Chapter VIII: Planning the Gifts
Story’s timeline: 22/05/2023
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Adelle calls Shanice on the phone after school.
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Adelle: Hello Shanice?
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Shanice: Yes?
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Adelle: I want to get Nick a gift. Would it be weird if I get him a kinder joy?
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Shanice: Nah I’m sure he will love it.
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Adelle rushed to the shopping mall and started finding things to give to Nick. She entered a chocolate store where she went to try and pick a kinder joy. She prayed that she picked the right one. “Hopefully this kinder joy is good enough for Nick.” Adelle thought.
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Adelle quickly went back home, wishing that everything would be fine the next day.
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Adelle’s POV:
This gift is so silly why would he like it? It’s a kid’s toy. It’s okay it will be fine. Anyway, if he doesn’t appreciate it, it means he’s not my type. Here goes nothing I guess... I will ask Shanice’s friend to deliver it to him. I need to get his reaction.
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Adelle impatiently waited for the next day with the gift in her hand. She stared at the little kinder joy egg she got for Nick and chucked it into her pocket before heading to school.
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Later at school..
Adelle: You must be Shanice’s friend. Hello.
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Shanice’s friend: Yes. Do you need me to pass Nick a gift?
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Adelle: Yes. And when you do, tell him that his secret admirer is giving him the gift.
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Shanice’s friend: Okay.
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Shanice’s friend heads over to level 2 where Nick’s class was. Adelle and Shanice followed. Adelle sneakily peeked at Nick receiving the gift and smiling. What Nick said was unheard. Before Nick could look in Adelle’s direction, she ducked and rushed down the stairs.
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Hours pass and it’s time for lunch. Adelle quickly ran to Shanice’s friend and asked him..
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Adelle: How was it? Did he like the gift? Does he even like chocolate?
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Shanice’s friend: Not sure. He just looked shocked. I didn’t manage to get his reaction.
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Adelle: Oh no, I don’t even know if he likes it. It’s okay I guess, I will get something better to make it clearer.
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Shanice’s friend: Go ahead.
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Adelle started writing down and planning her gift. She decided that she’d give him chocolate kisses as a sign of romantic advance. And when school ended, guess where she went again. To the shopping mall. She carefully picked out a flavour everyone would love and went back home.
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Adelle’s POV:
I need to write a note to him, I need to show him I’m genuine. But I know.. He’s smart. He will ask for my handwriting or figure out what my handwriting is. I think I should ask someone to write it for me. Ah yes. I will ask Huan Huan. Her handwriting is so different. Anyway, I’ll be seeing her later for an extra class.
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Adelle brought paper, pen, and gift to the extra class. She scanned the room and spotted Huan Huan right away.
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Adelle: Huan Huan, I got a gift for my crush.
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Huan Huan: Oh wow show me.
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Adelle shows her chocolate kisses.
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Adelle: I want to write a note but I can’t use my own handwriting.
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Huan Huan: I can write it for you.
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Adelle: I was about to ask you that. (she smiled)
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Huan Huan: So what do you want to write?
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Adelle: Hmmm.. I’ll send it to you. But you must write it word for word. Use all capital letters to write it.
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Adelle send Huan Huan the message.
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Huan Huan: Girl- why is it so long? You really do love him.
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Adelle: Of course I do. I don’t just get gifts for anyone.
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Huan Huan smiled and got to work. Adelle just kept daydreaming about Nick and memories of that sweet hug rushed into her mind. She started gripping the wall for the non-existent grip and nearly screeched in class. Adelle could hardly believe that hug was real. After Adelle almost started rolling around, Huan Huan got Adelle to see what she asked for.#
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Adelle: This is perfect! Thank you so much Huan Huan.
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Huan Huan: No problem. (she said while grinning widely)
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Adelle: I even brought some double-sided tape. We can stick this to the gift.
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Huan Huan and Adelle giggled a little and began decorating the little note to Nick and the gift. Not knowing that someone was spying on them.
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Charles’ POV:
How did she get over me so fast? Thought she’d be depressed. I know it now she must be a playgirl. I’m telling that to everyone. How dare she get over me that fast. How can she still be so happy? Seriously, only six months. All my other exes take a year to get over me.
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And Adelle still continued her little fun activity with Huan Huan, not knowing the trouble HE would stir up. In order to clarify things, Adelle got over him in a day. She did it fast because Charles was a horrible boy. Adelle forgot about Charles as she was really contented with Nick. She loves Nick with all of her heart and just wanted to give him the world. Of course, there isn’t any space in her head or heart for that lousy guy.
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In another room, with the popular kids..
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Charles: Guys.. I found out something. Adelle isn’t over me. She’s such a playgirl. I’m not over her yet and it’s just.. It’s just not right.
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Frankly, Charles got over her after a week but he just wasn’t used to a girl not being head over heels for him.
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Michelle: No way. She looks so innocent from afar but is actually a playgirl? Anyway, how would you know whether she’s over you or not? She’s just laughing..
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Charles: You don’t understand. She doesn’t smile when she’s upset or grieving at the moment.
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Hannah: And how would you know that?
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Charles: I just do.
