Pic above: Katrina
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The following day, Rhian woke up with a sense of determination. Her conversation yesterday with her mom, flashed through her mind and she couldn't wait to arrive at school.
I think its time to make it up with her.
After a quick shower and dressing in her usual school clothes, she went downstairs in a fast pace. She greeted her parents good morning, grab an apple, and was about to head out when she was stopped by her father.
"Whoah, slow down there. What's the rush?" Mr. Ramos spoke.
That's when Rhian froze. Why is she indeed in a hurry? She racked her brain for answers but there was none. Sure she's going to earn Glaiza's forgiveness, but why was she acting as if she really needs Glaiza to forgive her?
I do not!
Really? Then if I may twist father's question earlier, why are you in a rush just for Glaiza to forgive you?
I...I...I just don't want the guilt to eat me up, okay?! The sooner, the better. Besides, I'm always early.
Okay, whatever you say.
Its the truth, alright! I'm not-
Rhian's battle of her mind was interrupted by a shake from her wrist. She blinked twice and saw the confused look of her parents.
"Uhm... no reason." Rhian answered in a high-pitched voice. "Just want to get to school extra early today. I... uhm... was hooked on this book I've found last week, and... I uhm... wanted to finish it."
"Are you sure you don't want to join us and eat?" Mrs. Ramos asked to which Rhian shook her head no in response.
Rhian's father eyed his daughter for a second before he nodded. The brown-haired girl kissed her parents goodbye, before she went inside the car, where her driver was patiently waiting.
Upon arriving, Rhian scanned the school grounds for any signs of the short-haired girl. Her plan was simple: She would give her her sincerest apology an then be good to her.
To her dismay, Glaiza was in no sight. She didn't see Glaiza's friends either. What did she expect anyway? Of course she couldn't find them since it was still early in the morning. So she went to the library and decided to kill time by reading a poem book.
When she was about half way through the book, the bell rings. Walking down the hallway, the principal walked by and greeted him, to which the latter responded with a slight nod and gestured to her earphones, which she forgot until now. She quickly remove it and apologise. Luckily, she was let off with a warning and let her go. While she was stuffing the said earphones inside her bag, a person collided with her, resulting to dropping of books and scattered papers.
"Oh great" The person muttered and kneeled to pick the things on the floor. Rhian instantly recognize the person, and help gather the books.
"Sorry I didn't watch where I was going. Gosh, I'm so clumsy. Thank you, though you didn't have to-" Glaiza lift her head to thank the person but stopped when she saw someone who she last expects to help her.
Sensing that the other girl was not speaking and is still in a state of shock, Rhian offered a hesitant smile and place the books on her hand before walking away.
Meanwhile, Glaiza could only watch the brown-haired girl with still wide eyes.
What the hell just happen?!
After a few seconds, she shook her head and went to her first class. As usual, as soon as she step foot inside, she was immmediately greeted by her classmates, especially the boys. Their professor wasn't there yet, which gave some the opportunity to talk to the short-haired girl. But as minutes passed, it seemed that most of the boys weren't going to stop talking which made Glaiza a bit annoyed. She didn't know how to tell them that without coming off as a bitch, and even if she did tell them she knows that they would still continue to pester her off.
Fortunately, she saw Benjamin enter who saw something that made him annoyed inside.
"Okay, that's enough chitchat. You can all go on with your own business. I'm sure Glaiza would love to get back at you later. Well, not really. So you can all suck it up." Benjamin said as he one by one pushed the boys, who was giving him the glares, out of Glaiza's sight.
The latter tried her hard not to laugh at his actions, but when he came back and sat beside her and wiped his imaginary sweat on his forehead, she let out a chuckle. "You are a total dork, do you know that?"
Benjamin shrugged in reply. "What can I say? They're hitting on my girl, which is not acceptable for me. I know that they don't really stand a chance, but still."
Glaiza felt heat rise up at her cheeks. Its been a month of Benjamin courting her and within those days, she can really see and feel that he's being serious to her.
"Well technically, not yet. Remember that you're still courting me, not my boyfriend." Glaiza reminded as she got out her notebook when she saw that the professor had arrived.
