Into Her Book 1: Clyde Hernandez

09

09

My eyes drifted to his uniform that is now stained with a colored drink that I was holding earlier. He doesn’t have his blazer on that leaves him in his white long sleeve polo and necktie which makes the whole thing even worse. His white long sleeve now has a pink stain because of my favorite strawberry drink. Added to that is some of the drink also splashed into his neck as well.

Too much for avoiding trouble.

Despite the panic inside me, I wasn’t sure how I should fix this mess and help him with his clothes because I doubt he wants me to hold him and wipe the stain from his shirt. It will be useless too if I ever try to wipe it since what it needs is a deep washing but I can have it dry cleaned if he allows me to. Knowing his arrogant personality, I’m not really sure about that.

Come to think of it… this is already like a deja vu. When he helped me back in Ilocos with the boxes, his top got dirt which led us to our argument because I insisted on helping him with it. I think it was even the beginning why I felt a grudge towards him because after it, he calls out in an unacceptable manner when he can say it kindly. I was already reaching out to help but he just had to shut me down like that. It can happen again this time if I insist on helping him so I will just remain silent now.

“What? Are you gonna keep staring this time?” He snapped, gazing down at me blankly. His gaze has this kind of tense at the same time and I could see that big aura around him which makes it hard for others to approach him. That is probably the reason why the students see him highly among them. He let out a smirk that made my eyes narrow. “I guess you still haven’t learned your lesson, clumsy girl.”

“Technically, there’s no lesson to be really learned when the one I am against is with someone like you.” I snapped back as I immediately saw how his jaw clenched from my response. I felt a tug into my blazer when I argued back but I care less. “Besides, how can I learn a lesson from a bully like you? You are not even enough to set as an inspiration for a good cause to everyone.”

“What did you just say?” He said in fuming anger.

He was about to attack me when his friend, Bryce, immediately stepped in and stood in front of him while stopping him by putting a hand on his shoulder. I was so ready to attack back at the same time but Kaori and Hayde were quick to hold me in my arms to stop me from doing anything. The both of us stare at each other like it's a war of nerves as none of us doesn’t even have any plan to back out. He started this, so I will fight back!

“Come on, dude. It’s not worth fighting here, especially with a girl.” Bryce commented which made me think if it is supposed to be a good thing or not.

“Bryce is right, Clyde. Besides, it’s a girl we are talking about here. Respect.” EJ commented as well trying his best to stop his friend.

Clyde yeet his friend’s hand away from his shoulder as he lets out a deep sigh, tearing his eyes away from me. I look at Kaori and Hayde who still have their hands on my arms as I give them a nod as a sign that I am already fine. Though they were still hesitant, they let my arms go but still remained on both of my sides.

“I respect girls who deserve it,” I raised a brow as our eyes met once again. “But I don’t respect girls who don't even know how to apologize when she is at fault and doesn’t know how to admit her mistakes.”

My hand formed into a fist as I let out a deep breath before fighting back. “Then does that mean the girl you bullied doesn’t deserve respect from an arrogant asshole like you?”

“Asshole?” I nodded my head confidently which is the opposite to our friends who shake their heads. “Who do you think you are calling an asshole?”

“You.”

It was enough of a response for him to suddenly grab me by my shoulders and pinned me into the wall. I groan as my back meets the hard wall with the impact of it feels like it can ruin my back bone right away but he doesn’t even care. Both of his arms are on my side as he gazes down at me deadly, occupying my whole sight with only his presence.

His tall figure makes it harder for me to see my friends who are standing behind him. I’m not even sure what they are doing anymore but I can hear them calling for my name and trying to plead this giant to stop. Even his friends tried to stop him as well but he just yeets them away without tearing his gaze away from me.

“Apologize.” He says in a firm tone.

“I… won’t.” I firmly say as well.

“Why do you keep bothering me? Do you like me?” He questioned that and made me scoof in disbelief. He is not just a giant arrogant guy but also full of himself! I was about to respond but he cutted me before I could even say anything else. “I get it now… this is how you want to play a game. Then sure, I’ll give you what you want.”

