Bubble Gum Kisses
CHAPTER 49

**Kapittel 49** ***Vanessa***

**"Sure, in your dreams, "** I retorted, rolling my eyes at him. I saw his mouth was about to open for a response but just in time, our classmates started walking in and sitting in their seats. I turned my head fully in the opposite direction, feigning to ignore his abominable presence.

I saw that most of my classmates were minding their own business, but there were still others who secured their gaze on me. I recalled back then that all of them always had their eyes glaring holes at me like a pack of wolves replaceing waiting for their prey to make the wrong move before hounding over. Every move I made was strictly scrutinized. Fortunately, they were only bystanders and I only had to deal with a few people. Lana and Friso were one of the few examples. "Hey." My shoulders shuddered when someone poked my back. I looked behind me and saw Haley giving me a small smile. I forgot that we were classmates in some classes too.

"Hi," I greeted her with a small wave as she went ahead to her seat. From the corner of my eye, I saw Friso glaring in my direction. Was it directed to me or to Haley? As if it mattered. Though a small part of my brain wondered what it could possibly be he be having against Haley if ever the glare was for her.

"Good day, everyone," Mr. Singh suddenly entered and we did our usual mundane greeting.

Class proceeded like any other usual school. I took out my pen excitedly, tapping my forefinger on the tip. The instructor was still recalling the events from the past lesson, it'd take a bit more time before he'd ask us to take out our books. The spring air was warm as if it was summer, passing through the open windows that showed a full display of the football team practicing on the greenery. Time seemed to flow at a turtle's pace as the sun's rays hit on my sleeves softly. What seemed to be the finishing touch to perfect the atmosphere was Mr. Singh's voice of rich octave. It was smoother than shea butter. It added to my zeal to listen to him discuss the previous topics coherently. That's a former college professor for you, I guess. Everything seemed uneventful like any of my typical days that I would sigh over. But that wasn't going to be like this for long.

Despite being situated in optimum conditions and a suitable learning environment, I was frantically excited that the tips of my fingers remained cold when I wasn't high on adrenaline rush anymore. I looked up to see that clock ticking at its usual pace, but I wanted it to move faster. I wanted time to move faster, turn that turtle into a rabbit real quick. What was taking it so long? "All right. Start taking your textbooks, everyone, and flip to..." Finally!

I hastily took out my book from underneath, all prim and proper like usu-

"Fuck!" a thunderous roar echoed in the classroom all loud and alarming. What was only missing was thick, grey clouds, strong, cold winds, and flashes of lightning to call it an incoming disaster. Joy sparked in my veins as my blood boiled in ecstasy. I turned to my side. Lo and behold, the devil incarnate stood from his seat with such force that his chair fell off with a loud *bang!*

"What's the matter?" his outburst caught the entire class' attention. Everyone had their eyes on him though he didn't seem to notice it since he was panicking, waving his arm vehemently. "Get it off of me!" he shouted loudly. The grasshopper was peacefully resting on his shoulder.

"Get what off?" one classmate asked, scoffing. He was obviously confused by Friso suddenly acting up. The others were laughing at him for overreacting. He was tall and had a strong frame, seeing him afraid and overreacting was a scene to behold.

"The insect!" he retorted, glaring at the latter. "Get it off!" he continued to wave his hands and patting on himself, even turning his pockets inside out. I knew he had a crippling fear of insects the likes of cockroaches and grasshoppers since he thought they were disgusting and weird. I tended to tease about it to him back then too.

"What do you mean insect, it's on your shoulder," I stated, faintly giggling. I was struggling to not laugh out loud and roll on the floor like a bale of hay.

He looked over his shoulder, and they came in eye-to-eye. "Ah!" he shrieked and flicked it off his shoulder. Immediately, the green creature hopped on top of Haley's head, who was busy putting on some powder on her face. We all stared at her in unison. The others silently got on their feet, slowly creeping in her direction. I remained in my seat, observing my classmates who seemed to have the same thing in mind: to catch it.

It took Haley a matter of moments before realizing that everyone was surrounding her. The grasshopper too was on its way to action, crawling above her head towards her face.

"What's going on?" she asked, looking around, obviously anxious by the sudden attention. At the same time, the little arthropod fell and landed on her nose. Slowly, she looked down at her nose.

"Oh... Oh. My. God. It's on my face! It's on my face!" she took her turn to shriek and freaked out. She slapped her nose, causing it to jump to Erik who effortlessly flicked it off his arm, leading it to hop on Edgar who was fast asleep. Once again, everyone went clandestine on their steps, careful not to let it get away.

"Okay now, slowly... slowly..." it was Mr. Singh who guided them as they took their steps closer. I could feel that everyone's breaths were synchronized. Amanda's hands were close enough to capture the grasshopper, but it hopped away and landed back on Friso's head.

"Fucking hell!" he shouted and pulled his hair. With that, I gave up, finally laughing out loud. It was a sight for sore eyes to see him pulling his hair and tapping himself all over like a fool when the grasshopper wasn't even there. It already went to his desk after he had screamed.

The critter continued to hop from one place to another, freaking everyone out. Pencils and pens were thrown, papers were flying in the air, screeches were airing out the window, some went berserk, and others were screaming to calm down when they themselves were agitated as well. Meanwhile, the instructor was telling everyone to settle down. A ruckus was made. Ultimately, it arrived at the hands of Synth, who offered her palms to it.

"What was that?" the instructor mumbled wiping his forehead, appearing exhausted like he just survived a cross-country race. It was either the grasshopper scared him too or he was stressed by the disturbance. "It's just a grasshopper, Mr. Singh," she said, covering it with her two hands. "I'll take care of it."

"Good. Now, fix yourselves." He sighed in relief. At his command, my classmates started to fix what was disorganized, picking up the things that were scattered. Only I and a few others who weren't too surprised by the critter's presence remained on our spot. A traumatized Haley remained cringing on her seat as well, while Friso was leaning by the windows, conspicuously still afraid.

"Also, let's refrain from the violent outbursts next time, Friso. All right?" he pointed the marker at Friso before turning on his back. A few of us laughed, and others whispered. Surely, they were surprised to see their cool campus king acting like that. "Now, let's continue." The class discussion then continued like nothing happened.

I proceeded to act like I had no involvement in the situation, jotting down notes, and highlighting important terms. But there was something different. Friso, thankfully, wasn't coming close beside me. He remained on his spot. Unfortunately, he was glaring daggers at me and it sent a shiver down my spine. Oh, he knew.

Not intimidated by his menacing scowl, I took my cue to smirk. I turned in his direction, looked him straight in the eye, and curved my lips on one side for that half-crooked smile. A hot bolt flickered between us. But I knew I had the stronger voltage. Ah, that fel

My thoughts were immediately broken off when I felt small, hard things raining all over my head. Right on the shiny, tiled floor rolled a capless chalk container, along with countless chalks and a used eraser filled with stain. Of course, the laughter that'd render you embarrassed was never absent.

I stood on my spot, processing what just happened. I was walking to my next class, opened the door, something fell above my head, and a pack of chalk and used erasers were on the ground. It was a prank.

Humiliated and irate, I looked at a particular chair the further back. There he was, all smiling, carefree with his feet on the desk and his hands clasped behind his head. Friso then pulled out one hand and pointed two fingers at me, resembling a finger gun, motioning them like he was some cowboy who fired shots.

My teeth ground when he blew the tips of his fingers and winked. "Bingo," he mouthed. I guessed he realized this meant war. That marked the start of our little shenanigans against each other.

** **

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