(Alys's POV)
"These are your books, and this is your schedule," said the blonde woman behind the desk as she handed me a piece of paper.
Seriously?! I just got to New York, and the first thing I get is a schedule? UGH. THIS IS SO UNFAIR!
"And these are your keys," she added as she handed them over and started walking out of the office.
I'm staying in the dorms now. I don't know what Mom was thinking bringing me here. Dane is in California, and I'm stuck all the way over here in New York.
So far away from my baby brother!
"Your parents specifically requested for you to be roommates with the smartest kid in this building," she said as we walked.
WHY WOULD MOM DO THIS TO ME?!
But I guess it's fine... at least someone can help me when I don't understand my assignments. I'm taking Advertising.
UGHHH. I'M GOING TO DIE. :(
She stopped in front of a room. The building was actually pretty nice — clean, comfortable, and it had a cozy vibe.
"Oh, Kei's not around. Oh well. Your things are already inside. I'll leave you now," she said before walking off.
I stepped inside and flopped onto the bed. So it's just the two of us in this room, huh?
I wonder if Kei's nice.
PLEASE, GOD, I DON'T WANT A HORRIBLE ROOMMATE!
PLEASE LET KEI BE A GOOD GIRL.
WHAT IF SHE'S LIKE THAT GIRL NAMED KEI FROM MY OLD SCHOOL?! PLEASE NO!!
I started putting away my things — but of course, the first thing I took out was my laptop.
"Hi, Drake!!" I said, smiling and waving at the screen.
He just clicked his tongue and took a sip of his banana milk.
He's so obsessed with that stuff.
UGH! HE WOULDN'T EVEN SHARE WITH ME WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE. SO MEAN!
("Why are you calling at this time of day? Shouldn't you be asleep or something?") he asked, annoyed.
"Wow. I miss you and you're mad at me?"
("I'm not mad. I'm just concerned about your well-being, Noob. It's ten in the evening over there.")
=___= HOW DOES HE EVEN KNOW THE TIME ZONE IN AMERICA?!
WHY IS HE SUCH A GENIUS?!
WHY IS HIS IQ 40 POINTS HIGHER THAN MINE?!
WHY CAN'T I BE SMART TOO SO I COULD HAVE STAYED IN THE PHILIPPINES?!
HUHUHU. LIFE IS SO UNFAIR!!
I rolled over, grabbed some strawberry milk from the fridge, and smirked to myself.
HAH! As if he's the only one with special milk.
I think Mom told them everything I needed here.
The room is fully stocked — like it was waiting for me to arrive.
Even the fridge is packed with strawberry treats.
Gosh, I really love Mom!
I took a sip of my milk while he kept drinking his banana milk.
UGH! I STILL MISS DRAKE, EVEN WHEN I'M LOOKING RIGHT AT HIM.
"Eeeee! I can't sit still here, Drake. I don't have anyone to talk to. :("
("Then talk to them. That's what you're good at — talking to people,") he replied coolly.
"Huh??"
("You annoy most people so they're forced to talk to you. That's what you did to me when we first met. You annoyed me.")
GRRRR!! DRAKE IS STILL SO MEAN!
I really thought he'd start being nicer to me now that he said he loved me, but nooo — he's still a meanie!
I adjusted the monitor and flopped face down on the bed.
Ahhh... so soft. So comfy!!
("Noob.")
"Hmmm?"
("I can see your premature boobs from here. You might wanna change position.")
//////////
I shot up immediately.
WHAT THE HECK?! HE'S SO PERVY NOW!!
Ever since that night, he's been acting super pervy!! HUHUHU!
It still makes me feel weird when he gets like that. I'm not used to it — especially when I remember him saying he's waiting for my 20th birthday!
IT FEELS LIKE HE'S GONNA RAPE ME — HEHEHE.
"You're so gross!!"
("What can I do? You tempt me too much.")
See?! I TOLD YOU!! He's totally turned into a pervert!
He's just like Daddy now — IT'S HIS FAULT!!
I ran straight to the closet and grabbed a sweater.
GRRR!! I HAVE TO PROTECT MY BODY! DRAKE IS TOO PERVY!!
I returned to the monitor with my beloved shield — also known as my sweater.
It was getting a little cold in here, but that's okay. I'm an aircon baby.
Cold? BRING IT ON! Hahaha!
("So, how are you coping?")
I pouted. "I don't like it here. Everyone's blonde, super tall, and worst of all — they ALL speak English!!"
Drake laughed at me.
OMO! HE'S SO CUTE WHEN HE SMILES! I WANNA KISS HIM!!
"Go on, laugh some more. You've been such a meanie ever since I left. You don't love me anymore, do you?"
He smiled gently.
( "Stupid. Of course I love you. I wear this,")
he said as he showed me the ring I gave him.
Good!! I worked so hard for that back at Timezone!
("Even though it looks weird.")
=___=
"It does NOT! It's cute!"
("Whatever. Anyway, did you already meet your roommate?")
I shook my head. Not yet.
Who is my roommate again? Kei, right?
OMG — I hope whoever this Kei is, she's NOT b*tchy like Kei Chui!!
("Be nice, Noob. She'll be with you for quite some time.
Even if you're bad at English, just try speaking. Besides, they won't notice your grammar — they're using the wrong grammar too.")
"Really??"
He nodded.
("Good night. I have to help my dad tomorrow.")
"Wait—are you going to sleep already?? Isn't it morning over there??"
("Yes. Can't I sleep during the day? Tss.")
"Don't go yet!!"
("Miss me that much, Noob? I'll call you later. Bye.")
"I love you!!"
