"How much is your budget for today's shopping?" Sam asked as we're walking inside the mall, we just arrived at the mall and I'm still debating in my mind where should we go first. 

"I don't have a certain budget, I'll get things if I want it." I said with a straight face, I hear him chuckle as we take the escalator. 

"Rich people things," I heard him mumbled which made me turn my head at his direction. 

"You're speaking as if you're not rich as well." I said face front, as the escalator goes up, a familiar face welcomed us by the 2nd floor. 

"Isn't that your friend?" Sam said pointing at the huge tarpaulin of Laura. 

An amazed expression flashed on my face, I nod as a response for Sam, my attention still focused on the tarpaulin. 

"Sam wait!" I said as we arrived at the 2nd floor and Sam was about to walk away, I pull my phone out of my bag and took a picture of it before sending it to Laura. She's probably busy by now because she still haven't noticed my messages. 

"Okay na?" Sam asked when I put my phone back to my bag, I look at him and nod before we entered the department store. 

"Let's get a bag first, then I'll get some shoes and clothes." I said and he just hum, we arrived at the backpack section, a black bag immediately caught my attention so I put it in the basket that Sam got for me. 

"This one is cute din diba?" I asked, showing him a pink bag that is the same as the black one I got, but the color is a bit pink and a peach one. 

He look at the bag before nodding, "Yes, it's beautiful din." he said and I nod before putting it in the basket as well, I started walking around the aisle to see if there's other bag that catch my attention.

"Let's go, wala na akong magustuhan." I said, he nod obediently and follow me towards the rubber shoes section. 

"These three looks cute diba?" I asked, showing him 3 pairs of shoes, he sat on the bench and look at three before nodding, 

"Yes," he shortly answered, I nod and call for the salesman and asked for my size. While waiting I sat next to Sam who's staring at the shoe rack. 

"Aren't you gonna look around and see if something catch your attention?" I ask, he faced my direction before flashing a small smile and shaking his head. 

"No, I still have new shoes, mom and dad bought shoes for me when last school year ended, I might use them for this school year. Plus I may just buy one anytime." he replied and I slowly nod, 

"I got used on buying new things before school starts or even before holiday." I replied while combing my hair with my finger. 

"Ako rin naman, for school and holiday, mamimili rin ako ng school supplies later." he replied and I nod. Soon after the shoes arrived and I started fitting the three, every time I would ask for Sam's opinion, he said it's good, I also like them so I put the three in another basket. 

I went to the next brand and look for some boots and some other shoes, I got another 2 since the two black boots caught my attention. After shopping for shoes, we proceed to the cashier and I paid for the things I got. 

"Ihahatid ko lang 'to sa sasakyan, saan kita hahanapin?" he ask, holding the three shopping bags. 

"I'll be at Dior store, meet me there." I said and he nods, he faced his back at me and started walking away, I started walking towards Dior's store and there I started looking for clothes. I got some printed t-shirt since the other clothes does not fit my liking. 

I'm already paying when Sam entered the store, "You're done shopping already?" he asked, both of his hands in his pockets. I nod as I hand the cashier tito's card. 

"Yes, I'll be off the next store, I just bought some shirts." I said and he nods, when I got the bag, we went to the other 2 stores and I bought some more shirts and pants before we proceed to the bookstore. Me and Sam parted ways as we enter the store, I have my own basket while Sam have his own and the shopping bags in his other hand. 

After spending half an hour going around the store, me and Sam paid for our stuffs and head out the store. 

"Dadalhin ko lang ulit ito sa sasakyan, saan tayo maglu-lunch?" he ask, holding five shopping bags. 

I slightly tilted my head, thinking if where should we eat. 

"Uhm... your restaurant, I want to eat there." I said and he nods, "Sure, my treat." he said and my brows furrowed, 

"No, I'm--"

"No buts, Louise, go there na." he cut me off before walking away, I  pouted while glaring at his back before I rolled my eyes. 

I arrived at their restaurant, but I don't want to enter yet because I'm shy and I'll feel uncomfortable if I sat there and looking around. I don't know what Sam wants so I'll wait for him before I get inside. 

Few minutes later I saw Sam walking towards me, when our eyes lock, his brows furrowed before he walk faster towards me. 

"Why are you outside? Come, nahihiya ka ba?" he ask, gently grabbing my wrist and pulling me inside. 

"Good afternoon sir," one of the staff said, he greeted back but continue to walk towards a table. 

