Liah's pov
I cried my eyes out in the taxi, I've never been so embarrassed in my life. It's reasonable for Mr and Mrs Martins to doubt me but Dylan? How could he? I thought he had something for me but guess it was not strong enough to trust me. As I got out of the taxi and stood by the roadside, confused on what to do next, I noticed passersby looking at me with both pitiful and disgusted gazes. I took a small mirror from my back and looked at my reflection. I gasped at how rugged and disheartened I looked. It's all that idiot's fault.
I don't blame him, it's my fault for going there in the first place. My phone started ringing and I checked the caller who was none other than Dylan. Why is he calling me? To insult me further? Hmph, I'm not picking his call. I angrily stuffed the phone back into my bag and decided to eat a plate of ice cream at the supermart opposite where I was standing before heading home. I don't want to go home looking so dejected and sad.
I went into the supermarket and ordered a plate of ice cream. After taking a spoonful, I felt so much better. I smiled heartily as I enjoyed my treat.
Dylan's pov
I kept on dialing her number repeatedly but the stubborn girl refused to pick up. I drove like a mad man checking every possible place she could be. I know that she wouldn't have gone home since she wouldn't want her family to see her looking like that. I really messed up this time. How I wish I could rewind the time to before dinner.
I was about to lose it when I finally spotted her in a supermart eating ice cream from the transparent glass. I felt so relieved immediately I saw her.
I parked my car near the supermart and waited for her to finish eating, I didn't want to make her angry further. Maybe she would feel much better after eating. Twenty minutes later, she finally came out after taking her time to eat. I sighed nervously before getting off the car.
I ran after her as she started walking towards the other direction. Is she planning to trek home?
"Liah" I called out to her. I noticed the way she froze for a moment. She continued walking without turning back. I reached her and grabbed her arm, turning her to face me.
"Liah I'm so sorry I accused you wrongly. I shouldn't have done that without confirming the facts first. I'm deeply sorry" I said, pleading.
I felt so discouraged when she didn't even bother to look at me and instead removed her arm from my grip and turned away from me. I grabbed her hand again and this time received a slap on the face in return but I still didn't let go. I noticed the instant regret in her eyes and I felt a bit gladdened.
"Let me go Dylan. I don't want anything to do with you anymore. How could you hurt me this way? I've never been so embarrassed in my life" she said admist tears. I almost started crying myself at the sight of her tears.
"I'm so sorry Liah. Please forgive me, it would never happen again, please I beg of you" I pleaded and hugged her tightly. She tried to push me away but I was having none of it. Finally she resorted to crying, she cried so much that I wanted to stab myself a thousand times for hurting her.
After sometime she stopped crying and I released her.
"What made you change your mind. You were all set on your conclusion that I was the one who did it" she said
"It was Manny" I replied as I clenched my fists.
"What?" She exclaimed
"But it's alright, she will be taken care of. So please forgive us, especially me" I pleaded.
"Hmph, I won't forgive you so easily mister" she said, turning her face away but I could see a hint of a smile that made me feel relieved within.
"What can I do to appease the queen?" I asked playfully, holding her delicate hand.
She turned her face to look at me before rolling her eyes
"Forget it, just know not to conclude so quickly next time" she said. I smiled at how simple she could be. If it were other girls, they wouldn't miss this opportunity to get something of their interest but this is Liah, how could I forget.
"I'm sorry for slapping you, I shouldn't have done that" she said, feeling sorry
"It's okay. So am I forgiven?" I asked.
"Partially"
"Heyyy, say you've forgiven me"
"I said partially you fool"
"Fool? Who? Me?" And like that we kept on bantering like two friends who had known each other for a long time.
At school the next day,
I entered the classroom and saw Liah and Sophie laughing and chatting. By the time I got home last night after dropping Liah off, Manny was already sacked and Sophie was still at home helping auntie Jane take care of mom. I felt kind of irritated meeting her at home so I asked her to leave so I can continue from where she stopped. Looking at the both of them now, I can't get rid of this feeling that Sophie is not as kind-hearted and friendly as she appears to be. I shifted my gaze to Liah and God her smile was so beautiful. I stood there rooted at the spot until, "What are you looking at man?" Lan said from behind me. Ugh, where did he come from.
"Watch it bro" I said, disgusted. He rolled his eyes and pulled me towards our seats as the teacher came in. I smiled at Liah when I sat down and she smiled back, so sweetly.
