CHAPTER 4

Julia's POV

As I just opened my eyes, I glanced at the clock on my wall. It dawned on me that it was nearly seven a.m. I got out of bed and checked in the mirror, to see that my eyes already were puffy from crying, and I went back up to Shan's crib, where my baby still was sleeping.

I took a seat and pondered out over last night. I just can't get over it and realizing that this is my fate is still hard.

Shan is, without a doubt, a mistake. In short, I am a total failure, but I have to prove to myself and my family what I am capable of. I have to show them that I am still valued.

I left my bedroom and called out to my parents, but they did not respond. I'm curious about why the house is so calm. 

I spotted a sticky note on our refrigerator as I headed to the kitchen. I pulled it off the shelf and started reading.

Julia,

Your mother and I are out of town. We'll recover to take up the remaining things, and we'll come back on Sunday. Just be careful with my grandson, and be careful with yourself.

Love,

Daddy

That explains why it has been peaceful because they're out of town, I'm actually glad that my mother isn't home right now. My life is free of obstacles, however, I still hope that Mom and I will get along someday.

John's POV

"Last night, you were holding her hands! What does that mean?!"

Derek called first thing in the morning and kept asking questions. I basically told him she was a new neighbor who had become a friend, but he refused to believe me.

"I was completely unaware that I had touched her hand. I seized her as soon that I could."

"Come on, bro! You can't really deny it! How can you be certain that you do not have feelings for her? Do you think she's unattractive?"

I was taken aback by silence, "To be honest, she is attractive, but please, bro. Let's just leave it that way. Lia and I are just friends, there is nothing more for Pete's sake. I barely met her the other day, and she's really sweet. It's against the laws to get close to her?"

"You're too obvious, bro! Do you now have pet names? Lia, it's so tacky. What does she call you? Johnny?" He chuckled but was immediately kept silent when he thought his joke was just too corny, "Ok, to be honest, I thought you two were a perfect match the first time I saw you two, but there is an issue. Maybe you will slowly fall in love with Julia, regardless of the fact that everybody else knows how much you loved Kate and that you may have actually moved on. I'm just concerned because I don't want to see the day you guys are indeed unhappy."

I was entirely silent in that room. I've really thought about it a lot recently. Is it possible that I've been having feelings for our new neighbor, whom I just met last night?

I looked out the window and peered out at their home, which was as quiet like nobody is home.

"Hey, dude? Are you still there?" As I was still on the phone talking to Derek, I came back down to reality, "You've lost your minds once again, and - Oh no! My customers!"

"Cut down the gossip. Anyway, Lia and I have plans for later. We're going to have a da — I mean, we're going to be meeting there," I stated.

Even if we're not planning a date, I almost told him we were. I'm not certain what I've been thinking.

"Okay. I'm going to —" I didn't finish him and hung up on him right away.

My phone suddenly vibrated, indicating that someone had texted me, and I read carefully: 

Derek's message

I hate you, bro! I was just about to say something when you abruptly hung up! Anyway, bro, I'll see you later! Have fun on your date!

I'm not sure why, but while reading his text, I find myself beaming.

Julia's POV

As I headed to John's place, I was pushing Shan in the strollers. Uncle Jonathan opened up the door for me when I rang the doorbell. He was definitely eating as he was still munching the food. 

He looked surprised as if he hadn't expected me to show up, "What are you doing here, exactly? Are you looking for—"

"I'm here!" I heard John exclaim and saw him dash down the steps, "Dad, Julia and I will be going. I'll handle the rest."

Uncle Jonathan laughed up lol and nodded his head, "That's all right. Be careful and I shall continue eating," when Uncle Jonathan walked away in front of us, John and I both chuckled.

"I thought we'd meet in the cafe?" We left his house, and he spotted Shan's carriage, so I could see he was delighted, "Aww. You brought Shan with you."

"Since we live next door and heading in the same direction, I thought we'd go together, and also, I'm hoping it's okay if I take Shan with me? My parents traveled to Davao to get the rest of our things."

