Twenty-One
– Hannah Mae’s POV –
I heard a knock from the door but my mind was too bothered to wonder who it might be.
The sun was already shining but I was still buried in my bed. Or perhaps, practicing myself how to die. I just lost my appetite after knowing the truth that shattered my world into pieces. It had been days and it kept on flashing in my mind. And every time came to my mind, my tears fell without realizing it. I was felt like my chest is tightening and my heart felt like being stabbed by dozens of knives.
I heard the doorknob click and the door slowly opened. I didn’t bother to look of whoever they might be. I just pulled over my blanket to hide myself. I heard careful steps approaching towards me.
“Sweetie…” It’s mom, “Please get yourself something to eat.”
Mom sounded trouble. Considering that her daughter locked up herself in her bed room and didn’t eat anything for the past few days. I really didn’t feel like eating or even going out of my bedroom. I just wanted to sleep in my bed and cried out until I’m dehydrated.
“Please sweetie.” Mom begged.
I couldn’t stand it when I heard mom begging. It felt like my heart is being scratch. So I slowly pulled down the blanket but I wasn’t giving her an eye contact.
I catch a glimpse of a small smile from mom. Her eyes were moist and her cheeks were wet. I slowly sat up but still wasn’t looking at her.
“Shall I bring you milk and bread?” Her voice was little hoarse.
I lightly nodded. Mom looked at me and stretched her arms to caress my cheeks before she stood. She walked to the door and went out as she closed it.
My mind was filled with memories of King and nothing else. Days that we hang out, chatted on the bench while eating Takoyaki, smiling at each other and most of all, the moment I felt his warm lips. It was everything to me and my first ever kiss. But every time I thought of it, it tightened my chest and my tears came down rolling. I wanted that to happen so badly that I had sleepless nights.
I was so drowned and lost in my thoughts that I didn’t noticed that mom already came back with a tray of milk and few slices of bread on it. She put it on the table beside my bed.
She kneeled in front of me and stared at my eyes. She gently pressed her palms against my cheeks and her lips were twitching from holding back her tears. I looked at my hands to avoid her look and played with my fingers. She softly brushed her hand on my forehead and planted a small kiss before she left the room.
When I heard the door clicked, I looked at the food on the table and stretch my arm to grab it. I stared at the steam of the milk as it came out of the mug. I really don’t have my appetite to put in any food in my mouth. I couldn’t even make my lips part.
I took a sip of the milk and put it back to the table. And I sighed.
I looked at the window and the sun was completely dominating the sky. I wonder what time is it by now. I need to go school for our graduation practice. But my body won’t move. I’m sure Vanessa and Clarisse were wondering by now. Possibly, worried why I was absent consecutively. And if I didn’t appear today, they will surely come knocking at the door.
I put myself together as I lifelessly stood and took small steps towards my closet. I started looking for my uniform and white socks. After, I stretch my arms underneath my closet to reach for my school shoes.
I undressed myself and threw my former clothes on the bed. I putted on my uniform and after, sat on the edge of the bed to put in my socks and shoes. I went to the mirror at the other side of the room and pick the comb at the bottom of the mirror. I was combing myself as I looked at my reflection with pity.
Poor girl… You fell deeply in love with someone related to you by blood. Now, you got swollen and reddish eyes, with round eye bags, pimples, and dry lips due to countless cries and sleepless nights. And the most painful of all, you earned a broken heart.
I breathed out a hopeless sigh. I used to have a beautiful face and captivating smile that was why I am the campus crush. But after my world fallen apart, it doesn’t matter anymore. I just lost my King of my life.
After combing my hair, I went back to the table beside my bed and took the bread with me before I went out of my room. I didn’t bring my backpack since I knew after the fourth quarter examination, we won’t having any classes except for practicing and preparing for our graduation.
I saw mom and grandma watching a movie in the living room. They were so into it that they didn’t notice me passing by. And I didn’t disturb them. I went straight to the main door and opened the door.
I was carefully walking in the hallway going to my locker. Trying to avoid seeing King around. But I was too fool to believe that I wouldn’t see him. We were classmates. Idiot! At least we wouldn’t have any eye contact that would cause my nerves to go insane.
“Hey beautiful.”
I know that voice but it wasn’t him. It’s one of Sanchez’s friends.
I didn’t look at him until I arrived at my locker. Few of my books were here so I need to get it and return to our teacher.
Just when I closed my locker, I saw him standing in front of me with his hands in his pocket. His smile was so annoying.
“What happened to you, Hannah? You look hurt.” He asked. Trying to be concern. But it just irritated me.
“None of your business, Jacob.” I replied in a cold tone.
I was about to turn away from him when he got my arm. It sent shivers down to my nerves.
“Whatever happened between you and that genius punk, we can talk about it with a drink.” He said in his so irritating tone. But for him, it sounded attracting. Same goes to his damn smirk. So full of himself.
I glared at him and to his hand but he kept his smirk more irritating.
“Oh come on.” He blurted as he reached for the books and took it from my hand, “Just 30 minutes of your time?”
He grinned from ear to ear, showing his white teeth. Maybe hoping I would say yes.
Some part of my mind wanted to come and I also wanted to. I needed a drink and get drunk. This pain caused so much damage in me. This will be my first time drinking alcohol but only for today. I really needed to forget everything before I went crazy. This was so much and I couldn’t take it anymore.
