Chapter 41
-Alys-
Wow. It seems like we were just having fun yesterday, Drake? What happened?
Sorry, I don't mean to be nosy but can I ask? Why... are you hugging Shaira? I want to ask her that but how? She hasn't even stopped to talk to me lately. I don't even have her number.
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I just sat on the swing again. Why does something bad always happen when I go on this swing? Is there a curse on this?
-flashback-
"You were just smiling a while ago," Aya told me. We're here now because it's still the weekend and I'm still waiting for Tripp. I'm so annoyed! Instead of resting now, I'm forced to go to QC! It's so far away...
I just smiled then looked at my phone because it vibrated. Of course it wasn't Drake because I don't have Drake's number. Huhuhu. Is it just me or is our relationship really abnormal??
From: Tripp
I'm on my way. Where are you?
To Tripp:
I won't ride your motorcycle, fyi!!
Suddenly, Aya poked me in the side, "ayie!! That's awesome, besh! Improving. Your BB keypad is almost punctured. Is Drake the one you're texting??"
I just sighed. I wish it was Drake who texted me!! No way, Tripp is so mean! If he hadn't blackmailed me, where on earth would he be that I would go with him to QC! I'm in Makati and then I'm going to QC? Are you kidding me?? Add to that the fact that I have school tomorrow. Huhuhu. Why do I have a 7 am class?
"No," I said, then replied to Tripp that I only have until 3 pm. We have a practical test tomorrow, so I need to practice!
I put down my BB and then looked at Aya. Huhuhu. I miss Besh so much! We haven't seen each other for a week! To think that our schools are right next to each other but I can't find time to sneak out to Brent. My schedule is hectic, Culinary is only a 2-year course so I'm always busy.
"How is SCA?"
Besh just shrugged, "it's okay..."
"Is that okay?"
He took a deep breath and then... "Huhuhu, besh I don't want to do that anymore!! People are so smart, I'm having a hard time keeping up!" he said and then hugged me. Tsk. I thought I was the only one struggling, but it turns out my abnormal best friend is struggling too.
I rubbed his back and then said, "Why? Is what you're studying hard?"
He nodded, "I thought it would be easy because it's just clothing technology but hey, it's only the first week, we're already being asked to submit a portfolio due next week!!" he said then took the orange juice from the table and quickly drank it.
I held both of his hands, "You can do it, Besh!"
He shook his head, "I can't take it anymore!!"
"Didn't you say you wanted to be like mommy?" I said to her, reminding her of her weird dream of becoming a fashion designer like my PMS mom.
He just sighed, "Who would have thought that being a designer would be so hard?? I thought it would be good just to draw here and there!"
I just laugh at Aya's frustrations. She just thought it was easy. Hahaha! If it was that easy, then mommy wouldn't always have a bad trip when she comes home from the boutique.
We talked first when Sheen and Kent texted him, they were having a triple date. I want to go with him!! Tripp is really crazy to infinity sometimes!
"I'm leaving," he said and then picked up his bag. In all fairness, besh has been turning into a woman since we started college. It's weird. It's only been a week.
"I want to come..."
"Next time. You're going somewhere, right?"
"Can I just say I have a sudden need to go somewhere?"
Bad Alys! When did I learn to lie??
Aya shrugged, "You're in charge. What, are you okay?"
Haaaaaay. I hate you, heart. Why are you so kind?? I wish you could just be a wicked heart like Pugits!!
Aya also left after finishing my breakfast. = Sometimes Aya really is late. And wait, where is Tripp?? He texted a while ago that he was on his way!!
"Hey, princess."
"DAD!!" I literally stood up and ran to Dad. Huhuhu. I think I last saw him last month! "Why are you here? Did you and Tita Liana fight again?" I asked him. Sometimes that's the only way he'll go back to the Philippines when he and Tita Liana fight, which is often the case.
He just smiled at me then sat down in the seat Aya had asked earlier, "no, your aunt and I didn't fight. I just went home to ask you about your first week in school. So, how was school?"
"School was... fine."
"Fine? Nothing superb?"
I shrugged. This is what I like about Dad, I can talk to him sensibly. Because Daddy only teaches me nonsense. He only gets serious when I start crying. Apparently he loves Dane more than me!!
"I don't know, dad. It's just that... my friends aren't there. School feels kinda lonely without my friends around," I admitted. It's true. I miss Sheen, Aya, Kent, and Drake so much. Sometimes when I'm desperate, I even miss Kei. Huhuhu. I'm so pathetic!
