All My Life

Chapter 8

  Ringgg! The familiar sound of the school bells echoed loudly in the hall, and I was one of the first few to shoot up straight from my seat.

Mrs Forbes left the class in a rush as other students started filing out of class like bees.

  "Hey, Mrs Forbes said that a new guy is coming to our school tomorrow! Hope he's a hot guy," My friend Candice smiled dreamily while packing her bag.

  I gave a small smile. Yeap, that's my friend for you. Always only caring about the looks.

  We made our way down the stairs, only to bump into a familiar looking guy. So familiar, I almost lost my balance and tumbled down the stairs.

  Luckily, he managed to catch me in time, and my breath caught in my throat.

  Ian.

  But why... Ian?

  I heard Candice gasp beside me.

  "Hey," Ian grinned, helping me to my feet. "Didn't expect to see you here, Nina. Better be careful next time, I won't always be here for you."

  "Nina? Wait, wait what? You know this guy?" Candice shook me, glaring at me daggers, that I swear if looks could kill, I'd be rolling down the stairs in seconds.

  "Er.."

  "Hey," Ian looked up at Candice and stuck his hand out. "You're Nina's friend? I'm Ian, nice meeting you."

  Candice's cheeks turned a rosy red and she grabbed Ian's hand like it's made of real gold. "I'm C-candice! Nice meeting y-you too!"

  Ian grinned sheepishly and turned back to me. "Hey, er.. I'll be joining your school from tomorrow, so you bother to show me around?"

  "Yes!" Candice chirped before I could even process that Ian is here.

  -

  "So... this is the D&T workshop..." Candice said as Ian explored the area.

  "Hey, Nina!! Why didn't you tell me Ian is coming to our school!?!? How long did you know him!!!" Candice whispered harshly in my ear.

  "I-I don't know!! I'm not that close to  him..." I told her, which was partially true anyway, but she didn't look half convinced.

  After we showed Ian the whole school, unwillingly in my part, I was about to skip home freely.

  "So um... wanna have lunch together? I don't have anything on so.." Ian suggested, and was immediately cut by Candice's sharp, " Yes!!".

  "I..I can't. I need to go home," I fibbed. I just couldn't stand it with Candice anymore. It could help me get over Ian anyway.

  "Oh.." Ian sounded abit too disappointed.

  "So.. can we go have lunch, just the two of us, then!?!? It'll be like a DATE! This is too awesome!" Candice screeched, clinging onto Ian's arm.

  "Uh.." He slowly removed her hands. Uh oh. Poor Ian, having to deal with the drama mama. So sorry, my friend.

  "So um, bye. Have fun." I told them, making my way back home.

-

  I showered and cleansed my mind off school, before continuing on my schoolwork.

  Before I knew it, the sky was already pitch dark, and I decided to check my phone before hitting the sack.

  I flipped my phone open, and it was the first time I recieved a message from Ian!!! There were some from an unknown number, too.

  Ian:
Hey, Nini! Why'd you leave your friend with me? I barely know her! You'll get it when I see you again!! &$@"¥£€8$

I grinned at Ian's message. In the past, he used to call me Nini, but somehow he stopped.

I scrolled through the messages I received.

Unknown number:
Hey, I'm Paul. This is Nina, right? How's life? You're still having school, right?

Unknown number:
This better be your number, or I'll hunt you down!

I clicked a message in reply.

Me:
Wrong number.

Me:
Just kidding. It's fine. How's yours? Yeap, school as usual~

Then I noticed Candice sent me a message, too.

Candice:
You owe me an explanation tomorrow,  friend. 😒

I sighed. When could I ever get free of Candice's probing hands?

Then, I replied a message to Ian as well.

Me:
So why did you come to our school?

I couldn't resist checking my phone several times, but there were no notifications.

Just as I was about to doze off, my phone buzzed.

I jumped up and flipped my phone open, only to see that it's a message from Paul.

Paul:
Haha. Nice one. Me too. Want to meet up sometime?

Me:
okay.. but why? Are you trying to flirt with me?

Oops. I found myself to direct, but I already sent it. Shyyyyyt.

Before I knew it, I already started dozing off.

But somehow, it seemed like I kept waking up every few minutes just to check my phone.

Gosh. What is wrong with me.

Finally, the deep lulling comfy of sleep kicked in, and I started snoring softly.

It was only then that a vibration from my phone jolted me awake.

Ian:
Because I miss you. :)