Naomi is right, the new school year is about to start in just two weeks.

I wonder if I will be able to spend more time with them once it starts, probably not.

"Hi Briar! Why the long face?" I see Taehyung walking towards me, he took the spot beside me trying to cool off the heat, under the shade of the big tree.

This is where we usually hang out. It's breezy out here and the mango tree is near my house.

"Huh?" I answer, clearly spacing out.

"I said don't frown... you still look pretty frowning, but I like it better when your smiling."

I smack him in the shoulder before I cover my cheeks, now red in embarrassment.

"Kim Taehyung stop with the tease!"

"Alright, alright, just saying, you know its true though! Anyways, you're by yourself, where's Naomi?" he said wincing, as I may or I may not have hit his shoulder a bit too hard.

"Naomi needs to take care of her little sister, so she can't hang out with us today. And Bo Gum?" its my turn to ask as Taehyung seems to be the only one who gets to see Bo Gum lately.

"Oh-ah, he said he needs to get his school stuff ready." Taehyung said while scratching the back of his head.

"Already? True, schools about to start, hmn- you think I should probably buy my school supplies now?"

"My mom's waiting for the sale." He said.

"My mom's probably waiting for that as well." I told him. "I wonder when is the next sale gonna be?"

"I have an idea, when the sale begins, why don't we buy school stuff together?" he said enthusiastically.

"With our moms?" I ask him with my 'are you serious' tone of voice.

"No silly! It'll just be the two of us, we're old enough to buy our own things, aren't we?"

"I don't know, I mean mom wouldn't mind me buying on my own, but with a guy? That's a different story."

It's true, mom doesn't even like me hanging out with the two so much. That's why we can only hang out while she's at work and then part ways when she's back at home.

I'm assuming its probably because she thinks one of them will court me, just like how Naomi speculates. And she wouldn't allow that. She's very specific when she told me, I'm not allowed to go on dates until I finish school-- that includes University.

"Ohh-" he sounds downhearted. "I was hoping we can go shopping together so I can buy you like a notebook or something."

"A notebook Tae??"

"Or something, not necessarily a notebook, maybe something like a pretty stationary, isn't that what girls like? Looking at something pretty when they write."

I have to admit, I'm a bit surprise because Taehyung seems to be knowledgeable about what girls like. Well, probably not all girls, but out of all the things he could possibly think of, he mention the thing that I like, as a girl- writing on a pretty stationary.

"Are you not fond of writing Briar?" he ask again, seeing that I'm not responding.

"Well, I do love to write. I like writing quotes, poetry and a little bit of short story."

"So I'm right?! Yes!" he exclaims, while pumping his fist.

Looking at Taehyung like this, I can't help but wonder if he is even aware of his two sides. One that is very manly, intimidating and the other like a cute little child. I noticed that shortly after our tutorial in duelling.

You can see him use that look when his staring his opponent down. But when he lose, oh boy! He is such a child, when acting like a sore loser. I wonder how he takes rejections, probably not a good sight to see.

"Okay, I wouldn't want you to get into trouble with your mom, so just tell me what kind of notebook would you be interested in?"

"You serious?"

"Yeah! Serious serious!"

"You don't have to do that Tae."

"All right, maybe not a notebook then, what else do you like?"

Even his curiosity is that of a child. We spend almost that whole afternoon talking about our likes and dislikes.

The sun's down and this is usually the time when mom comes back from work, so we 're about to part ways and just saying our goodbyes when the neighbourhood's two mean girls decided to ruin my almost perfect afternoon.

"Hi Tae! Wanna hang out with us?"

"Hi Taehyung! Come with us!" both of them said at the same time, flashing that big smile on Tae as they slowly passes by.

When their eyes met mine, that huge smile turns into a frown and they gave me a really cold deadly gaze, I could almost tell they're already imagining killing me in their minds.

Taehyung, sparing me the trouble of getting into fights with them, which what they are known for, greets them back have some small talk then leaves in the opposite direction.

I on the other hand goes and open our gate to get inside when I heard one of them say, "Tch! Such a flirt! First Bo Gum and now Tae?!Hmp!"

I turn around trying hard not to say a loud EXCUSE ME!! It really made my hand turn into a fist, controlling my emotions like this. I know its pathetic that all I can do is glare at the back of those two.

But, I swear if it wasn't for the fact that my mom raise me properly so that I won't stoop down their level, I would have been down for a cat fight.

💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮
𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐁𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐈𝐓 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋
💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮💮

I'm looking at our school's huge welcome banner and thought,

This is it! Today is the start of the final days of my High School year. Lets make the most out of it! Just like how I make the most  out of my summer break.

By making the most of it I mean, staying at home, sleeping, managing the shop and hanging out with Bo Gum, Naomi and Taehyung... Although towards the end its mostly just, Taehyung.

I actually thought its just gonna be a day or two that he will not hang out with us but who needs a week even two weeks to get their school stuff ready?
Unbelievable!

And here I thought after the fight were going to make up for the months we've lost.

