no title yet (formerly Call Me L)

Prologue

Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.

That word I did as I stepped at the gutter. I stared at the oceanic pool, deep, hungry for human flesh. I bent my body as I prepared myself for the ultimate race of my life. This instance was going through slow motions. People cheered on their bleachers, all feeling low pitched. The signal was taking so long. I turned to my right and saw Ruth.

I frowned at myself. Her eyes made a sudden flick on me. She seemed nervous. I guessed we were both feeling the same and wishing to win.

That exact time when the host blew on his whistle, I remembered everything how I got myself here.

In the smooth rhythm of Ave Maria, I reminisced such time when I and Ruth used to sit in front of the piano. We did duet singing together this glorious song. It's all what we used to do when we were younger.

We used to commit mistakes together, get scolded together and cry together. But every day was fun.

"Fate!"

Eleven years from now, I could still remember how she called my name in her young and bubbly voice.

"Fate! Uncle Stuart's waiting! He'll teach us a lot of Bach today!"

We attended middle school and high school together at the same school. We have this friendship ring marbled by our hands. She baked me blueberry cheesecakes, same as I painted her paintings of sceneries.

We have this promise together, "whatever happens, we'll always sing Ave Maria."

After the game, I went home straight and packed my clothes. One by one, I folded them and helped myself. I have filled up two duffle bags. And I felt relief when I knew I have finished. My room's empty already at some point... My trophy was just sitting there at the corner.

~

CHAPTER ONE

I stood up and folded my legs to reach the silver figure.

"'Second Place'? I only got second place, this is crap!" I grasped it hard and threw it on the floor. "So, Ruth's first? Of course, every second place has a first place, right?" I stepped near the broken trophy, "Ruth... I just can't believe you'd enter the same game as mine. Kept telling me I'll win when you have brought home the golden trophy? Was that enough insult?" I lifted my feet and let my shadow to swallow the light.

I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists. Why are you doing this to me, Ruth?

"Fate?"

I frowned and breathed deep. I wanted to crush the trophy like crushing the memories of our friendship. I wanted to break every bit of hugs and laughters we've spent. I wanted to break our dreams and promises for each other. I wanted to forget everything, everything.

I kicked the trophy and left it. I took the two duffle bags and headed downstairs. My mom has turned the engine of the vehicle.

I opened the second flap and brought the bags inside.

My mom said, "Are you sure you don't want a university same as Ruth? It's just kilometers away."

"Mom, please. Don't mention that b*tch's name."

"Fate! Shut that dirty mouth. Forget about that swimming race. There's a lot more to join--"

"But, mom, Ruth won over me! When we used to be fair, everytime! I lost to my best-- to someone who's selfish! That person--"

"Fate, she is your best friend and you shouldn't be talking like that. She won because--"

"Because she was hungry for victory over me."

"Because she did it."

"What 'it'? Explain. I did my best, too, mom. Why do you think I lost? Was it because I'm too easy? Is it because--"

"It's because you're too much expecting. Be a good sport. The game's over, dear."

"The game's over as we are." I shut the door loudly. I stomped my foot as I walked to the front seat. I stared at the small bunny stuffed toy keychain that hung on the rearview mirror. It was from Ruth. I felt so insulted when I saw the rodent's smile. I quickly snatched it and threw it out.

My mom got inside and before she started driving, she stared at me with a long face.

She turned on the radio and selected a station.

The next program is brought to you by Eric's Burgers.

Then a lively tune followed.

This is Vos Vio, your Love DJ. I have thirteen songs waiting, and these are not just songs. One was written by Mr. E. Humphrey, seventeen. It has a very nice tone and good lyrics. Check this out.

After three seconds, a guitar began strumming after my ears then a genuine voice sang.

"Every night I write the same songs,

Over and over.

Every night I see the same wrongs,

Over and over.

I listen to anything but my heart still cries

I don't know what to do, it's all melting like an ice.

Hey, please hear my wish, my hopes won't rise

'Cause I'm crying all my tears,

Spitting out memories;

I broke the picture of us

But realized I can't.

Please complete me,

I tried to throw my phone,

Where your name's thousands seen

Thought I could be alone--"

"That singer's too depressed." My mom muttered and changed the station."

