A Love Mismatch... Episode 3

A tall, lean, sexy woman emerged from the left path where the gardens are located. Wearing a gray suit with long straight hair with full bangs, red pouty lips and eyes like honey-gold came walking towards them with a smile that could bring the devil to his knees.

“Bonjour Mesdemoiselles, welcome to the Beaumont Herford Academy. I’m Grazielle Buenaventura. Headmistress.” She introduced, holding both her hands out to them. 

They reluctantly took it and the woman squeezed their hands slightly. She let go of their hands and turned around, motioning them to follow her. 

“I was assigned by the director himself to welcome you both.” She commented smiling, glancing at them. “I’ll show you around.” 

They went inside an immense double oak door and walked down to an empty, long hallway. They passed several closed doors, small and large corridors, long stairs and several old paintings scattered on walls. Each step of the way, the headmistress explained the different facilities of the school. She told them where all the departments, the faculties, the classrooms, the comfort rooms, the laboratories, the libraries, canteens, outdoor facilities and other accommodations are located. 

She enumerated all the faculty members and their possible-teachers-to-be. She narrated the brief history of the school and gave out all the rules that the time she was finished the twins was feeling dazed and looking out of their minds.

She turned to them and smiled affectionately. 

“Well then, that would be all, I think.” She said looking like someone checking a list of To-Do’s on her head, clasping both her hands in front of her. “I’ll let you two on your own to explore the place. You don’t have to enter your classes today. The director specifically said to let you have a day to go about the school and familiarize everything.” She stated and moved closer to them, holding their hands with hers. “I really hope you’ll have a great time here, both of you. I better get going. I still have work to finish. If you have questions you can ask me. I’ll be at my office, if you need me.” She said and let go of their hands. She walked to the left corridor and disappeared from view as she turned to the right.

Still looking at the path the woman had disappeared into, the twins was brought up short when they heard a chuckle behind them. They turned and saw Tish shaking his head, and looking at the same direction as them.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” He said, chuckling.

“What is it, Uncle Tish?” Yvon asked curiously.

“Have you ever seen a headmistress that looks like a supermodel, with a mind like a scholar and a tongue like a philosopher?” he asked, cocking his head to the side with amusement and admiration swimming in his eyes. “Tell me, is it just me or does her smile can melt any hard man… hhmmm?”

The twins giggled, thinking the same thing.

“She might be all that, but I sense a formidable temper just being contained.” Devs commented, eyeing Tish meaningfully.

“You like her, don’t you, Uncle Tish?” Yvon asked with a teasing smile.

 “She intrigued me.”  He said, chuckling. “My stay here won’t be boring afterall.”

“Are you planning to hit on her?” Devs asked, wide-eyed.

“No, baby girl. I don’t have time for relationships with the kind of job I have.” He said, looking affectionately at them. “It would be refreshing to see a not-so-ordinary person every morning, right?”

“What do you mean? You’re staying with us then?”

“Yes, your mother put your care to me. I’ll be the one to send you to school every morning. Don’t worry. I won’t live on the same house with you two. I’ll be living next to your apartment and your mothers will be living to your other side of your apartment.”

“Oh, I see. Alright. Well, let’s tour this goddamn school.” Devs said, walking up the stairs to their left.

====================

A limo halted to a stop in the huge parking lot of Beaumont Herford Academy.

“This is it. Are you girls ready?”

“What else can we do?” Devs sighed.

“Hey. No grumpy face, little one. I’m pretty sure you’ll find great friends there.” Tish cheered, smiling at them from the rear-view mirror.

“I can’t wait to check their library. Ms. Buenaventura said it has almost all the books in the world.” Yvon gushed, eyes sparkling from excitement.

Devs rolled her eyes at her sister and stepped out of the car.

After giving Tish a kiss on the cheek, Yvon waved good-bye to him and stepped out of the car and ran after her sister.

Eyeing the big oaken doors where students are already getting in, the twin heaved a great sigh and proceeded along with the students, who’s looking at them rather curiously and something else.

With their schedules in their hands, they tread their way through the throngs of onlookers.

“Is this normal around here?” Yvon asked her sister.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, is this how they really welcome the new students with ogling eyes and awe looks?”

Devs looked up from her list of classes and saw what her sister meant.

“This is creepy. I wonder if we look too alien for them.” Devs, said ruefully.

They checked themselves for mishaps and that, perhaps, what made them stare at them.

With both wearing jeans with high-kneed black boots and fitting shirts with hooded, striped cardigan sweaters, they didn’t find anything out of place at all.

They looked at each other and shrugged, not knowing that it was their honey-colored skin, raven black hair and doll-like faces and being new in school that made the other students turn on their direction.

Trying to ignore the stares, they made their way up the stairs to the third floor for their Calculus class.

“Ooooooooh! Calculus! This is going to be exciting!” Yvon squeal in excitement, doing a baby Bop hop. Devs turned to her sister and gave her a rather fake smile.