Liah's pov
"Alright students listen up. There's a quiz competition coming up this Saturday and our school will be competing with Brighter knowledge academy" the teacher announced with enthusiasm even though he tried so hard to sound serious. We cheered at the information. It would be so nice to finally show the cocky students of that school who's boss. They won the last competition and since then have been boasting at any little chance they got. It's time to put them in their place.
"So the competition has different levels according to the classes, from junior to senior and for our class, we have chosen our representatives. Our representatives this time are Liah and Sophie. A round of applause for them please" the teacher continued. I was both shocked and excited when I heard my name. Will I really represent the school this time, I can't wait to tell my parents.
After school,
"Liah hold up" Sophie and I heard Dylan call from behind us. We turned to see him running towards us. He looked so handsome that I felt lost for a moment. I noticed other girls looking at me with envy and I rolled my eyes.
"Congratulations, both of you on being chosen" he said when he finally reached us.
"Thanks Dylan" we said in unison and smiled at each other.
"Liah if you need help with anything you can let me know" he said eagerly. I smiled and politely refused his offer.
"It's fine. I'm sure I can pull it off on my own" I said.
"I might need a little help Dylan" Sophie said with hopeful eyes. I felt a bit annoyed at her action but I waited to see Dylan's reaction.
"Oh sorry, I think I would be busy. See ya later girls" he said and waved at us before leaving.
"Hmph, how could he turn me down like that? And Liah how could you smile at him? Have you forgotten how he treated you at his house last night?" She asked, looking annoyed. I smiled, knowing she's just angry about the way I was treated.
"Are you angry now, but you didn't stand up for me then" I feigned annoyance
"Oh come on, I was just too shocked then. Besides when I found out that Manny was behind it, I made sure to put her in her place. You know I love you so much" she said, rubbing her forehead on mine
"Ewww, stop that. That's disgusting" I burst out laughing
"You know right? You do right?" She kept on asking without letting me go
"Yeah I know, I know..."
When I got home, I informed my family about the competition. My brother and father were happy for me and wished me luck also promising to be there. There wasn't much of a reaction from my mother but I didn't take it to heart. At least it seems my father is warming up to me bit by bit and I'm okay with that for now.
The following days became busy for me. I go to school in the morning, when i return do my house chores and after dinner I lock myself in my room, preparing for the quiz. Dylan kept on offering to help me but I kept on declining because I knew I will only get distracted. Days passed and finally, it was the day of the competition.
The competition was being held in our school. On arriving at my school British high, I marvelled at the sight. This isn't the first a competition was held at British high and during every competition, the school was always filled to the brim but today, it felt as if it was double the population.
"Baby girlllll" I felt someone jump on me from behind and I didn't even need to turn before knowing it was Sophie. She looked so beautiful today. I really wish we would win.
"You look so pretty today Sophie. So tell me, you prepared?" I asked
"Of course, those brats won't know what hit them" I laughed at her reply. I loved the excitement and vibe.
I saw Dylan and his friends chatting at a farther corner admist the crowd andas if he felt my gaze, he looked back at me and smiled.
"If it isn't the British babies looking all soft and stupid and usual. Are you guys ready to lose again today" we heard a pitchy voice from behind us and turned to see who owned that annoying voice. And of course it was none other than Annie, A senior at Brighter knowledge academy, the same class with us. She was standing with her not so good-looking boyfriend with arrogant expression on their faces. Hmph, look how proud they are.
" Brighter brats, it's so nice to have you guys here. And who told you that we would lose this time. Just don't cry back to your school after today's competition, you wouldn't want your ugly faces to look uglier right?" Sophie retorted with a raised eyebrow. I covered my mouth to prevent myself from laughing out loud. Way to go Sophie!
Annie and her boyfriend's faces turned a shade of purple on hearing Sophie's words. Well who told them to attack the sharp-tongued Sophie.
"I heard we are competing with you today. We were so disappointed. How could they match us up with you dense idiots" Annie's boyfriend said with a snort making him look so silly.
Sophie laughed and replied "look how proud they are, but have you guys heard of the saying pride goes before a fall but of course I'm sure you haven't heard because you are both so stupid that all you know how to do is stick your disgusting tongues into each other's throats"
I looked at the other two faces and couldn't help but burst out laughing at the expression on their faces. They looked like they have both finished a bottle of vinegar each. Suit them right. Hmph, how dare they mess with us?
I laughed and pulled my friend towards the stage but didn't forget to annoy them with my words with my voice high enough for them to hear " Come on Sophie, when the dogs are barking, we the human beings… we let them make noise while we make results."
Sophie laughed so hard at my remark and we knew that if we were to turn our faces now, we'll see the most ugliest faces in the world.