The Tree's Girl

Chapter Thirty Seven

"What happened to the both of you? You have identical wounds and both are shaped in hearts!" Anna asked as she put the bandages and first aid back in the closets.

It was really embarassing to ask help from these two; first of all, we weren't that close yet I ordered them to take care of Maria, second, they found me almost passed out somewhere in a hallway due to the pain of my wound and lastly, for them to see a matching wound, shaped in a heart no less, proves it.

I didn't want them to think that Maria and I were into painful acts of love like carving hearts into our own bodies. I wanted to tell them that it was all a big understanding, but what if they ask what really happened? I couldn't answer them if so, so I just kept quiet as they put the bandages on us.

"You are all done now. I think it won't bleed anymore. But I do think you guys should go to the hospital afterwards and get it stitched up or something." Ken said patting my back.

We thanked them for their kindness. Maria and I sat on the bed while they just stood. Only seconds had passed but we already felt awkward.

Luckily the bell rang soon enough signifying the end of break time. They said good bye and went straight to our class. Maria and I decided to stay. The tree was completely silent. We wouldn't let such a chance pass us by.

The two of us share the same bed. A rare happening indeed. Even at home Maria and I never share the same bed, who would've thought that we'd share it at a public place like school.

I tried to keep myself awake, but I just couldn't. I turned to Maria to find her already asleep on my chest.

Such a peaceful face couldn't be of a killer, but it was. Two high school students couldn't possibly commit murder, but we did. A tree couldn't possibly kill and drink human bloof, but it did. A lot of impossible things had already happened. Wouldn't all that make me believe that anything could be possible now, but in a rather dark sense? If all those impossible things could happen, then why won't a peaceful life happen to us?

What wishful thinking. A life that depends on killing could never be peaceful. In fact... there's no such  thing as a peaceful life.

"Look at them, they're so sweet." "I can't believe they slept through three classes."

I was awoken by constant whispers. I just thought it was the people near the tree again so I just turned to my side to a more comfortable position.

"Aaww! Now he's hugging her!" "Shut up, Anna. You might wake them up!" "Listen to who's shouting, Ken."

I opened my eyes just a bit to see that it was them inside the room, fighting with their shouting soft voices like kids trying not to be heard.

I also realized that I was hugging Maria, who was still asleep. I didn't mind it though, it was a comfortable position. I could even hug her tighter just like a pillow. 

"They're the ones who had something to do with the tree right?"
"Yep. I wonder why they don't go down there?"
"Maybe they hate the tree too?"
"Why would they take care of something they hate?"

"Geez. You guys are so noisy."

The two of them was extremely shocked to see me up. I wiped my eyes and sat properly as I fixed myself, being extra careful not to wake Maria up.

"W-we're sorry!" they immediately apologized with a raised voices.

"Shh... you'll wake Maria up." I simply scolded them while placing my index finger on my lips, asking silence from the two of them.

They covered their mouths upon realization. It really makes me wonder if they're actually my high school classmates. They're not cold like the others, and most of all they're so childish. They're like the type of people that couldn't harm an ant. I wonder why I have never noticed them before.

"You guys are so sweet..." Anna held both her cheeks with a rather pleased expression. Ken couldn't help but facepalm.

"Well, uh... thanks." I forced a small smile.

"Forgive Anna, she just really loves the idea of a star student and a student like you dating." Ken explained and I was slightly insulted. What did he mean by a student like me?

"Oh! Just think, a troublesome almost-useless guy like you would win the heart of a perfect girl like Maria. So romantic!" Anna didn't hold back in the description part. It was really good to hear that she supports our relationship, but I really can't help but feel offended.

"You guys are the talk of our batch, you know." Anna informed, but I was already well aware of it.

"Let them talk then. Maria and I doesn't care anyway." I simply stated.

Anna released a high pitched squeal as she melted into a nearby chair. She had an over excited expression and she couldn't stop... shaking? W-was she okay?

"Don't mind her." said Ken, "In case it's your first time seeing such a sight, that's what you call fan girling."

Fan girling? Fan girling over Maria and I? I don't know how to react to that exactly.

"Haters don't know how sweet you guys are. I can't believe them!" she said irritated.

That I ignored. I've always known that haters know nothing at all. They just hate because they have nothing better to do with their lives, and they enjoy their victim's reaction. The only solution is to ignore them and not gice them what they want.

"They even spread rumors like 'I bet Joseph's just in for it for the fame!' or something like 'Maria is just a seducing witch' or maybe-" she went on and on and I couldn't believe how updated she was. I mean, I don't hear those whispers anymore but seemes like the hate is still far from ending. I don't really care... I have more thing to worry about, like keeping our secret and-

"-oh, and this is their stupidest rumor of all! They said you guys are killers."

I was taken aback by the information she just said.

"That's just stupid, right?" Anna laughed out loud. Even Ken chuckled.

I was frozen on my spot. It's just rumors, right? It's impossible that someone actually knows about us, right?

"What are you guys laughing about?" Maria suddenly sat up while scratching her eyes. She faced me and, after seeing my expression, she extremely got worried.

"We were just talking about how the rumors about you guys are a bunch of balony." Ken calmly said.

"And the fact that they said you guys were killers! Like the nerve!" Anna then defended us.

Maria had the same expression as I did, but unlike mine, it only lasted for a second. She then laughed it off.

"I agree. They have a lot of nerves to say something like that."