The spring sun reached its highest point in the clear blue sky. Its bright light burned the earth. The swallows sang and danced with the song of warm breeze from the ocean.
Veronica stirred her ice tea. The bumping voice of the ice on it broke the silent on her long waiting. She had already been in this coffee shop for around 15 minutes. She and her fiancé had a date this Saturday morning at 10 AM. It was almost 10:20 AM and he still didn’t show up.
Evans always made her waiting. He was always busy with his club activity, his student council works, his study, and also his parent high expectations. She was also a member of their student council but she was not as busy as him. Well, Evans was too kind. He was always wiling to help anyone.
Veronica smiled. Yes, that is her fiancé, her nice and gentle fiancé.
As Veronica stared at her engagement ring, she counted for how many years they had been engaged. Evans had asked for her hand when she had still been in 5th grade Elementary School and he had been in the 1st grade of Junior High School. Now they were in their High School. After Evans finished his bachelor, they would marry and lived happily ever after.
Veronica smiled in happiness.
“Hi, Daydreamer Princess,” someone put his hand on Veronica’s shoulder.
Veronica grabbed her bag to slap that person.
Evans caught Veronica’s bag.
“You are late,” Veronica complained as Evans sat in front of her.
“Sorry, I overslept,” Evans apologized. He raised his hand to call a servant to make his order.
“Don’t tell me you played computer games until morning.”
Evans gave Veronica his innocent smile.
“I can’t imagine what will your parent said about their beloved nice son,” Veronica wasn’t happy about Evans’s frankness.
“You won’t tell them,” Evans was happy with the fact, “I know you.”
A servant came to take Evans’s order.
“One cup of hot cappuccino, please,” Evans made his order.
“Yes, sir,” the servant wrote Evans’s order and left.
“You should treat me as your punishment!” Veronica decided.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Evans smiled as he watched Veronica’s satisfied face.
“Then, we will start from the park and then to the movie theater.”
Evans listened to Veronica’s plan.
“Look, that’s Evans Kopf!”
Maribel looked at the direction her friend pointed at. A tall boy came out from the coffee shop in the other side of the road. For a moment, their eyes met. Maribel’s heart was pounding fast. Maribel watched that boy stepped away to make a way for someone.
“What are you happy for?” asked the other girl, “He must not be alone.” And when a girl came out, she proudly proclaimed, “See!”
Maribel stared at the girl to whom Evans happily talked to. She was eager to know who were that Evans boy and the girl who hided her right cheek with her brownish long hair.
“Who is Evans?” Maribel couldn’t move her eyes from that couple.
“Maribel, don’t you know him!?” her friend asked in unbelief, “He is very famous at our school.”
“Maribel has just been transferred to our school for a week,” the other girl made an excuse for Maribel, “How would you suppose her to know him?”
“I knew everything about Evans in my first day.”
“That because you are in the same class as Veronica Suffolk!”
“Who is Veronica?”
“Do you see the girl on Evans’s side?” the girl pointed at the couple which had already been far, “She is Veronica.”
“Don’t just look at her cute face. In fact, she is a monster! Her face was burned when she was 3 years old. I heard Evans caused that terrible accident but I believe it’s just Veronica’s excuse to impose Evans.”
“Yes, that’s right. Veronica’s parent is very rich. It’s just a piece of cake for them to find a plastic surgery specialist.”
“Poor Evans… Veronica and her family must have force him to take the responsibility of Veronica’s face. They forced him to marry Veronica. I heard they will marry after Evans graduates this year.”
“Why don’t any of you stop her?” asked Maribel.
“How do you suppose us to stop her!? She is a terrible monster! Just because her parent is very rich and Evans is her fiancé, she becomes arrogant.”
“Believe me, she is not the kind of girl you want to make a friend with,” the other girl agreed.
Maribel looked the couple turned to the city park, “I’ll talk to her,” she made up her mind.
Veronica walked through the sport field with a high pile of papers her Math teacher asked her to hand it out to her classmate. She had just met the student council advisor discussing their school trip next month. It was when she had been going to leave the teacher office when her Math teacher had called her.
A group of Veronica’s girl classmates walked toward her.
Veronica stopped – waited for them and as they approached, she asked, “Would you mind to give…”
Those girls stared at Veronica and walked away as if she wasn’t there.
Veronica stood in silence. The Math teacher asked her. It was her duty; she told herself and continued walking to her classroom.
Just like those girls, no one helped her when she opened the door with difficulties. No one took over those heavy piles of papers. No one paid attention when she said, “This is Math handout. It contains the summary next test and homework to be submitted on the test date. I put it here. Please take it by yourself.”
Veronica took one sheet for herself and returned to her desk. As she realized no one moved to take those handouts, she made a decision. Veronica went to the blackboard and wrote what she had just said in a big and clear letters. Then she took the pile again and handed it out to each desk – cared nothing what would they do with the paper the monster girl they feared had just touched. Just as Veronica handed the last sheet, someone approached her.
“I need to talk to you!” that stranger girl said with a glowering look.
Veronica wondered. Did she know this girl? Did she ever hurt this girl? Why was this girl angry?
