Girls called Alessandra

CHAPTER 08 - INCIDENTS

Alie had just walked out of the bathroom. She was drying her face with a towel when her phone rang.

An unknown number?

By this time, she had already forgotten about the promise Jude made. She put it over her ears all the same.

"Hello?"

"Hey," a teenager's voice resounded. "This is my number."

"Oh, Jude. Okay."

Silence. A heavy lingering silence. It was that type of silence where one wanted to end the call while the other struggled to keep it going.

Just as she was about to speak, Drew yelled. "Ate Alie, close the toilet after you use it. It smells!"

She heard Jude chuckle.

"Sorry that you have to hear that." Then to Drew, she shouted back, "It doesn't smell! Liar!" She moved to shut the door close, fearing her brother would say something again.

"It's okay," Jude said obviously snickering, "I also wanted to ask about the Math homework. I don't think I'm doing it right."

Inwardly, she sighed. 'I'm losing my money after all.' She answered, "Alright. It's really difficult. I'll send you pics when I'm done. Have you made an account already?"

"Oh yes, yes. My brother made one for me. I've actually sent you a request."

"Okay then."

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

She frowned. Just like Thomas. Another leech feeding on her efforts.

Somewhat, Alie had her own sort of stupidity. She hated leeches but in the end, she still stayed late at night to finish the ten problems, photograph them then send them to Jude who was now her 'friend'.

And strangely, she waited for him to come back online and probably say 'thanks Alie you're the best.'

But he did not come back, no matter how many times she checked. She wondered if he was asleep already.

The next morning Alie and Bebay were on that detour again. She was hoping to glimpse Oliver just once. After sitting next to him, she had grown more deeply emotionally invested.

He was not in his homeroom though.

"Maybe he's late," Bebay consoled her. "You do realize that this is pervy right?"

Alie spun her head, saying defensively, "No, no. I just wanted to see him. He makes my day, you know."

"Okay, okay. So long as you're happy."

But she was not happy though. Because doing it for so many times was tiring. "Is this really weird?"

"Yes, it is. I suggest you confess it already. You're such a devoted fan, he should know how lucky he is. Except that you should leave this part out because I'm afraid it would freak him out."

But if she did confess how she liked him a lot, then in his eyes, she would turn out to be the same as those commenters who confessed their love to him everyday. She would be just another name on that long list of girls who walked up to him and gave him love letters and chocolates and got turned down.

The worst thing about it was he would decline her in his own kind way so she could not end up hating him even if she wanted to. In the end, she could only continue dreaming about Oliver, blaming herself because she could not live up to his standards.

"C'mon, Babe, you'll see him tomorrow."

But the world runs on such peculiar incidents. It is driven by unlikely encounters and lasting interactions.

Even now, as an unknowing girl who was only half as tall as the door to her own classroom was accompanied by her bestfriend who felt like she had to walk her to her room. Even as people rushed into the science classes building, where it was progressively getting crowded with people.

There occured an incident.

"He's careless. He can't make Dad so worried you know." It was a voice. A soft manly timbre that Alie had so gotten familiar with through listening to her phone.

Oliver. He's near the science building.He was not alone now. Matthew walked beside him.

They were like two princes. With them around, everyone ceased to exist.

He was now less than six steps away in her radar. She froze and stilled. She could only turn her gaze down as the two of them passed her by, discussing private matters that she just happened to overhear. The edge of his uniform touched past the edge of her own. The wind carried his cologne in his wake.

Bebay nudged her, "Satisfied?"

Alie smirked. It was joyous. But it was not satisfaction.

"Look, there's the Jude guy, he seems to be looking at you."

Alie could not care less about Jude now. He had not even said thanks even after having made use of her night's hard work.

He came up to them, "Hey Alie, you seem..."

"Shh," Bebay hushed him. "Let her savor the moment. She just came within an inch away from her crush. And for the second time."

It was a triumph on its own, worthy of being pointed out.

"Who?" Jude asked, looking around.

Bebay's mouth pointed to the receding figures of the two brothers. "Do you know Oliver Vasquez?"

Of course anyone would know Oliver Vasquez.

At the mention of the name, Alie broke out of her trance, "Babe, don't go telling just anyone."

"What? It's normal."

Jude said, "The vlogger."

"Yup, that's the one."

"I've seen him dance. It's so funny and pathetic," he laughed. "Aw."

Alie had slightly jabbed his chest. "It's sexy and cute. It's not pathetic."

The she realized what she did. "Oh shit, I'm sorry I didn't mean to punch you."

Jude just kept on laughing so maybe it was just alright. "I'm fine. I'm fine. You really like him a lot, huh?"

"Lots," Bebay cut in. "She liked him so much that it breaks my heart."

Bebay headed to her own building.

As Jude and Alie walked together to their room, Jude spoke again, "By the way, thanks for the answers. I copied them this morning."

"No problem," she said half-heartedly, hoping for him not to ask for her help on homeworks ever again. She purposely changed her tone so that he would realize on his own without her having to directly tell him.

"Did I-"

Alie turned to him. He caught onto it, so fast. Maybe he was not stupid after all. "Yes?"

"Was I being a bother?" His expression surpised her. It was not even apologetic. Nor ashamed. Naturally if Thomas realized he was being a total leech, he would be nearly on his knees, begging her to forgive him so that he could continue to depend on her.

But the expression on Jude's face, it was of shock and sadness and loss.

"No, it's not like that at all. It's just one homework," she said, trying to console him.

'He actually looked like he was going to tear up and cry! What is he? A child?'

Wasn't he a humbug and a shameless leech who asked to copy Alie's work even when they had just been classmates for two school days?

Then his lips curved up into a sad smirk. "How can I be so... Don't worry, I'll treat you to lunch today. Your friends too."

She sighed in relief. She barely saved it. "No need. It's not like I demand compensation for helping people, especially my classmates."

"I insist."

"No. I can't accept it. There's really no need."

"It's actually more for myself. It's my treat. Please."

"Uh-okay, then."