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Michelle and Hannah: Uhh okay..
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Elisha: Do you wanna make fun of her?
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Michelle and Hannah: NO! But we could warn the others. Why would I let my other fellow guy friends get in trouble trying to date her?
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Elisha: Now that’s a good idea. I’ll message Darius about it. He used to be interested in her. He’s so lucky to not get played by her.
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Charles: Right?
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Kayden: Such a playgirl. Gonna warn my friends before they get played too. We got you, Charles.
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Adelle didn’t hear that conversation. She was completely innocent. In fact, it was Charles who was the bad boyfriend. But I guess his friends didn’t know that... Not knowing what was discussed, she went to Nick’s class to give him her gift for him. She placed it on his table and ran off.
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The next day, everyone returned to school for normal lessons. Nick found chocolates on his table with a note. He didn’t recognise that handwriting. But he had an idea of who it was… Being too tired to hear the insignificant talk spreading around the class. In this school, rumours spread like wildfire and the rumour was about Adelle being a playgirl. Of course, Nick heard it.
Nick’s POV:
That doesn’t make sense. Adelle didn’t even try to advance on me. I know she likes me but.. Maybe it was all an act. Stop it, Nick, it can’t be an act. Who even is this Charles guy? You know what? I shouldn’t engage in rumours. I love Adelle and only her. I think she gave me this gift.. I think she’s the one giving the gifts. It’s so sweet of her. I love chocolate. How did she even know that? And this note.. It’s sweet. She couldn’t be a playgirl right? She didn’t even label her name.
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Classmate: Hey Nick.
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Nick: Yes?
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Classmate: Do you know Adelle?
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Nick: Yes why?
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Classmate: Don’t fall for her tricks. She’s a dirty playgirl.
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Nick: How would you know that?
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Classmate: I don’t know. I just heard it and I thought it’d be good to warn you.
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Nick: Don’t spread rumours. You don’t even know whether it’s true or not.
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Classmate: Do you like her or something? Why are you defending her? That’s why I knew I had to warn you.
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Nick rolled his eyes and scoffed. He had absolute faith in Adelle. Adelle didn’t know yet. But when she walked into class. Her classmates went silent and started whispering while staring at her as she came into the classroom. Adelle sat on her seat. “Something was amiss.” she thought to herself. Indeed, something was amiss. Overnight, her reputation had been ruined.
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Kayden: Where’s your new boy?
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Adelle: What new boy?
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Kayden: The one you wanna play.
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Adelle: Play what?
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Kayden: Don’t act stupid. You know what you did.
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Adelle: I didn’t do anything?
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Kayden: Perfect example of a liar. Playgirl and liar. Hmm. Nice fit.
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Adelle: You didn’t even tell me what I did?
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Kayden: You played Charles didn’t you?
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Adelle: HE WAS THE ONE WHO WAS TOXIC WHAT ARE YOU ON? DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG AGO THAT WAS? I LOVED HIM WHEN I DATED HIM THEN I REALISED HE-
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Kayden: Save it. I don’t need to listen to liars.
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Adelle said as she tried to maintain composure. Her classmates were indeed annoying. And that was when it hit her. People were gossiping about her doing something she did not do. She felt wronged. Adelle knew that Nick would have heard about it by now. She just sighed in sorrow and sat by Shanice’s table. Shanice stared and Adelle and placed her hand on Adelle’s head to comfort her.
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Adelle’s POV:
It took me so long to find the guy I thought I’d set my heart to and now I’m losing him because of silly rumours. It’s not even silly actually. It’s horrible it’s just- ugh. I’m sure Kayden would have “warned” everyone about me being a playgirl. You know what? I don’t need anyone. Just Shanice. Just Shanice.. and Nick...
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Adelle then excused herself to the toilet. She locked herself in the cubicle and stared into the distance. Tears started welling up in her eyes and she tried her hardest to control it. But they just gushed down. She really loved Nick and couldn’t bear to lose him to rumours. She sobbed and sobbed. Shanice rushed to the toilet to find Adelle and heard sobs coming from a cubicle. Shanice knocked on the door to ask if Adelle was okay.
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Shanice: Are you okay? Please come out don’t cry anymore. Don’t cry over people who don’t care about your feelings.
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Adelle: I don’t care about them I’m not crying about them. I just don’t want to lose Nick.
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Shanice: Oh..
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Adelle: I’m just- just mentally preparing myself. I think I can come out now.
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Shanice: Okay.
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Adelle steps out of the cubicle teary-eyed. She washed her face and stared at her reflection. Face red from crying, she took some tissue paper and blew her nose. She put up a confident front and walked out of the toilet. She didn’t care about her reputation anymore. Adelle stared into the distance and started reflecting on herself and talking to herself.
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Adelle’s POV:
I don’t need anyone I just need Nick. But Nick wasn’t supposed to like me. I just need to go back to when.. Nick didn’t know me. I’m not meant to date him anyway. Why am I so sad? Crying like a baby over something that isn’t for me. Nick isn’t for me. I love him but I can’t have him. Maybe I will? (her last bit of hope). I need to be real with myself. I am worthy of Nick?
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