DATE ME IF YOU WANT

Chapter 9

Back to Harold's POV

"School again?", I murmured in my sleep. My violently ringing alarm clock was placed far out of my reach. "Stop ringing for God's sake!!", I exclaimed. I sat up, bent over and pushed the alarm clock off the cabinet. 'Peace!'

On my way to school, I stopped by the vending machine for a drink. It was sunny as usual, and I was sweaty already.
"Where's mine?", something hit me hard on my head.
'Ouch! Damn you, Jimmy!' "Grab your own!", I smirked.
"Tit for tat, huh?"
"More than that!"
"..."
"..."
"You don't mean..."
I gave him a 'yes' nod.
"..."
"Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
He wrinkled his forehead. "Let's go to the class."

We placed our bags at our own seat. Jimmy signaled me to follow him. We went to the garden at the back of our school. We wandered around.
The silence irritated me. "Talk!", I suggested.
"Huh? Oh...!"
"How??", my voice was desperate.
"I don't know!"
"Nonsense!", I mumbled. "Tell me everything!", I said and added a "please!" at the end.
"It was during last Christmas. She used to work part time at the ba...bakery by the station, isn't it? I didn't know then she was y..your sister. I fell in lo...love. I...I'm sorry."
"Hey, man!! What are you apologizing for? I'm glad you're her boyfriend. Really!!", I assured him. 'I wish you would think the same about me!'
"Thanks!", and then he started narrating his tale of conquering Kate and relationship thereafter. For how long had he kept these stuff cooped up inside him, waiting to tell me!?

Uneventful uncomfortable unnecessary classes started soon. I was lost in my own mind palace. Lunch break arrived at last. Jimmy would have been busy with Rach. 'What should I do?' I grabbed a doughnut from the canteen and climbed to the terrace. There were groups of students everywhere. I stood at a corner and took a bite.
"Is it you? Class 3-A's Harold Becket?"
"It's really the class secretary!"
"He's so cool, isn't he?"
"I want his autograph!"
"Are you free tonight? Will you take me out?"
"Shut up! He will choose me, not a bitch like you!"
Girls started flocking towards me like insects flock towards fire!
'Damn! Give me some space!'
"Hey girls! Will you please let me be by myself for today?", I requested with a fake smile pasted on my handsome face.
Noone was stopping. I ran. They chased me. 'What should I do?'
"Senior! Wait!!" "Don't run away!"
I entered the old building. They were not stopping. 'Shit! What have I done wrong?'
I went to the top floor and turned a sharp corner and entered an abandoned toilet. I hid behind a wall. I was out of breath. The annoying fangirls were slowly approaching. Suddenly, a tap turned on. 'Someone is already inside!'
The tap turned off. 'Please don't make anymore noise!'
Somebody emerged from somewhere dark inside the toilet.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...AAAAAAA..."
I grabbed her mouth before she could shout and pushed her against a wall, our faces inches apart from each other.
"Shhh...be quiet, please!", I begged.
She looked terrified.
I slowly loosened my grip.
"What are you doing here?", I asked between clenched teeth.
"What are you...?"
I pointed her to the outside where the girls were passing by, definitely not pleased!
"Why are you hiding from them?", she whispered.
"Ugh! I don't know!"
"Just go out and have fun like you usually do."
"I don't want to!" The girls came closer, their conversations louder. "Now don't talk!"
"Do you need some help?", she asked in my ears.
I was surprised. 'Why will you...?', I wanted to ask.
She broke free (wait, I removed my hands). She went out. The girls gathered around her.
"Have you seen Mr. Becket?"
"Ya, have you? He came this way!"
"Is he inside the toilet?"
"Are you trying to hide him from us?"
"Girls, let's check inside!"
I predicted trouble and took a defensive stance. 'At least she tried!'
"Wait!", the timid girl said firmly. She continued, "I saw him pass by here sometime ago. He took those stairs down."
"Oh thanks...whoever you are!"
"...hmmm....it's Rachel!" But they didn't wait for a reply.
"Let's hurry everyone!"
"I heard that he isn't dating anyone right now!"
"Seriously?"
"That senior Harold Becket? I don't believe it!"
"Some say he has fallen in love!"
"Ironic! I will say it serves him right!"
The girls chatted away.
"Thanks a lot, Rach!", I came out.
"Oh...it's nothing."
"Why aren't you with James?", I was confused.
"I was going to the library for the notes."
"What about...?"
She cut me off, "he said he would have lunch with you at the usual place."
"..."
"He didn't tell you, did he?"
"..."
"That forgetful brother of mine!", she let out a deep breath.