Kapittel 4

Vanessa

I stared at the guy before me with wide, gobsmacked eyes. I had always thought that meeting him again would be inevitable, but I didn't expect that it would happen much sooner as in right now, at this moment. I couldn't believe it. Clutching my chest where my achingly pounding heart resided, I brushed my eyes from the soles of his cleats up to the edges of the strands of his damp, unruly dark hair that I always tended to run my fingers since time immemorial.

Back then. The phrase rendered a bitter smile to carve on my face as I scrutinized him. He had grown a lot broader and taller compared to before. His looks had gone mature and sharper too. However, it seemed that not only did his physical attributes change. Looking at the way his lips curved into a proud sneer, his eyes that had gone to a deeper shade of abyssal black playfully looked at my trim figure. That gaze and leer made me feel as if I was... belittled.

I bit my lower lip harshly when a realization came. This guy standing in front of me wasn't Friso, whom I used to love and know so much. This was Friso Drew Ezekiel de Vries, the son of a billionaire who was born with a golden spoon shoved in his mouth. A person that I barely knew, a stranger.

A small poke pulled me away from my apparent continuous staring and endless reverie. I gazed down and saw Zach gazing at me, eyes wide and full of wonder while his mouth was frothing with bubbles of saliva. "Van...nie..." he trailed off, struggling to call my name. "You... okaaay?" he asked, his lips lathering with more bubbles.

Startled, I pulled out my handkerchief from my pocket and painstakingly wiped all the saliva off his mouth. No matter how much he thought that he was now grown up and didn't want to be treated like a baby, he was still a baby to me. I wonder, would I still look at him as a little child even when he grew up taller than me?

"It's been a long time, huh?" the same voice from earlier asked with curiosity was clearly smeared on it.

Suddenly, the presence of a heavy atmosphere came. It was like the skies had fallen and as pressuring me down to the deepest of the ground, rendering all the temporary ease, I felt with Zach fled. It pulled me away from my thoughts of fleeing and the tension from earlier came back. My whole body felt as if heaven and Earth sandwiched me in between, so heavy, so woozy. Clenching my shivering hand into a fist, I silently prayed for my unsteady, palpitating heart to be tranquil.

Gulping, I answered his question, "Y-Yeah..." not looking into his eyes. I didn't know why but all my courage was swept away when I looked into those dark, void, frisky eyes. Those eyes... they used to look at me with warmth, gentleness, and love. I was startled when those spheres suddenly moved to the little boy standing demurely on the cart, observing every inch of him like some kind of judgemental matron.

"Your son?" he asked out of the blue, catching me off guard. I've always expected these questions from people but him. I had been contemplating my old friends that I wanted to meet again and strangers that I'd soon meet, anticipating them to ask if Zach was my son, but Friso never came into my mind. Never did I expect that we'd meet soon, too. After all, he wasn't from Scarsendale and only came here whenever his parents dropped him off at Aunt Rebecca's.

My heart began palpitating, and my hands were getting cold. I was nervous. Why was I getting nervous? Was it because of the way he coldly scrutinized my younger brother or because of his sudden question? If it was the latter, why would I be nervous? I had nothing to hide. Or am I... scared of what he would think of me?

I hastily waved my hands to gesture no and spoke my denial, "No, he—" before I could finish what I was about to say, he carried Zach off the cart and into his arms. Afraid of him dropping or hurting my little brother, I stumbled forward in their direction.

Zach was still very young, and his bones weren't strong enough that he could walk on his own, let alone carry his own back. He needed to be held carefully with a firm grip. If Friso wouldn't hold him tightly enough, the kid wou—

A glint in the smirking man's eyes rendered me to gasp silently. Why was he looking at Zach that way? He gazed at my brother as if he had ill gushes, or was I just imagining things?

"Hiiiii." Saliva bubbles began lathering Zach's mouth once again as he spoke to the man carrying him, reaching out his hands to touch the latter's face.

It surprised me. Zach wasn't the type of baby that was fast to be fond of any person and tended to cry when his proximity was close to a stranger. Back then, I was only able to carry him when he was already six months old because he cried when I tried to hold him, let alone touch him. Mom and dad struggled to take turns carrying and taking care of him since I couldn't because of the little guy's pickiness. I remembered the time when he saw my friends for the first time in our previous home, and he cried loudly. Thankfully, he got used to us when time passed on.

