A novel of salvage high chapter 8
ALEX POV
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My car pulled over at the parking lot, and my driver alighted to open the door for me. I actually prefer to drive myself around but my father refused, he even seized my driving license after an argument. Everyone believes that he always allow me have my way with things, but there are limits to some things.
Gabriel alighted from his car and came to me. “Where is Jeremy?” We both asked in unison; Jeremy is always the first to get to school, and he always prefer to wait behind for us in the parking lot so we could all go in together.
“I haven’t seen him, I was surprised when I arrived and didn’t find him.” Gabriel said.
“Did you call him?” I asked.
Gabriel pointed at Jeremy who is walking down to us. “There he comes.”
“What happened to your bike, man?” I asked, and we all exchanged friendly gestures.
“Gosh, how did you got this?” Gabriel asked, looking at the bruise on his arm.
“It’s nothing, I had a little accident.” Jeremy said, jabbing Gabriel’s hands off.
“What? You had an accident on your bike?” I shouted.
“Chill bro, I’m fine.”
“Where is the bike and how did it really happened?” Gabriel asked, equally worried.
“Let’s discuss that later, we will be late for class.” Jeremy said, walking ahead of us.
Gabriel and I gazed at each other before hurrying to catch up with him.
We got to class, and Gabriel exchanged greetings with Keisha, but she ignored him and went to Chris.
“What’s that about? Did you just ignored you?” I teased, and Gabriel chuckled.
“Someone literally ignored this handsome man.” Gabriel whined, and I scoffed.
I looked at Jeremy who didn’t show any interest. Of us three, he is more upfront, but in a situation like this, he should at least tease Gabriel.
After the morning classes, we went to our hangout during recess to pass time, and Jeremy was acting indifferently.
“Man, you know you can tell us anything, right?” Gabriel said.
“There is nothing to say buddies, I’m fine. Why don’t we go to the cafeteria? The air here is tensed.” He suggested, and we both nodded.
We got to the cafeteria, and met everyone in a circle; obviously someone is being bullied.
“What on dart is going on?” I muttered.
“Come on, this looks interesting.” Gabriel said.
👤”It’s Alex.”
👤”Alex is here.”
The students grumbled, and paved way for us. We went forward and saw shocked to see Keisha getting bullied by the BEES.
“What on earth is going on here?” I shouted, and went to Keisha who is helpless on the cold ties.
“Alex, why are you acting up all of a sudden after passing out your orders?” Bibi blurted.
“And I’m putting an end to it now.” I blurted.
“Kei, are you ok?” Gabriel asked, and went to help her up.
“You all should stop bullying here, else you are crossing me.” I shouted, and they all flinched. “Let’s go guys.” I muttered, and we all left the cafeteria.
*
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📌Keisha POV 📌
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During recess, I went to the cafeteria to get food. After Alex promised me that I won’t get bullied for a month again, I became carefree and walked majestically to the cafeteria. A guy intentionally bumped into me, and hit me to fall before those crazy Bees showed up, and all the students gathered. Before, I could get up, they were already throwing things at me - leaving me helpless. I started cursing Alex inwardly; if he hasn’t given me assurance, I would have been more cautious - but thankful he came to my rescue.
*
We got to their paradise. I prefer to call it paradise because it’s the best place in the school - only if we could receive classes there.
“Here, you can change to this shirt.” Gabriel said, giving me a shirt.
“Thank you.” I muttered, and went to the restroom to wash up.
*
I changed to the shirt, and went to join them on the sofa.
“Why couldn’t you fight for yourself? You are fearless, why couldn’t you at least stand up again those lazy bees or whatsoever they called themselves?” Alex shouted, and we all looked at him.
“How could I? I was just on my own. Can’t I walk freely again? Why are you making it seem like it’s my fault? If you haven’t bullied me before, none of these would’ve happened.” I lashed.
“That’s enough man, we shouldn’t blame Kei. She is the victim here.” Gabriel said.
“Why are you so worked up, Alex? You already saved her.” Jeremy blurted.
“Because she is my target, no one should bully her in pretense of fighting for me. If she has to get bullied, it should only be by my hands.” Alex said, and it almost sounds like a proposal to me; before my head recollect. Why did he even said those to my face?
“I’m sorry, I apologize for causing you troubles.” I said, and took the exit; before I start getting the wrong idea.
*
I went to class after recess. I avoided Alex and his friends for the entire period. I don’t know why I’m avoiding them, but I believe in my instincts.
*
When school dismissed, I went to Chris and he lead me to the school garden.
“Wow. This place is so beautiful.” I exclaimed.
“We are not here to admire the environment.”
“I know. But why are we here?”
“To study of course.”
“Why the garden?”
“Because you aren’t in your uniform, we can’t use the library.”
“Oh, yeah.” I muttered, and sat on the bench. I’ve never been to a school library before so I don’t know their rules.
“Why are you always getting into trouble? I thought you and Alex are friends now, but why are you still getting bullied?” He asked. If my guess was right, I could say he is cornered.
