Me Before You
Chapter 2

"Get aside, step aside, Princess Dracula is about to pass!"

Said a little boy, crossing the lobby hallway to class. Some children who heard it immediately stopped their chat activity with their friends. They immediately went to the side of the wall, forming a line amidst the crowd of onlookers, as if welcoming the princess from the kingdom. Just at that moment, a little girl appeared from the end of the lobby and walked quietly. Stare after gaze continued to be circulated throughout the school residents to the little girl. While the girl just looked down, did not intend to return the gaze of her friends. This was a normal sight for the girl. The look they gave was not a look of admiration, but a look of disdain.

"That's Monica Frances. Look at skin! Pale like a dracula." whispered a little girl to her friend. While the little girl named Monica continued to walk without caring for her friend.

"Did he drink blood too? Save me!" said one of the children. Monica could only sigh, resignedly. People at this school overestimate. Their age is certainly not much different from Monica. A twelve-year-old boy, may not understand that the dracula is just a fiction by Bram Stoker. They are too hyperbolic.

Monica is indeed different from most children living in this country, but she can adapt to all that. His friends are still conservative because they cannot accept the difference.

"If his mother's father is not a biological parent, then whose son is he? Is he probably banished?"

Hearing that word, Monica clenched her hands, after which they whispered 'look at her angry!', 'don't talk carelessly if you don't want to die'. Believe me, even if it's just a word, it really hurts Monica. This is just a sentence, maybe later Monica will receive more than this. At least that's what happens to people who get bullied.

Despite having to go through that horrible gaze, Monica finally made it to her class. He started taking out his textbooks and preparing the stationery on the table. Right after that, the entrance bell rang. All the children went into their own classes.

Honestly speaking, every bell rang, Monica was relieved, because only then could she be safe from the clutches of her crazy friends.

...-οΟο-...

What Monica heard last night was, Joshua wanted to be ushered around Gibbston Valley. But until the sun was over his head, the man did not show the trunk of his nose. Monica is currently in the garden. He was fertilizing the vine－ while waiting for Joshua Spencer to arrive. Since then, Monica had been watching the inn occupied by Joshua, hoping that the man would get out of his place.

Monica was initially happy, when the gate was open, but the feeling of pleasure did not last long. It was not Joshua who left the place, but one family with their two young children. Oh, and Monica was really hoping that guy would come out. In thought, Monica asked, what is Joshua doing inside? Is it possible that the man had insomnia, so he had not woken up until now?

If that happens, Monica thinks she should act to make Joshua recover from his insomnia.

"Monica, can you give me a minute?"

The father's call finally dawned Monica from her daydream. He even realized that he was daydreaming. Monica turned to face her father. "Yes, of course." Monica told Joan Frances.

"Bring all this into the warehouse. Oh, yeah don't forget to check back the barrel a month ago. Tomorrow I'm sending you to town."

Monica obeyed the father's orders. He brought a cart containing two wine barrels ready for fermentation to the storage warehouse. In addition to grapes, the Frances family also made wine. Monica's father had always loved making wine to sell to the city. No wonder if the wine made by the Frances family is very popular in the city.

The girl put the barrels in the barn to sit for a few days. He also checked the wine his father would bring tomorrow. If it is smelled from the smell, it is very fragrant and strong aroma. The color is also beautiful, a blend of purple and red. Lastly, Monica tasted it. Once enough was felt, Monica immediately came out of the warehouse and told the father that the wine was ready to be sold.

After informing her father, Monica returned to the garden to continue her activities. His eyes looked back at the simple building near the garden. Joshua Spencer never showed himself. From Monica standing in the garden, until she had time to the warehouse, and back again to the garden. Still, the man did not come out keeping his promise. Monica is ready to become a tour guide for Joshua. Monica thought, Did something bad happen to Joshua? Oh, my gosh. Monica just realized she's worried about Joshua Spencer.

Since the incident last night, Monica kept thinking about Joshua from waking up until now. Monica thinks she's over-thinking the guests in town who are clearly no one. But.. This is a form of concern Monica to a guest who is a resident of the inn. Monica will make sure that the man is okay. Maybe Joshua is currently asleep due to insomnia he suffered. Monica's best off visiting Joshua tonight, who knows she can help the man.

...-οΟο-...

