Chapter 1:

The Break-Up

ORCHID


It felt like God was playing a trick on me again. The day was calm and whimsical. The rays of light beaming through the old glass panes; the nostalgic smell of dust of the humble classroom. It seemed like a normal day. But I knew something wasn't right.

"I got it! I know the answer!" Aaron sprung up from his waxed wooden chair. He slammed his palm onto the desk's surface, giving everyone around him a good scare. He stood up, firm and still as our school's metal flag pole. "April 15, 1865, sir! Easy."

The class gave Aaron a round of applause. "Very good, boy!" Mr Sebastian smiled through his wrinkled cheeks. Through the foggy lenses of his antique glasses, his eyes were locked onto the brightest student of his class. "You have a great future ahead of you." He gave a nod of approval and allowed Aaron to return to his seat.

Pfff! What could being good at History help you at anything? I don't see why smartass Aaron has to get the attention of everyone. All he did was just kiss Mr Sebastian's old buttcheeks. Like I would stoop so low just to be like him.

Suddenly, I felt the impact of the chalk bouncing off the surface of my forehead. "Yeowch!" I exclaimed. "W-What do you want, old man?" I suddenly realized I had the attention of the whole class. Our own History teacher included. Everyone else had a face of amusement, except Mr Sebastian, who had bombs ready to explode in his eyes.

"All I want is your attention in class, Mister. Would watching the birds outside make you any better of a student?" Mr Sebastian spoke through his aged voice. The class laughed along; Michael, the class' maniac was losing his mind cackling. He shook his wrinkly, bald head, "You know, boy... If I would want to get attention. I'd work hard for it. Do you really think standing in class as punishment would make you popular? Wrong."

"That's bullshit, sir. I told you I have absolutely forgotten to bring my History textbook today. I swear!"

Mr Sebastian turned his back to me and proceeded with class. Everyone else was left with cheeky smiles. They all left me red in the face, bottled up with frustration. 

I felt powerless. I could have sworn I did bring my textbook with me today. I could almost remember putting it in my schoolbag last night. It was when Mr Sebastian demanded me for it, I panicked at its sudden disappearance, It was as if the textbook just vanished into thin air. Both from existence and in memory.

Trying to keep it all in, I gave the surface of my desk a little punch with my knuckles. I tried my best not to let Mr Sebastian know about it, luckily the noise I made did not reach his near-deaf eyes. I managed to let a bit of steam out, but all it did was allowed my pencil I borrowed from Lucas to roll off the table and down onto the floor. Having to stand up as a punishment for my lack of memory, I could only watch the pencil roll further... and further... and further away from me.

My eyes followed as the pencil rolled across the dirt-filled floor, I felt a sense of warmth seeing it roll down freely. Then, it stopped. Someone noticed it and picked it up. It was a girl, she picked it up and notice I was staring at it. She looked at me and chuckled a little while waving the pencil in the air, teasing me.

Ah, Rosie. My one and only girlfriend. Even if the school would be on fire, or even if I had to be the front-stage embarrassment of the whole circus that is my class, I feel like it would not matter, because I had the attention of her. Standing in class would be canoeing through a cold, calm river on a warm and beautiful day whenever she's here.

#

There were rumours of a sad couple breaking up from the other students of the canteen. I could barely hear the whole story due to the unbearable screams and shrieks from the obnoxious juniors and loudmouth seniors around me. Especially Michael's gang beside me, who were losing their minds at a joke from Johnny.

Just as I was about to enjoy my lunch sandwich until suddenly two hands grabbed and squeezed both of my shoulders. "Hey, whazzup buddy?" Aaron said, rubbing and twisting his hands, giving me a painful but soothing massage.

This. Aaron... I noticed how everyone was looking at me. Those eyes. It was the same as the eyes from class. Eyes looking at my humiliation for forgetting to bring my textbook. Eyes that were in shock at the most popular student in all of Weststar High, giving a friendly massage to the infamous student of this school, me. I need attention. I want attention. But not like this, this isn't who I want to be. 

"Aw, don't be such a sad puppy. We all know you forgot to bring it. It's a small deal, man."

"Aaron. I'm not sad. Could you please let me go?"

Aaron lifted both of his hands high into the sky. "Whew, okay Buffalo. I was just helping you relax, man. Chillax. Don't be so angry all of a sudden."

"I wasn't angry, m-m-m-n..." I stumbled a little as I said the last word, I cringed as I said that. "...man."

