SHE USED TO BE
It was the ringing of the glass shatteringwhich broke the
silence that loomed all over the place; and the accented
cries of a woman. “Couldn’t you at least try pretending
to enjoy your time with me? We’ve already been together
for four months!”, she exclaimed but the man in front of
her could only look away and sigh. It may seem like it
was nothing but that was all it took for the woman to
finally leave that suffocating room.
The man was named Benjamin Parker. He was a bachelor, one
of the most sought after in the city, but was very
workaholic. The woman who was crying just a while ago was
his…… fling. It would be an understatement to say there
were dating, or they were a couple because Benjamin only
brought her to parties he attended as to avoid causing
more trouble. “That was the fourth one already. Come on
man, when are you going to start taking dating seriously.
You’re not getting younger by the day,” Benjamin’s
closest friend, Felix Alexander, said as he skipped
inside the room. Benjamin just glared at his friend and
started cleaning the broken glass on the floor.
The picture frame that broke was very precious to Parker
as it held what had been dearest to him. He stared at it
for a minute but stopped because of Felix’s piercing
gaze. He knew what that look meant. He then made sure to
keep the picture somewhere safe and beyond reach. It was
not his fault that those women wanted more because he was
very clear with his intentions from the beginning.
How is this on me? I told them over and over not to like
me because I wouldn’t be able to reciprocate their
feelings. It was also emphasized in the contract they
readily signed.
Benjamin silently thought to himself because the moment
he voices them out, he knew that his chatterbox friend
would rattle on for who knows how long.
“Come on. Let’s go out.” Benjamin gestured to his friend
as he wore his coat.
“Where to?”, Felix curiously responded. It had been
almost 4 months when Benjamin invited him to go out.
“Lunch. Don’t look at me like that. I know what you want
to say. So are you coming or not?”
Before Felix could answer, Benjamin Parker was already at
the door of his office. Ready to go out. Felix quickly
picked up his coat and ran after his friend. Once he
caught up with him, he put his arms around Benjamin’s
shoulder and they laughed on along the way. It was a very
nostalgic moment-like the good old days when all they
could do was have fun and make troubles but still be able
to get away from it.
By the time the two got out of the building, the first
snow started to fall. Both thought of the same thing as
they stared at the sky.
Come to think of it, it was this time of the year when
I met her. -Benjamin
Come to think of it, it was this time of the year when
he met her. -Felix
………………………………………………………………………
It had been sometime since Benjamin set foot into that
school.
It was a dreary place for him, a place he was never fond
of, but a place he needed to go to. Beside him were his
parents, his mother holding his hand as tightly as she
could. Benjamin sensed the nervous air around him. Who
wouldn’t, even I have my palms sweating of anxiety, he
thought to himself. It was already cold because it had
started snowing but the tense atmosphere made it colder.
The place seemed to grow darker as the three of them
treaded the path to the school principal’s office. When
they arrived in front of the door, everyone breathed in
deeply before Mr. Parker-Benjamin’s father, knocked on
the door. They were greeted by the principal with warm
smile before ushering them inside. The Parker family
quietly sat down and waited for Mr. Helvin to process all
the needed papers.
“It’s good to have you back in school Benjamin. Now that
your 4-week suspension is over I hope we wouldn’t have
problems anymore. I am very sorry that the school could
only suspend you even though we know it wasn’t your
fault.” Although that was what Mr. Helvin said, it was
clear what he was thinking. He had those scheming eyes
and I know for a fact that he had been paid to keep his
mouth shut.
“Benjamin, dear, can you please step out for a bit so we
could talk to your school principal,” Mrs. Parker
bitterly said. His father nodded in agreement with rage
from his eyes.
Benjamin could only follow what his parents said because
he knew that he wasn’t the only who felt that way. They
didn’t have enough money and that was why they forced in
that situation.
After stepping out of the office, he made his way to the
playground where he silently sat down. It was peaceful
until a strange girl popped out sat beside him like they
were friends. Benjamin looked at the girl with a puzzled
look but she just smiled at him. It was a very
bright smile; one he hasn’t seen for a long time because
no one would dare to do it to him. He wasn’t used to it
and he was weirded out that a complete stranger was
smiling innocently at him. He tried leaving when the girl
suddenly spoke.
“You’re Benjamin Parker right? THE Benjamin Parker
everyone is talking about?”.
Yeah right. Of course this stranger would know ME. She
was right, I am THE Benjamin Parker. The one they know as
a violent and psychotic kid.
“What if I am? What’s it to you?”, he asked in the most
intimidating way he could. Well he didn’t really need to
try because his sharp facial features alone were
intimidating enough but for some reasons he really wanted
to scare off the girl.
Contrary to what he expected, the girl wasnot scared of
him. Neither did she try to get away, instead, her eyes
seemed to sparkle more than when she smiled at him
earlier.
“REALLY? Is it really you? Man I’ve been dying to see
you. Is it really true that you did this to……… did you
really punch him until his tooth fell off? Wow, I wish I
would have seen those things!!!” the girl excitedly
squealed as Benjamin stared at her in disbelief while she
continued spouting nonsense.
