I've never strained my neck while looking at the ground before. I'm not used to always being bent over but I can't do anything.
People's eyes are like daggers to me.
"Why is she here?"
"She shouldn't graduate, right?"
"Thick face got more grumaduate, he's not so right."
"Even diaper atlis gagraduate."
Those are just a few of the whispers I hear.
I was allowed to climb the stage somehow.
Those who bullied me in the past were given school service, they couldn't refuse because there was CCTV inside the theater room. I can see what they did to me there.
Magnus and I both met eyes. Its smile reached my ears. A smile crept on my lips but it all faded when my eyes went to the person beside him. I looked away when my eyes met Mrs. Morrison's.
"Don't do something stupid, Celiza. Your brother's operation will be later. By the time Mrs. Morrison sees you approaching her son, she will definitely not continue to help your brother."
"I know Mom... I was just looking ---"
"No you're not going to look at them again. Pretend like they're not here or you don't know them."
I sighed.
"Mrs, Carosca!"
"Congrats,"
"Thank you for letting her march on the graduation."
"She deserves it, Mrs. Carosca. Can I borrow her for a minute?"
She nodded.
"I know you're a good person. I believe in you, may you reach your dream, Congrats." He said then shook my hand.
"S-thank you."
Her every word touched my heart. He seemed to give me a chance and hope to fix my life.
The next to approach me was Halle. I was going to greet it but it didn't go away as its palm rested on my cheek. My eyes widened at what he did.
"Do you know when you're really famous?" It's an angry promise.
My forehead furrowed.
"What was that for?"
"You hurt Magnus."
"What?"
"Did you think I didn't know you were flirting with Magnus before ?! You know what they're saying is true! Be flirty! Pokpok!" Everything he said to me hurt especially and I considered it a friend somehow.
"Isn't Magnus sweet? He said 'I like you' early in the car!" My eyes widened when he said that.
Did he also see what I did to Magnus?
She snorted. "Why do you think I don't know?"
"Yes, I heard! I saw it but I kept quiet. Thanks to the person who released your video because everyone found out that you're really flirty. You're a dirty woman! Your brain is empty! You're so beautiful!" My ear throbbed at what he said.
"Did you have anything to do with the spread of the video?" My body is getting hot. My eyes are dimming to this woman too!
I didn’t know Halle was like this. When we first met he was kind. I also didn’t notice that Magnus liked it.
Who else likes Magnus?
"Why did you do that ?! What's my fault with you ?!" Disgusted with my question here. He is currently caressing her cheek.
"Because you're flirty! You're the only one Magnus wants! I'm so smart he won't notice!" she said.
She is just like Aira.
"Stay away from Magnus!"
I'm fed up with people dictating to me to stay away from Magnus.
"You know why he doesn't notice you? You're not the first one."
"But your reason why he's hurting. You don't deserve him---"
"Halle that's enough!" said Bea from behind iher.
She glared at me before leaving.
I close my eyes tightly.
I don't even know if she likes him.
"Hey ..."
"How are you?"
My eyes remained on her instead of answering her question.
"I'm sorry about what happened..." Bea's introduction.
"I'm sorry for not being there when you needed me the most. I'm sorry because I didn't defend you from those who bully you. I was also surprised by what I saw. I also can't believe it. The speed of everyone, I'm scared. I'm sorry." It makes me cry. While holding my hand.
I looked at Magnus who was heading in our direction.
"Celiza," Bea said.
I searched for her mother in the crowd. Our eyes met. I gulped and looked away.
"I... I need to go," I said to her and ran inside the hallway of the campus.
My footsteps echoed in the hallway. No one is around because all of them are in the gym.
"Hey... Celiza!" I was stopped by someone grabbing my wrist.
No...
Why did you follow me Magnus?
I withdrew my wrist to hold it. "I need to go."
"Wait!"
"Why?"
His eyes narrowed. "Is there something Celiza?"
"W-what do you mean?" I stuttered.
"You keep on avoiding me since you came."
"The issue is not yet dying, Magnus." palusot ko.
"I know..." she said.
"I'm leaving." I turn my back on him.
"W-wait!"
I took a deep breath before facing him. I looked down at the little red box it held.
"I just want to give this to you. My graduation gift for you. It's a promise necklace..."
He opened the box.
It's a heart necklace.
"I want to give this to you after the ceremony but I can't wait anymore."
"Did you like it?"
I pressed my lips together as I stared at the heart shaped pendant of the necklace.
"I know it's cheesy but this is my heart ..."
Tears pooled in my eyes. I hesitated to look at him.
"Magnus..." Please don't say it ...
I can't hurt you.
"I love you Celiza."
I cannot fight back the tears that rolled down my cheeks.
"Y-you don't have to say anything Celiza. I just want you to know. I'm not going to pressure you into answering. I know our video is still out there but I will do anything for it to disappear so don "Don't worry. I'll promise everything's gonna be okay."
"Here, I'll put it on you."
"W-why?"
"Don't you like it?"
I love it. I love everything about him.
"Don't worry this is just a gift. I'm not asking you to be my girlfriend that fast. I just really want you to know what I feel towards--"
"Keep that necklace to yourself."
"Why? Don't you like the heart? It's alright I'll get you another. Do you like the moon or star?"
"Don't bother with that, Magnus."
"What do you mean?"
"Anything else you give I will not accept."
"I just want to make you happy--"
"You can't make me happy, Magnus. You will never make me happy with material gifts."
"P-sorry. How about l-lunch? Let's go out? M-my treat. That's just the grad gift ---"
"I used you to pass my subject."
"And you help me and I wanted to thank you ---"
"I thought you were smart Magnus? Why can't you understand that I don't love you?"
"I... I don't even like you."
"I just used you to graduate Magnus. I don't like you. I did it with you cause I'm bored. Hooking up with a nerd like you spice up my bed experience."
"That's not true. You're a virgin ---"
"And so? I was caught in the moment. I was having fun playing with you ... And it's over now, Magnus."
"What do you mean? We're okay yesterday. You're pressured Celiza. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have confessed this early. There's still an issue. I promise you will go through with it together right? W-we will . "
"Seriously? You bought me a cheap necklace?"
"Stop all this. You're just pathetic. Do you really hope I'll like you?
"Right, you just confessed your love to me a while ago. Your heart? I don't want it. I don't like you Magnus. I never will. Don't daydream."
"You're a nerd. You'll never fit in with a woman like me."
"What are you waiting for? Don't just stand there. Leave!"
He glanced at me, tears pooling in his eyes.
"Leave. You disgust me."
I watched him walk away from me. I covered my mouth to stop from crying. I don’t want him to turn around and see me like this.
Please don't look back at Magnus, leave me. Walk away from the person who hurt you. Save yourself from pain.
I pressed my lips together when he stop from where he was. I shook my head.
Please don't.
I can't, Magnus. I want to be with you so bad but I can't. My sister needs me.
I turn my back before he can even see me crying.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I ran in empty hallways.
I closed my eyes and cried harder as my knees met the cold floor.
I violently slapped the chest, hoping it would numb and I wouldn’t feel the pain.
"Celiza?"
"You're just here. Get up! Hurry!"
I quickly wiped the tear from my cheek.
He frowned at me.
"B-why Mom?"
"Let's go." she said and dragged me out of the hallway.
"Mom, wait!" I said as we passed the venue. I tried to withdraw the wrist but I couldn’t.
"We're leaving."
I glared at Benue and turned my gaze back to Mom. "Why? H-the ceremony hasn't started yet---"
"Your Dad had an accident!"