"Then I will do everything I can, to make you my girlfriend." Benjamin whispered on her ear, which made Glaiza's face flush red. Before she could say something, she saw that his gaze was now on the professor's discussion, with a small smile plastered on his face.
She shook her head smiling and proceeded to jot down notes.
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Later that lunch, Glaiza send a message to the group chat, saying that she'll not be joining them at lunch due to the homework she got to finish that must be submitted within the day.
She then headed to the library knowing that she'll be having no distractions whatsoever. But she instanty regret going there when she saw a certain a brown-haired girl sitting at a corner reading what seems to be a science book.
She gave off a sigh and was about to walk past her, when their eyes met to which Glaiza avert her gaze quickly. Her fingers slightly trace the books while her eyes scanned for the particular book. It didn't took long for her to find it, but frowned when it was a two rows higher than her height. She tried reaching up for it and was on her toes, but to no avail.
"Need help with that?" Glaiza turn to her left and saw Rhian holding a book with both hands with a raised eyebrow.
"Uhm actually-" Before she could say no, Rhian had grab the book from above and held it out to her.
"Thanks" Glaiza mumbled as she got the book.
"You're welcome." Rhian smiled.
The short-haired girl proceeded to sit at the table and began working on her assignment. All the while not knowing that the other girl followed her and sat beside her.
"Physics homework, huh?" Glaiza jump in shock when she heard her talk making Rhian chuckle. But she immediately stop when the other didn't findi it amusing. " What do you want Ramos? And why are you here?"
"Nothing, just wanted to see what you're working on. Besides, this is a library, and just like what you said last time, I can sit wherever I want." Rhian replied to which Glaiza just roll her eyes and continued on her work.
Few more minutes passed, and Rhian secretely grab Glaiza's review paper. "Sooo, I think you need help in this. See, I notice that you're wrong in the first-"
"Don't touch my things! And since when do you care?!" Glaiza bursted and snatch back the paper rather harshly, earning some looks from few people and a glare from the librarian. Rhain threw an apologetic look to the woman behind the counter.
Then she turn her attention back to the fuming girl, who was back to writing something like nothing happened. Feeling that Glaiza has just grown agitated towards her, Rhian gave up and decided to continue reading her book while sitting beside the other girl. She figured that if Glaiza wishes for her help, she would be there to tend to her need, which to Rhian, would be highly unlikely since it was pretty evident on Glaiza's face the hatred she has for the former, but still decided to stay nonetheless.
So for the past thirty minutes, Rhian would occassionally steal glances to the short-haired girl to know if she's having trouble. But the latter didn't gave off that sign and was in deep concentration. However, a warning bell rang, signalling five minutes before the class resumes. Rhian neatly stacked two poem books and arranged her things and was about to stand up and leave when she heard a frustrated sigh from her side. She glance at Glaiza and saw her rubbing her temple while tapping her pen in an impatient manner.
Rhian hesitated to help her but she knows that Glaiza would just snap at her. Suddenly an idea came to her and quickly wrote something on a sticky note and after that rummaged through her bag as if looking for something. Of course Glaiza heard shuffling from her side but payed no attention and instead focus on accomplishing the hard task she has. Just then two chocolate bars was placed on the upper left corner of her paper with a note attached to it.
Glaiza gaze up at Rhian with a confuse look but the latter just gave her a small smile before she went outside.
What is this for?
Glaiza grab the sticky note and couldn't help but admire the cute but neat penmanship written there. On the light green paper, it says:
Hope this would help you ease the stress:)
A smile appeared on Glaiza's face and helped herself to the chocolate sweet and continued on her work.
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"Jesus! That was close!" A blue Ranger car suddenly came to a halt when a small girl came running infront of them with an equally small boy on her tail who appears to be chasing her. "Seriously, these kids will be the death of me!"
"I totally agree with you Benj. Glaiza you really should do something about this. More importantly where are their parents?! Those kids should have adult supervision! Especially this time of night!" Katrina exclaimed.