What is wrong with this woman? Does she have some screw
lose? who would get excited over some violent fighting?
And why is she looking at me like I’m some kind of idol
or Buddha?
“Hey by the way, can I ask for an autograph?”, the girl
said while she rummaged into her bag for a pen and a
paper. Before she could find one, Benjamin stood up and
left.
“MY NAME’S AQUERYLLE BY THE WAY!! AQUERYLLE JAMES!!! I’LL
SEE YOU TOMORROW. DON’T FORGET TO GIVE ME AN AUTOGRAPH!”.
It was too late for Benjamin to hide because the other
students were already looking at him. Some with fear,
others with scorn. It didn’t matter to him anyway. What
mattered more was how shameless the girl
named Aquerylle was.
That night Benjamin’s family ate their dinner peacefully.
The problem was finally settled. It was the 3rd time
already that he had been suspended even though he was not
at fault. This time around was the worst. He was
suspended for a month because of some rich, violent
asshole named Felix Alexander. The man was a bully and
Benjamin happened to stumble upon Felix executing one of
his schemes. As righteous as he was, he tried stopping
Alexander from going through with it which eventually led
into a big fight. The victim, the teachers, and the
principal knew very well how powerful the Alexander
family was and so the blame was pointed to him.
I was the sacrificial lamb thrown into the lion’s den. My
parents tried defending me but money sure worked its way
through the school. The event died out on its own but I
wonder how I will be able to go through school tomorrow
with their disgusted looks.
The next day was just as Benjamin expected. All eyes were
on him but he just shrugged it all off. He didn’t mind
and didn’t want to either. He silently walked to his
classroom when he heard a familiar voice calling him. He
looked for the direction where the voice came from and
there he saw someone he had hoped not to meet. It was
Aquerylle James waving from the school building’s third
floor window. She had her that same vibrant personality
like that of yesterday. After their eyes met, he looked
away and walked as if he’d heard nothing.
On his way to the school café for lunch, Benjamin saw
another person he never wanted to see ever again. That
was right, standing in front with his head held high as
he blocked the doors with his large and tall physique,
was Felix Alexander. Benjamin had the same physique as
Felix, and was a few centimeters taller. That was
probably why everyone believed he was the one who did the
bullying.
Benjamin quietly passed by Felix. He didn’t want any more
commotion but Felix didn’t quite like the idea of getting
ignored.He grabbed Benjamin by his collar and was ready
to throw a punch when a certain girl showed up and tried
to stop the fight.
There was no need for her to meddle. If Benjamin wouldn’t
fight back Felix would soon stop and the fight would be
over. Regardless of that fact, Benjamin was still
thankful so he just nodded at Aquerylle then went in the
cafeteria. The girl glared at Felix before following
Benjamin who was now ordering his food.
The confused Felix, although angry, stomped his way
inside the school café and surprisingly sat down with the
two. Not wanting any more trouble, Benjamin and Aquerylle
glanced at each other before continuing to eat. Felix had
his lackeys order food for him. Strangely enough, it was
as if he wanted to be a part of the group.
………………………………………………………………
“You know man I’m really glad I became your friend. You
are as generous as ever” Felix chuckled and downed down
the glass of wine they were having.
I’m happy too. It was good that we worked everything out
thanks to a certain someone.
Benjamin raised a toast to Felix as they continued
drinking. No one spoke of it but they understood what
those times meant. In their own silent ways they thought
of many things. Especially the past.
…………………………………………………………………
The Alexander’s manor was in a chaos that day. The master
of the house, Aiolus Alexander was coming home. This news
made even Felix flinch. He knew what was coming his way.
His grandfather probably got wind of what had happened in
school and he will surely be reprimanded, heavily if he
may say.
A luxurious, sleek, black car pulled over in front of the
mansion’s enormous door. Out of the car was a man, even
though old, with a big body. Bigger than most people his
age. From Felix’s windows he stared at his grandfather.
He wanted to be like him, but at the same time he loathed
him. He never treated him warmly. Perhaps because he
wanted him not to grow up like his father- a soft, and
kind man. But that kindness was what brought him and his
wife death.
The old man glanced at his grandchild’s room and sighed.
He then ordered his secretary to summon Felix to his bed
chamber before dinner.
Felix heard a knock on the door which made his heart race
like crazy.
“Young master your grandfather has called for you to
visit him before bedroom” the secretary said
*she’s imperfect, but she tried. She was good but she
lied. She was hard on herself. She was broken but won’t
ask for help. She was messy but was kind. She was lovely,
most of the time. She was all of this mixed up and baked,
in a beautiful pie. She was gone but she used to
be……mine. He couldn’t say that last word. Because he knew
he never had the right to make her-his, because he knew
that it was too late for it. It was a fitting end for
him, but never for the girl. That was what he regretted
the most as warm tears strolled on his cheeks as
he left the wake silently.
Characters: Benjamin Parker, AquerylleJames, Felix
Alexander, Mr. and Mrs. Parker, Mr. Helvin-school
Principal