GUM

Chaper Twelve

Chapter Twelve ~ "S."

Maxine

It's eight o'clock in the evening when I arrived in my apartment. I prepared myself a hot bath in the bath tub to free myself from the negative energy that seeped inside of me today, well, it's actually everyday.

Nothing seems right. Nothing is right.

I started to think to myself and questioned why all of these should be happening. My life's a total wreck, that's the only thing for sure.

When I was done taking a bath, I changed into my sleeping gown and rested my tired body on my bed. Which was empty, as always. And by empty I mean that I'm always alone with no one to talk to. Just like my life, so empty. I have no one to rely on, just myself.

I reflected what I did today and started to regret leaving a message under that swing. Although, I don't think someone might actually read it or even see it.

I shifted sideways and started to hum Mom's lullaby. Tears fell along with every note of the song.

I miss her. I miss her badly.

There's not a single night that I'm not wishing to see her face again and hug her even for just a moment. I want to tell her how sorry I am for her death. To tell her how much I miss her, how much Iove her.

I wish you were here.

My eyes went tired of crying and I finally shut itself to sleep.

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It's school day again and I'm here sitting on my chair and looking out the window to see children playing in the playground, just like how I used to be when I was their age, so free and has no care to whatever is happening to the world. I'm early at school today because this week's the preliminary exams. The room was quiet because the ones here are sticking their noses to their notebooks trying to absorb every single word written in it. The silence broke when someone tripped and slammed his body flat on the floor letting out a noisy groan and curses. When I looked who it was, I saw Hale. Looking stupid as always. He grabbed all of his belongings and rushed to his chair beside me and slammed his face flat on his armchair while groaning.

"Ugh! F*ck this! I'm never gonna learn anything in 15 f*cking minutes! I cry!" He said while slapping his cheeks.

"Seems like you're in so much trouble, Hale." I told him.

"You don't have to remind me, Gates." He replied while scanning his notes trying to absorb evrything he scans.

Our professor arrived exactly on the time of our exam's schedule. He started with the minor subjects before proceeding to the major ones. During exam weeks, we don't have our exams every afternoon because the school gives us time to study for the exams the next days.

I answered every exam with ease because even though I don't attend classes Callie and Allie lend me their notes without me asking for it. They email me every night to send me the notes and assignments of the day and even projects and upcoming quizzes. I told them that they're overdoing everything and it's fine that they won't send me notes but they insist on doing so.

I was about to pass my Calculus exam but my eyes caught Hale's suffering look. He may sure have a little chance of passing when the exam was objective but it was not. Every question was problem solving. I stood up to pass my exam and crumpled my paper which contained a copy of my answers and placed it on top of Hale's desk when the professor wasn't looking and gestured Hale to keep it a secret. His eyes shined like they're telling me a million thanks. I turned my back immediately and proceeded to passing my exam and left the classroom.

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After exams, I proceeded to the forest and stayed in my safe haven. I laid my back flat on the ground and enjoyed the silence and serenity of the forest. I closed my eyes for a while when I suddenly remembered the letter I pasted under the swing. I wanted to remove it and burn it so that no one can read it but when I looked under the swing I wasn't expecting what I saw. My paper was gone and it was replaced with another sheet of paper. A blue one. I got curious and read it.

You know what, LIFE really is a living hell. But despite that, you must not give up. Life isn't about challenges, it's about HOW YOU CONQUER THE CHALLENGES. Life is unfair, yes, but you must remember that as long as you're alive, your mission here on earth is not yet accomplished and always remember that every single day you live is another day of hope. Why don't you try to talk to your friends? It would really help. :)
-S.

Who else would enter the forest but me? Maybe this is a prank. Maybe I should not entertain this. And what's worse? My favorite place here in school is discovered. Maybe I should transfer to another spot but this place is already a part of me. I lied down again and thought about who this "S." guy/girl is.

I read the letter again and again before finally deciding to get a sheet of paper and reply to his letter.

Easy for you to say. Why don't we try to switch places so that you'll know how hard my life is. I don't have friends to talk to and more importantly, no one would dare befriend me. I can't even remember the last time I've talked to someone other than myself. Thanks for the advice anyway.

-M.

I chewed a piece of gum and used it again to paste the letter under the swing. I kept the letter inside my bag and left the place. But this time, I wasn't crying, I was smiling. A weird smile it may be, but it still counts as a smile. For the first time, I left this place smiling.

I turned my face to the forest and finally said Thank you before leaving. For a while, maybe I won't be running to the forest to cry or to be alone. Finally, I have a reason to look forward to when going inside it. I hope this ends well.