Chapter 3: Dumbfounded

Chapter 3: Dumbfounded

“HOW LONG HAVE you been here at Northwood already?”

“I think, four years?” And Amara looked to the ceiling as if she’s mentally counting the years she’s been here at Northwood District just to be sure. “Yeah, it’s already four years.”

“So, since freshman year, you’ve been here all along, right? I mean, at Northwood High?” I asked, trying to confirm my thoughts.

Amara just pursed her lips and nodded. She has been doing that when she found no interest in what you're trying to talk about. I know because it’s like a warning signal for me since we hang out together. Talk no shit and you got it. That’s what I’ve encrypted my mind with since I got to talk to Amara.

“You and I were schoolmates since the start of high school and you never knew me?” I can hear my voice rising.

Guess I was being intensified by the thought that she never knew me since then. I mean, who would not know me—let alone our group? We are your popular kids in high school and even students from other schools knew that. Not that I’m bragging, though.

She just raised her eyebrow at me, like she’s asking me what’s the big deal?

“Come on, Amara, you gotta be kidding me!” I exasperatedly told her.

She let out a giggle. Man, that’s so cute of her. “What’s the big deal over there? It’s just like you not knowing all of the kids here in school,” she reasoned out. She has a point.

“Point taken,” I told her. “But let’s admit that I’m quite popular.”

“But that doesn’t mean everyone in this school would know about you. Not everyone cares about what’s the name of the popular kid in their school. And why should everyone care, by the way?” She just shrugged after saying those things. And for the record, it was the first time she said quite a lot.

“And you’re one of the people who don’t care?” I asked her.

“Well, obviously,” she answered in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone.

I just rolled my eyes and pouted at her. “You’re hurting my ego,” I honestly told her.

That’s what I really feel. Not just because I felt that I’m not really popular but because it’s like I never existed for her until the moment we were paired up.

“Boys and their ego,” she sarcastically hummed.

I just stared at her like what I would always do when it felt like she defeated me. It has been a week since we started hanging out with each other. At first, she’s still aloof with me but I guess she’s trying her best to deal with me and keep me company since she found out that my friends and I are not yet okay.

She’s a cool chic, unlike what other kids thought about her. And if I’m given the chance, I will introduce her to the gang and they will surely like her. Only if Amara would like the idea, too, anyway.

I thought she’s just a quiet and shy person but no, she’s very much opinionated. However, she doesn’t talk so much. I mean, she will just talk when she feels like it or what you’re talking about interests her. She curses a lot and she’s a very straightforward person. But on top of that, she’s very softhearted.

“I really don’t get it,” she suddenly said. “Kids out there are giving other kids the privilege of humiliating them by making some kid popular. If they didn’t, then no one can belittle anyone. Because of the influence of their family? Fortune? It’s not even theirs to begin with so what should a popular kid be proud of? Looks? Talent? Everyone has it, therefore we are just equal. I don’t know what’s hard to see on it.”

Her words are like an arrow hitting the bull’s eye. That’s the unfortunate part of popularizing someone. He feels like he is a privileged douche, he feels like he owns the world and the people in it that he has the right to do everything that will satisfy him. In most cases, people would always make a person a monster, with all the power given to him.

“You got your popularity—and power, maybe—but that will never be an excuse on how people should treat you. Not because you are popular, you are automatically entitled to special treatment. Not everyone has to know you. You should be treated the way you deserve, not because of your popularity.”

I pouted when I heard what she said and glanced away from her. It feels like something struck me in my chest and it’s kind of hurting.

“So, I don’t deserve your attention, is that why you never knew me?” I mumbled.

She grinned upon hearing what I said. “Why would you need my attention? You can live without it,” she countered. “And it’s not that I meant not to know you. It’s just that there’s no need yet. Until we were paired up and you kept on bugging me.”

Her last statement lightened me up. I glanced back at her with so much happiness on my face. I don’t know why but the thought of her giving me attention brings happiness to me. The moment I saw her and noticed the way she doesn’t mind about the world around her, she has already piqued my interest. Thoughts of how I could make her notice me clouded my mind. Until I came up with a plan and I succeeded.

“You’re smiling like an idiot,” she commented.

