I WISH I HATED YOU

Chapter 15

DORIS'S POV

"Today, we will discuss–."

Mr. Jared silenced himself after hearing doors open in the mid class. One girl with smeared lipstick walked in. Behind her, she was followed by Leon. Sigh. He is back to his roots. An electric wave of jealousy and bitterness entered my body. I put my fingers into my fist as nails dug deeply into my skin. She isn't even that pretty. I am not sure what did he saw in her. "May I know why two of you were late?"

"Traffic, you know." Leon muttered, but still he looked so convincing. I hate him so much. Both made slow steps into the classroom and had supercilious expressions that stared straight. So confident, but so malicious.

"So, The Vietnam War was a conflict that started from 1955 to 1975. It was between North Vietnam and South Vietnam. One was communist and another one wasn't."

Mr. Jared adjusted his glasses and flipped through the pages of his book, "the Vietnam war ended with the communist victory. The U.S joined shortly after 1969 with 543 thousand soldiers. The reason for our involvement was because of the Domino Theory. The US was concerned that the spread of communism could lead to a loss of American influence in Asia."

He looked around the room to see if anyone was paying attention, but either students were taking naps or talking to each other. He sighed, and attempted to sound bothered, "Students, please pay attention! You will need this one day."

He turned towards a chalkboard, writing notes that no one read. However, he is suddenly interrupted by the knock on the doors.

"Who's late now?" He shouted.

Two students walked in holding papers that looked like a script. Blonde girl stared awkwardly at us, and started wiping the pages she had in her hand. "You go first." She whispered to the ginger girl next to her.

"I am lucky to announce that 12 graders are going on a short trip to the village Lake Lacid. I know our Huguenot Lake is very pretty, but in Lacid there is a lot to explore. We will visit John Brown farm and take a 30-minute walk on High Falls George. It's set to be 3 days. We will stay at Hotel Golden Arrow. The school paid the most fees for the bus, attractions we will visit and additional fees, and what you only must pay is hotel price. But the good thing is we arranged a discount for school trip purposes. An individual pays 350 dollars. I know. I know. It's a very expensive place, but it will be worth it. It's on October 13th to October 16th."

There were different reactions from each person in classroom, and I just stayed still knowing I won't go anyway.

"I can't afford that." One person said.

"Leon! It is on your birthday! We must celebrate it there!" Xavier shouted.

His birthday. He will be 18 this October.

Despite what happened yesterday, Leon seems unbothered and relaxed. He was joking with his friends like he usually does, and his smile was there. Asshole.

"Who is interested?" Blonde girl finally spoke.

Lots of hands were raised, but mine was down.

"It's once in a lifetime experience, you have to go!" Kyle who sat across from me said.

"My dad wouldn't let me go. I just know that." I made an excuse. I don't want to go because I will be alone. I have no friends and I will just be bored.

"We can convince him. C'mon. Our dads literally work together." Kyle was speaking loudly, and I wondered if Leon noticed it. So pathetic.

"We will see." I fake smiled at Kyle.

***

I was staring at the sign-up sheet that was on the message board.

"AUDITIONS FOR THE PLAY:

If you ever wanted to play Romeo, or Juliet, well here is a chance!

TITLE: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

AUDITION DATES: September 20th – September 23rd

No experience needed. For additional information reach out to Mrs. Taylor."

I sighed, and grabbed the pen out of my backpack, and carefully signed my name. "Oh, I didn't think you would actually do it." Kyle's voice appeared next to me. "Give me a pen." He took a pen out of my hand and signed his name undermine.

"If we get actual roles for main characters, and I have to kiss Romeo or something, I am not doing it."

"With that attitude, you won't even get a role." Kyle said while we made steps towards lockers.

"I am not getting it, anyway."

"My sister is coming next week here. She doesn't want to stay with my mom anymore, so."

"Is that good or bad thing?"

"Yeah. I think you two would be cool friends."

"What's her name?" I asked and then noticed Leon in the distance looking at us. As soon as I looked at him, he looked away. Idiot. Stupid idiot.

"Bella." Kyle answered.

I looked back at Kyle, "Nice name." While my eyes were on Kyle, I could still sense Leon's eyes on us.

Look at him. My intrusive thoughts screamed at me. So, I listened. This time, he didn't look away. With the mass of people walking between us, our eye contact didn't break. My skin felt sudden flames, and our eyes spoke millions of words. They just spoke different languages, and we couldn't understand what each one of them wanted to say.

"Hey?" Kyle interrupted my zoned-out mind.

"Yes, sorry." I looked away.

***

"How do I say sorry?" Leon grabbed the pen and piece of paper.

"Just say it. Do I have to spell it out." Jolene rolled her eyes, "Men really complicate things when they fuck up."

"Who even told her about it?" Xavier asked.

"It was Sydney, David's pet."

"So should I say something like, 'I am sorry I made that deal with Kyle. It was never that serious. I gave up from it the first time we–."

"We what?" Xavier teased Leon as he tapped him on the shoulder.

"Fucked, what else?" Jolene laughed. Leon's face was not amused with the jokes, and he was focused on piece of paper in his hands.

"Just be honest, it is very simple." Xavier said.

"I am not even honest with myself; how can I be honest with her."

Leon lit his cigarette and took a deep breath,

"I saw her today with Kyle. Why was she with him? He is a dickhead. Then she noticed me and her eyes–." Leon continued by throwing cigarette away, "I'll just shut up."

"You are so in love." Xavier joked.

"I am not. It's just a lust."

"Isn't she like strict Christian?"

Leon smirked at them, and just sipped his beer.

"No way."