Cold Hearted, You

04

NOTE: Please be aware of the chapters point of view.

04

My eyes remained wide as I stared into a different kind of girl who is standing just a meter away from our spot. She stood tall with that annoyed expression and arms crossed as if reflecting her feeling of not wanting to be here. A rude girl who looks like she doesn’t care about what others think of her and does not care about what they feel. A completely different Krystal.

A far different from the girl I used to spend my childhood with.

Her hair is all straight down and her fair skin makes her glow. She indeed changed a lot physically since the last time I saw her in person from six years ago. She looks much older now and is probably a little mature. Beyond that, she still remains the enchanting girl in my eyes but it’s the way her brows furrowed while glaring down at me ruins it all.

She might be the same Krystal that I know but technically, she is a different kind of person. Someone that I don’t probably know anymore.

“Don’t you recognize her, Kai?” I heard auntie asked me but my eyes remain on the said Krystal who is inside this big room. My attention is just on her as I am still left in shock just by thinking of what I have witnessed earlier. “Was it because you have been gone for a long time that you can recognize her anymore?”

My brows arched when the girl, who used to be so sweet looking, formed a smirk on her lips like her mother said something wrong. I can tell she has something in her mind that she wanted to speak about but she didn’t dare to open her mouth to do so. Instead, she remained in her poise as if we were a stranger whom she doesn’t want to talk with.

Was it really because I have been away for so long that I can’t recognize who she is anymore? Is it because I lost contact with her that I became almost nothing like a stranger to her now? If she is Krystal, then why did she do what she did earlier? That scene is unreal for me knowing now that she is my childhood friend. It’s like she just proved to me herself that I… don’t know her anymore.

“Do you plan on staring at me all day like a weirdo?” She questioned sarcastically, raising a brow with that irritating look. I closed my eyes shortly to knock myself back to my senses and shake my head slightly. I heard a scoff from her that made me look up to meet her eyes which I saw how blank it is. “Stupid,”

I couldn’t help but be shocked with her own choice of words. Maybe it’s the adolescence that kicks in which made her capable of saying those words now. I am used to hearing those considering my friends in Los Angeles even curses from time to time like it is all normal. I do the same thing whenever I am shocked because it just keeps on slipping on my tongue due to hearing it consecutively but from her… it sounds so natural that I couldn’t help but question it.

The atmosphere inside this room suddenly became heavy. This big room suddenly felt so small because of Krystal's cold presence. No one dared to talk again after I heard that unexpected word coming from her. It was like she managed to control the room with just her presence alone. Even auntie looks hesitant to talk, like she is afraid of her own daughter!

“H-how about let’s take a seat?” Auntie suggested, stuttering.

I glanced at her as the nervous smile on her lips was immediately replaced by a deep sigh while looking at her daughter. I followed the direction of her eyes only to see Krystal walking to the single couch located in front of auntie’s desk as if she didn’t care if we weren't there. My eyes went to her mother in worry and confusion as I immediately noticed a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

My eyes went back to Krystal as I couldn’t help but feel annoyed with her attitude. “Can’t you see that we are seated here?” I spoke up without any bother.

She turned her eyes to give me a glance. It wasn’t just a simple glance but a glare or worse, a deadly stare as if I just said the wrong thing. She didn’t say anything but her eyes were enough to make me feel intimidated by her before she looked on my side where her mother was seated.

“Can we just get down to business?” She says, ordering her mother without much politeness in her tone.

I was about to fire back but only to be stopped by her mother. Auntie put her hand on top of mine that is placed on top of my lap. She gave it a light squeeze as I looked up to her. She shook her head slightly with eyes looking like pleading with me to stop. What is going on here?!

She stood up as she walked back to her executive chair behind the table, opposite side to her daughter. I eyed the two of them for a short while only to notice that heavy atmosphere between them. I exhaled deeply before standing up and taking my things to follow them. I occupied the single couch next to Krystal who did not bother to give a look this time.

It has been six years since the last time I saw her physically. If we were to count the facetime and video calls, it has been three years since the last time I saw her face. I would be lying if I say that I didn’t expect to come running into me in the exact moment after seeing me and knowing that I am back. I expected that a lot knowing the sweet Krystal that I know usually do that without hesitation every time I return from a vacation. But now… it was the exact vice versa of it. I think it’s even worse!

“I’m glad you came, Erin.” Auntie says with a slightly calm tone but nervousness is still obvious in her eyes.

I heard a scoff from Krystal that made me look at her immediately with brows furrowed. She puts on another smirk like earlier and looks at her mother as if mocking her.

“If only your dear secretary didn’t ask a professor for a favor, I wouldn’t come.” She responded rudely while massaging her temple before her hand went back to its original arm crossed. A rude smirk forms in her lips as she eyes her mother intensely. “I know you will come to the Pearl Bar if I don’t show up as well and disturb me there. So let’s just finish this up so I can have my peace already.”

