Story
Pulling Her HEARTSTRINGS Episode 17
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Pulling Her HEARTSTRINGS Episode 17
A story written by HAPPY
IF YOU MISS ANY EPISODE CLICK HERE
Umbria
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The last thing I needed right now was to deal with a bunch of entertainment seeking fellows , jealous girls and good looking but not so pleasant guys. Reluctantly, I took a few steps towards the hallway entrance, then stopped and turned back to Oscar who was picking out some stuff from his car and locked it.
โYou good?โ he asked me, as if he didnโt notice our small crowd. As upset as I was about this whole thing, I couldnโt help but notice that in that moment, he looked like the kind of guy Aphrodite would go for; being the goddess of beauty and all that.
For the millionth time, I asked myself, what was it about him that seemed to keep drawing me closer?
*Everything that should take you farther away* my mind whispered.
I nodded to his question, pushing those thoughts to the darkest recess of my mind and locking it up.
โApart from my jittery nerves being all over the place due to the attention your โcharismatic gestureโ I made air quotes with my index and middle fingers, โ then sure, Iโm veeery good.โ
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips, but he bowed his head. When he raised it up again the smile was full blown.
He always looks very good when he smiles.
โSo youโre upset now?โ he asked.
I scoffed. โDuh! Obviously. Howโd you expect me to make it to class? Theyโll press me for something to gossip.โ
I ran my hand through my hair, the hair I hadnโt even combed.
This morning canโt get any worse.
โThen letโs,โ Oscar said.
โLetโs what?โ I asked as he edged closer to me, invading my personal space.
I found my self moving back until his arm around my waist stopped me mid track.
Butterflies in my tummy were on the looseโฆโฆ
While I tried to steady my rapidly beating heart because his nearness was doing something to my insides, he leaned down.
His face was just inches away from mine.
โLetโs give them something to gossip about,โ his voice dropped to a raspy whisper as his eyes moved between my lips and my eyes, and I found my self going weak in the kneesโฆ.weak generally and lacking the willpower to tell him to stopโฆ.whatever it was he wanted to do
Murmurs and mumbles erupted from the students. I couldnโt make out anything they said apart from *OMG heโs gonna kiss her!*
OMG heโs gonna kiss me???
My eyes flew closed.
Then they flew open as he chuckled softly.
โYouโre scared?โ he said.
โNope. I donโt want you to kiss me,โ I replied rushing my words on exhalation.
Itโs true.
I didnโt want him to kiss me.
Iโm trying to remember why it is that I should maintain my distance from him.
Even the simplest of pecks on the cheeks would blur that line.
โYouโre sure?โ he asked unbelievably.
โYup, very sure. Let go of me now. I donโt like the attention.โ
His hands uncurled from around me and he took a step back, smile still pasted in place.
โYouโre one peculiar girl Umbria. Most ofโem are dying to have me touch their pencil. And youโฆ.?โ
โYou have no idea, Oscar. But letโs not do that again okay? I just wanna lay low here in Primrose. And thanks for the ride.โ
I was babbling away.
Better get outta here before I do something stupider than biting my tongue.
I adjusted my backpack, squared my shoulder and proceeded to the hallway.
*Gosh itโs Umbria! Is she seriously dating the Osos of the COVS!?*
*No I donโt think so, definitely a fling.*
*Like Jessica Rogers was. I mean, if rich popular Jessica was just a fling for Osos, whoโs poor little Umbria attending Primrose on a scholarship award to him?*
*But maybe Osos likes her. I mean they came to school together.*
*Oh pu-leeze, heโs just toying with her. Girls like Umbria are so not his type*
โExactly!โ Jessica announced, catwalking into the scene with Caroline and Tiffany beside her.
Oh gawd, here we go again.
โGirls like Umbria are not his type. It would do her a lot of good to get that into her thick skull,โ she said with a pointed look at me.
โCome on Jessica not again,โ I muttered, walking around the crowd.
โHey, when Jessicaโs talking to you, you listen,โ one of the guys whom I recognized as her macho guy said restraining me from moving with a hand on my shoulder.
I groaned and paused as her pink wedged foot led her to me.
โUmbria Lee, Umbria Lee, Umbria Lee, what am I gonna do to get you stay away from Osos?โ
I laughed inwardly.
She claims to be his girlfriend, yet she doesnโt even know his real name. Some girlfriend she is.
