.ELRISTEYA.I kissed Alec. I kissed Alec. I kissed Alec. I kissed my brother’s best friend. It kept chanting in my head. I still could not believe it. The way he led me to his car and drove me back home. I did not even know what to say to him when I got down from his car. I just scurried even when I knew he had his eyes on me. I slammed the door shut, hoping it was not real but when the weight came mightily on me and I could still taste him on my lips.Gosh! Even the words he spoke. “Elris?” My mother’s voice broke through and I blinked at her.“What Is it?” I asked, picking up my fork.“A little birdie here told us that you went on a date with a guy...” She trailed off. I fought back the urge to roll my eyes. Joe fucking Larsen can't keep a damn secret.I slid a glare across to him and he lifted his shoulder nonchalantly. “They forced it out of me.” He muttered.My parents had come back late but earlier than I had. From my date.“Yes.” I chewed on the beef, trying to make sure it

.JOE.I slowly glanced up, trying not to look like I was watching her. Lestiana sat just right before the counter where I was working. She seemed to have changed her uniform and it got me thinking about why she was here late in the evening like this. It looked like she wanted to have a lone time and she did not know that I was working there.I felt a nudge on my shoulder and I turned to see Maria offering a smile at me. I was confused because I did not know why she was smiling. She seemed to have read the questions on my face because she nodded toward Lestiana who was looking around, probably wondering why we were yet to bring her order.“Go and serve her order.” She pushed me forward. I shook my head and grimaced.“She would ignore me,” I whispered.Her brows twitched. “That is why you should serve her yourself. I am tired of hearing you groan about her. Speak to her.” She said.I carried the tray of her order and walked out. The walk toward her felt like a hundred thousand miles jou

.ELRISTEYA.Lestiana stood there, her eyes hardened into a glare. Hurt flashed through her eyes as she watched us. Alec rolled his eyes and stepped closer to me, his hand snaking around my waist. I held it in place as I stared at Lestiana like a child that had committed some sort of sin. Worry and guilt washed over me.“L-Lestiana-” I stuttered. She hissed and walked away. I turned to Alec. “We will talk later,” I told him, adding a small sad smile before walking away.I knew he would understand where I was coming from.I ran out and searched around for Lestiana but the bell rang, meaning that we should all return to class. Hurt and disappointment flashed through my heart as I thought about it. I walked to the class and saw that she had already settled into her seat but she had gone two seats backward. I tried to make her look at me but she did not.“Miss Elris, please have your seat.” The teacher said and I realized that I was the only one standing in the class. I trudged towards my

.JOE.Raw anger boiled in my veins as I stared at Alec. How could he? How dare he?I warned him off her. I told him that she was off-limits but he went ahead... I had followed them since I got home. Actually, I came home earlier than usual and saw Elris stepping out like the princess that she was not then my best friend looking at her like she was everything that mattered to him. I secretly followed them, only to see he was taking my sister out for a date.Traitor!Instantly, I pulled him by the collar and dragged him outside, people around eyed us with confusion. He did not even fight against me.“Joe, please don't hurt him,” Elris begged but all I saw was red and there was nothing to think about again. I want to break his nose and hit in ways he won’t be able to use his brain.“How dare you, Alec?” I snapped.He said nothing as he watched me. That was one thing about him. He won’t speak.“Alec, you-”“See Joe, you can hit me all you want. Call me all sorts of names but please, don't

.ELRISTEYA. I walked through the hallway, happiness blooming in my chest. I gripped the books in my hands tight as I opened the locker and dropped some then picked another set. As I turned to close the door, a yellow card fell to the ground and with furrowed brows, I bent to pick it up. “Good morning, Little Moon.” For a second, I thought I heard his voice in my head. I glanced around and saw him staring at the end of the hallway. Joe appeared just right beside him, making me jump a bit and I looked away. A faint blush stained my cheeks as my hold on the card tightened. Casting a look back at him, Joe dragged him away, not without Alec sending me a wink. I see he is trying to get used to it. Don’t blame him though. “And if I may ask, why is there a smile on my best friend’s face?” Les asked behind me and I turned towards her. Her eyes narrowed at me as she inclined her head to the side. “It's been so long since I saw you looking so vibrant and happy.” She noted. Playfully hittin