Go, August, Go! FS2 ENGLISH

four: bravest woman

“Have you heard about the news? I honestly felt sorry about him when the police arrested him,” a girl in the locker hall across from mine said to the other girl. I narrowed my eyes as I returned my book to the locker, unable to move to shut the locker as I listened to their conversation.

And even so, I already knew what it was about.

“Right. He had the looks. I fell in love at first sight, and I felt really sorry about his arrest I almost told my Mom to help him. I’m glad I didn’t or what a fool I would have myself in front of my parents!” She wailed childishly I scoffed and finally shut the locker.

“I know, right? That is—”

Utterly annoyed, I opened the locker and shut it again with a force that indeed made their skin jump. I failed to hide the glare glancing at them. Their eyes were wide with confusion and their lips gaping that it was me. I rolled my eyes and looked away when someone called my name.

“Roxette!” It was Yuna, a classmate and a friend. Her arms were crossed over her chest; her eyes were on the two girls. She must have noticed their reaction to my action. She blew on her full bangs and turned to me. Her face was often vacant and as though she was scorning everyone. “What’s wrong? Do you know who they are talking to?” she asked coldly.

Startled, my eyes widened. But I quickly shook my head.

She shrugged. “Are you free this weekend? We’ll celebrate Shin’s rank.”

I frowned. “He got the lowest again?”

She hardly shook her head. Her hair didn’t even move. “Unfortunately, no. He got two ranks higher.”

“153?” I breathed, almost in disbelief. But I hope that didn’t show.

She smirked; my skin crawled because I knew exactly what she was thinking before she said it. “You’re on 150, aren’t you?”

I bit the inside of my cheeks and narrowed my eyes at her. She rolled her eyes and turned around. “You’re still invited. It’s for Shin so don’t feel demotivated.” She left without turning back at me.

I scoffed in disbelief. Yuna Abella! Why have I named her as a friend again? That cold b!tch! She could be a little sympathetic to me, considering we got along somehow better than the rest. Sometimes, I understood her. Most times, if she was acting like an arrogant brat, I just hate her. I would never go to that celebration because I knew that was only so she could spite her fiancé. Who even agreed to a marriage of convenience in this modern world? They’re so outdated. Besides, people there would just ask what rank I am now.

Well, what? I was 149, and now 150. Still, I was not a year left behind unlike Shin! Just because she’s always on the top lists doesn’t mean she’s way better than everyone else! Just…

My thoughts faltered as my eyes caught the two girls again. They looked away when my glare at Yuna darted at them. I rolled my eyes and walked on the aisle and past them when I heard someone from the closest locker talk about August again.

“Hey!” I shouted as I abruptly spun around, surprising them. “This is a school premise! Stop talking about nonsense. Do you even know the guy? Why are you judging him with that brief news report? You all know how mainstream media works! Stop sharing anything about him and talking about him. It’s irritating!”

“W-What…?” One of them raised a brow and blinked. “Do you… know him?”

My hands clenched on my sides, ready to yell at them again but I controlled myself. “N-No. And do you know him?”

“Well… n-no—”

“Then, stop talking about him! You’re sounding like losers talking about random people’s lives! It’s pathetic!” Infuriated, I turned around and walked out of there with my heels heavily clicking against the floor.

“What’s wrong with her?” I even heard one of them speak behind me. “She never cared about rumors spreading around the school.”

Sandro immediately noticed my foul mood when he saw me stepping out to the driveway. He frowned as he slightly bowed his head but I didn’t stop in front of him. I continued towards the car so he instantly opened it for me.

“Something happened?” he inquired after taking his spot on the front seat. Randy also looked up at the rearview mirror in curiosity.