"Hey, Josh!"

Joshua Spencer turned his head when he heard the typical call from his friend. The twelve-year-old boy took his place right in front of Joshua. The break hour is currently underway. The students began to spend their time in the school cafeteria, taking the food that had been provided.

"Where are the others?" ask the boy to Joshua.

Joshua did not immediately reply, he chewed his mouth food first. "Jason was gathering for the basketball club and Andrew was called to the teacher's room."

The boy frowned, "what's he doing?"

"As usual, he was caught throwing a tantrum. I'm sure she won't survive Miss Sanders." said Joshua, shivering in horror.

"Well, Andrew's looking to die." Kevin Stewart Jo－si boy in front of Joshua also shuddered. Who does not know Miss Sanders, a foreign language teacher who is famous for her assertiveness and discipline. Once he makes a mistake while teaching, he will mark the student and their grades will be at stake.

Joshua and his three friends had been friends since the beginning of elementary school. Initially they were one class, but because there was a rolling system, all four were not in one class anymore. Even so, every hour of rest or every time they go home from school, they always meet and gather while discussing what they went through while at school. Sometimes they go to Joshua or Kevin's house to play games. And if you look around, the current one that looks more busy may be Jason, because soon there will be an inter-school basketball race.

As he was chatting, suddenly someone approached Joshua and Kevin with his face off. "Damn! Because of that outcast I got into trouble." Well, it was Andrew who was said to have a problem with Miss Sanders. Joshua was a little surprised to see his friend's face blushing, as if it would explode in a moment. "It's all because of the outcast. You guys know, right? The dracula's daughter?"

"Dracula's daughter?" reiterate Joshua who does not understand who is meant by this friend.

Andrew took a glass of Kevin's orange juice and gulped it down. A second later she said, "Monica Frances. No, her name is Monica. He's the one who put my test scores at stake."

"What's he doing?" ask Kevin.

Andrew sighed, "he got me caught throwing papers. At first I was about to throw it at her, but it missed Miss Sanders."

"You should be scolded. It's your fault anyway, why did you do it to an innocent man." Joshua said, justifying the punishment Andrew got.

"You don't know, Josh? Monica's already a bully in my class. Maybe even by one school." said Andrew.

"What?" Joshua surprised. "Why is that?"

"He's a pickling boy. You know Alex Frances, right? The swimming athlete and the senior next door to our school building, she's Monica's sister. At first we thought they were cousins, but one of the kids said Monica wasn't Alex's sister. You just see their differences."

Joshua gasped at the confession of his friend. Alexander Frances was famous in school. All the schools from Elementary School, Junior High School, and High School know who Alex is. With its high popularity, of course there are spies who want to know an Alexander Frances deeper, let alone enemies who are outside the school. It must have been spread by Alex's enemies who didn't like him.

"But that's just unilateral. You can't do anything bad to her anyway." Joshua said.

"We should not interfere in this matter" Kevin said at last. She had been quiet since then and only listened to Andrew ramble on about Monica Frances.

"Sstt. He's coming!" Andrew gestured by raising his index finger on the lips, to tell his friend to be quiet. He himself has been in a storm since.

The girl finally cried again, then left the cafeteria. It felt like Joshua was following the steps of the little girl. But he can't. Maybe Joshua entered as one of the few people who could only witness the terrible event, without any intention of helping. It can be said that Joshua fell into the category of bully, because there was no intention to help the victim.

Joshua regretted not being able to do anything while Monica Frances was having a hard time.

...-οΟο-...

From just getting up until this evening, Joshua Spencer had not moved from his room at all. All he does is stay in front of his laptop all day and think about his job. I don't know why during holidays like this his mind is always filled with work. Unknowingly, he also forgot his promise with Monica to go explore Gibbston Valley. Joshua Spencer is a hard worker who never knew time.

For a moment he began to recall the events of his past when he was twelve years old. Thirteen years have passed. And he still remembers some memories, including the togetherness of himself with his three friends. But there is one rather blurry memory of a girl who was the bully at the time. The poor girl finally left school right after a bad incident happened to her family. At least that's what Joshua remembers. The name Monica Frances was on her mind. The name was no stranger to Joshua.

