Jeyah’s POV
I was sitting alone on one of the benches in the school oval when someone approached me. I was reading a psychology book while waiting for my next class.
“Jeyah Abby Arguello?”, the woman called my name with a little rudeness in her voice. I looked at her, only to find out that it was Bridgette. The woman whom Darren introduced to me after the basketball tournament last time. She was wearing an off-shoulder crop top and black fitted jeans. She looked much taller because she was wearing a wedge sandal. She was wearing quite heavy make-up and a lever back earrings. She was sophisticated and it’s obvious that she came from a rich family.
“Yes, If I’m not mistaken, you must be Bridgette”, I responded softly.
“I want to make this direct to the point, Miss Arguello. I’m Darren’s girlfriend. So stop messing around with my boyfriend. Don’t ever dare. I warn you”, Bridgette snapped out as she crossed her arms and smirked at me.
I was shocked upon hearing it. I never thought she was Darren’s girlfriend because as far as I can remember, Darren did not introduce her as his girlfriend.
“Excuse me, Miss Bridgette, Darren and I are just friends. If you are his girlfriend, you should have told him and not me”, I responded annoyingly.
“Well, he told me you’re the one who always came over to him. So if you don’t want to have any trouble with me, stay away from him!”, she screeched and gave me an angry look. Afterwards, she hurriedly left, swinging her curvy hips.
I furrowed my brows in annoyance because I did not expect that someone would approach me like that. I don’t care if she is Darren’s girlfriend or what. I just want to have peace in my life. But honestly, I felt a little disgusted about it.
I looked at my wristwatch, and it’s time for me to go to my class. I hurriedly took a quick long step going to the College of Social Sciences. Suddenly, I saw Bridgette and Darren in the intersection hallway, with her arms wrapped around his neck. They did not care even though other students were looking at them. Darren already saw me, but Bridgette did not, since she was facing him. And there’s no chance, I could step back because If I’m going to take another way, I would surely be late for my class. I realized that the College of Accountancy was just near to our building, and it was just only connected by an intersection hallway. Turning to the right is the College of Accountancy, while going straight is the College of Social Sciences.
“You are mine Darren, so stop messing around with any other woman, especially that woman!”, she uttered, then gave Darren a torrid kiss.
Darren tried to push her.
“Bridgette, what the hell are you doing?”, he spoke annoyingly while he was staring at me.
I averted my gaze and continued walking. Bridgette suddenly turned her head around and followed Darren’s eyes. Upon knowing, that I was there, she purposely encircled her arms around his waist while her head was pressed against his chest.
“I love you, Darren”, she uttered amorously, intentionally making her voice a little loud for me to hear it. Then, she held his arms intimately.
“Come, let’s go for our next class”
I really felt bad about it. I couldn’t imagine that Bridgette would be acting like that. Seriously in public? Oh my gosh. I stepped inside the classroom in a bad mood. I pulled my chair at the back and dropped off my belongings on the desk.
“Hey gurl, are you okay? Is there something wrong Jeyah?”, Clarisse asked me curiously.
I just shook my head because I don’t want to tell her that I felt bad when I saw Darren and Bridgette kissing each other in the hallway. I don’t have a plan of telling her because I know she would surely tell Darren about it.
After some time our professor came in and began discussing her topic. But I did not pay attention to her discussion because I was thinking about that kiss. No matter how much I’ve wanted to forget it but it’s always lingering in my mind.
“Miss Arguello, are you with me?”, our professor called my name while giving me her intent gaze. Mrs. Reyes was also very strict in the class. And once she called anyone and asked a question, she won’t accept any excuse.
“Uhm, pardon ma’am. I’m sorry, will you please repeat the question?”, I muttered.
“It seems you are out of your mind Miss Arguello. Anyway, do you have any idea what DID means?”, the professor asked me again, as she came closer to me.
I was silent for a few seconds, trying to internalize her question. The whole class was silent and they were all looking at me. I came across the word DID in my previous reading, so I’m pretty sure it’s this one she was asking about. I stood up and began to explain.
