Alluring Mask - ENGLISH VERSION

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

Days passed without any communication from Rafael because the classes were suspended due to a typhoon that hit our barrio, causing a delay in the school schedule.

As I walked to school, I found myself smiling at the distant field. However, that smile quickly faded as I recalled that night. I unconsciously touched my lips. Why am I still feeling the softness of his lips on mine?

What are you thinking, Sarah?!

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. My lips felt so dry compared to his, which were so smooth. He must use something special to keep them that way.

"Sarah!"

I turned quickly at the sound of someone shouting my name. It was the woman from whom I always hid my suman, she was waving frantically at me. I raised my hand to greet her, but my brow furrowed when I noticed her widened eyes.

"Watch out! There's a bike coming!" she yelled.

As I turned, I realized too late that a mountain bike was racing toward me. I froze in shock, unable to move, and the bike crashed into me. I stumbled against a wire fence with small spikes and ended up on the ground. My clothes snagged on the spikes, and I winced as I felt the spikes scratch on my back and arm.

"I'm sorry! My bike doesn't have brakes!" the boy apologized, and I can clearly see his tears forming.

I glanced up and simply nodded. He helped me to stand up, and I brushed off my clothes while picking up my backpack.

"It's okay... I'm fine," I said softly. I looked around and noticed that almost everyone was watching us. Feeling embarrassed, I ignored the boy and walked away as if nothing had happened.

"That girl is so insensitive," I heard a woman whisper.

I grimaced as a sharp pain shot through my stomach where the bike had hit me. It felt like a punch, but I didn't have time to dwell on it. I was already late for class, and our thesis defense was approaching, so we had to be prepared.

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"What happened to your arm?"

I glanced at Rafael as I settled into the empty seat beside me.

"Sarah, are you okay? I asked what happened to your arm," he asked, concern evident in his voice.

I looked down at my arm and fell silent. I closed my eyes, and I already imagined the fresh blood from my wound. I took a deep breath, feeling anger wash over me.

'You're being so foolish, Sarah!' I berated myself. 'If you had just moved out of the way, you wouldn't have another scar! You're already unattractive, and now this!'

I attempted to wipe away the blood on my wound, ignoring the sting, but I was about to smear it on my clothes when Rafael gently grabbed my wrist and pressed a handkerchief against my wounded arm.

"What happened? It's still bleeding," he is visibly worried while looking at me.

I ignored his concern, taking another deep breath to steady myself. After all, it was my fault.

"Hey, Sarah. What happened—"

"Raf, I don't want to talk to anyone right now, okay?" I interrupted.

We both paused, and I was shocked at my outburst. I didn't understand why I had reacted that way. Rafael's expression remained unchanged. He still looked concerned.

"Did you hear that? She's so rude to Rafael now."

"She thinks she's so special. The way she talks is just irritating."