Friso held out his free hand so his index finger could poke Zach's puffy cheek. "How cute," he complimented, his glaring eyes beginning to soften.

Anxious, I held out my wobbly arms, trying to say steadily, "Please hand him over. He needs to be placed back in the cart."

He turned his face to look at me as if he was going to raise a brow at me but didn't protest. "O...kay," he leaned down to hand the kid over since my head only reached his shoulder. My whole body stiffened when our fingers touched as he carefully placed my younger brother in my arms. I bit my inner cheek to restrain myself when his warm breath fanned over my cheek, tickling me. Get a grip, Vanessa!

"So, who's the father?" he asked as I placed Zach, who looked at me with wonder in his huge eyes, back in the cart. He must be wondering what was going on, how innocent. I smiled softly but soon frowned after realizing Friso's question. "I'm sorry?" I asked, thinking I had heard him wrong, knowing that I made it clear that Zach isn't my son.

"I'm asking who's the baby's father," he repeated his question, then made an addendum that triggered me, "I didn't know you've already got laid early. Oh, you did get laid early, right? Back in eighth grade. Too bad I wasn't your fir—"

SLAP!

I stopped him from finishing his sentence by throwing a hard slap across his cheek. Anger began seeping inside my chest, and all my blood ran up to my already flushing face. All the emotions that I had left here at Scarsendale back then, the pain, the anguish, the frustration. I threw them all with one slap at the person who caused my demise. His lack of faith, trust, and will to listen was why I left!

"I have never thought that you are this kind of person," I asked through gritted teeth, my nostrils flaring and my face heating up in vexation. "What happened to you? You weren't like this before!"

He looked at me for a moment. His gaze held something that I could not name. But it did not last long, and his eyes pierced at me like I was some sort of disgusting creature. He stepped closer to me, to which I stepped back. His lips were curled in a sardonic leer as he spoke, "Unfortunately, sweetheart, people change..." he trailed off and began stepping closer to me, and I stepped back as a response.

"Especially when some bitch hurt them." The series of stepping forward and back continued until I felt my back had hit the wall with the dairy section beside it. I was partially trapped. I cowered on my spot in fear, looking down at his feet as he came closer and closer. "They change..." he said and placed a hand on the wall, completely trapping me. "In a bad way," he finished speaking, grabbed my chin, and forced me to look up at him.

Right there and then, I was lost in his gaze. I remained frozen on my spot as I stared into his deep, abyssal orbs. I was mesmerized. I felt like I was under some sort of spell. I had always been fixated on those dark eyes that'd stare at me with such warmth back then. But now, that fixation had become a stupor when I no longer so that warmth. His stare held such cruel contempt.

His eyes held a ruthless gaze like he was staring intently at the deepest parts of my being, and he was judging it. Every piece of me, he was judging it. He was blinded by all the hate I had caused against him, and it seemed that I couldn't do anything about it. The Friso that I used to love. He was gone.

"What, frozen in spot?" he asked mockingly, "That's not how someone like you should act."

His cruel words struck me in the chest like a sharp knife. Friso was never capable of saying someone such terms before. Had I hurt him so much back then to the point that he'd turn out like this?

"Just because I hurt you doesn't mean that... you'll think of me that way," I tried to act strong, but my voice came small along with a hiccup. My insides churned when tears were starting to brim my eyes. "I know that you're angry at me for what I've done before, but please do have some decency!" I bellowed and turned away with the cart, running away from the store and back to the car with tears cascading down my cheek and the dormant emotions that I had been suppressing back then bursting fresh.

I didn't know... I didn't think he turned into some insensitive jerk one day!

"Van...nie..." I hear Zach evoking me with his faint, small voice.

I sniffed and wiped the waterworks before looking at him through the rear-view mirror. "Yes, baby?" I asked him in a thick, cracking voice.

Good thing I didn't turn the car on yet, or we would've possibly been caught in an accident because of my lack of attention. I had been crying here in the car for long minutes, long enough to see Friso leave the mart, which rendered my heart lurch in pain. The sore confrontation earlier left me a mark and a warning: avoid that man at all costs. I had been waiting for us two to meet again one day, talk peacefully and have closure, then become strangers. That's all. But why did it have to turn out like that? What was with that arrogant aura and mischievous smile? That was different from the Friso, who used to smile warmly at me and look at me with loving eyes.

