"Shara! You've stopped walking back and forth. I've been really dizzy with you before."
Who could blame me?
Ever since Caseth left on the way to the hospital, I didn't get any text message or even a voice mail from him. I told him I was in the news right away but he didn't answer my calls and chats. I'm starting to feel nervous right now.
"Mau, didn't you really see him at school? Even his friends? Did you talk to Ziro?" I asked him one question after another.
She frowned."Ziro and I did talk but it's about us. They also weren't with Caseth because he was absent when he didn't come until recess. They also don't seem to know what's going on."
When their class was over, I immediately called Mau to come to my house for a while. I thought Caseth told his friends earlier about what happened to Sister Casyn but he didn't. Maybe he just called them after classes. I don't know.
What if something really happened to his sister?
"I'm sorry for disturbing you, bessy. Go home, you haven't dressed yet." I kissed her cheeks and gave her a small smile.
"Okay. Rest well. Don't stress out yourself. I'll call you later. Uh... by the way, our circle of friends were coming here tomorrow. It's our bonding time so they'll bring foods after class. Is it okay? " he answered further.
"All right. I'll just let Mama know. Drive safely."
When she finally left, I sat on my bed while thinking some possible thoughts. Why would Sister Casyn be hospitalized? Caseth never told me that she was sick. But what if she got into an accident? Oh my god! I hope not.
If he's not calling nor texting me, something probably happened. Maybe he is busy taking care of his sister so he doesn't have time to hold his phone. He's responsible for his sister knowing that their parents aren't here. But there's one thing I'm doubting.
Ashley was there with him. How come did she know that Ate Casyn was in the hospital before Caseth could even know? Does she still go to their house even though she has been told not to?! Well, she's not the brat ex for nothing.
I don't want to think that they are together now but I can't help it because I know it's true. If I know, she's just doing that to get his heart back. He wanted to be close to Caseth no matter what happened. And here I am, staying in our house without doing anything.
If so, what can I do to help? I don't have money. I'm also sick so he's not gonna let me go there. Besides, he knew that I hate hospitals so he will probably disagree for the second time.
"Shara, it's going to be eight o'clock. Eat here first. You still need to take your medicine."
I was startled by Mama's shout outside, I didn't realize I had fallen asleep. I immediately opened my messages, hoping that he texted me but it's empty. Not even a good evening.
Why isn't he replying to me?! Is it hard to text me even for a moment? He could just tell me that he's busy, I can understand him. He just doesn't worry about me like this.
Reluctantly, I went downstairs and entered the kitchen where they were Mama. I sat in front of them and prayed before started eating. I didn't talk nor glanced on them. Maybe they were having a hint that I'm not okay based on how I act.
"If he doesn't reply and call you, maybe he's really taking care of a lot. If you don't know, he'll make you feel bad. Just eat, maybe later before you go to sleep he'll call you, "Mama eased my heart.
That's what I thought but it never did happened. I waited for a few hours and I looked like a fool staring at my phone, hoping that soon he would let me know. And I laughed sarcastically when I didn't receive any of it until midnight.
I fell asleep in anticipation and woke up early, still drowsy. Since I still have a little bit of money on my savings, I used half of it for my miscellaneous fees at school. Yes, I decided to come to school even last this week. I wish the last time I could step on it, I would memorize the whole place where I went to highschool.
"Good morning! What are you up to?"
They were all amazed when they saw me, as if they had seen an unexpected visitor. Maureen suddenly screamed and came closer to hug me so tight. He released me immediately when he noticed that I could not breathe.
"I'm sorry my dear bestfriend. I'm just happy because you came in. Have you changed your mind, are you accepting my offer?" Mau asked happily.
To this day I still can't forget his offer to help me. She's asking me about it from time to time.
I tapped her cheeks slightly before shaking my head a little."Nah. I'll stay here for a week and this will be the last. I'll just take advantage of the days I'm still here."
"Welcome back, Shara. Why don't you bring the projects you've already finished?" said Pres Jelo.
The circle of my friends were surroundings my chair as if I'm a newbie here. My other classmates just smiled at me and I did the same.
"I decided not to pass it because it doesn't make sense. It's not that I'm wasting the extension given to me by our teachers but it's useless. This will be my last week here in the Academy."
They sighed at what I said and came even closer to be curious. They couldn't believe it or its just that they doesn't want to believe me.
"Are you crazy?! What a waste of your brain if you leave here. Girl, will you leave us your friends?" Kyla asked me a dramatic question.
"Yes indeed! You're doing good now. If you want, we can help you. If you feel like you can't come in yet, you can rest for another one week." Roses held my forehead with a worried look.
I let out a deep sigh."It's not that I don't want to but I have to stop my studies. My illness has returned and my parents are having a hard time earning money for me... us .You guys knew that I'm not rich like all of you. If I could just work at the restaurant where I work I would have done it. But I can't because of this freaking disease."
"We badly want to help you but it's you who keeps on declining our offer. We shouldn't have used our money but you're stubborn so you don't want to accept. What's the use of our friendships if we won't help you?" Fiona scolded me.
"How could I? It's your money but your parents will give it to you. I can't just use it. You know I'm not used to asking others because I feel sorry for me," I said in a lower voice.