“Yipeeyey-doo! Oh, look!” Devs exclaimed in an exaggerated high-pitched voice, pointing above Yvon’s head. “Are those equations pooping out from your head? Wow. Totally amazing.” She said with wide eyes in mock amazement.

Rolling her eyes at her sister, Devs turned around and went straight inside their classroom, Yvon at her heels looking sourly.

Tables and chairs were in disarray, students were in groups talking and laughing, getting reacquainted after months of vacation, as the twins made their way inside the classroom. Looking for empty seats, the twins tried to be unobtrusive as possible but failed miserably, something in them just caught anyone’s attention. An eerie silence crept inside the room, all eyes on them.

Feeling hot under their gazes, Devs felt like she’s a prey surrounded by hungry predators. Uncomfortable though she was her twin seems the opposite, who is exuding calmness and serenity. Yvon is just smiling shyly at all of them. She then turned to the girl seated near her.

“Hello. Is this seat taken?” she asked sweetly, pointing to the chair beside the girl.

“Oh my gawd. Is that one of Monique dela Vega’s works you’re wearing?” exclaimed the girl suddenly.

For a moment, Yvon’s brows furrowed for a second then her face smoothed into a radiant smile.

“Yes, it is.”

“Oh, you better sit with me.” The petite girl, with a cute face said, grabbing the twins by the hand and depositing them on the two seats on each side of her.

“Thank you.” The twins said and smiled.

The chatters came back and the students returned to their previous activity.

They fixed their things and looked at their class schedule. Familiarizing the times and rooms they are assigned and looking around the room when their new friend remarked out of the blue.

“You know, you could make some girls go lesbian if you always flash those smiles of yours,” she commented amused, “It could turn pointy horns to shiny halos.”

She laughed upon seeing the twin’s stricken face. Contagious as her laugh is, the twins can’t help but join in the laughter.

“Oh! Silly me! Let me introduce myself. I’m Marissa. Marissa Aldridge.” the girl said, smiling at both of them.

“I’m Yvon.  Yvette Devon Montebello, and she’s my twin, Devs.” The other twin introduced then pointing at her sister.

“Nice to meet you, Marissa. I’m Devon Zerryne Montebello.”

They shook hands and happy to have new friends.

“Do tell me, Marissa, do we look that foreign to you? ‘Cause I can’t seem to comprehend why they kept staring at us.” Devs remarked in a rather irritated voice, glancing at the back.

Marissa laughed.

“Don’t think that we don’t recognize you. We know who you are. You’re famous even before your mother introduced you to the world. And your fame skyrocketed after your mother’s introduction. In our world, the world of the rich to be specific, almost all know everyone else. Those who are making a name in the industry are observed and criticized. So, it’s no wonder why everyone knows you.” She explained, smiling at them at how amazing her theory is. “Oh, it’s probably also because of how you look.”

“Oh, we look so different then. Perhaps we are like from another planet.” Devs commented sarcastically.

“Not really that different. I’ll say your beauty is alluringly exotic,” Marissa said, winking at them. “In this country, your skin is to die for. If you look around, you’ll see mostly pale faces.”

“Duh, whatever. I just hope they’ll get used to the way we look soon.” Devs said, sighing.

“I hope so, too. It’s unnerving somehow.” Yvon voiced out.

“I doubt that.” Marissa remarked suddenly. The twins looked at her with exasperated looks but she just laughed it off.

After a minute or two, their teacher came in and strode off in front of the class, looking at them in a rather kind smile.

“Good morning, class. I’m Philip Montgomery and I’ll be your teacher for this class.” he announced, taking his briefcase and pulled out a stack of papers. “Okay, everyone, I’ll be handing out these sheets of papers to you. Written there are the house rules, lessons we’ll tackle in the upcoming months and some reminders.” He continued, handing the papers to each row.

“Well, class has finally started” Devs commented, heaving a sigh.

====================

Last period before lunch, but an agitated Devs seemed eager to get out of the classroom that had her emanating a rather black vibe.

Move you damn ticking hand! Still fifteen minutes had passed… why does it feel like forever?! Move already you thick-headed-ticking-hand!!! Forty –five more minutes… it’s like torture! Devs mused sourly, looking at the clock with an expression of a serial killer.

Yvon and Marissa noticed the foreboding aura Devs is emitting that had them looking at each other with confusion.

“Hey, you alright?” Marissa asked cautiously. Devs turned to her with a scary look that had her pulling away.

“Goodness, Devs! Stop looking like a demented person!” Yvon hissed making sure that the teacher is out of hearing range.

“Who wouldn’t look like this?!” Devs retorted, pointing at her face. “I’ve been waiting for that damn click to strike 12:00 so I can go and change into something human and comfortable clothes!”

“What do you mean?” Marissa asked, confusion plastered on her face. “You look human to me.” She added innocently.

