Margret didn’t look happy. She actually felt embarrassed and said, “That I said ‘hi’ to you doesn’t give you the temerity to step above your level. I barely know you.”
“But I have known you before now for so long.”
“Where exactly?”
“In my heart.” he placed his hands on his chest while students giggled.
“Please, stop embarrassing yourself.” Margret neglected his presence. Just then, Caleb entered. His presence attracted everybody’s attention. Dude, was classic and handsome.
“Hey, babe.” he called on his way to Margret’s seat.
The girl happily stood up. “Hi.” She smilingly locked a kiss with him in Crucifix’ presence! Oh, what a humiliation, an embarrassment he will never forget in a hurry. He just stood there like a statue, watching Caleb leave the classroom with his hand on Margret’s shoulder, on a gown he sorely suffered to sketch and obtain. What a heartbreak? Dude felt like shedding tears. Literally, all his monthly efforts were swept under the carpet.
:
;
Briskly Crucifix carried his bag after morning lessons. He could no longer stay till dismissal. Just at his locker found along the long passage, Emmanuel met him, laughing uncontrollably and embarrassingly. Crucifix glanced at him then ignored him.
“Like dude, how the hell did you think you could woo Margret of all girl in the school? You’re totally hilarious!”
Crucifix never said a word. He closed his locker to walk away, but Jimmy arrived. Seeing him alone had his heart jump out of his thorax.
“I thought I would never see you again, the amazing one of the mind.” Jimmy broke the silence.
Emmanuel looked at him. “What did you just call him? What does that mean?” he asked.
Crucifix had no choice but to dragged Jimmy to a corner and lowered his voice as he said, “Are you crazy? These people must not know that I’m a mind reader.”
“Oh, you don’t want them to know that you invade into their privacy and use it against them?.” Jimmy replied.
“I don’t do that anymore. If I must, I use it positively.”
“Or because if they know, everyone will stay far away from you?” Jimmy was still inquisitive.
“Yes, I need to make some friends and turn a new life here, please.” Crucifix pleaded.
“I’ll only keep my mouth shut in one condition.”
“Are you blackmailing me?”
“You can call it wh@ťěver you want, Cross. I just want you to read the principal’s mind and get the code of the school result vault which is found in his office.”
“What?!” Crucifix exclaimed. “How do you expect me to do that?”
“Exactly the way you expect me to close my mouth.” Jimmy replied.
“I can’t do that!”
“Okay,” Jimmy looked around. “Everybody come closer. I have a secret you need to hear! It’s actually every important so that you mind who you mingle with. This actually caused a disaster in my former school..” people began to gather around as he was speaking.
“Okay, I’ll do it.” Crucifix agreed forcefully. What a pity?
:
:
The sun had gone down again for the day, Though Raina didn’t care because she was under an air conditioner of her father’s car driven by a driver. She was actually returning from school, a different school from Kenny High but in the same town. She kept operating her cell phone at the back seat of the car until they entered DeMar.
“Can you take me straight?” She told the driver.
The man glanced at her through the center mirror. “But that’s not the way to your house, Raina” he replied.
“I know, I just want to see someone.”
“I don’t think I can do that.”
“Please, my parents won’t allow me to come out if I get home.” she pleaded.
The man remained mute.
“Okay, how about convincing my dad to increase your salary?”
The driver smiled. He reversed the car and headed straight. He could see Raina through the mirror smiling happily.
On the other hand, Crucifix seated outside their house heartbroken. Margret’s words still rang in her head; THAT I SAID ‘HI’ TO YOU DOESN’T GIVE YOU THE TEMERITY TO STEP ABOVE YOUR LEVEL..
“Cross..” Raina’s voice brought back Crucifix’ mind to the present. He turned to see the girl standing a metre away. She looked dashing.
“Raina!” he stood up. “What are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here?” she returned the question disdainfully.
“Please, pardon me. Sit down.” he gestured at a wooden bench where both sat down.
“I actually came directly from school. On other words, I snuck out.” she chuckled while Crucifix smiled.
“Thanks, let me offer you…”
“No” she interrupted him. “So how about Margret. Have you talked to her?” she asked.
Hearing that, Crucifix’ mood changed. “I actually took your advice and approached her, but she turned me down. All of them actually think I’m a clown.” he said.
“Is a pity, my gender could be very difficult some times.” Raina consoled him.
“Yeah, Emmanuel in my school said something like that.”
“That’s why you should have approached her first before sending the gifts and packages to her.”
“No, I had to send the packages seven times as I did before approaching her.”
Surprised, Raina looked at him. “That actually sounded very fetish. What does it mean?” she asked.
“You won’t understand, Raina.” Crucifix replied.
“That’s what you always say.” She turned his head in a way he looked into her eyes. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Crucifix couldn’t say it. Like how would he explain to her that he’s a special child? A unique and lonely child who must first send seven gifts to a girl he is very sure he loves and must end up with her otherwise… Jeez! I don’t want to say it, at least not now. All I can say is that Crucifix had embarked on a dangerous mission. Oh, Geb wasn’t even aware of his actions. He would definitely be pissed when he gets to hear about it.
Nevertheless, instead of revealing his true self to Raina, he used that opportunity to read her mind: GOD, I JUST PRAY MY ASTHMA DOESN’T EMBARRASS ME NOW..
d@mn, Crucifix just realized from her mind that beautiful Raina is asthmatic! Oh, what a pity. Just then, the grandfather coughed from a corner thereby distracting them.
Raina turned. “Good evening, sir.” she greeted and turned to Crucifix. “I have to take my leave now. See you later.” she walked passed the old man who humbly answered her greetings. Crucifix was still lost at his new discovery about his friend.
:
:
Raina got home, entered into her room to undress, only too find the cardboard paper Crucifix drew the red gown on under her bed. She picked it up, admiring it once more and smiling unknowingly. She had to get a gum and pasted it on the wall of her room. She sat down on the edge of the bed still smiling unknowingly. Wow, the girl was falling in love!
;
:
On the same hand, at Adams’, Margret laid face-up , lost at Crucifix bravery approach. Only one of his statement had kept her restless throughout the day: YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL, MARGRET ESPECIALLY ON THIS DRESS. IT IS EXACTLY THE WAY YOU PICTURED IT IN YO…
“…in your mind?” she thought critically. She could understand the last missing words, but couldn’t understand the meaning of the statement itself. She was still thinking very hard……
:
:
TO BE CONTINUED