Wait. A realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. Used to, I bitterly smiled when I remembered that phrase. He'd changed. After all these years, of course, he would change after that happened, after I've hurt him. Pain would cause a person to change.

"No cry," I hear Zach's little voice say, "Vannie... stwong," he struggled to murmur, looking at me comfortingly with his big doe-like eyes. My heart fluttered in ease and ecstasy when he said those words. I wiped the tears that rolled down my cheek.

Sometimes, Zach's advance in speech and the way he expressed his emotions made me ponder that he was once a wise person who died and reincarnated with his memories of his past life still intact. But of course, that would be absurd. My love for the idea of reincarnation and fantasy novels had brought me an illusion of fantasy mixing into reality. I'm sure if anyone knew this hidden side of mine, they'd probably avoid me forever.

I sniffed as I curved my lips into a happy grin. "Of course, Vannie is strong," I uttered and removed the seatbelt before reaching over a hand to the little guy to caress his cheek. "I am strong..." I repeated and added, my voice cracking into a cry.

He held my forefinger with his little hand. "Zach love Vannie," he stated, staring deep into my eyes, rendering my lips to curve into a sincerely joyful smile.

"I love you too, Zach," I reciprocated and leaned further to kiss his chubby, red cheek before fixing myself and proceeding to what was to do next: go to another store and drive home.

"Honey, dinner's ready," I heard mom say while knocking on the door. Instead of standing up and opening the door for her, I paid no attention and hugged my knees tighter, staring blankly at the wall with endless tears in my eyes.

I didn't know what I was feeling right now. I was fine when Zach comforted me. We even went to a supermarket and bought the things on mom's list. But as soon as I went home, I felt like crying again, and I did. My chest was heavy with an emotion that I could liken to be a combination of anger, sadness, surprise, and disappointment.

Friso. He was still being the same asshole in the last semester of middle school before I moved away. No, he actually became more of a total asshole. Even though I hadn't expected that we'd meet sooner, I thought that he would at least go back with his old self, and we'd be able to break the wall that separated our long relationship, patching things up right in that store at that moment. I thought it was time for healing and forgiving. But I guess they were just my assumptions, and many people fell to their demise because of useless assumptions.

Sniffing, I reminisced my childhood, my times with the twins and Friso. We used to play in the park's playground, especially in the sandbox, build sandcastles, smash them to smithereens when we were done marveling at our childish creation, then make another one again. We'd also recreate at the playhouse and family where Angel would be the mom, and Angie would use her Sharpie marker to draw a mustache on her face and pretend to be the dad. Friso and I would be their children. When we get tired of it, we play tag and hide-and-seek.

I made a small giggle and wiped my flowing tears when I remembered that I always get easily caught when playing those games. It was pretty annoying since my feet were tiny, and I was the smallest in the group, while Angie and Angel were the fastest to run in tag. The easiest to find in hiding and seek was Friso since he was pretty bad at hiding, while I was best at it since I could still get into the smallest space due to my stature.

I hugged my knees tighter as my eyes began watering again. Back then, when he or the twins would catch me, he would comfort me using his bright smile and say that I'd improve next time. When I got overwhelmed and began to cry, he would make me a flower crown and ring. He was so... gentle until the near end of middle school.

"I didn't know you've already got laid early. Oh, you did get laid early, right? Back in ninth grade. Too bad I wasn't your fir—"

"I have never thought that you are this kind of person. What happened to you? You weren't like this before!"

"Unfortunately, sweetheart, people change..." he trailed off and began stepping closer to me, and I stepped back as a response.

"Especially when some bitch hurt them."

"They change... in a bad way,"

Remembering the words he told me back then, I felt my face burning red, anger seeping inside me. He told me such hurtful words without any attempt to listen to my side of what had happened before. But it was partly my fault anyway, he tried to explain to me as well, but I only snubbed him. Him acting like what he did was the consequence of my previous actions. With this happening right now, I shouldn't expect for our old friendship to be back. I had to get over it. I needed to get over it. We needed to change as time passed on. Like what Friso had said, people unfortunately change.,

"Vanessa." I heard mom knocking on the door.