("Fine. I love you more.")
Before Drake ended the call, I made a heart sign with my hands.
Hihihi! I'M STILL GIDDY EVERY TIME HE SAYS "I LOVE YOU"!
Back then, all I'd get from him were annoyed "Tss" noises — but now, I get variety! There's "I love you," and even "I miss you!"
See? My boyfriend is improving!
After the call, I organized some of my books and a few of my things. Then I decided to sleep.
Looks like Kei isn't coming tonight.
I'll deal with that tomorrow.
---
(Tripp's POV)
"Dad, WHY did you have to send Tofer here with me? This is so messed up!" I said on the phone.
I already agreed to come study at NYU, but then you throw in my oh-so-"amazing" cousin? Seriously?
Tofer flopped onto the bed like he owned the place.
Dad has a flat here in New York — thankfully it's walking distance from NYU, so we're staying here.
But THIS setup?! WHY does Tofer have to be part of it?!
If DRAKE is already annoying, this guy is TEN TIMES WORSE.
He's a total pain in my life. Such a bad influence. Psh.
"Hey, Tripp, don't be mean right off the bat. Chill, cousin," he said while pulling out his stuff — and junk — from his bag.
Ugh! I threw one of his snack wrappers right back at him.
We JUST arrived and he's already messing up the place — wrappers everywhere.
Is he expecting me to be his maid now?!
"Ow! Come on, Tripp! You only treated Drake like this before, now you're being mean to me too?"
I honestly thought my life would be peaceful now.
No clingy cousins.
But nope. SURPRISE!
Of all people, it HAD to be Tofer!
I'd honestly rather deal with Drake.
I grabbed the keys from the table.
"I'm gonna eat. You coming?"
He jumped up right away.
"Where are you eating?"
"Why so many questions? That diner outside. I don't care what it is — as long as it's food. Let's go."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming. Geez, your mood swings are wild. You're starting to sound like Drake."
"Say Drake one more time and I'll make you sleep outside in the cold."
=____=
Once Tofer finished getting ready, we stepped out of the apartment.
WHY did I have to move in so suddenly, anyway? Psh.
And school's already starting — meanwhile, it's still vacation back in the Philippines.
SUCH BAD TIMING.
I should've started next semester instead.
Sigh.
---
(Aya's POV)
"Ugh, WHAT IS IT NOW, KENT?!"
Kent is seriously getting on my nerves!!
He's SO clingy — TOO CLINGY. UGH.
I don't even know what's going on anymore.
Ever since CB and I ended up as classmates in one subject, Kent's become super, super clingy.
LIKE THROW UP LEVEL CLINGY.
"Bee, come on. Hehehe. Let's have dinner at my house?"
I shook my head. "No way. You're probably going to introduce me to your parents!"
"Exactly — that's why I'm inviting you."
I shook my head even harder. I'm SO not ready for a meet-the-parents moment!
If Kent's mom were anything like Mama — who's basically crazy — then sure, no problem. But… HUHUHU, what if she's the strict, scary type?
I miss Besh.
I wonder how she felt when Drake introduced her to his dad.
Then again, Drake's dad — Tito Steve — is super chill, so maybe it was easy for her.
"Bee... we're almost at six months, you know…"
"So what?"
"Beeee! Come on, just say yes already."
Ugh. "Kent, no. Maybe next time, okay?"
He turned his back on me.
Uh-oh.
"Whatever, Aya. Other girls would LOVE to be introduced to their boyfriend's parents. But you? You're just… no. Fine. Go run back to your precious Sheen."
WHAT. JUST. HAPPENED?!
---
(Drake's POV)
"Drake, say cheese!"
-____-
Psh. If it weren't for the favor I need, I wouldn't even agree to this ridiculous setup.
Dad came over. "Son, I said family picture — not funeral photo! Smile a little, will you?"
I forced a smile.
I look weird when I smile, so I don't do it often.
Alys says she likes it when I smile, but… nah. It still looks weird.
I'll only smile if she does something stupid.
Which is often.
Stupidity might as well be her middle name.
She's a total noob.
Tita Katrina stood beside me, with Dad on the other side.
Her baby bump's already showing.
I wonder if my little brother will like me.
I think I'd make a pretty awesome big brother.
I'm already looking forward to meeting Ethos.
Honestly… I want my own baby too someday.
But I should probably wait.
We all smiled for the camera. It was awkward.
Dad was the only one who actually enjoyed this.
Even Tita Katrina looked like she found it weird.
I DEFINITELY found it weird.
After the photoshoot, I stepped outside and tried to call Alys.
I want to be there with her. But Dad won't let me.
He said I have to finish school here first.
He's being UNFAIR.
And Tripp's there too.
NOT. FAIR.
"Drake?" Dad called as he followed me outside.
"What?" I replied flatly while dialing Alys again.
She's not picking up.
Probably got herself into trouble again.
She's basically a walking disaster.
Dad let out a deep sigh. "I know you really want to go to New York."
"Yes. Can I go now?"
He shook his head.
UNFAIR.
I've done everything he asked.
I agreed to this dumb photoshoot.
I went back to the house.
I even signed those cursed documents saying I won't get my inheritance if I mess up my grades.
I've been practically licking his shoes.
"I have a deal," he said.
"What?" I asked.
"Take an APE for your minor classes. If you pass it, I'll allow you to go on vacation. Vacation only."
I nodded. "Easy. Prepare my tickets now."
"You're so full of yourself."
"I'm a genius, Dad. I thought you knew that already?"
Without waiting for a reply, I turned away.
"Anyway, bye. I'll be studying—just to be sure."