“I’m just happy,” I honestly told her.

With a wide smile on my face, I stared at her. She stared back at me as if she's trying to decipher a code or something. She looked so serious. I would be scared if I was at that moment when I was not able to get near her. But now that things have changed, I can't stop myself from giggling whenever I see her looking so serious.

When I saw Amara looking somewhere with such a serious face, that's when I stopped giggling and looked towards where she's staring. I saw my friends who are intently looking at us from quite a distance. I can see how Miranda was giving me death glares and I can feel from here her anger at me.

“Not in peace with them yet?”

I quickly glanced back to Amara. I smiled at her and shook my head as an answer. I stole a glimpse towards my friends and I immediately looked away so I won't be caught with what I've done. I missed them, yeah, but Miranda and Gray need to learn their lesson. I know Dwayne's with me on that.

I was taken by surprise when I saw Amara standing up. I frowned, clueless about what she's going to do and where she's planning to go. Then I just realized where she's going.

“Amara, wait!” I called her.

I immediately followed Amara who's now heading towards my friends. Not that I don't want her to meet nor talk to them but I really just have no idea of what she's planning. And Miranda, I know the moment Amara got to them, she will be triggered and she might hurt Amara. Not that I'm throwing a shade against Miranda, but I know her. She has a good heart but she's impulsive most of the time.

Since I am an athlete and I am used to all the running and agility training, I was able to catch up with Amara. I blocked her way and her sharp looks didn't bother me at all. Oh, boy, who am I kidding? Of course, it did!

“I know where you're going,” I told her. “Don't ever try to.”

“Out of my way, boy.”

I absentmindedly let her pass. She just sounded like the coldest person that could ever be on the earth and it sent chills down my spine. I was left with no choice but to follow her. Whatever it is she's planning to do, I should make sure that no one will be scathed.

When we reached the bench where my squad is currently hanging out, I nodded at Dwayne then to Gray who's obviously intrigued by Amara's sudden appearance before them. I just shrugged and looked towards Miranda. She seems so surprised and she's observing Amara. Silence embraced the five of us and it's like tension is already rising. Or am I just being paranoid?

“So,” Dwayne started. “What brought you here, Amara?” He sounded so casual. He never speaks to anyone like that, except if he really knows the person.

I shot a glance towards Dwayne and it's like he was aware of it because he also looked towards me. I gave him a questioning look and he just shrugged, shifting his attention back to Amara.

“I'm not here for you, Dwayne,” Amara said and rolled her eyes.

“Hey, wait,” I literally went in between the two of them. “You know each other?”

My attention shifted back and forth towards Amara and Dwayne who both seem that they don't care at all.

“Why not? She's the secretary of the student council,” Dwayne answered.

I immediately glanced towards Miranda and Gray. I raised an eyebrow at them because they seem not to be surprised at all.

“Wait, I'm the only one who doesn't know?” I asked them like an idiot.

And they all—except Amara—nodded as an answer. What the fuck? I've been bragging about my popularity and even threw tantrums because Amara never knew me when between the two of us, she has more power than me and I never knew that? Now that's embarrassing.

“Calm your shit, bro,” Dwayne cut me off before I could say anything. “I won't do anything for your peace of mind.”

“Tsk…” I hissed.

“Whatever it is going on between all of you, and if you're thinking that that's because of me, well you can take back this idiot with you,” Amara finally spoke and she's pertaining to me.

I was about to protest when she raised her hand right in front of my face to shut me up. I heard the three other idiots snort as they try to hold back their laughter.

“He's not choosing me over you, guys. There's no sense for that. And you are all friends, don't have it wasted.”

After her last statement, she turned her back from us and started walking away. But when she just made a few steps, she looked back over her shoulder and cocked an eyebrow.

“He misses every one of you like an idiot, by the way,” and she just left with that.

When she's finally out of our sights, the three finally burst out to laughter while I was just left there staring at Amara's direction.

“Wow!” Miranda burst. “That's a first.”

I slowly glanced towards them. Confusion all over my face, I know that.

“That's the first time someone was able to shut you up and leave you dumbfounded,” Miranda told me and she sounds enthusiastic about it. “I like her already.”

Now it's my turn to smirk. I know right.