"Anyway," Aaron spoke while scouting over the many heads of the school canteen. "Did you see Rosie anywhere?"

"She said she was supposed to go get something. Why ask?"

Rosie. The very moment her name got mentioned, she would always appear at the right time. Rosie suddenly materialized beside the two of us and had a two-person worth of watermelon slices alongside her sweet smile. "Here you go, you two love-birds!" she grinned.

My eyes popped wide open. A large smile formed across my cheek. I stood forward and accepted her offer. "Thanks, Rosie! You're so kind!"

"It really is nothing." Rosie then handed Aaron one too. Which was strange. Before recess, she definitely mentioned getting some food for me to make me feel better after the whole humiliation thing in class, but why on Earth would she specifically buy another for Aaron? 

"Rosie. I thought you were only gonna buy some for me."

"Don't be so selfish. It's obviously my parting gift for Aaron."

A 'parting gift'? Right. It was announced that two students were selected to be transferred to a new school. A prestigious one. And obviously, Aaron was one of the candidates.

It was a weird sight to see, my girlfriend Rosie offering food to Aaron, something she would specifically do with me. The sight of Rosie feeding the wildly energetic Aaron gave me a bad stomach ache.

"I need to use to the toilet for a bit," I said as I stand up with my back hunched.

#

It was cold and damp in here, yet comforting. Behind the door of the toilet stall wasn't just a room to leave your waste behind, but a sanctuary where nothing bad can happen. All I have is total privacy, total silence to myself.

I would always use the first stall, mainly because the others were filthy. There was even one at the end of the row, it was forever locked. I heard that someone died in it, but it was just a dumb story made up by Michael the Maniac. It was locked from the inside out and no one bothered to try and open it. It was just another toilet stall after all...

"Aaron's leaving soon," I wondered. That means the popular kid in Weststar would have to be replaced by someone else. There will be a new king in school.

I stared at the toilet stall door and grinned. I reached into my pockets and took out a black marker. The words "Aaron stinks," were now written poorly on it. I then started to write more: "Mr Sebastian's glasses are thicker than his books," and "Aaron + Mr Sebastian", drawing a heart over it to complete my masterpiece.

I couldn't help but laugh till my lungs burst. I could tell the person in the other stall was now befuddled. But then, my laughter stopped. I felt warm hotness under my chest. My face was suddenly serious. I had a moment of thought. Thoughts about my future. I chose to write one last message on the wall beside me. I gave a deep sigh and wrote: "Rosie + Me"

Sometimes, the longer your days spent on Earth, the more you realise how much you have and don't have. I used to have tons of friends back when I was a toddler. I used to draw on the floor with crayons and encouraged others to do the same, only to get a spanking afterwards. I wasn't aware of the fact that people would slowly forget about you, I learned that the hard way. None of my old friends contacted me, friends whom I would catch frogs with and even secretly stayed in class when we were supposed to be moved to the music room. All I have are my two friends, Aaron and Rosie, and one of them I can barely count as an acquaintance... 

Rosie was a girl who was friendly to everyone around her. She was the type who would start a conversation first. When we first met, she was excited to meet me. She had this enthusiasm in her eyes when she said: "I'm so glad to meet you!" I knew from that instance, she liked me. And that's how we started our relationship. Though, we never managed to go on dates, mainly because she said she wasn't the type to go on dates. I'm not sure why. I suggest eating together during recess, but she had other friends to talk to, so I would only eat with Aaron.

#

It was Tuesday morning! With the sun covered by clouds and the wind warm and full of energy, it was the perfect time for our PE lesson.

This time is the time I'll prove myself to the whole class, that I am worthy of success. Words of confidence poured into my brain while a burst of energy was unleashed through my warmup for our class' volleyball game.

"This is some strong wind. I don't think it's fair for us to have a game..." said Aaron.

"Are you just being a coward? This is your last volleyball game with us after all," replied Rosie with her fists were clenched in front of her. "You are not backing off, this time Aaron. For your last day in Weststar, you shall taste defeat!'

With a blow of the whistle, the game began. I knew I have the chance to prove myself, that's because Rosie was on my team. For a girl, she was the school volleyball champion. There was no way Aaron could win under these circumstances.

'Take this, Aaron!" she exclaimed, returning the ball into Aaron's side. It flew ludicrously fast yet Aaron was able to return it.

"Alright. It's you now," she said to me. "...don't miss it."

The ball was arching down and was zooming straight towards me. There was only one thing to do now. This was Aaron's attempt to win against me. But I won't allow it.

