Chapter 4 Four

• Time flies, and our midterm exams are approaching. I’m often with Kim now; she’s still flirtatious and talkative, but I’m starting to get used to it.
• We’re on our way to the park; our first class for the day ended early. I’ve been planning to talk to Adri, but I don’t seem to be in the mood. Maybe I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. If I were someone else, I’d probably be scared.
• “What’s wrong?” I asked, pretending to sit on the bench we passed by. Walking is tiring. Luckily, this spot is under a big tree, so it’s nice to hang out here. It feels good because it’s cool.
• “It’s annoying because of Aldrin,” she said with a frown. She’s referring to her boyfriend, whom she started dating before college, so probably they’ve been together for three or four months. From her look, it seems they had a fight, or worse, they’re close to breaking up. It’s obvious that the guy isn’t that serious about her. She’s just blinded. That’s the problem with people who are too in love; they can’t see the flaws that could be reasons for a breakup.
• “Did you guys fight?” She nodded. I sighed and took the bread from my bag; I’m starting to get hungry too, so I’ll eat first while waiting for our group for the oral presentation tomorrow.
• “I caught him flirting with someone else. I took his phone, good thing he hasn’t changed his password yet. His fling messaged him, so I read their messages,” she said in annoyance. I wasn’t surprised that’s what they were fighting about.
• “Oh, what did you do?” I offered her the bread I was holding, but she shook her head, so I almost laughed. She really doesn’t refuse food; she’ll take anything I offer.
• “He apologized,” she said, then she suddenly faced me, causing the bread I was about to eat to fall. “What do you think? What should I do?”
• I sighed, picked up the bread I dropped, and threw it in the nearby trash bin before looking at her. She was just looking at me, waiting for my answer to her beautiful question, note the sarcasm.
• “Come to think of it, you’ve only been dating for a short time, and he’s already cheating. What if you’re already married? You’d be even more pitiful,” I said.
• “But he said he loves me.”
• “The vendor at the market also said the apples she’s selling are fresh. When I got home, I was so happy because I thought I bought good fruit, but when I opened it, that’s when I realized I was fooled by the person I talked to.” Explaining is tiring. Ugh. If it’s a breakup, just break up. There’s so much drama!
• “Thanks, but I’ll believe him first,” she said, sitting up properly.
• I shrugged. “Okay.” I’m used to not being believed because of my advice, which is actually realistic.
• Two weeks have passed, and our midterm week just ended yesterday. It was quite easy, but we also had a lot of work, so we haven’t had much sleep. That’s why I immediately went to the library and got two thick books. I walked towards the far end of the hall and pretended to sit. I’ll sleep first; my next class is at three. Adri is also busy since we split up from our group.
• I was about to be lulled to sleep when I heard the notification tone of my phone, so I quickly reached into my bag to see who rudely disturbed me.
• From: Adri “Ely! Let’s have lunch together? My treat!”
• I furrowed my brow at her text. Is there an event? Why is she treating me?
• So I replied simply - Why?
• From: Adri “I have something to tell you! Yee! Imma excited!”
• I just shook my head and chuckled. She’s obviously excited, just from her text. So I didn’t sleep anymore; I stood up, returned the books I was supposed to use as props, and texted her that I’m on my way to the park. I waited for her for a few minutes before she arrived.
• “Elyyyy!” she shouted, making some students who were also hanging out and having lunch turn to look. This girl is really embarrassing.
• “Calm down, what is it? What are you going to say?” I asked, but she just grabbed my arm and pulled me. “Hey! Where are we going?”
• “I’ll treat you, remember? Let’s go there so I can tell you!” she said, so I just let her lead me.
• She took me to a restaurant near the school. Luckily, it’s air-conditioned; it’s so hot outside. I fanned myself and pushed my hair back to cool down.
• “What do you want?”
• “I’m having a heavy meal.” I said, so she laughed. Even the waiter who was waiting for our order laughed, so I gave him a stern look. Is it right to laugh at me? Does he know me? Why is he laughing? Feeling close? When the waiter left, she immediately took out her phone. I thought she was going to tell me something?
• “Ely! See this!” she said, showing me her phone. I saw a picture of a guy.
• “Oh? What am I supposed to do with that?” I really didn’t know. I don’t recall having an assignment like this. “Since when did you become interested in this? I thought you’re not into Hollywood? But I guess he’s not American.”
• “Really? Isn’t he handsome? Doesn’t he look like a foreigner? Doesn’t he?” If the shape of a person’s pupils or even their eyes could change, his would probably turn into hearts.
• “No. His color isn’t that fair, unlike Americans who live in cold weather. His nose isn’t that pointed, just right, and he’s skinny. Americans are usually well-built because of their environment and food. That’s why he’s not American, I know.”
• She rolled her eyes at me, so I laughed at her. She’s annoyed again.
• “Wow, you’re really something,” she pouted.
• “What? Who is he?” I tilted my head.
• She immediately became excited again. “He’s my current M.U.!” She’s obviously thrilled.
• “Oh? Where’s Aldrin?” Her stupid boyfriend.
• “We’re done; I broke up with him last week. I’m getting tired of him.” She said, but who’s she fooling? I know she’s still hurting. “Then I met Jaxon just last Monday. He’s so fun to talk to!”
• I furrowed my brow at the unfamiliar name she mentioned. “Who’s Raver?”
• “Here he is! The one I showed you just now! Look, these are our conversations! Read it!” She handed me her phone and tried to make me read it.
• I just skimmed through their conversation because I’m really not interested, so why bother reading it? I handed her phone back to her while she was smiling widely.
• “What? He’s so sweet, isn’t he?” she said.
• I shook my head. “Stop this M.U. thing of yours.”
• “What?! Why would I do that?”
• “Can’t you see? He’s a total playboy. With the number of boyfriends you’ve had, you should know that.”
• She hit me hard, so I almost shouted; it hurt!
• “He’s different, Ely. I feel like he’s the one.”
• I ran my hand through my hair. “You never learn nor listen. Don’t come crying to me when he hurts you.” I said before leaving. It’s annoying dealing with people like her, you give them advice, but they don’t listen.