Chapter Three: When She Met Her

Chapter Three

"What a troublemaker," I hissed. Naglalakad na kaming tatlo papunta sa highway. We were kicked out of that mini restaurant because of Azhter. Feeling niya siguro siya ang my knight in shining armor ko. My foot, he got no help. Everything was messed up because of him. Good thing that he paid for the damages. Lalo lang akong nagutom nang dahil sa kaniya. He spilt my pares while fighting with Philip.

"I thought you're in basketball practice. Why barged in? How did you know I was there?" I asked.

"I didn't know that guy was your classmate. My dad told me that you were transferred. I came to your school but you weren't there so I looked elsewhere," he replied and stared at Philip.

"So, you're telling me that he's really your boyfriend?" Philip asked curiously. He has a bruise on the side of his cheek. I gave Azhter a glare then he looked away.

"Wait," I ordered. I stopped Philip and pushed him to the convenience store in front of us. Azhter followed me and I saw a small wound on his forehead.

I went to the counter and asked them to wait at the table over there. I got an ointment and some band aids. I was about to get my wallet but I realized that Dad cut off my cards. I went to Azhter and took his wallet.

"Where's your wallet? Why get mine?" he asked and stopped my hand.

"What do you mean stop?" I crossed my eyebrows and went back to the counter. I also bought food before returning to their seats. I returned Azhter's wallet and sat down in the vacant seat. I'm sitting on the chair between them.

"I'll ask Daddy Lucas to give me some allowance. I promise to pay you back," I said and gave him the cup noodles. I laid the band aids and ointment on the table and looked at them both. I opened the ointment and touched Azhter's chin. He hurt himself again. He's too careless.

"Take it slowly!" he asserted. I rolled my eyes and put a bandaid on his forehead.

"Don't ever do it again or I'll ask Jacob tobeat you up," I emphasized. I turned to Philip who was just staring at us. I took the band aid and ointment and showed it to him.

"Would you mind if I put some on your-" I haven't finished my sentence since he gets the ointment in my hand. He opened the lid and gave it back to me.

"What are you doing? I thought you're gonna..."

"Uhm, Yes. I'm sorry," I stated. I put some ointment at the side of his lips. It's kind of awkward since I know he's staring at me as I see on my peripheral view. I took the band aid and put it on his face.

"I'm sorry. Azhter didn't know that we're in the same class. He misunderstood," I apologized. I offered him a cup of noodles and saw him nod.

"Lastly, he's not my boyfriend. We're cousins. We grew up together and he's like an older brother to me," I added. "He always said that about every guy I was with."

"So, you're his cousin," Philip smirked.

I eat my noodles to overcome my hunger.

Gosh, It's been a while since I tasted this one. Should I ask Dad to buy me a dozen?

"Eat slowly, Lychie." Azhter took the tissue and handed it to me. "You ate like a pig."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. Philip's sketchpad caught my attention while I'm slurping my noodles. He also said that he attended a club meeting. I'm curious if that's related to drawing.

"Do you like to draw?" I asked. He didn't answer me but nodded his head. "Can I take a look?" I took the sketchpad on the table.

"Let me see." I haven't seen his works because Azhter took it from me. He pushed my forehead and raised the sketchpad up.

"How did you end up with this guy, Kryzion?" Azhter asked while scanning Philip's work. I didn't answer his question when I saw Dad's car in front of the store. He then just dropped the sketchpad when we already saw Daddy in the driver's seat. I can't even see Philip's works. I have no chance to take a glance at his drawings.

"What the hell, Azhter?" I crossed my arms and stood up. Daddy Chaster went out and shook his head.

"My fault. I called your dad earlier and told him that I can't find you. I texted our location so he could fetch us," he grinned. I kicked his knee and rolled my eyes. I put Philip's sketchpad on the table then came out. Argh, Azhter is a total jerk!

Dad walked towards me and saw Philip staring at us. He averted his eyes and bowed. Azhter followed me and opened the car's door then Dad ordered me to get in.

"Wait, Dad. Should we take Philip and drive him home?" I asked. I pointed to Philip but he was no longer at his seat. Dad looked at me with disappointment. I got in the car and closed the door. I can't even say thank you to that guy who saved my day.

"What?" I asked irritatedly. Kanina pa ako kinakalabit ni Azhter. Wala naman siyang matinong sasabihin, e.

"I saw something on his sketchpad. He's an artist," he whispered then fell asleep. Sketchpad, my ass. He took it away from me!