I then jumped and pulled my hand back for the swing, until... The sudden impact of the bullet-speed ball came directly onto my delicate face. It was as if the ball suddenly picked up speed and accelerated further, smashing my face and got me to see stars in the darkness. The last thing I felt was a solid thud of my back. I was now left on the floor, downed and dizzy.

 "Did I get it?" I asked aloud. Slowly, my eyesight came back through the darkness. The stars I saw were actually sunlight passing through the many leaves of a tree above me. The darkness was my eyes suddenly forced to be closed for a short minute. And the blurry sight of a girl in front of me, was because I was tearing up in front of my own girlfriend. "Sheesh, that's a sight to behold," said Johnny.

"Hey. Hey. Are you okay?" Rosie gave my cheeks a few taps. "Damn, he's crying," said Michael. "Oh shut up!" said Rosie, bringing me up from the floor.

I opened my eyes to see Rosie with her arms around me, and the rest of the class forming a circle around us. "There's no bruises or anything, you're fine," Rosie smiled.

"Eh, 'whatevs," said Johnny, before leaving. Michael and the others joined him and returned to the game. I was left unable to speak at the mere thought of everyone looks at me. I felt like I was some kind of freak when I was surrounded by those eyes.

I could suddenly see Aaron appearing amongst the dissipating crowd. "Hey, man. You okay?" he said with his hand on my shoulders. Aaron had this look in his eyes, but because of my foggy vision, as if I was looking through Mr Sebastian's glasses, I couldn't tell. Aaron stumbled upon words for a second, until he managed to find the words he was looking for: "Shit, I'm sorry okay? I didn't mean to do that."

It took a while to realise the situation around me. Rosie had her arms wrapped around me, and Aaron was here apologizing for something he didn't do. I was surprised. Aaron rarely apologised, less for something that is out of his control. Why did he apologize? Was it because he... understood me?

Aaron gave my shoulder a light slap. "See? You're a man under those tears. You're a man! Now get up before you start to feel the real pain. Shame." Aaron and Rosie got me up my feet. I was relieved because they were there for me. "It's okay to cry, you know? Don't feel bad," said Rosie.

I fumbled with my words. I wasn't used to saying it, but this time. I knew I must. My tongue reluctantly bounced of the end of my lips, and I said it: "T-Thanks."

After going through that awful experience, I decided to take a seat by the bleachers and watch the game instead. My face was nearly touching the floor as my back gave no strength in lifting up my body anymore. I felt like I want to sleep against the floor forever. I wished that once the volleyball gave that sharp clap on my face, I would be asleep and unable to witness that embarrassment... "Rosie... Aaron..." I mentioned the name of my only friends in school. The view of them destroying each other at volleyball was a sight like no other. It was like a game of tennis against professionals. It was as if... they were only passing the ball to each other.

Michael and his gang were now chatting at the side, probably because they weren't the type who would play sports. Michael was an odd fellow, he was a loudmouth and only talked with his group of friends and nobody else. There was Johnny, his best friend who was double his height and was fit enough to be a model. And there was Mason, our class monitor, a shy and fragile fellow. He may look like the type to be responsible, but he hasn't done much for our class, being class monitor and all. His droopy nose and his half-broken glasses convinced the whole class that he could very well be Mr Sebastian own son.

Surprisingly, Michael and his gang weren't the weirdest of the bunch. Soon I realised I wasn't the only one at the bleachers, there was one other student from my class. She radiated zero energy and interest; I meant in both ways. No one paid her any attention, and she paid none. She was reading a book while the epic battle between Rosie and Aaron was taking place. "What a loser," I thought. She probably never noticed the ball landing on my face at all. Maybe it was for the best.

I can't remember her name, because no one talks about her, and I never remembered her mentioning her name. So far as I could remember, she hasn't spoken a single word! The girl was sitting at the rows of seats below mine. With her book in her hands, and her tendency to not move an inch, she was both like a mannequin and a gecko, sitting there, waiting for everyone to leave before springing up to life.

As I pondered about who is she, the girl then stopped reading the book and turned to take a glance at me. The mere movement of her chin turning in my direction freaked me out. In a fraction of a second, the one awkward eye contact was enough to scare her back to her book. "Jeez, my face wasn't that wounded, you know?" I crossed my arms and was just left alone sitting there up at the bleachers. I noticed the height of where I was sitting.  I was sitting at the highest one of course! It feels like I could see everything, while everyone was down below me. The bookworm was sitting down below, while I was high and mighty. I feel like the king of the world up here.