Suddenly someone dropped a plastic sandwich and milk in front of me and when I looked up I saw Steven. He smiled at me and gestured to accept it.
"It's not that we pity you, Shara. And it's not bad to ask for help even once. You're no different from us. You're a good friend to us," he said.
"You always taught us some things we should learn. When we don't understand something in class you are always there to teach us, not just as a class officer but as a friend. Whenever we ask for your answer every time we find it hard, you we're always there to give us answers. Even if sometimes you get annoyed with us because it's hard for us to teach, even if you never get tired of continuing to teach. Now, how could we let you suffer knowing that you gave us hope to reach our goals?" meaningful remark by Josh.
He's known for being a boastful one and warfreak so I didn't expect him to say those. I know I can really count on them in everything.
Gosh! Do they make me cry?
"Allison and I have already thought about this, Shara. We'll be the one to pay your expenses in school until graduation. You don't have to work here at school anymore, we'll only add 500 so you're exempted." Daniela flipped her hair in front of me like she did something great.
"Yah. I'm also paying you back for the foods that I stole from you," Allison winked at me.
I just shook my head and then laughed."You decided without my permission, huh?"
"My dad is a doctor, Shara. If ever that you'll be admitted in case of emergency, our hospital will supervise you. Don't worry about the expenses, it's all free." Jelo messed up my hair a little.
Kyla immediately applauded."Yow! I'll take care of the cost of food and medicine at the hospital in case I need to. No one could stop me from doing what I want."
Why are they being like this? Whatever I refuse, they still insist on what they want. Honestly, they don't have to do this stuffs just to pay back my good deeds. But still, I'm thankful to them.
"Of course, as Shara's first and one and only bestfriend, I'll take care of their foods at home. Like duh. I have many foods in our house and I couldn't eat them all. There's nothing wrong with taking them home. they're half, "Maureen sighed proudly.
"Mau, Mama and---"
"You shut up! I'll explain to Tita, then just think about things when you're really okay and your Dad has a new job," she cut off my words.
Even at home, she still remembers. Shocks!
"As long as we sticks together, no one's in danger," Fiona added.
Roses immediately kicked him."What kind of saying is that?! You're really crazy! We even look like we're in a danger zone in front of you."
They argued like what used to be and all we can do is to laugh at them. These times and moments, I will never forget. They have been my backbone and we are like one family here. I will always cherish all the times we spend together.
When our first teacher came in, she was even more surprised when she saw me. I'll just pass my finished projects tomorrow, not minding the score that I'll get. There is still a third grading if I have reached the blessing.
During recess time, they forced me to go out with them. I'm always soaked in schoolworks so we don't have much time to bond during break time. They even gave me free food so I could not use the money I brought.
"Shara, isn't that Racer? You know what? Since you stopped coming here, he's not lively anymore. It's as if you've changed, he's now soaking in the schoolworks. He's only having fun with the others once, "Daniela added so I turned my attention to the habit she was looking at.
He's busy reading a book while walking in the hallway. He doesn't collide because he passes on the side and the person he meets avoids him.
"Guys, you go first. I'll just talk to him for a minute. Okay? Let's just meet in the room." I waved at them and forced them to leave me here.
When they're finally our of my sight, I get the chance to talk to Racer. I intended to walk sideways where he's walking and placed my hand on his book to get his attention. He was surprised and immediately looked up, which made him even more surprised. I smiled at him to make him feel comfortable.
"Hi Racer. Long time no see. How are you?" I asked him smilingly.
He blinked twice before closing the book he was holding."A-Ah... I'm okay. Ypu have returned. Are you okay now?"
"Hmm, much better. How about you? You're already too busy. Do you want us to talk?" I offer him.
He nodded and walked with me."O-Okay. But wait... won't your boyfriend get angry? He might punch me when he finds out we're together."
"Not really. We already talked about my connection to you. He knew we were friends so he still allowed me, he just wasn't too close because he was really jealous." I laughed a little to light up the atmosphere.
"I know, he just wants to turn me to ashes with his stares at me when we're together. Didn't you notice his reaction whenever we're having lunch together or we're talking in the hallway? If not, he's still waiting for me in our classroom because he's annoyed. He doesn't want to see me closer to you. You're not even close yet but if he can get sick, it's like he owns you. " He kicked the rocks we would pass on the ground.
I just laughed."Yeah, I remember those times. He even confessed that thing to me."
"By the way, where is he? He didn't come in, eh. His friends were also absent."
"Huh? Ziro and Hades are absent? Do they have excuse letters or reasons why they are absent?" I asked in shock.
He shook his head."Nothing. That's why I asked you where Caseth was, maybe he was with his friends. They had reportings earlier but they didn't show up."
I shoved my phone in my pocket and looked at the text messages but at least nothing. I also checked if I have missed calls from him but there's nothing. I'm getting pissed right now that's why I tried to call him. For the nth time, I tried it again but still there's no response.
"Argh! Why isn't he picking up my calls?!" I was annoyed and just trampled.
"Is there any problem? Maybe I can help," he insisted.
"Uh... No. I'm okay. Thanks for the time, Racer. It's nice to see you again. I'll be the first because the bell is about to ring."
Damn you Caseth! I'm starting to get mad on you! If you really show up to me, I'll ignore you.