"You don't understand teenagers, mom." I whispered.

We were in the middle of the granary fields. The city was very far from our hometown.

The song played by the station was Thriller, by Michael Jackson and my mom moved her head back and forth as she followed the beat. Oh, that's her type.

I stared outside the window. It was like minutes but as seen, we were outside our place. It was a fast trip since there wasn't any traffic or distractions.

When we got to the city, my mom began to talk. "Honey, this place is a big and crowded. I was the same as you'll be. I have spent my whole college life here in the city and seldom visited the town. But it's okay. You'll be alright with your aunt."

"But I'll take the dorm, right?"

"Sure. You're aunt's only to supervise your needs."

I smirked. "Mom, can I have a favor? If ever Ruth comes and asks about me, tell her to go away or else, I'll kill her."

"Ugh!" She snapped my hand.

"Ouch!"

"That's a very dirty mouth!"

"Sheesh." I mumbled. We were already seeing students wearing uniform clothes. And I really thought it was awkward since I have attended schools without wearing the same prints every day.

"See that?" My mom pointed her finger to a group of girls who were in a school uniform. "They'll be your schoolmates!"

"Oh?" I was not surprise nor amazed. Just plain poker.

"Your school uniform will be disseminated at the dorm. And don't worry, I have told them which is which."

Okay, the city. It was... Crowded. Yep. It has a lot of people, with their suitcases, walking and checking their watches. The establishments didn't seem comfortable. You'll have to raise and tilt your head to find the top. And everything was all unrural. Really.

After passing some streets and large trees, my mom tilted the steering wheel and it led us to an entrance that has a lot of thick vines and fine bushes on either side. At the top, there was "Welcome to Louielard University."

"Louielard..." I whispered.

Inside, there's still a lot of flowers and vines beside the driveway. The architectures were amazing, all inspired by Greek art. There's a large building that resembled Parthenon. Well, every stand did look like the same. There are also a lot of statues. One was named Artemis. I remember her, she is the goddess of the hunt.

"This place is called 'City's Greece.'" My mom smiled. "With all you see, it's all because of the Greek owner of this university that made it possible." She stopped the car in front of a horizontally long building. "Here we are." She opened the flap and took a duffle bag.

I cherished every sightings while I was inside the car and finally, got myself out. I took the other bag and we headed inside. It was the dormitory.

Everything inside was uniquely fabulous. It's all white and Greek. There was an amazing water feature hanging on the wall that attracted every eye in this room. There were sculptures of Naiads and one of Hera with her peacock. Paintings were numerous.

My mom had finished talking to the concierge and had given me the key to my room. "Classes will start by twelve. Be good and study well." She patted my shoulder.

"Sure, as long as you keep my favor."

"Shut up." She kissed my cheeks and gave me a proud smile. Then, she left.

I took my two duffle bags and brought it to my room. The dorm was three-storey yet, wide in area. I opened my room and found a typical comfortable place. It was not in a desirable size butit was enough for one person.

I placed my clothes inside the closet and prepared my school bag, which was also given by the school. I took a short wash and wore my uniform. The time was only ten in the morning. I slowed down my pace and looked at myself on the mirror.

"This is new life, Fate. New life, eh?" I grasped my hair and braided it to one side. "New life." I stared at myself. "That girl made you what you are now but it's time to forget it... L." I pursed my lips. "L for ruthless. L for fatal." I removed the braid and put on a dark eyeliner. With my bangs banded, I freed and let them hung on my forehead. I took a chewing gum from my bag and smirked. "L."

I left the room and felt different. But I have to live it since I chose it.

Every person I passed looked at me with a weird expression in their faces. I put my hand on my pocket and let the other support my body bag. I practiced doing poker faces and making people think I didn't care. Once I was out of the building, I checked a sign post that directs to the music department.

Since Greece is a European country, one of the school's focuses  was classical. The walk was long but with the sightings, it was a good place to bike. I threw the gum when I have consumed enough but I heard someone spoke.

"Hey!" The voice was familiar.

I pretended not to notice and continued my walk.