– Daniel King’s POV –
“King, please open the door.” I heard mom’s voice for a hundredth time this day.
I pressed the pillow on my ear and pulled over the blanket to cover my entire body. I didn’t want to come out or even talk to them but it seemed hard to understand for them. I locked up myself in my room ever since that day. I didn’t even go to school for our practice in graduation. I didn’t feel like doing anything. I just wanted to cry myself to sleep until I ran out of tears.
“Let me try.” I heard another voice. It sounded familiar to me but it doesn’t belong to mom or grandpa.
“King, this is Aunty Emilia. Will you open the door please? I need to talk to you.” The voice behind the door said and claimed that she was Aunty Emilia.
My brows furrowed. Why would she be here? What does she wanted from me? I didn’t talk to Hannah ever since that day.
I just shut my eyes and pretended that I didn’t hear anything.
“Hannah is not home yet after she went to school this morning. I’m hoping you know where she might be.” Aunty Emilia continued when she didn’t get any response to me. And her voice seemed to be troubled.
My heart beat fast as I opened my eyes. I quickly sat up on my bed and get myself together. Why wasn’t she home yet? Where is she? In my heart? Idiot! This is serious.
I sprinted to the door and thought of opening it to know more about what happened to her. But suddenly, I hesitated again when my hands touched the doorknob. But what if something bad happened to her? I can’t just stand and overthink in this room.
I finally unlocked the chain of my room and opened the door.
Mom was standing in front together with Aunty Emilia. Auntie’s cheeks were soaking wet as if she had been crying for hours. And she smiled at me the moment our eyes meet. I didn’t smiled back at her. I don’t feel it.
“I’m sorry to trouble you, King. Its already pass 8 pm and Hannah isn’t home yet.” Auntie’s voice sounded so stress and tired. I could see it in her eyes.
I swallowed as I tried to compose myself, “Have you tried asking to her friends? Vanessa and Clarisse?”
“I wanted to but I don’t know how to reach them.” She replied with teary-eyes.
I think for a second as I look down. I don’t have Clarisse’s number but Vanessa?
I sprinted to my bedside table and opened its drawer. I immediately pick my phone and scan my contacts if I still have Vanessa’s number while walking back to them.
Just as I arrived in front of them I found Vanessa’s number. Lucky that I still have it. I was planning to delete it to prevent me from reaching out to Hannah.
I immediately dialed her number. I sighed as I put my phone on my ear. After a few rings she answered.
“Hey.” Her voice was low.
I sighed, “Sorry for calling this late. Have you seen Hannah in school this day?”
It took a few minutes before Vanessa answered.
“Haven’t you… seen her?” She sounded like hesitating.
My frowned as I tapped the speaker button, “What do you mean?”
She replied, “She called me few hours ago and she said she is with you somewhere”
My eyes widened, “Wh-what? No way! She’s absolutely lying.”
Her voice was almost to raise, “What are you talking about? What do you mean?”
I took a deep breath, trying to pick the right words to say, “I haven’t gone to school after the exams and I didn’t even talk to her.”
She yelled on the phone, “What?! Did the two of you had a fight?”
I bit my lower lip as I shut my eyes, “I tell you sooner. Have you seen her?”
She raised her voice in a worried tone, “No, I hadn’t and I wasn’t with her the whole day.”
Oh no. This is bad. My heart is pounding and my palms are cold.
“Clarisse. How about Clarisse?” I replied.
“I doubt it. She was with me but let’s try.” She uttered, “Hold on for a moment, I’ll merge her in our conversation.”
I just nodded and later I heard a tapping sound. She’s probably scanning her contacts for Clarisse’s number. But I’m getting impatient.
After a few minutes, I heard a ring of a phone and after a few rings, Clarisse’s voice appeared at the other line.
“Hello girl.”
“Hey, cutie. You are in a merge call with King and he wants to talk to you.” Vanessa explain.
“Okay…” Clarisse paused for a moment, “Yes, King?”
I cleared my throat, “Have you seen Hannah in school or somewhere?”
“No?” She paused and before I could reply, she continued, “What is happening?”
“Hannah hasn’t been home since she went to school this morning. Aunty Emilia is so worried sick.” I explained and after took a deep breath.
“Oh my gosh! So it was her!” She exclaimed.
My eyebrows frowned and before I could asked, she continued, “I vaguely saw her getting in a taxi with Jacob. It was a distance from my sight but I was sure it was her. Just by seeing her back.”
Now I felt my chest is tightening, and I could barely breath, “Where do you think are they going?”
“Possibly at Jacob’s place.” Clarisse voice was almost to raise.
I immediately hang up the phone right after Clarisse spoke. I need to get there quickly. She’s in trouble.
I was about to rush to the main door when I noticed mom’s and Aunty Emilia’s puzzled look at me. I completely forgot about their presence.
“Who is Jacob?” Mom asked fixing a glare at me.
“He is our schoolmate and a notorious bully.” I paused and took a deep breath, “He is drunkard bastard and does cocaine in his house. So she is so in trouble.” I impatiently explained and right after, I sprinted at the door.
And before I opened the door, I took one last look at Aunty Emilia who was obviously worried like she was about to have a heart attack, “Don’t worry, Aunty. I’ll get Hannah back. I assure you.”