"Aaron being selected to be transferred into a prestigious school." That thought scares me in a way I can't describe. For a moment, I thought it was obvious: I was jealous at the fact that Aaron was needed in some better school than Weststar. He was chosen. By people who we don't even know. Aaron was needed by someone, I always wanted to be that guy. The person everyone needs to be on their team, if not, they would cancel the game. The person that everyone wants in their house party, or else, it wouldn't be fun. I want to be that guy. But it seems like Aaron got it too easily. There were two candidates chosen to be transferred, only if I could wish that I was the second. But, the more I think about it. The more I was confused. Shouldn't I be happy that cookie boy scout of the school is leaving? Wouldn't I have the chance of being the King of Weststart High? Of course! But then, maybe Aaron's transfer is what made me scared. Maybe, I would just be lonely without him?

#

The orange glow from the setting sun was dominating the sky. School time was almost over and everyone was excited to go home. I took another toilet break instead of waiting around in class. No, of course my bowels are still functioning properly. I had to go to the toilet for another reason. And no, I'm not that kind of person...

After passing by a student who gossiped about the same sad story of a couple breaking up, I returned to the same toilet stall from before and sat down. The words, "Aaron stinks," were clear as day in front of me. A few moments ago, I was the jester amusing myself to terrible insults upon Aaron. But right now, I felt the opposite. I feel like I'm the one who stinks. I wasn't proud of what I wrote, no, I hated it. It was then I decided to undo my mistake. After giving the door a few swipes here and there. With a good rub with the back of my fist, the words remained still. "Permanent marker," I thought. I gave a long exhale and feel a pang of certain guilt. "Am I the bad guy?" 

It was then on, I decided to be a better man. I don't want to be the loser who sucks his thumbs and complains. I want to be loved. And the words "Aaron stinks" will be my permanent reminder that I should and will be the better man. I will be the King of the School. And I will do it my way!

The sense of time passing in my gut came out strong, I noticed that I had been in here for nearly half an hour. I was supposed to be back in the classroom by now, and so I left the cold sanctuary and back into the real world.

#

Everyone was raging for the bell to ring, kicking their desks and shouting to be released back into the wilds where they belong. But what stands out to me is the absence of Aaron and Rosie. "Aaron... Rosie..." Today was Aaron's last day before transferring to the prestigious school I didn't bother remembering the name of. But apparently, it was called "The Jefferson's School for Gifted Young Minds". What a load of bullcrap. I just call it The Jeffey's.

I had to move on and tell Aaron about how I truly feel. I need to apologise to him and wish him a good journey. Only then, I can be happy. I would become the leading man of this school alongside my Rosie. But, the more I think about what to say to Aaron, and about the absence of Rosie. I couldn't stop thinking about their names over and over again.

Aaron... Rosie... Aaron...Rosie... The names kept echoing in my head after one another. It was as though the two had to be mentioned together whenever one of them was brought up. Aaron... Rosie... It was driving me crazy!

Michael turned to me, he had this weird grin scribbled across his crooked cheeks. He looked at me with eyes that were about to leek goo, he said to me: "Hey, dude. How's your face?" Johnny and Mason laughed with him "Shut up, Michael. Go back to your honeymoon with Johnny."

Presumably ignoring my previous statement, Michael continued. "Hey. Have you heard of the sad story of a couple breaking up, here in Weststar?" 

"I'm assuming that's between you and Johnny?"

Michael cackled like a witch in the night. "Funny you should say that... hee-hee-hee..."

Michael turned away and returned to his conversation with the stoic Johnny and the wimp class monitor, Mason.

I took a moment to look out from the window to calm my mind. The sun's rays were awesomely bright, it had the whole sky and school covered in all of its glory, even my eyes, which started to hurt. Choosing not to blind both of my eyes, my consciousness returned to the classroom. I looked around and hey, I noticed the bookworm girl from before. She was sitting on the other side of the classroom. "Was she there the whole time?" I never really noticed her presence in class. This was the first instance where I noticed her presence here. Over the sea of my classmates' heads, at the corner of the room was the silent girl. She was like a spider on a white wall. Unmoving, yet dangerously obvious. Her head slowly turned and I could see her looking at me from the corner of her eyes. That scene gave me the creeps. "I hate quiet people..."

The bell soon rang. Everyone flew out of the classroom like pigeons for breadcrumbs. I was left sitting there in the orange glow of the sun and the stale dust of the classroom. It was a weird feeling to stay behind, but I must at least say something to Aaron before he leaves school.