Hearing the serious tone in her voice, I decided to stand up and head to the bathroom to wash my face. I didn't want mom to know that I was crying, but I'm sure she'd recognize that I was since my eyes were bloodshot red. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I took a deep breath and made a small smile. Life's beautiful. It was what dad used to say, and I agreed with him. I needed to live it at its fullest. I made a small sigh after motivating myself before grabbing a tissue and blowing my nose. "Remove all the toxic vibe just as I did to my snot," I joked to myself before throwing the tissue in the bin and leaving the bathroom, heading towards the door.

"Vanessa. Get out of there now, your Auntie Re—" she stopped saying midway when I flung the door open. She scrutinized me from head to toe before asking worriedly, "Oh, are you okay?"

"Yeah." I sniffed, feeling another load of snot crawling out of my nose. "I'm fine," I answered, but I knew that she knew I was lying. My face revealed the obvious truth that I was not okay.

"Are you sure that you're okay?" she tries to reassure, looking at me with her brows raised and forehead creasing, a sign that she's getting more worried.

"Is Auntie Rebecca and the others here? We shouldn't make them wait," I said, changing the topic, and began taking strides to the stairs. I heard mom's small steps following behind me.

"Do you need someone to talk to?" she asked as we walked to the staircase. I felt something gutted in my stomach when she asked that question, but I pretended that I didn't hear her instead of answering her.

"Vann?" she called for my name, and again, I ignored her. "Listen, honey, if it's about dad. It's not your fau—"

"Mom, I'm fine. I'm not thinking about it." I turned around and assured her. I didn't want to be reminded of what happened eons ago again. "It's just that..." I trailed off and made a small sniff. I'm sorry, dad. Let me use you as an excuse for a bit. "I just miss dad, that's all. I wasn't thinking about th—" I was cut midway when mom hugged me tightly.

"Sweetie," I heard her say in a small voice, "You still got Zach and me," she comforted. My heart melted in an instant, and all the heavy feeling in my chest evaporated. Mom.

I sniffed again and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her back. "I know. I love you guys."

The sweet moment ended later, and we both descended downstairs together, hand in hand and heart in heart. We found Auntie Rebecca, Angel, and Angie in the lounge, playing with Zach in his crib, seeming to get used to them.

When they saw us arrive, we all went to the dining room and took our respective seats, with Zach sitting on his high chair. My mouth watered at the sight of the food offered on the table. Mom cooked a hefty, and most of the food served were my favorites. There was meatloaf along with roasted chicken, baked potatoes, spring salad, tiramisu, baked fish fingers for Zach, and strawberry limeade for drinks. Everybody immediately started digging in before saying grace.

"So, Vannie," Auntie Rebecca started, cutting a slice of her chicken.

"Where will you be transferring school?" she asked, looking at me with curious and concerned eyes. I know she wasn't prying or had any malicious intentions and was trying to catch up. But for an unknown reason, the question made me feel bothered and uncomfortable. There was nothing wrong that would happen if I answered a harmless question, right?

I swallowed the meatloaf that I was chewing, then answered, "Trinity Knight High School," and then grabbed a forkful of salad for another bite.

A sudden gasp was heard. I turned my head to where I heard it come from and found out it was Angie, who appeared to drop her fork, seeming surprised by my answer.

Her reaction got me nervous. Did I say something wrong?

"What's wrong, sweetie?" mom asked her. She looked at Angie and glanced down at the floor.

My sweet cousin immediately shook her head in response. "Nothing, Auntie. I just remembered something." Giving what seemed to be a nervous smile, she slowly bent down to fetch the fork.

Mom waited for her to get back up, then asked, "Tell us about it."

I saw Angel nudge her sister secretly with an elbow. The latter glared at her, and she took the advantage and leaned close. When she pulled away, I saw Angie give me a nervous glance before looking at mom with an excuse: "Uh, I suddenly remembered about the succulents that Angel and I left in our apartment. I forgot to water them."

"Oh right." Mom relaxed her back on the chair, her eyes looking upwards. "I remember you like to garden. Hmm, you were quite young back then and often went to the garden when you and Angel came to play," she reminisced, taking a bite of the baked potatoes.

Mom loved potatoes a lot which showed that she was glad when potatoes were presented on the table, and I'm pleased that she was enjoying this dinner. Over the past days after the accident and dad's death, we often ate takeout since she had been moping and often forgot about the time, so when it was time for a meal, and she hadn't cooked food, she'd offer to call fast food. Good thing I recovered hastily from my injuries after I was discharged and got to cook for my grieving mom and clueless younger brother.

