Butterflies

Chapter 11

"I'm not hiding anything from you,"  I said to Alex, who hovered over me.

"You're not? Then look me in the eye Jewels and..."

"Don't call me that. Stop calling me that, my name is Julia!" I cut his sentence short and moved about 5 feet away from him. I couldn't stand the familiar scent of  his cologne. It felt nauseating.

"Okay fine, Julia. Look me in the eyes and tell me that you don't want me back," he tilted his head slightly, waiting for a reply.

I looked up at him, stared into his deep blue eyes. Why was he doing this? I parted my lips to speak. I struggled to find the words to describe my deep hatred towards Alex. Why?! I found myself looking at the floor again. I wished I could go back in time and stop myself from reaching out to him. I took deep breaths and finally the words came out.
"Alexander Carpel." I paused and with a big exhale I sang my truth "I hate you with every fiber of my being. I hate you from the depths of my heart. I hope you suffer the pain and heartbreak I experienced in ten folds. So today, I look into your eyes and I tell you now, that I do not and I will never want you back." I ended and walked away.

I stood on my porch as my hands trembled. The sun was down and the moon was bright. I reached for the  side pockets of my sweat pants for my keys. The words I said continued to ring in my ears. I unlocked the door and I stepped into my house. I took a deep breath and collapsed unto the wooden floors. Maybe I said a little more than what was necessary, but I really meant it all.
I walked upstairs to my room and once again stared at the ceiling. 

The sun was high up in the sky and I just wanted to get this day over with. I turned my head to check what time it was. My eyes popped out in surprise as I realized I really woke up before my alarm rang. I got up and did my usual morning routine in a better mood than yesterday.
Maybe it was signs of a good day.
I walked down the stairs and noticed mom wasn't usually franticly looking for her shoes and work bags. Today, she was in the kitchen, making breakfast which always came as a shock to me.

"No work today mom?"  I questioned as I walked into the kitchen with my pjs still on.

"Why haven't you showered?" She asked back.

"Chillax mom, I woke up early. I will in a sec or two, no worries." I reassured.
"Now back to my question. Why're you home?"

"Got the day off. I was forced to actually." She answered with a short chuckle.

"Forced? Thank you to whoever made you. You've been working non stop for the Miguel's, you deserve this much." 'Miguel' was the bank my mom worked at as a manager. She's just a manager but I'm sure she works trice has hard than the actual CEO of the company does. I barely got to see my mom more than 3 times a week because of the schedule she was on.

"Whatever, go take a shower and get ready so you can have breakfast before you go."

"Yes ma'm!" I said jokingly as I walked out of the kitchen, the entire house smelled like waffles and bacon, a scent I could never turn away from.
I wore the uniforms white shirt with a plagued v neck sweater with short sleeves and put on the new formal uniform trousers, I ran my fingers through the pleating it was so perfect.. maybe a little too perfect.

Note to self, give the dry cleaners an extra tip.

I picked up my blazer and stepped out my room. Today was a little bit too good to be true. Was the universe apologizing for the shit filled day it gave me the day before?
I extended my arm to check the time on my wrist watch.
Seven-thirty.
I still had a while before Angelica would be here, so I didn't bother rushing. I sat at the dining, salivating and craving for a bite. It had been a while I had my mom's cooking, even better for breakfast.
Today was gonna be great!

"Hey!" I greeted Angelica as she pulled into my driveway.

"Is that your mom's car?" She asked stunned. Which was normal considering how she's only seen my mom about 7 times in the past 3 years.

"Yes! Wanna say hi?" I asked with a smile.

"Of course I do," Angelica replied and got out of her car.

"Mom! Angelica wants to say hi!" I say my voice slightly high as she poked her head out the kitchen and gave Angelica a massive bear hug and kissed my forehead.

"You guys have a good day at school," she said warmly and smiled.

"Waffles and bacon," Angelica said as we walked back to her car.

"What?" I asked confused.

"That's what I'm craving right now," she replied and started the engine.

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"I've got Mr Martins this morning! I can't wait! His classes are always the best," I squeaked to Angelica as we walked to the school's doors.

"Lucky you, I've got French first period. Who does that? Whoever made this years table is an absolute idiot,"

"I'll drink to that," I agree.

"Urrgh, this uniform is killing me. And after trying so hard to curl my hair this morning, I put on my vest and it turns into a birds nest."

"You should have worn it before curling your hair buh trust you still look good."

"Speaking of looking good. Jules you look great today, have I told you already?" Angelica mentioned as the automated doors open.

"I know right! Today's been weirdly good, so good that I'm anxiously waiting for something out of my control to happen."

"You're kidding right?" Angelica said as she nudged me while she shook her head.
"Who has a good day, and willing waits for something bad to happen? Remind me again how I cope with you?" She ended with a groan.
We reached the part of the hallway where we had to separate to go to our classes. She turned left and I turned right.
With a smile on my face, I walk toward the end of the hall, to my History class.
I open the doors alongside some other students and extended a greeting to Mr Martins, our history teacher who replied with a short smile.

We all get settled and the lesson began. About thirty minutes into the class, that was when it happened. The continuous buzz of the students phones started to get Mr Martins angry, with the buzz of another phone, he inhaled sharply and spoke. "If you want to bring your phone to school, learn to put it on silent. Now all of you put your phones into the basket." He says as he walks from one student to the next confiscating their phones.
I tried to not think too much about it but was extremely unsettling when every student in the classroom even the quiet, emo kid who looked like he had a rifle in his bag received a message but me. And it was even more uncomfortable how everyone in the classroom had their eyes on me, it didn't help that my seat was seated right at the middle of the room.
I wanted to kiss Mr Martins hands as he clears his throat after collecting everyone's phones including mine because the stares went on for-give or take- three minutes, before he spoke to catch everyone's attention.
"As long as Julia isn't the one teaching today. I'd like your attention on me and on the board." He looks at me for a millisecond; maybe that was an exaggeration but it was a short glance, before he continued the lesson.

That didn't stop the whispers, and mumbling from students close to me. They sounded so clear it was like they weren't even trying to be quiet. I groaned at the loud-quite mouth smacking that was going on around me, and prayed for the bell to ring sooner. I wanted to get out of there immediately.

[A/N: thank you all for your support, it means a lot.]
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