Out loud, I blew air. โPfft Jessy, are we gonna do this again? Please just go get a chain, tie yourself to his side and leave me be!โ
โYou really donโt know who I am Umbria. Osos is mine alone, even if he made thatโฆannouncement in the cafeteria the other day, heโs still mine. He was probably suffering from your shantytown charms. I can make your life a living hell in Primrose you donโt know.โ
โOh I know your types Jessica, all talks and no acts. Bring on whatever you got , it wonโt take a thing away from me.โ
โUmbria!โ said Victor.
โYeah?โ I replied.
When the students saw him coming, most of them retreated while some took a few shots. They respect the COVS everywhere.
โWhatโs โ Jessica seriously?โ he asked standing beside me.
Jessica rolled her eyes. โDonโt meddle Victor, okay?โ
โJessica just stop this itโs getting old OK? Get over the fact that Osos is through with you and move on.โ
โItโs okay Victor. What was it you called me for?โ
โI wanted to talk to youโฆ. but some other time.โ
โCome on, tell me. Iโm curious now,โ I said smiling.
Jessica hissed and trotted away.
โSome other time Um.โ
โHi Umbria,โ Audrey said coming over.
โHey Victor.โ
โHi Audrey.โ
โAm I likeโฆ. interrupting something?โ she asked softly.
โNo! Victor and I justโฆ. were here?โ
โI see,โ she said.
Victor said something and left.
Audrey looked at me and shook her head sadly. โWeโve never spoken, but it seems like he doesnโt like me!โ
I rubbed her shoulder soothingly.
โLetโs get to class. Were late as it is. Iโve got Chemistry. You?โ
โWeโve all got chemistry. Letโs go.โ
****
Pulling Her HEARTSTRINGS
Author Happyยฉ
****
BRUCES BAKES AND BREAKFAST
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Carl
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โWork hard yโall, remember that were becoming more popular each day all thanks to Umbria. And at her principalโs request were going to make some deliveries to Primrose college. Work everybody! Chop chop!โ Bruce B poked his head out of the kitchen to announce before ducking back in.
โ Yeah, more like thanks to Umbria I get double work ration, youโd better pay us extra Bruce B!โ Louisa yelled, carrying a breakfast tray to the diner area which was crowded than normal.
Yeah, Bruceโs right.
Umbriaโs famous primrose cake did attract customers here. Too bad they havenโt tasted it yet.
But still we offer them good pastries.
Sighing, I leaned back against the counter and loosened my apron, dumping it harshly on the doornail.
โChom, why the long face?โ Margaret asked as she arranged some scones on the display stand, then wiped the counter clean before setting about arranging three tea trays with banana muffins, buttered breads and toasts.
โItโs Umbria Maggie. Iโฆ.. โ I signed and punched the wall.
โWhoa, take it easy there before you break something. I know you like her, donโt you?โ
โItโs not just like, Maggie. But its useless. And the problem is I know itโs useless, but my heart wonโt accept that. Itโs like it has a mind of its own.โ
She smiled. โGive it time Carl. If she likes you too, shell come around.โ
โBut Iโve messed up big time. Even though Um says itโs cool, I know sheโs gonna keep her distance.โ
โCarlโฆ.the batch is ready. Youโre up for delivery. Primrose college, OK? Primrose college, get that? Primrose colโโ
โYes Bruce, I get you! Geez!โ
Maggie laughed. โEasy Carl.โ
Now Iโm gonna have to do delivery in her school.
Iโm just hoping I donโt see her with that guy!
PRIMROSE COLLEGE
Umbria
All through the day, Oscar kept finding ways to annoy me.
Not directly though.
Heโd always made it a point to sit beside or behind me whenever we had a general subject in the central grade.
Weโre now in English and literature class.
The teacher, Mrs Yul, who looked to be in her early thirties, well dressed and beautiful, was droning on and on about about Romeo and Juliet; the significant of their love story, the major theme and plots.
I was trying my damnedest to focus; even though I got my scholarship from the baking competition, I wanted to prove to myself that Iโm worthy of schooling in Primrose.
But how on earth was I gonna do that, when Oscar made it his part-time job to pull at every string of my hair, which I just remember Iโd forgotten to brush??
โStop it, please,โ I whispered.
โStop what, this?โ he asked, pulling again.
โYes! Oscar I donโt want detention, Iโm trying to focus.โ
Thankfully, he stopped.
Phew.
But then he slipped a paper onto my desk.
Curious and annoyed, I opened it:
Romeo and Julietโฆ.. Oscar and Umbria sounds better. Only, ours isnโt some boring tragic love story. More like a hot romance. *wink*
Jeezzz!
I hurriedly closed the paper as if I didnโt see it, and gosh, am I blushing???
I refused to turn back.
But I was shaking all over.
