KAYE @ 17 Sunset at Beachfront

Women are cruel.

"Although we've been going out for a couple of months now, I don't really feel your sincerity towards our relationship."

They dress and primp up for display in order to catch a man's attention. Like dangling a carrot right up at a donkeys nose. Yet, once it takes a bite of that sumptuous temptation, they'd complain and bit¢h about getting bitten by the damn animal.

"Maybe it's best we take a break."

"Sure." I say without remorse nor even changing my usual monotone voice.

"H-how could you so easily agree!" Dahlia suddenly bursts out in anger while clenching her fists. "Aren't you supposed to stop me from breaking up with you? Aren't you going to apologize? To explain yourself?"

What? Just what the hell did she think was my problem? As far as I remember, she was the one who chased me around school even though I didn't have the interest to date anyone. Right now, my need for a woman is just for biological reasons. Thus, I rejected her immediately. But it seems she only took it as no for now maybe later.

That's why she continued hounding me to date. Doesn't she have anything else to do? And so she came up with the idea of confessing to me again in the crowded gym and cried when I rejected her again, essentially putting me on tight spot. And that's when I cowered and finally agreed to go out with her.

We're both in third year high school just in different classes. Clearly, we have nothing in common. But I still forced myself to cater to her needs and give her time. Yet, it's difficult when there's nothing to talk about. Our dates consist of going shopping that stretches an entire day with me following behind her like a butler carrying her stuffs.

I came from a poor family so I don't have the luxury of both time and money to waste that's why I always end up leaving her first during our dates for my part-time job. This in turn would make her mad to the point of giving me cold shoulders the following day.

However, I still apologize and make up with her through strenuous sex (which was her way of reconciling), and collapsing afterwards due to exhaustion. I mean, she shouldn't blame me being in that state since she called me after my shift. Juggling both school and work has me sometimes skipping proper meal and sleep. Hence, the fatigue.

Yet, she still complained I'm being cold for not cuddling with her after sex. Aren't multiple orga$ms enough to pacify her greedy a$s? To avoid argument, I always agree to her. But she would still complain that I'm being apathetic towards her. Any attempt of explanation is interpreted as an excuse. Ah, man! Why am I always the bad guy here?

Sometimes, when she's the one in the wrong, she'd blame it on her crappy period and hormonal bullshit. Then she'd turn the blame on me saying I'm being inconsiderate of her womanhood. Crap! Isn't she just being a bit¢h?

Oh, and let me tell you this. It's not just Dahlia. Almost all the girls I went out with acted this way. They scream for human equality yet at times they act superior, lording over men. Roaches freak them out yet they can easily kill you with just a glare. And their tears? Man, those sure are their best weapon.

That's why I said, women are cruel.

“If..." Her lips tremble while looking at my hand that's clutching the doorknob to the science lab. "If you step out of this room, we're really through."

I twist the knob and open the door before looking back at her over my shoulder. "I'm sorry if I'm not good enough for you."

"You, as$hole!" She shrieks and pushes me roughly before dashing out of the room herself.

"Whew, that's one helluva break up you got there, Robinson."

I frown noticing a student standing just outside the door. Clark Higgins. The spoilt heir to the only tourist's spot in this island, Sunset Paradise. We were once close in the past but we eventually drifted apart without certain reason.

I may be working in their island resort but I've never encountered him elsewhere other than the campus. No matter how much I want to keep my distance from him, we still continue on bumping each other so much so that it's becoming suspicious.

I mean this school isn't big but it isn't that small either to keep crossing paths with the same student every day. He's a year my senior so we don't even share the same class. That's why I can't help but wonder why the frequent accidental meetings.

Clark Higgins, though he seems kind to everyone with a pleasing personality to boot, he always wears an ambiguous smirk on his face. The smile that pisses me off because for me it's too pretentious. As if he's hiding something wicked behind that mask.

That and his brains and wealth, students fawn all over him ready to please his whims especially the girls. Since we became distant, it became evident that the things we do and the people we hang out with are very different. Therefore, I conclude there's no reason getting along with him again.

I shrug my shoulders but omit responding to his comment before walking out of the room. As I trudge down the school grounds towards the exit gate, I immediately notice the people's stares at me. Here comes the gossip again.

"Oh, look! It's Kaye Robinson! He still looks undeterred even after breaking up with Dahlia."

"Goes to show that he really got a cold heart."

"No. I think he's really just way too cool to be affected by such trivial things."

"You're right. With his looks, he can always get another girl by his side."

"If it were me, I won't mind if he's a womanizer if I can have sex with him even once."

"You gotta get into queue, girl."

"Man, you've added another notch to your post." Clark comments once again. "Even though you're cold and always gets being dumped. In the end, not only you get away with it unscathed, it also made you even more popular to women."

