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CHAPTER VIII

The Rightful Owner

The eyes of my cla.s.smates are still intent with me while the news about me and the Majes moves faster than four o'clock. It has even reached the different year levels. The Sciellians, who I don’t even know, try to befriend me now.

(ED: 'faster than 4:00' is a Filipino idiom pertaining to 'really fast' just like 'faster than a hare'; but the 4:00 here uses the Spanish form 'alas-quatro', thus I believe this idiom should have been effected by the Spanish who settled in PH before. Personally, I hear this idiom used by the elderly.)

“So, what do we have here?”

As I walk through the hallway of Gein Edifice, three women who I haven’t seen before suddenly bar my way.

“How did you manage to get the attention of the Majes, you nerd!?”

Probably she is their leader. I even imagine that they are the powerpuff girls because of the color of what they're wearing. In the middle, Blossom, who's rather wearing a pair of pink shorts, if it can really be called 'shorts'. Bubbles, by her side and with her raised brows, is wearing a single strap spaghetti blue blouse. Lastly, b.u.t.tercup, who is wearing a green skirt.

(TL: Just imagine that they have a 'wash day' or 'casual day' so they're not in their uniforms―just this time. Author’s inconsistency. -_-)

I can say that they are the evil version of powerpuff girls, though.

“I don’t have time for this.” I say to them. I still need to go to the Headmaster’s office so back off you.

“We are talking to you. Don't turn your back on us!”

“Don’t you know us?” Says one of the voices from behind me. I turn around and find their faces lard with anger and annoyance.

“I don’t have time for introductions and besides I don’t talk to strangers.”

“We are the higher ups of Gein and this is your final warning: stay away from Claude!” Blossom says with her eyes narrowed in irritation.

“Don’t seduce Aiden, too!” Added by b.u.t.tercup.

I sigh. “Then ask them to ignore me; unless, maybe you’re all talk?"

With that, I continue walking and leave them behind. I sigh again. I need to avoid the Majes; my peaceful life is becoming noisy.

____

[Calling Daniel…]

*Ring…*

*Ring…*

“Daniel.”

Daniel has been my friend since I was twelve. He’s our neighbor and the only person I trust.

“Cenedy, how are you?” I hear his warm voice on the other line. His voice always makes me calm.

“Daniel, they found me.” I say in a defeated tone.

“Don’t say that. They don’t have a reason to search for you, Cenedy. I put you in that Academy because I know even if they try and look for you, they won’t find you.”

“The headmaster is expecting me.”

“Shhh… relax. I'm sure it’s for a different reason.” He a.s.sures me.

“I’m scared, Daniel. I don’t want to go back there.” I keep my tears from falling, though it has been threatening to fall anytime now.

“It’s okay, Cenedy. Anyway, I heard you met the Majes?”

“Uh, yes. Is that a bad thing?”

“No… Not yet. As long as they don’t know who you are.”

“But Aiden does. What if he tells them?”

“I know you are scared, but I also know that deep inside, you trust Aiden even with your life.” 

I quieten on his last remark. It’s true, anyway. I trust Aiden, but I still don’t want him to get involved. I just want him to forget everything.

[To forget about me.]

“I have a meeting to catch up. I’ll call you soon.”

“Okay, bye. Thanks, Danny. You take care. I love you.”

“I love you too, Cenedy.” He then drops the line.

I stare at my cellphone for a while. I miss this person. He’s the only one that I can say that has been a part of my life. I don't think I can continue without Danny or Daniel.

With my head still bowing down, I notice a pair of black shoes in front of me.

It’s Claude.

Did he hear anything? I’m nervous. What if he asks?

“H-have you been there for long?” I nervously ask him. Please Lord, I hope he heard nothing.

“Just now. Why are you so restless?” He looks at me suspiciously.

“Nothing. Hehe. I am just about to go to the Headmaster’s office. What about you? What are you doing here?” I quickly change the topic since he might still asks questions.

“I just came from there, and it's really my intention to talk to you. Don’t worry; it’s okay if you visit him tomorrow instead.”

He keeps on talking without looking at me but to a different direction. Does he know the courtesy of communication?

“For now, just follow me.”

I just notice that there are dark circles under his eyes. I think he haven’t been sleeping for nights. Trust me, I’ve been there before and it’s the worst feeling.

“O…okay.” I simply follow behind him.

I don’t know where we're going to. We're just walking through the Sveta’s forest. Then by the clearing is a small kiosk. I think it’s the only one here in the middle of the forest. On its opposite side is a small fountain that must have been weatherworn by time. Should all these are fixed and cleaned up, I’m sure this place will become more splendid.

The kiosk is circular with a long seat inside. Claude enters and lays on the long seat. He says not a single word. He just puts his arm over his eyes. Wait, I thought we’re going to talk? Why is he sleeping?

I sit on the remaining s.p.a.ce beside Claude’s head. I’m also getting tired. After a few minutes, I know that he's already sleeping.

I just have to remind myself that I should get up and stay away from the Majes, but what am I doing? I stare at the man sleeping beside me. I don’t know why but I found myself touching his hair.

It has the same texture as Sade's. A hair that's like a silk. I notice his exhaustion. He’s not even moving although I’m touching his hair.

Then suddenly his arm falls to his side. Now, I have a clear view of his face. This is the first time I'm seeing him this close. His satin like skin, long eyelashes and he really has a pointed nose. Yeah right, I suck at describing things especially someone like Cloud.

Is this really my job today? To guard the sleeping Cynnvoc? Tsk!

After some time, I feel the heaviness of my own eyes. I glance again at Claude and that's the last thing I remember before drifting into a deep sleep.

____

When I wake up, I feel my head is leaning onto something. But then, I realize it’s not a 'thing'. It’s a 'who'.

“Awake now?”

I lift my head up and meet his gray eyes. Once again, I got lost into them.

“Cenedy.”

“Ah, yes?” I notice him holding a bracelet. “That’s yours?” I ask. It's the bracelet that I found the other day.

“Uhmm… No. I mean, technically, yes.”

Huh? He sounds confusing. But if it’s not his, then maybe, it’s his girlfriend's since the wrist size is for a female.

“Wear it.” Another 'huh?' Take note, his tone is not pleading. It’s much more of a command.

“Why should I wear it?”

“Just wear it. Take that as a gift and don’t ever try to remove it.”

I can hear the seriousness in his voice. Nice! It’s a gift anyway.

“Can I ask a question?”

“That's already a question.” He says in a bored tone. Annoying jerk!

“Why did it turn white?” He suddenly tenses up. Is something wrong with my question?

“It’s just that… just how that bracelet is. It’s searching for its rightful owner.”

Cool! This bracelet is amazing. “So, I’m the rightful owner?” That’s excellent!

“Don’t ask any more questions. Just wear it! So many gabs.” Peeved out that fast?

“Okay, if that what makes you sleep through the night.” I joke to him.

He turns his back and walks away. But I think, I saw a smile on his face. Am I seeing wrong?

[“Right, I can finally sleep now.”]

I don’t know if I heard right but I just ignored it, anyway. I'm already admiring the bracelet. It's really pretty. Somehow, my eyes turn to Claude and there I notice…

He is also wearing the same and exact bracelet but it's the black version.

***

(TL/ED: Let us know guys if anyone is having trouble recognizing who the speaker of which lines, okays?)