Jessica, who was watching us all this while groaned aloud angrily and hit her fists on her desk.
โMiss Rogers!โ the teacher chastised.
โMrs Yul, are you teaching a class, or breeding a room for a stupid romantic idiot?โ she fired angrily with a glare at me.
Duhhh!
โโ-
TBC
.
Howโs the literature class??
โชWho will be my Romeo and Iโll be ur Juliet???
.
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<b>Author Happy
<3 yโall.
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Pulling Her
HEARTSTRINGS
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Written by Happy
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~~~chapter eighteen ~~~
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ`
Umbria
.
The teacher gazed mouth ajar at Jessica who was still glaring at me; I was busy staring at the board while placing my elbow on the book which had the letter in it.
โWhat are you talking about Miss Rogers!โ Mrs Yul repeated.
โAsk herโฆthat Umbria. Sheโs flirting with Osos in class,โ Jessica flipped her blond curls and sat back down, crossing her legs.
I hate it when girls do the hair flip thing.
โMiss Lee, is that true!?โ Mrs Yul demanded.
โUhmโฆ.well I wasnโtโฆ. no maโamโฆ.โ I stuttered. For some stupid reason I canโt quite place my finger on, I couldnโt form a corrigible sentence to defend myself.
โIโm going to have to send you out for detention,โ Mrs Yul said.
I sighed, and looked at Jessica who was smirking and checking her nails while Caroline gave me a devils smile beside her.
Thanks a lot, Oscar!
Not looking at him, I packed up my books and made to get up when he said, โChill Mrs Yul. Umbria wasnโt flirting with me. Pfft, as if she can. I was the one doing the flirting. Jessicaโs just looking for attention. And yeah, Jessica. Next time you intend to tell a fib, make me look good okay?โ he said, then gave a very sweet smile to the teacher after winking at me.
My mouth was a bit open.
And Mrs Yul was smiling like a teenager!
โOsos you know thatโs rude. Donโt make me give you guys detention card,โ she said less sternly.
โPlease maโam, Iโm sorry I wonโt doโโ
โWeโll go for the detention. After all, we did commit,โ Oscar said in a sad tone.
He got to his feet, hung his oh so beautiful satchel bag across his chest.
Damn this guy, here I was trying to avoid getting detention and he โ
โCome on Umbria. Letโs go. Class must go on,โ he said still in that fake sad tone of his.
He grabbed my hand when I made no move to move and pulled me out.
Awwwwโฆโฆ. Not awwww!
โDo you realize what youโve just done!โ I yelled and jerked my arm away from his light grip once we were outside and on the road to detention each with our card shinning bright for any interested party to see.
โYeah, I just saved you from a boring literature class,โ he shrugged like it wasnโt a big deal.
โYouโre crazy!โ I yelled again, my voice kicking up a notch higher as I punched his arm.
Iโm sooooo furious right now!
โHey, did you just hit me?โ he asked.
โOf course I did, and amma do it again becauseโฆ.. uugghh!โ
I stomped my feet, anything to let out the fury.
He laughed a short laugh that my brain captured quickly and held his hand out to me.
โCome,โ he said simply.
โWhere?โ
โAnyplace but detention room,โ he said quietly.
This guy has a serious case of mood swings. One moment heโs proud and flirty and a Playboy, the next heโs moody and angry at the world, the next heโs standing up for me.
I took his hand against my better judgment.
As we walked, I kept staring at him.
Again, against my better judgment.
I want to know what makes him tick.
His backgroundโฆ. everything.
Whatโs the reason for his sadness, when he has everything I could only dream of having?
Only the sound of the door closing brought me back to real life as I looked around and discovered that weโre in the music studio.
โWhatโre we doing here?โ I asked, walking in slowly as I took good look at the instrument arranged in such precise order.
Guitars, acoustics, pianos, drum kits, banjos, percussion instruments.
โI spend most of the school hours here when I want to think,โ he said in his serious tone.
โOh, so thatโs why I hardly see you in class. Good one.โ
He smiled a small smile. โDo you always look for me? You always miss me that much?โ he asked softly.
โWhaโโโno! I have a knack for noticing details,โ I said.
I watched him pick up a guitar, sit on a stool and pluck a few strings producing sweet notes.
โ Tell me about yourself Umbria, โ he said.
โWhy?โ
โJust curious as to why you fall asleep everyday in school. The cafeteria,โ he played the guitar, โthe classroom,โ he played the guitar, โthe labs,โ he played the guitar again, then looked up at me.
Oh boy.
