Love Alarm [Based On A True Story]

Childish Hope

"How bad is it?"

"It's horrible."

"Can we not save them?"

"It's beyond saving."

Silence.

"So what do we do?"

"What else? We have to cut them off."

This, my dear readers, was the conversation between mom and dad after they had assessed the damage in my hairs.

Apparently, my scalp was going through a crisis, because of which my hairs were becoming a mess, a terrible mess. not only were they falling off, but the edges were becoming a sticky tangled mess, with split ends.

And after a thorough examination, dad came to the conclusion that they couldn't be salvaged, and the only option was cutting them off.

Cutting my hairs off.

And cut they did.

The next day I went to school, I was the laughingstock of the class.

Confused aren't you? What was so bad about the haircut that I had to become the laughingstock. I'll tell you. Nothing. There was nothing wrong with my haircut. It was the society that was in the wrong.

My hairs hadn't been very long before either, so when dad cut the damaged hair off, they reached way above my shoulder. So high that even my nape could be seen.

And I must admit, I did look a little... ridiculous.

But not enough for people to openly laugh at my face without even trying to hide it. Because apparently, that's what happened. Starting with Nat, then Riley and the rest of her goons. They laughed like there was no tomorrow, commenting on what demon possessed me to do this hairstyle.

We weren't mad at each other anymore, but we weren't friends either. So, them acting like this could only be considered extremely offensive, but I tried my best to keep my smile and chuckle from time to time, until I could do that no more.

The smile had left my face and their laughing never seemed to cease, so the hurt of being ridiculed finally got to me.

I sat in a corner with my head hung low, while they continued to laugh. I wanted to show them my tomboy side and snap at them, but the more they laughed, the more vulnerable I felt. Like as if I believed their laughter was worth it. That I deserved it. That I really looked like a clown.

So, I didn't say them anything. I just sat there and heard the occasional grunts of laughter as they pointed their fingers toward me to catch attention of every students that entered the classroom, and that included Claire and of course. Stefen.

The moment Stefen stepped into the classroom, our eyes met, courtesy to Nat and her goons who wouldn't stop pointing fingers at me. And as our eyes locked together, my heart rate picked up speed.

Time seemed to slow down as I wondered what was going on inside that beautiful head of his, at the same time the ringing in my heart began.

But just as quickly as his eyes met mine, they left, turning to look for a seat before he began walking towards his friends.

Not a smile. Not a reaction at all.

But then again, what was I expecting?

When Claire showed up, she took one glance at me before storming towards me and covering me from the prying eyes of the bullies, pretending to be talking to me. I looked up at her from my sitting position, while she smiled down at me like nothing was amiss.

"Can I sit here?"

"I told you; you don't need my permission."

"I know. But it doesn't hurt to ask."

"Why aren't you laughing at me?" I couldn't believe I actually asked that question. I don't know what got into me, but at that very moment, with everyone laughing at me, that suddenly felt like the right thing to do.

Meanwhile Claire only stared at me with a smile, shaking her head like she couldn't believe me. "And why would I do that?"

"Everyone else is doing it."

"So should I do it too?"

Silence.

"Do you want me to?"

"Do you think I look funny?"

"I think you look like a student, unlike those wannabe models over there."

"No. I don't want you to."

The smile in Claire's face grew as she dropped her bag on the chair but didn't sit. Instead, she beckoned me to follow her. Slowly but surely, I got to my feet, discreetly glancing at Stefen as he laughed about something with his circle of friends.

"Stefen saw me too." I whispered as the two of us began walking out of the class, making Claire turn towards me. "What about it?"

"He saw. He must be laughing in his head right now."

This brought Claire to a stop, making her turn her whole body to face me. "Listen to me Ariana. Stefen has feelings for you. You get me?"

No. No I didn't get her at all.

What on earth is she talking about?

Stefen had feelings for me? Why was she saying it like she's so damn sure?

My heart never blared. How does she know?

Am I depending on my heart too much?

"H-how do you-"

"Know this?" Claire completed, looking at me directly before holding me by the shoulders. "Anyone can tell Ari. He makes it so obvious."

So, it's based on assumption. Okay.

None of us spoke on the matter again, because even if I tried, I don't think I would be able to. Not when my mind was going through an over drive.

Claire might have assumed, but she also said that everyone noticed it. Does that mean...some part of what she said could be true? That Stefen might actually like me?

But his endless stares aren't very endless anymore. Is it still obvious to everyone?

Or is everyone else assuming too?

He must have told his friends something, and his friends must have spread a word. That is why everyone must be assuming.

Yeah, that is probably why.

A new surge of hope rose inside me, a child's hope. The thought of Stefen liking me felt so thrilling and exciting that I couldn't care less who laughed at me, as long as the boy I loved, loved me back.

I mean who wouldn't? After all, no feeling is greater than the feeling of being loved.

I was a child, blinded by a childish love. I want to tell myself I should have known better. But then again, which child knows better when they are but a child?

That's just all a part of childhood. And that also includes heartbreak.

Heartbreak that even a love alarm can't save you from.

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HELLO LUVERS!!!! WHATS UP! WELCOME BACK AFTER SOOOOO LONG!!

Did you miss me? I missed you a lot. That's why I gave an update for you! Enjoy!

And by the way, Ramadan Mubarak to you all♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️