I crossed my arms and stared at the window, my lips tightly pursed. Realizing I would not say anything, Sandro silently ordered Randy to drive. No other car tailgating us since my parents were back in the country. I was silent the entire drive back to Manila. Earlier this morning, when I stepped out of the car, I heard a few students talking about the news from yesterday. I didn’t know August's arrest last week had already made it a headline of rumors in school. I found out it was because he was handsome and looked innocent. They pitied him because of his looks and because no one was filing a complaint. But after the news yesterday, they all turned their back on him, saying being in prison for ten years should have taught him a lesson.

The man was only starting his life, for God’s sake! He would not do something stupid to take that new freedom for granted. It wasn’t his fault. It was someone else’s. Someone from the same school as them! Why…

“D*mn it!” I groaned and pulled on my hair. “It’s my fault! Why are they all misjudging him?” Only if I could step out and clean his name!

“Words, Miss Roxette,” Sandro reminded calmly and without glancing at me. Randy was startled but Sandro seemed to treasure his calm composure so much. Or it could be he was used to my random tantrums.

I leaned back on my seat and repeatedly hit my head on the backrest. “This is frustrating! I already did the right thing. Why do I still feel bad?”

“Let me guess,” Sandro said. “There are only three reasons for you to be like that.”

“And what?” I opened my eyes to find him glancing at his side window.

“The out-of-school youth heir of the Suarez—”

I groaned loudly. “He’s my boyfriend, Sandro. Have some respect on his name—”

“Only if you introduce him to your parents,” he interrupted and straightened on his seat. His eyes were back on the road. “Can you do that?”

I gritted my teeth and glared at the back of his head. “I already had a bad day, Sandro. Stop with that sarcasm.”

“It’s not.”

“What’s the other two?” I asked instead.

“Monsignore found out about the test result… or your classmates are teasing you with your ranking.”

I scoffed in disbelief. How could he say something that actually was true but still sounded as though he was mocking me?

“What’s the third?”

I saw his face distorted through his side profile. “That’s the three reasons. Unless you’re really thinking about the delivery man.”

“August,” I corrected without realizing I had spilled him the correct answer. The shock was on my face and only Randy witnessed that through the mirror. Meanwhile, Sandro just nodded his head. I waited for him to say something but he didn’t. Sighing, I glanced back at the window again and found a local coffee shop. The car was moving a little slow so I was able to see a man stepping out of the glass door, filling the storage of a motorbike with small brown boxes and a box of drinks. I was blankly watching him until we drove past the coffee shop and a flower shop beside it. I returned my gaze back to the road but jerked in surprise with recognition.

“Stop!” I ordered and Randy quickly stepped on the brakes, surprising Sandro and I.”

“What’s wrong?”

The question was ignored as I glanced back at the establishment. August hopped on the motorbike and drove away from the parking lot. He drove past us and out of confusion, Sandro followed my line of gaze. He didn’t recognize August though as he had already put on his helmet.

“Miss Roxette,” he prompted impatiently.

“I need a coffee,” I declared.

He frowned. “That seemed like a new shop. We should get from the near the—”

“No. I want my coffee from here. And…,” I glanced at the establishment. They had chairs and tables outside, too, as well as umbrellas. Their parking seemed nice, too, although it was mostly for riders. “Is it new?”

“Ah, yes, Miss Roxette,” Randy spoke in delight. “I used to buy from them twice. Monsignore also likes their quick service. Do you want me to have take-outs for you?”

“No,” I replied briefly, halting them both. “I’ll get in and stay inside to kill time. You should find somewhere you can park.”

Randy questioningly looked at Sandro, who was silent for a moment before he nodded once. I stopped myself from squealing in satisfaction. He stepped out and opened the door for me.

“You don’t have to stay. I know my father will demand for you in his office.” I smiled widely at the wrinkle on his face. My eyes widened when his eyes narrowed. “What? I made a promise. I will not run away. I will not meet with Levi!”

He straightened his body so he could tower over me until our height differences were evident. “I couldn’t count the promises you’ve broken, Miss Roxette.”

My shoulders slumped. “Come on! I’ve been good for the whole week now. You don’t think I can continue with this?”