Joshua's daydream was blown away after hearing the sound of knocking on the door. He immediately got up from his place, heading towards the door. Monica Frances was standing at the door, revealing a small tote bag she was carrying and a drink bottle.

"Monica?"

"Hi, Joshua!" he said cheerfully, then his glare fell on the small tote bag he was carrying, "this is me carrying pumpkin sweets, wine syrup pancakes and milk. I thought you'd be better off after eating it."

Joshua was seen soaking, a second later he began to wake up to pick up the bag and bottle of drink in Monica's hand, without saying anything. He was still a little shocked to see the arrival of the girl.

"Hopefully your insomnia can go away, Josh." continued Monica timidly.

"Eh?" Joshua frowned for a moment. "Insomnia?"

"Yes. You must have woken up yesterday, right, because you stayed up last night? I was waiting for you in the garden."

"waiting? Is it... Oh, for God's sake. I just remembered, we were supposed to drive around Gibbston Valley earlier. I'm sorry, Monica."

Monica drew a fleeting smile on her face. "No problem."

Joshua put the bag and bottle of drink in his hand, on the table adjacent to the laptop. A second later he closed his laptop and packed up the things on his desk. "Come in! Sorry for the mess."

Monica was still trying to digest the words Joshua had just invited her in. He had never been in a boy's room before, other than the brother's. The girl was still standing on the doorstep, watching Joshua clean up her slightly messy place. Joshua who realized this immediately stopped his activities and then turned to look at Monica.

"Monica?" call Joshua with slightly frowning brows, puzzled.

"Yes?" Monica looked back at Joshua. He looked as if he was asking if I could come in.

"What's wrong? Why not come in?"

"Ah.. that..I..."

Joshua understood why Monica would not come in. Maybe he thought that men and women were in that one room.

"Just calm. I'm not that kind of person. If I make a mistake, you can report it to both of your parents" Joshua said, as if reading Monica's mind.

Hearing this, Monica's doubts suddenly disappeared. Joshua's words were very convincing. He entered Joshua's room slowly and looked around the room.

"The door left it open." continued Joshua, sitting near the desk. Monica nodded and chose to sit on the bed. The girl smiled at Joshua.

"You know? I've never been in a boy's room before other than my brother's." I'm Monica, about her doubts.

Joshua smiled at a glance. "I understand." then the man turned his gaze to the box next to him. "By the way, thank you so much for the food. You're getting bothered like this." Joshua switched the conversation.

"No problem. After all as a good host I would make sure my guests were okay during the holidays." then Monica's gaze fell on the pile of books not far from Joshua. The girl got up to look at the books. "Eh? You like reading J. Dawn's novels too?"

"Ah. That... that's.well, I love reading it." Joshua said with a clumsy smile, to cover the nervousness.

"Wow, I didn't expect you to be a fan either." Monica smiled cheerfully. She never expected to meet someone who liked her favorite author. It was like meeting a brother.

Seeing the girl's smile, Joshua was delighted. Just yesterday Monica was talking about her favorite author and now Joshua is really happy to see the girl smiling this wide.

"Where's your favorite novel? That I'm Sunday After Saturday."

Joshua looked confused. He's not good at lying. But he didn't mean to do that. "Ah. I'm not sure. But I think I like everything."

"You're right. All his work is very good." said Monica. "I wonder why he never put his face in front of the fans. I want to know who J. Dawn is."

Joshua involuntarily fell into a small smile, then said, "well." and then he turned his face towards the window. "I think I'd like to try the food" he said, switching the conversation.

"Ah, yes, try it. I'm sorry I asked you to talk earlier." said Monica, putting the novel she took back into place.

The man began to open the tote bag, and took out a box containing pumpkin sweets. "Hm. It tastes sweet." Joshua said after trying the pumpkin sweets.

Monica Frances smiled slightly in response to Joshua. The girl was quite happy to see Joshua enjoying the small dish he prepared. Unknowingly, Monica notices Joshua while eating and begins to realize that Joshua looks sweet. The girl smiled too.

Joshua thinks, after this he will start to continue the activity that was delayed, because his energy has been filled and his mind must be smooth. Especially after hearing what Monica Frances said earlier.

From this evening, Joshua Spencer begins to decide to make Monica Frances happy. Although the girl can't see Joshua's sacrifice, Joshua will prove that she can make Monica Frances smile.

...---...