BURNING RED

Chapter 9

PURPLE

I ran down the stairs and found Mama and Papa waiting for me at our dining table.

"Good morning Mama, Papa!" I greeted them and kissed them on their cheek.

"Good morning..." they stopped and looked at me like they saw a ghost or something.

I smiled widely and sat on my chair. I slept well last night, so I feel cheery today.

I was planning to learn more tagalog words because if we would live here permanently, I needed to learn to speak their language and I knew it wouldn't be hard because I have a good photographic memory.

I waited for them to tell me what they think about my new look but they didn't say anything so I just shrugged my shoulders and took some fried rice and beef tapa.

I really love garlic longanisa and beef tapa for my breakfast.

"Bryce dropped by last night."

My spoon slid out of my hand and looked at them apologetically.

I picked up my spoon that was on the table and scooped my rice and put it on my mouth. Completely ignoring the topic.

When I finished my breakfast, I went upstairs to brush my teeth and put my shoes on.

I was ready to go when Papa came down the stairs.

He would drop me off at school from now on.

When we stopped at the gate, I kissed him goodbye and headed to the school.

I remembered the floor plan clearly so I went straight to the back where the faculty building was located.

All eyes were on me while I was walking along the corridor.

I shrugged my shoulders when I heard them talking about me too.

That was normal, I was new here so they could talk anytime they want.

I have decided to live like a normal teenager here. So I have to take everything they would give me.

I looked at the building where the twelfth grade was. I suddenly felt proud to myself. I made it this far so a little mishap wouldn't make me crawl back in Scotland. I had to stand on my own and decide for myself. These things come along with being free and to live like others.

I turned my gaze back to the door of the building and climbed up the stairs.

When I got in, I suddenly got confused which door I had to go to get my books and my schedule. I decided to knock on the first room on my left.

I knocked hard and waited for their reply. When I didn't get any, I slowly opened the door and found an empty room with tables and chairs. It looked the same as the room I've been before.

I walked to the wall where the blue prints of the school and checked the building's floor plan.

I was checking it when I heard footsteps and a soft click of the door closing.

I snapped my head towards the door in a panic and found Bryce watching me intently with his backpack hanging on his left shoulder while his right hand was holding a purple paper-bag.

I glanced at both sides of the room to check if there was another door, but to my dismay, I entered a wrong room.

I turned my back again and pretended to keep myself busy checking the floor plan. I was sweating profusely now. I couldn't last if he keeps staring at me. When I didn't hear any movement from him, I decided to leave and check the other doors for the teacher that could help me. I turned towards the door and walked quietly.