“I am terribly sorry. Did we ever meet before?” Veronica asked politely.
“Stop it!” that girl yelled.
“I beg you pardon,” Veronica puzzled, “I am just doing my duty handing these handouts out to each student.”
“Stop pretending! You know what I mean!”
Veronica could not remember any of her attitudes that have already crossed this girl. Veronica looked at some girls at the entrance. Could it be one of those girls?
“I am terribly sorry,” Veronica apologized, “I can’t recall I ever hurt neither you nor you friends. If I did, I deeply apologize. I never hurt the others intentionally.”
“You did! You used your monster face to impose Evans!”
Veronica shocked. She covered his right face firmly.
“Don’t you think we don’t know!” that girl kept yelling at Veronica, “You used Evans’s guilt to control him. You are not better than a monster!”
‘Monster!’
‘Monster!’
A group of boys had teased her. In the other side a group of girls had been frightened into crying.
“Don’t you think I’ll let you keep taking advantages from Evans, you half-faced monster!”
“Stop,” Veronica whispered painfully, “Stop it…”
Those painful memories flew like a river.
‘Monster! Monster! Monster!’
The shrill voice of school bell woke Veronica from her bad dream. This girl must be one of Evans’s fans. She wasn’t the 1st girl felt in love with Evans. However, she was the first to haul her over the coals.
In a calm voice, Veronica said, “I beg your pardon. I don’t understand what you are talking about. I had never controlled Evans or forced him into something he doesn’t willing to,” in the same politeness she continued, “The bell has just rang. I suggest you to return to you classroom otherwise you will be punished.”
The girl went through the roof. “I won’t let you go. Remember, I will take Evans away!” she warned before leaved.
“What are you doing here!?” a teacher showed up in the entrance, “Didn’t you hear the bell? Go back to you class,” he yelled that stranger girl, “Quickly!”
“Yes, sir,” she ran away with her friends.
Mr. Pierot walked in. He looked at the blackboard.
Veronica came forward. “I am terribly sorry, Mr. Pierot. I have just used the blackboard to make an important announcement. I will clean it now.”
“No. No. Don’t worry, Veronica. I can clean it by myself,” Mr. Pierot refused, “You can return to your desk.”
“Yes, Mr. Pierot.”
Veronica could feel pairs of suspicious eyes burned her back. She didn’t care. She used to it. She was ok with it. She was not alone anymore. She had Veronica.
That girl was only bragging. She didn’t know them. She didn’t understand Evans. Evans had never been forced into this engagement. It was Evans who had suggested this engagement.
It was true her burned face had been caused by Evans. Nevertheless, Veronica knew it was not the reason Evans purposed her. They had been together since they had been child. They loved each other. It was normal if they wanted to stay together, wasn’t it?
‘I object!’ Veronica remembered her mother anger when they had decided to marry. ‘Look at what he did to you! I will never agree!’
‘You, bitch, how dare you forced my son!’ Evans’s mother had cried, ‘You have the damn money to do the damn operation. If you don’t have, I will give it to you!’
‘I don’t need your damn money!’ Mrs. Suffolk had cried back, ‘Just keep your evil son away from my girl!’
‘You are still young. You have a bright future,’ Mr. Kopf had told his son, ‘Don’t waste your future for nonsense.’
‘That evil boy had burned your face. You don’t know what he will burn next time,’ Mr. Suffolk had warned Veronica.
‘He doesn’t love you!’ Mrs. Suffolk had warned her only child, ‘He only wants to tease you!’
No, it was not true. Their parents objected their engagement. Although no one supported them, Evans still took her hand. How could one say it was not love?
“Veronica, are you okay?” Evans concerned.
Veronica surprised.
“You don’t look well. You don’t even pay attention to the meeting,” Evans worried. He stretched his hand to touch Veronica’s forehead. “Are you sick?”
How could this caring was not love?
Veronica smiled. How could she questioned Evans’s love? “Don’t worry. I am okay,” Veronica tried to forget her silly worries.
“Don’t force yourself,” Evans advised.
“I won’t,” Veronica promised.
Evans looked at his watch. “It’s almost the time,” he puzzled Veronica, “Sorry, Veronica. I can’t go home with you. I have an appointment.”
“I understand,” Veronica smiled. She grabbed her papers and followed Evans.
For Veronica surprise, the girl showed up in her classroom this noon, stood in the entrance of Student Council Meeting Room.
“Hi, Evans. I am waiting for you,” she called Evans.
“Why are you here? Didn’t we agree to meet at the library after my meeting?”
“Aren’t you happy?” the girl held Evans’s arm friendly, “I am afraid you forget you promise.”
Veronica looked at them in wonder. Did they know each other?
“Sorry, Veronica. I have to leave now.”
“Ok,” Veronica forced herself not to be jealous. This girl was not the first girl acted like this. She was not the first ignoring her.
“Let’s go, Maribel.”
That Maribel girl gave Veronica her victory smile and followed Evans.
Veronica tried her best not to doubt Evans. She had decided to believe Evans. She won’t question their appointment. Maribel must have a problem.
