Above Cloud Nine

ACN Chapter 2: Threats and treats

Kamilla's POV

I am really happy because of what happened today. This day seemed to start very bad but it ended up so well, thanks to Elizabeth Rose. Now, I truly proved that she's really kind-hearted. I am also very happy I got to also eat my favorite fast food.

I am grinning from ear to ear as I entered our house. I look down as I take my steps but when I saw a familiar set of feet standing in front of me, I stopped walking. From the floor, I slowly moved my head high as I met my mother's gaze. Her face looked serious and she's even putting her hands on her hips.

"Where have you been?"

"I've been from school, mom."

"What school? I called your teacher and she told me that the time of dismissal was at 4:00 PM this afternoon."

"There were some unfortunate things that happened to me, I--"

"Get inside. I don't want to hear your explanations! You're now fifteen years old. You're supposed to become responsible of your actions this time."

"I'm sorry mom but please hear me out first." Instead of listening to me, she slapped me on my face right away. I was able to hold my left cheek as tears ran down on my cheeks. Her reaction seemed to be normal as if not feeling any sympathy to what she did to me just now.

"If I will hear our neighbors talking about you and the things you're doing at school that I don't like, you will get more than that!"

She walked out as she slammed the door on my back. I am now left alone in front of our house, feeling a lot of remorse. I am still placing my hand on my cheek that's a bit swollen because of what my mom did to me.

Yes, she's always like this. From the very beginning, she was always acting like this to me and I don't exactly know why. It is very seldom that I have seen her smiling at me. That's why I grew up doing all the things I can just to catch up with her endless moodswings. I grew up thinking about the things that could make my mother love me at the very least of her able effort to do so. I am used to try so hard to please her. I study well for me to always get the top spot in class because she's been my inspiration.

I know, if I will continue to be the top, maybe then she will give me the value that I have been wishing for. In every awarding ceremony where I am being announced as the top one, it's the only day where I could see her sweetest smile at me. She's very proud of putting on my medals to me and ribbons for endless awards. It's the only time of the year where I could hear her saying, 'this is my beloved daughter...'

Beloved daughter.

This exact words coming from her can simply make me happy.The sweetest anticipation that I always look forward to. How I wish she will treat me like this when she's the very opposite of what she's talking about during our awards night and even graduation.

I opened the door again by twitching the doorknob and it opened right away. I glanced at the wall clock and when I realized that it is already 7:00 PM, I went straight to the kitchen. I just brushed my teeth. I got some ice cubes on the freezer and wrapped it with a cloth. I went straight into my room as I treated my swollen cheek because of what she did to me. I got ready for bed by taking a hot shower and putting on my set of pajamas.

I checked my phone and I noticed three text messages, all came from Elizabeth Rose.

First message:

Hello Kamilla! This is Elizabeth Rose Guirre. Please save my number, okay? :)

Second message:

Are you fine now? Did you go home safe? Please take care and I hope you're having a great night!

Third message:

Oh, sorry. Before I forgot, please review the does and don'ts inside the class and in the library, too. Better be prepared and happy than regret to be miserable later.

I suddenly remembered that we need to review this one for our short quiz in English. I did not see it coming. I admire Rose for being keen into details. I almost forgot our quiz because of mom.

"You're really sweet. Thank you so much!" I replied at one of her messages. She answered right away with a smiley emoticon.

"See you tomorrow, Rose!"

"I am really really happy to meet you, dear Kamilla! Thank you for starting to call me Rose. It is very seldom that I allow people to call me this. Remember, we are close friends now so don't get too awkward at me."

"I am happy to know that you considered me as your close friend. I don't know what to say."

"Do not mind it at all. When I first met you, I know we are going to be the best of friends!"

"What made you say so, Rose?" I smiled as I typed those words on my phone.

"Well, I can always have this best feeling within me that you should be my close friend here among others."

"But I don't think I am good enough. Remember we just met and I am still a stranger to you."

"Why you? Of all the people around the campus, I am certain that you're the best among them."

"You don't know me too well, Rose."

"If you will not give me a chance to know you, then I would not, definitely."

"You're silly, you know."

I replied as I chuckled. I felt really good after I read her last text. She's really awesome and frank at the same time. I also wanted her as a friend. It's a different kind of budding love as sisters. Meeting someone like her, I felt the feeling of having a sibling of my own. I am happy to meet her because she's one of a kind and she's very easy to love. I regret thinking bad about her.

