C3 The Past

Ten Years Ago... High School.

Valery, just like most students with a social life hated Mondays. Mondays meant math class and math class meant pop quizzes.

On most days she hid in the school library when she was overwhelmed. It was on the third floor and Valery's class sat on the fourth.

It was only a matter of not getting caught but then again, she was as innocent as they came based on looks, and using the washroom was always the go-to excuse.

On one Monday, while trying to skip the class, she almost comes face to face with the teacher at the staircase. Valery turned around naturally and quickly run right. She would have nowhere to go other than her classroom if she took the other way.

At the far end was an abandoned room nobody used. Although that was the first place she thought of, she had never been to the old classroom- not with the stories surrounding why it was never used.

For the sake of her life, Valery convinced herself that they were fake tales to scare students. At the turn of the knob, she jumped inside and shut the door.

Valery let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, laughing at herself for being so determined. But then she felt a chill when reality hit her.

This room is pitch black. She could not see anything and that began to creep her out. "It doesn't feel like I'm in the school anymore," She murmured as she felt the walls with her palm, looking for a light switch.

"Where else could you be?" a strained voice echoes behind her.

"Ahhh!" Valery slipped, just as she pitched out a terrifying scream.

**

The room had been off-limits longer than any staff or student around could project. Students talk about hearing twisted sounds and menacing laughs at that corner after school hours. They said it was haunted by ghosts.

In a superstitious society, everyone believed it. And now, Valery was living the nightmare of coming into contact with a phantom.

She picks herself up, forgetting which way she came from. Adrenaline rippling through her body, Valery runs around the room blindly, hoping to miraculously find the door or something to help her get out. When her hand touches a solid chest, she ran in the opposite direction, wailing. Valery begged the heavens for help in that frail moment, promising never to miss any class if she survived the ordeal.

Suddenly, the room became bright. Someone had switched on the lights. Valery was so scared she kept her eyes shut after the 'click' sound. When a hand snatches her by the collar of her uniform, she froze.

"Stop running and open your eyes," It took a lot more phrases to convince her.

It was no longer dark when she unblocked her view. Luckily for her, she was saved from slamming her head into an old locker. Valery's jaw gradually drops as she recollects herself. Why was a supposed classroom decorated with chairs, a fridge, a table tennis board, a computer, a stocked bookshelf, and a television? What the hell was going on?

"Lucky you...you found my hideout," said the boy holding on to her. Only then did Valery realize that she was one step from falling if he let go. Slowly, she inclines her head.

Valery, "You?... What are you doing?"

"I'm saving a damsel in distress," A tall young man with dark eyes replied coyly. He let go after she found her footing, then folded his arms, "Why are you here Violet?"

"My name is not Violet, it's Valery."

"I know, I know. But I prefer Violet, like African violets," he smirked. "Why come here of all places? Are you not afraid of the ghost that lives here?"

Valery frowned, "I'm not afraid of ghosts!"

"Didn't seem like that when you screamed like a little girl," The boy imitated the creepy voice Valery heard earlier.

"Leo," Valery backs up slowly, a grimace on her face.

"Leo? People who call me Leo are either afraid of me or work for me. You know, like a Mafia," Derrick snickered. Valery's anger amused him. "On second thought, maybe you should call me Leo. You did think I was the ghost, didn't you? So technically that puts you under those who fear me."

Valery hurried towards the door but was quickly intercepted. "You haven't answered my question, Violet," Derrick suddenly turned serious and cold.

"Do I have to, isn't it obvious that I'm skipping class? Had I known I'd run into the likes of you I would have endured that."

"This is the only place in the entire school I don't find repulsive, do not ruin it for me," Derrick's tone came across as a threat.

"Instead of attempting to scare me, ask politely, Der-rick!" Valery said, devoid of any tension or uncertainty. Bullies like Derrick had no control over her.

Derrick took a long look and then sighed. "Fine, Valery, can you let this be our little secret?" His grin seemed insincere. "You can stay until the math period is over. Do help yourself to a snack...I saw how you drooled at the fridge like it was your first love," he turned away from the intruder and leaned against a curtained wall.

Valery saw that he had lowered his guard. She says nothing, backing away from the exit to the fridge.

Derrick chuckled when she took out a chocolate bar, "That was fast. I thought...,"

"You thought what? This is not some K-drama where the girl meets a boy, gets angry and leaves with a punch or something on his face. I'm Ghanaian and I don't hide my love for chocolate, so, meh," Valery helped herself. Looking at the illuminated room she was slowly wowed. The windows were covered with thick blue-black curtains and the walls were painted grey like the fridge. The floor was tiled in squares and on the left side of the wall were a few posters of comic characters, cars and a picture of the school.

Valery sat on the small sofa, admiring the room as she bit down on the chocolate bar. Derrick, on the other hand, stared at her suspiciously.

Valery, "So this is where you hide? And all these things."

Derrick tucked his hands in his pockets, "They are all mine. No one comes here so it's easier to hear myself speak."

Valery, "This sounds unrealistic, how did you get them in here without getting noticed?"

Derrick smiled, "My dad donates a lot of funds to the school. It's just one of the privileges that come with it."

Valery, "That's not enough reason to have a secret room and not get caught."

"Is that so?... Well, I changed the locks, so no one can get in," Derrick paces the room, observing the visitor. "So, math class huh?" He let himself go on the bean bag sofa tucked beside the couch. Valery nodded while Derrick took out his AirPods. After lugging his ears, he lays back and shut his eyes.

Two periods later the bell rang for recess.

Valery stood up, "I'm heading out."

"Wait a few more minutes, it's not safe to go now. Just five more minutes," Derrick said, eyes still shut. Although it bothered Valery to take orders from him, she obeyed. After exactly five minutes Valery proceeded toward the door. This time Derrick did not stop her.

Holding onto the doorknob, she turns to say thank you. Only then does he look at her, curving his lips when the door shut.