THE INMATE

ACCUSED

At Bella’s, Andrew lay unconscious, his body being wiped by Bella. He slightly opened his eyes with a grin.

“Thanks a lot, Bells. I knew Joel was wrong about you,” he let out, but she shook her head, then smiled back at him.

“Thanks for always supporting me. I didn’t expect Joel to like me either,” Bella responded while damping his face.

“Ouch,” Andrew exclaimed, hurt, as she added pressure to it.

“Sorry,” Bella let out pitifully.

“It’s fine. Why did you say you didn’t expect Joel to like you?” Andrew mumbled, then she inhaled deeply.

“You know he asked me out, and…”

“He did what? Why would Joel do that, knowing fully well that I liked you?” He let out, annoyed. Then Bella grabbed his hands and caressed them gradually.

“You don’t have to be mad. Most guys are like that,” Bella muttered while staring quite lustfully at him.

“I’m trying not to, but this is crazily unbelievable,” Andrew whispered, then sat up.

“About the competition?” Bella started, then paused to look at Andrew, who looked away shamefully.

“I know I messed up,” he let out. Then Bella smiled and placed her finger on his lips.

“You don’t have to feel sad. You aren’t a boxer and it’s quite understandable. Besides, you kinda impressed me,” she said. Andrew’s face reddened with a blush.

“But I honestly don’t know why you are still friends with Joel when he clearly signed you up for the boxing competition.”

“What?!” Andrew barked, staring shocked at Bella, who immediately covered her mouth.

“You mean you don’t know yet? Everyone in school knows about it,” she continued, then grabbed his hands and dragged him back to the couch.

“I’m sorry if I did upset you with it, I actually thought you knew. But you don’t have to worry anymore, I’m here with you.” She continued, then pulled his head to rest on her lap.

“I’m a little scared to stay alone tonight. Will you sleep over?” she paused, almost tearing up as Andrew looked at her. He was about to say a word, then she interrupted.

“Please,” she whispered, gently caressing his hair.

“Mmm,” Andrew hummed, then inhaled deeply.

“I thought you don’t like me,” he said after a brief silence. Bella narrowed her brows, then stared shocked at him.

“You mean you still doubt me? You haven’t forgotten the incident yet, right?” she cried out.

But Andrew immediately apologized.

“I need to take a walk. I’m already upset,” she said, annoyed, and left.

Confused, Andrew just sat and watched her leave. He searched around for his phone but couldn’t find it. Still exhausted and in pain, he quietly laid back on the bed and slept off.

It had been more than seven hours since Bella left. Andrew had gotten weak and tired of waiting. Subconsciously, he slept off in her room, only to be woken up by a loud scream.

It was Bella’s voice shouting for help as though she was about to be raped.

“Bells!” Andrew let out, frightened, as he ran to turn on the light. But to his surprise, he was surrounded by Bella and her friends.

“Sanchez, what the heck are you doing here?” one of Bella’s friends said.

“Could it be… hold on, you want to rape her?” another of her friends said.

Andrew started to blush.

“That’s a silly idea, you know. Why would I want to rape her? She—”

“I didn’t know he was still here. I only helped him after the fight and left after he kinda pissed me off,” Bella interrupted, as Andrew kept staring speechlessly at them.

“There ain’t no way we aren’t reporting this to the school authority,” Bella’s friend said as they began to take pictures of him.

“Bells, tell them. I didn’t want to rape you. I was only concerned, I… I only came to check up on you, but I got tired and slept off. You know I can never do that, right? Please, help me. I will be detained if this gets out,” he pleaded.

But Bella rolled her eyes disappointedly, then walked away.

“You will surely get punished, rapist!” Bella’s friend let out, then followed after her.

Confused, Andrew dressed up and left the room. He couldn’t find Bella nor her friends, so he went home.

At home, Joel ran up to Andrew with heavy breath. Andrew stared weirdly at him while patiently waiting for him to talk.

“What’s up, bro? I’ve been searching all over for you, only to get the info you went to Bella’s to rape her?” he let out, shocked—causing Andrew to hiss disappointedly.

“I didn’t,” Andrew managed to say.

“But there’s evidence—you clearly went to her house, or didn’t you?” Joel questioned.

“I did, alright. But I didn’t rape her. I don’t know how to explain this. But just believe anything you like. I have more important things to discuss with you,” Andrew retorted coldly, as Joel adjusted and sat near him.

“What could that be?” he said, before Andrew rolled his eyes, then took a deep breath.

“Why did you snitch on me?” he said.

Joel started laughing. “You really do act weird sometimes. You mean you haven’t forgiven me yet? C’mon, bro, it’s been a long time already, and we were kids. I honestly still can’t vividly remember what transpired that day,” Joel said.

“I don’t mean that. I’m talking about the boxing competition you signed me up for. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?” Andrew mumbled.

With a widened expression, Joel smiled once more. “You are kidding, right?” he said, but Andrew maintained his stiff face.