"See you tomorrow, dear. I am excited to meet you again, Rose." I chuckled as she replied with a GIF about a giddy, dancing frog. Even her humor is outstanding.

The next morning, I woke up really early because I want to see Elizabeth Rose right away. I almost forgot eating my breakfast, too because of too much excitement.

"Hello, Kamilla!"

"Hello, Rose! I am happy to see you here this early."

"Yeah, I think I am already used to it. I am always a morning person way back in America. I think my body is already used to waking up early that's why I decided to just go here."

"That's really awesome of you. I can relate to you because I am always early, too." I said and she nodded in agreement.

"Have you eaten your breakfast yet?" She asked in a worried tone.

"Uuhh..." I don't know what to answer. I guess she heard how my stomach rumbled. She suddenly grabbed me by the hand.

"Let's go. My breakfast treat." She said as she winked at me.

"Wow! Really, Rose?"

"Of course. We can talk a lot about other things, too. While we are still there, talking. We still have an hour left before the exact time of our first subject.

"That's a great idea." I nodded as I said those words. My eyes glistened with hope and anticipation to the things that where going to talk about. I know she's not yet too familiar to the things and places here in the Philippines since she was born in America. I know she had a lot of things to remember and know about from me.

I think the closeness is happening between us and I just can't stop it. We sat on one of the chairs inside the cafeteria. She's smiling while looking at me.

"What shall we order?" She asked with glistening eyes. I noticed she roamed her gaze to many stalls full of food.

"Hmmm, if you ask me, I'd rather have some rice meals. For example, sausages, egggs and rice in one meal." I replied, pointing at my favorite food stall. I can see my friend who's the owner of that stall waving at me. We went there right away.

"Oh, I see. Back in America, I used to have fresh fruits and yogurt for breakfast. But I guess I have to also try the meals that you're talking about since I am in the Philippiness now."

"Well, it's up to you, dear Rose. I just want you to try new things if you like."

"Of course. Whatever you suggest that I think will be the best, I'd gladly try it myself, too."

"Let's try that." I smiled as I pointed the bestseller meal of the cafeteria. The people working around the place smiled at us.

We sat down on one of the tables carrying our own trays with us. We bought the same meals, the one I recommended her.

We ate quietly for more than five minutes, after Rose took her last bite, she looked at me with a smile.

"Have you reviewed most of our lessons? I consider this week, a hell week. It is really full of short quizzes in almost all of our subject." She started a topic that I can't help but to pay attention.

"Yeah. That's what I noticed, especially that we are nearing the second quarter of the school year. It is always busy during these days of the year.

"Gosh, I hope I can adjust right away. I am not really used to this one, honestly speaking."

"You'll get used to it soon. Please keep up doing a great job. Making it a habit to review will be an advantage as always."

We ate some rice meals and we had a lot of things we shared together. Mostly, our topic is about reviewing the lessons that's why I feel full. Not only in that mind-enriching review but the best feeling Rose is selflessly sharing with me.

We got up from our seats and we rushed into the room because our first period is about to start. Junior high school life has never been easy. The lessons are getting difficult and the teachers are becoming too strict when implementing rules. Unlike the previous years in school, I can feel that the whole world's pressure is on my shoulders. Being the top one in grade 10 is no joke. I am more than desperate of maintaining my spot. Studying should be my first priority among others.

I sit on my chair and I glanced at Rose who is on the second row, fifth column while I am seated on the adjacent direction. We were greeted by a reading activity and later on, we'll be making a reaction based on what we have read. As I am doing my own activity, I can't help but to glance at her again. She seem to be very focused and I noticed she's not easily distracted.

When the activity is over, our English teacher collected our papers one by one. When she stood next to Rose, she gently got her paper. I simply looked up and observe our teacher's facial reaction. As she look over Rose's paper, I saw her smile. My heart beat fast all of a sudden when it is my turn for her to collect mine. My teacher did what she exactly do with Rose with my paper and she also smiled. I sighed with relief and smiled, too.

"As always, Kamilla Rae did an outstanding reaction paper." Our teacher commented that made the whole class applaud with glee. I can't help but to smile because of what our teacher announced to the whole class.

"I also want to commend Elizabeth Rose for a job well done." As soon as they heard it, my classmates clapped and cheered even more.

What did I hear? Elizabeth Rose Guirre did the same? Why?

I looked at Rose who is also taking a glance at me. I awkwardly smiled at her as everybody is cheering for both of us. I have to be happy even if I am clearly not.

Right now, I am not having a good feeling. Why is it that I have a feeling that Rose is more of a threat than a friend?