Veronica stopped herself questioning Evans and Maribel’s relationship hardly as she walked to the Teacher Office. She forcefully changed her though to what should she say to Mr. Pam, the advisor of Student Council, about the result of their meeting.
“Excuse me,” Veronica knocked the door and opened it quietly.
Mr. Pam wasn’t there.
Veronica turned her back.
“Veronica, you come in the right time.”
Veronica surprised. “Is there anything I could do for you, Mr. Pierot?” she asked politely.
“This girl needs a miracle.”
Veronica looked at the girl stood in front of Mr. Pierot. She looked so pale as if she had just seen a ghost.
Veronica approached them.
“Take a look at this!” Mr. Pierot pointed the empty test answer in his table, “This is not the fist time! She never submits her homework. She also never does her test. I never see such a useless student. What the hell she did during my classes? How could this school accept such a stupid student? Did you use your body instead of your lame brain to get in!?”
The girl was ready to burst into tears.
“Mr. Pierot,” Veronica calmed that Physics teacher, “If you don’t mind, let me handle this for you.”
Mr. Pierot was happy for that offering. “I know I can trust you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Pierot,” Veronica smiled, “If you excuse us, I would like to take her to the library.”
“Go ahead. Take her to the library, to the hell, to everywhere you like. Just make sure I won’t see this again.”
“I promised,” and Veronica held that girl’s hand. “Let’s go.”
Once Veronica closed the door, that girl slapped Veronica’s hand.
“I don’t need your pity!” she said angrily.
“Let’s talk in the other place,” Veronica walked away.
“Don’t you think because you have Evans and rich parent, you can do anything you like!”
Veronica stopped. She squeezed her hand tightly, tried not to let her pain torn herself. “You may hate me. However, you must remember Mr. Pierot won’t let you go that easily.”
“Do you think I care?” she said sarcastically, “You are not the one can help me!”
Veronica heard the girl’s step.
“What an arrogant girl,” she grumbled as she walked away.
“Again,” Veronica whispered painfully.
The girl’s step was fading away.
“You made the choice,” Veronica leaved.
That was Veronica had said few minutes ago. However, now she sat in front of Student Council’s computer – checking for that girl’s personal information.
Veronica looked at herself helplessly. She couldn’t be cured. She had been infected by Evans’s kindness and it was getting worse. She couldn’t keep her nose away from one’s business once she learnt one’s problem. No matter what happened, she always did her best to help.
If only she was Evans…
Evans was kind. Everyone liked him. Everyone wanted to be his friend. He never refused one’s begging.
The cried of swallows alarmed Veronica of the time.
Veronica printed the girl’s data, turned off the computer, grabbed her bag, locked the Student Council Room, and went home hurriedly.
As she passed the library, Veronica saw Evans was still talking to Maribel. She walked away in disappointment.
She had chosen this High School just to be with Evans. However they almost never had a chance to be together. Their buildings were separated by the 2nd year’s building and sport fields. Besides, Evans was always busy even after school and Veronica couldn’t wait for him. It was impossible, too, for them to walk side by side to school, a dream that Veronica always had secretly. Their only date was on every Saturday morning.
Veronica hoped they could be like the normal couple.
“Where have you been!?” Mrs. Suffolk barked as Veronica opened the door. “Did you go out with that damn boy!?”
“No, Mom,” Veronica looked at her mother’s angry face. It was impossible, wasn’t it?
“Don’t you ever dare to go with him!” she kept barking at Veronica. “You are lucky. That High School has a better rank than your old college. If you dare to meet him, I will force you to study abroad. I will do anything, if necessary.”
“Mom,” Veronica begged, “I am tired. Could I return to my room? I need some rest before start studying.”
“That’s why I don’t like you hanging around after school. After you finish your Student Council duty, go home directly! Remember you shall keep your performance. Your father won’t be happy if you lost your first rank.”
“My dear Mother,” Veronica smiled, “I understand. I won’t disappoint you. Now, may I leave?”
“Go take a rest,” at least she let Veronica go, “Don’t wait for us. I have an appointment tonight and your father has a meeting in Europe. I will tell a servant to deliver you dinner to your room. Just concentrate on your study.”
“Yes, Mom,” Veronica said before leaving. She would not wait for her mother speech. There was no end once she was talking.
Veronica locked herself on her room. There was no picture of Evans in her room or in her purse just like the normal couple. Her parent didn’t like him just like Evans’s parent hated her.
They had used to be family friends. Both of the family business had used to be collaborating. Now they were neither friend nor enemy.
‘It’s you son’s fault!’ Mrs. Suffolk had blamed.
‘NO! NO! NO! It was not Evans’s fault. It was not anyone’s fault. It was an accident – only AN ACCIDENT!!!’ Veronica’s heart cried. She didn’t want to remember that horrific day.
Since the horrible day, their parents never let them meet each other. They had ever planned to espouse them now they tried to separate them.
Veronica’s parent had put her in an all-girl college since elementary school. They wanted her to finish her High School there then study abroad. They controlled her life. However they couldn’t stop her meeting Evans. They might control Veronica’s call but they couldn’t control Veronica’s internet access.
