CHAPTER 1

Friends "I love you.." I was taken aback and read the message carefully again. Slowly. Word by word. I gasped and covered my mouth when I realized I wasn't hallucinating. I checked the sender's name again but before I could do so, another message from him popped on my screen. "I'm sorry about that. My friend messed with my phone because I left it with him a while ago." Unintentionally, my heart beats fast and all I could do was to bite my lower lip. I thought that was true! I sighed and continued what I'm doing earlier. I was done cooking and just hanging out alone on our couch, scrolling on my social media accounts when I received the message. It's Sunday morning, meaning no class and also means no life for me. I woke up as early as 6 am because I had to cook for our breakfast even though my parents and sister wakes up almost lunch time every weekends. They would go berserk if I wouldn't do what they're told me to do. I'm scared of them, of course who wouldn't, right? But the thing is, it is only me they are seeing. They look at me as if I'm not their child. They are always on my sister's side and keep her precious and untouched while they let me do all the work in the house. They are always mad at me for no specific reason. Maybe existing, yeah? They aren't proud of me. They never. I sighed and twitched my lip as I go back to my dm. I squinted my eyes, as if throwing daggers on the first name who sent a message to me. It's really him huh? Why would an asshole slides to my dm? He's not an enemy though, he's not a friend too. But compared to my high school era, not a rebel though, I was more kind now. I grew up! I think I can stop hating him. Also, it's been years! I typed in my reply. "Oh, I see. It's ok." I bit my fingernail. Why am I being anxious? He was my classmate way back junior high school. He just migrated to another country when we entered our third year. He was my friend’s ultimate crush. We've done a surprise party for him day before he leaves the country and that was my friend's idea. She is crazy over him that time! She even gave flowers to him! I can't say no, my friends are dear to me, they are all family to me. I treasured my circle so much more than my own family. I personally don't like him. He's quite charming but not my taste and standard. He, intentionally, made a move to my friend that made her hoped for him, because he knew she likes him. But in the end, he doesn't give her the love she wanted. And that what makes me think of what a player he is! And that's why I don't like him until he left. He's also a bit weird for me in those days. I don't know I just find him.. out of place? "Yeah. I'm sorry again." I pouted when he replied again. Maybe he really is embarrassed, it's a forbidden word for him. I chuckled and shook my head when I remember him being a player. "He will choke to death before he could say those words on his own will." I chuckled again as I typed my reply. "No need for sorry's. It's fine." I got curious. I haven't seen him on my newsfeed. I go to his profile and checked his latest posts, which, made me bit my inner cheek. My forehead creased. The last post he posted was last last year! It's a food from a restaurant he had been that day, I guess. And just a lasagna emoji as his caption?! What a boring timeline he has. I tried to look for more, but it's just tags from his friends and no photos of him. I also scanned his photos and albums but no to vail because it was private. I sighed and got up to my feet, I'll just eat and do my Sunday routine. I'm also planning to buy some things I don't need to pamper myself. I just want to have a walk and not talk to anyone in this house. They are always on their room though, having their life there. It's fine rather than having them talking to me. I was getting my plates and was about to get food when my phone beeped. Dice Alcones: “Anyway, how are you?” I slowly sat on the chair while reading his message. I typed in some reply. I put some fried rice and bacon to my plate. “I'm completely fine. School makes me dizzy though.” “Nah. You can always do it your way.” My lips turned into thin line. I pouted. My food is getting cold. “How 'bout you? Are you still in high school or no?” “Yea, I repeated my freshmen year here when I got enrolled. You're in college now right?” “Yes, with God's mercy.” I was waiting for his reply, but it didn't come fast like earlier. I shrugged and started eating. It was already 8 am and later, after I finished my meal, I'll clean our common bathroom and do some laundry. Unconsciously, I was checking my phone from time to time. Weird. I already finished eating yet he still didn't reply. Does my message sounds an end? Or he's not interes-, oh no, so what right? If he's bored talking to me, then I am too. The heck I care?! With a little heavy heart, I washed my dishes. I picked up my hair claws on the cabinet afterwards and tied my hair, a sign that I am going to start my household chores. I want it done before my parents and sister woke up. I was separating the clothes in the bathroom when my phone beeped. “Same old you ? anyway, I'm with my friends. We're actually in school, so, please