Love Life At School (Chapter Thirty Five)

Selina walked up to Jiro’s desk.

“Jiro, tell me the truth. Is it true about what Arron had said just now?” Selina asked him, a little feared of what he might answer.

“No…Selina…I can explain…I…I…” Jiro hesitated. He was thinking pensively about the saddening words that Arron said to him. Perhaps, he wasn’t even paying attention to Selina. His nervousness and unconvincing words made Selina assume that Jiro was guilty.

“Jiro, how could you do that to me? I thought I could trust you for the rest of my life. But, you proved it wrong. How could you let me down like that?” Selina exclaimed. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and her eyes were sore.

The truth is, she wasn’t crying for the fact that Jiro has betrayed her. But, she cried for the fact that she sacrificed a lot for him. Especially, Arron. She has liked Arron since the beginning but she knew that Arron would never take her as a girlfriend. Selina didn’t intend to give up Arron. However, she realized that Jiro liked her and he might be the one who can make her happy. But, she just couldn’t deem that Jiro will be disloyal to her.

“Selina…”

First, Arron. Now, Selina. He quickly ran out of the room, unbearably.

Yes, Jiro does believe that he wasn’t guilty. But, he just couldn’t take it if any other people, especially his classmates, criticize about him right in front of him. Of course, Jiro could convince them that he wasn’t culpable. Expect, that moment he didn’t have the guts to do that.

Selina walked out of the room, disappointed.

“What just happened? Hebe, do you know anything?” Calvin asked Hebe, assuming at Arron and Hebe are back together.

Hebe just stared at Calvin, speechless. She evidently heard what Jiro whispered to Arron as she was sitting behind of Jiro. And, she somewhat understood the reason for Arron’s reaction. But, she believed that it wasn’t Jiro’s fault either. Besides, she had the feeling that Jiro was innocent. Hebe pitied Jiro. And so, she decided to talk to him about it to clear things up for him.

Hebe stood up and walked out of the classroom, without replying a single word to Calvin.

Calvin, on the other hand, thought that Hebe wouldn't talk to him because of the incident happened a few weeks ago. He stared at Angela and Angela stared at Wu Chun and Ella, hoping that they knew something.

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After a long search, Hebe managed to find Jiro at the field. He was sitting down on the grass and staring at the clear, blue sky.

“Jiro, are you ok?” Hebe asked, sounding a little worried. She crouched down beside him. Jiro’s eyes welled up with tears. He was crying, to be clear.

“Oh, Hebe. What are you doing here?” Jiro quickly wiped his tears before Hebe sees him crying.

“Come on, Jiro. Tell me. Are you ok?” Hebe asked Jiro again as gentle as possible. She sort of understands Jiro’s feelings. It was rather shocking for Jiro when Arron spoke to him in that way, especially when Arron’s the only one he has other that Selina.

“I’m ok, Hebe…” Jiro replied, cheerless.

“Are you sure? You don’t sound ok…You know, you can tell me anything you have in mind now. I don’t mind.”

“No, Hebe. I’m ok...”

“Jiro, I know that you’re not guilty. Arron acted that way just because he was depressed…”

“Depressed over what?” Jiro questioned Hebe, hoping for a reasonable answer but Hebe just kept quiet.

Jiro stared at Hebe and in a flash, he knew why.

“But… why… why was he involving…some girl… in the matter…? I didn’t even do any wrong. I only loved Selina and I will always love her with all my heart. Arron knew that. So, why did he say such things about me? Why? Why?...”

Hebe grasped his hand. “Jiro, stop stressing yourself. I believe you, ok? I know that you wouldn’t do such thing. Well, I had the feeling that you won’t. As I said, Arron’s depressed. It’s better to not to disturb him for a while…”

“Is it because of you?” Jiro asked her straight forwardly. Hebe looked at him, surprised. Jiro, himself was surprised too, because he had no idea why he had asked her such question.

Both of them stared at each other, speechless. After a long pause…

“You know what? Let’s just head back to class before teacher enters…” … Jiro.

