CHAPTER 2: YOU'RE ALL I NEED

(STEPH P.O.V.)

We were in the car, stuck in traffic, on our way to do a little shopping—or, as I liked to call it, spending someone else's money.

Hahaha!

“What are you grinning about?” Gino suddenly asked.

I had been staring at him without realizing that a ridiculous little smile had crept onto my lips. Well, not that I could help it. My brain had a habit of coming up with the most ridiculous ideas at the most random times.

“I just want you to buy me something,” I mumbled.

Gino glanced at me, looking as though the traffic had already drained every last bit of patience he had.

“What did you say? Could you speak a little louder, please? And stop trying to act cute. You're not cute.”

My eyes narrowed into tiny slits, making me look like some possessed version of Liza Soberano.

Hahahaha!

“Never mind. You're so mean,” I replied, putting on my best pout.

Unfortunately, that little act had never worked on my emotionally unresponsive best friend.

“Fine. I said you're treating me today,” I declared, looking straight ahead instead of at him.

“Tsk! You could've said that earlier. And when have you ever gone out with me and paid for anything yourself, huh?”

I turned to him and flashed my most shameless grin.

“Never! Hehe!”

He simply shook his head, probably wondering what crime he'd committed in a past life to deserve me.

---

After eating at McDonald's, I dragged Gino to the arcade.

We spent some time playing a few games, and I had to admit that it was ridiculously fun.

Do you know why?

Hahaha! Not only did I fail to win a single decent prize, but I also managed to spend two thousand pesos on tokens.

Yes. Two thousand.

And as I'd mentioned earlier, every single centavo came from my incredibly generous best friend.

“What the heck! You're seriously just wasting my money!” he complained as I tried another game.

I turned to him, grinned, and threw my arms around him.

“Ah lab yu!” ( I love you)

He immediately removed my arms from around him.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! No hugging just because you're thanking me, okay? At this rate, I'm going to grow old alone because of you.”

I blinked at him.

“Huh? What do you mean, grow old alone? Why? Do you have a crush on someone? Is your crush here?”

I fired one question after another, but instead of answering, he lowered his head and fell silent for a moment.

Then a woman approached us.

“Hi, Gino.”

She was slightly taller than me, fair-skinned, gorgeous, stylish, and had the kind of figure that made people turn their heads.

And did I mention she was beautiful?

Because she was.

“H-Hi, Kath,” Gino greeted her, suddenly sounding a little shy.

Oh?

Interesting.

“Uh, Steph, this is Kath. Kath, this is Steph,” he said, introducing us with a hint of awkwardness.

“Hi,” I greeted her with a small wave.

She waved back.

For the next few minutes, Gino and Kath chatted while we walked around the mall. I had absolutely no idea where we were headed, but that hardly mattered. I'd come here with my best friend, and naturally, wherever he went, I was supposed to be right there with him.

At least, that was how I saw it.

“Bes, don't you have class later?” Gino suddenly asked. “I'll get you a taxi so you can head home. Kath and I still have something to talk about. Is it okay if I don't take you home?”

His eyes kept shifting between me and Kath.

Oh.

So that's how it is.

“Ah, right. I almost forgot. Sure, go ahead. Have fun! It was nice meeting you, Kath.”

“I'll get you a taxi first. Oh, and Kath—”

I cut him off before he could finish.

“It's fine. You don't have to get me one. I can take a taxi by myself.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, of course! When have I ever not been sure about something?”

He leaned down, kissed me on the cheek, and returned to where Kath was waiting.

Kath even waved at me before I turned away.

That woman.

P.S. I'm not a devil. I'm just annoyed because her sudden appearance ruined my chance to go to the book sale.

That's all.

Nothing more.

---

When I got home, I went straight to my bedroom and carelessly dropped my shoulder bag onto the bed.

It contained nothing but my wallet.

What a productive day.

I picked up my guitar and began playing our favorite song, Don't Be Afraid.

The familiar melody filled my room as I sang along, letting the music carry my thoughts somewhere far away.

It was a song that meant something to both Gino and me. Whenever I played it, I couldn't help thinking about the things we wanted from life, the fears we carried, and the freedom we hoped to find someday.

When I finished singing, I let the last note linger before falling silent.

For a while, I simply stared into space.

Then, almost without thinking, I reached for my phone and opened our message thread.

To Best Friend

Don't forget me when you finally get a girlfriend, okay?

Sent.

Before lying down, I carefully leaned my guitar against the wall and closed my eyes for a moment.

I knew Gino probably wouldn't reply right away. He was busy with his girl—or, at least, that was what I imagined whenever he spent time with someone else.

And there I was again, feeling like I didn't quite belong.

Beep!

One new message from Best Friend.

Best Friend:

Idiot! Why are you being so dramatic again? I'm on my way home. What do you want me to bring you?

I couldn't help smiling as I read his message.

Then I started typing.

Me:

You're all I need. 😊💗

Sent.

A few seconds later, another message appeared.

Best Friend:

What song are you singing now, huh? You really have no originality. Tsk! I'll be there in five minutes. See you.

I stared at the screen, smiling like an idiot.

That was Gino.

He could tease me all day, call me dramatic, complain about my spending habits, and act as though I were the biggest nuisance in his life.

But somehow, he always came back.

And no matter how many times he left me behind for a little while, he never really abandoned me.

At the end of the day, he was still the one who came looking for me.

And for now, that was enough.