Cold Hearted, You

05

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

05

With thoughts filling up my mind, the events of earlier still can’t be removed in it. The way she reacted. The way she talked. The way she moves and stares. All of it is so unfamiliar with me that I just keep on denying the reality that I faced earlier. It was like an eye sore that I would never seem to forget and will always be tainted in my mind starting today.

Was it all really possible? Can someone really undergo such massive change in that amount of time?

I remember the last time we talked, she was still the same as she was the last time I was there beside her. The way she talks was so calm and so sweet as if an angel is whispering to my ears. Her smiles are so wide that kept me wanting to protect it longer because of how precious it is. She seems to be so relaxed and just… her. But after three years of not being able to reach her, she undergoes massive change that I can’t even recognize her anymore.

She became arrogant and disrespectful. People fear her as if she is capable of making their lives miserable in just a snap. One look was even enough to make them silent and almost wanting to dig their own grave just to escape from those dull and cold eyes of hers. The warm heart she once had was completely replaced by an icy one who doesn’t seem to care about anything around her anymore. She became a whole lot different person.

Partly, I wanna blame myself for it because I wasn’t there when she suddenly went through that change. Everything is still unclear for me but I can assure that there is something behind that change. She wouldn’t just suddenly want to be rude towards her loving mother who has always looked after her like she is the most fragile thing in the world.

I wanna blame myself because I could have helped her face whatever that is that made her become the person she is now. Maybe if I was there during that time, she can take it all easily and wouldn’t be like this now. She might have still become that sweet girl who is always the kindest to the people around her.

My eyes went to the door that had the sign which says Faculty Office. Krystal was really right when she said that it is just located next to her mother’s office. I wasn’t even able to notice it earlier because I was occupied by the scene earlier which was led by my own childhood friend whom I didn’t recognize.

“Good morning! Is there something I can help you with?” A woman at the front desk greeted me with a warm smile when I opened the door. I gave her a smile in return as I approached her desk with nervousness and a sense of curiosity since the room is filled with numerous doors as well.

“I was told to look for the head teacher? Chairwoman Vargas says that I can get my schedule from her.” I politely answered as she immediately nodded as if she was already advised of my arrival already.

“You can proceed to the last door to the right. Tell him your name and that you are sent by the Chairwoman herself.” She told me as I nodded before thanking her.

Roaming my eyes around, I walked towards the door she was talking about. It is not my first time entering the faculty room because I have been here countless times back then. It’s just unfamiliar for me because when auntie says that they had some renovation, they really did. This building is probably a new one because, despite having the same layout as the previous building I was in, everything looks new and is much more modern looking.

I knocked on the last door on the right which has a plaque that says Head Teacher in it. I heard a feminine voice from the inside that said come in that I followed right away. With carefulness, I slowly opened the door to see a woman sitting on her executive chair behind a desk with papers on the table.

“Hello, dear! I’m Mrs. Josefina Fernandez, the head teacher of Empire International High School. May I ask about your purpose for coming here?” A woman, who is probably around the same age as auntie, says in a very calm voice. She seems lovely yet a strict vibe is obvious in her aura. 

“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am. I was told to come here for my class schedule by the Chairwoman. She said that I could get it from you.” Without even getting to finish my words completely, she already reacted with a little panic and closed the folder she was reading.

“Please come in! Take a seat, please,” She says pointing to the chair in front of her table. I followed her instructions and sat there politely, putting down my bag to the side. “Can I ask for your name, dear?”

“It’s Kai Nicholas Juarez, ma’am.”

The mention of my name was enough for her lips to part and eyes widened a little. If she didn’t react immediately, I would have thought that I said something wrong.

“Of course! Mr. Juarez!” She exclaimed. “The chairwoman has informed me of your arrival. She even fixed your class schedule herself and put you at the private class along with her daughter and Ms. Vargas friends.”

Private class? What does that supposed to mean?

She searched into her cabinet in silence with confusion in my head forming once again. In six years, there seems to be a lot of things that have changed in this school. Not just with the students and the school structure but even in the system. There’s no such thing as private class back then!

