Once the bell rang, Pearl and her friends headed toward the cafeteria. Her stomach was growled because Pearl had barely eaten anything for breakfast. Pearl squirted the ketchup in the small bowl and juggled the lunch tray in her hand on her way back to the table.
Pearl heaved a dejected sigh. There were no signs of Violet, and as the hours passed, the hope of seeing her today was diminishing like the sun raze floating towards the sunset, reminding us that the day was soon coming to an end. Restlessly, she trudged through the day with Violet running through her mind.
Pearl's friends were very much capable of nattering away all day. So, she left them at it while she nurtured her heart, which was kind of wishing to bump into someone. Accidently. Once again.
Pearl liked Violet's sea blue eyes, filled with empathy and tenderness, her soft and tender but fuller lips, a cute nose, and long wavy hair. However, she was more a fan of Violet's radiant smile, which violated her heart. But in a good way, of course. And when she smiled amusingly, her perfectly curved eyebrows perked into the most perfect arc Pearl had ever seen.
Every so often, Violet and her friends joined them for lunch, sat in the library to share notes and even helped Pearl in her drama class, saving her from Mr. Poozy. They knew how badly he reeked of perspiration and Pearl nearly suffocated every time he stood near. Pearl had to stop breathing, so she did not have to inhale the stinking oder
As the days and weeks went on, Pearl found herself looking forward to meeting Violet every day. She hated the fact she had to pretend to be just a friend to her. Pearl wished they could be more than that.
Wayyy.... more than that. Close. Intimate.
Every now and again, Pearl wished she could vanish away. She was tired of the well-woven pattern of her life. She wanted to live a little. For real.
The day ended with her dance rehearsal, where Jayden was around to give her some company. And they had fun with some silly dance moves. Apart from the unfortunate fact, that they had to pretend like they were dating to keep their annoying parents at bay, she was grateful to have him as a friend. Not that Jayden wasn't good looking. In fact, he was-- very handsome, but sadly not her type with awesome bosom.
As soon as she slipped into her car, where the stoic-faced driver gave a curt nod, Pearl drifted off to her fantasy world of having better days as she mentally counted the days left before she left for college.
The next day, while Pearl was at her locker, she could see from her peripheral, a figure walking towards her. A strange feeling of urgency crept in. She closed the door of her locker and turned to walk towards her class. None of her friends were nearby, as they were having a group study in the library. She jerked back when a sudden bang on a door, tore through her ears and then the figure pushed her inside the boy's washroom. For a moment her heart stopped beating.
Pearl knew she should have called for help, and fought back, so her fellow students would notice. But, she was freaking out. She had no idea who pushed her and what just happened. Everything happened in a blink of an eye.
"Open your eyes." came a familiar voice. Pearl cracked open one of her eyes and peeked through it. Thankfully, the bathroom was vacant. As the realization sunk in, she heaved a sigh. Paused. Then yelled, "Patrick?" Pearl realized her throat was dry from panic and her heart had still not found its normal rhythm. "What the hell do you think you are doing?" she demanded.
She wanted to drink water, but dealing with Patrick was equally important. When Patrick did not answer, she continued to ask, "What do you want?" Stressing on each word while gritting her teeth.
Her heart was slowly settling inside her ribcage and following the normal rhythmic beat, when Partick declared a catastrophe waiting to arrive in her life, "I spoke to your mom, and she agreed. Now I am taking you out on a date. This weekend."
Pearl's heart stopped-- all over again, her throat went parched and words refused to form inside her head. She pushed Patrick and nearly screamed at the top of her lungs, "Why would you do that?"
Patrick remained unaffected, "You told me to, remember??" he dared. "So.." he leisurely walked closer and traced a finger down her face, "..be ready at 10." Then blew a kiss.
He opened the door and left the washroom with a confident smirk on his face. Pearl wanted to peel off his skin with her nails. Rage wasn't even a word enough to describe what she was feeling at that moment. But she couldn't do anything. After all, she was the one who had dared him to get permission from her mother to go on this godforsaken date.
Why had she thought, Patrick won't go through with it? She was clearly blindsighted. A quick note to herself, she must not challenge somebody like Patrick, who hated her and would do anything to make her suffer.
