As Always (drafts; on hold)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX ♥ Broken

"The year is almost over so I suppose all of you picked the right course in college." Ms. Beck is distributing papers for us to answer. "These are sample application forms for college. The school wants to teach you how to answer them." She told us how to answer questions in the form, starting from our name to educational background and signature. "Okay, so now you know how to, start answering them."

"Annie," Grace sat beside before homeroom starts. "What course will you take?"

I look at the application form with the probable course blank. Time flies so fast I haven't even realize the course I will take in college. "I am not sure yet."

"Only few months left to choose."

"Yeah..." I reply. "What about you, what do you want?"

"Political Science. That's what my parents wants me to." She frowns.

"It is what they wanted. What about you?" I start to fill easy blanks first.

"It doesn't matter what I want, it will always be their choice."

"You tried to tell them you don't like PS?"

She shakes her head. "Nah, they won't listen. They will still force me to take it."

This Grace is different from the Grace I know. Happy and cheerful.

"You still need to try. I mean, maybe they will. It's better to atleast try now or you'll regret it the rest of your life."

She didn't reply but I know she is thinking.

I filled up the form and write random course I think of.

~~~~~~~

By lunch I walk out the clasroom without Ian. I don't know what happened last night or why I reacted that way. When it comes to Ian and Xander, my head hurts from confusion. I see Xander by the locker hallway.

I walk towards him, and call his name.

He looks surprise and smirk, which made me think I did the wrong thing, so I start to walk away.

"I guess... Probably you're thinking that I don't actually deserve you calling my name or you standing in front of me."

I turn back to him again. "No. I didn't see you since..." I hesitate.

"Since what, Annie?"

I shake my head. "I was just worried if you're fine. That thing... the cut in your shoulder. Is it fine or"

"Yes, it is healing." He close his locker door.

"Oh, good."

He raise his brows.

"Because no matter how much I hate you, I still can't get rid of the fact that you're hurt because of me, or suffering, or in pain, or worse." I spill.

"Thanks." That is what all he said and left me.

What a really dumb idea for me to do that. I knew that is what he will do.

Now, I need to go check on Jillian. I want to talk to him about last night. I know he is just concerned. I never knew what the thing between him and Xander, that made us fair because he don't know the thing between me and Xander. Not that we have a thing, but the step-family thing rather.

I buy a bowl of salad, his favorite, from the canteen then look for Ian. He is not inside. I try to search for him until I found him with Sarah, a girl from our class. I slow down until I can hear what they are talking about. They're laughing.