Rats, Roses And Paper Bones

chapter 2: The mysterious guy

I swear it just remained a little before I lost all the blood rushing through my veins and fainted because he was staring at me, more closely and intensely than ever.

This made me shiver a little as I stepped backwards awkwardly, causing him to smile. WEIRD.

"Hi" I said, trying to be friendly.

"Hey". He replied.

"You must be new here, right?"He asked.

Thanks for pointing out the obvious,sir. I said in my head. I WAS LITERALLY IN A CHECKING HALL WITH MY MOM.

I was just hearing his voice for the first time and aside from the fact that it was quite deep, it sounded so genuine. I couldn't possibly understand the reason.

Apart from that, I could also make out his body structure. He was light-skinned and  average heighted, a bit taller than me. He possessed a cute face with a cute smile , cute brown eyes, small pink lips and a personality that spoke calmness.

I assessed his features all while trying to keep a straight face to prevent a prolonged convo. Randomly scrutinising people I just met from head to toe was an habit of mine. I must have picked it up, thinking it would help me relate better with them later on.

But I hated small talk with my life and all of my being. That posed as a major problem.

"Yes". I replied coldly.

"Well, I'm an old student and I can show you the ropes, if you would like".

Thanks again,captain obvious.

I mean, it was obvious he was an old student, judging from his school uniform which looked like it had been worn for more than a thousand times. But yet, it looked super neat and well ironed. He must be a clean freak.

Also, was it a custom at this school to just randomly walk up to a new student and ask if they needed to be shown the ropes? Like, was it a tradition or something?
That was hospitality at its peak. I admired it a little bit.

"Oh, it's fine, thanks". I replied, still cold.

"What class are you entering?" He asked.

Woahhh, easy there with the questions, I don't even know you. These were the words that were lingering in my mind and I was glad they just stayed there.

"Grade ten (ss1)"I replied again, getting tired.

"Nice!! That's my class too"he was a bit excited.

"Cool" I replied, a little less coldly.

I was surprised I could even reply him. I'm not a very social person. You might call me 'antisocial' but put it in any way you want, I wasn't so friendly around strangers.

"Are those your siblings over there?" He asked, pointing to Dotun who was happily poking Divine in the butt.

"Stop it!!" He cried, but Dotun just continued.

All eyes were on them and they didn't even notice.

I signed. So they couldn't hide their stupidity for just an hour? They just had to embarrass me at my new school, of all places ....gee, siblings.

"Yes" I replied, shamefully.

He didn't look a bit amused "you've got a nice and lovely family."

"Thanks" I said, somewhat relieved.

"Alright, I guess I'll be seeing you later then". He said,waving and turning to leave.

"Yeah, bye". I waved back as he smiled and left me dumbfounded.

Well, that was something! I said to myself.

That was awkward but i couldnt deny how thoughtul it was. Students here might actually be a little less hostile than the ones at my previous school. I thought.

Who knows, he might have just wanted to make a new friend, but what he did left me feeling like I wouldn't be as lonely in this school as I thought I would be.

Oh no!!..i forgot to ask for his name. I only knew his class. I didn't even know his department or anything else. I guess I'll have to find out myself.....

A tap on my head interrupted my thoughts. Of course, it was my annoying elder brother.

"What are you thinking about?"He asked, smiling funnily.

"Nothing".

"Sooo, who's the dude?". He asked, winking.

"Hmm? What dude?". I said, hoping he didn't see me talking to the boy because he would use that to pester me all the days of my life.

"Stop playing dumb, miss. Who's the dude that just left? the dude you were talking to just now".

Oh crap. He did see me talking to the boy. I'd better get ready for the pestering of my life.

"I don't know him, he just approached me to ask for my class". I said, praying that he doesn't say anything more.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!!!" I said, poking his butt.

"Ow!! What was that for?" He yelled.

I pointed at Divine, who was hugging my mom's legs tightly and clutching his butt.

"Ohhh...right" he said and I smiled.

After I had packed all my things to the hostel and had settled down, my mum called me and my sister back to the car to pray for us.It was a normal family tradition.

My sister was looking awfully calm, and that was giving me the chills because she had cried profusely the day before, saying she didn't want to attend a boarding school. Seeing her just smiling and looking like nothing was wrong was just scary.

"Dara" I called.

"Yeah?"

"Are you sure you are okay?"

"Yes, perfectly fine here". She smiled.

Well, I couldnt blame her. She must have made one or two friends already. But as for me, I hadn't even talked to anyone apart from the "mysterious" boy.

After my parents had prayed a very long prayer for us and had given us our farewell bidding and my baby brother had cried out all the tears in his eyes, my parents decided to leave. It was already late too.

I gave Dotun one final kick in the shin(a secret tradition between us) and we said our goodbyes.
"Don't forget about me when you get to university, ehn? And make sure you call occasionally you hear?" I said to him.

"You bet". He said, patting my head.

As my dad's old HONDA PILOT left the school compound, I almost shed a tear, ALMOST. Had to keep my 'hard girl' act up.

But truth be told, I was going to miss them so much. My sister was just waving them goodbye till she was sure they had gone far.

When they were out of sight, I grabbed my little sister's hand and said
"Let's go, this is our life now", as we throttled back to our new home for now-what they called the "hostel".

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