HIS SUICIDAL GIRL
❝I met the guy with his smile when my pen started to phlebotomize, and my fate has begun writing a new story.❞

05 - Convince

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•XIAMIN•

Another day has passed and the Math Dance competition is over. Now, we are focused on our task as Campus Journalists. But seriously, we are really brain cracking now since the contest is near.

It has already been an hour since we started and we never talked to each other since then. Well, this is exactly how it is when the contest is near─serious and there should be no disturbance. I also saw the other journalists and they were goddamn serious like there was no tomorrow for them. They were determined to win, just like the three of us.

Moreover, I thought the school would get the first to fifth presscon school level winners to compete with the other schools. However, it turned out to be very bad news. Someone complained as a principal from the other school that the only one should be taken which is the one who got in the first place for the next level of the competition. But the others opposed and said that only those in the first to third will be taken, and that was the reason that the fourth and fifth were no longer included.

It was indeed a waste. The fourth to fifth winners of our category has potential. Not just that, they're my close friends, too.

The principal from the other school complained because if there are five in each category in our school, they will not probably win. Not that I am bragging but it is the truth. Our school is willing to enter any contest and determine to win. Who else does not want to win? But win or lose, the experience is the best teacher. What matters the most is you learned something from the contest and you enjoyed it.

"Are you okay, Bea?" I looked at Bea when I heard Zachrey's question. "You seem to be spacing out in there."

Only then I noticed that her mind was flying somewhere else. We are here at Ma'am Jehr's faculty, and we are the only three here since all of the teachers are having their classes. Ma'am Jehr is also with the other coaches, having another meeting.

"Big Sister Xia, Big Brother Zachrey," She took a deep breath. "It's just that... I don't think I can do this."

Zachrey and I exchanged perplexed looks.

"Is this because you missed a lot in class?" I asked.

She nodded, eyes so blue as if she was about to shed tears.

"It's not just that. It's also because my mom doesn't support me in this career, either. She said that I should focus more on academics," she explained. "My other classmates also said that it was good that they didn't win in the category they joined in. At least, they didn't miss any lessons in class."

Beariza, a proficient kid. It would be a waste of her writing potential if she would not use it. I can see how she loves writing. She knows how to play with words very well, and not everyone has the talent to do that. I just do not understand why some people belittle the power of writing, and some parents let their children focus more on academics.

Being a journalist is also a part of academics. Can people not see that?

"I would like to tell this to Ma'am Jehr. But she might get angry, you know," she added.

"Hang on, Bea. Does that mean your mom won't allow you to take part in the contest, either? " She did not answer Zachrey's question.

"I think that's a 'yes', Zachrey," I said.

He sighed. We stopped writing even though we were not done just to hear Bea out. We need to help her. She needs us.

"So, what are we going to do? Can't you convince your mom?" Zachrey set aside his pen along with his other inkless pens and gave Bea a serious look.

I wonder, how many pens did he slaughter with his bare hands?

"I-I don't know. I convinced her many times but she still answered the same." She looked at us with pleading eyes. "Big Sister Xiamin, Big Brother Zachrey, please, help me. This is such a great opportunity for me, and I disdain wasting it."

Zachrey and I exchanged glances anew.

"Zachrey, a word?" I motioned for him to come out. He nodded. I turned to face Bea and smiled at her saying, "We'll be right back, and I assure you, we will help you, Bea."

Zachrey and I got up and left the faculty. The smell of the city air welcomed me as we went outside. It felt like it has been forever since I got into the faculty, and I admit, I kind of missed watching the students going in different ways.

"We need to help her, Xia. This shouldn't happen to her. It would be a waste of her potential and opportunity if we do nothing," Zachrey said, also looking at the students passing by.

I could feel anger at the same time, pity in his voice. Anger, because we do not know what to do to help Bea. Pity, because he also saw how much Bea loved writing.

"I'm aware of that, Zachrey. That's why we have to think of something to help her. We also know the feeling of missing a lot of assignments, projects, and lessons in class, especially when you are in the higher sections." I took a deep breath, then I turned to face him. "Do you have a plan?"

He nodded at my question.

"But I don't know if my simple plan will work."

"We have no other choice. Let's just try your plan. What is it?"

"Her mother will fetch Bea later, right?" I nodded at his question. I knew because I saw Bea's mom fetching her once. "I'll try to talk to her mom since that's where I'm good at. We don't know what her mom thinks but we have to try. Then, you will motivate Bea to continue her passion for writing since you know how to talk with kids. "

"Talk to her mom? That's it?"

"Nothing else comes to my mind. Unless you have a better one."

I did not have any other choice but to agree with his plan. It was no time for saying "no".

"I won't say that I love your plan, but we don't have any other choice now, do we? I hope that will work for her mother," I said because we do not know what kind of mother Bea's mom is. "but be careful. We do not know the personality of her mother."

He nodded.

"I know. Don't worry, I have already thought of how I can talk to her mom." He looked at his watch. "We should head back inside before the coaches finish their meeting. We can't tell Coach about this, she might get worried even more."

I nodded again, then we entered the faculty. Bea was still spacing out when we went back. I sighed as I tried to calm myself down. This would have been the perfect moment to listen and sing Taylor Swift's You Need To Calm Down.

I looked at Zachrey again, and he nodded at me.

"Bea," I called to her so she looked at Zachrey and me.

We both sat down to talk to her.

"Have you thought of a way? Can you help me?" She looks like an anime character today asking for help. You could not resist that cuteness in her eyes.

"Actually," I reached out to hold her hand. "your Big Brother Zachrey and I are planning to talk to your mom. Maybe somehow, he can convince her."

Her eyes widened in surprise. She looked at Zachrey then back to me.

