(Sonaia's POV.)
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"The car is waiting downstairs, young miss."
I checked my phone as the holoscreen pops out to show what time it is. I fixed my earings before giving my bag to the servant assigned to me this morning.
As soon as we reached the ground floor, I saw dad preparing to go out as well. He's wearing the same old watch that he usually wears, same old suit as well.
"Morning." I greeted him as he looks at me.
"My babygirl! Goodmorning!" He said as he hugs me tightly like usual. And as usual, he smells like cigar.
I hugged him back. He's rarely home these days.
"Sir Ramon." The servant behind me called out to him as he points at his watch.
"Ah right." Dad said as he leans back. He smiles as he gives me extra money for allowance even though he already gives me plenty.
"Are you having fun in school?" He asked as he personally hands me the lunchbox prepared by our chef.
"Mhmm. I do." I said as I put the lunchbox on my bag as I start walking towards the door.
"Is that so. Alright, have fun today as well 'kay? Your old man here will go as well!" He said as he laughs heartily.
We went outside as the servant opened the car's door as I enter. He handed me my bag, bowing before closing the car's door.
"Morning, young miss!" Terry, my driver, greeted me like usual as the car starts to move.
"Morning." I greeted him back as the car drives smoothly.
We traveled fast, there were no traffic at all as I try to get some rest before reaching the school.
I pulled out my phone, scrolling as we travel. Cute videos, funny memes, and more random stuffs, they're not that entertaining but it's enough to pass time.
"We're here, young miss." Terry said as I put my bag inside my phone.
"Thanks Terry." I said as he nods.
"I assume that you'll go home by yourself as well for today?" He asked before I closed the door.
"Like usual, yes." I said as I closed it, he immediately leaves as I walk towards the school building.
I entered the building, immediately going to my shoelocker.
Hmm?
There's a letter inside.
Not again.
I grabbed it and changed my shoes.
I went up to the 3rd floor, going in my classroom as I put my bag down. Some of my classmates immediately perked up when they see me.
"Morning Sonaia!" Some of the girls said as they started to chat.
"Morning." I replied with a smile.
"Have you watch the new episode of...?"
"Did you know that her boyfriend did...?"
"Oh! Wait I also found a new brand of makeup and...!"
This is tiring.
They kept talking to me as if we're close but I'm sure I never even initiated a talk with them before so why? I checked my phone as they continue to talk, ignoring them.
"...Oh, and also there's that Juwan guy!"
Juwan?
"Ah, that foreign student from section 3 right?"
My ears perked up as they kept talking. No-- wait, why am I even listening to them?
"Yep yep, I heard from Vic and the others that he doesn't really interact with others." They kept gossiping.
Well, he's definitely not sociable that's for sure.
"Also from what I've heard, he's also kinda smart." They said as I continue to listen.
"Right? if only he was a bit taller." I heard one of them said.
A bit taller? Isn't he already very tall? What are they talking about?
"Right? Speaking of tall, I saw Xavier yesterday and my gosh! He's so handsome in casual clothes!"
Ah. Their conversation switched topics again. I sighed as I walk outside the room.
Before I knew it, I was already inside Section 3's classroom. The other people looked at me but as usual, I ignored them.
"M-morning!" Some of the guys greeted me.
"Morning." I greeted back like usual.
I looked at Vely's seat and surprisingly, she's not here. That's unusual.
"Yo, Shorty."
"Creep--?"
Suddenly I got hit by a textbook in the head gently. I saw him as I felt a smile creeps in my face.
I gently smack him as he blocked it with a textbook.
"What's up?" He asked me as I followed him to his seat.
He made me sit on the chair as he sits on top of his desk as I look around.
"Where's Ced and Vely?"
"Oh, Ced's isn't here yet and Lovely's currently sick."
"Wha--?"
"Did Lovely not told you?" He asked as he tilts his head.
"No she didn't. Seriously, that girl--!" What did that girl even do to get sick?
Did she eat something wrong? She probably forgot to rest while watching anime again so now she's not feeling good.
"Pftt... disappointed that I'm the only one here?" Juwan asked as he drinks from his water.
I just looked at him, annoyed at his words as I gently smack his arm.
"Hey." I called out to him.
"Hmm?"
