[11] Mirror Image

I was lying awake on my bed that night. I went over that day's events, over and over, and over again. I didn't know the person who had beaten him into a bloody red pulp. Sure, I could detest what I've done. I could even get in trouble for it, but no more than what trouble he could be in.

I decided that I was going to press charges. I'm going to talk about it with Antoinette in the morning. He cannot go free in the world with what he did. Even as I already got my revenge, it simply wasn't enough.

Besides this thought though, I was kind of fulfilled that I could take care of my sister, but at the same time, Alfred just really bothered me. I had hated him from the start. I just didn't let Antoinette see me angry at him since she loved him too much.

He is selfish, arrogant and stupid.

He used my sister for her money and power in the office. He asks for things that he should be buying my sister and not the other way around. People knew that he just got rich because of Antoinette, and not because of his so-called hard work.

Even with the gold-digging, his personality could have been his only saving grace. But no, fidelity was even a bigger problem with him. I've seen him in clubs flirting with skanks. I could have beaten him then. But I guess, I was thinking clearly that night, and probably decided to just tell Antoinette and let her deal with it to avoid more problems.

But, now I know it was a bad move. Because even as they fought over it, eventually, they got back together— promising my sister that he was a better man.

Is this what you call better?

While my sister, God bless her. Antoinette was the epitome of a selfless woman. She's intelligent, beautiful, and hardworking. She loved unconditionally and was kind, caring and nurturing. I'll be damned if a guy like Alfred would have a girl like her. Antoinette deserved better, way, way better. She might even deserve a prince for all I care. Just not Alfred, I'll go crazy before they even send in their wedding invitations.

Later that night, around a quarter past 2, I thought of how Felice reminded me so much of Antoinette. Not that I know what kind of sister Felice is... nor did I have any idea if she had any siblings for that matter.

But Felice was selfless. She could've flaunted what we have now and destroy my reputation for good—as a chance to get back on what I did to her, but she didn't. Felice is sweet and sensitive like Antoinette. She does not judge and she cares for people. Girls like that are very rare nowadays... and it was just too bad that people like Alfred comes and uses them.

Even for Felice, people like...

Me?

I sat up from the bed and tried to see where my thoughts were going. Was this my conscience speaking to me? I looked in front of a mirror and examined my face.

Arrogant fool. Selfish and stupid. A user-friendly...

I removed my t-shirt to get ready for bed.

So it is true.
I am no better than Alfred.

"NUMERO UNO, Anthony, you're an arrogant pig!"

Felice's voice echoes in my head.

For the first time in my life—there's been a lot of that going on here, I actually took the time to reflect on how I approached life. I reran Felice's spiteful words that afternoon. I tried to absorb every single comment. It wasn't easy and I didn't even think I could change myself.

I had no idea that I had become such a hideous person.

But there was one thing that really bothered me the most... If I was this kind of ugly person, why do I feel as if I have so many friends? Why do I feel as if the world revolves around me?

Monday morning, I skipped all the routinely steps and walked directly to Felice's first period. We had a free cut for today, so I used all my time waiting for her to get out of class. When she was finally able to leave, her face had this sad look that it was almost troubling just to observe her.

I sauntered by her side so that she would be able to spare me a glance. When she did, Felice's scrunched up face suddenly turned into utter surprise... and that was the first word I instantly blurted out to her.

"Surprised?" I say in question.

What was I doing here?

"What are you doing here?" She takes her hanky and wipes off her small tears. I guide her once we cross the street since I didn't think she was actually in the zone—at the moment.

"I came to surprise you"

Well that was a lame excuse, but really, what was I really doing there? I didn't have the faintest idea. "Are you okay?"

"Can't you see? No, I'm not okay!" She snapped. Okay, that was a bit uncalled for, but if I give her some space maybe she'll talk. "Sorry." She muttered.

"Would you like to sit down and talk about it?" And she looks at me to search my eyes for an answer to my own question. She kept silent for another few minutes and I waited.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Justin walking briskly towards someone. I was surprised that he didn't see us, even as he threw a glance towards this side. He was angry... no, fuming. I thought that I was the only one who didn't have any idea what was going on. Was this PMS-ing because of Justin? I raised my brows at her as she faced me.

