R

After parting ways with Via, I went straight to the rest house that’s at the school gardens. They restricted the area for a reason and it’s because of my dad and partly me. I sleep there sometimes. And this morning, I went there to fix some last-minute preparations, which made me cranky to where Via’s first meeting with me left a poor impression on her. I can’t let them know that I’m currently staying there and that the house was for me, or for any of his children who wanted to study in this school. It was a very hectic night. I have to transfer some of my stuff so that my dad will think that I’m actually living at the rest-house and not in an apartment in the streets. Plus, I have to meet with my manager to talk about my new schedule.

Not to mention, I am now a student at Parkstones. Not just someone dressed up as Ricky Lemuel Lee, but as myself. It’s a relief that I’m not behind schedule and that I already fixed the problems I was facing last night and already made resolutions with issues that might come up soon.

"Richard! You’re already here! Come in!" Aunty Rose greeted me with a smile. She’s the one that’s been taking care of me since I was young.

“Yes Aunty. Thank you. Where are my outfits?” I asked. Uncle Lee entered, bringing a trolley cart. On top of it was a freshly cleaned uniform, eyeliner and an eyeshadow palette, and my signature perfume, which is Jazz Club from Maison Margiela.

I beamed and hugged the two of them. “Thank you Aunty, Uncle. I couldn’t have done this without your help.”

I went inside my bedroom to change my clothes. Preparing myself, as my real self, for the afternoon classes. I applied my eyeliner and brown eyeshadow, my hairstyle, my uniform, and sprayed my perfume.

After that, I came back to the living room and asked Aunty Rose. “Do I look fine Aunty?” I winked at her jokingly.

“Hmm.” She giggled. “Of course, son. I’m the one who raised you ever since you’re wearing those tiny diapers, duh. You should get going. Even if you’re Mr. Park’s son, you should always be on your guard. If they know you like Olivia, they might go after her, so you better protect her. Good things come to those who wait. You know Olivia’s fiery attitude, right? Good luck my boy! Fighting!” She winked back at me in return.

My smile dropped as I recalled the events this morning. I totally fucked up.

“Not gonna lie Aunty but, I think Via hates me. I messed up badly, and I just started coming out in public.”

“You know what they say.” Uncle Lee interrupted. “The more you hate, the more you love. Don’t worry about it, young sir.” He smiled and gave me a thumbs up.

But she’s different. She's always being herself and not giving a damn to what others will say about her, not scared of calling someone out when they’ve done something wrong and being brave in standing up for others. Despite having that fierce personality, she has a kind heart that adds up to her charm. And that’s why I fall for her, harder than anyone can tell.

OLIVIA

When the both of us arrived at the classroom, damn. I can barely see my seat! A lot of students are in the way, the smell of their perfumes are mixing in the air and it’s making me dizzy. I already had the answer on why they’re flocking here inside, like birds. For elite students, they sure act reckless over an actor like him. It’s probably not their first time seeing one for all I care. So why do they want to see him so badly?

“EHEM!” I coughed.

"Oh, hi Via. You’re finally here. Can we exchange seats? I’m busy, you see." That was my classmate, Cheska, who’s at my seat. And why? Because she’s busy acting cute and clumsy in front of the one and only Richard Neal Park. Sigh. Guess I have to sit on her seat sa front row. I can’t turn her down. At least her seat is far from him. Good enough. But I can’t sleep in the front row. Help.

“Miss Wei’s already here? Let her sit down at her seat. It was nice chatting with you ladies.” He winked, and they all squealed. Ugh, it was just so disgusting! If cringe was a person, then there’s Richard Neal Park.

I sat down beside him and grabbed a book and put on my earphones, currently listening to Rock With You as I’m reading. I am ignoring everything at this point. We’re all waiting for our teacher in math, Sir Liu.

“Hey, thank me.” I heard him muttered. The nerve! I turned to him and he was sleeping on the desk, or so I thought. He’s probably awake and just resting. I understand how facing many people can be tiring, especially when he’s a public figure.

“Sorry… Sorry about this morning. I was in a bad mood.”

It was the same thing I heard from him this morning. Now, I’m curious. He’s probably not that bad.

“Why were you in a bad mood?”

