Love Alarm [Based On A True Story]

Fame Can Be Dangerous

The tension between us is so sharp, one can cut through it like a knife. I stare at Meave without looking away, while she smiles with that lollipop dangling in her hands. When my stare gets too uncomfortable for her, she looks away, but my attention remains on her.

Who is this girl? I really can't recognize her. The Meave I know hated makeup, had pixie haircut, was a tomboy, and a partner in crime for me. Because we shared a lot of opinions and were like minded, we were closer to each other like Sindy was with Claire. We were unbreakable.

Then she went to NC, and now, I can't recognize her a bit. With bright red glossy lips and foundation, her hairs now reaching her waist, she looks strikingly beautiful, but I can't help but wonder what caused this change. Maturity? Puberty? Growing up? Perhaps. But does that mean one's personality, character and talking style changes as well?

She once admonished me for applying makeup, saying that I didn't need to apply pink lip gloss or any of the sort, but I did it anyways because not only do I love makeup, but I also knew what everyone thought of me. The ugly duckling.

Meave wasn't ugly before. She isn't now either. So why?

"We are only a few steps away, and yet we hardly interact." Sharon speaks up, turning my attention to her as she smiles down at me. "But now, you are all everyone is talking about. Even the teachers!"

"We know." Claire replies curtly, as if wanting this conversation to end but I know better. This is just the beginning. For just then, Yovonne raises an eyebrow. "Surely, you don't think everything they say is positive, do you?"

She's repeating her words like she's begging to tell us something. So, I smile wider, not replying anything because I know she'll speak either way. "Only this morning, Ms. Lina was saying how we must never become like you three! Missing classes for a competition you didn't even win! Can you imagine the embarrassment?"

I had thought about this. All the attention and fame that we are getting, are they all positive? I don't think so. And if Ms. Lina really said this, how many more teachers think the same way?

We did miss a lot of classes, on many subjects, so if all the teachers of these subjects combine together and spread word about our behavior to the whole school staff, what sort of reputation have we actually made?

A negative one, of course.

I grit my teeth at the words of my inner voice, but I don't let my discomfort show as I put on a smile while the three continue to snicker. "She's right."

"What?"

"Ms. Lina." I begin, replying to Yovonne. "She's right. You should take her word seriously. You mustn't become like us."

"Oh, yes be-"

"You wouldn't succeed even if you tried."

Before I know it, Mary and Claire burst into fits of laughter, and I myself cannot help the smirk from forming on my face while Sharon and Yovonne try their best to keep straight faces, only failing miserably. When I know they won't be able to say anything after this, I give a curt node before turning away, ready to get back inside the classroom, when Meave decides to speak up finally.