parallel lines | ✓

O7

DAWN SENT GLOSSY, gold sheen all around the room, allowing me to check my phone with time that read five minutes till my alarm goes off. My mind was fuzzy, the last remnants of a dream being chased away by the realization that I am awake. I recall it being something related to Neptune.

"Have you seen the new guy? He's cute."

Whispers began revolving round and round a new student in our grade like a carousel, as he walked in the gates of Sweet Hills High. Hundred pair of eyes glared at him, as he strolled down the hallway.

"Hey, can you help me fill these forms?" He asked, approaching me.

I was surprised that out of all the screaming girls, he chose me. Before I replied, I took a look at his flawless sculpted face, which was the canvas for his godlike features.

"Sure," I replied, jotting down answers to a class form he was told to submit to his class teacher. From a quick glance at the top right of the form, I learned that he was enrolled into my class.

"You have a beautiful handwriting." He said, letting out a cute laugh, as if he hadn't won everyone's hearts with his looks already. The sound of his laughter, bright and cheerful like dandelions in summer days, blossomed upon our hallway field of boredom.

"I'm Neptune Fredericks." And in that instant, I knew he was going to be trouble.

As I took my books from my locker, I over-heard my name in a conversation. The girls from the other class spoke about my growing obsession over someone who's long forgotten about me, once they noticed the inner decorations of my locker (which were of our pictures and notes he wrote to me). They continued their negative remarks but those were interrupted by the irritating bell sound.

I checked my timetable to see what course I had next. "Language class," I whispered. "Great, something else I dislike."

Lucky for me, our teacher was absent and the substitute wasn't interested in minding our class so we had a free period. I took out a spare notebook and began doodling; tearing out the pages of my unsatisfied drawings and sighed after each failed attempt.

Marven caught my motions and questioned me if I was alright. I announced that it was nothing for him to be concerned about, and I'd prefer to be in my own little bubble. He was however, persistent in knowing what I was bothered by so I broke down and told him about my lingering feelings for Neptune. It's strange really, how each time I realise I have no hope with someone, my feelings wander back to him. Perhaps it's because I was accustomed to the bitter feeling he left me that my heart didn't want to feel that pain from anyone else.

He insisted I give up on chasing Neptune and instead pursue someone from another school, my neighbourhood or even online for the time being if it means it will take my mind off him. But I argued that I, unlike Ramona, do not have contacts from outside school, my neighbourhood is filled with grown - ups and I wasn't one to waste my time chatting with online strangers when I was clueless about who they could really be.

Marven continued proving his point by adding that Neptune rarely made the effort to reach out to me when we were together, let alone the fact that we lost contact for three years. At this point, I lost my temper and scolded at Marven for judging someone when he didn't even know the whole story. Marven apologised, saying he may have not known much about our relationship but one thing he knew was that I was a nice girl and any guy would be privileged to date me.

I was unsure which nerve in my mind twitched, but then I asked him a question which seemed rather inappropriate. "Yeah right. Even you?"

"Maybe, probably."