Doing so was only gonna come back to bite her later. 'Fool!!' She mentally facepalmed herself. "You are such a fooooolllll..."
While she was cursing at herself, she wasn't ready for what happened the very next moment. A bile rose in her stomach when she stepped out of the washroom and found Violet standing in front of her. Confusion evident on her pretty face.
'Fantastic! Just what I needed.' she mumbled to herself. Oh, for god sake. Why was she getting punished like this today?
Violet's eyes landed from Pearl to Patrick and back to Pearl. Violet frowned and before she could say anything, Pearl hooked her arms around Violet's shoulder and whispered a lie. "I-I had an emergency. Didn't see where I was going." Pearl winked, trying to make a joke out of her situation. And making her look stupid at the same time. "Don't you have those moments when you can neither see, think nor walk straight?" That sentence could be interpreted in many ways, but Pearl let out a dry laugh. She was already in this situation, making a fool of herself. What more could she lose?
Patrick strolled down the hallway, like he didn't care that one of their classmates had just witnessed something. This could lead to misunderstandings and cost Pearl her well-maintained impression. And he was involved in this too. If he hated her so much, why didn't he say something to clarify..or--or... Pfft!!
Pearl didn't have the time to deduce what was going on inside Patrick's head.
Will she ever be able to salvage her impression and recover from those images Violet was making in her beautiful head? Probably Never. If that was not enough, her body -- not surprisingly though-- decided to have a mind of its own. It felt like her body debated about giving control of her actions to Pearl's sane side of the brain.
Goosebumps consumed her flesh, and her hand, which was around Violet's shoulder tingled. Pearl shivered and had an urge to wrap Violet in her arms. The sweetness of the scent that she could smell on Violet wasn't helping either. Furthermore, the silence that stretched between them felt like a near death experience.
Pearl could either die of shame or stabbed by Violet if she crossed the boundary and did something she wouldn't even live to regret.
Violet had not said anything. Yet. Her no reaction, just a blank stare confused and scared Pearl. It felt like forever.. before Violet let out a chuckle. "Hey! Don't worry, Pearl. It happens," Violet shrugged, then leaned closer and whispered, "I know. Been there. Done that." she giggled in a low voice, so fellow students could not hear their conversation.
Relief couldn't come to her sooner, but did not last for long. "Hey! I was actually looking for you guys." Violet said. "Jewel wanted to buy some-- something from the market. So, this weekend we were planning to shop in the mall. You guys coming?"
Her first instinct was to nod and gladly squeal, 'Yes, I'm in.' But, then she remembered-- Patrick-- date-- this weekend. If that was not enough, Pearl had to stifle a scream when she saw HER MOTHER, entering the dean's office. Without answering Violet's question, Pearl excused herself and ran towards her mother to check if-- Patrick was the purpose of her visit. If that's the case, then she was screwed to the newest level.
"Mom!!" Pearl's voice was bright when she greeted her mother and the dean. "Pearl," her mother squealed and opened her arms wide. She surged forward, wrapped her arms around Pearl, and squeezed.
How could she manage to pretend to be a doting mother, when she was just the opposite, back at home, was beyond Pearl's imagination.
"What are you doing here?" Pearl asked. She probably already knew the answer. 'Bloody Patrick!' That is precisely what he was going to be. Bloody Patrick. Pearl was going to strangle Patrick, after stabbing him a thousand times to death.
Pearl's mother waved her hand and dismissed her, but lovingly, "Ah! Nothing important sweetheart. You should go back to your class. Okay?" she grinned at Pearl.
Pearl knew her mother had dismissed her, which meant she must get the hell out of there. Period. Nodding her head, with a pounding heart, and shaky legs, Pearl turned to walk back to her classroom.
"I love you!" Her mother's voice chimed behind her. 'No, you don't.' Pearl wanted to say in the most dramatic style she had learned in her drama class. With one of her hands on her chest, a quick shake of her head in disbelief, stooping her shoulders, and surprised eyes looking at her mother up and down.