Thanks to the internet, now Veronica could go to Evans’s high school. Veronica had registered herself to the high school. Veronica had checked the school’s rank on net to persuade her parents.
Her parent loved her so much that they were afraid to lose her. She had ever run away in the first year after the horrific accident. Her parent had forced her to take the plastic surgery but Veronica had not want to. She had keen to meet Evans but her parent had assigned some bodyguard to protect her. It was during her runaway that she had been kidnapped. It was because of the runaway that her parents closed one of their eyes. They never forced her to take the surgery. They pretended they didn’t know her relationship with Evans.
As for Evans’s family, Veronica realized they wouldn’t harm her to prevent her meeting Evans. Their business had a long collaboration business. They would not do anything stupid just to stop her. The prize was too high.
Veronica took her Physics notebook and a pile of empty papers.
“Maybe I shall visit a physiologist,” she told herself and started writing.
“Evans, I saw you walked side by side with Evans yesterday.”
“Is that true?” the other girl interested.
“Yes,” Maribel proclaimed proudly, “I asked Evans to tell me anything about this school. We talked until late so that Evans offered to take me home.”
“WOW!” they amazed.
“So, what’s your relationship?”
“We are still friend. Believe me, he will be my boyfriend in no time.”
“Aren’t you afraid of Veronica’s bodyguards? My cousins have ever been hurt by her bodyguards when he was small. He got five stitches on his forehead.”
Maribel saw Veronica was walking toward with a bundle of papers.
“Why should I am afraid of her? She is nothing but a monster,” Maribel approached Veronica, “Watch!”
Veronica realized Maribel walked toward. Something in her smile face warned Veronica.
Maribel intentionally hit Veronica.
The papers on Veronica’s arm felt.
“Where is the hell you put your eyes!” Maribel yelled angrily.
Everyone in the corridor looked at them.
“Oh, I am sorry,” Maribel apologized, “You have only one eye.”
They laughed.
Veronica held her cheek.
“WHAT!? Do you want to show us your monster face?” Maribel challenged Veronica, “SHOW IT! C’mon show it! I’m not afraid of your monster face. C’mon! Call you bodyguard if you want to. I’m no afraid.”
Veronica felt her burned cheek beating. The pain tremble her body.
“Oh, you are afraid. You are afraid to show us your monster face.”
The old memories played back. Tear drops burnt Veronica’s eyes.
“Go away!” a boy stood on their side, “You stand in front of my classroom.”
Maribel just walked away. “Evans is mine,” she warned as she passed Veronica, “Don’t forget it!”
Veronica stunned. What had happened between them yesterday? Evans hadn’t call her last night. He hadn’t replied her message, too.
“Are you okay?”
Veronica surprised.
“Your note,” the boy handed the Physics summary she had written for Jane, the girl Mr. Pierot barked at yesterday.
“I-I am fine,” Veronica took the papers, “Thank you.” She leaved.
The boy walked into his class.
“Dan, why do you help her? She is a monster.”
“I don’t care,” replied Dan, “I can’t stand watching someone bullying the others.”
Veronica grabbed her Physics summary tightly. She must forget what Maribel had said. She must believe Evans. Yes, they had faced many difficulties. This was nothing compared to what they had passed. Evans must be very tired yesterday. He would explain it to her. He would chat again with her tonight.
While Veronica was comforting herself, Maribel told her friends proudly, “See, she is nothing. She is just a monster.”
“Maribel, I believe you can get Evans.”
“Of course, I am!”
“Who needs your help!?” Jane throw Veronica’s Physics summary away.
Veronica knew this would happen. “I have already promised Mr. Pierot.”
“I didn’t ask you!”
Veronica picked her note. “I’ll leave it here,” Veronica put it on Jane’s table. “You’ll need it. Just tell me if you need my assistance.”
“Who do you think you are!?” Jane yelled as Veronica leaved.
“Nice! This summary is neat. She hints what kind of problems that killer Mr. Pierot liked,” Jane‘s classmate opened the summary, “No wonder an A-Student. If you don’t want it, I will take it.”
“Who said I don’t want it!?”!?” Jane took it back.
“It must take a long time to write it,” another girl said.
“Who cares?” Jane said, “I didn’t ask her to write this.”
“It seems she is not as bad as the gossip. Do you think so?”
“No,” the other girl didn’t believe, “She forced Evans into marriage. She bribed Mr. Pierot so she always gets A+ on Physics. She bribed the Headmaster to be in Student Council.”
“Yes, it must be her parents influence.”
“Wasn’t she being pointed to replace the previous secretary?”
“Yes, she was. Don’t you think it’s suspicious? No first grade student ever be pointed to held an important position in Student council.”
“Maybe, it is because she is smart,” Jane commented.
“Nonsense! Who can guarantee she didn’t bribe all the teachers?”
“Yeah. Yeah,” the other agreed.
Jane listened as her classmates were talking about Veronica. She looked at Veronica’s neat handwriting. She wondered what kind of girl Veronica was. She had never talked to Veronica until yesterday. She had only heard about her – the famous, smart, and ugly Student council Secretary.