“You mostly like to become good after you’re caught meeting with that kid. You were not caught with him last week but you did far from worse.”

“Hey, Sandro!” I exclaimed frustratingly, glaring at his open palm between us.

“Let’s leave your phone to Randy.”

“What?”

“I need to make sure you will not contact that boy from here.”

“I will not do that.”

“Assure me,” he challenged.

Sighing, I picked out my cell phone from my uniform pocket and placed it in his hand. He immediately grabbed it and put it on his side. “Don’t use another phone. If you meet with that—”

“Levi,” I interrupted. “At least call him by his name. We’re at the same age. You almost made it sound like I’m dating someone younger than my age.”

“Or else, I would have to report to your father what really happened when they’re gone,” he continued, dismissing my complaint. My lips parted in surprise. “This should be easier, Miss Roxette. You’ll have your coffee inside and get back home before dinner. Understood?”

I grimaced and pushed him off my way without saying anything. I got inside the shop without glancing at him. When I was finally there, I found him getting inside the car, and soon they drove out. Why does he have to be good at frustrating me? I rolled my eyes and finally acknowledged the coffee shop.

It looked nice for a starting business. Everything was made of light wood and a shade of white, with indoor plants around. There were lots of mirrors making the space spacious and light. I also appreciated the shelves of books and magazines they had at the corner. The uniform of the staff was white long sleeves and a brown apron.

A lady standing behind the counter smiled at me. Pushing myself to move, I walked there and watched other staff. Tall guy was doing something with the machine. I saw two others in the back kitchen and I didn’t know how many they were inside. But they did have the same uniform as August.

“What’s your order, Miss?” The lady asked with a huge smile. She had curly hair, a small face, pale skin, and a petite body. She was obviously older than me but I looked taller than her. My eyes caught the name of the shop engraved on the cupboard above where their menu was: Bree Café

I blinked and absentmindedly returned the smile. “Can I have a frappuccino?”

She smiled and nodded.

“Venti Vanilla Bean Frappuccino, without cream,” I said clearly and smiled. There was just something with her smile. It was contagious. It was a good decision of the establishment to put her behind the counter.

“What about sweets?”

I blinked and scanned everything they had through the glass storage in front. They had a lot. But I’m not really hungry, so I shook my head. “No, thanks. Next time, perhaps.”

“Alright. Please, write your name here.” She handed me a small piece of paper which I quickly scribbled my name on before finding a seat. I found the vacant two-chair table on the corner and sat on it. While waiting for my drinks, I watched the lady and the lanky boy working together. The smiles plastered on their faces were genuine and not forced. I wondered if the lady was the owner? Bree sounded like a girl’s name and he was the only woman working there.

“Rox?” My name was called from the counter. I raised my arm and immediately walked to the lanky man. He smiled at me and my smile just naturally came out.

“Thank you,” we both said to each other. All the tables were occupied, including the ones outside but the shop was crowded. Still, with only the two of them working on the counter, they seemed in a rush. The guy was about to move on to his next order when he noticed me still standing there. He blinked as he questioningly watched me.

“I… uhm…” I cleared my throat and glanced at my drinks. “May I know who the owner of this shop is?”

He blinked in confusion. I shifted on my feet.

“Well... I didn’t notice it before. Is this a starting business?”

He nervously scratched his head through the hairnet. “We just started three months ago so…”

“Oh,” I absentmindedly muttered as he waited for my response. “What’s the meaning of Bree again?”

His smile gradually turned into a grimace. He didn’t want to be rude so he kept on entertaining me though. “Bravest woman? That’s what our boss said,” he answered and glanced at the lady processing some order in front of the machine. She glanced at us and smiled although she obviously couldn’t hear us. She must really be the owner. Maybe I could talk to her about August? Or does she know about him? What those…?

“Miss?” the lanky voice asked with a smile. “Do you need anything?”

