chapter six

CHAPTER SIX

Austin left as soon I got off his motorcycle, but I didn't mind it and went inside the house, and I found my parents sleeping in the living room and snoring. WHAT THE HECK? Lights are off at Carlon's room too. So, he's asleep by now.

I was helping my mom prepare for lunch today. I miss doing this with her. Ever since I started working and baking, I seldom helped her with these chores.

"Mom, about the enrollment," I said. I only have two days left to enroll for the second semester.

"I don't have the money yet. Where's your salary? Can you use your salary for the last month, first?" she asked.

"I gave it to you," I said.

"I already spend it for our expenses," she sighed.

"Will I be able to enroll this sem?" I asked her frankly.

"I want to enroll you this semester, but to be frank, I don't know where to get money."

"So, I won't be able to enroll?" I asked her again.

"Only this semester. Next year I'll enroll you, promise!" She said.

I am disappointed, but I couldn't blame her because I understand our situation. I hope I can go back to school once our problems are over. For now, I'll focus on working and saving money for dad's therapy.

"How about carlon?" I asked my mom.

"He'll continue his studies," I nodded. Even though I couldn't enroll this semester, I am still happy that carlon will continue his studies.

"By the way, Cara. I talked to my friend who has a small vacant space beside the school," She looked at me, "I asked if I could cook lunch for the students."

"What did she say?" I asked.

"She agreed,"

"But mom, it's tiring. You need to wake up early to cook."

"I can do it. I'm still strong," Mom smiled at me.

I went to the convenience with a heavy heart.

"Not in the mood?" Roman asked.

"I'm just sad. I won't be able to enroll this semester," I said.

Roman nodded, "Don't worry, everything happens for a reason. Do you remember the saying, "If one door closes, another opens?" He smiled.

"Thank you for cheering me up, Roman. I appreciate it," I smiled at him.

"Julia dropped the brownies here 5 minutes ago. I put it on the counter,"

I am happy that our brownies are selling well here in the convenience store. We also receive orders at least two or three dozens on individual packs of brownies on our website. It's not a lot, but it's okay. I know we need to promote more.

"Good afternoon," I greeted the owner of the store.

"How're your brownies? Is it selling?" He asked me.

"Yes. It's selling, sometimes it's sold out, and sometimes I have two or three brownies left," I said.

"Can I taste one?" He asked. "Yes, Of course."

He ate one brownie. "It's good. My children will love this," He said, and I am so pleased he likes it, "Do you want to order?" I jokingly asked him.

"I'll order," he said. "Give me seven brownies,"

I put the brownies in its brown box packaging. "Don't worry, cara. I'll help you sell more brownies as long as you continue being a hardworking employee."

"Thank you so much,"

Later on, Austin entered with his devil smile.

"I'll take a photo of the brownies with its new brown packaging,"  he said without looking at me.

WHAT THE HECK IS HIS PROBLEM

"what's wrong with you? You have been so weird since last night," I said and rolled my eyes. "You even lied to me that my father was so mad because I wasn't home yet when I opened the door. I saw him sleeping and even snoring."

He chuckled, "I just saved you to a stranger."

"How did you save me? Nothing happened to me,"

"You're going to walk home with a stranger. What if he has some bad motives on you?" he asked.

"You're overthinking, and I know that guy," I told him as he continued taking pictures of the brownies.

"You only know his name, cara," he said.

I'm getting annoyed, so I go back to the counter.

The door opened, it was Julia with Colin, laughing together.

I fix my hair hurriedly and smile at both of them.

"Cara! I met Colin outside," she said

"Hi, how're the brownies?" I asked.

"I gave them to my cousins," I nodded at him. I doesn't know what to say anymore, so I kept silent.

Julia and Colin were talking, and I saw Austin leave the store.

"Julia, what happened to Austin?" I asked.

"He's like that since last night. Don't mind him,"

"Something happened?" I asked again.

"I think so. I already asked what was wrong, but Austin won't tell me. Just let him be today. He'll be okay."

"Who delivered the brownies to Colin?" I asked.

"Carlon?" Colin said.

"Oh, okay. It was my brother," I smiled. I always remember the first and second time meeting him. Why can't I forget?

I am in Julia's car now, and she has been very talkative tonight.

"What? Tell me again. You talk too fast. I couldn't understand you," I told her.

"Listen carefully, okay?"

"Okay."

"Colin finds you pretty, and I think he'll like you soon. So, if he messaged you, make sure to reply, okay? We talked a lot about you," she said.

"Why do you seem so excited?" I asked her, smirking.

"I'm excited for you, okay? Who would've thought that your dream guy would be interested in you? I only watch it in movies," she said, laughing.

"He's a model, right?" I asked her.

"He is. You know you can model too. You have the height and the looks," Julia suggests.

"Not my thing, Julia," I laughed, and I noticed that this was not the way home, "Where are we going?" I asked.

"We're going to drink tonight," she said.

"Oh my goodness, Julia! You know I don't drink. Just drive me home,"

"Let's have some fun. Colin invited us."