*****Continue to part 2
Veronica stirred her ice tea. The bumping voice of the ice on it broke the silent on her long waiting. She had already been in this coffee shop for around 15 minutes. She and her fiancé had a date this Saturday morning at 10 AM. It was almost 10:20 AM and he still didn’t show up.
Evans always made her waiting. He was always busy with his club activity, his student council works, his study, and also his parent high expectations. She was also a member of their student council but she was not as busy as him. Well, Evans was too kind. He was always wiling to help anyone.
Veronica smiled. Yes, that is her fiancé, her nice and gentle fiancé.
As Veronica stared at her engagement ring, she counted for how many years they had been engaged. Evans had asked for her hand when she had still been in 5th grade Elementary School and he had been in the 1st grade of Junior High School. Now they were in their High School. After Evans finished his bachelor, they would marry and lived happily ever after.
Veronica smiled in happiness.
“Hi, Daydreamer Princess,” someone put his hand on Veronica’s shoulder.
Veronica grabbed her bag to slap that person.
Evans caught Veronica’s bag.
“You are late,” Veronica complained as Evans sat in front of her.
“Sorry, I overslept,” Evans apologized. He raised his hand to call a servant to make his order.
“Don’t tell me you played computer games until morning.”
Evans gave Veronica his innocent smile.
“I can’t imagine what will your parent said about their beloved nice son,” Veronica wasn’t happy about Evans’s frankness.
“You won’t tell them,” Evans was happy with the fact, “I know you.”
A servant came to take Evans’s order.
“One cup of hot cappuccino, please,” Evans made his order.
“Yes, sir,” the servant wrote Evans’s order and left.
“You should treat me as your punishment!” Veronica decided.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Evans smiled as he watched Veronica’s satisfied face.
“Then, we will start from the park and then to the movie theater.”
Evans listened to Veronica’s plan.
“Look, that’s Evans Kopf!”
Maribel looked at the direction her friend pointed at. A tall boy came out from the coffee shop in the other side of the road. For a moment, their eyes met. Maribel’s heart was pounding fast. Maribel watched that boy stepped away to make a way for someone.
“What are you happy for?” asked the other girl, “He must not be alone.” And when a girl came out, she proudly proclaimed, “See!”
Maribel stared at the girl to whom Evans happily talked to. She was eager to know who were that Evans boy and the girl who hided her right cheek with her brownish long hair.
“Who is Evans?” Maribel couldn’t move her eyes from that couple.
“Maribel, don’t you know him!?” her friend asked in unbelief, “He is very famous at our school.”
“Maribel has just been transferred to our school for a week,” the other girl made an excuse for Maribel, “How would you suppose her to know him?”
“I knew everything about Evans in my first day.”
“That because you are in the same class as Veronica Suffolk!”
“Who is Veronica?”
“Do you see the girl on Evans’s side?” the girl pointed at the couple which had already been far, “She is Veronica.”
“Don’t just look at her cute face. In fact, she is a monster! Her face was burned when she was 3 years old. I heard Evans caused that terrible accident but I believe it’s just Veronica’s excuse to impose Evans.”
“Yes, that’s right. Veronica’s parent is very rich. It’s just a piece of cake for them to find a plastic surgery specialist.”
“Poor Evans… Veronica and her family must have force him to take the responsibility of Veronica’s face. They forced him to marry Veronica. I heard they will marry after Evans graduates this year.”
“Why don’t any of you stop her?” asked Maribel.
“How do you suppose us to stop her!? She is a terrible monster! Just because her parent is very rich and Evans is her fiancé, she becomes arrogant.”
“Believe me, she is not the kind of girl you want to make a friend with,” the other girl agreed.
Maribel looked the couple turned to the city park, “I’ll talk to her,” she made up her mind.
Veronica walked through the sport field with a high pile of papers her Math teacher asked her to hand it out to her classmate. She had just met the student council advisor discussing their school trip next month. It was when she had been going to leave the teacher office when her Math teacher had called her.
A group of Veronica’s girl classmates walked toward her.
Veronica stopped – waited for them and as they approached, she asked, “Would you mind to give…”
Those girls stared at Veronica and walked away as if she wasn’t there.
Veronica stood in silence. The Math teacher asked her. It was her duty; she told herself and continued walking to her classroom.
Just like those girls, no one helped her when she opened the door with difficulties. No one took over those heavy piles of papers. No one paid attention when she said, “This is Math handout. It contains the summary next test and homework to be submitted on the test date. I put it here. Please take it by yourself.”
Veronica took one sheet for herself and returned to her desk. As she realized no one moved to take those handouts, she made a decision. Veronica went to the blackboard and wrote what she had just said in a big and clear letters. Then she took the pile again and handed it out to each desk – cared nothing what would they do with the paper the monster girl they feared had just touched. Just as Veronica handed the last sheet, someone approached her.
“I need to talk to you!” that stranger girl said with a glowering look.
Veronica wondered. Did she know this girl? Did she ever hurt this girl? Why was this girl angry?
“I am terribly sorry. Did we ever meet before?” Veronica asked politely.