"It's all right, Lia! He's so adorable! Hey, you look a lot like him, but he doesn't manage to have your parents' features, only yours," He was staring at Shan's face and playing at the same time.

Shan inherited some of my features, although he looks very much like his father.

"Yeah. Let's go, shall we?" I requested him to help me get rid of the awkwardness I'm having.

He nodded, and we kept on walking till he remarked, "Shan and Faith are perfect when they grow up. Look, they'll be a couple in approximately twenty years, and then they'll prove that there is such a thing called forever in the world. I will absolutely take the lead in establishing a fan page for the Anderson-Avery love team!" I nudged him with a laugh.

"You're completely insane. What if they have feelings for someone? After all, there is no such thing as forever in this world. Everyone splits up."

His smile vanished from his lips, and he just murmured, "Yes, you are right. Since nothing lasts forever, we'll head into Hugot Coffee Shop."

We arrived at Hugot Cafe in a flash, and Derek greeted us with, "Welcome -"

"Yeah, yeah of course, definitely! Mind telling Uncle Roman to hire new staff," John interrupted, and Derek chuckled. " You're too boring to cope with. Please, there's no longer any interest."

Derek's smile faded and he frowned at John, "You persisted to abuse me — Oh, a baby!" Derek was taken aback and motioned to Shan, who had a cute expression.

"Please allow me to introduce my Baby Brother. Shan Ralph Avery is his name."

He was stunned but delighted, and he got Shan, "I had no idea you had a brother. You didn't say whether or not you have a brother."

"I forgot, but you already met him. My parents aren't at home, so I just took him with me."

"For your information, Shan is taken," John added, "to Faith Anderson." Derek and I exchanged a chuckle.

"You're insane," I said, poking him, and he responded, but I knew it was all in good fun. I grinned and locked eyes with him, and he did the same. I'm starting to feel the sparks again.

"All right, sit there and Shan will be with me," Derek as he immediately drew our attention. Last night, we nodded and sat in our chairs.

Derek's POV

I'm amazed at how denial they are of their feelings for each other.

I heard the bell indicating that somebody had visited the store. While I was playing with this baby, I looked up to see a lovely woman enter; she was tall thanks to her heels and her crop-top outfit with pink pants.

The woman welcomed me with a peck on the lips and said, "Hey, love."

She is my stunning girlfriend. Giselle Pierson was gaping at me until she spotted the baby and smiled, "Whose baby is this, oh dear, oh goodness! He's adorable!"

"He's Julia's baby brother."

She took the baby in her arms and started to play with him. The infant is calmed because he keeps giggling

"Who is Julia, by the way?" Giselle asked.

"She's new at our school, and she's the one sitting over there with John," I pointed to them

"Oh, she's our transferee, am I right?" she said, gesturing in the direction of John and Julia. She considered approaching them as I nodded.

Julia's POV

"Who is that? Isn't she a classmate of ours?" I asked John, pointing to the lady who had just walked into the cafe.

He smiled and nodded, "Yes, she is Derek's one and only girlfriend, Giselle Pierson. She also is a part of the cheerleading squad and one of the most popular girls at school. She used to be very nasty, however since Derek and Giselle became lovers, she's become very sophisticated. He would have to have influenced her behavior," he stated.

Why do I seem to have been surrounded by cheerleaders? Is it a sign that I'll be back as a cheerleader? Is it finally time for me to confront my fears?

With a smiling face, Derek's girlfriend approached our table, "Hello, are you our new classmate? I'm Giselle, and I'd want to introduce myself." She shook my hand, which I accepted because she appeared to be really nice.

"My name is Julia Avery,"

She exclaimed, "Your brother is so adorable."

"Thank you so much. His name is Shan ."

She turned at John, "Hey, John, it looks like I haven't seen you around training in a month," she said.