Dad just smiled again. He always smiles. It gives off good vibes. Why didn't Mom marry Dad? All I know is that Dad proposed too. Oh, well.
"Things would go just fine, Alys. Anyway, another reason why I'm here is to ask you about your debut. Anything you want?"
OMG. I'm about to turn 18. I'm about to lose the protection of the DSWD!
"Alys?" Dad called to me because I seemed to be a bit lost in thought.
"H-ha?"
"I said, anything you want for your birthday? Your Aunt Liana is asking," he said with a smile on his face. Dad really loves Aunt Lian even though they don't have children. I wish they had. You know, I have a baby girl, but sometimes it gets boring talking to baby boy Dane.
Hehehe.
"Uhh, I don't know yet, huh."
"Well, tell me what you want. Your mom would prolly throw a party so I would just give you anything you couldn't get for your birthday, alright?"
I smiled as a response.
Suddenly a maid approached us, "Miss Alys, this is Tripp..."
Oh my gosh. It's Tripp! I forgot. I'm so overwhelmed by the idea that I could be going to jail soon!
"Who's Tripp?" Dad asked me, throwing me a curious glance.
"A friend," I said. Why did he come now?? I don't want to introduce him to any part of my family!! Of course Drake hasn't had a formal introduction to Dad yet and then he'll be the one to introduce him?? What is he, a boyfriend?? This Tripp Marco is really annoying!
Dad nodded, "a friend, you say... I would like to meet your friend, then," Dad said then he stood up and started walking out of the house. Huhuhu! Mommy, where are you?? Make dad stop!
"Uncle Cyriel?" Tripp asked confusedly when Dad walked in front of him.
Dad suddenly smiled, "oh, it's you, Tripp. Do you know Alys?"
Tripp nodded, "Yes. You?"
Dad smiled and said, "my daughter." Tripp nodded again, "small world?"
"So, what brings you here?"
"Alys and I were supposed to go to the Art exhibit in QC," Tripp explained to my nosy dad.
"So, you decided to pursue Fine Arts, after all?"
Tripp shook his head, "no, Tito. Business Ad, as my dad specifically ordered. I'm just going there to unwind."
Wow. They're close with dad? So, Tripp is close with dad, Drake is close with daddy? Wow. What's next? Sheen is close with mommy?
"Alright, then. I'm leaving, Alys. Please just tell Dana and Andy that I'll be back tomorrow," she said then turned to Tripp, "take care of my daughter, Tripp."
"Of course, Tito," said the feeling-good man.
When Dad was out of earshot, I slapped Tripp, "Ouch! You're such a badass!"
"You're an Amazon! You're such a feelinger! Why are you close to my dad??"
"Oh, don't hit me! My dad and I are business partners, okay?! Don't hit me! She's really such an Amazon!" he said while looking at his arm where I hit her with my bag.
"Tss. Why are you here now?? You kept me waiting!!" I said. Of course it was just OA. It's okay for me to wait, my problem is, he and Dad reached out.
"You said you didn't like my motorbike. I came back home that's why it took me so long. Did you wait? Sorry..." he said then put his hand on the back of his head AND HOLY CAYOTE, WAS HE CHEATING ON ME???
"N-no, it's okay. Okay, let's go," I just said. Huhuhu. I was a little distracted! This guy really knows how to do aegyo. It's dangerous.
We went out and, "after you," he said and then he opened the door of his sports car for me. off. I still love Drake's car more forever! Show
I got in and he started driving. Should I sleep first? Good idea. It's still a long way.
-Eydee-
While Alys is sleeping, let's go see Drake. I can't do Drake's point of view because it might just bore you. I've done him before and... I won't try to do it again.
Drake was currently studying when Uncle Steve came to his condo. Uncle Steve came weekly to bring groceries and stuff. You know, concerned father.
"How was your first week?"
Drake just shrugged. Shrug means okay. It's just his first week. While Uncle Steve was putting Drake's stocks in the cupboard, "Did you know that your cousin Tripp is at Brent? What a shame. I thought you might be classmates. Are you still talking to him?"
"I saw him last week," Drake said.
"Oh? Did you talk to him?"
"Why would I? Are we close?"
"Son, are you still angry with your cousin?"
"I'm not angry. I just... don't care," Drake said, nonchalantly. He continued answering Advance Calculus. He took APE so he's already in advance Math. My Drakey baby is really smart!
Uncle Steve sat down next to him, "You're cousins, so say hello, please?"