The bookworm girl, with her bag across her arms and ready to go, noticed me with my face tugged under my arms looking all gloomy. I paid her no attention, and soon she also did the same and walked away. For a moment, I felt as if she had something to say to me.

"Aaron... Rosie... where the Hell are you guys?" I said to myself at the sight of two bags on two empty seats in front of me. But of course, at the mere instance of mentioning her name, Rosie returned to the classroom alongside Aaron. They both looked gleeful and excited for some reason. It was as if they've won the lottery.

"OH! You're still here?" said Aaron in genuine surprise.

"Where were you guys?"

"Me and Rosie? We were just saying our appreciation and goodbyes to the teachers at their office, duh."

Aaron had this wide smile on his face. His teeth were shimmering. But Rosie on the other hand didn't match Aaron's happy demeanour. Mainly because she had this forced smile on her face.

"You and... Rosie?" I looked towards Rosie, it seems that she was also genuinely surprised to still see me here, but for a different reason. "So... what are you doing here...? Waiting for us?" she asked.

A cold sweat came down my cheek, and before I got to say what I prepared myself to say, Aaron interrupted: "C'mon Rosie. Of course, he's here to say his goodbyes... to the both of us!"

"What?" I instinctively said out loud. "What do you mean both of us?" 

"Rosie and I are transferring to the Jefferson's, duh."

I felt a strong punch down my chest. This was the first I heard of this. Rosie was the second transferee? She mentioned nothing about this to me before. There's got to be a mistake. Rosie was packing her bags and was about to leave, I then stopped her. "Rosie, we got to talk."

Rosie's eyes refused to meet mine, she stood there, and said, "Aaron. can you go wait by the bus stop for me? I'll join you in a while," she said, giving him a terrible forced smile.

"Oh sure!" said Aaron, "Don't forget our date's tomorrow morning!" he waved and disappeared out of sight. My eyes were now staring deadly cold into Rosie's. "What. Date?"

Rosie and I stood there, still and quiet. I desperately waited for an answer. I knew I dreaded whatever she was going to say next, but I just stood there. Eyes unable to blink. A single tear, unable to be held back.

I must be hearing things. There is no way Rosie would do such a thing to me. She loves me. Aaron's my friend. My hatred for Aaron is just plain jealousy, I know he sees me as a friend. I know Rosie sees me as her boyfriend. Rosie obviously cares about me. 

"I'm breaking up with you," Rosie finally spoke. "We were happy to be selected to go to The Jefferson's. We were so happy that we could be together. Her voice was starting to break the more she spoke. "I've... been dating Aaron because he makes me happy... He... He makes me feel special... I want to be with him... I want to be happy..."

This is outrageous. This is madness. What I am hearing are all lies. The food she had bought for me, her taking care of me when I'm injured or sick... that was all fake? Before I allowed Rosie to leave, I asked her one last question. "How long?"

"How long, what?" Rosie wiped the tears off her cheek.

"How long have you been hiding this from me?"

Rosie stood for another painful silence. It was the single most agonising wait in my entire life. Why did I ask that question? What good does that bring me? But it was too late, Rosie then gave me the answer to my question. "Since last year." As she said that, she walked away, leaving a heartbroken soul. "I'm sorry. But please, leave us alone." was her final words to me.

#

The bus stop was almost dead empty. The wind gave a ghastly moan, dried leaves crawled across the solid floor before cracking and splitting themselves. A single car with its yellow headlights stopped by and picked up Aaron and Rosie, who had just finished their long, deep kiss with each other. Once the car had left with the two, I was the only one left at the bus stop. 

I sat on the bench and tried to process what just happened. I was humiliated in class, failed to contribute to the volleyball game, cried in front of the whole class, and now, losing my girlfriend, Rosie to Aaron.

My grandmama always said to force a smile, even when things seem dire. And so I did. I smiled it through. I smiled as hard as I can until my cheeks were about to burst. I nodded at the fact that the day had just ended, and all I need to do now is to sleep and return to a normal day of school tomorrow. "Today's a good day..." I said out loud, nearly crying. "Everything's fine... Don't worry... Everything will be all okay... Don't cry," I told myself.

I sniffed and wiped the waterfall amount of tears off my face and gave myself a few slaps to the face. "I will be King," I said. "I will have control! I will be number one! I will be better than him! I will rule the school!"

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ORCHID

ORCHID


ACKOON
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