“What are you talking about?”

Without even saying anything else, he suddenly leaned forward slowly that made my eyes wide. His eyes remained focused on me with intensity as confusion, anger and fear suddenly kicked in inside me with what he was about to. When his gaze lowered down to my lips as our faces were just inches away from one another, I already knew what I needed to do.

I gathered all my strength and kneed him into his balls without any hesitation and care. He immediately groaned and removed his arms to my sides as he curled, enduring the pain that he deserved. My friends had their eyes wide and lips parted when I finally had a view of them while Bryce, EJ and Jerome immediately went to their friend to help him.

“Do you really think you can do that to me, you asshole?!” I burst out, looking at him in disgust.

“W-what made you t-think I will really k-kiss you, you clumsy girl!” Clyde fired back in between his pain. This asshole still has the guts to keep talking!

“I don’t care what you will do and not but if you ever try to do it again, that is not what you will only get from me!” I shouted at him and was about to attack again when I was stopped.

Bryce was quick to stand in the way while EJ held both of my arms. “Jerome, bring Clyde in the car. We will follow the two of you.” Bryce told Jerome which the latter nodded right away.

I watched Jerome help his giant ‘boss’ stand up but he still ended up a bit curled because of the pain going in his torso. Clyde didn’t forget to give me a deadly stare which I just returned with a mocking smirk. He was about to get to me but Bryce immediately pushed him to be with Jerome which the latter ended up suffering because Clyde is taller than him and his build is even larger than Jerome.

When Clyde and Jerome were nowhere by my sight already, I inhaled and exhaled heavily because of the sudden things that happened in this very place. Even a small encounter like this ended up messed up. I don’t think I can handle it if I ended up fighting and getting pissed off because of him everytime we bumped into each other accidentally. But I just hate it so much!

EJ removed his hold on me as I heard him sigh, which is the same with Bryce. My hand immediately went to the part he was holding on to earlier while stopping me. I massage it with my hand because of pain due to his tight hold. I can’t blame him because it’s not easy to stop me as well.

“Sorry,” I heard EJ suddenly say, which made me look up to him in confusion. His eyes went down to my arm as I immediately understood what he meant. “I think I held on to your arm too tightly.”

“It’s okay, no worries.” I said, giving him a small smile. I observed how worried his eyes looked while staring at my red arm that he was holding earlier. Both of them are really different from Clyde. “If only your friend knows how to apologize properly then things wouldn’t end up like this.”

“Clyde is not an easy person to deal with. He might be stubborn and a bully but he has respect for girls,” Bryce glances at me with unassurance. “I’m just not sure why he is so pissed off at you. I don’t think it’s only because of the water splashed weeks ago.”

“If he is pissed off then I am too! Who does he think he is to insult me and bully anyone who he just wants to bully?” I let out a scoff. “That giant guy only knows how to hurt others. Why don’t he just hurt himself instead so he will know the pain!”

Both of them let out a soft laugh that made me raise a brow at them. My eyes went to Kim and Kaori who are just to their side. Kim is admiring EJ while Kaori is shyly glancing at Bryce while trying her best to look like she is not interested in anything. They must have really liked these two.

It’s not like I have anything against Bryce and EJ. After all, I already said a couple of times to myself that both of them are better than Clyde. They both look like they respect everyone and are just being pulled with this whole mess that their friend keeps making since they are friends. I think EJ apologizing to me earlier as well is a good enough reason to say that they are good people. Both of them are handsome too.

“Here, if you will accept, we will apologize on behalf of Clyde.” Bryce told me. I was about to argue but he beat me to it. “Just like I said, Clyde is stubborn and I doubt that he will let his guard down to apologize especially after you kneaded him in his balls. But as his friends, we would want to apologize for what he did. Even if he won’t admit to you that he is at fault, we know that he knows his mistakes as well so… I hope you can forgive him.”