“Stop it!” that girl yelled.
“I beg you pardon,” Veronica puzzled, “I am just doing my duty handing these handouts out to each student.”
“Stop pretending! You know what I mean!”
Veronica could not remember any of her attitudes that have already crossed this girl. Veronica looked at some girls at the entrance. Could it be one of those girls?
“I am terribly sorry,” Veronica apologized, “I can’t recall I ever hurt neither you nor you friends. If I did, I deeply apologize. I never hurt the others intentionally.”
“You did! You used your monster face to impose Evans!”
Veronica shocked. She covered his right face firmly.
“Don’t you think we don’t know!” that girl kept yelling at Veronica, “You used Evans’s guilt to control him. You are not better than a monster!”
‘Monster!’
‘Monster!’
A group of boys had teased her. In the other side a group of girls had been frightened into crying.
“Don’t you think I’ll let you keep taking advantages from Evans, you half-faced monster!”
“Stop,” Veronica whispered painfully, “Stop it…”
Those painful memories flew like a river.
‘Monster! Monster! Monster!’
The shrill voice of school bell woke Veronica from her bad dream. This girl must be one of Evans’s fans. She wasn’t the 1st girl felt in love with Evans. However, she was the first to haul her over the coals.
In a calm voice, Veronica said, “I beg your pardon. I don’t understand what you are talking about. I had never controlled Evans or forced him into something he doesn’t willing to,” in the same politeness she continued, “The bell has just rang. I suggest you to return to you classroom otherwise you will be punished.”
The girl went through the roof. “I won’t let you go. Remember, I will take Evans away!” she warned before leaved.
“What are you doing here!?” a teacher showed up in the entrance, “Didn’t you hear the bell? Go back to you class,” he yelled that stranger girl, “Quickly!”
“Yes, sir,” she ran away with her friends.
Mr. Pierot walked in. He looked at the blackboard.
Veronica came forward. “I am terribly sorry, Mr. Pierot. I have just used the blackboard to make an important announcement. I will clean it now.”
“No. No. Don’t worry, Veronica. I can clean it by myself,” Mr. Pierot refused, “You can return to your desk.”
“Yes, Mr. Pierot.”
Veronica could feel pairs of suspicious eyes burned her back. She didn’t care. She used to it. She was ok with it. She was not alone anymore. She had Veronica.
That girl was only bragging. She didn’t know them. She didn’t understand Evans. Evans had never been forced into this engagement. It was Evans who had suggested this engagement.
It was true her burned face had been caused by Evans. Nevertheless, Veronica knew it was not the reason Evans purposed her. They had been together since they had been child. They loved each other. It was normal if they wanted to stay together, wasn’t it?
‘I object!’ Veronica remembered her mother anger when they had decided to marry. ‘Look at what he did to you! I will never agree!’
‘You, bitch, how dare you forced my son!’ Evans’s mother had cried, ‘You have the damn money to do the damn operation. If you don’t have, I will give it to you!’
‘I don’t need your damn money!’ Mrs. Suffolk had cried back, ‘Just keep your evil son away from my girl!’
‘You are still young. You have a bright future,’ Mr. Kopf had told his son, ‘Don’t waste your future for nonsense.’
‘That evil boy had burned your face. You don’t know what he will burn next time,’ Mr. Suffolk had warned Veronica.
‘He doesn’t love you!’ Mrs. Suffolk had warned her only child, ‘He only wants to tease you!’
No, it was not true. Their parents objected their engagement. Although no one supported them, Evans still took her hand. How could one say it was not love?
“Veronica, are you okay?” Evans concerned.
Veronica surprised.
“You don’t look well. You don’t even pay attention to the meeting,” Evans worried. He stretched his hand to touch Veronica’s forehead. “Are you sick?”
How could this caring was not love?
Veronica smiled. How could she questioned Evans’s love? “Don’t worry. I am okay,” Veronica tried to forget her silly worries.
“Don’t force yourself,” Evans advised.
“I won’t,” Veronica promised.
Evans looked at his watch. “It’s almost the time,” he puzzled Veronica, “Sorry, Veronica. I can’t go home with you. I have an appointment.”
“I understand,” Veronica smiled. She grabbed her papers and followed Evans.
For Veronica surprise, the girl showed up in her classroom this noon, stood in the entrance of Student Council Meeting Room.
“Hi, Evans. I am waiting for you,” she called Evans.
“Why are you here? Didn’t we agree to meet at the library after my meeting?”
“Aren’t you happy?” the girl held Evans’s arm friendly, “I am afraid you forget you promise.”
Veronica looked at them in wonder. Did they know each other?
“Sorry, Veronica. I have to leave now.”
“Ok,” Veronica forced herself not to be jealous. This girl was not the first girl acted like this. She was not the first ignoring her.
“Let’s go, Maribel.”
That Maribel girl gave Veronica her victory smile and followed Evans.
Veronica tried her best not to doubt Evans. She had decided to believe Evans. She won’t question their appointment. Maribel must have a problem.
