MISERABLE AT BEST

g silence mean nothin

connect the bridge of his nose as he leaned on the back

sweat as he went inside the room. I could almost taste

t shower is?" I

here?" He grinned. He unzipped his backpack, and

ing in the last row. Zack's Adam's apple bobbed as he gulped the cold water. He didn't remove his gaze

him. He clutched it and smelled the vanilla fragranc

ng my arms on the table. I heard Zac

knowing that Aae was on the other side of the wall, and we were living i

silence for a minute before we finally re

he silence between us bothered me. I wanted to start a conversation but was tongue-tied

thing is going on between us. There's nothing going on, yet gossip can create different stories. But Tita Annly

ally starts around five in the morning and Aae is too early for that considering o

m a morning person too, b

asked which made me back to my se

not yet done. I don't know how to solve them," I

me?" he replied. "Yo

late, and I don't want to disturb you. Kindly get m

nytime you want." That was the last wor

ng recess to share

aid you'll be taking the quiz tomorrow," Gab said.

my mouth. I looked at my watch and realized I sle

plained. "Zack told me not to wake you up, so I didn't," she said without look

," I panicked. I unzipped my backpack to f

omplicated ones. Feel free to answer the rest."

Gab, stop biting your nails," I exclaimed

ed." Gab

ve this if y

ed as she pretended to read books, though I kno

ck. I hate n

?" I muttered. Maybe,

nswered the complicated problems, though I still couldn't form a smile knowing I don't know how to solve th

. I need a tutor. Wh

r references and realized he never jotted down. Gab taught me some of th

Zacky! Whe

he cafeteria hoping to find a 6-foot t

is Wednesday, so he'd be sharing meals with the boys." She

he enumerated the dishes on the m

ng," I

of the boys in our class, bu

lazing with heat rays. Are they insane? The

eal for the day. Gab picked some chocolates on our way out of the

ere not paying attention. They were giggling, and

teria, while the freshies and sophies stayed on the second floor. It was the rule made by the school to mainta

in embarrassment and h

l make money if I sell

lied. "Let's divide the money. Wh

" she

someone wi

urveying me befo

u're thinkin

d. "I'm not

ot of people have been telling us that we look good together. But then, I don'

able before stopping to meet Chad's flashy stare. Aae was sitti

been my classmate since first grade. We're close enough for

. Lauv is the pretty girl from St.

ied. "But, you are not sure if

hed. "Fine, you guys are just best friends since seventh-grade."

ck. The long table at the side corner of the cafeteria had be

No crowded hallways when boys were walking, no noise, no drama, no bitching, no fan clubs, just us silently admiring the boys of their choice. Sa

they are just best fr

s said in chorus, w

o join them? Ah, yeah, she was the presid

m. How about you guys tea

at hurts!" A baritone voice made me turn. Zack's veins were popp

wearing his uniform except for his vest. Zack hated we

look for you," I r

s - oh! I don't have that so I'll teach you later.

" I re

ed before eating his curry -

oing to our table. The boys started tea

n class. I felt alive again as the coldn

towards the water. He was the one who taught me how to swim and invested effort for me to become a swimmer. At first, I thought I enjoyed it beca

he thing that kills yo

oke and condition first. Don't push yourself. If something happens, you have to tell me, okay?" He tapped my shoulder

it?" I utter

suffering from trauma, my therapist allowed me to go back to swimming

yourself. I believe in you." Coach Chris gave me

ach. Tha

he good-to-go foods I could eat during dinner. I might eat loaf, fruits, or salads becau

-

torian house welcomed me. The house scared me the first

It suited him very well. I imagined him f

room on the way to my room. Aae occupied the first room next to the stairs, and I stayed next d

uld I a

ate? What good would it do wh

od on the table. If only it's not something I wa

k black coffee because I need something

t mad if I play

oom where I could freely do anyt

e to teach me because of football training. They're putting a lot of press

u're classmates. Wha

th

er I look at him,