The Girl Hiding In The Shadows

Chapter 14

* buzz buzz buzz *
* hides my head under the pillow *

Opening one of my eye and wondered who could be messaging me on a Saturday morning? It's not like I have a very busy social life. I couldn't get back to sleep and sat upright on my bed, hugging my comfy pillow. Ah, damn it. I'll check who's the kind soul who bothered to message me.

* 2 new messages: Helen *

Wow. I unlocked my phone and tapped on Helen's messages.

Helen: Hey, are you free to swing by the cafeteria near our school? If it's not too early for you. :)

Helen: I'm sorry if I woke you up. :P

Double wow. Helen wanted to meet me alone on a Saturday morning? Honestly, I'm curious about Helen. Nicole mentioned about something happened before I came which resulted in the bad attitude.

Rachel: Nope you didn't wake me up! I'll meet you at 11 then!
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My bus came a little late so I reached the bus stop at 11 and I still have to walk to the cafeteria.

I brisk walked and found Helen sitting at a table beside the window. "Sorry I'm late!" I apologised while sitting down.

"It's alright, I'm just too early. Have you eaten your breakfast?" Helen asked me while scanning through the menu.

I could not come out of the house without eating my breakfast. I'll probably faint on the way here but I didn't want to make Helen eat alone so I ordered a sandwich.

We got to know more about each other during brunch and Helen was actually a very easy-going person. A total three hundred and sixty degrees change from the first time I met her.

"Rachel, I guess I owe you an explanation for my awful attitude."

I could sense Helen's uncertainty, it's like she's still deciding whether she should tell me. "Helen, I won't mind if you don't want to explain." I said to Helen softly.

"No, it's alright. Hmm, where do I start?" Helen drummed her fingers on the table.

"My parents divorced the week before you came. It had been rough for me. Every weekend we would either have a movie marathon or shop around the mall. The usual stuffs every family would do. Now, those activities are like a luxury to me. My mood plunged to rock bottom when my parents announced their decision. So, I'm sorry that I've been a bitch to you these past few weeks." Helen told me as she stare at something outside the cafeteria.

* Breathe in, breathe out *

I needed some time to digest the information Helen just provided me. I believe she finally let the hurt go and embraced the truth.

"Thanks for telling me all these."

"Haha, it's a relief to me that I'm able to talk to someone about my problems. Therefore, I should thank you too!"

"Oh, as for Ella and Nicole, I kind of get the feeling that they wouldn't listen to me babbling on my feelings. You seemed like someone I could talk to." Helen added with a smile.

Dylan came into the café and ordered a cup of coffee. I waved to Dylan so that he can spot us easily.

"Hey girls." Dylan greeted us with a grin.

"Hi Dylan!" I realised Helen didn't acknowledge Dylan's greeting and saw that she kept on staring at her hands. Am I seeing right? I saw a blush creeped onto Helen's cheek. Ooohh.

"Girls?" I heard what Dylan said a little too late. "Sorry, what did you just said?"

"I asked have you both had your lunch? If haven't, do you girls want to join me and the guys?" Dylan repeated patiently.

Helen replied before I could even open my mouth, "Thanks for the offer, we just had our brunch!"

Dylan took that as a cue to leave while giving me a shrug, like I just missed out something big. Oh wait. That. I kicked his legs as he walked away. I don't need him to help me create opportunities to meet Zachary. I better find a time to tell him my decision before he can do anything else.

I turned around to find Helen giving me a weird look. Uh oh, she thought there's something go on between me and Dylan.

"Helen, I know you like Dylan. Don't deny it, I noticed your reactions when he's speaking to us." How do I know? Whenever Zachary talks to me, that's exactly how I would react.

"Not to worry, me and him, there's nothing." I placed my hand on top of Helen's, to let her know, I won't tell anyone about this.

Meeting up with Helen sure was interesting.
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* buzz buzz buzz *

"Sweetie, I think someone messaged you." My dad handed me my phone and he was looking at the screen.

"Okay. Thanks dad." What's wrong with the people this weekend? Either they don't message me, or they keep on messaging me.

"Rachel, who's Zachary?"

"Zachary?" I immediately grabbed my phone and verified it myself. Where did he get my phone number from?! My dad was still waiting for an answer.

"Er.. He's m-my friend." I nearly stuttered as I was replying my father. "Dad, I'm going upstairs now. Goodnight." I quickly ran upstairs before he could ask me anymore questions.

I closed the door and lay down on my bed while checking the message.

Zachary: Hey, Zachary here. Don't freak out, I got your number from Ella. Have you completed your maths homework?

Rachel: Hi, yes I've done my homework. What do you want?

Zachary: Do you know how to do question 5? Ella doesn't know, I was hoping you do. :)

Who ask them didn't finish their work earlier. I've spent the whole weekend trying to solve that question too.

Zachary: Can I call you? I think it'll be easier to explain over the phone.

Call me?! No thank you. Unfortunately, as I was typing a response, my phone vibrated with Zachary's number popping up on my screen. With a sigh, I swiped over the green button.

"Hello?"

"Hi Rachel. You're not sleeping any time soon, right?" Zachary asked.

"In fact, I'm going to sleep after explaining to you. So let's get on it."

"Okay then. Which method did you use to solve?"

Why did Zachary sound like he's disappointed at me sleeping soon? Whatever, it's none of my business anyway.

Author's note :
Hellooo :) To those who like Zachary, the next chapter will be in his POV :) Stay tuned! Please vote and comment! :) Thanks for reading!