GUM

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter 16 ~ Walls

Maxine

I didn't get to concentrate well at school this morning. Many things were coming in and out of my head. A lot of distractions had come out lately. Especially the text message I received this morning.

(Flashback)

09xxxxxxx69: Hey babe. Good morning. I just want to tell you how much of a jerk I've been. I want to make it up to you, badly. I hope we can see each other today. I miss you so much. Love you, babe.

I never had to ask if who was texting me because I know that it was Patrick. Tears were flowing heavily from my eyes which sent drops of tears splashing on my phone's screen. My hands were shaking and I knelt on my knees. Suddenly, all the pain that I've been through came all over again. It all came back to me. The memories, both painful and sad, it all came back to me. I still can't deny the fact that I'm still in love with him. That I still haven't moved on. Part of me wants to get back to him but another part of me tells me that it's enough. I didn't know what to do. I sat at a corner of my room and cried until my heart's content. But I guess these tears won't stop falling even if I'd go dehydrated.

09xxxxxxx17: Hey Gates! Good morning. It's Stef. I was wondering if you have time after dismissal later this afternoon. But I have basketball practice so if it's not okay with you, then there's nothing I can do about it. But anyways, have a good day ahead. J

My tears stopped. When I read the message an image clearly appeared inside my head.

Stefan's smile.

(End of Flashback)

The bell rang which signaled that it was recess time. A 30-minute break from the nerve-wrecking and butt-aching moments in the classroom where you have to sit for a couple of hours and listen to the teacher's boring lectures. My phone vibrated inside my pocket and I checked if who it was.

09xxxxxxx69: I'm at the rooftop. I'll be waiting.

It's Patrick again. I know that I should see him but it's just this one time. Maybe everything will be okay again. I know this sounds stupid but if I wanna end this, I'll end this the right way. This should be easy, I guess. I hope it would be. I just hope that he wouldn't cry in front of me because I swear it would break me. It would break the wall that I started to build against him. I know this is complicated but love was never a simple thing. I'll just accept the outcome of this situation, whatever it may be.

Here goes nothing.

---

Stefan

It took all the guts I have to ask Max out. Or that's how I think it was. Today there's something different about her. I wouldn't be surprised if I saw her hateful expression again but today it was different. Her eyes didn't sparkle like the way it normally does. Her expression seemed blank. Her eyes felt empty. It also looked sore like she had only finished crying. I'm worried about her but I can't do anything about it. I don't want to be a burden to whatever she's thinking about.

It's recess and I can't find her anywhere. I tried the cafeteria but she wasn't there. Nor in the library or the Principal's Office. All this running makes me very sweaty and I just hope I don't stink. I sat at the benches in front of the school building and I saw a girl at the rooftop. She wasn't just any girl. It was HER. I smiled in rejoice upon knowing where she is and I hurriedly went up the stairs to the rooftop's entrance. I dodged a lot of students who were passing by the stage and also along the alley. One teacher even reprimanded me for running. I didn't mind her. I kept my pace, excited to talk to her. And there I was. Just one closed door separated us. We have 15 minutes left until break ends but that's enough. It's all I needed to be with her.