Sighing, I sat down opposite him. โI get exhausted is all.โ
โJust like that?โ
I nodded.
He played some more. โItโs okay if you donโt wanna tell me. But thereโs something I do know.โ
โYou do?โ I asked in surprise. What could he know about me, other than me living where I live?
โYou like me a lot,โ he said and winked.
I gasped. โI donโt Oscar! Funny that you actually brought me here to tell me that! Do you play very often?โ I asked, changing the subject. He knew I was veering it away from me but he played along.
โObviously.โ
โRight.โ
A pause.
โOscar is something wrong? You seem moody,โ I tried.
โSing me your song,โ he said, also changing the subject.
Guess I deserved that.
For lack of what to say, I cleared my throat and began singing softly:
They say once bitten twice shy
Iโve been bitten three times by that cruel bug
And the stings they hurt so much
Scars on my heart, they say itโs a permanent tattoo
And it is from these tattoo I knowโฆ..
I trailed off when I realized what Iโm singing.
About my heartbreak and why I shouldnโt trust guys anymore.
Here I am doing the opposite.
Stupid, stupid girl!
Oscar looked up gazing directly into my eyes, unflinchingly, unmoving.
I was lost.
Whatโs going on?
Heโs mesmerizing me.
Heโs spinning a web in my brain to cloud my better judgment.
Umbria thereโs no special girl for guys like Oscar, and itโll be your fourth heartbreak if you allow yourself to be deceived.
Still, our gazes were locked, and as it seemed neither of us wanted to break contact.
Until the bell went.
โCome on, letโs grab a bite,โ he got up.
โNo thanks, Iโm fine,โ I replied.
โIโm not asking you Umbria, Iโm telling you. Come with me now, else Iโll carry you out on my shoulder, with your butt up in the airโโ
โOK, OK fine. Just stop teasing already. And after lunch today, ull have to stay away from me, remember what I told you about โโ
โChitchat,โ he cut in dully.
โAbout โโ
โChit chat babe! Iโm hungry!โ
Lunch recess with the COVS is something I look forward to, knowing Iโll get free food.
But I donโt like the attention it gets me.
Here I was, planning to finish senior high at Primrose college quietly and unnoticed, only to be hanging out with the most popular guys, and becoming the bullseye in the target practice of Jessica Rogers and her chihuahuas.
Iโd had to stop by my locker to retrieve some stuff, so Oscar went on ahead.
When I was about entering the cafeteria, I spotted something familiar; BBB delivery bike.
Ohโฆ.so Bruce B had accepted the principalโs offer to deliver pastries to our school. Maybe itโs the other man whoโs delivering. I should say hi.
As I got in, almost everyone was having a taste of cookies, doughnuts
, cakes
, hamburgers
, and jelly
that Iโd recognize anywhere.
Wow.
I saw a familiar figure hefting a box behind the counter and into a door.
Carl?
I donโt think so.
I sat at the table.
โYou should try this Umbria, itโs really good,โ Chris said in between mouthfuls.
I giggled. โYou donโt say. I made them,โ I replied.
โReally?โ Stan asked.
I nodded.
โWow, theyโre nice,โ Victor commended, looking at me. โWhen did you make them, cause theyโre still fresh?โ
โThanks. I uhโฆ.do them every morning before coming โโ
โYouโre kidding,โ Oscar cut in.
โNope. Iโm not,โ I said.
The guy came out again.
It is Carl!
And heโd just seen me.
I smiled, but he didnโt smile back.
โExcuse me guys, I wanna go meet someone,โ I said standing up.
โThat guy?โ Oscar asked, jerking his head towards Carl.
โYeah.โ
โYou know him?โ Victor and Oscar echoed at the same time, then exchanged glances.
โ โcourse I do. Whatโs up with all the questions?โ
โCarl!โ I called, waving at him because he was going out the exit.
He looked like he didnโt wanna see me.
I was hurrying to catch up with him when suddenly I felt hot, spicy noodles all over my face and blinding my eyesโฆโฆ
โโ
TBC
Story
THE GIRL HE MARKED Chapter 49
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THE GIRL HE MARKED Chapter 49 THE END
{ His Human Mate }
Written : Cisca. H.
If you miss any episode click here
Epilogue:
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THE GIRL HE MARKED Chapter 47 & 48
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THE GIRL HE MARKED Chapter 47 & 48
{ His Human Mate }
Written : Cisca. H.
If you miss any episode click here
Story
THE GIRL HE MARKED Chapter 46

THE GIRL HE MARKED Chapter 46
{ His Human Mate }
Written : Cisca. H.
If you miss any episode click here