Chapter Fifteen

< Nina >

I think my eye is getting better. Looking closely at the bruise, it used to be bluish-dark color but now the discoloration becomes lighter, like yellowish-green.

It still looks hideous but thanks to the topical arnica gel and of course, the occasional placement of the ice bag, I think within two or three days my eye is fully healed.

Just as the bruises in my body.

Looking at my stomach, waist, and wrists, I’m happy to say that they are no longer visible now. It would be a problem if Yu starts questioning my preference for oversized hoodies.

I start dressing up in my new uniform to see if it doesn’t look too big or too small for me. First I put on the light blue dress shirt. I was at first worried if it’s too loose on me (that makes me look like a child) or too tight (I’d rather not get attention) but thankfully, it fits right on me.

From what I’ve been told, Rodrigo and my mom were the ones who picked the size for my uniform.

Then I slip the blue and white plaid pleated skirt up to my waist and I gulp. I don’t usually wear skirts and for some strange reason, this skirt reaches till my thighs. I have to remind myself after school to buy some shorts or bloomers.

Finally, I clothed myself with the comfort of the blue navy blazer. The clothing feels thick and I like how it makes me warm, knowing the cold temperature outside.

And when I look at myself, I smile. The uniform feels right.

It is definitely my first time wearing one, after all. And this will only be for one year.

I just hope that this new school is different from Liberty High, my old school. All my life there, I’ve been mocked, bullied and if there were chances’, they could hit me.

But Gene had it worse.

Speaking of Gene, I think this is his first day in school without me around. But I swear to myself that as soon as I get the chance, I’ll definitely call him with Yu’s phone.

While I am still in my deep thoughts, the bathroom door swiftly opens and Luca comes inside. He immediately stops midway when he realizes that I’m currently occupying the bathroom.

I’ve realized a bit too late that I’d forgotten to lock the door. Moreover, I didn’t expect him to be this early at 6AM.

I should be careful from now on.

“Shit, I forgot you live here,” he mumbles then he yawns a bit before heading to get the toothbrush in the cabinet sink.

He doesn’t look bothered with me next to him as he starts pouring the right amount of toothpaste on his brush.

I peeped at him. What came to my eyes was his unruly golden-brown hair. The dark grey striped pajamas fit his perfect frame, with two buttons undone, revealing his sleek collarbone.

Then, as if he was aware of my eyes, he suddenly turned his head to me. It startled me.

“Uh…” I start but I look down, instinctively.

“You know,” he says in between brushes. “You should stop doing that.”

“D-doing what?”

“Like now.” He then spits on the sink. “You’re making it seem like I could kill a dog.”

With that, I shake my head. “I’m sorry.”

“Another thing, stop apologizing when you—you know what? Don’t apologize for anything at all.”

“S-sorry,” I stop when he shoots me a glare which I quickly release a squeaky “eep” before I nod, feverishly. “Okay, got it.”

He rubs his temples as he sighs. “Now, go get your breakfast, I’ll be there soon.”

“Are we eating breakfast together again?”

He glances at me, with a scornful look and I immediately take that hint that I should do as he says.

<<<>>>

Eating breakfast with my future stepbrother is not what I expected.

If you think that our first meeting was awkward, it is even worse during breakfast. My future stepbrother doesn’t say anything as he focuses on the laptop next to his cup of Americano (I can immediately tell based on the scent), a slice of bread with a marmalade topping, and a small bowl of cereal.

Mine that he prepared for me is just a grilled cheese sandwich, some grapes, and lettuce. I think he is considering my taste based on my upbringing.

Anyway, we continue to eat in silence and when the phone buzz inside the pocket of my skirt, I look to see Yu’s face with a message below:

‘Good luck with school today, kid. Sorry, I won’t be there to drop you off if it weren’t for your damn roommate giving me a shitload of paperwork.’

With that, I smile a bit and reply: ‘It’s okay, Yu. I can go there by myself.’

Then a quick response. I blink then read his message. My eyes widen a bit.

‘What are you talking about? Luca is going to do it in my stead.’

“What?” I look at Luca who in return stares curiously at my reaction. “You’re going to drop me at school?”

“Yeah, so?”

That’s when I feel really flustered.

“It’s just a few blocks away. I can go there by myself. I mean I don’t want to be a burden to you.”

“Nina.”

“I m-mean, you let me stay here for a year, it’s good enough for me to go—”

“No, I—”

“—you don’t need to because I can do it m-myself. I mean I—”

“Nina,” this time he repeated with a firm tone as he suddenly grabbed my hand. At the moment, when his warm hand, firm yet gentle, was placed on mine, I felt myself flustered.

Maybe at first because I was frantically explaining ways to avoid any inconvenience and awkwardness.

But another reason is that his touch ignites another fuzzy feeling that is hard to describe.

After realizing what he had done, he abruptly removes his hand from mine and coughs. “Would you rather have Yu drop you off every day?”

“No, of c-course not!” I shake my head, reassuring him. “What I mean is that I p-prefer to go to school alone. It has been like this all of my life in Freedomville.”

A skeptical look crosses his face. Then without a word proceeds to go back to his laptop.

I sure hope that’s a sign of approval because the more we interact, the worse it becomes. I gulp, then I stand up. “I’m going to school now.”

He just nods in approval.

My satchel backpack is already neatly placed on top of the shoe rack. And before I touch the doorknob, I turn to look at him whose attention is still on his work.

Maybe it’s best to leave him be. After all, he’s just doing his best to be my guardian until I graduate.

And as I close the door, a part of me wishes that he could at least say “take care.”

But that is just a selfish wish.

<<<>>>

I know that Dawn Peak Academy is different from any high school in the US. But I didn’t expect this to happen. As soon as I entered the school, my new teacher requested me to stay outside for a while to do a roll call. Then afterward, he calls me to get in and asks me to introduce myself as the transfer student.

I bite my lower lip, my hands are sweating, their eyes are in my direction.

“Well, Miss Caulfield, please go ahead and introduce yourself,” my teacher says, who looks a bit like Mr. Roacher with a lot of hair.

What should I do? I didn’t expect this to be a thing in this school!

So ignoring my inner turmoil-filled anxiety, I just fake it with a smile and start introducing myself.

“My name is Nina Caulfield.”

I hope I gave a good impression.

After all, this is a new chapter of my life.

It will be the start of my peaceful final year here in Dawn Peak Academy.

Right?

Just when I was trying to smile at everyone, I suddenly felt a gaze focused on me. It made me shiver. I wanted to find the owner of the gaze. But it disappeared. Was it just my illusion?