Her Destined Ride — Chapter 40: NEW TRENDS, FEW FRIENDS

Sunny's POV

I never had a good night's sleep last night. What Miss Marlyn and mom told me bothered me. From what mom experienced, I guess she never wanted me to face the same love she had.

I could still remember how she told me about dad. Her experiences, and on how immature she was way back then. I can't blame my mom for feeling this way. Maybe she didn't want me to experience the same feeling that she had from the past.

Although she's the ideal type, I guess all she meant is for me not to get involved in any form of immature love. I guess she doesn't want me to regret anything as I live my life.

"I don't want you to rush towards me and cry because things didn't work out exactly what you wanted them to happen. Love comes unexpectedly. It is always up to us on how we would be able to handle it."

It bothered me until I reached school. I'm about to enter the room when Laila blocked my way again. She's grinning while folding her arms. The sight of her face can ruin my day instantly.

"Gosh, who's the real flirt now?"

"You're only eleven years old and you're a bully already." I also retorted. She scoffed as a reply, then grinned while looking at me in a malicious way.

"Look who's talking! You're already fourteen and yet you're still in grade seven. What happened?"

"You're being judgemental."

"Well, I am stating the truth."

"Don't you ever dare tell somebody about something if you didn't know what they've been through." I can't help but to argue with her. How dare her tell me these things when she has no single idea of what I've been through? I honestly wanted to slap her hard. I want to forget that I am decades older than her. Ripe and experienced in life already, while her? She's too young to become a notorious bully to someone she wanted to pick a fight with.

"Don't talk nonsense, Sunny. I know you. You're nothing but a flirt. You've always wanted attention since day one."

"Can you get out of my way?"

I might forget you're only eleven I might slap you from left to right.

She followed what I told her but then I didn't like her smile. I hate the way she did it like she's fabricating something that I didn't like. I admit she is making me nervous.

I went inside the room and I could see a lot of my classmates whispering to each other as they looked at me from head to toe.

What is wrong with them? What did Laila tell them this time? She's getting to my nerves.

When our teacher arrived, she gave us a sudden oral recitation. My heart started to pound when she announced that she will give it to random students as they call them.

"Sunny Grainger…" I swallowed when I heard my name. My teacher said the question but I was too nervous I couldn't even say a word.

"Sunny?" I heard her mention my name again. I shook my head as I glanced at my other classmates. They giggled as they looked at me. It's as if they're mocking me as they also wait for my answer.

"Ma'am, sorry I didn't know the answer." I heard my teacher click her tongue as she sighed. I looked down because of too much embarrassment.

"Gosh she didn't know the lesson but she knew how to flirt with a junior high student. Shame on her." I heard one of my classmates whispering those things to our other classmate in front of me. I am sure they were friends with Laila.

"What? Is it for real?" My other classmate seemed not to believe it but the other one insisted.

"Of course! Laila saw what they're doing herself. Let's go to the library to see it for ourselves." They even had a high five. Seriously? How can they be like that?

I never thought they've become this worse. Worst than I ever thought they could ever be.

I closed my fist as soon as I realized that Laila is being too much. Now I know the reason why she meaningfully grinned at me when I am about to go inside our classroom a while ago. This is what she meant when she said I'll regret things.

She's becoming too much for my first week in school. She's younger than me. However, she's fearless and reckless at the same time. Well, sad thing is, she was able to convince most of my classmates that I am good at flirting and nothing else.

Instead of going to the library, I avoided that place and waited for Mr. Henry in the receiving area until five in the afternoon. I am sure Tyler was waiting for me but I do not want him to get involved in this.

I almost forgot I am in a period that people are still conservative. I did not get it. For them, a sweet gesture between the opposite gender is considered "flirting". The worst thing is, they will make a big buzz about it like you're the most wanted criminal that ever lived in 1957.

As soon as I reached home, I informed Miss Marlyn and mom about what happened right away. They were very shocked but they just looked at me.

"I hope that you are both on my side because I am telling you all of these things."

My mom sighed and Miss Marlyn tapped my shoulders.

"You're one, fierce soul, Sunny. I admire you for being honest. I hope from what happened, you'll get a lesson out of it."

I never stopped myself from crying in front of them. I never thought that a single action that Tyler and I did will result in this one.

"I promise not to do it again, mom, Miss Marlyn."

"We always trust you, Sunny."

The rest of the week is like hell. I know Tyler wanted to talk to me but I am the one who avoided him. I don't want him to suffer as much as I do. He's a scholar and I know it will affect his grades if he will be involved in this one, too.

Although I admit, I am starting to miss him so much. I badly wanted to see him but how? I closed my notebook as I stood up from my bedside table and went straight to bed.

I have an idea and I know it is much safer this time. The next morning, I got ready for something. I thought of a valid alibi just for them to allow me to go to town. Mr. Henry dropped me in front of Viny's flower shop. I told him to go back three hours after I went shopping. He agreed and when our car was out of sight, I went inside the public library.

As soon as Tyler saw me, he hugged me right away.

"I miss you so much!"

"I miss you too! Can we go to the hilltop?" I suggested. He smiled as he rode his bike again, with me sitting behind him.