CHAPTER 03

 

"Your apartment is good,"

Sew laughed at me. "Thanks for the compliment. I really chose this one." She said while putting her things on a sofa. I was roaming my eyes around. Her apartment really looks so pretty.

We just arrived at the café. I even saw my former home while we were in the midst of heading here. Our house looks like there is no life. so pale and was covered with serene.

"You can borrow my things, Astra. Of course, private things are an exception."

"I will pay you back,"

"Nah, there is no need. Feel at home, okay? Don't ever think about paying back or anything. It's making me sick. I am not asking you to do that, though."

I smiled at her. No matter what, I will return her goodness to me. I will spoil her soon once I am better.

 

She invited me to have dinner with her and I didn't refuse it. I am literally hungry and I can't refuse food. That was a great blessing and was special to my family.

Enough with the bitternes.

"I will not be around tomorrow. I only work at the cafe every weekend." Sew said while we were busy feeding ourselves. I want to be fine, but I am too hungry to handle it.

"What would you do on the weekdays?"

"Monday to Wednesday, I work for a company, while Thursday and Friday I work at a bar. I have a gig. Don't get me wrong, I don't do multitasking. It can ruin someone's health. Darn, I am not ready to face death! " She then laughed. My mouth opened slightly before I laughed with her. She's funny, really. 

"Same." We laughed even more. We persisted in eating and, after that, she guided me and showed me the room that was supposed to be my permanent room.

"I haven't totally cleaned it. Wait there. I am going to freshen it up. You can watch some movies on TV. Go on." I let out a sigh. I want to clean it, but she's too good to let me do it.

I also wanted to help, but she wanted to do it herself. I snored before heading to the area of television. I didn't turn it on, instead I looked for something that was fabric. I was going to wipe some of the dusky things in the hidden areas and wasn't able to see them immediately.

"Hey, what are you doing, Astra?" I just smiled at Sew. I am now sweeping the floor, and she just got out of the room. "I didn't tell you to do that,"

"But I want to. Let me sew. You said you feel at home, right? These are my doings in my former home, so don't stop me."

She laughed and wagged. I shook my head because of her. I then continued what I was doing and when I was done, I went to the bathroom and cleaned myself.

"Here's my skirt, Astra. Get this," I nodded at her. After I took a bath, I wore the skirts that she had lent me. I then entered the room that was assigned to me and settled there.

 

I told Sew that I would sleep now and so she did. I closed my eyes as I lay on the bed and my family just entered my mind.

I gulped as I remembered how my mother had shoved me away. I felt my tears fall, so I wiped them immediately. 

I wanted to stop these feelings, but I just felt too weak. I just wanted to be numb to not feel the ache that was staying in my insides.

"Be happy." I whispered to myself. I focused myself on sleeping, but my system just won't cooperate.

I got up in annoyance and grabbed a handful of my hair out of frustration. Damn it.

I stood up and looked at the time on a wall clock. It was already morning. I have a class later because it's Monday already. Heck, I don't know where to get a uniform for our university. My things were still in my former house. How could I get them?

I sighed before walking out of the apartment. To my horror, I saw the stalker guy who was my neighbor, he said, also getting out of the apartment that was next to Sew's.

My brows creased. He really is stalking me! I shook my head and just diverted my attention to the bench beside it. I sat there and hugged myself because of the cold that was pressing on my skin.

"Good morning?" He greeted me, unsure when he also saw me.

I looked at him while his brows were creasing again. I noticed that he always came out of nowhere whenever I was alone and thinking about something.

"Are you stalking me, Mister?" I asked in a low manner. Not that I assumed, but he's showing me that. I don't know why I always get annoyed whenever he is around. Like, I am not rude or something! I respect people. It's just, tsk, he's creepy.

"Don't get me wrong, I have lived here for almost a month. I am not a stalker or anything. Why would I anyway?"

I wagged. I don't have time to defend myself against him. I am too tired of that. 

"By the way, I'm Jinx Ezekiel." He extended his arms in front of him. I swallowed hard. Should I accept his introduction? But who am I to reject it, right?

"Astra, Astra Sage." I also introduced myself and reached for his hands. We then shake hands. I don't know why I felt so relieved by just being acquainted.

"We can be friends, you know." 

I was stunned for a moment. Did I hear it right? Can we be friends? I have never heard that word from someone before!

"Y-You and M-Me.. can be friends?" I asked, stuttering.

"Yes, why not? I also don't have any friends or anything. I am not fond of it."

"T-Then why are you asking me for an acquaintance?"

"I can have a friend, but I only want you." 

My heart beats fast. Like, why me? There are a lot of people available there! 

"Don't you want it?"

"H-Huh? N-No, of course. I want it! Let's be friends! We can be friends! It's so very okay with---"

"Why are you panicking? It's not like I bite."

I bit the insides of my cheeks in shame. I also don't know why I am feeling this way. It's just that he's too hot and handsome in front of me! Who can act normal with that?

"Y-Yeah, sorry." I laughed awkwardly. He stared at me for a second, then laughed like an idiot. Is he making fun of me?

"You look cute," 

My jaw almost dropped. That was the best compliment I have ever received! I know it's too OA for me, but, coming from him? It just made my stomach tickle all of a sudden.

"T-Thanks,"

"By the way, I will be going outside to buy noodles. Don't you want to go with me?" 

I shook my head before avoiding his gaze. "I don't have any money,"

"My treat,"

"No.. you don't have to. And I was about to sleep and have a good night. Uh... just see you tomorrow, "

"See you later," he corrected me. I smiled forcefully before standing up.

"Okay, then. See you later, have a good time." I then waved my hands while heading to Sew's apartment. I could feel him staring at me from my back, but I had just come inside the unit. I leaned against the door once I entered and closed my eyes harshly.

Damn, Astra. You're too obvious!

If I said earlier that his presence was annoying me, then maybe you've read it incorrectly. Heck, he's too good to not be likened!

After thinking about that Jinx Ezekiel, I decided to sleep early because I was going to school later. I hope I will not have a bad time.

"You can wear civilian clothes, Astra. uniforms aren't a trend in your school though,"

I agreed with Sew. She lent me jeans and a tee shirt again. I thanked her before getting my bag. It was a good thing I was able to get this while my mother was raging on fire. It has a pen and school stuff inside.

"I will lock the apartment and will give you my extra key because you're going to get here after you do your job in the café."

I nodded at her. I bid my good bye first before I got out after she handed me the key. I then hissed when I saw Jinx, leaning against the wall just beside the door of the apartment.

"Aren't you going to school?" I asked him. He removed the earphones from his ears and looked at me.

"I was waiting for you." He shrugged. I gulp in subtle before snouting.

"And why is that?"

"I know you don't have a companion going there,"

I sighed before holding the strings of my bag harshly. This is the first time someone has waited for me.

"Thank you," I muttered in bliss. He's a good man, really.