He pull a chair for me where I sat and look around as he sat across me and a waitress immediately handed us a menu. 

"What do you want?" he ask while looking at the menu, I slowly play with the menu, not knowing what I want. 

I bit my lower lip, I don't even know what's the food here, I just know they own this restaurant. 

"Ahm... order for me, order the best here." I said, he glance at me before smiling and a silent chuckle escaped his lips. 

He started ordering foods, I would look up at it in the menu but there are no pictures which made me pout. After ordering a lot of foods, we gave the waitress back the menu and he look at me smiling. 

"What?" I asked in annoyed tone, his smile got wider before shaking his head, his arms crossed in front of his chest. 

"So why are you outside awhile ago?" he ask, raising a brow, I also crossed my arms and rolled my eyes. 

"Cause I was shy, nakakahiya kaya na naka-upo lang dito, and I was waiting for you of course. I don't know what you want to eat plus I don't know what's good here. It's my first time here kaya." I said, still in annoyed tone. He chuckled which made me roll my eyes. 

"Bakit galit ka?-"

"Hindi ako galit, nakakainis ka lang." I cut him off and he giggled again. 

We waited for the foods while using our own cellphones. I'm scrolling on my social media and watching random internet videos while he's playing something on his phone. Half an hour later, the foods arrived at once and it's a lot to the point that it almost didn't fit in the table. 

"Which one should I try first?" I asked him, he look at me before he pick up a plate of pasta. 

"This, I was the one who made the recipe for this one." he said and my eyes slightly widened while I watch him put some on my plate. 

"Wow really?" I ask, he nods and place the plate back down. 

I pick up my fork and  taste the pasta he gave me, my eyes widened when I realized it's actually good, he chuckled while watching me. 

"Good?" he ask and I nod before taking another bite. We started eating and both of us have a big appetite. At first I thought I won't like the foods since I'm picky but it actually turned out great! 

When I finished eating the main dishes, I proceed on the desserts that he ordered. Even the desserts are good! Their chocolate cake and the flan and puddings. I love it! 

"Split," I said when the bill arrived, he chuckled while pulling out something from his wallet, I hurriedly get my card from my wallet but as I look at the table, his card is already on the bill. 

"My treat." he said, giving stress on the word 'treat'. I can't do anything anymore so I just rolled my eyes and put my card back to my wallet. 

"Where are we going now?" I asked while we're walking inside the mall. 

"Do you like shirts?" he ask and I nod, 

"Oversized ones." I said and I hear him hum. 

"I know a place where you can buy clothes that are cheap and limited editions." he said, I stopped walking and he did too, my brows furrowed, "Where?" I asked, he smiled and started walking again so I followed him. I thought it is located inside the mall but I was wrong because we exited the mall and get inside his car. He drove away and to my surprise he brought me by the tiyange. 

"Tiyange talaga?" I asked when I went out his car, it's 1 in the afternoon and it's so hot in here. Why did he even brought me here? 

"Come," he said as he reach for my hand and pull me inside a store. 

"Ukay-ukay?" I ask, surprised that he actually brought me here. 

He smiled at me and let go of my hand before walking towards a hanging paper, 

"35 pesos each, such a good deal!" he said before walking toward the rack while I'm left by the entrance, my jaw dropped. I shake my head in disbelief before getting inside and start looking for shirts. 

"Aren't these dirty?" I ask while holding the shirts with the tip of my finger. 

"We will wash them before we wear them anyways." he said and I sigh before keep looking for shirts. And surprisingly, there are good ones! I can't believe it! 

"There you go, ang saya diba?" he ask and I just nod while going through each shirts. The chair that I pull next to me is full of shirts already and I lost count at 20+. 

I'm peacefully going through the shirts when Sam sudden tap me a bit hard. 

"What?!-"

"You're boyfriend  is here, on your right." he whispered, my eyes widened and I immediately look at my right and saw Inin eating siopao while leaning on a post. 

"Fuck, go hide! Hide!!" I push Sam away as I put down the shirts I got and went out the store. 

"Hey!! Inin!" I called him, he faced my direction and he look so shock to see me. 

"Uy!! Anong ginagawa mo dito?" he asked me, a wide smile crept on his lips. 

An awkward smile escaped my lips, "Well... ano, naglilibot lang, looking around, you know." I replied and he nods, 

"Ikaw? Anong ginagawa mo dito? Looking for a job?" I asked and he nods, 

"Nakapag-apply na ako kanina sa isang fast food chain, tanggap na nga ako kaya masaya na akong kumakain ng siopao ko." He replied that made the both of us chuckle. 

