Mess Series #1: Faded Smiles

Faded Smiles #20

Aryl's POV

I'm devastated.

The hot tears continuously fall from my eyes. My hands were clasping to each other as I bit my lower lip. My eyes were fixed on the bus' floor, can't take a serious eye-to-eye contact on everyone.

I feel like shit and my heart resumes to beat fast then it's usual.

I lost.

We lost because of me.

Only if I listen carefully on the direction, we will win. We will surely give our school pride.

My mom was right, I will just give disgrace to our school.

She was right.

She is always right,, though.

I am tracing the raindrops in the car windows using my fingers whilst a genuine smile is forming on my lips.

I wish I am raindrops too, even though it is a hindrance to others, it will always give benefits to them.

"Hey!" my seatmate poke my cheeks as he leans on my shoulder.

I glitched for a second, then give him a questioning look.

"Are you okay? I noticed that you are spacing out," I can sense that he is worried, based on his tone. I smiled fakely at him and nod before diverting my attention to the car's window. "Is it about the quiz bee? " he asked.

"No, it's not." I plainly said whilst staring at the raindrops that are slowly sliding at the windows.

I was caught on guard when he suddenly held my hand that was tracing the drops. "If you are thinking about the contest, you don't need to worry. We ranked second place, right?"

"It is not enough. I can do better than that." I threw him dagger in my looks whilst my first quivered.

I heard him sigh but he did not let go of my hands. "We have time to show our talents, maybe it is not our time to win."

Maybe?

Time to win?

No, of course not. I know to myself that it's truly my fault.

I don't respond at his thought and continue to watch the rain that is playing along with the windows.

I glanced at the sky above that is quietly crying with me. Without a word, I wipe the tears that are now falling in my cheeks. I closed my eyes to stop the tears that were playing in my eyelids.

"I'll take a nap. Please don't disturb me." I blankly said whilst trying to feel the person next to me.

I heard him sigh in defeat. "Okay. Sleep tight."

***

My senses woke up when I felt a hand gently patting my head and heard a voice that is calling my name.

"Aryl, " a man's voice called and he looks shocked when I slowly open my eyes.

I looked directly on his eyes and he did the same thing. We exchange stares like no one is with us but my heart convulses and beats fasts as he uplifted his cheekbones and hold mine to be uplifted too.

"H-hey what are you d-doing?" I want to end my life when I heard my voice stuttering.

He beams again and gently pinches my cheeks as he lowered his face to met mine. "I like you."

I felt a little lump on my throat as I saw his sincerity. I looked away in his eyes and glance at the sky that is now stopped to cry. I gently bit my lower lip as I stop myself to smile.

"I know it's to fast to say that. But it is true. I like you, Wonderwoman." I felt his breath that gave me a tingling sensation.

I took a deep breath and stare at him blankly. "Don't kid around, Mister. I am not in the mood to join you in laughing."

He answered me with his serious stare. "I'm not joking. When I say I like you, I mean it and it is true."

I didn't respond to his answer and put all my things in my bag when I realize that the van finally stops.

I felt his direct gaze towards me but I acted like I don't felt it.

The cold wind and the rain splash greeted me when I finally moved out of the car but after a minute, the rain stops but I can clearly see how it drops in the area and I just realize that there was an umbrella that is protecting me from it. I looked at the man beside me and my heart robotically beat fast when I saw his dagger-like glimpse.

"What are you doing? It's raining but you came out without umbrella!" he shrieked while wiping out the raindrops on me.

I glance at his action as I bit my lips when I saw his sincerity. "Why are you doing this?"

He looked directly to my eyes and smile genuinely which cause my heart to beat fast. "As as I said, I like you."

My forehead wrinkled and grin sarcastically, "As what I said, stop this nonsense. It wouldn't help!"

He will still provide a response when a strong hand, holds my arm and pulled me harshly to the side.

"So you are done with Tristan, huh?" a woman voice filled my ears that gave me goosebumps. She glanced at Timothy and grin. "who are you, Mister?"

"I'm Timothy Garcia, Miss, " he politely said as he bowed slightly like a disney's prince charming.

I saw her sharp look towards us, "I don't care. Stay away from her or else you will suffer!" she warned before pulling me to the car behind us.

She hardly pushes me after she opens the back door and I bit my lower lip as my back landed to the stool.

"You really a little whore! You're not ashamed! You just lost in the national competition yet I will see you flirting!" she said while throwing dagger looks to me using the mirror in front.

I swallow the little chunk on my throat and close my eyes harshly.

I just want to rest.

I just want to have a family that will comfort me in this time.

But...

I know I don't have one.

I lost it.

I lost it since the day I killed my father.

No, I forgot. I am not a Torres after all.

I lost my family since the day I killed my mother's husband.
***
To be continued...