What the?! This is absurd! She is completely being beyond rude now to her own mother whom she used to be so clingy despite hating being treated like a little girl still before! I was about to scold her when auntie cutted me off before I could even say anything while clearing her throat. I looked at her in bewilderment and lips parted as she shook her head, signalling me to stop so I ended up doing it despite my irritation.

“There is something... I need to ask you to do for me.” Auntie revealed with a slight hesitation in her tone. “ A favor, to be exact.”

Krystal pursed her lips as she narrowed her eyes towards her mother before giving her an answer that made auntie tense up. “This better be good.”

Her tone. Her facial expression. Her movement. It is all different. It's almost like a different kind of Krystal is being present to me right now. The kind of girl that even an adult, her own mother rather, is scared of and tries her best to be careful with her own words!

Auntie gulped hard before speaking up. “I want you to take Kai with you…” Krystal’s brows immediately furrowed and looked at her mother like she was about to jump into her. “And show him around the school.”

“Why would I do that?!” She raised her voice with eyes a little wide, as if she was taking over. “Why would I take that weirdo with me and show him around when he can just go by himself? It’s not like he is not familiar with the school’s area anyway!”

The way she raises her voice is giving me ideas that she is definitely not on good terms with auntie. I don’t know how it happened but it is almost beyond expectation for them to be like this. Surely, many things can change during the past six years and adding to her adolescence will surely change some of her personality. But this… this is too much. She has lost her respect!

“It has been six year, dear. The last time he’s been here at Empire was six years ago. A short tour around the school can help him be familiar with the place again so he can adjust quickly. The earlier he can adjust, the less hassle it is for you. After all, he is your childhood friend. Can’t you do this favor for him?” Auntie explained, trying to convince her.

But just like what I have expected, she shakes her in disagreement. She turned her head to me, glaring at me like she was about to eat me. I stare back at her, fighting back that intense glare that still intimidates me.

“Aren’t you years older now? Can’t you walk and tour the school by yourself?” She asked me sarcastically. I was about to give her a response when she turned to her mother again. “You are treating him like a five year old kid who needs a guardian in a big area! Didn’t he manage to live in that big foreign city already? I’m sure this place is not a big thing for him anymore. He doesn’t need my help to help him adjust!”

It was like she is insulting me as well now. It is not just her mother she is purely against but with me as well. The hint of disappointment is felt inside me as I can feel my chest clenching from every word that comes out of her mouth. Does she hate having me around so much now? Is she that mad because I didn’t return quickly?

“I can go and look around by myself, auntie. I think Krystal is busy as well anyway since there is only a few minutes left before the first period starts. I’m sure that I will be fine alone.” I stepped in.

“Just like what I have just said,” This girl beside me whispered sarcastically but enough for me to hear.

“I refuse to let you roam around for the first time by yourself! The school has changed a little for the last few years with the renovation and new added buildings. I promised your mother that I will take good care of you here like I used to do back then!” Auntie insisted. I was about to reject her offer again but she turned to her daughter with a determined look. With a tone of authority and firm, she said her words that made Krystal piercely glare at her. “You will show him around and that is an order.”

“Do you really expect that I will be scared by that tone?” She fired back, which shocked me. I looked at her in disbelief but she did not even show any care. Her jaw clenched as she said her next words in firm, exaggerating each word. “I will never take an order from you.”

“Trust me, Krystal Erin… you will.” Auntie argued back. Without any hesitation, Krystal raised a brow as she waited for her mother to continue. “I will shut down the Pearl Bar right this second. You will have to say goodbye to your condo unit and close all of your bank accounts, may it be handled by me or by you if you disobey me with this.”

Despite the confusion of the things that auntie uses against Krystal, I can’t help but focus on how she reacted afterwards. Her eyes widened as an adrenaline rush kicked in that made her stand up from her sitting position. I almost jumped on my seat when she suddenly said that but her response shocked me even more than I already am.

“WHAT?! Are you crazy?! You can’t do that!” She yelled at her mother. I closed my eyes in return, hearing her voice ringing into my ear.

This is getting out of control.

I tried my very best to remain shut because the last thing I want is to make this worse. Butting in and scolding her right now will definitely get her all fired up without even knowing how she is capable of doing so. This is too much for me to handle. I wanna deny her attitude right now but how can I when I am already witnessing it with my own eyes?

“Of course, I can. I am the Chairwoman of this school and you are still a student.” Auntie leaned to her chair, showing that she has the upper hand. “Moreover, I am your mother.”

I looked at Krystal as I saw her trembling in anger. Her eyes are looking towards her mother as if there is fire reflected on her iris. I look down to her hand only to see it clench into a fast as it trembles showing how mad she is now.

“You just ruined this relationship more.”