“It’s easy to forgive him if only he knows how to put down his pride and stop his immature acts. It’s not really funny to witness things like this in an elite school when I’m only a new student.” I heaved a sigh as I rolled my eyes, remembering the personality of that guy.

“I think I know the reason why he is so pissed off at you.” I raised a brow at him in confusion. “You are the first person at Rydell who turns against him. It must have pissed him off considering that everyone just keeps following what he wants things to be like even without an order.”

“What is he? The principal? The owner? Just because he wants something then that is how things should be like already?” I let out a sarcastic scoof. “He is so full of himself just because he is rich and has every girl in the school head over heels for him.”

“Including you?”

“Except me!” I firmly told EJ which made him chuckle, shaking his head. “I can’t even imagine the day when I suddenly get all friendly with him,” I shiver with the thought. “Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.”

“I suggest you don’t get ahead of yourself, Bella. I’m pretty sure there is a metaphor that says the more you hate, the more you love.” Hayde butted in the conversation.

“Are you trying to make me puke or what?” I told him but he just shrugged his shoulders in return and that made me sigh. “Whatever happens, I will never be friends with that guy! I swear to that.”

Bryce hums that arch my brows as I look at him. “Let’s see about that. I hope your words won’t turn against you at the end.” He gave his friend a look before turning to me. “What is your name again? I forgot,”

“Bella, Arabella Fay Santiago.”

“Bella… as in Beauty and the Beast?” I let out a chuckle with the comparison. That movie just always has to show up. He sticks his hand out and puts on a sweet smile that shows his deep dimple into his right cheeks. “I’m Brycen Ezequiel Miguel but you can call me Bryce. I think you already heard of me from your friends.”

They sure know about it.

“Hi! I’m Ethan Jude dela Vega, EJ. It’s nice to finally meet someone who is not over heels our dear friend.” EJ commented as I shook his hand as well.

I’m not sure if it's them boasting but I can clearly say that they are fully aware of the people or girls who admire them. Was it because of the cheers they get during their basketball games which is why they know it? Or because of the girls who keep trying to get their attention everywhere they go? Nonetheless, they sure know of it so I’m sure they also know that my friends are head over heels for them as well.

“Ah! Before I forget, these are my friends.” Kim’s eyes widened when I suddenly pointed in their direction. Both EJ and Bryce turned to face them with a wide smile.

“We know them already,” EJ says before I could even introduce them. I followed his gaze as it was fixed down to Kim who is trying her best to not smile widely. “Kimberly Shane Gomez, right?”

“H-hi, EJ,” She responded.

A mysterious yet sweet smile forms into his lips. It must be what Kim told me about EJ, his mysteriousness. I think I remember her telling me that EJ is the most silent yet kindest among the 3 Aces despite having a little bit of a bad boy look. But his mysteriousness does make him interesting.

“Kaori, right?”

My attention then went to Kaori and Bryce. She gave him a nod alone with a shy smile while he gave one in return. I don’t know if it is just me but there is something in Bryce's eyes as he looks at Kaori. It’s like he has known her so long already that introductions are not really needed anymore for him.

“I don’t know if you are both interested but, hi! I’m Hayde.” Hayde butted in, cutting the staring game of the four that made me chuckle softly.

Bryce let out a short laugh, shaking his head. “Of course! Mr. President.”

Our talk was interrupted when EJ’s phone rang which he answers and turns out it’s from Clyde. He told us that giants are already complaining because they are taking too much time here already so they have no choice but to say goodbye already. They didn’t forget to remind me about avoiding their friend for everyone’s sake and also mine so everything will be peaceful before leaving.

The four of us rode using Kim’s van when it picked us up in the coffee shop. They first dropped me in the house so they were able to meet mom once again for I think the third time now. They even met dad already last week when he was home early and I got home around 7pm after hanging out in Kaori’s house. It’s better that they are getting to know each other so mom and dad won’t have any worries about the people I spend time with.