“Ma’am, Dissociative Identity Disorder or DID, is a mental health condition of a person with multiple personalities. A person who has this kind of disorder is thinking that he/she has two or more personalities living inside his/her body. This is the result when someone experienced traumatic events or childhood physical, sexual and mental abuse. Thus, this triggers someone to switch from one personality to another which is called his ‘alters’ “.
“Very good Miss Arguello”, Mrs. Reyes complimented.
I was relieved when she smiled. Others looked at me with admiration but some were having a leering eye at me. Well, I’m used to it since before when I was still in grade school. And there’s nothing I can do about it. That’s why I just wanted to be alone most of the time. If someone would try to make friends with me it’s okay, if not, still it would be okay. But I think, there’s another big trouble that is about to come my way. In fact, it started already.
I took a deep sigh as I began fixing my belongings. Suddenly, Clarisse approached me and invited me to go to the school’s cafeteria. At first, I refused, because I know her friends would be there too but she insisted, so I agreed to go with her.
I was not mistaken because I saw her friends waving their hands. Clarisse was waving her hands too, as we came closer to them. I saw Darren of course, but he was seriously looking at me.
“Hi, Jeyah. We’re glad you’re here. It’s our pleasure that you’re joining us”, Eduard uttered and shoved Darren’s elbow.
“Hi Jeyah”, Darren spoke and pulled a chair for me.
I was just silent while Darren’s friends were busy talking with each other.
“Jeyah, are you okay?”, Lance asked, a little confused.
“Uhm, I think Jeyah is not in the mood. I think something is bothering in her mind. You know, she was like that since we had our class”, Clarisse added, with her eyes looking at Darren.
“Darren, as well, is not in the mood. Bro, what’s going on?”, Andrew asked, switching his gaze to me and Darren.
“I’m fine guys, thank you”, I responded softly.
“Uhm, I think I know why Darren, is having a bad mood today”, Angela butted in.
She paused for a while and took a sip of pineapple juice.
“It’s because of Bridgette”
“That bitch!”, Angela lashed out.
I remained quiet while Darren’s friends were talking about Bridgette. And when they mentioned how dangerous a woman she is, I felt a little nervous.
“Okay guys, let’s not talk about her”, Darren spoke. His friends understood what he mean to say so they changed the topic. I know, they don’t want to talk about Bridgette in front of me.
“Uhm Jeyah, is it okay with you if you will join our group?”, Rose uttered and held my arms.
Everyone looked at me while waiting for my answer. I don’t know what to answer because I was overwhelmed by the fact that they want me to be their friends. I was a little hesitant for no reason, but yes, I’ve been longing for friends. So, I said ‘yes’, and we were all happy.
“Welcome to, “All for One” Jeyah”, everyone exclaimed in chorus as they shook my hands. I was very delighted because finally, I’m having a circle of friends. They told me about the dos and don’ts of the group, including the prohibition of any romantic relationship. I felt a little sad upon knowing about it, which only means, there’s no hope between me and Darren.
“Are you okay bubs?”, Clarisse asked me, when she noticed I was silent for a while.
I nodded and smiled at her.
“Thank you, everyone, for letting me join your group. It means a lot to me”, I quavered, while tears started to form in my eyes.
“I’m sorry, I’m getting emotional”, I snorted.
Clarisse hugged me and patted my back. I looked at Darren because I know he was also staring at me. I could see the sadness in his eyes. Then, he smiled at me and tapped my head.
“Let’s welcome the new member of our group with a celebration. As usual, in our favorite hangout place, later after the class”, Darren said eagerly. Suddenly, I was thinking about my brother. How would he react if I’ll tell him I have this circle of friends in the school campus.
“Jeyah, is it okay with you? Do we need to ask permission from your parents?”, Darren asked intently.
Since I already belong to the group, I need to tell them even a little of my personal life. I told them that I already lost my Dad and that my mom was planning to get married to a Korean businessman and that she is preparing for her wedding in few days. I told them, I’m only living with my brother and Nanny in our residence at Loyola Heights.
I asked them if we could have a celebration some other time, since I still need to tell my brother about having a group of friends. I know they are all good people, and I’m so lucky to have them in my life.