Chapter 6:

Wholesome Words

Francis Ashton's POV:

The winter vacation is about to start and we're given our final project. It was a magazine that should contain articles, pictures, and other things related to our group.

It's not a hard project but it would definitely take some time. We'll be having a meeting about it after class but it's just the vacant time right now so, we have more than half of the day.

Whether I like it or not, the 4 of us ate lunch together every single day. Well, unless I didn't attend school. They also invite me to hang out during the weekends. I usually reject them because of my job but if I have time, I would go with them.

No matter how much I hate to admit it but these girls are a part of me now. I don't get attached easily but when I do, I'm loyal as hell.

"Hey Francis. Do you know where Jewel is?" Chloe asked while looking around the classroom.

"Do I look like some kind of lost and found booth?" I said sarcastically.

Chloe sighed. "I needed to ask her about her exam results."

"Don't stress too much about that! Gimme that!" Gwen chuckled and snatched Chloe's test papers.

They both ran around the room, Gwen teasing Chloe, and Chloe trying to get her papers back. I need peace.

I suddenly had the urge to go to the rooftop. I mean, the wind would be nice.

"I'm gonna go." I said although I know they can't hear me.

I was walking up the stairs when I heard Gwen's laugh. Will I ever be at peace?

"Wait up!" Gwen yelled running up the stairs and even passing by me.

Chloe was running after her and it ended up like I'm the one following them since I was behind them. I just shook my head in disapproval but what else can I do?

"You can't catch me~" Gwen mocked in a singing tone waving Chloe's papers above her head.

We're in the rooftop already.

"Gwen!" Chloe complained.

She's a little shorter than Gwen and not to mention Gwen's wearing heels. I sighed and snatched it from her.

"How childish. Shut up, will ya?" I roared. How annoying.

I gave the papers back to Chloe and she said thanks. Gwen rolled her eyes on me as she pouts.

I sighed. Finally, it's quiet.

That's when I realized that someone was also here. I can see her back and I already know who she is.

Is this where she had been these past weeks? She usually disappears during vacant periods.

I walk towards her and she had her earphones on. She's a lot more distant than she had ever been. I mean she's still cheerful in front of us but she wanted to be alone more frequently now.

"Rei..." I nudged her.

I saw her look at me and she smiled weakly. She took off one of her earphones before speaking. "Oh, you found my spot."

"Jewel! You're here~!" Gwen said and run towards us when she saw her.

"It looks like I need to find a new spot now? I've been discovered." She laughed.

Something's off about her recently.

"Hey, about the group project. Let's do it at Chloe's!" Gwen said.

"Our house? Why?" Chloe protested.

"Well, I don't want to do it at our house." Gwen replied.

"Mine's a huge no too." I added.

"Jewel?" Chloe looked at her with pleading eyes.

"I can't. I'm sorry Chloe. But would your parents mind?" Reina asked.

"No, but..." Chloe whined.

"It's settled then! Let's just talk about the time and date on our group chat." Gwen said.

"Let's go back to our room." Reina said as she held the other girls' arms.

On the way down, Gwen kept on talking.

"Jewel, you used to attend Serpent Academy right?" Gwen asked.

Rei nodded. "Why?"

"Then you know SG? Serpent Gang. Those handsome gangsters." Gwen said like a hopeless romantic crazy person.

"Yes." Rei laughed while looking at Gwen. "What's up?" She asked.

"Nothing much. I just heard that SG's leader was dating someone from our school. They were spotted dating at the mall or that's what the rumors said." Gwen narrated.

"SG? Psh. Cool kids wannabes." I interrupted.

"Well, for your information. They're extremely attractive and kind of rich too. Some of them are from powerful families. SG's leader is like the perfect boyfriend material." Gwen argued.

"Minus the part that he's a member of a gang and he's beating up people?" I scoffed.

"They're not bad people..." Reina said. Is she defending them?

"Jewel always see the best in people." Chloe said in awe.

"I mean everyone has their dark sides right? If so, then there's always good in everyone." Reina smiled at Chloe.

She noticed that I was looking at her and she stared at me, raising one eyebrow, and her eyes asking why.

I shook my head no.

Rei's one of the nicest person I've ever met. I'm afraid of how powerful her demons are...

—at Chloe's home

Jewel Reina's POV:

"Mom, these are my friends that I've been telling you about; Jewel, Gwen, and Francis. Guys, my mom." Chloe introduced us to each other.

Her mom gave us a warm hug as a greeting.

"It's so nice to finally meet you! You can call me Carleen or anything you're comfortable with. You have no idea how happy I am to know that my Chloe has friends to hang out with. She's always at home studying and it made me so worried." Chloe's mom said while we're having snacks before we start our project.

"You don't have to worry Mrs. Cortez, Chloe is actually a very good student and friend to us. She's kind of too serious with her studies but I don't think it's a bad thing. It's her charm." Gwen said with a bright smile beaming from her face.

"You kids do whatever you need to do, okay? Don't hesitate to ask me for anything. I'll be in the kitchen readying our lunch." Her mom said and left us in their living room.

"Your home is so..." Ash was trying to say something when Chloe cut him off.

"I know our house is tiny. I told you we shouldn't have pick my house. We're not as wealthy as you guys so..." Chloe blabbered and sighed.

"I was trying to say that it's cozy." Ash flicked Chloe's forehead.

"Who cares if it's tiny or huge. I would pick this house over ours. Not because of the space but because of the warmth in here. You're lucky to have that kind of mom." Gwen said.

"I guess I really got lucky in the family department, huh?" Chloe finally smiled.

Finally, her insecurity left. I smiled at the sight of Chloe finally looking relaxed and happy.