"Mag-isa ka lang ba? Is this your lunch?" I ask, pointing at his siopao. 

He shake his head, "Hindi, kumain na ako kanina, pahabol lang 'to, tsaka kasama ko yung dalawa kong ka-boardmate, naghahanap din ng trabaho, sabi ko sa kanila i-text ako kung saan ko sila kikitain." he replied and I slowly nod, 

"Ikaw mag-isa ka lang din?" he ask and I immediately nod, 

"Yes, mag-isa lang ako, pero paalis na ako maya-maya, kapag umalis kana." I replied and he nods, 

"Maya-maya lang din--- kita mo na, sila na 'to." he said when his phone beeped, he pull it out from his pocket and read the message. 

"Tingnan mo," he showed me his phone where the groupchat of them is flashed. Gosh, yung mga nickname nila parang sa group chat namin, kung ano-ano.

"Una na ako, ikaw ba?" he said as he put his phone back to his pocket. 

I smiled at him, "Sige na, alis kana, maya-maya ako." I said and he nods, 

"Gusto sana kita i-hug kaso amoy araw na ako, sa susunod nalang kapag amoy bagong tao na ako." he said which made me giggle, he started walking away but still facing me, waving at me and blew me a kiss. I blew a kiss back to him and waved back. When he's fully out of my sight, a sigh escaped my lips and I walk back towards the store where Sam is. 

I hear his foot steps walk towards me, "Damang-dama ko yung pagiging kabit ko." he joked with a grin on his face, I rolled my eyes and elbowed him on his side. 

[Gaga akala ko La Salle ka?!] Gwen shouted from the other line which made me slightly pull my phone away from my ear. 

"Sorry, nakalimutan ko sabihin." I said before standing up from the bed and looking at my reflection on the mirror. 

[Sira ka! Kung hindi namin makikita yung bio mo sa mga social media mo hindi namin malalaman na magiging Atenean ka! Gaga!] she shouted once again which made me giggle. 

"Hey, I--" I immediately shushed Sam who just entered the room. 

I widened my eyes at him, he froze on his tracks and mouthed a 'Sorry' before carefully walking pass by me. 

[May kasama ka ba diyan? Akala ko mag-isa ka sa condo mo?] she ask and my eyes slightly widened. 

"Oo nga, mag-isa lang ako, you're hearing something else?! Huwag mo 'kong takutin!" I exclaimed and she burst out laughing right after. 

[Biro lang, baka guni-guni ko lang, anyways, bye na bestie! Papasok na kami! Goodluck on first day of college!] she happily said that drew a smile on my face. 

"Okay, bye, goodluck din." I said and ended the call, 

"A friend?" Sam ask beside me who's fixing his polo. 

I sigh and nod, "Yes, a friend." I shortly answered before walking towards the bed to get my bag. 

"Tara na?" He ask, I nod and he grab his bag as well and we soon leave the condo. 

"Remember not to show people that we're super close. I don't want them to think we're a couple." I said when Sam finally parked his car. 

I hear him chuckle and he nods, "Sure, no problem, I got you." he said and I nod before opening the door for myself and going out his car. 

"Let's see each other sa cafeteria after your morning periods." he said when he went out his car, I just nod and walk away. 

I first got my class schedule, hectic of course. Tinitingnan ko palang ay nakakastress na, but I know I can take this. Every grade level just gets harder and harder, I just need to adjust and once I'm used to it, I'll be good. 

On the first room I entered, there are already students inside, there were even some that looked at me the moment I stepped inside the classroom. 

"Hi miss--" 

"I have a boyfriend." I said with a straight face, not even looking at the guy as I put my bag on the available seat. I hear the other guys beside him make fun of him as he didn't utter any word anymore. Buti nga, deserve!

As usual, we had to introduce ourselves first, when I told my name, someone ask if we own Texxus, a car brand that tito Thiago does own. And of course I said yes. When I went back to my seat, some girls ask if my hair and eyes are natural, I answered them nicely since they seem nice too and just curious. Reminds me of Ali and Jax actually. 

On my second period, we did the same, but this time no one asked anything which I am glad. The subject is a minor subject but the teacher immediately discussed a lesson. Things even escalated so quickly. Hindi ko namalayan ang oras at lunch break na pala. 

to Ponce:

Where are you? I'm at the cafeteria na, I'm hungry so come here quick, if not kakain ako mag-isa!

