The Spectre

Chapter Twenty Three : Unexpected Ally

I didn't sleep well last night, that kiss really made me wide awake until the break of dawn which is why I now look like a zombie. I think if I'll even walk in a shuffling gait I would scare other students away. I wouldn't be surprised if later I will also be seen drooling once I zoned out. I'm lightheaded and all I think of is getting some sleep. I imagine myself lying on my cozy bed hugging my pillow and sleeping soundly.

"Hey!" CL snapped a finger in front of my apathetic face and it brought me back to reality. "What's going on with you?!" CL, Bom and I are at the school grounds sitting on the grass waiting for third period. There has been an emergency faculty meeting affecting our class schedule so we loitered for awhile.

"I uh.. I.." I stammered. What was I suppose to say?

CL raised an eyebrow and looked at me questioningly. "Is something bothering you?"

"Uh.. No, CL. Nothing's bothering me. I'm just--" I yawn, "--sleepy."

"Sleepy?" CL's eyebrows creased. "Here, have some." She handed me some mint candies, "It'll jolt your senses wide awake." I reached for it slowly and told her thanks. Even if I already took it in my mouth nothing changed. My eyes are still heavy I feel like it would shut down in any minute.

"It seems like you had a sleepless night. Why?" Bom asked me curiously.

"I stayed up late talking with someone.." I mumbled.

Bom tilted her head and asked, "Who?"

"GD." I muttered. I saw Bom's eyes widened and CL quickly raised her head to look at me. Both of them stared at me with shock on their faces and mouths hanging wide open.

After a few seconds CL laughed. "Yeah, right!" And she shook her head as if I just told them something that wasn't true. Bom on the other hand nervously looked at me.

"Why are you--" I was cut off when Bom's cellphone started ringing. As soon as she saw who's calling she hastily pressed the answer key and said hello. I actually couldn't understand what she's saying even if she's talking in a moderate volume of voice, I guess I'm no longer reactive to external stimuli. Oh, sleep! Where art thou? I saw Bom press the end key a few seconds later.

"Who called? I know it's not TOP because it was just brief." CL interrogated her in an instant. I just watched them.

"That was Bora. She asked where we are and I told her we're here. She said she'll be here in any minute." Bom answered CL.

"So you're call buddies now?" CL raised an eyebrow and I sense a hint of bitterness in her voice.

"Chaerin, she called at my house last night and we talked for an hour. Then she asked for my cell number for emergency purposes. That's it." Bom explained.

My eyelids.. Getting.. Heavy..

CL scoffed. "I hope you wouldn't forget I'm still here now that you and your old best friend had gotten back together."

"Chaerin! You are my one and only best friend!" Bom exclaimed.

"Whatever." CL muttered. "I can be alone."

"Aww.. Chaerin, don't be jealous." Bom told her best friend and pinched her cheek. CL rolled her eyes.

"You're making fun of me again." CL told her.

"Kyeopta, kyeopta.." Bom muttered and started to giggle.

"Hey, guys.."

The three of us raised our heads to see Bora, and the latter gave us a half smile. I try to smile myself even though I know I look like a dork or something and my eyes are already half closed.

"Bora, come sit with us." Bom told her and she sat on her side.

"Is it okay if I hang out with you guys for awhile?" Bora asked looking at the three of us. I just nodded my head still wearing a dorky smile on my face.

"Of course you can." Bom told her smilingly.

"As if we could do something about it." CL mumbled, but it was loud enough for us to hear. I saw Bom nudge her secretly with her elbow and CL winced.

I know Bora must've heard it but I guess she pretended not to and just turned her attention towards me. "Are you okay, Arya?"

I gave her a thumbs up sign. "Yep. Just a little sleepy that's all.." I yawn again. Oh my bed.. Sleep.. Now..

"How about you? How are you feeling right now--" Bom was cut off by a sudden unexpected person to show up, Gyuri.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" She looked at us menacingly with her arms crossed on her chest. "So you hang out with them now, Bora?" She scoffed. Bora just sat there with her head lowered down and didn't even manage to reply.

"Get up there bitch. Let's go." Gyuri ordered her. Bora didn't stir. "Bora! Let's go! I don't have time for this!" She shouted at her friend annoyingly.

"Leave her alone, Gyuri. She doesn't want to be with you anymore." Bom butted in and Gyuri gave her a warning look.

"Oh yeah? I want to hear it from her myself." She challenged Bom. "And besides, Bora will not last a single day with losers like you. We're different from you. She knows that." Gyuri turned her attention back to her friend, "Bora! I said let's go!"

Bora raised her head to face her. "Bom's right, Gyuri. Leave me alone. They're my friends now."

Gyuri scoffed and laughed. I could see it in her face a mix of shock, disbelief, dismay and even a little bit of hurt. "What the hell did you just say? Are you serious?"

"Yes I am, Gyuri. Now go. You're not wanted here." Bora told her sharply.

"Wow! So now you push me away? Unbelievable!" Gyuri exclaimed. Bora just stared at her like she doesn't know her anymore. "Yoon Bora, you'll regret this day for the rest of your life!" Gyuri shouted at her. "Good luck with these losers! Don't ever come running back to me if you realize you're no good for them do you hear me?!" Bora didn't respond, her face stiff. I saw Gyuri's lips slightly quiver like she was about to cry. It looks like she's still waiting for Bora to change her mind and come with her.

"Goodbye, Gyuri." Bora told her.

"Whatever. I don't need you." Gyuri hissed and walked away. I could feel my eyes wide open right now.

"You did it, Bora! I'm so proud of you!" Bom gave Bora a hug and CL looked at them with disgust.

"Great! Now Gyuri will really make our lives a living hell." CL voiced out.

"Don't worry, leave it to me." Bora smiled at us mischievously. I don't know what's going on in her mind right now but I think she has a game plan against Gyuri's foreseeable attacks. I just hope she's really with us and not against us. Even if Bom's comfortable with her I still don't trust her that much. I'm hoping we wouldn't regret keeping her company.