(Alys's POV)
"Hi, are you new here?" the girl I jogged with earlier asked me.
I paused and drank water from the fountain nearby.
UGH, such a NOOB move! I forgot to bring my wallet!
Drake would definitely laugh at me—
Wait, no. He doesn't laugh.
He'll just GLARE and say,
"Why are you even my girlfriend?"
SORRY for not being smart, okay?!
I tied my shoelaces and looked at her.
THANKFULLY, she wasn't blonde!
Please, Lord—NO MORE BLONDES.
First, there was Miss Dorm-Tour, then Kei the Queen of Rudeness.
Enough blonde girls for one lifetime.
I smiled at her.
Maybe she could be my friend?
I NEED FRIENDS.
Who wants to be friends with me?
I'm NICE and CUTE.
And when I have too much allowance, I treat people to strawberry ice cream.
ONE TUB EACH. :)
She extended her hand to me.
Her watch was so pretty!
OMG, I seriously need to go shopping soon.
"I'm Karen," she said.
I smiled and shook her hand.
"I'm Alys Perez."
YASSS GO, ALYS! YOU GOT THIS.
Think of all the English lessons Drake gave you!
Model walk here, baby!
"Nice to meet you, Alys," she said as she leaned back on the bench, just like me.
She seemed really kind.
I HOPE she becomes my friend!
"Uhm, Karen?"
Her eyes were still closed, but she answered anyway.
She looked like a Latina—bronze skin, super sexy, and long brown hair.
I WANT HER TO BE MY ATE!!
"What's your FB account? I'll add you so we could be friends!"
She suddenly laughed. :(((
Then she opened her eyes and PINCHED MY CHEEKS. OUCH.
"You're so cute, Alys. You're like my little sister," she said, then patted my head just like Tripp used to do.
SIGH.
I wonder how Tripp is doing…
I didn't even get to say goodbye to him.
He was so hard to find before I left.
I really wanted to thank him—
He's my THIRD BEST FRIEND.
Of course, first is Aya, then next is Loves.
"Anyways, search me up. The name's Karen Bermejo."
I smiled and memorized the name. Karen Bermejo.
Oh God, I hope I don't forget.
I kinda have short-term memory. :(
"Bermejo? Are you a Filipino, by any chance?"
OMG I'm about to get a nosebleed!
She nodded.
"Born in the Philippines, raised all the way here in the USA. How about you?"
"I was born in the Philippines, was raised there, and I wanna go back now."
"Awww, you're such a cutie pie. Come here," she said, and I went closer and she hugged me.
Ate Karen is so, so sweet.
It's like I suddenly have a big sister!!
She gently rubbed my back.
"You'll be fine here, baby girl. Why are you here? Studies? Family crap? Work?"
I told her about NYU.
OH YEAH THAT TOO!
MYGOSH, what am I gonna do?!
I saw the textbook—OH MY HOLY STRAWBERRIES I can't understand a thing!
What kind of magic did Mommy pull to get me into NYU?
Did she offer the Dean money or something?
Totally possible.
"Oh, that's nice. I'm studying there, too. Tho I'm already on my masterals."
O
"Really, Ate? So you could teach me??"
She smiled at me then drank her Gatorade.
I want.
"Sure, baby girl. If I'm free, I'll teach you. You really resemble my little sister."
"Really? Then she must be cute like me??"
She nodded and smiled.
"Yup, she's so fluffy I wanna die. Come, let's eat. I'll treat you."
--
"Do you eat Thai food?"
I just nodded even though I don't actually eat that stuff,
But Dane said it tastes good.
Okay fine, I'll try it so people don't call me a noob!
Ate Karen asked what I wanted to order,
I told her I'll just have the same as hers.
The Drake Palma Lesson 101:
When you're not familiar with a place, just go with the flow so you don't look like a noob!
We sat down at the table—
Looks like this place is super popular!
So many peoplets.
"Hey, could someone join your table? The place is packed," one of the crew asked.
Since Ate Karen is nice, she said,
"Sure, whatever."
After a few minutes, our food arrived.
Smelled like peanuts. :|
"The crew said I could seat here?" a guy approached us.
Why am I getting Kent vibes from this guy?
Ate Karen just shrugged and the guy sat on the chair across from me, beside Ate.
Ate Karen stepped out for a bit—someone called her, maybe her boyfriend, I don't know.
Anyway I don't want to be chismosa, that's bad.
"So, you are?"
Since I badly needed a friend, I told him my name even though Daddy always says,
"Don't talk to strangers."