"I already told the kids about it, but you know how stubborn they can be. And most of their parents are busy working, so the chance of implementing discipline on them is little. The only thing we can do is adjust, by being cautious and alert when driving." After a few seconds of silence and gazing at the children, Glaiza unbuckled her seatbelt and turn to the tall girl with a hopeful tone on her voice. "I almost forgot, got anything from them? The cafe shop, I mean. Have they requested for me?"
Katrina sighed and shook her head apologetically. "The boss said they're full. I'm really sorry Glai."
"Its alright Kat. You don't need to apologize. I'm sure I can find something eventually." Glaiza smiled weakly.
"You won't have to, if you would just work for my mom. Look I know it seems pretty scary at first, but you'll eventually get the hang of it. Plus, the salary you'll get there is enough to pay all your living expenses." Benjamin persuaded.
"Ben you know that assisting your mother in cleaning or fixing someone else's teeth is not really the job for a clumsy person like me. I would only cause trouble for the patients and headache for your mom. And I don't want that. Besides, even if I want to, I'm not really qualified for that kind of work." Glaiza reasoned out.
Ben sighed in response. "Alright, but the offer still stands. You know, if you ever change your mind."
"Thank you, Ben." Glaiza smiled.
Suddenly, Katrina huffed in anger when she was reminded by something. "Well you wouldn't have to find another job if it weren't for that Rhian bitch Ramos! At first I thought its just pranks or small fights or something between you two. But losing your only job?! Now that's personal! I swear if I see her near you or even approach you, I'm gonna claw her fucking eyes out! Then I'm gonna-"
Glaiza cut her off with a deep sigh. "Its alright Kat. The damage has been done and there's nothing we can do about it."
It was true. The Ramos' family are one of the most powerful and influential in the city. She doesn't want to get on their bad side. And even if she did, she wouldn't win the fight. I mean, her against the Ramos'? Its like a fight between a deer and ten large wolves.
Kat completely understood her friend and she couldn't help but feel angry at herself for not being able to help her troubled friend. The only thing she can do is comfort her and give advices.
"Look, you have to stop interacting with her. Well, unless its important, like talking about your project for example. Alright? But until then, just... stay away from her as much as possible. Its better that way."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you Kat." Glaiza turn to her courting man. "Thanks to the both of you."
The two gave her a smile before the short-haired girl decided that she should head inside. Glaiza watch as the car rode off in the night.
"I'm home!" Glaiza announced and a squeal was heard before a young girl was seen running to her.
"Cha! You're here! Look! Look! I made this for you during our art class." The girl said while tugging on her older sister's uniform.
"Did you now?" Glaiza hold the paper and gaze at the presentable drawing of a woman's face, colored in a slightly neat way.
"The teacher told us to draw our favorite person. That's you. Do you like it?" The girl said softly with a hopeful tone.
Glaiza smiled and carried her in her arms and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Baby, I love it. Thank you."
The young girl grin widely, happy to know that her sister appreciate her work.
Just then, a man in his fifties was just coming downstairs and relief was etched on his face when he saw Glaiza.
"Glaiza, thank God you're already here. You didn't call." The man hugged her to which Glaiza smiled at his concern beofre pulling away.
"Sorry dad. I was about to, but my load had just expired. It wouldn't happen again. Anyway, I bought take-outs for dinner. I forgot to bring enough money for the grocery, so I wouldn't be able to cook for now." Glaiza said as she place the paper bag on the dining table and her sister on the chair. After that she grab her bag from the couch and headed upstairs.
"Wait, aren't you going to join us eat?" Glaiza's dad asked.
The short-haired girl shook her head. "I've already eaten. Plus, I'm a bit tired from school." To which her dad gave an understanding nod.
As soon as she went inside her room, she had a quick bath, did her nightly routines, let herself fall on the bed and was immediately taken to dreamland.
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Author's note:
So how do you like the story so far?? Is it good?? Do I need to improve on my grammar?? Please let me know. Anyway, I decided that I wanted to write some of the chapters in Glaiza's perspective so that you'll know the view of the person. So, from this chapter to the future chapters I'll be writing, I'm gonna take turns in writing the main character's perspective. I hope you guys keep supporting my story and I'm really really sorry for the slow update.