Veronica stopped herself questioning Evans and Maribel’s relationship hardly as she walked to the Teacher Office. She forcefully changed her though to what should she say to Mr. Pam, the advisor of Student Council, about the result of their meeting.
“Excuse me,” Veronica knocked the door and opened it quietly.
Mr. Pam wasn’t there.
Veronica turned her back.
“Veronica, you come in the right time.”
Veronica surprised. “Is there anything I could do for you, Mr. Pierot?” she asked politely.
“This girl needs a miracle.”
Veronica looked at the girl stood in front of Mr. Pierot. She looked so pale as if she had just seen a ghost.
Veronica approached them.
“Take a look at this!” Mr. Pierot pointed the empty test answer in his table, “This is not the fist time! She never submits her homework. She also never does her test. I never see such a useless student. What the hell she did during my classes? How could this school accept such a stupid student? Did you use your body instead of your lame brain to get in!?”
The girl was ready to burst into tears.
“Mr. Pierot,” Veronica calmed that Physics teacher, “If you don’t mind, let me handle this for you.”
Mr. Pierot was happy for that offering. “I know I can trust you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Pierot,” Veronica smiled, “If you excuse us, I would like to take her to the library.”
“Go ahead. Take her to the library, to the hell, to everywhere you like. Just make sure I won’t see this again.”
“I promised,” and Veronica held that girl’s hand. “Let’s go.”
Once Veronica closed the door, that girl slapped Veronica’s hand.
“I don’t need your pity!” she said angrily.
“Let’s talk in the other place,” Veronica walked away.
“Don’t you think because you have Evans and rich parent, you can do anything you like!”
Veronica stopped. She squeezed her hand tightly, tried not to let her pain torn herself. “You may hate me. However, you must remember Mr. Pierot won’t let you go that easily.”
“Do you think I care?” she said sarcastically, “You are not the one can help me!”
Veronica heard the girl’s step.
“What an arrogant girl,” she grumbled as she walked away.
“Again,” Veronica whispered painfully.
The girl’s step was fading away.
“You made the choice,” Veronica leaved.
That was Veronica had said few minutes ago. However, now she sat in front of Student Council’s computer – checking for that girl’s personal information.
Veronica looked at herself helplessly. She couldn’t be cured. She had been infected by Evans’s kindness and it was getting worse. She couldn’t keep her nose away from one’s business once she learnt one’s problem. No matter what happened, she always did her best to help.
If only she was Evans…
Evans was kind. Everyone liked him. Everyone wanted to be his friend. He never refused one’s begging.
The cried of swallows alarmed Veronica of the time.
Veronica printed the girl’s data, turned off the computer, grabbed her bag, locked the Student Council Room, and went home hurriedly.
As she passed the library, Veronica saw Evans was still talking to Maribel. She walked away in disappointment.
She had chosen this High School just to be with Evans. However they almost never had a chance to be together. Their buildings were separated by the 2nd year’s building and sport fields. Besides, Evans was always busy even after school and Veronica couldn’t wait for him. It was impossible, too, for them to walk side by side to school, a dream that Veronica always had secretly. Their only date was on every Saturday morning.
Veronica hoped they could be like the normal couple.
“Where have you been!?” Mrs. Suffolk barked as Veronica opened the door. “Did you go out with that damn boy!?”
“No, Mom,” Veronica looked at her mother’s angry face. It was impossible, wasn’t it?
“Don’t you ever dare to go with him!” she kept barking at Veronica. “You are lucky. That High School has a better rank than your old college. If you dare to meet him, I will force you to study abroad. I will do anything, if necessary.”
“Mom,” Veronica begged, “I am tired. Could I return to my room? I need some rest before start studying.”
“That’s why I don’t like you hanging around after school. After you finish your Student Council duty, go home directly! Remember you shall keep your performance. Your father won’t be happy if you lost your first rank.”
“My dear Mother,” Veronica smiled, “I understand. I won’t disappoint you. Now, may I leave?”
“Go take a rest,” at least she let Veronica go, “Don’t wait for us. I have an appointment tonight and your father has a meeting in Europe. I will tell a servant to deliver you dinner to your room. Just concentrate on your study.”
“Yes, Mom,” Veronica said before leaving. She would not wait for her mother speech. There was no end once she was talking.
Veronica locked herself on her room. There was no picture of Evans in her room or in her purse just like the normal couple. Her parent didn’t like him just like Evans’s parent hated her.
They had used to be family friends. Both of the family business had used to be collaborating. Now they were neither friend nor enemy.
‘It’s you son’s fault!’ Mrs. Suffolk had blamed.
‘NO! NO! NO! It was not Evans’s fault. It was not anyone’s fault. It was an accident – only AN ACCIDENT!!!’ Veronica’s heart cried. She didn’t want to remember that horrific day.
Since the horrible day, their parents never let them meet each other. They had ever planned to espouse them now they tried to separate them.
Veronica’s parent had put her in an all-girl college since elementary school. They wanted her to finish her High School there then study abroad. They controlled her life. However they couldn’t stop her meeting Evans. They might control Veronica’s call but they couldn’t control Veronica’s internet access.