"I'm Christofer Ann Palma," he said as he raised his hand.
"Don't laugh. Ann is from my grandmother. I'm her only grandchild so yeah, whatever I'm Ann."
"Pffft! Hahaha. Your name is so girly!!"
"Wait, Filipino ka?"
O___O
"YOU'RE FILIPINO TOO?! OMG I CAN SPEAK TAGALOG NOW!!"
He laughed at me.
Whatever, I can finally speak in Tagalog!
Nobody's really paying attention to me here anyway, the place is packed and everyone's doing their own business!
"Sssh, ang ingay mo," he said and slightly covered his face with the menu.
-____-
"What's your name again?"
"Alys Zyril Perez."
"Alys Perez?" he said.
Why does he sound like he can't believe my name?
Why, my name's not even weird like his.
Pffft!
I still can't get over the Ann!
If that were me, I'd probably hold a grudge about it till my dying breath.
But Ann seems totally okay with it.
"By any chance, is Drake your boyfriend?"
O _ _O
"How do you know Drake??"
He smiled then extended his hand again.
"For the second time around, I'm Christofer Ann Palma."
I reached for his hand—whoa, so soft!
"Can I call you Ann?"
Ann: >.>
"Do you want me to kiss you??"
"Why would you kiss me?!"
"Because you're annoying me. I kiss people when I'm annoyed."
"Wow! You get annoyed so easily!"
"Yeah. So don't annoy me."
Grrrrrr!!
He's like a mix of Aya and Kent!
Chaotic, annoying, makes you want to launch him to outer space!!
I looked at him.
"You! You have a crush on me, don't you?" I said.
Oh no, oh no, my charms are just way too powerful!
We just met and Christofer already has a crush on me!
"Yuck. Don't flatter yourself. You're not my type, I like the one you're with."
"Who? Ate Karen??"
He nodded, then took a bite of that weird whatever food.
Ugh. I am never eating at a Thai resto again.
"She has a boyfriend. Plus you're way too young for her! Ate Karen's already taking her masterals."
He shrugged.
Oh no, this guy's a flirt! So Kent-like!
Ate Karen's taking so long—what's happening outside?!
"If you're Alys, Drake's girlfriend… then that makes you Zyril too, right? The one Tripp is so head-over-heels for?"
=_=
Wow. Just wow.
"You know Tripp's here, right?"
---
(Tripp's POV)
Tsk. What the heck! Where am I even supposed to find that book?
Why did the blonde girl have to be hot?! I gave up the book because of her! I'm so dumb sometimes.
I just sat down on the sofa.
Good thing Tofer's not here—if he were, I'd be even more pissed off.
But seriously, life is so messed up!
"Tripp, where's my laptop??" Tofer said the moment he entered the door.
He ran straight to his room.
How does he even expect to find his laptop when his room looks like a garbage mountain?
Psh.
I grabbed the remote and just started watching the NBA.
"Try looking inside the garbage mountain you call a bedroom."
He came back out and stood in front of the TV.
Son of a—!
This brat really has no manners!
If his mom hadn't yelled at me for calling him Ann, I'd still be calling him that.
Seriously, what kind of sane mother names their son Ann?
-____-
Good thing my dad, even if he's kinda crazy, gave me a decent name.
I'd probably die of shame if my name were Angela Tripp Palma.
"What now?"
"Let me borrow your laptop."
"No."
"Tripp, please!"
Look at this guy—like a child!
Even stomping his foot in front of me.
Aish!
Why did I even agree to let this immature guy live with me?!
"Where the heck is your laptop?!"
He flopped down on the sofa.
"I really can't find it. Just lend it for a bit, please. I'll just send one email.
Promise that's all I'll do.
I won't download any p-orn."
"Aish, fine."
I went into my room and handed him my laptop.
Good thing I already changed my laptop background.
It used to be Zyril. Now it's just plain black.
That idiot was smiling while typing the email.
What's wrong with him now?
He's clearly losing it again.
He gave the laptop back.
"Thanks, Tripp! You really are my favorite cousin!"
"That doesn't mean much. It's just me and Drake."
He smiled like a complete lunatic, then walked over to the fridge, grabbed a frozen pizza, and popped it in the microwave oven.
Wasn't he the one who texted earlier that he was eating out? What the heck?
"Tripp, don't you have a crush on Drake's girlfriend?"
I threw a pillow at him.
Somebody's trying to move on here and you're bringing up her name.
Kinda rude.