be patient with my replies.” “Oh..” my mouth dropped open. Ah right! We are one day ahead than them. “What the f**k is happening to me?” “Oh right! I'm such a bother. Do your thing now. Study smart, not hard!” I looked at the window and noticed the windy weather today. Hmm, I think I can't do the laundry today, huh. I sighed and shrugged off the relief I felt when he replied. I scrolled on our group chats, my friends. I close it again because it was just random talking and gossips around our school seniors. I got up and go to my bedroom, guess I'll just clean my room. I can't do the laundry in this kind of weather. It'll rain soon. “Nope. We can talk but I'll slowdown my replies. Do you have something to do though? It's weekend there.” I bit my lip as I put down the comforter and read his message. “Really. Using me as an excuse to survive your class huh? Are you bored?” He replied after a minute or two. “Kinda, but I'm listening. I'm not using you.” “Last class?” “Yeah.” “You better listen and stop replying.” I chuckled and looked at my bedside table clock. It's past 8 am. “You said I should study smart right?” My eyes squinted but smiled afterwards. “This is me studying smart. Multi-tasking you know.” We exchange topics until his class was done. I kept him companied and told him he owes it to me. I was done with my bedroom and left. When was about to reach our kitchen, I heard my sister laughing hilariously while talking to her phone with someone. “Don't do the laundry today. It's going to rain.” She said then eat some cereals. “Ok.” I entered our bathroom and going to clean when my phone beeped inside my pocket. I was a little bit shocked when he sent me a picture. “This is the culprit. He's the one who sent you the first message and messes with my phone.” My head turned from the side as I looked at the picture. He really has some friends. He's not that bad though, of course he'll gain friends. He's approachable and cheerful as far as I know. Guess that's why my friend got hooked on him. I remember when we were still junior high schools, I started eyeing him because he's my friend's topic all day. She talked about him non-stop, so I got curious. As far as I noticed, he's always smiling like there's always something to laugh on. He is also approachable. Actually, he is our class president that time. So, he's not bad at all and it's not impossible for him to gain friends even they are different nations. “Is he a Chinese?” He replied faster than a while ago. “Nope. A Vietnamese. He's been my buddy since I enrolled in school.” “Ran!” I immediately popped my head to the door to see my sister outside. She is seven years older than me and already working. “I will use your dress that you bought last Christmas. The beige one.” “Now?” “Yes.” “But I haven't worn it yet.” She turned to face me as her eyebrow shot up. “So?” I looked down with a small voice. “I- “Is there a problem?” I shut my eyes tight. “No..” “Huh, good.” She got up from her seat. “Put it to my dresser. I want it there before I'm done taking a bath.” “Where are you going?” “None of your damn biz!” she looked at me with fiery eyes. “And don't tell mom and dad, I'm warning you!” She stormed out the kitchen and I just rolled my eyes when she's gone on my sight. I stomped my feet while marching to my bedroom. That darn brat! I earned that money from my allowance just to buy that dress I'm liking since my umbilical cord hasn't been cut! And she will be the first one to wore it! I'll make her pay someday. Someday! Her door was opened and I was ready to lash out but changed my mind. I put my best dress on her dresser, carefully, then make face while she's still in the bathroom. I was murmuring her some spells while going back to the bathroom I'm cleaning. I saw my mother eating in our kitchen. She just looked at me and continued to eat. “My,” “Oh.” I cleared my throat. “I think Jan will go somewhere.” She looked at the clock. “Where is she going early in the morning?” I shrugged and entered the bathroom again. My voice echoed. “I don't know. She borrowed my dress. Is there a party at this hour?” I saw how her forehead crumpled. I slowly closed the door as I smiled triumphally. I also heard dad's voice and my mom already told him that their favorite daughter is going somewhere again. She's kind of grounded this week. I was laughing softly inside when my phone vibrated. “We're going to eat some ramen. You want some?” “Hey, are you busy?” “I think you are. Let’s talk later then?” “Oh shoot!” I almost forgot him. But wait, is he really that bored? I thought he's not a responding guy type. But he wants us to talk later. Well, maybe this will do. I have no plans for this day after all. I will get really bored if I have no other activities to do. “You have no other plans with your friend?” “Are you really sure I'm not a bothersome to you?” I heard my mom's voice outside, questioning my sister, but I can't get my attention to them. I can hear my sister's sentiments and accusing me of being a traitor. I'm very curious to this man I'm talking to. Does he really reply? Or does he contacts often our other classmates before? “No you're not. You will never be.