Wild Secrets

16 - COMFORT

It's been two days since Kenzo and I talked. We never had a serious conversation after the scene back in the studio. He just keeps on annoying even without trying. It's like nothing happened for him. He became the reason why I began doing gymnastics moves again but now, we're more like strangers. He always plays with me especially when he's around his teammates. He most of the time makes fun of me. Some people already started doubting our so called relationship. He's acting immature and i'm the one who's getting all the negativeness. People started telling me that we don't look like a couple. Some already think the we already broke up. Others already think that we're fake but some find it sweet and I really don't know why. He's bipolar. I tried my best to stay away from him.

I was walking across the hallway trying to entertain myself. I don't want to stay inside my room because the soccer players are there, special mention to Zac and Kenzo. If I go around to hang with other people, it means I need to lie to another set of people about my identity and I can't stand if I start caring for them which is inevitable and they hate me after finding out the truth. I was wandering across the hallway, looking around and observing as well. I froze when I saw Mrs. Green's room open. It stayed close after the incident with Mrs. Green. I hope she's already back so I could talk to her. I knocked but no one's answering so I decided to go in instead. I sat to my favorite place in her room which is the comfy sofa. I decided to entertain myself by looking at her pictures.

"Who are you?" I heard an unfamiliar voice. It's a man's voice. I turned to my right where the voice came from.

"I'm Mr. Wesley and i'm your new guidance councilor. Who are you?" The guy said in a hard tone. What? She resigned. "Where is she? Where's Mrs. Green?" I asked.

"She left this position and decided to just keep working in the head department only" he answered.

"Which means... She's unreachable"

I was upset when I found out that she left her position. Is it really because of me? Does that mean I have triggered something? What happened to her after introducing my sister to her? She's staying in the head department which means I can no longer talk to her. Those who are in the head department are unreachable. Why? Normal students like us can't approach them especially they're the who owns this school. They're probably scared that something bad might happen to them. I need to take actions now, this is too much. I'm going to look for Mikelson, her husband. I need to talk to him and clarify a lot of things.

"Paul, can you find some information about Mikelson Green? And make sure to find his location" I said. I called Paul after going to the guidance office.

"What do you want with Zac's dad?" I turned around and Patrick was behind me. I was shocked. He heard everything. What do I say now? I can't think of something to cover this up. Patrick trusted me for months and if I lose him, I think I can no longer survive this hell hole. He's surprised. I can feel that he's suspecting me of doing something wrong. I racked my brain for something to repair what just happened.

"What are you doing?" He asked again. I finally found my voice after a few seconds. His eyes still locked on mine.

"I-"

"Hey guys! Carrie wants us in our classroom now!" Lyla came out of nowhere. She then continued running across the hall, spreading the news. I did my best to avoid Patrick. I still don't know what to say. For the first time here, i'm out of lies to tell and that's the truth. I went to the classroom in a longer way. I didn't want to walk with Patrick back in our classroom. He'll just surely continue asking questions.

I find it awkward during the practice. Carrie wants Zac and me to hang out more so the awkwardness will disappear but things get a lot of harder. It looks like Patrick already told him what he heard a while ago. They're both giving me death glares. At any moment, they will stop believing me. Shantel Flinn, a complete liar. I started to feel guilty whenever I see my friends. They treat me nice but I just continue lying to them. I just don't know what they will say if they find out. I don't know if dad did something bad to them but I still hope that he didn't do anything.

"Nice job! Tomorrow, same time! Nice Shantel and Zac but work more on the tension, there's no sweetness in the way you act" Carrie said. I started to feel sad. I decided to remain in our room. It's 5 and i'm not in the mood to encounter another person especially if I have to lie once more. I'm pretty sure i'll end up in hell for these lies I have said. I rested my head against the window. I saw that students are already leaving the school and the sunset is wonderful. I'll never find myself a true friend in this state. Raphael and Carl, my two good friends are the only guys who stayed after finding out that i'm a liar. I had to. This is my purpose here and this is what I want. To get my mom back is what I really want. Sound selfish but I'm the girl who wants to feel a parent's love and not parent's desire.

I decided to go home after realizing that i'm the only person left in the school. It's already dark too. I texted Paul to pick me up and he came after a few minutes.

"Hey" Raphael was sitting next to me, watching our favorite movie which we already watched a thousand times. Charlie St. Cloud. "You're not talking and that's weird" Raphael added. Carl didn't visit today because he's loaded with works according to her maid. I'm not feeling well.

"Raphael, am I a bad person?" I asked, avoiding his eyes.

"No. Why?" he asked.

I took a deep breathe and gathered all my guts.

"Because.. I kept lying to people. You know that. I'm selfish and a liar. I'm doing this just to get what I want. I'm a liar" I said. I began to cry. I just can't keep all these thoughts locked in my mind. I want to open these to someone. I've been lying for almost 7 months and that kills me, a lot.

"Shantel, stop. You're good. What you're doing is just telling white lies and I know you're doing that not for selfish reasons" Raphael said.

"No. I'm selfish! I'm doing this to get my mom back and to fix what was lost" I confessed. He looked surprised. He held my hand and locked his eyes on mine.

"Don't think about yourself as a bad person. Sometimes we risk something so we could continue on with life. I know everyone wants to experience having a family. You lost yours but you also need to take chance at things. You're one of the nicest person I know because you kept thinking about other people. You may have lie to them for a lot of times but your care is the most truthful thing. Just follow your heart and you'll never regret any single decision you make. If your heart says lie, then lie. I'm sure your heart has a good reason for that and your mind must balance it all" he said. I just continued crying. I can no longer find my voice. I'm stuck in my thoughts. He stood up and offered his hand. What is he doing?

"Come with me! I'll take you to my comfy place"

We reached an abandoned building. It looks more like a haunted house but when you enter, everything looks antique and expensive. Everything inside it looks shiny. He didn't let go of my hand the whole time. We went to a dark room. He let go of my hand so he could open the lights. I found myself in the middle of a huge room with mirrors. It's more like a dance area.

"I go here whenever i'm upset. Comfy place for short" he said.

"Who owns this place?" I asked.

"My grandmother. She died two years ago and instead of selling this place, my mom kept it untouched but I always sneak out because when grandma's still alive, she always take me here when i'm upset" he answered.

"Uhmm. I broke up with Bea." He said. "Why!?" I asked immediately. "Don't worry. It's not because of you. I caught her cheating, she also admitted." Raphael said.

"This place is not only for dancing but it's also for deep thoughts" he changed the topic. I didn't ask any questions anymore because that hurts for him. Well, he's right because i'm actually observing myself in the mirror. I stand almost 5'4. My wavy long brown hair is falling on my shoulder. I examined myself. My eyes are surrounded with bags below. I look stressed.

Suddenly, Undone started playing. Sooner or later, I found myself dancing with Raphael. His warm hands gives me comfort. His eyes locked on mine. His head resting beside mine. I was worry-less during the whole song. We ended dancing and I'm better than before. Raphael Parks, the guy who I didn't expect to affect me a lot.

We decided to roam around the whole place. It was scary though.

"Thank you for everything"