“Tsk.” He raised his head to look at me. “Why do you care huh?” He grumbled. I see. I was wrong, this guy is totally screwed in the head.

I suddenly felt chilled, and it felt like someone was staring at me. I turned to Richard and saw him throwing a deadly dagger-like glare at me.

“Uh, is there a problem?”

“Hmph.” That’s all he said before he turned away.

After a few minutes had passed, the door opened. Only for us to see another faculty member at school. It wasn't long before they declared that there will be no classes in the afternoon because they’re holding a staff meeting. We’re still not allowed to go home, though.

I heard my phone buzzed and saw Celine’s text. She wants to go hangout at the school cafeteria because she’s bored. And she told me she’ll get something for me too. Free stuff!

We went to the cafeteria and seated at near at the counter. There aren’t that many students since the lower levels must remain in their classrooms till the bell rings. Only us graduating students can do that. Quite stupid, right?

“Just stay here. I’m gonna go order.” Said Celine before she joined the line. Oh boy, I wish Ricky was here. I feel so sleepy and bored. I should text him.

I opened my phone and searched for his contact name that is ‘Ricky<3’ and yes! That’s the name. It’s so cheesy isn’t it? I entered the inbox and said,

‘Hey. Are u free?’

There was an immediate buzz. “Nope. See u after school!”

Should I be glad that we’re friends? Or should I be sad because that’s all there is to it?

Anyway, I’ll probably feel the secondhand embarrassment if I reminisce about these in the future. But oh god, being friendzoned is hard.

I almost fell asleep until someone grabbed my phone from behind. “Hey!” I gave him a warning, but they just ignored me and raised the phone above their head. I looked behind and gaped when I realized who it was. Holy shit! It’s him.

“What is this? You’re texting somebody? Ricky with a heart emoji, I see? Nope. See u after school!”

I gasped. “You dogface! Give that back!” I yelled. While laughing at me, he raised his arms high. He’s even taller than Anton—No! He’s the same height as Ricky. I was just holding back earlier. Now, I don’t care.

“Ricky? Rickson Lemuel Lee? Who’s that? Is he your boyfriend—” I immediately covered his mouth.

“Shut up!” I hissed.

“Cubs! I ordered salad for the both of us—Hello newcomer. Wanna join us?” Greeted Celine. I looked at her face and she looked so confused while holding the tray, looking at our situation.

“No, thanks Celine.” Then he looked at me and smiled sarcastically and leaned closer to me.

“You really got the guts to call me dogface, Miss Wei.” He whispered and blew my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

I immediately grabbed my phone back from him. “You know what? I don’t care. You’re really testing my patience, you jerk. Also, why are you even here?” I raised my eyebrow at him.

“Huh.” he chuckled as he put his hands in his pockets. “Are you serious? Wei, I’m the son of Park Jae Yun, the chairman of the school.”

I can feel my knees turning numb when I heard his words. Well, there goes my scholarship. Everything I worked so hard for. Ended by some guy who is so privileged that he can step on somebody and sweep them under the rug.

“So, questions, Miss Wei?” He smirked, knowing that it would piss me off in an instant.

I bite my lower lip as I closed my eyes. Screw this day. Can it get any worse?

I suddenly wish to disappear like a bubble here in the school cafeteria. I can feel everyone’s eyes piercing right through me. Bringing their disgust along with it. For a moment, I was dumbfounded, and I became visible to the eyes of everybody.

“Isn’t that Olivia Wei from Section Da Vinci?”

“Yah. Why is she harassing Richie Richard?”

“True. She can’t even get to our level, and now what?”

“Squammy alert!”

“C’mon. She got the nerve to act like that where she’s just actually a scholar who works part time at some shabby bistro. Puh-lease.”

“True, she should know her place. Squammy.”

“Cubs.” Celine called and reached for my hand. “Wanna go to the oval? I can feel the bees in here. They might sting us.” She rolled her eyes. I can already hear them murmuring and pointing at me with their flashy phones. Others are even taking videos. She was about to face Neal when I stopped her.

“Lets go.” I told her. She held my hand as we ran outside towards the exit. I took one last glance at him and he’s just there, standing tall and proud as he’s smiling back at me, celebrating my defeat. Privileged dog!