The purpose of love

3

I sat up straight closing the drawing book and pushing it under my bed along with the pencils. I ran to my small bathroom to wash my hands, I can hear the noises of mum as she passed my room. Mum’s office is beside my bedroom while her bedroom is down across the hall.

Tied my hair into a ponytail before going downstairs, we have this strict rule in our home before dinner or whenever we eat food, hair should be tied into a bun or ponytail. Chad is busy texting on his phone as I sat beside him, usually, we will be waiting for our mom.

“How is your school life? is everything fine?” Chad asked putting his phone on the dining table.

“The same, it’s getting hard every day. You know, assignments and tests.” I tell him placing my chin on my palm.

“Don’t stress it, work on difficult subjects after getting home. I know you will get above 5 GPA.” I smiled as he ruffled my hair. Chad and I aren’t that close like the other siblings. We care for each other but doesn’t show it often. Chad wants me to do whatever I like but he knew we can’t go against our mom.

“How is Kat?” I asked about his girlfriend. Katerine and Chad started dating in the summer after Mum personally met Kat. I don’t know why she wanted to meet Kat before Chad asked Kat to be his girlfriend.

“She is good, I’m planning to take her to the tulip meadows.”

“That’s amazing Chad, I’m sure Kat would love to go there.” I spoke excitedly because even I love the tulip meadows. I asked mum to take us to tulip meadows on a weekend but she is busy.

“Yeah... But my exams are nearing and I can’t take Kat there without mum’s permission.” Chad exhaled.

“Your exams are next month, you can tell mom that you are going to Xaiden’s house for practice. She wouldn’t say no if it’s practice.” Chad thought about it.

“That’s a good idea Julie, I will take Kat this weekend. I don’t what to upset her, we haven't gone on more dates."

"You should take her out to beautiful places." I tell him.

"Tell me about yourself? Didn't like any guy from your class?" Chad asked with a teasing smile. I rolled my eyes, Chad was popular in high school and went out with girls but he wasn't serious with them like he is with Kat.

"Nope, no-one asked me out and I don't think I will go out on a date."

"What you two are talking about?" Mum questioned walking into the dining area.

"I'm telling her about Kat and asking her dating life." Chad replied as my eyes widen in shock.

"Dating life? Are you seeing someone without me knowing?" Mom asked raising her brow.

"No mom, I'm not dating anyone nor I will. Chad just asked if anyone asked me or not." She nodded her head.

"Good, you are not allowed to date until unless you become a bank manager. Relationships make you weak and fail you in your career." I bite my lip nodding my head. We filled our plates and started eating silently.

"How is Peter? Didn't see him a while." mom asked after some time.

"He is good, he is working after school hours so he is busy with work and school work." I reply softly.

"I hope you are working hard on your subjects, I don't want border marks. It will help you if you start working in your math, physics and chemistry."

"Yes, mom." I reply munching on my chicken. The rest of the dinner passed in silence. Chad spoke in between when mum asked him about his college.

"Good night Julie." Chad said.

"Good night Chad." I said entering my room. I made a beeline towards my study desk, looked at my chemistry textbook and notes.

I have a chemistry test tomorrow, I have been learning this subject my whole weekend but I just can't remember.

Sitting down on the chair, I checked my phone to see PDF files from Lori. I smiled sending her a quick test.

I started revising the notes and PDF notes sent by Lori. By the time I fell asleep, it was midnight.

•

"Heard that Lori Bates is transferring to the new school by the month-end." Mila said as we stood by our lockers. I watched the students scattering around, talking with their friends, taking their books out, texting someone, laughing and walking to their classes.

"Really? That's a piece of good news then." Peter replied making me frown. Mila, Sofia and Grace laughed.

"Why is it good news? It's sad news that she is leaving." I tell. Peter rolled his eyes, Sofia snorted.

"Julie, that lady gives me chills. She is so creepy that I just can't stand anywhere near her." I glared at him for saying such bad words towards someone like Lori.

"Peter! You are being mean. That's harsh, you can't speak poorly about someone you don't know. Lori is a good person just like us." I scolded him.

"Julie, chill out. Why are you calling Peter mean? Have you ever seen the girl behaving normally? She is a creep like Peter said." Mila spoke on behalf of Peter.

"Peter, Mila and Julie... Stop it." Grace spoke. The last bell rang indicating the students to move to their respective classes.

I shook my head walking towards my language class. I don't like it when someone talks ill about someone. I have my chemistry test in the next class.

"Hey, Julie!" I turned my head towards Selena and Kawhi who are waving their hands excitedly.

"Hi!" I say taking the seat in front of them.

"Julie, can I pinch your cheeks? They are so chubby!" Kawhi says.