"I heard from my classmates that you're a actually a foreign student, is that true?" I asked him, my curiosity winning me over.
He suddenly stayed silent for a bit as he puts his hand on his mouth as if he's thinking about what he'll say. Why think this hard over such an easy question?
"Hey Creep, you okay?"
"Ah-- yeah sorry."
"What's up?" I asked him while he takes a deep breath.
"I-I was just surprised with the sudden question, thats all." He said as he scratches his cheek.
But it's pretty obvious that it's not that at all. Well, I won't pry into it if he's not comfortable sharing.
"Not necessarily a foreign student but like... wait no, technically I am a foreign student." Why is he so confused with what to answer? It's a simple yes or no question!
"Haa... so you're technically a foreigner." I said as he nodded.
"Pretty much yeah."
"Then where are you from?" I asked him.
He stayed silent for a bit, I thought that he was thinking hard about what to answer again but it didn't seem like it.
"I'm from the Philippines." He said as he looked as if he was reminiscing about something, probably his hometown.
Philippines?
He stretched as he stood up. I looked at him as he subtly points at the door.
I looked at where he was pointing and saw that their homeroom teacher is just outside the door.
I stood up as he subtly waves his hand. As I leave their classroom, I took one last glance at his dumb face. Atleast there's no injuries left in it.
.
.
"Hey Sonaia, you're close with Juwan right?" A classmate of mine asked as I grabbed my lunchbox from my bag.
"Not really." I replied as they put their chair closer to mine.
The bell for lunch just and now someone's talking to me again. I stopped myself from sighing as I just listen to them talk.
"Really? Cuz honestly, I know he's friends with Cedric and all but whenever I join in their hangouts, he's always not there." She continued as I sigh.
Seriously, why are they even asking me? If they wanted to know then they should just talk to him directly.
"What's up with Juwan, anyways?" I asked, smiling so that I don't look like a mean bitch.
"W-Well, It's just I wanna... ask him to hangout again in the karaoke."
Karaoke?
"Karaoke? Why Karaoke?" I asked as I tilt my head.
"Hmm? Do you not know?" The girl asked as if it should be common sense to know this.
"No, seriously." I said as her eyes suddenly lit up.
"Gurl! You should definitely go invite him! He--!"
"Hey shorty!" Suddenly, Juwan called out to me.
I looked at him as I saw him with Cedric just outside our classroom. I stood up and sighed, the girl I was talking to just waved at me as I go towards the two.
"Heya Sonaia!" Cedric greeted me as I walk towards them.
"Sup?" I asked them as my eyes darted to Juwan.
"... Cedric wanted to know if you want to join us eat." Juwan said as if he knows that he's a context giver.
I looked around as I saw Juwan with his wallet on his hand and Cedric with his lunch. I instinctively pulled out my wallet then I remembered that I have a packed lunch for today.
"You didn't bring any lunch today?" I asked Juwan as we started to walk down the cafeteria.
"Nah, not today." He said.
"Why not?" I asked as his eyes darted towards Cedric.
Right, Vely's not here so there's no point in bringing lunch for himself huh.
"...You're a dumbass, you know that?" I told him, annoyed that this fucker would only bring food for Vely.
"Wha-- why are you guys fighting again?" Cedric asked as he chuckles.
"She just can't handle how handsome I am so she had to curse outloud." Juwan said so smugly and confidently as I punch him.
He laughs as we continue to go down the stairs.
The cafeteria is full of people like usual as Cedric immediately went to an open seat. Juwan and I sat beside each other out of instinct even though Vely isn't hear to sit beside Ced.
"...You ain't buying lunch?" I asked Juwan as he just sat there, looking at his phone.
"Nope." He said as I peek at his phone.
It's a message from his boss, something about repairs and paid leave. That must mean that he doesn't have to work today right?
"Paid leave huh. Well, lucky you." I told him.
He looked at me before pushing my face away. This guy seriously!
"Hey! Don't you know it's rude to do that to a lady?!" I asked him as I try to smack him but I can't reach his face.
"A lady wouldn't just peek on someone else's phone, so you ain't one!" He told me as I smack his arm.
"Oh? You have no work today? So that means you can go hangout with us right?" Cedric asked.
Juwan stayed silent as he removed his hand off of my face as he sighs.
