If It Ain't Love

Chapter 8: Changed

"I'm ok. You can go back to Val. I'm fine," the word came out again. I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine. First signs of saying Naomi is not ok but they didn't have to know. Her past is back, back to haunt her again. For the past 2 years she had friends, love, grades and everything she could have wanted. She is in the most prestigious school and yet pain continues to find a way to get to her. She yanked her hand away and stared deep into Lucas's eyes.

"You are not fine. I have hang around you enough to know when you are not." Adrian's voice echoed. "So you care now?! You only noticed when I SO obviously portray it. Stop acting innocent Adrian. We both know what happened, what made me like this. I'm better, my wounds are healed but you came, then Lu Lu and now Val. Tell me this is not a plan to ruin me completely. JINX understood me but now they rather believe Val over me. They think I'm lying because of whatever you said to Val. I've had enough. I think I will take up my dad's offer to work for him and Mom after I finish this year. This is the year I'm going to graduate anyways."

Naomi walked away. Adrian shouted, "what do you mean stop acting innocent?! In fact you are the one destroying our lives. Putting guilt on me everytime I see you cry. Everybody has to put up with you and your spoilt behaviour that the world revolves around you." Naomi stopped in her tracks. "You are right, Bye. Nobody would care if I'm gone anyways. In fact they be rejoicing. Right?"

Leaving Adrian where he was, Naomi walked away and never looked back. Nobody came, not when she wished for them to chase. Remember Naomi, who you are. You are no longer some weak girl. She held her tears back, demeanour strong but her flickering eyes gave it all away. Yet she refused to even look. Once she went back to her dorm she considered whether to end where she is and take the test before hand or not. If she takes it before hand, she can leave early and relieve the pain of seeing them happy together without her. However, it would mean that she would have to work for her parents earlier. Or maybe she can do work herself.

Yes that's what she will do. She went out of her dorm room to the principal's office. She knocked and a booming voice came asking her to go in. "Hey Mr Smith. Can I request to take the tests early?" Mr smith remained professional. "Why is that so?" Naomi was trying to think of a logical yet reasonable answer but nothing is going into her head. "I would like to graduate earlier so that I can start working and preparing for adult life. I do not wish to take over my parents' company. I want to build up something myself, that portrays me and let people know what I'm capable of."

Mr Smith nodded his head in understanding. "I understand. I'll arrange it for you. Will Saturday and Sunday be alright? It's consecutive with an hour break in between for some rest." Naomi nodded her head. Anything is alright right now. She has 1 week more. It's enough.

*~*

"Naomi! Why aren't you singing with JINX and who's the new girl." Darren asked, curious. Naomi ignored him, looking down at her notes. "Naomi..." Darren pleaded. To the school JINX has the perfect friendship, always together side by side but that image is currently broken by a new girl. Darren exasperatedly sat on the bed and peered over. "Why'd you studying, it's not even exam period." Naomi shrugged, keeping the words to a minimal. She do not wish for any of this to happen but it did so she could only deal with it. She already had the perfect lie to go with it.

"I'm graduating early as I have a Mission to complete and so I asked Valerie to take over earlier. This allows me to study more." Naomi said without blinking an eye. "Don't worry ill come back to visit you and my phone is always on. "

"The School wants JINX, not JIVX. I don't even know the word anymore." Darren begged. "I'm not going back, I gotta make a run for lunch, wanna come?" Darren sighed but agreed. If this is the last period he is going to see Naomi, he is going to cherish it with all his might.

Naomi was loved by the school and now she is going away. Words spread quickly and soon the whole school knows of this perfect lie. JIVX don't bother correcting it either. All day she stays in the dorm. Only going out once a day to get food. Soon, a week has passed. Only spending time with Darren when he had breaks. It was time for her exams.

Saturday:
8-10: English
11-1: Chinese
2-3: Japanese
3-4: Korean
5-6:30: Physics
7-8:30: Biology
9-10:30 Chemistry

Sunday:
8-9: Math
9-10: Calculus
11-1: Art
2-2:30: Dance
3-4: Music
5-6:30: Gym
7:30-8:15: Geography
8:15-9: History
9:30-10:30: Literature

Her mind wired to academics. It helps to distract her from all the pain. Glares at her from JIVX, curious stares from the school and guilt from Adrian and Lucas but she ignored all of them. On the way to her dorm, she fiddled with necklace, the key. Suddenly the chain dropped and as she was about to reach for it, the world muted around her. She was in slow motion. Her head pounded, dark spots clouded her vision. She felt her legs going limp and from there she fell. She thought, no, not now, please at least until my dorm. Out.

*~*

(Third person-not focusing on anybody)

Naomi lay there for quite a while. It was so late nobody noticed her. Her hand limp but outstretched towards the necklace. Now JIVX, they were talking like how JINX would talk in one of their dorm room; Adrian and Lucas was playing video games, Darren at home trying to resolve the family matter. Just when the world corners you, you realise  just how alone you are. In a world, you probably is just a fallen star out of the billions shining brightly around you. It's unnatural. Finally someone, someone actually came out and that person was none other than them.

*~*
Short chapter but I will update soon. Don't kill me for the ending. I assure you that it's going to be ok.