“Here,” She placed a mini clipboard with a cover on the edge of her table, near my side. I stare at it for a second before taking it. It has a logo of the school on the upper middle with capital letters that says private class in the middle. “You can check your schedule there.”

“Mrs. Fernandez, is it okay for me to ask something?” I politely said, which she nodded. “What do you mean by private class? Is it like a special class or something? I used to study here years ago and there’s no such thing as that kind of class exists yet.”

A warm smile forms in her lips with my confusion. “Technically, the private class is just like what you thought it is, which is a special class. It’s a separate class which was made especially as per Ms. Vargas' request.”

Krystal’s request?

“That class consists of the top ranked students of your batch which is, as of the moment, all occupied by Ms. Vargas' friends and two more. They are the only ones who are allowed to be in that class as of now.” She explained as I nodded slowly.

“May I ask what is the process of it? How can one be totally included in that class, especially me? I am a new student so I don’t really have a rank here yet.” I confusedly asked.

“It’s just as simple as being on the top rankings. The class consists of students that are ranked from 1st to 10th place at the end of the semester. The current ones who are in there are the ones who graduated with high honors and with honors during their junior high school moving up. Technically, the students of the class will be changed every other semester depending on their rank.” She explained once again.

“That means once they were pushed off the rank 10th, they will go back to the normal class?” I questioned which she nodded. My brows furrowed in much more confusion. “But what about me?”

“Based on your records and recognition from your previous school, you are qualified for the class. There is no foul in it. We clearly based on your records alone so I hope you won’t think that we are giving you special treatment just because you are deeply connected with the chairwoman.” She explained nicely, trying to deny the questions in my head.

She was indeed right about my records. I was one of top students in my class at the state as well and I have kept it for the last few years. Even when I was still in here, I usually caught up with Krystal but I never really had a chance to beat her since that girl is much more knowledgeable than me in many ways.

Like I was hit with bright light, I remember the place that auntie used against her daughter earlier. “What about that bar, ma’am?”

“You seemed to be very interested in things.” She says, eyeing me with a smile. I let out an awkward smile, scratching the back of my neck. “Well, that bar is called Pearl Bar. Just like the private class, it is also requested by Ms. Vargas to have a private place for her and her friends. They usually stay in that room during their free time and the only ones who have access in that room are the ones who belong in the private class.”

Hearing this all now, it was like Krystal is isolating herself from everybody. It is already enough that she changes in personality terms but also changes the way she is interested with people. It was like having that private class and Pearl Bar built is the same way of her telling people to stay away from her. Like she wanted the space alone for herself and the ones who she trusted.

Although that class was made with good intentions such as giving students motivation to study well, I just couldn’t help but question things. It was like she had everything under her control. One command and she can get everything she wants now even with things like that which was supposed to be discussed and proposed by the board members of the school.

“Come! I will lead you to the private room myself.” Mrs. Fernandez says which brought me back to my senses.

The two of us walked in the middle of the hallway where some students were still standing in front of the lockers. Some are seated in the student lounge where tables and chairs are placed for them to occupy. Each foot step is a combination of one whisper for each student while eyes remain on me.

“That’s the way to the private class. Is he going there?”

“I saw her with Krystal Vargas earlier. Do you think there is something between them?”

“I mean, he is a new student but already going to private class. It’s either they have a strong connection with the higher ups or he and Krystal are closely related to one another.”

If only Krystal was here, these students would probably have shut their mouths right away. They would probably even lower down their voices unlike right now just so that cold girl won’t be able to hear them. They might even run their way out of their places just like those girls earlier once her dull and deadly eyes went to them.

“And here we are!” Mrs. Fernandez exclaimed.

My eyes looked at the silver door in front of us with a plaque on the upper center of it which says Private Room. From the outside, you can tell already that they are being isolated from the other students. There isn’t a single window in the hallway side which can allow the students to see them from the outside. Even a small window over the door does not exist. It is indeed as private just like how they named it to be.

