Little Broken Things
stranger
It's a good thing I brought an umbrella.
The skies are darker than usual.
I decide to go on a detour.
I stop by the bookstore I frequent.
As always, there's not many people.
I stay for an hour and ten minutes at most.
It's not like anyone will wonder where I am.
After 8 hours of school, I head here every day. Except for Wednesdays.
Wednesdays are reserved for something else.
It's Friday today though.
I head out the door and the rain was heavier than before.
I start to walk home when I see a guy stumbling towards me.
°°°what a peculiar day°°°
He's also wearing a uniform.
His eyes are an aquamarine color.
He grunts and tries to get back up.
Bruises on his chin, neck and left cheek.
His uniform has boot prints on them.
Keisha
I know you're hurting but there's a bench right outside that bookstore.
I help him up and guided him.
Zayn
Wet...you'll get wet.
I sigh. I hadn't realized I dropped the umbrella.
We succeed on walking towards the bookstore and I sit him on the bench, under a tarp roof.
I go inside the bookstore and inform the manager.
I walk out the door again.
Keisha
I told the manager you need some help. There's a hospital–
I walk inside the store again and inform the manager.
Keisha
Fine. There's a clinic nearby, he's preparing his bug of a car. Go with him.
I reach inside my bag and grab a towel and an extra shirt.
We had P.E. today but the teacher was called for a meeting. I never got to use it.
I hand it to him and run for the umbrella I dropped.
Furthermore, I also give it to him.
Keisha
I hope you get better.
I hop on the cab and give my address.
°°°what a peculiar day°°°
°°°why, did I help him?°°°
°°°i must really be in a good mood today°°°
°°°nah, it's because he looked beat and...broken°°°
°°°i...like...broken things°°°
some broken things
Here at Verina Arts Academy, it's mandatory to attend the Monday Morning Assembly.
It's not anything special.
°°°not really boring either°°°
We reach the Academy in time.
"Hey, it's them, the Viria Sisters"
And as always the whispers.
"I know right, they should really be models"
"Man, I see them get out of that car every day, but my eyes never get used to it"
"I can't believe they're sisters though"
"Right? Talk about polar opposites"
But Yanna walks fast too.
Yanna
Hey, let's head for the Auditorium together.
We're not even in the same class.
Keisha
It's fine. We're not in the same class. We'll part ways here.
I walk faster and head for the auditorium.
I hear her call for me but I don't look back.
I head for our classroom.
I take my seat, fourth column, fifth row.
I don't really have friends.
I can talk to anyone. I'm confident enough.
Monday Assembly starts at 6:30, but the rest of the weekdays officially starts at 7:15 AM.
7:15 - 7:45 AM = Homeroom with Mrs. Selma, the homeroom teacher.
I'm in my Junior Year ~ Class 11/C
Mrs. Selma comes in and finally starts the day.
At lunch time, I decide to visit the newly renovated Café at Morgann Street a few blocks from the academy.
Easily a 10 minute walk from the Academy.
We have 40 minutes of Lunch Break and 30 minutes of Study Hall.
I don't use the study hall, I study at home.
I enter the Luna Café, and instantly regret it.
Yanna waves from one of the tables upfront.
I turn back and walk out the door but I my bag pulls me in.
Yanna
Hey, you ditched me this morning, won't you have lunch with me?
I see her hand gripping the belly of my bag pack.
She takes me to her seat.
Keisha
You... Don't have to do this...
Yanna
Oh c'mon, it's just lunch between sisters. What's so bad about that?
She doesn't really understand.
We finish lunch, she always talks a lot.
°°°it's not really bothersome°°°
Yanna
We should head back now, ughhh
Yanna
Their food is sooo amazing!
Yanna
I'll definitely come back again!
She bumps me on the arm playfully.
She walks next to me, but stops.
She jumps and turns to me.
Yanna
Hey, do you hate me?
Yanna
Good! I believe you!
We go back to the Academy.
The rest of the day goes by normally.
After class, I meet up with Yanna in front of the school to wait for our driver.
°°°ahhh...the bookstore°°°
The driver shows up and Yanna merrily gets inside.
I lean on the window and inform the driver.
Keisha
I'll be walking home again today.
Keisha
I need to stop by somewhere.
Yanna
Oh? Then can I come?
I shut the car door before she could get out and patted the hood.
I wave as the car drives away.
I leave and walk the same street after school everyday.
From the glass window, I see several people inside.
I sit on the bench outside and wait for the store to empty out.
It's not a tiny store, nor is it big.
Once I see fewer people inside, I decide to go in.
I reach for the knob but someone beats me to it.
I look up to the person behind me.
Zayn
Hey, I was calling for you.
this guy
Zayn
Ehh????! You don't remember me?
Keisha
Okay... Good for you
I enter the store and head for the magazines section.
He extends his hand and nod.
He stays silent for a while.
His face has bandages all over.
Keisha
How...are you feeling?
Zayn
Good. The store manager helped me a lot and the clinic you recommended, didn't' even charge me.
Zayn
I feel better now. Even though I have these on my beautiful face.
I snicker upon hearing that.
Keisha
You value your face that much but get beaten up?
Zayn
I was ambushed, how could I have known? 🤷🏻♂️
Keisha
Hmmm...Must have hurt a alot.
I nod and skim through the magazines.
Zayn
So, have you had dinner yet?
I continue looking through the magazines.
°°°has he been coming here or waiting here?°°°
Zayn
What magazines are you reading?
Keisha
If you're looking for compensation for last time, forget it.
Keisha
I didn't help you because I wanted something in return.
Zayn
Then why did you help me?
°°°I shouldn't tell him that°°°
Keisha
Because you needed it.
Zayn
Then let me treat you.
Keisha
No, 🤚🏻 I'm fine. Just recover fast.
I grab the magazine I want and pay for it at the counter.
Zayn
C'mon, it's the least I can do, you even lent me your umbrella, t-shirt and towel.
Zayn
By the way, you always carry those around?
Keisha
Fine. If you feel indebted, kindly return my stuff, I'll take that as compensation instead.
Zayn
Eh? C'mon, I'm sure there's something more that you want.
But nothing comes to mind.
Keisha
I'll meet you again here tomorrow, same time for my stuff.
I hail for a cab and get in quickly.
We dash through the streets.
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