"Haha, yeah. I discovered my love for gardening in high school," she replied shyly, lifting her glass for a drink, but I could still sense that she was previously uncomfortable.

Was it related to me transferring to Trinity Knights? I asked myself while digging in another cut from the meatloaf. I figured of texting either her or Angel after this dinner.

I turned my attention to Zach, who was beginning to play with his food, and fed him. I saw Angel sigh through my peripheral vision, making me wonder even more. Why did Angie act surprised earlier? What's up with Trinity Knight? Or maybe I was just overthinking, and Angie just really forgot her plants. Angel must've nudged her as a form of scold since she lost composure. Angel was the older twin and tended to look after her. Sigh. This overbearing my mind. I shouldn't ruin my mood of having a good dinner with them over my doubtful mind.

"Yes, that is true. She became the president of the Botany Club from tenth to twelfth grade," Auntie Rebecca said proudly, convincing me that I was just overthinking.

Dinner then went peacefully right after. It went lively when it was time for dessert, and we got to catch up with each other a lot more. Sadly, time flew by too fast, and it was getting late that they needed to leave. Carrying Zach, I accompanied mom walking them out the door. Mom and Auntie Rebecca shared their heartfelt goodbyes and began making a plan about a girl date that would happen God-knew-when. As long as it was with them, I'm in.

"It's nice to see you again, Auntie," I told Aunt Rebecca when I took my turn to bid them farewell. It was true, though. Aside from mom and dad, she was the only adult who witnessed me grow up and get to spend time with back then. She'd even let me do that things mom wouldn't allow me to. She was more like a second mom to me.

"Likewise, darling," she said, smiling sweetly at me. I felt my heart go mushy.

"I'd like to have some of your signature macaroons next time," I added. God, I missed those delish macaroons that she used to bake for us when I went to their house and played tea party with the twins. They were so fluffy and well-baked that I'd go crazy over them.

She giggled, her cheeks beating red. "Oh, of course, darl! You can visit me anytime you want since I'm all alone in the house now," she said, patting my arms. Somehow, I felt a little sad for her. Angie and Angel moved out to live in the metropolis since they were working on their respective degrees at a well-known university. It must be lonely for her to live all alone.

"I will, Auntie." I smiled at her and wrapped my arms around her for a hug. She stiffened for a second but eventually hugged back, patting my back as if she was comforting me, and said: "Everything will be fine, dearie."

With a smile still plastered on my face, I pulled away. "Thank you, Auntie."

This time, the twins came to us, and Auntie finally pulled away and talked to mom about their plan again.

"We'd like to ask for one final hug," said Angel with a broad smile on her face. Angel rarely smiled, so this moment was like a blue moon to me.

"Yeah, we'll be driving back to our apartment since we have class tomorrow," Angie said with a sad tone on the last part. She was the cheerful and most emotional twin. She worked like a happy pill to me back whenever I was sad. She always had her mysterious ways of cheering me up while Angel would sit beside me and comfort me with her presence. They were such important people to me, and it made me sad that I spent the last three years with them only on the phone, never even sharing real experiences that we could have.

"You girls." I bit my lower lip, restraining myself from shedding a tear, and took a step towards them, reached my arms, and engulfed them in a bear hug. It was so sweet of them to clear their schedule and drive all the way here just to come and welcome us back. I'm gonna miss them.

"We gave you our number. Give us a call!" Angie said after pulling away, and I nodded.

"Good night," I bid, waving a hand goodbye to them as they walked towards the twins' car that was parked nearby and drove off, slowly becoming farther away from the house.

Zach fell asleep in mom's arms, and mom asked me to bring him to his room and tuck him in while she washed the dishes since she knew how I hated doing that chore. I willingly obliged and carefully carried Zach in my arms, careful not to nudge him, then went upstairs to proceed with what mom asked me to do.

When I finished tucking him in and turning on his toys that played lullabies, I hurriedly went to my bedroom and took a quick shower, excited to get to bed as I was feeling tedious and sleepy. Tonight may only be a simple dinner, but it was an emotional reunion. It set me in a good mood and swept away my tedious spirits out of lacking sleep and feeling homesick, which drained my energy most entirely.