When we entered the room, everyone's eyes went to us right away. Some even went to their designated chairs right away upon the opening of the door. I wasn’t able to escape from their suspicious eyes as well when the attention went to me with confusion obvious in their eyes, purely.

“Good morning, students! For today, I would like you to meet a new student from Los Angeles, Mr. Kai Nicholas Juarez.” Mrs. Fernandez introduces them one by one, they secretly glances at the back of the room.

Just like what I was told earlier, there are only twelve students in this wide and spacious room. Twelve white individual white desk and a black leather executive office chairs almost identical as auntie’s chair earlier accompanying those. The room has its own lobby at the back which can fit the right amount of people. Laptops are also placed in each desk and a project is placed on the right front side of the room and more. 

This is now just a special class. It’s a class where all benefits are included in. They have almost everything that they could stay the whole day here without needing to go outside the room.

“From now on, he will be attending class with all of you in this room. I hope you all treat him well and will help him adjust for the first few weeks of his stay here.” Mrs. Fernandez continued.

My eyes followed the direction where they were stealing secret glances in. I softened when I saw that familiar face whom I have many questions with up until now. Krystal has her eyes closed and arms crossed as she leans to her leathered chair like the head teacher’s arrival is not even enough to bother her.

My attention remained on her as a girl, seated on the chair on her left side, tapped her shoulder gently. Krystal’s eyes immediately opened up and looked at her friend with dull eyes. Her friend pointed at me which caused her to look in my direction. It didn’t take her long to change her expression as soon as she saw me standing in front.

“I will be leaving you here now, Mr. Juarez.” Mrs. Fernandez says, catching my attention.

“Do I really have to be here, ma’am?” I asked, whispering so they wouldn’t hear it.

“Apparently, yes. Chairwoman Vargas especially wants you to be in this class.” She said, nodding her head like I have no choice.

“But-”

“Mr. Juarez, I heard that you are Ms. Vargas' childhood friend. With that alone, I think there shouldn’t be any problem in here now, right?” She questioned which gave me enough reason to just shut myself. There shouldn’t be any problem. I gave her a nod, giving up. “If that is so, I should take my leave now.”

I watched her walk out of the room with a heavy sigh escaping my lips. Few whispers filled the room right away after that. I almost jumped out when a deep voice suddenly talked in front of me. My eyes went to a tall guy in a zip up bomber jacket with his hands in his pocket.

“The new desk and chair is next to Krystal’s, bro. You can occupy it without any problem.” He said with a small smile as I nodded.

“Thanks, dude.” He shook his hand in front of me as he let out a short chuckle.

“No worries, dude!” He sticks his hand out for a hand shake. “I’m Wesley Diaz, by the way.”

I took his hand with a smile on and shook it. “Kai Nicholas Juarez. It’s nice to meet you.”

Everything was peaceful between us until a hand yeets Lance to the side. Another tall guy, inches shorter than Wesley, stole my hand from his friend and shook it by himself. “It’s nice to meet you too! I’m Lance Ezekiel Franco.”

“It’s nice to meet you too,” An awkward smile forms on my lips.

They make way for me to go to my assigned desk beside Krystal with them following me behind. Taking my attention away from them, I look at Krystal who has her brows slightly furrowed while looking straight ahead with a serious expression on. She has this scary and intimidating look on her again as I occupy the seat next to her.

The other male students in the room crowded our area right away when I took a seat. They didn’t even give me a second to fix myself up to my seat and bombarded me with greetings. I met Max, Caleb, Neil and the tallest among them which is Cameron who introduces themselves as Krysal’s friends. They also introduced Harold and Joseph to me who is one of the students of the private class as well.

“I think I heard from Mrs. Fernandez earlier. She said that you are Krystal’s childhood friend?” Max questions, remembering. He was seated on the front row along with Neil earlier so of course he would hear it. I gave him a nod as his eyes sparkled. “Does that mean you came from a wealthy family too?!”

“Juarez Enterprises.” Krystal suddenly said, answering for me. They all look at her with confused eyes. “Youngest son of Juarez family.”

