Love Alarm [Based On A True Story]

Love You Like a Long Song

The papers fly across the room, raining down on me while the result card in Ashley's hand smacks me across the face, making me turn my face away at the right time to avoid getting a paper cut.

I shut my eyes only for the briefest moment with my lips pursed, standing there in utter silence while Ashley glares up at me.

"Explain yourself, Ariana Manzel." Ashley seethes as the card she had tossed on my face finally settles to the floor, and I hold back the urge to bend down and pick it up, fearing what a single move could mean for me.

I make no reply of course, and by the looks of it, Ashley isn't done yet. "Explain the meaning of... this. What is this? You call these grades?"

When I first saw my results for the second semester exams, I felt nothing of it. They weren't what I usually got, but I shrugged it off saying, "Oh well, at least I didn't fail."

I must have forgotten that only saving yourself from failing is not important in the Manzel household. What you also need is excellent grades, and lately my results are far from excellent.

Why did it not bother me at school though?

"Just what on earth are you up to for you to get such terrible grades Ariana? What do you do at school?" Ashley continues, while the rest of them watch in silence. Alena and Andrew are busy having lunch, dad is nowhere, and mom isn't even bothering. Sindy had been going through Alice's report after Ashley was done with her, so once she's done with Alice's too, she bends down and picks up the card on the floor. My card.

I'm still in my uniform, while Alice had already left to change given her lecture was over but mine was taking longer than hers. Perhaps because my grades are just as terrible to deserve it. If I thought I would improve from the first semester, I was very wrong.

"Ariana, is this really yours?" Sindy asks with an eyebrow raised, making me purse my lips even more as she scoffs. "It says Ariana at the front, so I guess it is. You used to be one of the smartest among us, now even Alena does better than you. What on earth is going on with your education?"

Trust me, if I knew, you wouldn't be seeing these results.

But I don't say that of course, only holding my breath as Sindy walks on until she is right in front of me, her average height making her look up at me.

"Ah. Now I see what it all is." She says suddenly, making me lift my face to look at her as her face slowly morphs into a glare like Ashley's.

"With that heavy eyeliner and lip gloss, I guess we can all say where her education is leading to."

Oh shit.

There it is.

How am I to tell them...why I have all this make up on in the first place?

Even if I do tell, will they ever understand?

"This won't do." Sindy suddenly begins, slapping the card shut before turning to my bag on the floor. "Bring me your bag. I'll see what it is that you take with you to school."