“It’s not Alex doing, those bees are just a pain in the a$$.” I blurted.
“How sure are you? How much do you trust Alex? You shouldn’t be blinded just because he is saving you, it could also be a trap.” He said, and I found myself thinking.
“I don’t think so.”
“ I also got the note, it was Alex order. He sent out the black list to everyone so you could get bullied. So being nice out of the blue… you really have to be careful, Keisha.”
“This is my fourth day in this school, and I feel like I’ve been here for four years. Alex and his friends are nice to me, they told me someone impersonated Alex to send out those messages, and they are trying to get to the bottom of it.”
“And you believe those?”
“Whatever, whatever.” I shouted, shaking my head. “This isn’t why we are here, Chris. So let’s get to business, we don’t have much time.”
“Why didn’t you ask Alex to tutor you? He is also smart.” He said, already irritating me.
“Chris, I ask for a request. You should’ve declined if you were going to act this way.”
“I’m just cornered, that’s all.”
“That’s enough, I can take care of myself. Let’s just focus on our purpose here.”
“Fine. What subject are you facing challenges?” He asked, and I looked at him.
“What subject? I thought we were going to treat all the subjects. I really need to pass this midterm examination.”
“Oh, well… I thought. It’s fine, what was your GPA in your previous school?” He asked, and I looked at him again - wondering if students actually remembers that after they see it. “You can’t remember?” He asked, with wide eyes. “Ok, what was your grade rank in school? Like, do you know the average amount of people ahead of you?”
“Oh, that? My previous school is a girls school, and you know that girls are very intelligent, right?”
“I can’t answer that, actually…”
“Well, so in my class, there are thirty students, and I managed to kick off three students.” I said, with a heavy sigh.
“What? You mean you are 26th in a class of 30?” He shouted, with wide eyes.
“Can we get to lectures now?” I asked, batting my lashes, and he managed to smile. I gasped at how beautiful he looks when he smiled, no one could tell he had dimples untill he smiled. “Gosh, Chris, can you smile again? You got a beautiful smile.” I said, and he gave me a weird look - obviously controlling the urge to smile again.
*
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📌 Alex POV 📌
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Gabriel and I were engrossed in our game while Jeremy was busy trying to work on his assignment. He is not the bookworm type who could avoid fun to work on assignments, so we both knew that something was bothering him.
“What could be wrong with Jerry this time?” Gabriel whispered.
“I’m as confused.” I muttered, my voice down.
.
Of us three, Jeremy is the most discreet one. We barely know much about him, and once he develops a mood swing, he never share his problems till he return normal again. We have been friends since elementary school, but I can’t say I know much about him.
.
“Man, it’s your turn.” I shouted, and threw the remote at Jeremy.
“Why? But you aren’t out yet.” Gabriel complained.
“I’ll obviously lose to you.”
“That’s a given, but the game just started.” Gabriel said, and I scoffed.
“Man, it’s either you share your problems with us, or beat Gabe in that game to keep our friendship.” I threaten. We are all aware that he can never beat Gabriel, so it’s best he tells us his problems.
“Gosh, that’s one tricky way.” Gabriel said.
“Why were you that way earlier?” Jeremy asked, and we looked at him confused.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I have never seen you that worked up over a girl before, so why were you like that with her?” Jeremy asked; trying to change the topic.
“Yes, he is right. I’m the only one who has the rights to bully her. It’s was a nice line, I almost saw you as the mafia king trying to save his slave that he was already in love with.” Gabriel added. As always, Gabriel is too gullible to sense that Jeremy was trying to avoid our question.
“Come on, why are you trying to turn the interrogation on me?” I blurted.
“No, man. Answer the f¥cking question. What was that drama about? We agreed to get to the bottom of these, but taking it so seriously made you seem like you were actually worried.” Gabriel said, and I made a fist. Being friends with Gabriel was one of my regrets. He is too slow-witted.
“For goodness sake, Gabe.” I shouted.
“That urge to protect someone really badly, I have only seen you that way with Melanie, so why were you that way with Ms. Fearless?” Jeremy asked. Intimidating me to question my actions, I purely reacted that way because I felt offended; and now they are making me bring a meaning to it.
“Do you have to bring Melanie into this?” Was the only words that escapes my mouth.
“You also have things you doubted if they worth sharing, so stop bugging me.” Jeremy muttered, and took the exit.
“Wait. But he is yet to answer our questions.” Gabriel said, and I glared at him. “Do you really have special feelings for Kei?” He asked, and I let out a sigh. “This is good news man. I thought you will never consider dating in high school again after Melanie turned you down, but who could have imagined that you would develop feelings for Kei.” He shouted.
“Get out, Gabe. I don’t wanna see you again, and let’s never meet in our next life.” I lashed, heading to my room.
“That reaction says it all, now I’m motivated to date again.” Gabriel shouted, loud enough for me to hear.
*
I got to my room, and started thinking of everything that happened.
“That’s not possible, I only did that because I felt responsible to protect her as I promised.” I grumbled; tossing and turning on my bed.