Secrets, Lies, and Deception

Chapter 23: Putting Up a Wall

I arrived at school the next morning from the hospital. After my encounter with Grandfather yesterday, I really didn't want him around. I texted him telling him that he can stay in his apartment for the night and that I insisted. I told him that I needed some time alone and he respected it.

I was contemplating ever since our talk that if he's worth fighting against my Grandfather's wishes? I still don't know anything about Nate aside from the fact that he's an orphan. But why does Grandfather seem to know him to the point that he is giving me ultimatums?

I swear to God I think I will get myself admitted to the hospital because I am having a bad headache and I feel like fainting any second now. I honestly didn't have enough sleep because of all the contemplating.

As I arrived for my first class, Nate was standing by the door reading a book in his hand. I walked past him trying to ignore and give him a cold shoulder. I saw that he raised an eyebrow as I passed by him. He followed me to my chair. I was putting my bag behind the chair and sat down, looking straight ahead at the board.

"Good morning Lu," he said, with a smile.

"Get lost," I said underneath my breath. It seems like I was the only one who heard it. I hate that I'm like this to him, but I seriously don't need sweets and butterflies right now.

He tried to sneak a pat in my head, but before he could even brush my hair I slapped his hand, stood up and told him, "I said, get lost!"

Everyone in the room was shocked at me shouting and since everyone's eyes are on us, every single one is paying close attention to the next thing that will happen.

"One more move and that hand of yours will be broken in two. Get lost and don't talk to me," I said, not even glancing at his face. I rubbed the temples of my head trying to ease the pain and confusion I am feeling.

Nate moved away and went back to his seat. I can feel that he was dumbfounded by what just happened. Even my other self is screaming inside who cannot believe what I have just done.

Classes started and I can't seem to manage to let any information sink into my brain. It keeps floating around - from whatever gibberish our teacher is saying to mom's condition to what Grandfather said and to what I did to Nate earlier.

"Ah fuck," I shouted, grabbing my bag and stormed out from the room. I saw for a glimpse how shocked everyone was. Whispers started to disperse. The teacher tried to call my attention but I didn't bother to look back.

I went to the only place I know can calm myself the fuck down and that's the rooftop. It's always been my comfort escape.

Good thing when I arrived the door was still unlocked and no one was around. Even if I haven't been here for a while because of a lot of things that happened these past few weeks, it seems that it is the only constant thing that will never change.

I sat against the wall and grabbed a box and a lighter from my secret pouch in my bag. I haven't smoked for a while too. I only smoke whenever my mind's a bust just like now.

I lit up the butt of the cigarette and inhaled from the other end of the stick, tasting the bitter yet addictive taste of nicotine in my mouth. For quite a while I was able to keep my mind away from thinking anything. The grounds have faint noises of people walking and talking. Suddenly, the bell rang and the door of the rooftop opened wide, revealing Nate with his hand on one of his shoulders which was holding his bag. Nate looked around for a while until our eyes landed on one another.

As he approached me, I bit the cigarette stick on my lips as I stood up and patted my uniform off of dust and dirt, and yet a calculated slap went across my face removing the stick off of my lips.