On the other hand, I saw Ashton stealing glances at Chloe's mom in the kitchen.

I patted his shoulder.

"Is that what it's like?" Francis glanced at me. "To have a mom." He added.

"I actually don't know." I whispered to him.

He stared at me, looking shocked. I just laughed and lightly slap his face so he would stop looking at me.

"So, let's start our project?" I asked them and they all nodded.

We all took out our laptops and open it.

"I'll start doing the layout and editing the photos." Francis said.

While typing, Chloe said, "Then, I'll be doing our basic profiles."

I look at Gwen and she's thinking. "I'll write some anecdotes."

I nodded. "I'll do our family backgrounds and our talents, interests, and hobbies."

We're doing our own works without talking to each other. I already know almost all about them so there's no problem writing about them.

Gwen's parents are businessman and woman. She's an only child. She's part of the theater club and likes singing. She also likes tea parties, cakes, sweets, and princessy stuffs but at the same time she's adventurous and curious. She doesn't mind getting dirty if that's what the adventures lead her to. She also eat a lot and doesn't mind eating street-foods at all.

As Chloe, her dad is working abroad while her mom is a housewife. She has an older brother who's already working abroad too. She's the brainiac and top student of our year. She's very responsible. She likes reading books and solving puzzles.

As for Francis... His mom is already in heaven and his dad is also a businessman. He's also an only child. He's part of the swimming team and also likes playing basketball so when the basketball teams needs extra players, he would play for the team. He's scared of heights but love extreme sports and activities. And he likes phone and computer games.

Do I have to tell mine?

Well... My parents are divorced. I have an older half-brother from my mom and also an older half-brother on my dad side. I like listening to music and being alone somewhere peaceful and quiet. There's nothing really special about me. I can do a lot of things but I don't excel in any; jack of all trades, master of none, kind of thing.

"Jewel, don't get upset but... when's your birthday?" Chloe asked softly trying not to hurt me.

Right. I've never told them that.

"Why don't you know that?" I teased acting like I'm hurt that they don't know. I pouted and pretending to be upset.

"January 24." Ashton interrupted.

Gwen and Chloe stared at me with widen eyes. I nodded admitting that Francis is right. Both of them gasped but Chloe typed it right away.

"How did you know?" Gwen asked and stared at Francis. I, too, glanced at him.

"You told me before but maybe you forgot you did." He said.

No. I didn't. I stared at him trying to figure out how he find out. I hated that day. I don't even want to remember it so I know I've never told anyone. How did he...

He messed my hair and smiled at me. "Don't think about it too much. Continue what you were doing."

I nodded and got back to work.

—lunchtime

Mrs. Cortez readied the dining table for us. We're eating all together and chatting.

"Francis, dear, you should eat more." Mrs. Cortez said and put more meat on Ash's plate. "You look like such a nice kid and very handsome too! Your mom must be so proud having a son like you." She said and pets his hair.

I saw tears forming on his eyes and he kind of choked.

"Oh dear, are you okay?" Mrs. Cortez asked and hurriedly gave him a glass of water.

Ash accepted it and drank. He put the glass down yet he can't help himself but to cry.

I took some tissues and gave it to him.

Mrs. Cortez looks so worried and kept on asking him if he was okay. Francis was shaking his head no.

It took a few minutes but he finally calmed down. "I'm sorry to startle you. I just felt quite overwhelmed... You see, my mom died giving birth to me." He said softly.

Gwen gasped and Chloe's mouth was ajar after hearing this. Mrs. Cortez, on the other hand, softened and she smiled.

"I still think that she's proud of you." She said and gave him a hug. "Look at you being strong and taking care of yourself well. I'm sure she's watching over you telling herself that you're the best thing that ever happened to her. Shush now my child." Mrs. Cortez comforted him while patting his back.

I smiled bitterly to myself.

(( BONUS #3 ))

While walking home after my shift at the cafe, I overheard this guy talking to his phone. That's the guy talking to Jewel the other night when I saw her crying. Is that her boyfriend?

"Yeah. I saw my cousin the other night. Yup, the crazy one who jumped off that bridge. She's doing fine. I bet her dad's spoiling her with everything she wants right now. No man, I'm not happy she's fine. It's better if she just disappear."

I heard. Wow. So, he's her cousin. And I can't believe what I'm hearing right now. How despicable.

I snatched his phone and stepped on it, breaking it.

"What the hell?!" He complained and pushed me away.

"You have no idea what she's going through right now! How dare you say things like this is so easy for her!" I yelled as I grab him by the collar releasing a powerful punch on his face.

I was so furious. I pick him up from the ground just to kick and punch him again. He groaned not being able to get up from the ground anymore.

I walked away and went home. I was being quiet so that my dad won't know that I'm back.

But maybe karma's toying me. It was dark and I accidentally hit my pinky toe at a corner.

"Shit." I exclaimed as I grab my foot. That freaking hurts!

"Francis! C'mon here you little rat!" My dad yelled coming from the balcony at the second floor.

I went there and he was pissed. He looked at me from head to toe and noticed the bruises and blood from my fist.

"You're not getting good grades and now you're even starting fights, huh?! What are you trying to prove?!" He yelled at me and slapped me.

"Should I just drop out of school then?" I talked back to him not being able to control myself.

"Did you just talk back to me you little shit?!" He gave me a blow on my stomach. "I am still your father. Whether you like it or not, as long as you're staying with me, you respect me!" He yelled again and gave me another slap.

He grabbed my collar and pushed me. I hit the wall and I ended up sitting on the floor.

I should save up so I could buy my own place first...