I was blowing my hair when my phone rang. I placed the hair blower off and walked towards the bed to grab my phone to see who was calling. I realized it was Nikki, calling for FaceTime. I smiled before sliding my thumb on the screen to answer. Immediately her face showed up in a close-up, and what I meant by close-up was a literal one. The phone was so close to her face that I could see her nostrils.

"Hi," I greeted, starting our conversation as I returned to the vanity table to dry my still semi-wet hair.

"Heeey!" she enthusiastically greeted, making me laugh in amusement. This girl never yielded her energy. She was a living energy drink. The view began getting smaller and shaky as I gradually saw the picture behind her. It looks like she pushed her phone further away to give me a good see. She was on the beach, and there was a bonfire, and by the burning color on her face, she was having lots of fun and alcohol tonight.

"How—hic! Ya doin'?" she asked, hiccuping. I clicked my tongue. This girl never changed.

Ever since she had a taste of alcohol, she always drank loads of bottles if she had the chance. It would sometimes worry me because she might get addicted to it. Which was why I asked the others to look out for her, especially if I was not around. It's to keep her under control and avoid heavy consequences in the end.

I was about to open my mouth to answer her, but a series of familiar voices from the other side interrupted.

"Who's that? Is that Van?"

"Is that Vanessa? Gimme the phone!"

"Who? Van?"

"Fucki—hic! Wait!" the view on the screen began getting a lot shakier, and I saw Nikki had her arm reached out like she was stopping someone. The picture then became clear and stiff, showing my buff friend, Seandhe, restraining a drunk Nikki by her arms.

"I think you've had enough alcohol," he commented as she struggled free from his grip.

"No am— hic! Not! Lemme g— hic! You buffoon!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, and the sound of my other friends laughing emerged in the background.

The view soon took a turn and showed Harley's skinny face. "Sup there, Vannie? Everything doing well out there?" he asked, his eyes full of concern.

"Yup," I answered, popping the p, "I was just getting ready for bed," I said, then double-tapped the screen and then the one with "..." to flip the camera, slowly moving my phone to give them a good show of my room.

I take pride in my room designing skills. It started when I saw dad designing my room and asked me to help him design it so he could get a good picture of the design I wanted. I have always been a critical critic ever since and would immediately express my opinion on almost everything. Not only did I get the room design that I wanted, but I also enjoyed doing it. Since then, I have developed my love for interior design, and I renovated my room by myself in the following years, though I'd ask for mom or dad's help if there were some things I couldn't do by myself.

When I had some friends over at home, and they complimented how nice my room was, I began to take pride in my work that I even considered pursuing my college degree and career in anything related to landscaping and interior designing.

I blinked and gasped when I realized I was thinking about my career path from a childhood memory. Oh, dad. He was the part of what mostly made the current me.

"Wow, is that your room?!" Katherine suddenly entered the picture, her face inching close to the screen. "It looks soo cool!" she squealed in delight and inched her face closer than what I could only see through the screen was her forehead. "Did you renovate it, or is it the old design before you left?"

"I only did a bit of renovation that matches my current taste since the previous owner didn't change it much. It still had the same design when we left back then," I answered proudly, nodding.

"As expected of you! Look, guys. Van's room is so aesthetic!" the view turned again and showed the rest of the gang.

"Uh-huh, so that is where Van used to sleep," Jay's head suddenly popped on the screen, his eyes filled with curiosity and his brows kissing.

"Oh, shut u— hic! Pervert!" I heard Nikki shout.

"Was that even an act of perversion?" Jay asked, confused as he began walking beside Harley, who was now holding the phone. I realized he was having a bottle of beer when he raised it to his lips and chugged all the contents down.

"If I say so!" Nikki's voice shouted again.

I tapped my phone to flip it back. "You guys having a bonfire at the beach?" I asked when I noticed Seandhe and Jay were walking to an open area with sand that had pitched tents, not to mention that there was fire behind them. It was our tradition to go out to the beach for a bonfire and sleep in tents.

"Yes. Nikki thought you shouldn't miss it," Katherine suddenly came and walked beside Jay. She looked at him and snaked her arms around his free arm. He then leaned close and kissed her forehead. Aw, this cute couple.

The view became blurry again and soon showed a breathtaking view of the sea, a burnt bonfire, and a large green tent, which I figured to be Jay's. The camera's view went closer to the spot where the bonfire and tent were, then soon began to shift angles. That was when I saw letters written on the sand using a stick and realized what message it was giving:

We miss you, Vannie!

