Aileen
I don’t know much about Skylar, even though I call him my friend-just like Rosalia. All I know is that he’s rich, from a rich family, popular, and good at sports.
Should I really ask him about his parents and family? Am I overstepping my boundaries?
I don’t know…. Gosh, it’s so irritating.
“What are you thinking so much?” Rosalia took a seat beside me, with a drink in hand. “Your feelings are written all over your face.”
I glance in her direction, “Oh, it’s you. Are you still drinking? It’s not alcohol, is it?”
She gave a side eye, “It is. Do you think I drink lemonade like a kid?”
Does she drink alcohol? That’s unexpected! But, if you think about it, it’s normal considering we are adults.
Guess, I’m the only one who’s not aware of my age as of yet.
“Uh…. you shouldn’t drink too much. Or else you might get drunk and”
“And what?” she asked, putting down the glass from her mouth. “What do you think will happen to me if I get drunk out here?”
“Uh…that’s….” What am I supposed to answer to that?
“Do you think someone might take advantage of my drunk state?” she joked, “Is that why you are worrying so much?”
“Uh…. not exactly but…. that’s also I’m worried about….”
She laughed, “You are really stupid.”
“Stupid?”
“No one out here can dare to touch me, not when I’m under the protection of Skylar. So, your worries are meaningless.”
Under his protection? Even when he’s not around watching over her? Just how much confidence is she in him? Or is this blind faith?
“You believe in him so much. Is this because you still have attachments to him even though he’s your ex-boyfriend?” I asked, looking her in the eyes.
Her eyes narrowed down on me in response.
“It’s not because he’s my ex-boyfriend. Or even if that is, Skylar would never let any injustice happen to anyone, not under his watch. That I’m confident about.”
“Does he know you think so highly of him?” I asked.
She smiled, “You seem to be interested in him too much. Does he know about it?”
“Me? Why would you even think that? I’m just”
“Yes, I got it. You don’t need to explain,” she asserts, getting up from her seat. “I’m going upstairs. You’ve ruined my mood. I probably won’t see you for the night. So, goodbye. See you at college.”
I also got up after her, “Uh, goodnight. Bye.”
She left right away heading out of the party hall. She’s probably going to spend the night here. A free soul huh? I’m feeling bad for the Principal seeing her so comfortable at his home.
The party went on for a few more hours. Right when it was around 10:30, I saw a man a bit older than us entering the party hall.
He was wearing black shades at night that’s why I couldn’t recognize his face. But, he did look similar.
Have I seen him somewhere before? But, where?
He talked with some boys and girls and then later searched for someone. He managed to see Skylar and walked up to her.
Is he, someone’s parent? Feeling curious I followed him. Skylar and he had an argument. The man dashed out after saying something and Skylar went after him.
I also went after them, even though this isn’t my business. And to my surprise, I saw the man with his shades off who turned out to be the principal, grabbing onto Rosalia’s hand as he dragged her downstairs.
Skylar stood at the end of the stairs watching them.
What is the principal doing here? It doesn’t even make any sense at all!
“Skylar, move out of my way!” the principal yelled.
“No, you can’t take her with you. She doesn’t want to leave,” Skylar yelled back.
“And I’m the one who gets to decide that,” the principal retorted. “She’s mine to claim.”
“You can’t even wipe her tears. I don’t want to hear anything from you,” Skylar stated, fisting his hands. “Lia will be staying here. Let go of her hand.”
“You really think I’m forced to listen to you? Keep dreaming,” The principal walked in a hurry and walked past Skylar.
But, Skylar held onto Rosalia’s other hand, stopping her in place.
Both of them are fighting over her, but what is she going to do?
“Lia, say what you want to,” Skylar begged, “Say you want to stay here. Or else he’ll take you away.”
I’m a bit confused here. Didn’t Skylar warn me about her before and tell me to stay away saying he hated her? And now he’s fighting for her against another guy? Who’s the right and wrong here?
She looked up to look at Skylar, but lowered her gaze bitterly, “I’m sorry.”