I hit send before rolling my eyes, I've been waiting here for 2 minutes na but Sam is nowhere to be found. It's getting crowded here already and we might be able to get a table for us. 

"Ugh, Sam ang tagal mo!" I whined while slightly stomping my feet on the ground, my arms crossed. 

"Nakakainis ka--"

"I'm here na, huwag ka nang magalit." I hear his voice behind me which made me face him. 

I sigh, "Finally, come on, gutom na ako!" I said and grab him by the wrist and brought him to the vendors that are selling foods. 

"How was classes?" He ask while we're eating by the benches far from cafeteria. 

"It was... I don't know, bland. Nothing special happened." I said, I felt his gaze at me so I look up at him also. 

"What?" I asked, "What do you mean by something special?" he ask, I slightly tilted my head. 

"Well... may nag-away, may nag sigawan, may nang-away sa akin, may inaway ako, something like that." I said, he suddenly choked on his foods and started coughing. 

"What... the fuck? HAHAHAH! I... didn't know you like those kinds of things." he said between his coughs, 

"Marami kang hindi alam tungkol sa akin." I said before taking a bite of my food, he grab his water bottle and took a sip. He place the bottle down on the table, "Well... I hope to discover those soon." 

"Hey! Kamusta ang first semester ng college?" I happily ask Ali while removing my shoes, I just got home from a date with Inin and I realized that Ali have been silent these past months, and first semester just ended! I have a week break! Everyone does, I hope Ali have one too. 

[It was great, haha.] Of course it's not, not with those tone. 

"What happened? Are you okay?" I asked concerned, starting when she flew to US, she got less jolly, we barely hear anything from her. 

[Gaga ka! Huwag mo na akong tanungin if okay lang ako, maiiyak nanaman ako eh.] she said and that's when I knew she isn't okay. 

"Studies ba? Homesick?" I ask, sitting down on the bed. 

I hear her soft sobs which made me a bit sad as well, [Ano, stress, pressure, homesick, studies, yung lolo ko na umampon sa akin. Everything actually, natututo na ako na magtago ng emotions ko, he's to strict, I need my mama and papa, Lory, miss ko na sila. Dapat pala talaga hindi na ako pumayag na maging scholar ng lolo ko." she cried, her sobs got louder and louder. so these are what she's been holding for months now? 

"Ali, you know hearing how sad you are, nakakapanibago, you're making me cry." I said as I wipe the tears that just flow down my cheeks. Ali sounded so weak right now, her voice cracking just makes everything emotional. 

[Sorry,] she said and I immediately shook my head as more tears stream down my cheeks. 

"Why are you saying sorry? Sira ka! Calm yourself down, inhale-exhale." I told her as I do the same, 

[Sige na, I have to go, tapos na ang breakdown minutes ko.] she said, ending it with a giggle which somehow brought a smile to me too. 

"Okay okay, bye, take care!" I said, [You too, bye.] And with that she ended the call, I place my phone down on the bed, wiping my tears away. 

"Are you okay?" I look up at Sam who's holding a cup of tea. I slightly pouted and shake my head. 

"Not really, for the first time, I heard my bestfriend open up to me, and hearing her cry makes me cry as well." I said as another batch of tears stream down my cheeks. 

He place the cup on a table and walk towards me, kneeling down on in front of me, "Hug?" He ask, spreading his arms wide, I stare at him for few seconds, debating in my mind if I should. He's just doing this to comfort me, nothing else. 

I slowly lean forward to him and when my chest hit his, he closed his arms and hug me tight where I started crying more. 

"I'm the one who's always opening up to her, she would check on me if I'm okay or not and she's always there to listen, but I barely do that to her. Cause I always thought she's okay, she always looks and sounds okay, hearing her breaking down right now makes me emotional and somehow feel bad as  a friend." I cried on his shoulder, I felt his hand slowly caress my back, 

"I hope her suffering ends, I hope I'm with her or someone else is with her to comfort her. I wish I can comfort her, I'm such a bad friend." I cried harder, I just know she's in a hard time right now. I feel bad that I'm doing okay and fine while she's going through things. 

"Hey, ssshh, you're not a bad friend--"

I pull away from the hug and glared at him, "I am--"

He cupper both of my cheeks, faces inches apart, "Your friend would feel more upset if she finds out that her bestfriend feels like a bad friend."