"Oh, God..." I trailed off, my heart fattening at their sweet gesture. "You guys are sweet!" I exclaimed with my voice thick. I heard another set of laughing in the background with Nikki screaming what was happening. These people... gosh, why was I graced with so many amazing people?! This was so overwhelming.

"I miss you guys too." I held my necklace's pendant as I held in my tears and my exploding chest. Why was everything making me cry today? Was it "Make Vanessa Hathern Cry Day"? Damn, this sucked.

We continued to talk and catch one with each other. But most of the sharing was on me since they were pretty inquisitive and asked a myriad of questions. I told them everything about my recent activities, from our progress in moving our stuff to the little reunion dinner with Aunt Rebecca and the twins. However, I excluded details about Friso since I knew how they'd make a hate group against him. Poor guy would have a hate group from people he barely knew.

Even though we were miles away, we chatted and laughed with each other on the phone like we didn't have much distance between us. It was refreshing.

Nikki soon passed out after drinking too much, and we all called it a night. I bid my goodbyes and hung up the call. My hair was finally dry, so I went to my closet so I could finally wear my pajamas and hit the haystack.

However, as soon as I lay on the soft mattresses to sleep, I suddenly remembered what I took note of during dinner. It was to text Angie and her reaction when she heard I was attending Trinity Knight. I immediately grabbed my phone from the nightstand and ran my fingers hastily like they were on fire to send her a text quickly since I feared she might be getting some sleep, and the thrill was killing me! I wanted to know why she reacted that way now.

To: Angie

Hi, Ang! Sorry to send you a text late at night. But there's something that's been bothering me lately. May I ask you something?

From: Angie

Sure, no probs. What is it?

To: Angie

Remember at the dinner earlier where Auntie asked where I'd be transferring high schools?

To: Angie

I was wondering why you acted surprised when I answered I was going to Trinity Knights.

From: Angie

I already said it earlier.

From: Angie

I was just freaking out about my plants.

To: Angie

You're lying.

From: Angie

Am not.

To: Angie

Really?

From: Angie

Yup.

To: Angie

Do you solemnly attest that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

From: Angie

Yes, your honor.

To: Angie

Cross your heart, hope to die?

From: Angie

Does it have to go like that?

A small smile stretched on my lips at her response. Angie wouldn't renounce anything unless it meant betraying God or her life. Taking advantage of her caught off guard, I typed another series of texts.

To: Angie

You'd make a bad witness at court, you know.

To: Angie

Also, please tell me the truth.

To: Angie

I know you wouldn't be so worried about your plants since you always ensure they're okay before you go out.

To: Angie

Tell me, Angie.

To: Angie

Remember John 8:32?

To: Angie

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

"And sent!" I mumbled under my breath and sent the text, knowing she would admit the truth after these texts. Angie was quite a religious person, and Bible verses and things related to God were a big thing to her. It might be cruel to use it as a trigger, but I was dying to know. It took her a few minutes before reply.

From: Angie

Fine.

From: Angie

I'm telling you this because this isn't just for God.

From: Angie

You're trying to make me feel guilty for hiding something for you.

From: Angie

But I know I'm a terrible liar, and sharp people like you and Angel would easily find it out with just a glance.

From: Angie

I wasn't supposed to tell you this for your own good, Vann.

From: Angie

But since you wanted it.

From: Angie

I'll tell you the truth.

From: Angie

You'll find it out soon eventually anyways.

For an unknown reason,

From: Angie

Friso's attending Trinity Knight.

To: Angie

What?!

I couldn't contain my surprise at her text that I almost flipped to the edge of my bed. Gripping my phone tightly, I read the text all over and over to confirm if I really did read it right. God, of all places and schools around the state, why did he have to be attending Trinity Knight?! Why? Why? Oh, why?!

From: Angie

Also, you're not gonna like him now.

From: Angie

He acts like a total ass.

From: Angie

Like a total ass, even Angel agrees with me.

From: Angie

And you know she and I disagree in almost

✨anything ✨

My mouth gaped at the following message she sent. It seemed that I wasn't the only one who had a new impression on him. He turned out to be a complete asshole, huh? Even his mother's godchildren were thinking of him the same way as I was.

From: Angie

We visited him once to bring some cookies over, and Auntie Ally tried to push him to say hi to us but he only ignored her and slammed the door at our faces.