"Sure but not too hard." I tell her. She nods her head pinching my cheeks. The only thing people liked about me is my cheeks. I didn't lose my baby fat yet.

"I always like to pinch your cheeks. " She says sitting back in her seat. I chuckled shaking my head. For a safe side I brought my chemistry notebook.

I'm sitting in the back so our language ma'am wouldn't able to see us. She gave us time to complete our assignment which means she won't be taking any class today.

I turned my head when someone took the seat beside me. To my surprise, Sebastian was the one sitting beside me.

I didn't say anything turning my head pulling my chemistry book out. Mrs Lee is sitting at her table going through her books.

In the middle of the reading, I felt Sebastian lean "Hi."

I leaned back making some space as I don't like it when people lean too close to me. "Hello."

He smiled gazing at my notes, "Chemistry?" He asked.

"Huh... Yeah, I have an exam, next class." I tell him looking back at my notes. I didn't talk to him as I need to remember the formulas.

There were times when Sebastian tried to talk but I didn't glance at him. I have never spoken to Sebastian before because of many reasons.

"Hey, Julie." I turned back to Sebastian as I packed my bag.

"Yes?"

"Hmm..." I waited for a full minute for him to speak, everyone is leaving for their next class.

"Will talk later Sebastian, I have a class now and test. Sorry..." I spoke before leaving the room to reach my next class.

"Hey girl!" Lori greeted, I sat beside her.

"Hey, Lori." I say smiling at her.

"Did you prepare for your exam?" I asked her. She laughed in return.

"What's so funny?"

"I don't prepare for tests, Julie. Are you free after school hours?" She asked as we waited for the teacher.

"Yeah, I don't have any work."

"Cool, meet me in the parking area. Ice-cream treat." My smile widens in happiness.

"Really? I will surely come with you."

"Would've taken soon if I know you would get excited over ice-cream." She says.

"I'm excited because you are taking me with you."

"Oh." Mrs Hughes entered the room and passed the sheets to us.

I closed my eyes making a quick prayer to god before looking at the question paper. "Oh god..." I mutter sadly as I don't remember most of the questions.

"Chill, it's okay if you don't know the answers." Lori whispered. I nodded my head and started writing the answers I know.

Selena and Kawhi are in this class too. I was thinking about the remaining answers when my gaze shifted to Selena and Kawhi who are copying each other's answers.

I turned my head left to see Lori playing with her bracelet and pencil leaving the paper on the desk.

"Aren't you going to write something?" I whisper ask.

"Nah, I didn't prepare for this test so I don't know anything." Lori shrugged her shoulders. I nodded sadly if I performed any of my tests badly my mom would scold to no end.

She knew about this test and will be asking the test sheet or marks. "Time up, pass your papers to the person before you." Mrs Hughes spoke making sound on her desk to alert everyone.

"I don't want any failures in my class, these points and marks are very important to your finals. I will be grading your internal marks and assignment marks based on your tests results. Don't give me white sheets, don't come unprepared or think of failing these tests." Mrs Hughes warned looking at us.

"So girl... See you after school." Lori said standing up to leave. I don't know where she is going.

"Julie, we are joining your lunch table today." Selena spoke standing beside my desk.

"Good." I say looking at Selena and Kawhi. I brought my lunch today as my mom didn't leave any lunch amount.

"We are going to Shawn's party tomorrow, he is throwing this huge party and everyone is saying that even the guys from universities are joining the party." Kawhi spoke excitedly, we three are walking towards the canteen.

"Party? Tomorrow? Isn't it a working day?" I ask them confused.

"Oh babe, it doesn't matter if it is a working day or weekend. A party is a party." Selena said.

I have been to a party only twice. One with Chad and the other with Mila and Peter. Mom decided not to allow in the highschool as there are higher chances of me dating or getting into a relationship. Her words...

Penelope, Harper, Mila and Peter were already present with their lunch trays. "Hey, guys." Kawhi greeted them. I sat in between Mila and Selena as Peter sat in between Mila and Harper.

"Hey." Peter greeted back.

"Peter, are you attending tomorrow's Shawn's birthday party?" Selena asked.

"Yes, Mila wants to go and I'm tagging along." Peter replied to my surprise.

"Mila you are going to a party?" I asked surprised that her parents are allowing her to a party.

"Yes babe, my parents are okay with it. As they want me to enjoy my senior high like a normal High schooler. Even Grace and Sofia are coming." Mila spoke.

"Julie babe, you should come to. We all are going to be there as its Shawn's party. We would surely miss something so amazing if we don't attend. This is our last year and we don't know where we are going to be next year." Harper said.

"She got a point there." Penelope agreed.

"I will see and let you all know." I tell them.