“WHAT?!”

At the same time of her male friend's reaction, Krystal stood up from her chair and walked herself out of the room in silence. The loud voices of her friends filled the whole room but she remained stoic while walking away from us. I found myself staring at her back until she is gone from my sight before giving my attention to her friends again.

“You are Joshua Juarez’s brother? The renowned top bachelor in the country!” Caleb exclaimed, mentioning my brother. Despite the embarrassment on how they describe my brother, I nodded my head in response.

“A massive welcome to the group, bro!” Cameron says in an amused and cool tone which made all of their friends laugh.

A small laugh escapes my lips as well as I eye all of them. They all look friendly and nice guys. It was unexpected for me to know now that Krystal has a lot of guy friends but she is friendly so I think that is automatic. My eyes went to their different kinds of blazers.

“Do you guys really wear different kinds of clothes everyday compared to the others?” I asked carefully which they nodded right away.

Each of them are dressed in the usual school uniform but their blazers are mostly replaced with a different jacket or blazer. Cameron doesn’t even have a blazer on but kept his polo alone with a gold chain inside his polo’s collar.

“The compliance to dress code is not really strictly enforced to us but Krystal wanted us to keep pieces of the school uniform so we follow what she says.” Neil explained as I had this conclusion in my head that Krystal is like their leader.

“You guys seem to be having fun talking with the new guy.” The girl who nudged Krystal earlier butted in. My eyes went to her shorts that ended on her mid thigh which made my brows furrowed. “Before you say anything, I am not a tomboy. I just like wearing boyish outfits.”

She is the one who proved the most that the dress code is not enforced for this class indeed.

“I’m Gianna, by the way, and this is Daphne and Yvonne.” She says, shaking my hand. I gave a smile to the girls next to her as well before my eyes went to Krystal who entered the room suddenly. She sat on her chair in silence. “I don’t think I need to introduce Krystal to you.”

Definitely…

“Krys! How come who one told us that you have a handsome childhood friend?!” Lance playfully says, complaining. Krsytal only learned her chair, scrolling over her phone.

“Is it okay with you if we add him in the group?” 

They kept on throwing questions here and there at her until I noticed her brows slowly getting knitted together, showing her annoyance. I felt this sudden sense of nervousness inside me because of her aura. All of them immediately turned silent when Krystal slammed her hand loud on her desk and told them that they were too noisy. They were quick to apologize too which confuses me.

“Why do you guys look so scared of Krystal?” I asked Wesley when we reached the lobby, away from Krystal.

He gave his friend a glance, looking hesitant. Suddenly, he pulled me to the corner near the window and talked. “Your childhood friend is kind of known as the fearful girl in this school. She might be our friend but her changes in personality was the main reason why we are often scared of pissing her off. After the events of two years ago, she kept her blank face most of the time. that is why we don’t have any idea what is on her head which is even scarier.”

I gave him a look in confusion. With furrowed brows and a curious tone, I asked him. “What happened two years ago?”

“You are her childhood friend. How come you didn’t know?” He asked me back in shock.

“I was away for six year and lost communication with her for about three years now. She was just suddenly out of reach, that is why I have no idea what was going on with her now.” I explained.

He nodded in each of my explanations as I clarified my side. He was about to say something when he stopped as the door opened, revealing a man with glasses on and a laptop on hand.

“We’ll talk about this some other time,”

Those were his last words before returning back to his seat. As I do the same, I couldn’t help but look at Krystal. She keeps her eyes on the laptop in front of her before looking up to the projector. The more I look at her closely now, the more I get curious about everything.

She suddenly turned to look at me with an annoyed expression on. “What?” She says coldly.

I shake my head in panic which causes her to roll her eyes on me. She focused in front again and acted like no one was around her. Like she is just alone.

She changed so much… too much. That it is hard for me to handle. She was as just as Wesley described her, blank and expressionless. She has changed so much that even her friends are so careful around her. What made her like this?

What actually happened two years ago?