"Sure, why not?" He said as he smiles.
Goddamn this man has a dangerous smile. No wait--! What the fuck am I thinking?
"Yes! Bro, nice timing as well since Yu said that he brought his guitar today." Cedric said as he points his fork at Juwan.
"Oh shit really?!" Juwan suddenly perked up, even his eyes looked excited.
"Apparently, his club postponed their club activities for today and he already brought his guitar. So now we can just have a jamming session later." Cedric said as he has this smug smile.
I looked at Juwan, I never saw him this excited before.
"Hehehehe! Now we'll hear you sing again." Cedric said, his face looks like a gremlin as he continues to eat.
"Pftt-- What's with you glazing me with how I sing?" Juwan asked.
I opened my lunchbox and my utensils as I grab his arm. He looked at me pointing at my food with my fork, signalling to him that I'll share my lunch with him.
He saw my signal as he shook his head. I kept poking him, annoying him so that he'll atleast eat.
"You humble bastard. You must be some kind of secret singer in Yootube or something!" Cedric said, his eyes looking at Juwan like it's a conspiracy theory.
"Not at all, you prick." Juwan said while chuckling as he gently slaps my hand away.
Juwan stopped talking as he sighs, gently grabbing my spoon as he finally takes a scoop out of my lunch.
"It's just that my dad taught me how to sing when I was young and it became a hobby." Juwan said as he takes a bite.
I took a bite too as we both eat from the same lunchbox.
"Just a hobby? Brother if I'm that good with my hobbies then I'd be a fucking star." Cedric said as he finishes his meal.
"Is he really that good? I heard from my classmate as well that he has a nice voice." I joined in their convo as Cedric's eyes lit up.
"Hehe! If you hangout with us later then you'll know!" Cedric said as I looked at Juwan.
Hangout with them? Just to hear this guy sing? Even if he's good at singing, Cedric just probably meant he's above average.
There's no need for me to hangout with them just because I'm curious.
.
.
"Dude, can't believe Juwan's joining us today." The guy with the guitar said as we walked in a group.
"Right? It's a miracle!" Cedric replied as Juwan hid his face with his hand.
...My curiosity got the best of me.
So now I'm hanging out with Cedric's friendgroup afterclass. Everyone is chatting with each other with the exception of Juwan, who's just listening.
"Hey Juwan, Vivi said that she wants to hear you sing again." The guy with the guitar said as we continue walking.
"Y-Yu! Seriously!" The girl beside her said as we reach the mall.
Juwan just smiled at them as we walk.
"...Why aren't you interacting with them properly?" I whispered to Juwan as I gently hit his side with an elbow.
"You say that but you're not really talking to them as well." He replied in a whisper as we ride an escalator.
"...Ok touché."
We reached the lounge area as the 8 of us sat at an open space. We placed our bags beside us as I stretched my back as soon as I lean on a seat. I noticed Juwan doing the same, even using the seat as support to crack his back.
"Damn that sounds satisfying." I told him as he looked at me.
"Signs of aging." He said so nonchalantly that it made me almost burst out a laugh.
"Haa... it's tiring." I said as he looks at me.
"I know what you mean. Socializing is hard." He replied as we both just flopped our head on the seat.
"I didn't know you're an introvert as well." I told him as I felt myself relaxing.
"I might be one but I try my best to interact properly when needed." He said as he sits up properly.
"Damn creep, didn't know I'd relate to you." I told him as the chattering with Cedric's friend group stops as the sound of the guitar playing resonates at the lounge.
"..Ok, what's with the creep? You've been calling me that the whole day." He asked as he looked at me. I sat down properly as well.
"Well, you keep calling me shorty so... think of it as my nickname to you." I told him as I felt myself smiling.
"Ha? Even though you kept calling me by my name last--" He said as I punch his arm, making him stop his sentence.
"Shut up and just listen to them." I said as I point to the guy playing the guitar.
He looked at me as a smug smile appeared in his face.
"Them? What's their name then?" He asked as he leans down.
This fucker.
"W-well it's my first time hanging out with you guys so I don't--"
"Understandable, so what's the girl's name? She's your classmate so you should know, right?" He said, interrupting me as he smiles.
This fucker!
