Chapter 11

[Santino Auburn's Point of View]

It feels better when I've finally realized,

That I'm done with Keisha. But thanks to Zoe, if I weren't been eavesdropping, I would be still stuck in that spot.

So I'm Santino Auburn.

I live here in my small house and this house, is from my Grandmother's and she died in the year 2015. I can still remember when she was still here. She's scary though.

So this house is old and looking scary, but there's no ghost or something.

And I forgot to tell you that I live alone here. So, where's my Dad?

I hold the picture frame of my family as I sat down on the dusty couch and look up to this picture frame.

Oh well, he's in another town for business and chosen family. Glad he still trust me to live all by myself here after I've been in a stupid situation before in the Guidance.

And to my half-sister, she's with my parents.

[Telephone rings]

I checked my wristwatch before I answer the call.

Oh, 9:15 P.M? who would call at this time?

"Hello?"

"Santino"

"Dad?"

Tomorrow morning, I decided to go to the town where my Dad lives. My Dad wants to see me though. I don't know what's going on but it's urgent. I need to be there as soon as possible.

As I sat on the bench waiting for a bus to arrive, I saw Keisha and Nico holding each other's hand. It makes me feel a little jealous. I keep staring at their smile, it really tells them that they're really happy.

After my realization, I never thought I would choose Keisha's Happiness. I love her but realization hits me. I love her but her happiness is more important.

[Bus beeps]

While riding on the bus, I saw Zoe and her friend I guess? They were walking in the street. What coincidence today, I met a people I know.

I smiled while looking at them.

Thank you, Zoe.

But wait,

Keisha and Nico are just a little miles away from Zoe.

I called my friend Niño on the phone, waiting until it rings.

So what's my plan? I don't know, but Nico is already happy with Keisha, my ex-girlfriend. Now, it's time to make Zoe realize that she deserves a better man who sees her heart than her best friend Nico.

"Hello, Santino where are--"

"Yeah but hang on, look this is emergency, I need Zoe's phone number"

"What?"

This is only just helping, Zoe.

[End of Santino Auburn's Point of View]

[Zoe Gomez's Point of View]

Oh, Dad, I can't believe Kelly and I are back again. Our friendship is back. If you were here, you would be happy for me. You would take us out for a picnic with mom. For it's like a family.

"Zoeee!"

"Oh, who's calling me like in need of help?" I act like a madame and raising my natural eyebrows and smiled.

"Oh, its--- no I don't know of them but they're calling you?" Kelly was like oh

I-don't-know-them look.

They were running like in a rush and their faces seem really familiar to me.

Until they're becoming near us and I was like,

Santino's friends?

Jaw-dropped "Now what do they want?"

"Oh, you know them? Where did you get them? They look trashy I mean, look! They're looking like a digging from a trash bin."

And now that they're in our way. They breathe in and out and Kelly offered bottled water.

"Thanks" he drank it all up

"Hey, Niño! You drank it all up!"

So he's Niño?

"Sorry Kenneth, I was thirsty don't worry I'll buy you a drink later"

So he is Kenneth?

"Did you guys digging in the trash bin?" Kelly laughs

I thought they will take it seriously, but glad they know that Kelly was just joking but its true, they look like been digging from the trash bin.

"What's with the rush?" I crossed my arms and raises my left eyebrow.

"Oh yeah, hey Niño hand her the paper"

Niño handed me a paper and it seems like a survey?

"A survey?"

"From where department are you?"

Kelly starts to act like naughty to Niño.

Yup, she's like that.

"Culinary arts"

"Cool!"

"It's a survey and please fill everything in the blank like, right now."

No doubt, We filled everything up.

After that Kenneth and Niño thanked us and ran away.

"He's cute" Kelly gave a lip bite

"Crazy! Which one?"

"That guy named Niño"

"Ooooh! Okay then let's go."

After one minute, my phone rings and it's a call from unknown number. I checked my wristwatch.

6:38 am?

"Who would call at this time? My mom is on duty, Uncle Ben used only letters for communication."

"Just answer it, maybe it's important"

"Hell-"

"Hey, Zoe?"

It's a familiar voice but---

"Who's this?"

"The guy who loves to wear faded blue cap"

"I'll go into the car first" Kelly reminded as I nodded "Right Santino, first is from your friends who came looking like a-- nevermind! and now!"

As I turned my head to the left side "What do you want---" 

[End of Zoe Gomez's Point of View]

[Santino Auburn's Point of View]

"Hello, Zoe? You okay?"

"Hey, Zoe?"

"Hey, it's me shrimp head!"

"Helloo?"

After a second, I heard her phone crashed

Which really made me worried about her.

"Zoe? You okay there?"

"Hey, Zoe?"

"Zoe!"

Maybe Zoe saw them two, holding each other's hand and looking happy together.

Girls are emotional and I know for the fact, that she's one of that 90 percent.

"Hey, Zoe! I thought you already said that you chose Nico's happiness? Then what's with the face of you there? Huh? You taught me how to get myself back, loving myself back again and the realizations from you! but why can't you apply it to yourself? Huh?!"

"Zoe, answer me!"

She's still not answering me, Is she crying then?

The people on the bus are already staring at me, their faces were like I'm too annoying or I'm too loud inside this bus.

"Uhh Hello Santino, you there?"

Her tone of voice changed.

So this is Zoe when she gets sad huh?

"Sorry, my phone dropped" I heard her sniffed back her tears.

I silent for seconds.

I feel you, Zoe

"Wanna hear music?" I asked gently

"I'm not in a mood, we better talk after class okay?"

Before I could say Okay, she already ended the call.

I'm absent in class today, just for today.

My parents want to talk to me. So I better be there for the news.

[End of Santino Auburn's Point of View]

[Zoe Gomez's Point of View]

[Now playing You are my sunshine by Jasmine Thompson Cover]

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping

I dreamed I held you in my arms

When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken

So I bowed my head and I cried

"I know you love him, but don't let yourself lose for a guy who doesn't see your heart. It's easy to say, but I just want you to accept the fact that he's not the right one for you" Kelly said it gently as she was driving and I'm here sitting beside her watching the people, the trees and the sun as we pass them through.

But my tears, just fell.

Until I burst out my tears and feelings as I covered my eyes.

I do really love him.

I do

I love Nico so much

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are gray

You'll never know, dear, how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away

After we arrived at school, though we are a little late. The working-scholar reminded us that she's not going to attend the class because she's about to handle an exam from another department. So we're free to go during her class hour.

"Okay uh, Zoe I'mma just go to comfort room, I need just to change my napkin okay? Be right back" Kelly said as she was in a hurry and I just nodded and smile.

I've always loved you and made you happy

And nothing else could come between

But now you've left me to love another

You have shattered all of my dreams.

Nico must suppose to sit here right next to me but I think he already knew that Mrs. Pink isn't going to attend the class that's why he's still with Keisha.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are gray

You'll never know, dear, how much I love you

I get my phone and clicked call logs then I saw Santino's unsave number, but I saved it anyway.

But wait.

"Where did he get my number?"

Please don't take my sunshine away.

I breathe in and say,

"Nice, survey Santino. Very nice."

I said it to myself.

[End of Zoe Gomez's Point Of View]