So, Colin invited us. I started feeling nervous. I always say something embarrassing when he's near me.

"Will Austin be there?" I asked Julia.

"Oh! I forgot to tell him. But, Dylan will be there."

We entered the bar, and the music was too loud.

Luke saw us and guided us to their table.

"Hi, Cara!" Luke excitedly greets me. "Colin is outside. He'll be here too."

 I don't feel safe here. There are a lot of guys, and the smell of the alcohol makes me vomit. It will be better when Austin's here.

Luke gave us a drink. I was hesitant, but I gave in. Julia is comfortable because Dylan was here. I was nervous that something would happen if I didn't control myself from drinking, so I stopped.

Colin was now beside me.

"Is this your first time drinking?" he asked.

"No. I drink before, but I didn't like it,"

"You still don't like it?" he asked and smiled at me.

"Kinda."

"Do you want to go outside? I feel like you're very uncomfortable.”

"Yes, please," I said.

We went outside the bar to have some fresh air and sat at the hood of his car.

"Where's your other friend? The guy?" he asked.

"I don't know. Julia forgot to tell him we're going here at the bar,"

"I thought he was your boyfriend," he said, laughing while looking at me.

"Uhh- no. Austin is just a friend," I said. Good thing I was able to tell him that Austin is just a friend.

"CARA!" I looked around to see who shouted my name, and I found Austin with Julia.

"I was so nervous. I couldn't find you inside the bar, so I called Austin. Thank God you were just here with Colin. Geez, I thought  something happened to you, knowing you were a little bit drunk."

She said, looking so nervous. I know she will blame herself if something happens to me, but I'm all good. I'm safe with Colin. Wait, am I?

"Let's go home," Austin calmly said.

I nodded at him and said goodbye to colin.

I rode his motorcycle and went to a park? Wait, what are we doing here?

He sat down at the bench, holding a plastic, and I followed him. He is still quiet, and I think he's ready to talk about something, maybe his problem or the reason why he's so grumpy these past few days. I sat beside him, and he gave me a strawberry ice cream.

"Why are you so weird these past few days?" I asked him. I noticed that the place was almost empty, and all I could hear were the crickets. "Do you have a problem?" I asked him again.

His face started to lighten up, "I'm fine," he said, smiling at me. I frowned at him, "What happened?" I asked him again. I don't believe he's okay.

"I like someone," He said and looked away from me.

"Really? Who was it?" I asked him. Cheerfully.

"You don't know her."

"Then why are you sad? It's a happy feeling." I told him.

Liking someone is a good feeling. You feel motivated and inspired all the time.

"She likes someone else," he said. I saw him looking from afar.

"That's part of life. We can't get everything we like," I told him. "Don't be too sad, Austin!"

"You don't know how it feels. It's not easy," Austin said, looking away from me, and I heard him sniffed. "Are you crying?" I asked him again.

"No. I'm not,"     Austin denied, but it was too obvious. I'm trying not to laugh because he might be offended.

I sat near him and put my head on his shoulder.

"Do you like her, or do you love her?"

"I might be in love with her right now," I laughed. He's still confused with his feelings. Poor Austin!

"You can't get everything you like. Just like me, I like going to school, studying and stuff, but look what happened? I won't be able to enroll this semester," I smiled bitterly.

"Really?" He faced me.

"Yeah. You heard me right." I said, and then he hugged me.

I was shocked, but maybe he needed a hug, so I hugged him back.

"I wish she knew," he whispered.

"Tell her."

"I'm afraid to be rejected," He said. "I like that girl a lot, and I can't afford to lose her. I'm afraid my confession will ruin what we have."

I feel sad for Austin. Whoever that girl is, she's lucky someone like Austin likes her.

AUSTIN'S POV

I was busy with my laptop when I noticed Julia and Cara stalking someone on social media. I let them be, thinking maybe it was just a random celebrity, not until Julia showed me the face of the guy. He's familiar. I think I've seen him outside the convenience store before.

I think he was the guy Julia was telling me. The guy cara likes. I know that just by his blue eyes, he'll automatically catch the attention of Cara. I was getting annoyed because I like cara.

I liked cara for a long time. Julia and his brother carlon seem to notice it, but not her. Sometimes I ask myself If she's numb. Some friends who knew my special feelings for cara advised me to confess, but I'm too scared that she might reject me. I'm also afraid that our friendship might be affected.

When I saw Colin and Cara talking at the convenience shop, I felt like my heart stop. I don't know how long I can keep these feelings for cara. We were so close as a friend, and I  don't want to lose her as a friend.

Julia called me.  She was very anxious because she couldn't find cara inside the bar. She's afraid something might happen to cara since she's a little bit drunk. I'm not feeling really well today. My whole body hurts, but I can't ignore Julia since we were talking about Cara.

We found her outside the bar, laughing with Colin. Julia was so nervous, and I'm deeply hurt. Reality hurts. She doesn't like me, and I can confirm it in front of me. She looks at him the way I look at her. She laughed with him as if he was the funniest guy she ever met.

Should I move on now that it's very clear that she doesn't like me?