After talking with Anya, I returned to my room and got ready for school. Dad had already left for work, so I called Robert. Since Japen’s hospitalization, I hadn’t heard any news and hadn’t bothered to call him. Robert informed me that Japen would be attending community college, so I refrained from calling him and waited for Robert’s taxi. When I spotted the taxi in the distance, I prepared myself.
The taxi pulled up in front of me, but just as I was about to open the back door, someone cleared their throat behind me. I sighed; I already knew who it was.
“What do you want, Simmy?” I asked.
“Where did you find that taxi driver, Azora?” she questioned.
I smirked but didn’t bother turning around to face her. “Guess,” I replied, then opened the back door and quickly got inside, instructing Robert to drive off. I glimpsed Simmy’s scowling face in the rearview mirror and shook my head.
At the university, everything seemed normal, but I knew I had to confront Skylar. I had forty-five minutes before my Logic Design class started. Leaning against the hallway wall, I watched students passing by, hoping to see Skylar. I needed to discuss what he knew. I couldn’t believe the rumors about me and Anthony were just gossip. Skylar was the only one who guessed I was Anthony’s girlfriend. His guess might have been right, but I hadn’t confirmed it to him.
Minutes ticked by, but Skylar didn’t appear in the hallway. Was he running late or not coming to class? I sighed, hoping he’d show up so I could talk to him.
Silently, I made my way down the hall towards the classroom. My classmates were quiet, focused on their laptops, typing and practicing programming codes, while I sat alone in my chair, waiting for Skylar to arrive.
And he didn’t disappoint. A minute before class started, he entered the room. His hair was wet and disheveled, his lips tight, and his brow furrowed. Since his chair was next to mine, he walked over and briefly locked eyes with me before withdrawing his gaze and sitting down. We didn’t speak, and soon after, the professor began the class discussion.
When class ended, Skylar immediately stood up and headed for the door. I quickly grabbed my backpack and hurried after him.
“Skylar!” I called out, but he didn’t stop until he’d exited the classroom.
I hissed in frustration. What was his problem? He’d been eager to talk to me a few weeks ago, and now he was ignoring me? Seriously?
Narrowing my eyes, I glanced at the back of his head. My next class wasn’t until the afternoon, and it was only eleven in the morning, so despite the crowded hallway, I forced myself to run after him.
He descended the stairs, and I followed closely. Soon, he headed towards the garden beside the Education building. Furrowing my brow, I sprinted towards him, passing him and stopping in front. I even opened my arms, panting heavily as I looked directly into his eyes.
“You…,” I gasped for breath. “You don’t plan to ignore me, right?”
Skylar stared at me for a moment, then without warning, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards the garden. He stopped when we reached a secluded spot and turned to face me.
“What do you need, Azora?” he asked.
I narrowed my eyes again. “Let’s talk about what you said last time we met.” His forehead creased. I cleared my throat and stood tall. “You said I was Anthony’s girlfriend, and you were sure it came from gossip. I don’t believe it was just gossip.”
Skylar sighed and looked away. “Azora, let’s talk about it next week.”
“No!” I insisted, glaring at him. “Don’t ignore me, Angeles. Tell me who told you I was Anthony’s girlfriend.”
“Azora…”
“Tell me now!”
“It was Clasiso.”
Anger flushed my cheeks red. “Don’t lie to me, Angeles. Tell me who lied to you, and I won’t bother you anymore.”
“I’ve already told you. Anthony Clasiso said you were his girlfriend.”
I swallowed hard. “Stop it, Skylar. Just tell me the truth!”
He laughed bitterly. “I’ve told you the truth, but you refuse to believe it, Azora.” He shook his head. “I’ve known since childhood that you were Anthony’s girlfriend. Anthony and I were friends, but we hadn’t seen each other at this university. He told me he loved you.”
My knees went weak at his words. Stepping back, I couldn’t speak for a moment.
I couldn’t accept what Skylar had just said. I shook my head and looked down. “So… are you saying Anthony lied to me?”
He remained silent. I furrowed my brow and looked up at him again. “Did Anthony lie to me, Skylar?”
He sighed. “I’m telling you the truth. When I heard he had died, you were the first person I sought out. I wanted to know why they said Anthony killed himself when he loved you so much, Azora. Anthony wouldn’t have left you.”
So… that’s why he asked about Anthony when we first talked?
I laughed bitterly. “Why would Anthony lie to me?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know, Azora. All I know is, Anthony wouldn’t have killed himself just because of family problems and inheritance. Anthony and his family… they never got along. So it’s strange he’d give up now that he supposedly had a girlfriend.”
I stepped back again. No, this wasn’t a good sign.