Taming the School Heartthrob

Chapter 6

I SQUIRMED INSIDE but flashed an apologetic smile. Ceasar’s voice was loud enough to attract the other visitor’s attention. And the woman who was clinging to Ceasar’s arms looked confused but slightly appalled. “I-I’m sorry, there were just too many people, I didn’t see you—

“What she meant was she didn’t care. She’s still sorry though,” Ceasar interrupted me.

In an instant, I was the one who was appalled. Does this jerk even know what he is talking about?

“N-no, I didn’t mean to—oh, good thing it didn’t ruin your dress,” I said. In my defense, what happened wasn’t only my fault.

I have never lost my composure before, I always know how to handle myself and even stand up for myself. A genuine smile on my lips, the right tilt of my chin, then a steady and calm façade in front of everybody. But the curious and horrifying stares from the crowd irked me, making my nerves throb and panic.

I bowed my head and mumbled a continuous ‘sorry’.

Footsteps light and quick, I managed to escape from the scene. That’s when I was finally able to blend in with the crowd, then things went back to normal as if nothing happened. The music changed and it was louder this time. There was a staff standing right behind the array of food displayed on wide tables. The lights moved until they went dim.

A loud voice broke the silence among the audience. It’s the emcee.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please settle in your respective seats for we will start the celebration shortly.”

The visitors walked to their seats and I immediately glanced at the invitation card that I was holding. My table was on the H-3rd seat.

I looked for it in the surroundings as the people scrambled until they had settled in their respective spots.

Gotcha.

I walked to the right side of the room at the very last table. Two people were already sitting there. Another coincidence…

Nikko sat at the front seat of the table, wearing a tuxedo and his hair neatly combed back. He looked polished and neat.

Marc was beside him, wearing a formal shirt and a tie, but no coat. My eyes landed on his messy yet still put-together hair. Unlike our other classmates, he wears a clean cut but it suited him very well, he looks mature but just enough for you to stare at him in awe. I had never appreciated his looks before.

I cleared my throat. “Hi, classmates,” saying those words had me choking my protest because Ceasar just said the same thing to me a while ago. I understand now. Maybe that was the easiest phrase to mumble to act… casual?

But the way Ceasar manipulated the scene earlier had me fuming mad and confused.

He didn’t have to say things in my defense. Really. Because there is no way he will ever do so.

I can’t believe now that he helped me when I lost consciousness.

Nikko just nodded and Marc nodded at me but didn’t say anything. I just smiled too and then shrugged at their smugness.

The music changed and then the light settled on the front stage, where the emcee stood, smiling widely. Dona’s family is wealthy; it goes to show by the extravagance of their house.

I saw a massive garden when I was getting inside, then I was motioned to a hallway that led to this particular massive room—like a ballroom area, but it perfectly suited the event. The room is spacious enough to host events and how much does this event cost?

The host said something but it didn’t register in my mind when I spotted Ceasar, right before our table.

He didn’t see me though. Then the next thing I knew was Dona was walking in the middle of the red carpet.

“Please welcome our charming debutante!”

I didn’t have anyone to chat with during the event. It had me wondering why I still attended it, though I know that it was unexpected, I thought… Atasha or even Milrey would spot me and would initiate a conversation. But they were sitting at the front tables and were even part of the 18 candles.

They gave messages to Dona, who sat in a breathtaking chair adorned with precious jewels and golden carvings. Her parents also gave speeches, then it was followed by dancing, singing, and performance. It was all grand and entertaining.

But I can’t seem to enjoy it, partially because I feel so alone, surrounded by lots of people I don’t even know or barely know.

Nikko and Marc were glued to the happenings in the surroundings too. The event proceeded and all I was thinking was going home. Telling myself that it’s alright… at least I showed up, even if I didn’t even know what the use of it was.

When the food was served, that’s when the people started talking to each other. I had no one to talk to.

I didn’t mean to, but my eyes scanned the surroundings and it caught my eye. Some people were leaving the place. One of those was Ceasar and the girl he was with. I am convinced that it was his girlfriend. I returned my focus on the food that I was eating and then I saw Dona walking near to our table and then he was followed by Milrey and Atasha.

Something inside me leaped, as if happy because, after all, my presence right here is seen and acknowledged.

I stood up when they stopped at our table. Nikko followed and motioned Marc to do the same. I was the one who first said something.

“Happy 18th birthday, Dona,” I greeted her. She smiled at me and motioned for a hug. “Thank you, Trina.”

Then Dona immediately turned to the two guys beside me. “Thanks for coming, guys! How was the event? And the food?’

Atasha was so focused on looking at Nikko, drawn into the guy, I can surely tell.

Nikko and Marc handed gifts to Dona, which made her squeal in happiness. “Oh, thank you! You shouldn’t have.” Dona was looking at Marc when she said that.

I smiled at what was happening until I remembered the time. When I looked at my phone, it was already 9:30 in the evening.

Dona was busy talking with Nikko and Marc when I stood up and bid goodbye and said thanks. She nodded and waved goodbye.

I smiled and kept it until I got out of the house. I am not a people person, but I just realize it is still exhausting to have no one—not even a single person to talk to for events that would last for hours.

When I got outside, people were driving their cars and heading home. While I had nothing on me, only my phone and a small purse. I had money to pay for a jeep but I can’t go home exactly with just that.

I looked for my father’s number on my phone, and when I was about to press I hesitated. But I remembered I told my mother that I would call my father to fetch me. I should be doing that.

But the line was busy.

I inhaled a deep breath. I scanned the surroundings but the darkness illuminated the streets more than the street lights.

And right about a distance from outside the gate, I saw two people kissing.

The girl was pinned on the hood of what looked like a vintage car. She was grasping the guy’s hair and pulling him closer to her body.

Teenagers these days, I couldn’t help but mumble. As if I am not a teenager myself.

I shook my head but did nothing.

I looked the other way and thought of steps I should take so that I could go home on time.

Until I heard someone cuss from a distance. The two people that were just kissing minutes ago are now face to face—an obvious distance separating them from being once wrapped in each other’s arms earlier.

A car passed down the street and then their faces were revealed by the headlights that flashed for seconds.

Ceasar and his girlfriend.

“Okay! Leave! If that's what you want!” he shouted.

Is that how he treats his girlfriend? Is he even committed enough for something like that?

With the rumors that fell under his name and his image at the school, I couldn’t say much.