39

My thoughts disappeared as my stomach churned. I left the food on their table too. Instead of going back there, I chose to stay in the park. I’ll just endure the hunger and eat later, I don’t have class after break time. I hope they don’t have it.

I’m in the same spot where I was before. There are many people walking in the park and there are also many people hanging around. After just a few minutes, I was immediately bored. Maybe I’ll just wander around the whole school.

I remember them a lot. They have a big group, maybe happy to wander around because they have many friends. But their tongues are too thick so maybe I’d rather be alone.

I stopped at the business department. I saw some students happily joking outside their room. It’s sad to think that while other students are making memories in college life, here I am, without a single friend. The only memories I have are of being with Wilder. That’s enough for me. I’m also an only child so I’m used to being alone. Even in Bicol, I don’t have many friends.

Some male students pass by and say hi to me. The others came even closer to say hello to me. It’s good that the people here in the business department are kind. Another girl also said hi to me. I smiled at them. Maybe they don’t know me as a nerd. It’s not like in our department where changing my style is such a big deal.

“What are you doing here?” I turned around at my back to see who it is. “Hades!” I said kind of surprised that he is the one that I saw.

He didn’t speak so I continued to speak. “W-nothing, just passed by.”

“It’s break time. You should be eating.” He said seriously. He is not the friendly Hade’s who sat before. Did he and Hera fight because of that? Wait, are they with Hera?

If they are suitable, they are both Greek goddesses named after each other. The same starts with H.

“I’m not always hungry so it’s okay.” I answered him. He looked me over from head to toe.

“You’ve changed.” I don’t know if what I saw happened but it felt like it.

“Ah Yes… It’s about what happened on Friday… I’m sorry because you and Hera still had a fight…” I calmly said.

He just stared at me. “I don’t know that you start clubbing now.” He said without emotion. Its like he keeps his cool. “Ah.. how did you know—”

“If someone bullies you for being who you are, it doesn’t mean that you need to change.” He said while looking intelligently at my eyes. He said ‘change’ with emphasis as if he was conveying something.

“You’re gone for almost 3 days in school and you come back looking like a…” He didn’t finish what he had to say. It still folds. Hi

Like what?

“Like what? Why don’t I continue?” I have a serious question here. “Like a slut.” There! He said it.

What’s wrong with him and I changed myself? This is who I am now. The old Fertine is gone. He will never come back!

I sighed deeply. “Who are you to say that to me? I just met you when you sat at the table in the park.”

Even though I wanted to yell at him for what he said, I couldn’t. I need to get my shit together.

I’m not the one who used to be bullied because of my looks and I like that! People accept me because I’m new! If before I was hated because of what I was wearing, now other men worship me because I dress well.

“Its not that bad to change but you put too much change in yourself to the point that even your lifestyle is affecting you. You go on bars every night and drink and dance together with dirty preys. You even like the attention of being the apple of their eyes. No you don’t like it you crave mens attention.” He said while clenching his jaw. Now I am right in what I saw.

“You don’t belong in my place, Hades. You’ve never been bullied in your whole life because you’re neat and good-looking, you also live a luxurious life so you’re not a temptation!” I finally screamed.

Honestly, yes I like it. But there is only one man I want to impress. He is the reason why I changed.

I change my self so I can fit into his world.

How dare he say that word to me? We are not related! He is not my brother and especially my father! He doesn’t have a right to tell me what to do!

I’m sure we’re getting attention now because we’re right in front of their department.

“So what if I changed? Let me tell you this… You have no right to tell me that because I don’t know what you are. You are not in the place to lecture me. Keep your opinions to your self and mind your own business after all you are a business student.

What did I do to him? Did I hurt him when I changed? Did I do something wrong to him when I changed?

I walked out of there. Yes. Many people watched what happened. It’s embarrassing. But for once I feel proud of myself. I was able to speak. I defended myself. I didn’t just keep quiet.

After a week everything was back to normal. I never met Hades again and never attempted to return to the business department.

There was a lot of discussion because of our answer, but that disappeared immediately because Wilder and I were the talk of the students.

It started when we were always seen together, including at lunch, when my partner ate when he had nothing to do. Even when we go home we are together.

Many are curious but I don’t answer any of their questions. Even Wilder.

Earlier we had an answer because he wanted to make us official in the eyes of the people. He said he didn’t want anyone else hanging around me. Yes. Many people approach men who want to flirt.