Devs look at her like she’d said something ridiculous.

Yvon turns to fits of giggles which had her clamping her hand to her mouth to control her laughter.

“What? Did I just say something wrong?” Marissa asked, looking back and forth at the twins.

“I shall explain everything later, or better yet Devs will show you what she really meant by what she said.” Yvon said, smiling knowingly at Devs who in turn rolled her eyes.

“Damn. This frustration is making me hungry.” Devs complained under her breath.

The two just shook their heads laughing silently at her and turn their attention back to the teacher.

---

Damn it! Just five minutes had passed? … five freaking minutes?! Devs thought crossly, but then an idea came to mind which turned her face into a look of psychotic smile that had Marissa and Yvon cringing as they look at her upon sensing the wicked spirit she’s emanating.

Devs suddenly turned to her sister. “Hey, will you please carry my bag for me?  I’ll get it back during lunch. Please?” she asked, casting her sister with her puppy-dog eyes. Then she turned to the front and raised her hand. The teacher noticed her and signaled her to speak.

“Yes, Miss Montebello?”

“Uhm… ma’am, I don’t feel good. I feel sick. May I, please, go to the clinic? Devs asked rather bleakly, feigning a sick face.

Yvon and Marissa turned to her wide eyes, confusion marring their faces. 

“Oh, of course. Go ahead.” The teacher complied, looking a little worried.

“Thank you, ma’am,” She said, still acting ill. She turned to her sister and her new friend, sending them a wink and then turned back to feigning sickness while exiting the room. She went out of the classroom into the empty hallways, still keeping up the farce.

When she was out of sight, she dashed to a different direction that leads to the lockers.

Oh yeah! Oh yeah! I’m so good! Devs chanted silently, doing a happy dance.

I’m so winning a best actress award for my superb and exceptionally awe-inspiring performance!

…okay so not awe-inspiring… but still it was great! She thought happily, skipping towards her locker while humming random songs. She pushed the code on the lock and yanked open her locker. She took out a paper bag and happily skipped towards the nearest bathroom. She was all smiles and was now standing in front of the comfort room when she heard a booming voice behind her that made her jump from surprise. She immediately turned to see a man walking towards her, looking ominous.

“And where do you think you’re going?”

“Where do you think?” Devs retorted, looking at the door behind her and back at the man in front of her.

“Do you know that it is still class hours?” he asked, looking at her meaningfully. “Do you even have a hall pass?”

“Obviously, I don’t have a hall pass,” she said, spreading her arms wide, letting him check for any attached hall pass. “Are you blind? Duh.” Devs added in an irritated voice.

The man in front of her seemed to explode, getting redder in the face every second.

Gawd, this guy is irritating. Who is he, anyway? Ugh! So annoying, Devs thought bitterly.

“That’s it. Two weeks detention for you! Going out of class without a hall pass, and ta - …” but he was cut off rather rudely by her.

“Just who do you think you are?! Huh?!” Devs demanded in an authoritative voice, glaring up at him defiantly. “Do you know who I am?!”

The guy was taken momentarily aback by her raised voice that he answered her in confusion. “No, I don’t… I don’t think so.”

She suddenly smiled up at him and beamed. “Good!” she exclaimed and turned her back on him and slammed the door of the comfort room on his face.

The guy was shocked. And furious.

He has never been humiliated like that ever. And as he remembered what happened a while ago, he saw red. He was so angry that he wanted to wring her neck. He was about to pound the door with his fist when someone suddenly called his name. He turned around and saw two guys coming towards him.

“Ivan, what are you doing?” a tall, handsome, ruggedly-looking guy asked, looking at him with amusement. “Now, now… are we chasing girls all the way to comfort rooms, Ivan?” he mocked, chuckling. “I didn’t know you’re that aggressive and… desperate?”

“Enrique, quit it. Stop pissing him. He’s angry right now. Even furious.” The other guy said, chuckling. “I wonder why, though…”

“That’s enough. What are you guys doing here?” Ivan snapped. “It’s still class hours and don’t even think you’ll escape punishment for roaming around the school during class hours just because we’re friends.”

“Hey, calm down, dude.” Enrique said, holding his palms up in surrender. “James and I were called by coach Westley. We’re going to the gym now.”

Ivan sighed. “Is that so. Well, don’t let me keep you. Coach must be waiting for you two.”

“Come with us. You’re part of the team, anyway.” James said, putting his arm around Ivan’s shoulder, dragging him towards the opposite direction.

“Yeah, come on. I bet coach is gonna talk about the upcoming games this season.” Enrique piped in, grinning.

“Wait, I - …” Ivan was about to say something but was cut off by Enrique.

“Dude, relax. You have to come with us.”

Ivan didn’t fight them as they dragged him towards the gym.

I’ll get you back. I’ll give you the punishment you rightfully deserve, Ivan thought determinedly.