From: Angie

Talk about R U D E.

From: Angie

Auntie said that maybe he was just shy since we hadn't been much in contact since we got into college.

From: Angie

He rarely talked to us, and when he does, it wouldn't be longer than 10 words.

From: Angie

And rumors had been coming around lately.

From: Angie

Like he's become a bully and uses Uncle Hades' influence for his own advantage.

From: Angie

So for a heads up, I'm gonna recommend you not to get in his way.

From: Angie

Only God knows what he'd do after you two meet.

From: Angie

Considering what happened between you guys years ago.

I could only frown at her subsequent texts. Unfortunately, we had already met earlier, and what he did to me was heart-wrenching. His words, his actions, the way he looked at me. It was all downright cruel. I had been lamenting over my actions in the past, but it seemed it wasn't enough for punishment. Even so, Friso still had every right to be angry at me. I was the one who wronged our relationship first.

To: Angie

I can't understand how someone like him could change into someone you guys could call an "ass."

It was all I could text to her as a reply. I was completely and utterly surprised at his sudden change that I couldn't help but express it to someone. Sure, he wasn't an angel since back then, but at least he was gentle and always watched every word coming out of his mouth.

From: Angie

Also, just so you know.

From: Angie

That guy was nuts over you.

From: Angie

Like ever since.

I raised a brow at her series of texts. Friso had been crazy for me ever since? Sounds impossible. After all, I was the one who confessed to him first.

To: Angie

Really?

To: Angie

How so?

It took her a few moments to reply.

From: Angie

He transferred to public school to spend more time with you.

I covered my lips in surprise. My mind buffered as my eyes read every letter of every word, embedding each in my brain, processing them, and finally comprehending the entire text's meaning. He did that?! Friso? Were we still talking about Friso and not someone else?

But he told me before that his parents made him go to public school to make him experience not being a rich and pampered kid for once! Did that mean he lied to me? We had our sacred promise not to lie to each other. Was I the only one keeping it before then? Or was he deliberately acting differently towards me since the beginning? Why did it feel like I was being fooled?

To: Angie

He literally did that?!

From: Angie

He did.

From: Angie

Heard from mom that he fought with Auntie Ally and Uncle H for it.

From: Angie

He even threatened that he wouldn't go to school anymore unless it was the school you were enrolled in.

For the nth time, I was flabbergasted at the revelations popping out on my phone. Friso, who acted like a proper and perfect child in front of his parents, threatened them?!

From: Angie

He also threatened other kids that would come your way or tried to mess with you.

From: Angie

There are several other things he did.

From: Angie

But I'm not gonna mention them.

I hurriedly tapped on my phone to ask her to tell me more, but she sent another, which made me postpone asking.

From: Angie

Anyways, Vann. I need to go.

From: Angie

We just arrived home, and we have classes tomorrow.

From: Angie

So I think I should hit the bed now.

From: Angie

I don't wanna be late for tomorrow's lecture since that prof's quite critical in class attendance.

To: Angie

Sure thing.

To: Angie

Sorry to bother you, btw.

To: Angie

Pushed you a bit rough to make you tell the truth and even made you feel guilty for not telling the truth.

From: Angie

It's okay, gurl.

From: Angie

Imma hit the bed now. Good night.

From: Angie

Don't forget to avoid Friso, btw.

From: Angie

Boy's got serious issues.

To: Angie

Gotcha. Good night!

As soon as I hit send on my latest response, I turned my phone off and placed it on the nightstand so it could finally get some rest too. I didn't want to push it since I knew it was quite the long drive for her and Angel, and she had scheduled classes. I'd probably ask more about what Friso did back in high school once we were both free.

I placed my arm above my face, and the scene of my recent encounter with Friso flashed in my sight. I couldn't keep my eyes from welling at the sudden flashback. The way he looked, acted, and spoke earlier... it wasn't how he was. He was utterly different... like he was another person.

I bit my lower lip. Friso... what happened to you? Am I responsible for your current persona? Oh God, what have I done?

Maybe, if I acted more mature back then and given him the chance to explain, things could have been more different than the current situation. It wouldn't be like this. 

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Thank you for reading Bubble Gum Kisses! To keep up with my work, future works, and endless frustrations, you can find me on my Wattpad and social media accounts:

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