Life's Challenges (Chapter Thirteen)

“Miss Hebe Tian, may I know what is the matter?”

“Er.. Nothing. Nothing,” she said, shaking her head.

“Then, please sit. Today’s lesson...”

The teacher started lecturing about the Earth. Somehow, from that topic, she managed to fly to the topic of machines, then to the human body, then to the birds. One by one the students’ head plopped down onto their desks. Perhaps the teacher purposely ignored the plopping of heads, or maybe she didn’t notice, for she kept on jabbering non-stop. When at last, the lesson was over, Jiro asked Hebe what was wrong.

“Hey, Hebe, is anything the matter? Why shout ‘NO!’ all of a sudden?”

Hebe didn’t know what to say. How could she tell her cousin that she thinks that she had fallen for his best friend, whom she told him, was emotionless and cold? What would happen if he found out? Hebe started thinking of the possibilities that could happen. Jiro might make them go together on dates, she thought. Or he’ll just ignore me for life and what a wonderful life I’ll lead then. But he said Arron had me. Did he mean it? Or was he just joking? Oh no, what’s wrong with me? Why can’t I differentiate whether he was joking or not?

“Hebe?” Jiro said. “Hebe? Anyone home?”

“Huh?” Hebe stared at him. “Oh, uh, yeah, there’s someone at home. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with me.”

“Really? ‘Cause no one suddenly stands up out of nowhere and shout ‘NO!’.”

“I’m serious. I’m fine.”

“If you say so.”

~~~~~
Hebe laid on her bed, listening to Jiro snoring through the wall. Her closed eyes made her look like she was asleep and was peaceful. Actually, it was the exact opposite. Inside, she was wide awake and her thoughts were running wild. She tried to push the unwanted thoughts out of her mind, but the clearer they became to her.

In her mind, she saw Arron. The first time she saw him was on the first day of school. He had looked at her weirdly before snapping out of his gaze after Jiro spoke to him. Then, she was positioned in class to sit beside him. What was so bad? She had thought. And she got her answer soon after. She was caught by many fan girls and slapped continuously. Danson had saved her but she had gotten Jiro into trouble. Because of that, Jiro got injured and Arron had taught Danson and his pals a lesson. From that day, Danson never harassed either of them anymore. But was it really going to stay like that of was it just temporary?

Hebe sighed and shook her head. Her memories going round and round and repeating themselves in her head was making her go crazy. She took the pillow and screamed into it, hoping Jiro wouldn’t be able to hear her, although that was something that absolutely wasn’t going to happen (Jiro’s a heavy sleeper ).

Do I like him? She thought.

~~~~~
“Yo, Arron!” Jiro shouted from across the street.

Arron turned and saw him. Without thinking, Arron nodded. Jiro from the other end spoke to Hebe. “Am I blind? Did I just see him nod his head?”

Hebe nodded. She was surprised herself. Arron, who didn’t reply anyone and acted like no one existed actually nodded when Jiro greeted him. No way, she thought. But perhaps he’s changing for the better.

“Let’s go, Jiro. Don’t just stand there and stare into nothing. Arron’s walked off already. Move it,” Hebe said, clicking Jiro back into reality.

“I must be dreaming. This must be a dream. I...”

Jiro went on and on about it.

They had class, ended their classes and it was time to go back. Jiro quickly asked Arron to join Hebe and him for a movie. Expecting a negative answer, “Ok,” Arron replied.

“What?”

“What?”

“I...”

“Never mind, Jiro. Just move it,” Hebe pulled Jiro away.