Drake put down his sci-cal and looked at his father, "I'm not upset. What's so hard to understand?"
"So why don't you guys talk, okay?? When we have a family reunion, you guys don't interact. Your mommy will be sad about what's happening to you and Tripp!"
Drake stood up, "I don't care."
"They didn't end up together with Shaira, did they? Besides, you already have a girlfriend. Say hello?"
"Tss," Drake said before finally leaving and leaving his stressed father with their cousin. You know... Tripp and Drake used to be close. It's just that they had problems because Tripp used to like Shaira but Shaira was forever in love with Drake. Then one thing lead to another then boom! Man's ego cannot be tampered with in any way.
They've been in a cold war ever since. It happened when they were in grade 6 but they haven't talked to each other since.
Drake went out to the downstairs. He was bored, why? Right when he got off, Shaira was there, drinking a Slurpee.
"Drake!" Shaira suddenly came to life when she saw Drake. "You left me yesterday!"
Drake just shrugged and went to the Slurpee container.
"Why did you leave me?" Shaira said.
"I was with my girlfriend."
"You can't be serious, right? You know I've been waiting for you..." Shaira said weakly. She was in denial that Alys was Drake's girlfriend. After all, almost all her life, she loved Drake. She didn't care about other men for Drake and then suddenly one day, Alys suddenly appeared? Are you kidding? If Shaira was the first one you met, maybe Alys would be the villain for you.
Drake just shrugged.
"Are you serious with her?"
Drake was stunned by Shaira's question. Because... Drake was also indecisive. Almost there? Who knows if the almost there will be already there? Or worse, the almost there will never be there.
Since Drake couldn't answer, Shaira felt encouraged.
"What? You didn't want to leave before, now you don't want to leave here?" Tripp asked Alys. Alys didn't want to leave the exhibit because she was so happy. The exhibit was all portraits of people. It was all black and white so it looked classy.
"Wait a minute, Tripp," he said, then looked at all the portraits one more time. Little did he know, as he walked, Tripp was taking pictures of him.
Tripp just shook his head and thought, 'could it happen again?'
He took a few shots before Alys was satisfied. Before they left, they stopped by the mall to eat. Tripp paid for all expenses so Alys made the most of it. They ate at the eat all you can. =_= They felt like they would make the most of it.
"Slowly, slowly!" Tripp said as he handed Alys the water. She choked because she was in a hurry to eat, "what you're eating won't run," Tripp said.
"Well, it's a waste of what you paid for if you can't make the most of it. You only get to have free time once in a while! You should make the most of it!" Alys said then ate again while Tripp just shook his head. You said Alys wasn't a woman if she could eat. Where's the poise?
After they ate, Tripp drove back to them.
"Let's go to the park first?" Alys said. She didn't want to go home to them because there was no one there because her parents weren't there.
As they walked, Alys saw Drake and Shaira... hugging?
"D-Drake?"
Drake turned to Alys but he and Shaira immediately walked away and got into a taxi. What happened?
-present-
"Oh," Tripp said, handing Alys a handkerchief, "is this really my role? Always reaching for a handkerchief every time you cry?"
Alys took the handkerchief from Tripp and gently wiped his tears. "I-is it my fault that you're always there when I want to cry?"
Tripp just sighed and sat down next to Alys, "Can I talk to you now? What? I'm a good listener."
"What can I gain from you? You don't know anything about love."
"Tss. You underestimate me too much. Go ahead, you know I can help you," he said, winking at Alys.
Alys finally gave in and confided in Tripp, "Why is he... like that? I'm his girlfriend so I'm probably entitled to ask, right? He's hugging someone else so maybe I can ask for an explanation?" She paused a bit because tears were falling again, "After all, he doesn't ask me questions, so maybe I shouldn't ask him either, right?"
Tripp just shook his head, "Drama isn't for you. You're an Amazon."
Alys was about to hit Tripp, "look at that oh, you're hitting again!"
"You're a fool! I'm saying something wrong with what you're saying."
"You said I don't know anything about love problems so I'll just do what I'm good at," Tripp said.
"What are you good at?"
"To make you laugh."
Alys stopped crying and looked at Tripp.
Tripp felt a little embarrassed, "Why are you looking like that?"
"W-what did you say?"
Tripp stood up but his back was to Alys who was still sitting on the swing, "I know it's weird because we've only known each other for a week. But in that one week, I've seen you cry twice. I don't know but... can I just do it? I won't make you cry."