Liar's Desire ✔️

46| My Oakberry Past

Past Carlos's POV 

The sweet smell of freshly baked apple pie filled the air as I entered the math room. Tristan was sitting in his normal seat right next to Mei. Those were the only two people I knew in that class but, I didn't talk to either of them. Especially Tristan, I hated him. 

"Do you guys like my new candle? I was getting tired of the watermelon scent, I hope you guys like this one better!" Mrs. Baker announced with a smile. She was sitting at her desk, doodling something in a small black notebook, "Also, we're changing seats today so everyone stand up!" 

I leaned against the wall and waited for her to say my name and point to a desk. The desks were made for two people so I crossed my fingers, hoping to get seated next to someone normal. 

But all my hopes were shattered when Tristan and I were the only two people standing. 

"Mrs. Baker, can't I sit elsewhere?" I asked, hoping to sit next to anyone but Tristan. 

"Does anyone want to switch with Carlos?" Mrs. Baker asked the class. 

No one responded. 

I sat down next to Tristan. While taking notes, our elbows kept crashing into each other since I was a righty and Tristan was a lefty. 

Soon, the bell rang and most people sprinted towards the lunch room. However, Tristan was still sitting there, taking notes with a stressed expression on his face. 

"Are you okay?" I mumbled, "You don't look too well." 

"Piss off, Carlos." 

I rolled my eyes and put my stuff together. We both had the same lunch period so if I stayed a little longer, I wouldn't be missing anything. 

"Do you need help? If the answer is no, I'll just leave but you're not helping yourself by denying help," It was only Tristan and I in the classroom. Mrs. Baker and everyone else had already left. 

"The school year is ending. It's not like this will matter in thirty years," he said, slamming his notebook closed." 

"You're going to get kicked out of honors, aren't you?" 

He swung his head around and looked at me, "How did you know that?" 

"For science, math, English, French, and history class. Tristan, the scores released yesterday for everyone to see. You're at the bottom, I don't think anyone noticed." 

His gaze softened and the scent of Mrs. Baker's apple pie candle filled my lungs. The suns orange hue laid a blanket of light in the classroom and hit Tristans face directly. 

He rose up from his chair and grabbed his stuff, "You're planning on changing schools, right? Your name isn't listed for next year." 

"Yeah, you really think I want to stay here after all you've done?" 

"I just wish things went in a different direction than it did." 

"Pardon?" 

"It's nothing," Tristan whispered as he walked out of the classroom. 

I hated him but at the same time, something wasn't right. I didn't know who to point fingers at, Tristan or Tiffany? Or both? All of them, Hinata, Brooke, Tristan, and Tiffany? No, Tristan wasn't to blame. 

I had eavesdropped from them quite a few times, Tiffany was manipulative and had some sort of dirt on him. I guess I knew what that dirt was. 

I exited the classroom and as I passed by room 105, I heard someone say Tristan's name. I pressed my ear against the door and listened to them talk about how stupid he was and how they would sabotage him to get him kicked out of the school. 

Whenever people would drop to the bottom, people would sabotage them. They would try to get rid of any competition. 

What a stupid school and what stupid students. I think the bruises and scars on my skin were enough to tell someone from another school, "Don't go to Oakberry High! You won't survive there!" 

I hated Oakberry High.