"There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true." -Soren Kierkegaard

Always be careful, Gabrielle. Not everything you see is true. Have a nice day! -H💋

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"Hey, Shine. You go ahead. I left something in my locker," I told Shine while we were walking to first period.

"Okay, but hurry up. Class is about to start soon," she reminded and I gave her a quick nod before walking to my locker.

As I approached the hallway where my locker is located, I instantly saw Ian looking at my locker. My eyebrows furrowed while staring at him.

He shook his head while looking at the red object he was holding. He looked around if there is anyone in the hallway so I immediately hid inside the janitor's closet. When he was done doing his background search or something, he quickly slid the object he was holding inside my locker and then walked away.

When the coast is clear, I ran out of the janitor's closet and opened my locker. I grabbed the thing he put in here which turned out to be a red envelope. It was addressed to me and when I examined what's inside, my eyes widened to see that it was a letter from my secret admirer.

I held on to my mouth while reading. Could Ian be my admirer? If so, then why would he do this while dating Faith?

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"Hey, Gab!" Faith greeted while setting her tray on the table. I looked at her and instantly, I felt uncomfortable when I saw that he was with Ian.

"Hi, Faith, " I greeted back. "Ian." I gave him a small nod, acknowledging his presence.

When they sat down, I couldn't help but think about what happened earlier. Faith was telling me something and all I can answer were nods.

I kept glancing at Ian. I badly wanted to ask him but Faith is still here and I'm not sure if I want her to know.

Faith then told us that she'll just order a fruit cup which left me and Ian alone in the table.

"Ian, " I said, getting his attention.

He raised his eyebrows. "Yes, Gabbie?"

"Uhmm... I saw you a while a–"

"I'm such a nice friend. I got the both of you desserts, " Faith said when she returned. She handed me and Ian a fruit cup.

"Thanks, love, " Ian said.

"Thanks, Faith." I gave her a small smile.

"You're welcome, babies, " she said before opening her cup. I did the same and just ate quietly, still bugged that I wasn't able to ask Ian.

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"What's that?" Faith asked when she saw me holding the red envelope while I'm fixing my things.

"Huh? It's nothing, " I said, hiding it in my back.

She furrowed her eyebrows. "You've been acting strange lately.  A while ago, you were just nodding at everything I say, and while we were practicing, you seem like you are not really into it. Are you okay?" she asked, putting her hand on my forehead.

I sighed before removing her hand. "I'm okay, " I lied. The thought of Ian putting the red envelope inside my locker has been bugging me all day long.

I want to ask him if he is my admirer but I get all tongue-tied whenever I get the chance to ask him. I'm now contemplating on whether I should tell Faith or not. I mean, she could ask Ian without any hesitation.

"You don't sound okay, Gab. Please tell me what's wrong, " she said.

I groaned. "Faith, I don't know what's happening but I think there's something you should know."

"You're scaring me, Gab." She chuckled.

"This morning, I saw Ian insert this in my locker." I handed her the envelope. "I've been wanting to ask him all day but I'm scared. Probably scared to know the answer."

She read the letter inside and she held onto her mouth when she saw that it was from my secret admirer. "He wrote this?" she asked.

"I'm not yet sure, " I answered.

"We'll get some answers now, " she said, picking up her bag and walking out of the auditorium.

"Faith, wait, " I said, grabbing my bag and running after her.

While walking to the exit of the school, I can't help but feel nervous. Faith doesn't look very happy right now and it's another reason for me to get anxious.

"We have to talk," Faith said when she was approaching Ian who was leaning on his car. I stopped by the tree just a little bit farther away from them.

"Hey, baby. What's up?" he asked, walking a bit to meet Faith.

"Explain this to me." She handed him the red envelope.

"What's this?" he asked, examining the envelope.

"Gabbie told me that you slid this inside her locker. This is a letter from her secret admirer," she answered.

"Babe-"

"Do you like Gabbie? Don't you want to be with me anymore? Are you trying to hit on my best friend?" she asked, her voice cracking a little.

"I do like Gabbie," Ian said, making Faith fall to her knees. I ran to her and hugged her. She started to sob profusely.

"Why? Why does it have to be my best friend?" Faith asked.

"Faith, I don't like Gabbie," Ian said, making the both of us look at him with a confused expression on our faces.

"You just said you like her!" Faith hissed.

"I mean, as a friend. You didn't let me finish." He laughed which made Faith get out of my grasp and started smacking him on his arm.

"You f*ckin' a*shole! I don't curse but you're so annoying! How could you do that to me?!" Faith said while hitting Ian over and over.

Ian couldn't stop laughing. "I'm sorry, okay? Stop crying, love. You're the only one for me," he said, grabbing Faith's arm.

"I hate you." Faith crossed her arms.

"I love you too," he said before standing up and helping the both of us rise as well.

"Then who is that envelope from?" Faith asked.

"I don't know. Gabbie's secret admirer put it in my locker instead of hers. Maybe he got confused for a bit and forgot Gabbie's locker number," Ian answered. What he said could be a possibility because our lockers are close to one another. I feel so stupid now. Gabbie, why haven't you thought of that?

"You didn't see who put it there?" I asked. He shook his head.

"I should've told you. I didn't think anyone would see me because there aren't any people in the hallway which is why I thought you wouldn't know," Ian told me.

"It's fine, Ian. I'm sorry for not confronting you about it," I said.

"It's all good, Gabbie." He smiled and I smiled back.

"I actually thought you like her." Faith rolled her eyes.

Ian gave her a sweet embrace. "Gabbie is like a sister to me. I would never think of dating her," he said, caressing Faith's cheek.

"Likewise, dude. Even if you are really my secret admirer, I wouldn't go out with you," I said.

"I'm sorry, love," Faith said, pouting.

"It's alright, love," Ian answered before pulling her into a kiss.

I immediately felt uncomfortable so I cleared my throat. "Get a room, you two. I don't want to see that sh*t," I said, feeling disgusted.

They pulled away after that and laughed at my reaction. I just rolled my eyes before pushing them closer to Ian's car.

"Don't you dare suck each other's faces in front of me again," I said watching them get inside the car. They just laughed before waving goodbye. I did the same and watched them leave.

I sighed before walking back to my spot and picking up the envelope that Ian dropped when he comforted Faith. I looked at it and examined it. "Who are you? Why are you driving me insane?" I asked, hoping the envelope will answer me when it really can't. "And why use a red envelope? Others use white or pink but why red?"

"Red is the color of extremes," someone said from behind, making me jump from shock. I faced the person who spoke and saw Xander, standing behind me.

"Xander, " I whispered.

He smiled at me. "Do you know what the color red symbolizes?"

I shook my head.

"As I've said, it's the color of extremes. The color red symbolizes extreme anger, extreme hatred, and extreme danger. It's the color of blood, but it can also symbolize extreme seduction, extreme passion, and extreme..."

"Extreme?" I said, urging him to finish his sentence.

His hazel eyes looked directly into mine. I wanted to look away but he's gaze was so tantalizing and I think I forgot to breathe when he mentioned the word, "Love."