A Lifetime With You

-9-

Kayla's POV

Large crowd on the field. Speakers booming. A vocalist, A drummer, A bassist,  A guitarist. I tried so hard to see who was playing on stage. It was that time of the month that people need to perform on stage for publicity. They get to go to talent shows and showcase themselves. I loved the song they were playing Viva La Vida by Coldplay. This song makes me feel that sometimes there is no hope in everything to Long Live Life. The backstory of the song changes everything, A king watching helplessly as the revolution destroys his kingdom. I wonder why people think it's a happy song...

I tiptoed and bumped into so many people to get closer to the stage. His voice made me smile and enjoy even more. Until he called me up on stage. "I would like to call Kayla from the crowd. I have a feeling she is here in the crowd. Kayla!" I was in shock I ran straight off the fields. I don't know if I was ashamed or did I just feel my heartbeat so fast. Why did he call for me? I was enjoying so much of the band but he really had to mess it up. 

I felt someone chasing after me as I ran to my safe place behind the school building. I climbed over the barricade and climbed on the tree. I have a specific spot in that area. I sat on the mat that I have placed there since the 2nd week of 7th grade.  I'm not the shy type of girl actually I am more of the confident boyish type. I have 2 main groups of friends.  My friends from elementary and 3 idiots which includes my best friend Patrick. We have been going strong although we get into fights we still resolve it no matter how confusing things can be. 

As I was about to lie down when I heard someone going over the barricade. Did somebody just follow me to my hideout? I knew someone was following me but I didn't they would go over the barricade. Did Jericho follow me after I ran off? Does he care about me that much? Does he...like me? I finally checked who was it. It was... 

"I saw you running on the hallway headed here. Did something happen? I'm here to help or at least listen. You know that."

"Oh it's you. I just have stuff on my mind. You know I don't like anybody here in my hideout. You swore long ago to ask permission before coming here" 

"I don't get it though. It's school property so I can do whatever I want but who am I to say that. I'm just Patrick Villanueva a scholarship recipient. A student studying for free because a rich Tan family paid for it. Times like this I wish I had my own money as you have."

He frowned and I felt like he envied me for what I have or what my family has. I feel bad for him because he had a family business but his father got addicted to gambling. I should try to cheer him up since he is my best friend after all.

"Pat, money doesn't buy you happiness. I know that one day you are going to fulfill your dreams. Manage your own business and who knows what your future holds. I love you, best friend sorry for being rude about my hideout."

I let him sit beside me right after we made up with a long hug. He started to ask me what happened for the past few days. I told him everything with no details left out. I totally zoned out when I suddenly recalled what he said earlier. A rich TAN family. Holy Shi--. Could it be Jericho Tan's family? I could recall his last name was Tan but why doesn't Patrick know his sponsors? I kept it to myself and told Patrick that I am leaving for my next class. I went straight to the classroom but was told that the concert will continue right after the line up of start-up bands. We weren't required to stay for it. I stayed otherwise to watch and enjoy. 

I found a nice place where I can see the stage clearly and not much of a crowd. Next thing I knew a bunch of guys sat next to me and crowded me. I didn't bother getting mad because I wanted to just stay happy for once. Someone pulled my arm to let me sit right back. It wasn't Patrick. It wasn't Jericho. It was one of his varsity players who told me to sit back down and relax. I felt controlled and that wasn't the best feeling. I kept silent and sat down when his varsity friend got close to me and tried to kiss me when I threw a punch at him. It was my instinct to defend myself from something I didn't want to do. He fell to the ground but in no time I saw him wiping off the blood of his lip and was aiming to slap me when Jericho punched him first. 

I was in complete shock. I get into fights, yes, but I didn't expect it to be on school premises. I didn't respond to Jericho asking me if I am fine and what happened. He hugged me and told one of his close friends to get his jacket. He then wrapped the jacket around me and walked me away from that traumatic scene. I still remained quiet as he opened his car door for me. At first, I hesitated to enter because I had a thought that what if he was just tricking me into something but as he pulled me in for another hug I felt so safe and secure with him. I placed my trust on him as I entered the car holding on to his jacket which remained wrapped around me. He drove off at high speed and I saw that he wasn't headed to the direction of my house but somehow I was fine with it. I didn't want to go straight home either, knowing me I would overthink and start drinking to ease my mind. 

After the two hour drive, he finally stopped and got out of the car and opened the car door. I looked up to him and our eyes met mine was a traumatized look while his were the most concerned eyes I have seen in a while. He extended his arm and reached out to me waiting for me to give my hand to him. I had this gut feeling that he was really trying to help so I gave my hand. He escorted me out of the car and honestly I had no idea where we were. I looked up from the ground there I saw a beautiful sunset at the beach. It made me feel so much better that I smiled and teared up. A mesmerizing sunset is what was right in front of me. I sat on the sand and he sat next to me. No words can explain how beautiful this is and he sat there not looking at it instead he was looking at me.