“Ya, we better go…”

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Arron splashed some water on his face. He breathed heavily while looking at himself through the boy’s toilet mirror.

He seriously couldn’t take it anymore. Hebe. Hebe. Hebe. That’s all he could think of. He couldn’t get her name out of his mind.

He kicked wastepaper basket on the tiled floor and fisted the mirror aggressively.
‘Why?! Why am I like this?! I yelled at my best friend like a moron and insulted my best friend in front of the whole class just now. Why did I behave like that?! Is it because of Hebe? Is it because of her rejection? Oh, I DON’T KNOW!’ He thought while clenching his teeth, feeling angry towards himself.

He needed to solve this matter once and for all. But what could he do? He didn’t want to lose Hebe, the girl of his life. His destiny. But, it was all over. However, He couldn’t just forget about her as he loves her. Now, he’s in a situation which he most probably loses his best friend, Jiro who had always looked out for him every time.

There’s only one thing to do. He needs to apologize to Jiro and tell the whole class about what he said wasn’t true, even though the whole thing might be true. But, he trusts that his best friend wouldn’t do such thing. Jiro is ‘Jiro’ after all.

Arron walked out of the boy’s toilet.

“Arron?” …Selina. “Arron, Did Jiro really…”

“I’m sorry, Selina. I can’t talk right now.” Arron said abruptly and quickly walked to his classroom.

Selina heaved a sigh. She needed to know the ‘real’ truth from Arron.

Selina followed Arron to the classroom.

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“Eh Chun, Ella, What’s up with those four?” Calvin asked nervously, hoping that those two will answer him. Besides, he wasn't even sure whether he's right about asking them because they haven't forgive him about the whole Angela-got-beaten-up thing.

“Err… We also don’t know what happened… But, Arron. Arron recently broke up with Hebe.” Chun replied.

"Yeah..."... Calvin.

“WHAT?! But how?! Why?! How come I didn't know that?” ...Angela.

"Err... You were in the hospital. So, we didn't get to tell you..."

"CALVIN, YOU KNEW… AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME?!"

Calvin thought he better shut up. If Chun and Ella know about him with Angela in the hospital, it'll be the end of the world.

Wu Chun and Ella were already puzzled. ‘Why would Calvin want to tell Angela about Arron and Hebe? Do they have any relationship together? Angela doesn’t seem to be angry with Calvin about what happened to her. That might be because Angela likes him. But, Calvin never liked Angela. He only likes Hebe. So, it’s impossible for them to be together. But… But it certainly looks like there’s something going on between Calvin and Angela… Oh well, if Angela isn't angry with Calvin about the whole incident, so we don't have a reason to be, right?...’

After a long silence, "Yeah...ok... About Arron. He had tried many things to get Hebe back. But, he didn't succeed. But, he ain't gonna give up on Hebe and he'll keep on trying to get her back, that's for sure..." Ella quickly made a move.
“Never mind about that. Calvin... where have YOU been for the last two weeks? Had you put up a disappearing act or something?” Chun asked suspiciously.

Calvin looked at Angela. After a long silence… “Erm… I was… I was… sick… Yeah, I was sick. That’s it. Sick.” Calvin replied anxiously.

‘Why isn’t Calvin telling the truth to Chun and Ella?’ Angela thought, confused. ‘But he does look like he’s up to something. Well, I guess I should ask him privately.’ Somewhat, she felt disappointed of Calvin.

“Oh, really?” Ella raised her right eyebrow and smirked at Calvin. Her eyes scanned Calvin, then Angela and then Calvin again.

“Ella…Err…Why are you staring at me like that?” Calvin replied, once again feeling anxious.

“Oh, nothing…” Ella muttered.

“Ok… Hey! There’s Jiro and Hebe.” Calvin said, when he spotted Jiro and Hebe entering the classroom.

“And there’s Arron…” …Chun.

“And Selina.” …Ella.

“Hey, wait. What are Jiro and Hebe doing?”

-brenda, co-written with ratana-