“So, you aren’t joking? Who the heck fed you with all of these lies? Hold on, Bella did right?” Joel let out angrily. But Andrew refused to talk; he only kept looking at him with a faceless expression.

“I’m sure she did. She’s the only one that can feed you with lies, and you believe,” he paused, breathing heavily.

“You aren’t gonna say anything, right? Cool, just do you.” He let out annoyed and stormed out of his room.

************

Back in school, Andrew walked through the lonely school path. Joel had already gone ahead of him. At the school premises, people kept pointing their fingers at him—some laughing, some whispering—and then the bold ones like Jasper, who had the guts to call him a rapist. Just as he stepped into the classroom, they all started laughing at him, while backing that up with wrapped papers they threw at him.

“Andrew Sanchez,” the principal called out as he stepped into the classroom. Andrew rose with his ashamed face to look at him, before the principal whispered.

“To my office now!” His voice was really terrifying, enough to cause a slump. Even though he was afraid, Andrew still followed him to his office.

“Why did you do it?” the principal questioned immediately they stepped into his office.

“I didn’t do it!” Andrew tried to say in defense.

“The evidence, it’s all clear. I honestly didn’t call you here to hear more lies and nonsense from you. I was expecting you to tell the truth, but… it doesn’t look like you are ready to own up to your mistake.” He paused with a heavy breath.

“I’m just a man. It would be unfair to let you go; hence you are hereby suspended from your classes under possible punishment for a week.” He finalized before ushering Andrew to leave.

As Andrew stepped out of the office, he bent his head and started crying.

“I know you didn’t do it.” A voice echoed as he raised his head to see Jessica.

“Jess,” he managed to whisper while drying off his tears.

“You do believe me?” he said, still confused.

Jessica smiled and stretched out her hands.

“I do believe you. Come on, let’s go get some coffee. I believe you will be fine after that.” She said, smiling, but Andrew refused to brighten up.

“Come on, I’m not such a bad person, even though I know you don’t like me.”

“I never said that,” Andrew said immediately while grabbing her hands.

“You don’t have to say it for me to know.”

“I– I–” Andrew stuttered.

“Shh… this isn’t the time for this. Let’s go get you something to cool off with,” Jessica interrupted.

“Thanks, Jess. I appreciate all you do for me,” Andrew whispered before they left.

In a nearby coffee shop, Andrew couldn’t hold back his tears as he narrated the incident to Jessica, while telling her how Joel is currently beefing with him because of Bella.

“I know you do have a crush on Bella, but trust me, Bella isn’t completely a good person, even if she was. I honestly do not think she’s worth coming in between your friendship with Joel. I’m even more certain Joel didn’t sign you up for the boxing game,” Jessica muttered, then grabbed Andrew’s hands. “I think you should apologize,” she added.

With a deep sigh, Andrew bent his head, while slowly digging into his dessert.

“I honestly do not know why I keep avoiding you, when you are clearly the good one.”

“Our hearts speak differently. You can’t force yourself to love me when your heart yearns for another. You don’t have to force it, I understand. You will only hurt me,” Jessica whispered while shifting a card to him.

“I’ve been trying to invite you, but you keep pushing me away. It's my birthday tomorrow. I will be throwing a mini party, just with my family and friends. I’m hoping and would really love it if you come around,” she said, half-smiling.

Andrew grabbed the card, smiled and nodded gently.

“I won’t miss it. Thanks for inviting me.”

AT JESSICA’S BIRTHDAY PARTY

Jessica looked even more dazzling without her glasses and, of course, with a little touch of make-up.

She kept scanning her eyes in search of Andrew. But it didn’t look like he was going to show up, and the party was about to start. She couldn’t have wished for a better Emcee aside from her brother. He was the perfect description of the word PERFECT.

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LET’S ALL WELCOME THE CELEBRANT!” her brother announced, as the lights got turned off, leaving only the one that shone over Jessica. She smiled and immediately walked up to the stage to address her audience.

Immediately after her speech, the light got restored. The smile on her lips widened as she saw Andrew clapping in the crowd.

“I didn't think you would make it, I have already lost hope” She said smiling, as she went up to welcome Andrew.

“Happy birthday Jess. You didn't tell me you were hosting a community” Andrew replied, while glancing around the room.

“Umm… let's just say we are big in my family”. She smiled, then Andrew handed her a mini box.

“What's this?”. She was shocked.

“A birthday present. Sorry for the little token, I hope to do better next time”. He continued.

“Oh please! Do you know what this means to me?! C'mon Dude. I appreciate”. She let out excitedly while trying to open the box, but Andrew immediately closed it

“Nah, don't open it yet”. He whispered, then she smiled and nodded.

“That's cool. C'mon I want you to meet someone”. She said, as Andrew narrowed his brows.

“Someone?!”. He whispered confusedly.

“Yeah, someone. Someone you actually know”. She continued, before dragging him away.