I mean, no offence to Tae, I like spending time with him and he sure cheer me up quite often this past few days. And I appreciate that side of him.
It's probably that obvious that I'm affected by Bo Gums sudden disappearance. I just didn't expect him to put up a barrier again, like what did I do this time?

Anyways! Its first day of school, let's cheer up okay!

I walk through the huge hallway of the school and notice how the walls are newly painted. It looks like even the chairs are replaced. Done with the wooden long ones and in with the still wood but individual arm chairs.

Almost everything's changed.

I know it's probably wishful thinking but I really hope, that in the new roster of students, they're still my classmates. It's really hard for me to meet new people let alone join a new circle of friends, so please please let me be classm--

"BRIAR!!" my prayers seems to be answered as I hear that squeal. Then I'm suddenly engulfed in a hug from none other than, "Kr-Krizsh, you're choking me!" I told her while I'm tapping her arms so I can breathe.

"I miss you so much!!"

I must say, I miss that loud voice. "I miss you too Krizsh." I'm as excited as her but I can't really keep up with her energy.

My high school days are somewhat saved ever since I befriend this girl. There's not a single day in class that is boring when I'm together with her. Well, probably not a single day in class- except for when the subject is Math. Yeah, even her energy's drained during Math class.

Which proves that we would utterly fail it, if it wasn't for the help of...

"Briar! Krizsh!" we both look at whose calling and see Gabriella standing in front of our classroom waving at us.

We go to her and as usual the moment she's within reach, Krizsh pull us in for a group hug.

"I saved you guys seats." Gabriella said as she point out the seats right there in the middle of the room. Not too near the teachers table as to draw their attention but not to far as to not hear the discussion.

Perfect! She always know where the best seats are.

We occupy the last three seats in that row, mine being the corner one next to the windows. I love seating here, especially when our room is on the fourth floor of the building. I can feel the touch of the cold morning air.

We put down our bags and settled in.

"So, what's new with you?" Krizsha ask the both of us.

"Same as always. Gone to my province and back." Gabriella said. Probably because she is the oldest of us three, she's more mature and hates beating around the bush, just like her answer. Simple and straight to the point.

Krizsha on the other hand is the exact opposite. No wonder after I answered, "same old same old, just helped out uncle with the computer shop," she goes on telling us her entire vacation - the very detailed version. Like, she literally start with 'Ok so first day of my vacay...'

She's quirky and fun like that. We were listening to her telling us how this one time during vacay she went to the neighbourhood of her current crush, hoping she would see him and we we're waiting for her to tell us what happened next, when something or probably someone caught her attention as she suddenly changes the topic.

"Gurls! Lalaine and Adriel just pass by the hallway holding hands!! I knew those rumours were true!"

Gabriella and I look back almost immediately but just caught sight of the back of the two.

"Apparently Mr. and Ms. Popular is now a couple and I've also heard they're still in the same class as we are." Krizsh continued.

Gabriella just shrug, clearly not interested.

"I wonder why there not coming in." I'm literally just curious as to why they just pass by our room if they're our classmate too.

"Probably parading their relationship, Briar, you're not jealous are you?" Krizsha teasingly said that had my eyes rolling.

Here we go again!

"Krizsh.. How many times must I tell you that Adriel was never my cru--."

And she cut me off saying, "Honey! The whole school saw you crying when him and Lalaine slow dance in the middle of the room." she said. I smile in indignation, thinking if she keeps this up I will pull that pouting lips of her.

"Krizsha! Stop teasing Briar, we know exactly what really happened there." She's being let off pretty easy as Gabriella just scold her.

"You're within my reach Krizh." I give her my warning.

"I'm joking! I'm joking! Don't hit okay." She said raising her arms as if to say 'I give up'. She did move a bit away from me.

Good, she gets the warning. I know, its a bad habit of mine to hit others when I'm irritated or embarrass with the teasing or even when I'm just telling a funny story. If you're near me, expect to be hit. I'm working on it as sometimes it does hurt and leaves a mark.

"Its not entirely my fault you know. Briar's so fun to tease. I mean look at her pouting her lips like that."

This girl! Where do you get all the courage to still--Okay, breathe in breathe out, control yourself. I just massage my temple trying to forgive my friend's crazy antics.

At that moment the teacher walks in and ask all the students to come inside for the checking of attendance.

I look out the window and close my eye feeling the breeze.

If I remember correctly, that dreaded day started almost exactly like this. It was free period last year and as always, I sat at the corner of the room just listening to the music the class played. Staring out the classroom window feeling the rhythm.

I admit it was my bad I didn't have enough control over my emotions so the sad song in itself is enough to make the 14 year old me cry. And it was a very very wrong decision on my part to turn around with tears flowing in my eyes just as the two, Lalaine and Adriel, was forced by all to slow dance in the middle of the room.

But, making it a big deal and spreading false information like I cried because of them dancing, is clearly the mistake of those who's misinterpret the scene. That issue was blown out of proportion and I was labelled as someone who's head over heels with our batch, Mr. Popular.

Clearly the guy has some other issue so as soon as that fire ignited, it was replaced with another one and mine thankfully got buried in a ditch.

And I plan to keep it that way until we graduate.