"Ouch! But come on, just admit it—you do, right?"
"You know too much. Go back to the Philippines."
"Tripp naman. :("
Aish. Living with this guy turns me gay!
I stood up and grabbed my coat.
"Fine, fine. I had a crush on her, dammit. You just know everything, don't you?!"
"Oy, where are you going??" he asked, already putting the pizza on his plate.
"Anywhere you're not."
"You're so mean. But since you're my favorite cousin, I'll be your wingman to your crush."
I just raised my hand.
"Go ahead. Add Zyril on FB and walk me straight into her message box. Thanks in advance."
That Ann really knows too much.
He's the kind of guy you want to put in a box and ship via Air21.
---
(Aya's POV)
Kent was hugging me.
"Bee, I already miss you."
= _ _=
I folded my clothes and packed them in the suitcase. I'm only bringing one bag and one trolley. I don't want to drag too much stuff there. Besides, we'll only be there for two weeks.
"Just come with us already," I said. It's boring without KL. He's like a clown, always has jokes. I don't even know where he gets them from. Even pickup lines. But one time, he threw me a dirty pickup line, and I punched him. Now he knows. That black eye was enough proof that he won't get away with his filthy nonsense.
He shook his head.
"Because I really need this."
"Then just stay here. It's just two weeks."
He let go of the hug and sat on the bed. I bet he's going to start being dramatic again.
"Bee, what if you fall in love with Sheen while you're there? What about me? Will I just become 'the one that got away'?"
I smacked him on the head.
Why is he even thinking I'd fall for CB? Duh!! That guy cries more than I do! And isn't he waiting for Kei? Tsk. This Kutong Lupa is forever paranoid!
I went up to him.
"You know what, Kent Justin Valdez, Sheen is your best friend, and as gross as it is to say, I'm your girlfriend. This isn't a soap opera, okay? Stop being paranoid. Just because we're going somewhere else doesn't mean that when we come back, Sheen and I are a couple. Stop being paranoid, I love you."
He smiled and hugged me.
"Bee's improving. You can now say you love me without your nostrils flaring."
= _ =
"You really know how to get on my nerves, don't you?"
"Hehehe. Love you, Bee my honey. Bring Liberty home for me, okay?"
I nodded.
"Okay, I'll tear down the Statue of Liberty to make you happy."
"That's why I love you so much, Bee. You're completely insane! I'll support you in your Liberty demolition."
---
(Drake's POV)
"Shaira, you're being pathetic."
I'm here at her house. Her Dad said she won't eat. She's being crazy again. The last time, she tried to cut herself, and now, she's on her hunger strike. What's next? Her Dad will be calling me telling me that his daughter purchased ropes?
"Go away, Drake," she said and then she rolled over her bed. I sat down on the bean bag in her room. I hate her room, it's all pink.
"Shaira, you're being your usual crazy self again."
She straighten herself and sat on her bed. "Because I think I love you again."
"You said you don't love me yesterday."
She nodded. "Yes, but I woke up and then I realized that I'm in love with you again."
I shook my head. She's a hopeless case. "You're nuts
She pouted and then messed her already messed up hair. "I know. Ugh!! I made a promise to your girlfriend that I won't flirt with you ever again but I can't help it. I've been flirting with you for all my life that it's become a habit!"
I got my phone from my pocket and then dialled Alys' number. She's friends with Shaira now, and I have no idea how it happened. I guess being both crazy made them friends.
She's not answering. D-amn it. Then I suddenly remembered Tofer's email. That nutbag. I'll tell his grandma that he's being an a-ss again. He's a grandma's boy. Good thing I'm not. I'm no one's boy, I'm just Alys' man.
I returned my phone inside my pocket and then looked straight at Shaira. She looks like a real mess.
"Shaira, we'll never be more than friends. I suggest that you go and find someone else."
She shook her head and then pouted. "I don't think I could."
"You're crazy. I'll be going, call me when you're back to your usual self."
"But you said I'm usually crazy! I'm crazy now! I'm usual!"
I got my things and then opened the door knob. "No, you're usually just crazy; now, you're extra crazy."
--
I drove myself back to our house. Tita Katrina's approaching the last trimester of her pregnancy. Soon, Ethos will arrive. I hope Alys will see Ethos and she'll consider having a baby because she will find him cute.
"Drake?"
My Dad was on the front lawn, waiting for me.
"Hmm?"
He showed me an envelope and then smiled at me. "Congrats, you passed the tests. Your flight schedule is tomorrow afternoon."
--