Without changing his expressionless expression, Arron took his bag and followed them. Weird, he thought. Why is she getting weirder and weirder every time I see her? Perhaps she could be liking me? Arron’s heart gave a jolt, waking him up. No, it can’t be. She hates me. As much as I don’t like her. Wait, do I actually dislike her? Arron shook his head.

~~~~~
“Are you alright?” Hebe asked Jiro, worriedly.

Jiro nodded his head, afraid of opening his mouth. They had just watched a horror movie and Jiro had been scared to death and grossed out by the actions and mutilated bodies and the human insides. It was all fake, obviously. But apparently, Jiro couldn’t take much of things that looked real. So there he was, almost puking HIS insides out. “Are you really alright?” Hebe asked again.

“If you ask anymore, he’s going to hurl on you,” Arron said.

Hebe gave him an annoyed look. “No one asked you. And he’s your friend. Can’t you show him more concern?”

“It’s exactly he’s my friend that I don’t bother him. He usually prefers being alone after watching gruesome shows. He’s your cousin. Shouldn’t you know that?”

Hebe looked at Jiro and then at Arron with a suspicious eye. She didn’t know whether to believe him or not. He could be lying to her for all she knew. But why would he want to lie about Jiro when Jiro was right there with them and could hear everything they said? She looked at Jiro again and decided to listen to what Arron said for Jiro looked like he was going to throw up any time and she was not going to take it lightly if any of his hurl landed on her.

She moved away from him. “Listening to me, aren’t you?” Arron smirked slightly.

“No, I’m not. He just looks like he’s going to hurl anytime. I am not going to have any of that on me. So there,” Hebe retorted back. “By the way, you actually smirk?”

Without a reply, Arron turned his head away from Hebe and Jiro. He too had realized tat he actually smirked in front of people other than his step-sister. He turned around once more just in time to see Jiro opening his mouth to let out the hurl at Hebe. Hebe screamed.

“Aaaahhhhhhhhh!!”

-brenda-

Life's Challenges (Chapter Twelve)

“How are you?” Hebe asked Jiro.

“I’m fine. That’s the hundredth time you’re asking me that. Chill. You’re not the one with bruises and injuries on your body,” Jiro replied.

“Hey, I’m just worried. If Arron were the one injured, you’d be as worried. Although I’m not so sure about him getting worried for you.”

“Aww.. Come on. Arron’s just some human who can’t express himself well. You’d understand after getting to know him.”

“I doubt that’s ever going to happen,” Hebe rolled her eyes. “I mean, he’s so cold and treats everyone like they owe him money. What is wrong with him?”

“Well, I don’t know. He never told me anything about his past. But he does know mine,” Jiro laughed.

“Who wouldn’t. You were born. You grew up with a pet monkey. You played like a monkey. You act like a monkey. And now, you’re a monkey.”

“I know I am,” said Jiro, feeling proud of himself.

Hebe shook her head.

~~~~~
Jiro and Hebe walked to school as usual. Jiro was still recovering from his injuries but he still wanted to attend school. “I get too bored by myself,” he had said. So there he was on his way to his beloved school with Hebe on his side, looking at him and making sure he doesn’t hurt himself any more. “Quite staring at me, will you? Hebe, you’re making me want to go home,” Jiro whined.

“Good. Off you go,” Hebe said.

“Come on Hebe. You know I’m only joking.”

“Yeah, yeah. Hey, that’s Arron,” Hebe pointed forwards at a mob of girls. Arron could hardly be seen. From afar, Jiro and Hebe could hear the words that they had been hearing for so many times that they were immune to it.

“Arron, you’re so cute,” a daring young lady said.

“Arron, why do you treat everyone so coldly? Never mind them. You’ll treat me special right?” another girl said, annoying Arron immensely.

Arron just walked on. But he could not seem to shake them off. They followed him around like a bunch of annoying brats. He wasn’t in the mood to say anything, not that he said much everyday, because his little stepsister woke him up three hours before he was actually supposed to get up. Now it was like he got up from the wrong side of the bed.

Seeing him in difficulty, Jiro grabbed Hebe and ran towards him. “Hey, girls. Leave him be ok? He’s got Hebe with him. But I’ve got no one. I should be the one having special treatment.”

Arron and Hebe’s eyes grew big. I have Hebe? Arron thought. Hm.

Since when was I with this annoying person? Hebe spoke to herself. What is wrong with Jiro? Did the injuries mess up his brain too?

They both stared at each other and caught each others’ glance. They quickly looked away. Hebe blushed. What’s with me? She thought. It’s just the annoying cold brat. There’s nothing to feel embarrassed about.

Jiro, on the other hand, was getting really special treatment from the girls. “Aww.. You poor thing. How are your injuries? Do you want me blow them for you?” one asked.

“Er... That.. erm.. It’s okay. I can blow them myself. Hu.. hu... See?” Jiro blew at his injuries on his arm.

“We’ve got to go now. We’ll see you girls another time okay? Bye,” Jiro said quickly, and without waiting for their protests, he pushed Arron and Hebe into their school, and into their class. “Hah.. There’s no place like your own,” Jiro sighed happily. “I miss my seat.”

Hebe rolled her eyes while Arron, as usual, grabbed a book from his bag and started reading. In no time, the empty class became the opposite. The girls tried to sit as near as they could to Arron while the guys tried to do the same to Hebe. Arron seemed oblivious to his surroundings and went on reading. Hebe, on the other hand, had big eyes on but pretended not to notice anything. They tried to speak to both of them, the boys more daring.

“Hey, Hebe, want to go out with me later?”

“Hebe, don’t bother him. I’m much better, aren’t I?”

“Hebe, if you’re with me, you’re bound to have Valentine’s Day every day. So do you agree?”

Hebe buried herself in one of the biggest books she could find in her bag. Although shot with many questions, all about being theirs, Hebe did not blush or did anything to show that she was embarrassed. And actually, she wasn’t. She then thought about Arron. Just Jiro saying that he had her with him made her blush. Just that single sentence. And Jiro didn’t mean it.

What is this feeling? She thought. Maybe she was just too sensitive. Maybe..

The teacher entered the class.

It can’t be! Hebe thought. It can’t!

“NO!” Hebe stood up.

Everyone stared at her.

-brenda-