Those are her last words towards her mother before she turned to her back. I was left speechless and in agony as I looked at auntie, asking for answers with my eyes. She looks tired and almost beaten up after facing the outburst of her own daughter.

You just ruined this relationship more. What does that mean?

I almost jumped into my seat when I suddenly heard my name, almost like a growl. I look at Krystal over the door who has her hand on the doorknob. Her brows are knitted together fiercely and anger is really evident in her face.

“Are you just going to stay seated there, psycho?” She says in full hatred.

I looked at auntie as she gave me a nod, saying to go and follow her order. Despite not wanting to, I have no choice but to do so. After all, this whole scene happened because of the reason for touring me around.

The two of us left the room in silence with me following her from behind as she led the way. She didn’t bother to look back at me or even waited for me so we could be at the same pace. Eyes are on us as well as we walked in the middle of the hallway of students. Whispers are everything, curious of who I am and why I am with Krystal. It was like everything about her is gossip to them.

“Is he her boyfriend? Why is he with her?” I overheard one of the female students we just passed by.

After loads of whispers, that question was enough to make Krystal stop on her track. I stopped behind her, taking advantage to close the gap, as she looked at the direction of the students who just said those. Both of them tense up and leave with fear after apologizing countless times. I couldn’t help but follow them with my eyes. Why do they look scared and nervous around Krystal?

The hallway starts to get quiet as less students are only seen. We keep on walking and walking in silence while I stare at her back thinking if she really is my sweet and warm childhood friend. I keep on being denied thinking of how she reacted so rude and cold from the happenings earlier. The more we walk, the more this tour is starting to become a torture.

“Krystal,” I called for the third time as she kept her silence, acting like I was not behind her.

She kept ignoring me until we reached the big lawn of the soccer field. Taking too much of this silence, I made use of my long legs and strove forward to stand in front of her that made her stop. She looked flustered by my sudden action but immediately recovered when she glared at me with her arms crossed.

“What the hell are you doing?” My lips parted with her chosen word once again.

“I have been calling your name countless times now but you won’t even respond. Can’t you even hear me? You are acting like I am not even around.” I complained when she rolled her eyes on me.

“Did you ask me if I even want you around me?” She argued back.

It was enough to take me aback. It was the last thing I wanted to hear from her. I just came back and what I fear of hearing the most are the words she just said. I kept on being scared that maybe she doesn’t really wanna see me again. That she forgot about me and continues with her life without minding if I still exist. Hearing it from her now… it hurts more than imagining it before.

I gulped hard, taking in the pain.

“Can we talk?”

Instead of giving me an answer, she looked at me blankly. She didn’t show any interest nor even anything. It was just completely blank.

“What happened to you when I was gone? Why are you suddenly acting like this?” I questioned but she still doesn’t show any care. She remained standing in front of me, looking uninterested and annoyed by my voice. “If you don’t want to answer that, then answer this.” She raised a brow. “Why didn’t you stop the girl who was begging on her knees for your forgiveness earlier?”

I wanted an explanation. I was so willing to set aside everything that I have witnessed if she can provide me a proper and reasonable answer from what happened earlier. I do have a lot of questions in my head but… I can forget all of those if she will only give me a proper answer.

But I just disappoint myself.

She suddenly smirks. It disappears a second later before she speaks up in a very cold tone. “Simple… I grew up.”

I was left standing there as she passed by me without giving me enough time to react. I wanna scream or yell at her but I can’t. I don’t have the courage to. I turn to my back and look at her back. Even looking at her without seeing her face, I can still feel her changes. I can still feel her different kind of aura.

A few more minutes of walking, she suddenly stopped, which made me do the same thing. I was filled with hope that she would say that all of this was just a joke when she turned to face me. That all of this was just a prank to welcome me back. That she will hug me right away while putting on that sweet smile once again but I shouldn’t have expected anything.

“This lame showing you around is done. I’m pretty sure you can walk yourself off to the faculty office located next to my mother’s office. You managed to find it by yourself earlier, I’m sure you can do the same thing once again without any hassle.” She simply said.

She turned to her back, about to leave when I held her wrist gently to stop her. I feel so desperate for her attention. It was all because I feel so confused with everything that is going on. All of my expectations went down to drain because of his.

“Let. Go.” She warned, emphasizing her words. I didn’t do what she said which made her glare at me.

“Where are you going? We haven’t talked properly yet.” I insist. Her eyes went down to my hand gripping on her wrist before she looked up to me again.

“Classroom. Once again, let… go.” Her tone has this warning tone already.

As much as I wanna keep her next to me still, I already know that I am not capable of it now. I watched her turn her back on me like it was so natural to her. She walks away, further and further until she is almost out of my sight. A sigh escapes my lips, feeling so tired by all of this and it’s only the beginning of the day.

"Why are you so hard to handle now, Krystal?"