Pagkarating namin sa bahay ay agad na akong dumiretso sa kwarto. It's really been a long day. I went to my bathroom and washed myself. I get my towel and sit in front of my mirror table. I wiped my face and smiled. Realizing, I enjoyed my day without spending a huge amount of money. It's tiring and exhausting.

I'm currently drying my hair when I remember my day with Philip. I can't even realize that I'm smiling. Tss, I'm acting weird.

"Ma'am Lizette," my maid called. I walked towards the door and saw her holding a tray. Pumasok siya at inilagay 'yon banda sa may lamp ko.

"Sabi po ni sir, kumain daw po kayo."

Umalis na siya agad at sinara naman ang pinto pagkalabas. I smirked when I examined the food. I thought someone cooked it for me. Inorder lang naman sa labas. I have no choice but to eat that. Simula kanina, noodles lang ang kinain ko.

I browse my net while eating my food that Dad ordered for me. I received a notification from Azhter. I opened it and saw his text.

: Attend my tournament next week.

I growled and rolled my eyes. Dad transferred me to Anastasia. How can I face my friends when I go to Foster?

I turned off my phone and laid on my bed. I received another notification so I irritatedly opened my phone. I received a message from an unknown number.

: I have a question

Gosh, Azhter! It's not the right time for jokes. I called that number and it immediately answered. I'm not in my mood to play.

"Azhter, I'm sleepy. Stop bothering me!" I exclaimed. I was about to end the call but I heard a different but a familiar voice.

"Uhm, I'm just gonna ask you if you want to go to school with me tomorrow or should I just text you the way there? I'm not going to accompany you again if you get detention," he asked. I looked at my phone and put it on my ear once again.

"Wait, Philip?" I asked.

"Yeah?" he answered. Napahawak ako sa bibig ko at tinignan ang cellphone ko paulit-ulit.

"How did you get my number?"

"I'm sleepy. Just tell me your answer then I'll answer you someday," he assured.

"I'm not familiar with the place so option one," I answered. He suddenly ended the call so I put my phone down. He's unbelievable. I didn't expect that!

It's morning. I saw Dad and Mom eating breakfast on the table. "Hi, Mom. Good Morning!" I greeted.

"What's with your smile? How's your school yesterday? You didn't join us for dinner," mom asked. I kissed her cheeks before sitting beside her. For sure, Dad didn't tell her everything.

"I'm with Azhter. Don't worry. We're fine," I smiled. Kumuha ako ng sandwich at ininom ko ang kape. Umalis na ako agad ng bahay dala-dala ang bag ko. I looked at Dad and he was drinking his coffee.

"Aren't you too early?" Mom shouted. I giggled and went out. Naglakad na ako papuntang labasan. I waited for Philip on the highway. I'm holding my phone waiting for his message. Nakita ko siya sa may tulay kaya itinaas ko ang kamay ko. Agad akong nagtago nang makita kong kasabay niya sa paglalakad si Avis. Tumalikod ako at hinintay silang lumagpas.

I received a message from Philip and said he's already there. Hindi ako pwedeng sumabay. Kasama niya si Avis!

Nakita kong tumatawag siya kaya itinago ko ang phone ko. Alright, I'll just ask Azhter to pick me up or else I'm doomed.

Philip's POV

I already called her but she's not picking up his phone. I looked at Avis and her eyebrows were crossed. "Philip, we're getting late," she reminded. She looked at her wristwatch and raised an eyebrow at me. May nakita akong papalapit na taxi kaya agad ko itong pinara.

"Avis, May pupuntahan pa ako. Mauna ka na," sabi ko at hinawakan siya sa likod.

"Wait, what? No." Pinapasok ko siya sa taxi at isinara ang pintuan. I shook my head and nodded. I hate it. She whined like a child.

Lumingon ako sa likod ko at nakita ko ang peach na bag ni Lizette. I grinned and walked towards her. She didn't know how to hide. I saw her peeking at me so I chuckled.

"What are you doing, new girl?" I asked and she hid herself more. She covered herself and that made me laugh.

"Are you with Avis?" she asked and turned around.

I shrugged. "Why are you hiding? You're still visible. I can see you."

"So, she's with you or what?" she asked again.

"No," I replied. Humarap siya sa akin at inayos ang buhok niya.

"I told you that we're not in good terms." Pinagpagan niya ang damit niya at umayos ng tayo. I heard she and Avis were competitors at sports? Which means Lizette is good at volleyball?

"Argh! Speaking of the devil," she hissed and raised an eyebrow. I looked at my back and saw Avis staring at us.

"So, the rumor was right. You were transferred." I put my hand on my pocket and sighed.

Alright, here we go.