Instead she turned to look back at her mother, "I love you too, Mom." She said with a smile. Pearl barely ever got a chance to hear her mother say that she loved Pearl. Somehow, it felt--- true. Every single time. Her heart thumped and her mind buzzed with that declaration of love from her mother.
She zoned out when she reached her classroom. To her surprise, the day ended, and she wasn't called to the dean's office. Nor had she heard Patrick being called either. It should have been a relief, but it only made her scared.
It was well known that Pearl was Jayden's girlfriend, and they had a well-planned future together. Despite knowing this fact about her, Patrick seemed fixated on taking her on this date-- his friends had challenged him to. But, here's the question that wouldn't leave her mind. Why did Jayden agree to this? He knew how their parents were going to break all hell loose. They'll either be grounded for life or married off right then and there.
Well! Technically, both consequences would mean the same...
As soon as she stepped out of her classroom, confusion and tension still gripping her from head to toe, she saw the annoying Patrick in the hallway laughing with his friends. Pearl ducked down and made her way through the crowd and out of the hallway. She knew Patrick thought of her as a snob, probably hated her guts and so he definitely was planning on embarrassing her. Like leaving her waiting the entire day for him to arrive, making her pay for everything, or insulting her at every chance he got.
That won't be something new for her. Patrick never lets go of a chance to insult her. Jerk!
Frustration surged through her, and she stomped her foot on the ground. A second later she realized she was out on the school premises and shouldn't be acting like a schoolgirl who was denied her favorite chocolate milkshake by her parents. Even more so, because Pearl wasn't sure her mother had left the dean's office.
Now that her freedom felt fast approaching, her school felt more horrible, or maybe she was tired of all the activities she was forced to participate in. As if studying wasn't in and itself a tiring job. She longed to sit in a corner of her class and fade into the shadows until the last day of her school. Apply to a college in Timbuktu and quietly leave.
She wanted to be left alone, yet at the same time longed for a companion, whose presence would mean something to her. That person would make her feel-- what? Loved? Wanted?
Pearl loved her friends, but was also aware they had their own reasons to befriend her. Besides, they also had their own life, and they were living it the best way they possibly could think of. Pearl had no hopes from her mother and her father was always busy with his work. She did have Olivia, but they couldn't spend much time together. Not under the watch of her parents.
Pearl was under surveillance, and for that, her parents did not have to be around. And spending quality time with her nanny, no matter how sweet she is, wouldn't go down well with her parents. Not just Pearl, but even Olivia would have to face the consequences.
Right at that moment, Pearl suddenly remembered what Violet had said. The shopping plan at the mall. Pearl clapped her mouth with her hand. She had totally forgotten about it. Pearl decided to talk to her friends about it. But, before that, she would have to talk to Jayden. Figure out a plan to drop the date thingy with Patrick and spend her weekend with Violet-- and the rest of their friends. Of course.
Pearl was sure, Jade must have plans of her own, just like every weekend, Jae was probably planning to hit the library and study with Jayden. She missed having Sandy around when she was feeling so lonely. But, this weekend, she had to convince her friends to go to the mall. Pearl wasn't going to miss a great opportunity like this and turned down Violet.
Maybe, she'll blackmail Jayden and threaten to put all the blame on him. The idea of Patrick and this stupid challenge of going on the date with him was all his doing. Force him to convince Jae, to tag along with them to the mall. Jade was no big deal because shopping and Jade mingled well together.
As soon as Pearl reached home, she quickly went to her room to freshen up. She wasn't in the mood to study. She had so much on her mind right now. 'Oh my god!!' she shrieked inwardly. 'Violet had asked her to spend the weekend with her.' she hummed with pleasure, 'What was she going to wear? Where are her shoes?' Pearl opened the door of her wardrobe to check. She wanted this to be special and filled with moments of fun. A day to remember. She wanted to have a great time. Be with Violet. Just the two of them. Pearl could only do this, to steal moments of happiness for herself.
Her thoughts did a run back to Patrick, but she shoved it aside. She was going to plead, beg, or wail in front of Jayden to convince Patrick to back off. They were dating after all.
Pretending to date, but still dating. She reminded herself.