"Not that I care." I mutter under my breath and walk faster towards the exit. "And please mind your own business."

I hear him chuckle before his presence eventually vanishes as he stops following behind. I glance at my watch and sigh. I still have enough time to change from my uniform at home. Luckily, our house is just a good ten-minute walk from school so I get to enjoy the scenic view as I take the coastal road.

While I walk at the beachside, I notice her once again. The same little girl I keep seeing standing by the shore and watching the sunset. Her long, wavy hair flutters by the cool wind and her skirt is wet at the edges as the waves crash into her bare feet.

She always has this deep longing in her blue eyes while she thinks no one's watching. Like she's waiting for something from the other side. Or rather, someone. Such a melancholic portrait, yet, buoyant at the same time. And just as always, I keep finding myself mesmerized by such image.

She may have a sad look on her face, but it only enhances the beautiful sunset reflecting into her hopeful eyes. Everything is such a picturesque, so fragile and distant like it's not part of this world. As if just a slight sound outside that invisible bubble would disrupt the entire perfection.

Five minutes. I can still make it if it's just five minutes. So with light steps, I walk down the pebbled shore and sit a considerable distance behind her. Despite being careful, she still flinches at the sound of the crunching pebbles and sand under my feet. She turns around and watches me over her shoulder just like how she usually gazes at me.

Expectant.

We never exchange even a word to each other, yet, we have mutual respect to the silence we share. Every day, we do this. Or rather, I do this. Just sitting behind her, watching the sunset together. I reflexively avoid meeting her intense, curious gaze and lean back into my hands.

When the five minutes up, I stand and continue walking past her towards our home. Until I get to the curve bend, I feel her eyes on me. Come to think of it, I don't even know who's kid she is even though this island is small and everybody practically knows everyone in the neighborhood.

"Mom, where'd you put my red pencil skirt?"

My sister's voice coming from the second floor welcomes me as I step into our foyer. Our daily household story is just as redundant to this island's dull and unimproved life. A whirligig of struggle like a hamster on its wheel.

"It's still at the dryer, Edna! That's what happens if you don't do your own laundry!"

“Oh, is Kaye home yet? Kaye, go get my red pencil skirt for me!"

I grunt and roll my eyes as I quickly enter my own room while taking off my uniform. I already washed it for you. Get it yourself, witch! I want to shot back. Although I can never say that out loud in their faces. It's such a pain to argue with women. They always win anyway.

“Kaye, why didn't you throw the trash last night?" Suzette yells somewhere in the house. "I told you to take it out for me!"

It's your goddamn assignment in this house, ugly. I mutter under my breath while putting on my pants for work.

“Sue, you know your brother's studying last night for his coming exam. How could you ask him to do your own chore in this house!"

Thanks, mom. I whisper emotionally before putting on another fresh shirt.

“He's a guy so he should do the labor work around the house!"

"Shut up! All you do is bum around and lording over your little brother! Why don't you find a decent job than being a hostess in that cheap club? You, useless daughter! Kaye, come down over here and eat your dinner early!”

"It's a casino, mom, not a club!" Sue explains unnecessarily.

Of all the cruel women I know, my mother is the only exception. She's an angel and I love her so much I could cry. It's regrettable that dad left us early. I don't even remember a thing about him. Maybe his death was caused by too much stress being around these cruel women.

"Yeah, I'll be there in a minute, mom!" I bellow from my own room and take one last look of myself in the mirror."

“Hey, Kaye!" Sue slaps my shoulder as soon as I enter the kitchen. "After your shift, buy me tampons from the store on your way back. Mine's almost out."

"Why don't you buy it yourself after your own shift?" I frown at her before digging into the food.

"My paycheck's still away. Just use your money for the meantime."

"How dare you extort money from your poor brother!" Our mother flicks Sue on the forehead.

"Speaking of paycheck..." Edna comes into the dining room and sits beside me on the table, draping a hand over my shoulder and digging her manicured claws in the process. "Can you lend me your entire pay, Kaye? I'm just really in a bind right now."

"What happened to your own money?" I ask in a strained voice, enduring her nails that scoring my skin despite my clothes.

"Well..."

"Shut up you two!" Our mom interrupts once again. "Quit abusing your little brother! No one's taking someone else's pay. Kaye, you eat now so you won't be late for work."

I shake my head and finish my dinner fast. While my mother cleans up the kitchen, I kiss her goodbye before heading to the door. Yet, the two evil sisters are waiting for me outside.

"Kaye, you know what'll happen if you forget my tampons!" Sue smiles sweetly, belying the evil glint in her eyes. "And add peppermint ice cream while youre on it."

"And remember to hand over your paycheck to me. You hear me, Kaye?" Edna seconded. "And your answer?"

I grit my molars as I leave the house. I don't know whether I'm a complete pushover or women are just plain cruel

“I get it.”

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