his steps calm and composed.
"Aren't you too young to be in a relationship with him?" he asked, his voice carrying anger, anxiety... and something else I couldn't quite understand.
"Relationship?" I widened my eyes in surprise. "Who said I'm in a relationship with Xander?"
"I did."
"I'm not in a relationship with him, Liam. Xander is just a schoolmate. I only helped him get some paracetamol from the infirmary because he wasn't feeling well. But I guess he's fine now."
"Xander this, Xander that..." Liam scoffed. "Wasn't it suspicious the way you held his arm and led him to the infirmary?"
Suspicious?
"What do you mean?" I asked, looking at him from the corner of my eye.
He folded his arms across his chest.
"You only met Xander a few days ago, so you should avoid him. He's a stranger. You don't have to follow him around. And remember... you're still my watchdog."
"Did you see us?" I asked quietly.
Liam looked away. "Everyone did."
Everyone?
"Were we that close?" I asked curiously.
"Closer than a closet," Liam scoffed.
"Eish... but I was only helping him. Now everyone will think there's something going on between us." I whined anxiously.
Liam leaned closer.
"Don't you already have a lot in common with him? What about all the loud laughter and conversations you two were having?"
"We were only talking about school life..."
"Talking about school life with someone you only met last week? Why are you so naive?"
Too naive?
"Is it really that bad to be naive?"
He rolled his eyes and started walking away.
"Oh, you'd only be weird if your naivety wasn't genuine."
I scampered after him.
"Hey, wait!"
**********
I got home and tried to unlock the front door, but it was already open.
The sweet aroma of sandwiches drifted through the house, while loud, muffled voices echoed from Harry's room.
Who was there? Who could it be? A group of gangsters making sandwiches in the kitchen? No... that couldn't be.
I grabbed the broken lamp beside the biggest couch and cautiously made my way toward Harry's room first.
The voices became louder with every step I took, and beads of sweat rolled down my face.
"Oh, my poor stomach! Isn't Harry done making those sandwiches yet?" someone complained loudly.
Another voice replied, "Calm down, Tom. He'll be done soon."
So... Harry had brought two of his friends home? But I thought he said they were coming next month! Why was he always so unpredictable? What if they'd already seen my bras and panties? That would be so embarrassing!
"Jellybean..."
That voice sounded familiar.
I smacked my lips and turned around.
There stood Harry, wearing Mom's apron.
He shrugged. "Hope we're welcome?"
I dropped the broken lamp, suddenly feeling silly.
Apparently, he hadn't even noticed I was holding it. He laughed so hard that his friends came out of his room to see what was happening.
"You said you were coming next month. Why today?"
Harry replied as he walked back toward the kitchen.
"Dad asked me to come and keep an eye on you for a while."
"Am I still a kid that you'd leave campus just because of me?"
"Yes, of course." He laughed. "Do you think you're all grown up? You're short, and so is your age! Hehehe!"
"Who did you bring with you?" I asked, glancing toward his room.
Just then, two tall shadows fell over me.
His friends, I guess. Pfft.
Harry smiled proudly.
"Meet my friends—Tom and Indiana."
Indiana?
What a weird name.
"Hi."
"Hi," they replied with smiles, waving at me.
I nodded, quietly observing them.
I glanced at Harry. "Why did you bring your friends here?" I whispered.
Instead of answering, he pushed past me and walked over to his friends.
I hurried to the kitchen. The omelettes were almost burnt, and he was out there chatting with his so-called friends?
"Harry?"
He rushed in.
"Can't you turn off the gas? Why are you so dumb?" he snapped as he pulled the pan of omelettes off the stove.
He glanced at me. "The second reason I'm here is because of your childhood enemy!"