"Hey, you! Throwing trash is not allowed!"

I stopped for a second.

The guy walked towards me and faced me. At the first look, he got shocked of my appearance. "Kid, you need to throw that trash properly. You see that this place is spotless, everywhere. And if it’s only you who’ll ruin everything, it would be very ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous? Are you the keeper of this school?” I asked. I hoped I was appearing mean.

“Please. I am just requesting you to. Even though you look new here, at least, give respect to your surroundings.”

I folded my legs and took the gum. I gave him a last mean look and went off.

“And wearing such a dark face doesn’t make you look like a scary person!” He said loudly.\

“Whatever.” I muttered. I gripped my bag tightly and threw the gum in the trash bin.

But anyway, his voice was quite familiar. It seemed like I just heard it a while ago but… No, I haven’t talked to any guy before we got here. It was just weird.

When I stepped inside the department, the first thing I heard was the tune of Ave Maria in flute with people singing the lyrics.

“Ave Maria,  gratia plena…”

The mix of tenors were magnanimous that I was dumbfounded singing the next lines.

“Dominus tecum , benedicta tu in mulieribus,

Et benedictus fructus ventres,

Tui Jesus.”

The music stopped and I got awaked. Oh.

I looked around and saw that people were staring at me. I bowed my head and walked fast. After some paces, I realized someone was behind me. I turned around and saw a little girl. Her smile was big and she seemed amazed. I pursed my lips and felt shame.

“Your voice, it is so angelic.” She said.

I looked at the ground. I promised to myself that I would not be singing that song but I did.

“I… It’s… Uh. Thanks.” I headed walking.

I stopped in front of the room that has a piano inside. I stared at it and wished that I could enter the room.

Afterwards, I got out of the department. I walked to the auditorium that has a lot of Corinthian architectures. Beside were a lot of water features. And I was having the feeling that this place was trying to be a paradise itself.

The principal’s speech took us thirty minutes and the welcoming rites were over by that exact eleven-thirty.

When we went back to our own departments, the little girl was following me. I let her do it wherever I went. When classes started, she went to her middle school department but when it was break, she entered the department and peaked at me. She was my tail when I buy lunch. She said every nice adjective she could think of. She adored how dark my eyes were. And to tell you, I was not entertaining that brat because all I could say was, “Kid, go away. You’re irritating.”

Dismissal came and I was out of the building when that kid came rushing again. “Wait! Wait.”

I sighed and looked at her coldly. “Listen. I don’t even know your name, you don’t know my name—“

“I have said that my name’s Tippy. I was asking your name.”

“Whatever! I don’t like kids and I don’t need to have people appreciating me. You’re so, so irritating!”

“Hey!” That familiar voice came again/

I turned to his direction and felt terrified. It was my first time to tell pissing words.

“You’re messing with my sister! What’s your—“

“Your sister?” I sighed. “No doubt. She’s as irritating as you.”

“You… Again?” He quickly grasped his sister’s wrist. The kid felt blue. She bowed her head but seemed to control her tears.

“Take care of that brat and tell her that stalking is bad. Au Revoir.” I turned my back against them and walked fast to the dorm.

“You, girl. Don’t start with me. I have in no terms of running against anyone in this school.”

The next day, the first person I saw before I entered the classroom was that guy again. I rolled my eyes and let my shoulder hit his arm. “I hope we weren’t in the same class today.” I whispered.

“What did you say?” We were back-to-back.

“I was talking to myself.”

“So?”

“You shouldn’t be eavesdropping at someone’s business.”

“But you’re talking about me, right?”

“You think? FYI, I don’t talk to strangers.” Then, I continued to enter the room.

Then, a palm, weighed on my shoulders, forced me to face him, and it was very close. “I have no problem with you. I find you so mean and inconsiderate that’s why you have attracted my attention. And with my sister, you have totally cracked my patience. I don’t think we’ll be forever strangers. Let’s start anew.”

He raised his right hand in front of me.

“What is this?”

“I’m Eli.”

(Next update to be expected around July 15, 2012)

A/N:

Thank you for the hardwork of reading my very long chapter. The plot I was formulating was good and I wish it has interested you with this first.