I was tempted to ask him about August but I pursed my lips and shook my head. “N-No. Nothing. Thank you. This tastes good.”

His forehead creased as he glanced at my untouched drinks. My throat ran dry. I thrust the straw on the plastic cup and sipped on it. “It tastes good!” And I wasn’t lying. I just got a little nervous there.

Smiling, I returned to my seat and firmly closed my eyes at the embarrassment. I was just nervous because I was still guilty. I was afraid that acting recklessly now would cause yet another trouble for August. I just wanted to talk to him to… I don’t know… apologize?

I couldn’t continue with my everyday life with my conscience haunting me every now and then.

Yet, I guess I made such an impression because the lanky boy and the lady kept glancing at me. They were smiling at me so my lips would just twist for a smile, too. I must have looked weird to them. My drink was already halfway done when I got bored waiting. It wasn’t even an hour but I couldn’t wait any longer. Based on his uniform, August was obviously working here. He must have gotten fired from his previous job because of the incident. What was I thinking about coming to his new job to talk?

Internally scolding myself, I rolled my eyes. It landed at the door where a tall figure came in. My heart skipped a beat as August went straight to the counter, smiling at the two, before he faded to the kitchen. I literally had to pinch my fingertips to get myself to focus. Taking gentle deep breaths, I composed in my head what I would say to him but quickly shook it away. Should I really do this? In his work? What if his job got compromised if I confronted him now?

Seconds later, I decided I should not. For now, it should be enough to know where I should find him—one day at a time. I shouldn't startle him with my presence.

I debated whether I should see him next time when he stepped out of the kitchen again. He joined the two on the counter and smiled at the two ladies who were getting their order.

And once again, I knew the world had still.

It was the blue eyes and the perfect smile. I didn’t know my palm was flat against my heart until I forced myself to look away before he noticed me. For some reason, I shivered. The shop was air-conditioned but it wasn’t like I wasn’t used to such temperature. My heart was palpitating and I wondered if it had to do with the drinks or just… that smile.

He gave to strangers like nothing. He gave it to me, too. But I had forgotten it as his scowl and deadly glares were what corrupted my head every time I thought of him.

And now…

Panicking, I rose from my seat and quickened my pace towards the exit when he turned his back to face the coffee machine. I was already in front of the door when someone called for my attention.

“Miss?” It was the skinny boy. Reluctantly, I looked back at him. He was pointing at the seat I left.

“Huh?”

“You forgot your bag,” he said and glanced at the table. True enough, my bag was still on the table.

I thought I would faint in embarrassment and panic, especially when August glanced at the boy over his shoulder and at me. I didn’t let him recognize me. I hurried back to the table and grabbed my bag. My hold on it tightened as I closed my eyes in an attempt to calm myself but failed. I must get out of the shop first. Keeping my eyes on the floor, I trotted to the exit when someone walked in and bumped into me.

I gasped as the rest of my drinks spilled on me.

“Oh! Sorry, miss,” a guy said but I couldn’t look up at him. I could only nod like a fool, unable to say anything and strode past him. I didn’t stop until I reached the corner to the left, which was a narrow street. Luckily, the wall behind the shop was glass so it was the best place for me to hide.

“What the h*ll?” I groaned at the stain on my uniform. There was a metal trash can on the side so I threw the cup there and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe on my uniform. Randy should be able to find me here since Sandro got my phone. He might think I was running away with the manner I left the coffee shop in a rush.

And I was right. He was already approaching. I let out a sigh as he stepped next to me. I continued wiping on my uniform.

“What are you—”

“What do you think…” I trailed off as my eyes met with the coldest blue eyes. My lips quivered but I couldn’t find the rest of my words. Randy was nowhere behind him. It was only him and I.

“It’s you,” he continued through gritted teeth and clenched jaw. Chill traveled on my back. I absentmindedly took a step back. His eyes squinted when he noticed it. “What are you doing here?”