While Pearl had her mind set on making plans to spend the weekend with her friends, especially Violet, she had absolutely forgotten about her mother. Patrick's visit to her mother. Her mother's visit to the dean's office. Which happened TODAY!!
BIG MISTAKE!
Reality came crashing down on her when her phone rang. She saw Jayden's name flashing on the screen. Before she could answer the call..
Bang!! Her bedroom door came open and crashed with the wall behind it.
Smack!! Her right cheek turned red. Whack!! Her left cheek turned red. Repeated two more times. Thud!! Her head hit the door of her wardrobe. Smash!! Somebody's phone crashed on the floor. She paid the price of challenging Patrick.
And then bam, her mother walked out of her room after punishing Pearl for being careless. Reckless. Gone was the love she had showered on Pearl while they were at her school. The dean wasn't around anymore to witness this side of her mother. The real side.
While Pearl was losing consciousness, she did hear her father's voice. "Why would you do that? She is just a little girl. Our baby girl!" His worried voice sounded, right outside her bedroom. When she woke up the a few hours later, her head was swollen and so were her cheeks. It was bright red, which could easily be mistaken as a natural blush.
It had been ages since she had reprimanded her tears to fall and allowed her heart to feel hurt. So, she wasnt' going to cry or feel bad for herself. Pearl turned to the side where her head wasn't swollen and went back to sleep. 'I'm not going to school tomorrow.' she said to herself, then opened her mouth to let out a big yawn.
Sleep wrapped her in its arms after an hour or so. Oh, yes. She had to toss and turn uncomfortably to avoid touching the side of her head that was in pain, before finally drifting off.
The following morning when she woke up, it was past the time for her breakfast. Pearl knew her parents had already had their breakfast and probably already left for work. Olivia must have checked on her once or twice but did not wake her up. Today was one of those days when she was allowed to sleep a bit longer and was excused from being on time at the breakfast table.
Her stomach thundered. It was angry at Pearl for skipping her meal last night and now she was even late for breakfast. She dragged her body out of her bed, but her medicine and breakfast were waiting beside her bed.
A note that said, 'Mom is sorry, darling. Hope you're feeling better by now!! Take rest today. Love dad.'
Pearl slowly blinked at the note in her hand, then kept it aside. Why did her father always have to apologize for her mother's actions? she wondered. A hesitant knock on her door sounded before it opened, and Olivia stepped in.
Olivia smiled adoringly, then pulled her into her arms, "How are you doing now?" Olivia checked Pearl's head with fingers that were as light as a feather and a worried look. The furrowed brows on Olivia's face was what hurt Pearl, so she smiled warmly, "I'm better now, Olive." And she was, better than last night. It only hurt a little.
Olivia cupped her cheeks between the palms of her hands and it stung. "Aaoo!!" she yelped. Pearl's mother must have put all her strength in slapping her face. They still felt swollen, but at the same time, the warmth of Olivia's palms felt soft and soothing. "Does it still hurt?" Olivia checked and brushed her thumbs over each of her cheeks.
Pearl nodded in reply. Now that Olivia was with her, her caring voice made Pearl's eyes sting with tears. However, Pearl refused to cry. So, she gave a small smile in return and pulled back. She grabbed her breakfast and put it on her lap. She took her first bite after hours and it felt-- heavenly.
Olivia was not only blessed with her motherly caring nature but also with cooking skills. Anything she cooked for Pearl tasted like a chef's kiss. Pearl nearly choked as she gobbled down the food.
Evening wore on as Pearl spend her time, doing nothing but rest. Apparently, it was her phone, that kissed the floor last night and shattered in its arms. How romantic!
Somebody knocked on her door, she was scared her mother had come to pay her a visit. Again. It was a relief to see Jayden standing there, at the door, in front of her. Pearl did not react, did not look into his eyes. But she heard a sad sigh leave from his throat when Jayden sat down on the bed beside her. He pulled her close, into his arms.
"I'm sorry, Pearl," he whispered. And he meant it. Pearl knew it, felt it too.
