Chapter 3

 

 

It was the last Friday afternoon of September. I was in the quadrangle, busy video calling Mom. She was outside the apartment. Maybe Hannah let her breath fresh air.

Even though Mom is still crippled to this day, I can, somehow, see the smile on her lips. I can’t wait to see her back to normal again. I wanted to dance with her on my birthday.

"See you later, Ma." I waved a goodbye kiss to her.

"Best, even if you kill me for a few more years, I'll still tease you."

A pair of human shadows appeared in front of me. The two are side by side. I took a deep breath and looked at Dawn and Kyle.

"What? Are you going to tease me again about that moron? I already forgot what happened that day." I never talked to Dawn for almost three days. To this day I am still upset at what she did. She invited a man, who I hated the most. Too bad, she didn’t ask my permission.

She pouted her lips.

"Couz," Kyle called.

"What?" I asked.

"I'm confused with you two," he said in disbelief. He sat down next to me and frowned — when he looked at me. "Yesterday I noticed that you were staying away from her. Did you two have a fight? And wait. Who came after you the other day? Does Javier know?"

"Ask Dawn," I said reluctantly. "She doesn't even answer me."

"I forced her to get closer to the Governor's son," she almost whispered. "Then I told Shawn to be her escort. That man is handsome! And he looks nice. I don't know why Best can't see that."

Kyle was silent for a moment.

"That's why Best avoids me," Dawn continued. "I do not like this."

"Actually, Shawn is really nice."

What else can I expect from my cousin? He will always take Dawn's side.

"Isn't he the one you told me about before?" Dawn asked.

Kyle nodded. "Yep. He was my buddy when we were in elementary school."

Kyle was two years ahead of us. And he is a fifth year college student at Akela University in the Civil Engineering course.

"But he went to New York. And now, we're still friends. Is he back? That's crazy. I wasn't even informed."

“You don’t understand me at all,” I said. "And you still don't know me, Dawn, even though we're childhood best friends. I don't want to trust anyone. Especially boys."

Kyle humbled. "That's a big statement, Couz. Does that also mean you don't trust me or your brother? Or maybe..."

"What?"

"Or maybe you still have trauma with that Vince?" he grinned. "It's hard to say it's over, Couz. And it's bad to judge someone you just met."

I just nodded. He had a point, but I have too. And for me, I felt heavier right then. If Shawn hadn't just pretended that I was wrong, I would probably have been more comfortable with him. But he did.

“Shawn is still Governor De Vera’s son,” Dawn added.

"I know," I simply answered. "You don't have to repeat, Dawn. But what if he's the Governor's son? He's still considered a stranger."

Dawn approached me. I could see the guilt in her eyes. She held my hand. "I'm really sorry, Best. If you want, I'll just call Shawn and tell him that the escort will see you—"

I cut her off. "No. No need. What else can I do? I have to go with your decision. One more thing, it's embarrassing for Shawn to take back what have been said. And you've heard from the man that he wants to experience being like us. Should I stop him from doing that?"

"I'm really sorry, Best."

I eyed her. "I forgive you. Do you want me to take it back?"

You know, I can’t get you girls,” Kyle said. “Unlike us who when told it is okay, we don’t have to repeat the question. You, girls, are redundant. Then your noisy. Aren't you tired all the time?"

"Don't be, babe," Dawn defended. "That sounds like you're insulting us."

Kyle raised both hands as if surrendering. "I'm just telling the truth. No offense."

My attention was diverted when suddenly my cell phone rang. Someone's calling. My forehead frowned. It was an unknown number. I barely give my contact to anyone. I have trust issues. And usually, I only give numbers to those close to me.

"Why don't you answer, Couz?"

I took a deep breath. Maybe the number called was just wrong. I rejected the call and covered my cell phone on the pallet of the concrete bench we were sitting on with a handkerchief.

Just a few seconds later someone called again. I grabbed my phone. The screen flashed the same number.

"Kyle, come on?" I looked at Dawn. She looked startled.

"Why? Is there something wrong?"

Dawn shook her head quickly. "N-No, Best. Kyle, come to the canteen? My treat."

"Later," Kyle answered. "Let's get some air first."

I'm still not answering the call. "Why are you acting weird, Dawn?"

"Y-Yes?"

"Why don't you answer that, Couz? It might be important."

I'm curious too. Dawn's acting weird and has an unknown number calling me.

"Okay." I answered the call, but I did not speak.

"Hey, how are you?"

My eyebrows met immediately when I heard that voice. That clear tenor voice reminded me of someone.

"Where did you get my number?" I can't believe my question.

"I asked your number from her," he said and I noticed he was slightly amused. "So, can I take you home again? I have a gift for your mom. I'm sure she'll like it."

Disappointed I looked at Dawn. She was busy dealing with Kyle. "What's this, Dawn?"

"Sorry, Best," she said with a peace sign and a smile as if there was no tomorrow. Did she mean to bring Shawn and me closer? For what?

"Don't blame her. It's not her fault," Shawn immediately defended. "I begged her to give me your number."

I took a deep breath. "You're really so rude, aren't you? What's your real purpose with me? Why are you doing all of this?"

"Isn't it obvious? I just want to make some friends."

“Isn't Kyle enough to be your friend?" I asked. "FYI, no matter what you do, I won't be able to take you to me. I'm satisfied with Dawn. I don't need one anymore."

"The more, the merrier. And I wanted to help for your debut."

My forehead furrowed even more.

"Have you found a venue for the celebration?"

"Not yet, Shawn," Dawn groaned. I stared at her. "Sorry, Best."

"Good," he said. "Do you know Four Seasons Resort?"

"Who wouldn't know that five star resort?" I said. In fact, it was just next town from here to us. It's probably only an hour's drive to get there. Visitors to the province often stay there and Governor De Vera's guests stay there. Four Seasons Resort has everything. It was on the beach, surrounded by white sands, and it was fun to paddle in the water. The place where the sun sets is in the direction of the sea. But I've never been there. The entrance fee is too expensive.

"The resort is owned by my father's younger sister."

I rolled my eyes. "I know."

"I told her about your debut. She said we can do the celebration there . . . Free of charge."

My cheeks flushed and a crisp scream came out of my mouth. "What?"

"Why, Best? Can you put it in a loud speaker?" Dawn said, surprised by my sudden scream, and Kyle approached me as well.

"What's the matter, Couz?"

"How can you do that?" I can not believe. "Are you out of your mind?"

"No, I'm not," Shawn said. "After what happened to Mom, they became more concerned with me. They value everything that makes me happy even if it will cost anything. I'm not a spoiled brat, though. They just want me to move on from what had happened to her."

Is he going through something? Shawn looks really nice. I judged him early, but still, I can't trust no one.

"Why are you doing this? You don't have to do that."

"Because I want you to be happy."

It was as if my heart jumped at what Shawn said. "What?"

"Forget about it," he changes the subject. "So, can I take you home after class?

So we'll have a symposium later. Maybe we'll go home tonight.

"Going home late with just riding your scooter is way more dangerous." There was a streak of concern in Shawn's voice.

"No. I'll call Javier to fetch me."

"You don't have to do that. I can wait."

"You have a lot of time, eh?" I heard him laugh.

"I guess so?"

"It's up to you."

"Thank you. I'll wait for you outside the gate."