Chapter 77 The shadow helper
Uriel's POV
"Sorry, you can't change your major," the principal said shaking his head.
"You're not getting me. I'd like to apply for scholarship under the Art major and not that of Business administration. Trust me, I have the potentials and I just need -"
"It's too late, Uriel."
My body stilled.
Huh?
"You've already been enrolled for a scholarship program at Brin College and you've been wait-listed subject to your performance this semester." He folded his arms, resting his back on the chair.
"I - I don't understand. I never asked for that or consented to it yet."
He shrugged, "Just ensure you be on clear standing this last semester and hopefully you'd get picked."
"You're not listening to me!"
"I don't know what to say to you anymore," he sighed. "Haven't you been looking for something like this for long? If you'd take my advice, I'd say this is God's plan. Take it and make the best of it."
"But -"
"If you don't want it, you apply to a college of your choice. Have a nice day, Uriel Kennedy." He pointed at the door.
My eyes fluttered, my mouth slightly parted - enough for a fly to shimmy in.
My chest heaved up and down, my head in distraught. My body felt too heavy on the inside. My stomach growled like it was protesting against something.
God, I didn't even know what I was feeling exactly.
Should I just let go my dream for Art and pursue this Business administration that I had spent my entire years in high school, reading for?
Or do I just apply for college under the art major?
Sighing, I closed the door behind me. My legs moved absently, shoving past students who squealed at the top of their lungs, chatting and giggling.
I bet their lives were going smoothly.
My eyes slowly raised up, landing on the familiar ones causing me to suck in a sharp breath.
Lance's face lit up in a big smile. He raised his hands up, waving me from the other end of the hallway. Forcing a smile on my face, I managed to wave back.
He had just taken a step forward when all I saw was black. No, I didn't faint. Or die. Just color black.
"Hey, you."
The familiar wood and lime cologne was the first to hit my nostrils. My eyes moved up until they pinned on the dark green ones.
Ryder held my chin up, his eyes searching mine.
"Oh my God, look! It's Ryder and Uriel." Someone yelled.
My shoulders straightened up immediately. Panic began to creep under my skin, my eyes growing wide open.
As if Ryder could read my mind, he pulled me into him by my waist, trapping me from running away.
"Are you ashamed of me, Kinky?" His thumb brushed against my cheek, a cocky smirk on his lips.
My eyes titled lowly to the side, taking notice of the hungry stares of students. They had all forgotten their purpose for today, focusing solely on us.
"People are ... people are watching us. You don't -"
"Let them."
My breath hitched when Ryder leaned down.
"Except you don't want this?" He whispered lowly, his lips hovering over mine.
Sighing, I shook my head. "I do."
He pressed his lip against mine, claiming me in front of the whole school. My ears picked on the sound of cameras shuttling.
We were so making the headline.
When he pulled away, he laced our hands together, pulling us away from the scene like he didn't just cause a traffic.
"We're so going to be in the school news."
"I know."
"You're okay with it?" I looked at him briefly.
He shrugged.
"Are you?"
"I mean, the attention is something else but I guess. It's just... I don't know what to tell people if they ask what we are."
He paused, looking at me for a long while.
"Ryder and Uriel."
"Huh?"
"That's what we are," his tone was sharp.
"Oh."
"Look, I'm sorry if that doesn't sit -"
"No, I get you." My lips forcefully stretched into what should be a smile.
His jaw ticked but he didn't counter anything. We walked quietly until we were in an empty class. Students peeked through the window, shamelessly.
"Ignore them." Ryder said, locking the door.
"I don't think this is appropriate," I chuckled, rubbing my arms.
God, I hated the attention so much.
"Why? We're just talking." He held my shoulder, pushing me down gently until my ass touched the hard surfaced chair.
"About?" I raised my eyebrow up, staring at him.
He took my hand in his, rubbing his thumb gently, on the back of my palm.
"Something's wrong. Tell me."
"How did you -"
"Because it's you."
I bit my lips, holding back the smile that threatened to crack. Why was he so cheesy?
"I want to hear everything," he squeezed my hand slightly. His eyes zeroed in on me, making me the center of his attention.
"I was enrolled for a scholarship for business administration. My plan was to change major before applying for scholarship."
"Huh?"
"Apparently, the Principal must've enrolled me. Or someone. I don't know." My face squeezed into a frown.
Ryder's face mirrored mine, his eyes hard as steel.
"But I was thinking of applying for college under the Art major." I shrugged.
"Good. I could help you with it."
"Really?"
"Yeah, just tell me how you want me to help you." He smiled small. "Do you have money to fund it though?"
Sighing, I nodded. "I should. I've been saving for emergency situation like this anyway. I do have the money but I'll just work harder."
"Or you don't and I cover it for you?"
A soft laugh broke out of my lips. "How? You'll use your trust fund?"
His face was straight, making my laugh die down.
"God, no. No please. I'll sort it out, Ry. Thank you." This time I squeezed his hand in mine.
"Just ...call me whenever." He raised my hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss.
"Awwww!" We heard from outside, snapping our attention.
"Fucking idiots."
I chuckled, standing up, "we should probably get out of here."
"Yeah, I need to see the coach briefly."
"I need to talk to our Art teacher about this too."
He held me hand, leading me out until we got to the part where we had to part.
Fortunately, the bell rang, sending everyone to their classes. I didn't have any class now so I still was on a mission to see my Art teacher but then I saw them.
Emma looked around before slipping in like a thief. My head shot out first, surveying the environment before tiptoeing closer to the Principal's office.
The door was slightly left ajar, enough to hear something but not enough to peek like I wanted.
What was she always doing here?
Seeing it was impossible to peek, I turned on my heel only to stop again when I heard my name.
"This is the last time I'd be helping you with Uriel." The male voice, which sounded a lot like my Principal said.
"It will indeed be the last time, if it works out well." Emma said in a sweet tone. "You've been of great help."
"Nobody must hear anything, Emma. They must not know about everything I've done for you. From the script manipulation, to the tainted grades, to the ... scholarship you asked me to apply her for. I'm serious, Emma."
My heart dropped to my stomach.
"Come on. Don't you trust me, baby." Emma cooed. "You're too tensed. Let me help you."
"Emma -"
"Let me pay you back for making my dreams come through, baby. For putting my sister in her track." She said in a sultry tone.
Oh God.
My eyes twitched, my heartbeat racing.
My hand moved impulsively to the door, squeezing tightly.
Walk away, Uriel.
But for how long?
My face turned straight, my eyes blazing up with fury as I flung the door wide open, pinning my gaze on them.
"Uriel!"