Pearl was still. Absolutely still. When he pulled back, she jabbed her fist to his chest.. over and again. "What were you thinking, Jayden? Why did you say yes when Patrick asked you to take me on a date." Using her forefinger she now jabbed her chest, "I am supposed to be your girlfriend. Remember?" She, now flailed her hands, "We are supposed to be dating, Jayden? What the fuck were you thinking?"
Jayden didn't interrupt her. Nor did he stop her. But, he did not clarify either. Without thinking, she slapped Jayden's face, then clapped her mouth as she immediately regretted it.
A moment passed by, and Pearl couldn't take the silence that stretched between them. Say something, Jayden!" she urged. The anger subsided and she insisted on knowing why Jayden had to do this.
She was sure Jayden must have a valid reason, but she still felt betrayed. And it hurt her.. quite literally.
"I had to, Pearl," Jayden whispered. "Patrick knows." he continued, "He knows about Jae. I mean my feelings for Jae." He met her gaze. "I tried, Pearl. How long do you think I can tip-toe around this chapter of life, without ever getting caught by somebody?"
"This is very important to me." He continued, and Pearl listened, "She-- is important to me, Pearl. And it suffocates me every day to pretend to be in love with someone equally important, but still just a friend to me. And be friends with someone I am deeply in love with."
A tear rolled down his cheek, and that's when she realized he was hurting. Just like she was. They both were in the same situation and wanted to be free.
Jayden attempted to stand up, but Pearl pulled him into a bear hug, and let tears be released. Free to flow and hope it would release the heaviness in their chests.
"How?" She asked.
She could feel him shaking his head, "I don't want to talk about it right now." he replied and they sat down, "Can I stay the night? I don't feel like going home. Leaving you alone." He pulled back and traced his fingers over her cheeks, and her forehead, "Your mother hit you. Again!" his voice was strained as he said those words. "It happened because of me."
Pearl furrowed her brows, "No... Absolutely no!" she shook her head, insisting, "It wasn't your fault."
"We may be fake dating, but we are real friends, Pearl," Jayden said and let out a chuckle, "And I missed my friend today."
It felt good to hear him say that. It meant a lot to Pearl. Really did.
"Even more so, because.." Jayden continued, "I couldn't reach you the entire day, so I knew you were bashed and thawed like a chicken, by your mom. And it happened because I had chosen to keep my secret and save my arse from my parents."
Pearl thought for a moment, "When you put it like that... she whispered thoughtfully, "You could've given me a heads-up you idiot." she jabbed her fist on his shoulder. It had zero effect on Jayden. Instead, he heaved a sigh, yawned, and laid down on her bed. "So.. can I stay the night-- or not?" He asked."
Her reply was instant, "No.. never." Jayden pouted-- an actual pout formed on his lips, "But I'm tired, my love."
Pearl cringed, "Jayden!!" She slapped his stomach, "Don't act cute with me." She couldn't help but let out a laugh. Her cheeks still hurt, but she had to laugh at Jayden acting cute with her.
"But, why?" Jayden drawled lazily, still acting cute.
Pearl opened her mouth to answer, "Because--because.." But, she did not see any reason why not. Her parents won't mind if they spend a night together. It's not that they were sleeping on the same bed? Jayden had his own room in this house.
Pearl was thinking if it was a great idea to let Jayden stay for the night at her house. After all, they had a lot to talk about. Especially Patrick and the date. Also, Violet--t's plan to visit the mall and so on.
Just then, it dawned on her. Wait!! What?
Something between whimper and shriek left her throat. She hadn't realized it until that moment, but it really happened. Was it the first time her--
"What?" Jayden leaped out of the bed, "What happened, Pearl?" He inquired, "Are you feeling alright? Is it the pain?" he seemed worried for her. But, Pearl practically kicked him out of her room.
"Good Night, Jayden." Pearl pushed him towards the door, "Go home." Jayden wanted to say something, but she continued, "Go home. I'll see you tomorrow."
No sooner had she closed the bedroom door, Pearl stood there flabbergasted with her hand clapping her mouth. She did not know if she should cry or leap with joy. She did not remember when was the last time she slept peacefully. She did not remember having her nightmarish dream of that woman last night. She did not wake up in the middle of the night whimpering.
But.. the irony is that she had to be slapped and knocked down by her mother for that to happen.