“You can’t do this to me!” Skylar yelled.
“Yes, she can,” The principal replied, kissing the crook of her neck.
Skylar became irritated to see it and removed his hand away from her hand.
“Let’s go,” the principal said to her before he dragged her away right before his eyes.
Skylar watched them leave. After standing for a few minutes I approached him and placed my hand on his shoulder from behind.
“Are you, alright?” I asked.
“How long had you been standing there for?” he asked, turning to me.
Did he notice?
“Uh, from the very beginning. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” he heaved a sigh, “I was surprised you didn’t find out even though they were so obvious.”
“So, you knew I would find out eventually?”
“Yeah, sorry you had to see this. Let’s go to the party,” he said, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.
He reeked of alcohol but his words sounded quite sober.
“Are you sure you don’t have to chase after them?” I asked, observing his face.
He paused for a second before replying, “No, ’cause there won’t be any point in doing that. She’s already where she’s supposed to belong. In his arms.”
“But, you do have feelings for her. That’s not wrong, is it?”
He clicked his tongue, pulling his hand away as he looked far off in the distance, “You are a pain in the neck to deal with, you know? I told you it’s fine. They love each other anyway. There’s no need for athird-wheelerr now.”
“Then, were they using you before?”
He glanced back with a frown, “Stop spilling the secrets out loud. Are you a spy or what?”
“Uh, no, I just happened to see them from time to time. That’s how I know.”
He snorted, “I see. Yeah, I was acting as a tool to make him jealous. Lia suggested it.”
“Why?”
“If I’m telling you so much, I have to explain everything to you. And I can’t do that without her permission. So, stay quiet with what you know,” he cuts me off, heading towards the party hall.
My phone rang the next second. Mom was calling me. I picked up her call right away.
“Hello, Mamma.”
“Sweetie, when are you coming home? Have you seen the time?”
“Oh, no. Sorry about it. I’ll head back right away.”
“Please do. Should I send a driver? Or did you bring one with you?”
“Yes, I did. I’ll see you at home. Bye.”
“Sure, come back fast.”
After hanging up her phone, I checked the time. Soon to be 11, I’m surely late. I bade goodbyes to my classmates and Skylar before excusing myself from the party.
And as I thought, I was the first one to leave. On my way home, I kept thinking about what I saw happening between Skylar and Rosalia.
Maybe they are keeping their relationship secret cause he’s an administrative person at the college while she’s a student.
No one’s going to accept their affair and will only see it differently. I don’t blame them for sneaking around.
And that’s why it makes me wonder, will we also have to be sneaking around when everyone finds out about me and Dave?
Will I be able to attend college so carelessly as I do now? Won’t my classmates be making fun of me?
How will I come to college after that? Will I have to start a new life in a different city to hide my identity?
But, Dave works here. He can’t leave from here. How will we see each other then?
All of these questions make me wonder, whether our love will really be able to be accepted by others around us like Dave is hoping for.
How long is that even going to take us? I can’t be waiting forever, can I?
Before I realized it, I fell asleep in my car on the ride home. The driver woke me up when I reached home.
After getting out of the car, I headed inside while rubbing my eyes.
“I don’t think it’s necessary yet!” Dave’s voice snapped me back to reality.
“But, it is. Listen to me. We can make it work,” Mom explained in a hopeful expression.
They were sitting on the couch side by side but Dave looked as if he was ready to escape any minute.
“No, there’s no way it’s going to work. It’s impossible!” he yelled.
“How can you say that without trying?” she insisted. “Look, I’ve looked into it very carefully. There’s still a chance even if it’s 1 percent in a 100.”
“There’s no value of one percent. Please, try to understand. I don’t want to risk your health and body. What if something were to happen to you? How will you go to work? What will happen to Aileen? She won’t be able to control herself will she?”
“You are exaggerating!” she sighed, “Every woman goes through this. I won’t die like that. Stop being negative. The results may be positive.”
“Yes, I’m worried about those results the most! Is there really any need for all this? We are fine the way we are,” he grunted, on the verge of tears.
What’s going on in here?