Thanks to the internet, now Veronica could go to Evans’s high school. Veronica had registered herself to the high school. Veronica had checked the school’s rank on net to persuade her parents.
Her parent loved her so much that they were afraid to lose her. She had ever run away in the first year after the horrific accident. Her parent had forced her to take the plastic surgery but Veronica had not want to. She had keen to meet Evans but her parent had assigned some bodyguard to protect her. It was during her runaway that she had been kidnapped. It was because of the runaway that her parents closed one of their eyes. They never forced her to take the surgery. They pretended they didn’t know her relationship with Evans.
As for Evans’s family, Veronica realized they wouldn’t harm her to prevent her meeting Evans. Their business had a long collaboration business. They would not do anything stupid just to stop her. The prize was too high.
Veronica took her Physics notebook and a pile of empty papers.
“Maybe I shall visit a physiologist,” she told herself and started writing.
“Evans, I saw you walked side by side with Evans yesterday.”
“Is that true?” the other girl interested.
“Yes,” Maribel proclaimed proudly, “I asked Evans to tell me anything about this school. We talked until late so that Evans offered to take me home.”
“WOW!” they amazed.
“So, what’s your relationship?”
“We are still friend. Believe me, he will be my boyfriend in no time.”
“Aren’t you afraid of Veronica’s bodyguards? My cousins have ever been hurt by her bodyguards when he was small. He got five stitches on his forehead.”
Maribel saw Veronica was walking toward with a bundle of papers.
“Why should I am afraid of her? She is nothing but a monster,” Maribel approached Veronica, “Watch!”
Veronica realized Maribel walked toward. Something in her smile face warned Veronica.
Maribel intentionally hit Veronica.
The papers on Veronica’s arm felt.
“Where is the hell you put your eyes!” Maribel yelled angrily.
Everyone in the corridor looked at them.
“Oh, I am sorry,” Maribel apologized, “You have only one eye.”
They laughed.
Veronica held her cheek.
“WHAT!? Do you want to show us your monster face?” Maribel challenged Veronica, “SHOW IT! C’mon show it! I’m not afraid of your monster face. C’mon! Call you bodyguard if you want to. I’m no afraid.”
Veronica felt her burned cheek beating. The pain tremble her body.
“Oh, you are afraid. You are afraid to show us your monster face.”
The old memories played back. Tear drops burnt Veronica’s eyes.
“Go away!” a boy stood on their side, “You stand in front of my classroom.”
Maribel just walked away. “Evans is mine,” she warned as she passed Veronica, “Don’t forget it!”
Veronica stunned. What had happened between them yesterday? Evans hadn’t call her last night. He hadn’t replied her message, too.
“Are you okay?”
Veronica surprised.
“Your note,” the boy handed the Physics summary she had written for Jane, the girl Mr. Pierot barked at yesterday.
“I-I am fine,” Veronica took the papers, “Thank you.” She leaved.
The boy walked into his class.
“Dan, why do you help her? She is a monster.”
“I don’t care,” replied Dan, “I can’t stand watching someone bullying the others.”
Veronica grabbed her Physics summary tightly. She must forget what Maribel had said. She must believe Evans. Yes, they had faced many difficulties. This was nothing compared to what they had passed. Evans must be very tired yesterday. He would explain it to her. He would chat again with her tonight.
While Veronica was comforting herself, Maribel told her friends proudly, “See, she is nothing. She is just a monster.”
“Maribel, I believe you can get Evans.”
“Of course, I am!”
“Who needs your help!?” Jane throw Veronica’s Physics summary away.
Veronica knew this would happen. “I have already promised Mr. Pierot.”
“I didn’t ask you!”
Veronica picked her note. “I’ll leave it here,” Veronica put it on Jane’s table. “You’ll need it. Just tell me if you need my assistance.”
“Who do you think you are!?” Jane yelled as Veronica leaved.
“Nice! This summary is neat. She hints what kind of problems that killer Mr. Pierot liked,” Jane‘s classmate opened the summary, “No wonder an A-Student. If you don’t want it, I will take it.”
“Who said I don’t want it!?”!?” Jane took it back.
“It must take a long time to write it,” another girl said.
“Who cares?” Jane said, “I didn’t ask her to write this.”
“It seems she is not as bad as the gossip. Do you think so?”
“No,” the other girl didn’t believe, “She forced Evans into marriage. She bribed Mr. Pierot so she always gets A+ on Physics. She bribed the Headmaster to be in Student Council.”
“Yes, it must be her parents influence.”
“Wasn’t she being pointed to replace the previous secretary?”
“Yes, she was. Don’t you think it’s suspicious? No first grade student ever be pointed to held an important position in Student council.”
“Maybe, it is because she is smart,” Jane commented.
“Nonsense! Who can guarantee she didn’t bribe all the teachers?”
“Yeah. Yeah,” the other agreed.
Jane listened as her classmates were talking about Veronica. She looked at Veronica’s neat handwriting. She wondered what kind of girl Veronica was. She had never talked to Veronica until yesterday. She had only heard about her – the famous, smart, and ugly Student council Secretary.
*****Continue to part 2
No comments:
Post a Comment