I didn’t let the day finish without bringing up working part time at the coffee shop. I was so scared of how dad and mom would react especially that dad just returned back home from the company. He looks so tired so I was hesitant but he saw me peeking into his room so I have no choice but to spill everything in there since he already caught me anyway.

As usual, he was against it… even mom. They were afraid that it might affect my studies and also my condition since I’m still in the middle of attending my treatments. My doctor hasn’t given me a go signal to do whatever I want but I insisted that I am doing well now compared to the past few days. There were no signs of attack and I told them that I just want to repay their help for lola.

It took us an hour until they gave me and decided to give me a consent form under some conditions. Once my academic standing suddenly fluctuates and if my nightmares return as well as my physical condition weakens, I will immediately quit my work without any hesitation. Lastly, I will work not to repay my parents. They insisted that I could keep the money since I insisted on working so I just told them that some of my earnings, I will send it to lola and tito as my help to buy her medicines. That is how we settled things out.

Until the week ended, I was confused because there was no single issue about me that circulates the school which was really weird. I tried to set the negative idea off because maybe they already got tired of talking about me since they have been doing it for days. Who would even wanna keep on gossiping about a transferee girl who doesn’t even care about them?

But… I was wrong all this time… because all this time, that giant has something planned under his sleeve.

Starting off the week, I keep encountering bad luck such as getting my papers wet and even some unfortunate moments that I didn’t expect I will have. There was once when it was our p.e time, my uniform suddenly completely disappeared from my locker so I ended up buying a new one in a hurry so I wouldn’t get any minus points. When our p.e class finished, it was back in my locker, all wet and had that unpleasant smell! How immature!

Another moment was during our lunch break, I was just enjoying my food when one of our classmates suddenly approached our table. He gave me a strawberry drink, which is my favorite, and said it came from a secret admirer. I was hesitant to accept it but my friends pushed me to get it so I have no choice!

I was planning to not drink it but I accidentally forgot to bring my tumblr so I drank the drink and I wasn’t wrong. I ended up having diarrhea in school which weakened me! I had to stay in the infirmary for almost half a day until my driver arrived to pick me up and get me home. I think I was in bed the whole day after that, coming back and forth from my bathroom.

And today was not an exception. Another misfortune as my uniform was completely stained when a flavored drink was suddenly spilled to me from the second floor. I wasn’t able to check who it was but I ended up all messed up! My uniform is drench and my hair is sticky because of the drink. I was lucky because my p.e uniform is in my locker, safe and sound, because if I don’t then I will be dead.

“This is getting worse.” Kaori commented as she helped me cleans up my hair. She is helping me dry it easily because I wash it off so it won’t be sticky anymore.

“There’s not even a day when you aren’t safe from any pranks, Bella.” Kim also says when she walks out of the cubicle in a p.e uniform. “And I even got involved now!”

I gave her an apologetic smile which she shook her head and pouted instead. She happened to be with me when a student poured a flavored drink to me earlier. We ended up being a laughing stock by the students around us instead of helping us. But then again! I forgot that everyone is on Clyde’s side.

“What will you do now? Technically, this is what I was telling you about. The whole school against you once you turn against Clyde.” Kim says, reminding me of my frustration.

All this time… I know it was that giant who is initiating this whole thing. I managed to prove it when I saw Jerome accidentally posted something about that outcast thing with my name involved in it. Besides, who will even plan such immature acts except for him?

“I won’t do anything! If this is his way of trying to get me out of the school, then he should try harder.” I told them without any fear. I stared at the mirror in front of me and stared at myself. “He can’t make me transfer out of this school.”

“Well, you better make sure we won’t get affected too much. I don’t want to be on the bad side of my baby EJ.” I shake my head with Kim’s comment.

Kaori pushed her slightly, which made me smile. “It’s still EJ you are thinking about when Bella is already in this mess?” She says, shaking her head.

“He can do whatever he wants. If this is how he wants to play the game,” I turned to face them, leaning to the counter with a smirk plastered on my lips and arms crossed. “Then I will play it with him.”