He lets out a sigh, smiling as he points his finger one by one.
"Your classmate's name is Vivian. Ced and the other's call her Vivi." He said as the guys infront of us sing around as the guy with the guitar plays some songs.
"The guy with the guitar is Yu, a member of the music club. The guy with the red hair is Rev, the girl with purple highlights on hair is Clara, and that's Kris." He told me slowly, as if I'm a kid.
I just stared at him.
"How do you even know all of their names?" I asked him as he looked at me as if I'm an alien.
"Well, they're always friendly with me so I should atleast try to know them better." He said as he leans on the seat.
Trying to know people better just because they're friendly... what a weird dude.
I kept listening to them jamming as the other people in the mall doesn't seem to mind how noisy we are. They're playing popular songs, new songs, different genres and stuffs.
"Hey Juwan! Tell me which song you wanna sing! I'll play it for you!" The guy with the gui-- Yu said as he calls out to Juwan.
"Hmm? Ah, well can I borrow you're guitar for a bit then?" Juwan said as he slowly stood up.
"Oh? You know how to play?" Yu asked as he hands the guitar to Juwan.
"Well yeah. Someone told me that when a guy knows how to play the guitar, it makes them 3 times more attractive." Juwan said as he handles the guitar with care as he sat down beside me.
"And with how ugly I am, I needed that buff." He continued as I felt myself giggling with his stupid joke.
He closed his eyes for a bit as he takes a deep breath, exhaling it as his fingers started to play the guitar.
His strumming isn't like what Yu did earlier. It's much more gentler and his fingers are kinda plucking the strings instead of straight strumming.
"When you were here before." He suddenly uttered as I felt chills run down my spine.
Unlike Yu's interactive vibe when playing, Juwan's vibe is completely different. It's as if his voice is demanding my attention softly.
I can't look away.
"You're so very special."
"I wish I was... Special."
His voice made me remember his words before, the lines of the song is making it worst.
"But I'm a creep."
Juwan uttered so softly yet so... painful, making an abrupt stop to what I was feeling earlier as he continues to sing.
"I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doing here? I don't belong here."
His voice is so chillingly beautiful that I can't help but just stare at him. His relaxed expression from earlier gone, replaced by an expression filled with sadness.
The way he's singing this song is so different from how the song should be sung. His is gentler... yet more painful.
He continued to strum the guitar. There's only silence from me and the others. Some of the mall goers also stopped walking as if to listen to this man.
Suddenly, his hauntingly beautiful calm voice started to rise.
"I want you to notice! When I'm not around!"
His strumming also started to become stronger as he holds some of the lines.
"That you're so very special! I wish I was special!" He sung as his voice growls slightly before becoming beautifully clear again.
"But I'm a creep! I'm a weirdo!"
His voice sounds so good even when he's singing it so loudly. I felt my heart ache as he continues to sing. Every line that he sings next just keeps stabbing me with even more pain.
Yet I can't look away.
His eyes started to tear up as his becoming more aggressive with strumming. His voice tremble yet it doesn't break... what's breaking right now is my heart.
"What the hell am I doing here?!"
I clutched my skirt with how intense his voice become.
"I don't belong here!"
How different it was from earlier's calm yet painful voice.
"She's... running out the door again!"
As if he's lashing out beautifully.
"She's running out!"
I can't look away.
"She runs!"
I can't look away.
"Runs!"
I can't look away.
"Runs!"
I can't look away.
"Runs!"
I can't look away at all.
"Runs!" He sung as he holds it, his breath gently running out yet never breaking as I felt myself leaning back, terrified that I'd be enchanted even more.
"But I'm a creep. Oh I said I'm a weirdo." Suddenly, his voice became soft again, almost a whisper as I felt myself gasping for air.
"What the hell am I doing here?" His voice becoming gentler, as if he's given up on something.
"I don't belong here."
I kept looking at him as I felt my heart beating faster each second.
"I don't belong here..."
He uttered the final line of the song as his strumming slowly comes to stop. Suddenly, his painful expression turned back to normal as he looks at me.
"...Since you keep calling me a creep today." He whispered to me with a smug smile in his face as he hands the guitar back to Yu.
Everyone was just staring at him, stunned by what the fuck he just did.
This man.
This man is dangerous.