He threw his hands up. "Yeah, I'm in a terrible mood right now. That would've been my chance to make up for the month I had been absent."

"That's why," Giselle explained with a bow, "I'm deeply sorry for what happened. It's great that you have been over Kate and that you're returning. Welcome back, Captain."

When Giselle said that, John's face went stern, but he smiled and added, "No problem, thank you so much, Giselle."

After a brief conversation, Giselle departed and returned to Derek, where she continued to play with Shan.

I looked at John and held his hand in mine. "Are you all right?" I inquired, concerned.

"Is it okay if I ask concerning your heart? Have you made much progress?"

"It's fine," he remarked as he straightened his back. "It's been a month," he added. He chuckled, but then continued to speak, "But now I'm going to be telling you about what happened. Kate and I will are in a relationship for six months, and during those six months, I gave her all of my affection."

"And afterward -"

Derek interjected, "Bro, these are your drinks." As Derek placed our drinks down, he smiled. He anticipated Derek's leave immediately.

When he left, he began telling the story all again "Then, well before Kate and I split up, you'll see that we've been distant and haven't communicated. If you do get what I'm stating."

"I --" Derek emerged out of nowhere and cut him off again.

"These are the foods you'll be eating. Is there any milk for Baby Shan, Julia? Your brother is crying, and I'm sure he's hungry," As a result, I took Shan's bag from the stroller and handed it to Derek.

"Oh here, everything is inside that bag." He bowed his head and walked away. "Then, what?" I asked, returning my gaze to John.

"I saw her at school at the time, and --"

"Jul—"

"Could you please leave us alone, bro? We're continuing talking, but I'm constantly interrupted. This is a cliffhanger story," John abruptly said something and turned at him.

I chuckled at the time because he's so adorable. Yes, he is endearing. I guess I like him.

"Ah! Sorry for the inconvenience, bro! Okay, this is the last one. I'm just going to return the bag. You are free to proceed." And he walked away, laughing as he looked at John's grumpy face.

"Okay, then, where am I?" he thought, "Ah, yeah! So, I saw them somewhere at school, in a Junior High Building classroom, and I heard her mention I love you to Kurt, and she broke up with me right away because she already loved Kurt, who is tragically our classmate."

"That's awful," I exclaimed. "It hurts so bad, especially when you love someone very much."

"How so? Have you had a boyfriend in the past?" When he asked that, I was speechless. Maybe I'm suffering worse than he is. He left me with a lifetime of memories that I see every day.

"Yes, but that was in the past. I think we were in a relationship for three years until he suddenly left me."

"Well, he's like Kate after all. Always leaving those who loved sincerely," I raised my head and gazed at him.

"How are your thoughts? You've already moved on?"

"It's normal for me to reminiscence about the two of us, but I've completely moved on. Also, to just be honest, I believe everything is in line. I hate to admit it, but when I'm around you, my sadness begins to fade."

I was taken aback and stared at him in bewilderment, "What again?  With me?"

"Yes. I do not even know, it is indeed strange because I've just met you, and even when you introduced yourself yesterday, I felt something."

"Just confess that you have a crush on me or that you love me when you first saw me," I smirked nervously. I was joking, but he was just staring at me, seriously.

"What if I tell you that I do have feelings for you? Not only that, but it could be love at first sight."

My pupils dilated, and my eyes enlarged, "How can you be so serious? You were in such a bad mood the day before we met."

"That is correct. I'm not sure why I am telling you this, and I am not ready to tell you everything, but can we go home now? I'm feeling a little drained. For basketball season, my dad and I are training earlier."

"So, there you have it. Let's get going," John and I got up and cleaned our things.

"You're leaving? But it's still early," Giselle was taken aback and inquired.

I informed them, "I have a lot more to do."

"So, what now, Baby? You must leave right now. Ba-bye!" As I lifted up Shan, Giselle gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Before we departed, we said our goodbyes to Derek and Giselle. John and I didn't speak the entire time because I, too, was at a loss for words.