Episode 5

Jess...

Simmy is just being plain stupid. Today is Thursday. She's going to meet Edward Taylor, the guy of my dreams in the isolated school barn at 3:45 pm.

I tried to make her understand but if you know Simmy, you must know the result.

It might be a trap. I reminded her.

Ed? Trap? It doesn't sound right.

She's obnoxious.

I am warning you.

Of what? You were the one who was after him like hell.

But right now, I sense something fishy. And it was true. I was getting that weird feeling. Something was awry. Like someone was warning me not to go. I try to reason it with her again.

Look, don't do it. I don't even know if that's Ed's handwriting.

You mean it's some kind of fake. Some kidnapper waiting for me?

Yes, something like that. And they are seven guys! You are just one girl.

Shut that you - are - a - girl - he - is - a - boy - stuff. I hate it.

It's the truth, is it not?

It is but it doesn't count.

Why not?

I'm very strong.

But they'll have you outnumbered. You can never know the intentions of a man. They don't wear it on their faces.

I don't believe it. Edward is very innocent.

How do you know?

Well, how do you know it's not true?

I roll my eyes. It is so impossible to reason with her once she makes up her mind.

So when we go to school, I say nothing. She climbs in the bus.

I'm still a little angry at her for arguing so senselessly.

I see the kids chatting with each other. But my eyes fix to one face which makes me feel hot all over.

It's Edward. Yes, the same as ever.

He is sitting on the back seat. But his eyes are at me. His deep, dark blue eyes. For a moment, I just stare at his face. I don't know where Simmy is looking but I look at him and he looks at me. Well not me really. He must be looking at Sim's face. But somehow it doesn't matter. Somehow, I can't hear or see anything but him. It seems like the time has stopped here between us. Just him and me.

It's like an eternity before he shifts his eyes and looks out of the window

I blink and I can see all the kids again. I can hear their babbling.

When I see through Sim's eyes, I feel her gaze is on Sofia.

She is glaring at her and Sofia is grinning.

I strain to hear what Sofia is saying.

"We stayed there all day, not to mention the night."

She and Veronica shared a laugh.

Veronica!

It suddenly reminds me that she was the reason I was not myself anymore.

Anger surged through me like a volcano, searching for a way to burst out.

The tight reign that Simmy kept on her temper broke loose.

This Veronica, this poisonous serpent who stole my life from me by puking in the class, was now laughing WITH Sofia AT me and Sim.

Before I knew what I did or thought or why, my palm was in the air and then it came clashing on Veronica's freakled cheek.

She shakes with the impact and bumps into Sofia who had a mango shake in her hand, spilling the shake all over them.

I laugh inwards.

The kids, I realise, have gone to Silent-mode and were now staring at us.

What did you---

It was too much. And anyway, I feel good now.

Oh great. Thanks.

I could hear the sarcasm in her voice but I could tell she was happy too.

Veronica had recovered from the shock.

She jumps out of the seat.

"You stupid stinky troll! How dare you!" she shrieks.

Sim looks at her calmly.

"Shall I demonstrate again?" She says.

"You won't be alive to do it!" It is Sophia. She's out of her seat too. She can't help keeping her voice squeaky.

I have an urge to slap her too but Sim's hand is no more in my control.

I realize that when I tried really hard--- if I tried very hard and would let my feelings take hold of me, I could express myself through Sim.

Meanwhile Sofia starts cleaning the mango shake off her cloths. Veronica is doing the same.

Some kids groan because they wanted the entertainment to last longer.

I have to admire Sim for the way she kept her head.

Sim walks forwards and sits down next to Matt Wringer, the topper of our class.

She frowns when Matt smiles at her.

Not too sociable.

It is no time for smiles.

It wouldn't require a lot of time, actually.

But my current mood does not imply with it.

I fell you are pretty happy.

I am.

Happiness does imply with smiles.

Does not mean I'll smile at Matt Wringly**.

Wringer, as a matter of fact.

We sat in silence for a minute.

Hey she said. How did you slap her?

I didn't. You did.

But YOU made me.

Well, I don't really know how. I was just... angry.

Because she made you what you are now.

Yes.

I warned you at that time, remember?

I know. I don't want to talk about it.

Fine but thanks that slap really helped.

You mean it?

Yes, I do.

Welcome. I felt good too.

Guess it's a mutual feeling then.

Yeah, might be.

It is the truth. I am proud of myself for slapping Veronica. She really deserved a kick but not in the school bus. Too rude.

We reached school and students climbed off the bus. Sofia gives Sim a sour look and walks away.

Sim gets up and bumps with someone.

It is Ed!

What great luck!

"Sorry." Edward says and Sim and he both walks at the same time and hit each other again. Then they both stop at the same time.

"Sorry." This time it is Simmy.

They both share a smile.

"Ladies first." He said with small bow.

"I usually let men go first." Sim says.

The driver looks at them impatiently.

I suddenly realised that I was considering myself as a girl who has been watching this incident with narrowed eyes, fury burning in her.

I feel ashamed because in reality, I AM Simmy.

"Come on now, girls." Ed says with a weary sigh.

Sim roll her eyes but walks to the stairs followed by Edward.

I realize, with an icy feeling, that he used the plural "girls" when Sim was the only one in the bus.

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