"Answer me Anthony! Is it true that you are just playing games with me?"

I froze.

I wanted to immediately answer her, but something inside me told me not to. Instead, I gave a fake pain-stricken expression. I just didn't know how much was fake in that expression.

"How could you accuse me of that?" I replied and tried to see what this was about.

As soon as she tried to open her mouth, Justin came walking towards us.

"Hi." He said breathlessly, "Felice, I ah... can I have a moment?" He said as he tried to meet her eyes. She looks up, and as if I wasn't there, she goes with him.

I looked around. They were going inside the chapel. I rarely went to places like that so it was best to just leave the two alone to avoid suspicion. I was curious about what Justin was so furious about. I walked towards the place where he just came from and saw that Trish, her posse and a few of my friends were there.

I tentatively walked up to them while I tried to figure out what the hell was going on. As they saw me going towards them, they all suddenly kept quiet.

"What just happened?" I asked them blankly.

"Well, the bet is over buddy." Richard laughed.

"Trish couldn't keep her mouth shut," Lauren added, and everyone's eyes turned to Trish.

"Oh shut up! What would you do if it were you then, huh?" Trish grumbled.

"Karen's going to have a fit..." Tyler said. "I don't want to be around when that happens."

"Can someone please explain to me what really happened?" I frustratingly injected. They weren't being clear, and it was really starting to get to my nerves.

"Anthony, chill," Stephanie said as she stood from the gray pebblestone benches. She casually draped an arm over my shoulder as she spoke. "Trish here got irritated this morning because Justin wasn't answering her calls. Apparently, his parents hired a private investigator to check her records of regular doctor visits, and etc. Basically, they wanted to know if Trish is really pregnant."

"And they found out the truth?" I concluded

"Uh-huh. So this morning, while it was raining cats and dogs... It casually slipped out."

"What do you mean it casually slipped out? Do you know what this means? We can get in trouble Trish! You should've kept your mouth shut!" I snapped.

"Anthony," Richard said as he punched me lightly on my arm, "Karen's all over you, man... Don't worry about it. You'll still get it. If you know what I mean." He snickered.

"That's not..." I stopped mid-sentence. "Never mind." The girls raised their eyebrows at the same time as if cued. I know what they're thinking, but they'll never say it out loud unless provoked.

I adjusted my response. "Karen is not going to mind." I placed my jovial mask back on. "Besides, she made this stupid game for Trish, and if it's gone because of Trish, I couldn't care less." And I walked away.

This is a disaster.

I walked slowly towards the chapel and stood behind the staircase. If I hid correctly, they wouldn't see me there. I just needed to hear what they were talking about. I simply wanted to know if this completely jeopardized my friendship with Felice. I didn't know what's so important about it.

I guess it has something to do with proving to myself that maybe I'm nothing like Alfred, or that maybe I do care about other people's feelings.

"Thank you for telling me the truth," Felice said in a low voice as they got out of the chapel. "I was so confused. She was saying so many things. I didn't know what to believe in."

"You can trust me," Justin says and maintained the comfortable distance between them.

"I don't know if Anthony's telling the truth."

"I'm only sure of what I told you. These people are stuck in high school. Assholes. Don't mind them. They are not worth your time."

The nerve of that man, did he know anything about this?

I faced the wall to avoid them as they exited on the other side, not seeing me at all. They walked out now towards the covered courts. I needed to make amends. I just had to clear my name that's all, and then I'll leave her alone. Maybe I'll call her later tonight. Find a stupid alibi for it, or I could probably—

"Hello?" I answered my phone.

"Hey, baby." She breathed.

"News really travels fast." I shook my head. "Karen, I'm not in the mood to talk about this okay? I'm... uh, studying for a test." I lied.

"Oh? Okay, let's talk tonight then. Although you didn't technically win the bet, I assumed you gave a lot of effort into it. So you can come and claim your prize." She said with a soft laugh.

"Yeah? Okay, bye." I shut my phone off. I just talked to the seductress herself, and it seemed like I didn't want her anymore.

Everything looked stupid to me now. I didn't quite understand what happened, but the lust just died off. The boner won't come up anymore. It was a lost cause.

Something has changed inside me, and I can't even decide if it's a good thing or a bad thing.