Å LITTLE BRÅVER

52-•ECLIPSE OF THE HEART.

•SALOME ALAN•

For the past two days, I've been glued to Zara. Proposely wait for her after school, and between free periods. I need to make sure her intentions towards having to see Mr. Alex's picture on my phone is clear and pure. And so far... I low key feel like one mad ass secret agent.

Just kidding. But it's just what I need to do to preserve my sanity, to some extent.

"So have you decided if you'd come to the afterparty?" Zara ask, popping the straw of her soda in her mouth. It's another lunch time, and we are settled at the cafeteria. It's just us at the table since lunch break is almost over, in like five minutes or so.

I push my mouth around, then sigh heavily. "I'm still thinking actually."

Zara scoffs, shaking her head at me. "What is there to think about, Salome?"

I raise my shoulder in a shrug. "Uh, you know... my dad?" I throw at her, but she only squint her eyes at me like I'm been a kid. "I am serious."

"Thought you'd come up with a better excuse." She mumurs, taking another sip. "Be honest, you just don't want to come, don't bring your precious dad into it."

"Hmm," I nod at her accuracy, taking my phone from the table. "Too bad you know me too well, what date is it again?"

The annoying loud bell goes ringing the second Zara open her mouth to say a word. I get up from my seat, adjusting my blazer jacket. She does the same.

"Ugh, school feels weird without Mr. Alex."

"I know right, seeing his face alone urges me to come to school.."

My eyes follows the girls walking by, obviously talking about how much they miss Mr. Alex. Zara snaps her fingers in my face.

"Hey, what are you staring at? Why are you frowning?" Her brows snitch together, and I blink back at her.

"W-what? I'm not frowning." I deny, gesturing to leave the cafeteria.

Zara meet up with me, eyeing me as we walk. "Of course you were, when those girls passed."

I glance at her, my mouth forming an 'o.'

"Oh, I didnt realise, probably because they were been loud."

Zara chuckles, linking her arm in mine. "People are people, Salome."

Seriously though, why would they be talking about him that way? I had no idea I was even frowning at her compliements about him, when it's not like l am jealous or anything. Okay, maybe I was.

I just miss him so much.

•••

I rub my moistured lips together, smacking it to make sure the lip loss spread around my lips properly, before giving my reflection a big smile in the mirror. I just hope my outfit isn't too much for a video call.

An hour ago, Mr. Alex texted me. He would be finally free to talk with me, and I have been thinking about it since I left school. Goosebumps popped out of my skin when I saw the text, but I've never been so excited.

I got home, showered, and changed into a pair of brown palazzo and black crop top, letting my curly black hair fall in it's natural state. I set my phone to stand against the stack of books on my vanity after texting him that I'm free, taking a satisfying breath afterwards.

Not up to a minute that I take my seat on my reading couch, patiently waiting for my phone to ring, Mr. Alex's video call comes in. My heart leaps at his profile on my screen, and I stretch to answer, exactly the moment my bedroom door flips open. My finger freeze midway, my head snapping back to see-