"A-Are you serious?" She looked at him again. "Aren't you afraid of my mother, Big Brother Zachrey? I can always talk to her. Maybe... I just need your advice. You don't have to talk to my mom face-to-face. I don't want her to burst all her anger at you." By that, tears started coming out from her eyes.

I hugged her without hesitation while rubbing her back. If she only knew my mommy, for sure she could say that my mommy is even more terrifying than hers. It's true. My mom is a war freak. Probably one of the terror teachers if she went on an education course.

But I managed to handle her over the years. Of course, she's my mom. But I can say that she is the most terrifying, yet the strongest woman I have ever met.

"I am not afraid of your mother, Bea, because I will not do anything wrong. I just want to tell her how important writing is to you," Zachrey said. I pulled away from hugging Bea, and she turned her gaze at him.

"But, Big─"

"Being a Science and Technology writer is not easy. For me, the Sci-Tech category is the most fearsome, challenging, and amazing category ever. I can comprehend how my classmates feel about why they don't like this category. Even in the name, you can say it is really difficult. But then I realized that I am very thankful because, despite everything, I still won." He flashed a bright smile to Bea. "You're still a grade seven student and you're in the second place right away. You should be proud of yourself, so don't you ever give up your position right away."

I blinked many times as I tried to process everything that Zachrey said. That was probably the longest word I ever heard him say. Additionally, my heart started racing faster which was uncanny. I looked into his eyes and my heartbeat quickened even more.

Just then I realized that Bea has stopped crying, so I pulled myself together and started doing my part.

"He's right, Bea, I agree with him. Totally. I was in grade eight when I got second place, and it was one of the most unforeseen and the best thing that happened in my life. I fell in love with writing even more because of that. You love writing, do you?" She nodded quickly at my question. "Then, go for it! Don't let the others be a hindrance to your goals. If your mom disdains your position now, then prove to her that you can be a writer that you've ever dreamed of. Do what makes you happier. "

I stopped for a minute to catch my breath. I closed my eyes, opened it again, and gave both Zachrey and Bea a very determined look.

"Our dreams may be residing in our heads for now, but trust me, it won't stay in there forever. Someday, it will go out and shine brighter than the Polaris in the sky."

I turned to meet Zachrey's eyes, hoping that I did my part perfectly.

Bea wiped her tears using the back of her hands.

"T-Thank you so m-much, Big Sister Xiamin, Big Brother Zachrey! You don't know how much this means to me."

She stood up to hug the two of us. I love group hugs. I am a hugger. I refuse to show it, however.

"The two of you are the best even if you are not my real brother and sister." She pulled away then smiled at us.

"Of course we are. Xia delivered her speech impeccably more than I thought." Zachrey laughed softly, so I friendly punched him.

"Retarded."

"Come on, aren't you ashamed? You call me 'stupid' and yet, there's a child in front of you." He even pointed at Bea while laughing

"Shut up if you don't want me to bury you alive." I crossed my arms and glared at him.

He raised his hands in the air.

"Okay okay. I give up." He cleared his throat. "So, your mom will pick you up later, right, Bea? I will talk to her after our training."

Bea nodded. Her cheerfulness has returned. Though, her concern still did not escape my eyes.

◊◊◊◊◊

"Mama's here." Bea pointed to the car. I started to feel anxious when I saw a woman in her mid-30s who came down from a grey sedan car.

I took a deep breath then looked at Zachrey seriously.

"Can you really, really do this, Zachrey?"

He also looked at me straight in the eyes and nodded. He also looked at Bea and smiled.

"Look, Bea, I'm not asking you to have some toxic positivity. Just... be positive, okay? Negative vibes bring us to no good," he said. "Just trust me, okay?"

Bea just nodded. Zachrey then went to Bea's mother.

I tried to keep Bea away from her mother as Zachrey came to talk to her. Fortunately, Ma'am Jehr did not suspect our actions earlier. We sent her home first so that she will not know about Bea's mother and our plan. We just did what we have to do because we do not want her to worry.

Other than that, I could hear our hearts beating. So, I reached for Bea's hand and held it so tight. Even though she is taller than me or even though I look like her little sister, I am doing my very best to be her sister in school. I just really hope Zachrey can convince her mother and just let Bea continue her passion for writing.

"Hey, Big Sister Xiamin," She squeezed my hand tightly. "do you think Big Brother Zachrey can convince my mom in either way?"

I was struggling for the right words to answer. We were both looking at two people talking─a parent and a student. We could not hear what they were talking about, but we could see the serious look on Bea's mother. At this point, it became arduous for me to determine if there might still be hope or not.

How can I answer Bea's question? Should I answer, "Yes", "No", or "Maybe"? My what-ifs were killing me. I hate raising her hopes.

Let my mouth decide the right words to reply. I decided to inhale then exhaled very deeply.

"Trust him, Bea. I know him. He can pull things off with that blabbermouth of his," I raised my head to look at her. "so just believe in him. Zachrey's smart. He's a jerk and an irksome joker, but he knows how to use his brain well."

She was surprised. But instead of saying a word, she smiled and turned her attention back to Zachrey and her mother. Even I was surprised by what I said. Where did those words come from? After all, I entrusted my answer to my mouth so maybe that is still normal.

"Here they come." I came back to reality when I saw Bea's mom approaching us, Zachrey following her.

Shit. I'm nervous. Can I die for a minute and then live again?

Bea's mother stopped right in front of us, wearing a serious look on her face. Bea gulped.

"M-Ma..."

"Bea." I was surprised when her mom looked at me and smiled. "Thank you."

"N-Not a problem." I was sort of abashed.

She looked at Bea again then smiled so sweet.

"I will agree to what you want, Bea. I allow you to be a writer."