Three: Friend Request

"I saw that!" Eve eyed me teasingly.

"Me too, I saw it!" Sydney said, and they both smirk at me.

"There's something about the way they stare towards each other, right?" Sydney teased.

"Stop it, you guys! It was nothing, okay?" I rolled my eyes at them.

"Really? It was nothing?" Eve teased.

"Whatever," I roll my eyes. Eve and Sydney both laugh. They enjoy tormenting me when it comes to Jaco. I stood up from my seat and walked away from them. I went to the guest room, got inside, and closed the door. I saw my two luggage-bags beside the bed: I opened it and got my pajamas, then went inside the bathroom, and had a quick shower. I changed into pajamas and went out to the bathroom. I lay down and let myself get comfortable on the bed.

I look up at the ceiling and stare at it…

*Flashback*

An alert tone rang, notifying me I got a notification from my Facebook account.

You got one friend request from Jaco Russ Davis from Facebook.

Jaco? Who is this guy? We have one mutual friend. Hmm, who is this guy? I looked it up and saw Sydney's Facebook account on it. Oh, Sydney's our mutual friend? I should ask Sydney if she knows Jaco. I search for Sydney's name on messenger. Great! She's online right now.

Chloe: Hi Bessy!

Sydney: Hello Bessy! How are you?

Chloe: I'm fine, how about you?

Sydney: I'm fine too.

Chloe: Bessy, I have to ask you something.

Sydney: What is it, Bessy?

Chloe: Do you know a guy named Jaco Russ Davis? You guys are mutual friends on Facebook.

Sydney: Oh, yes! I know him. He's actually my childhood friend. Why?

Chloe: Hmm, he actually sent me a friend request on Facebook. Oh! Really? He's your childhood friend.

Sydney: Yes, Bessy, he is my childhood friend. Jaco is from San Juan. Grandma's neighbor.

Chloe: Cool. How did you guys know each other?

Sydney: I grew up in San Juan. Remember my Nanay will let me stay in their house whenever my parents are not around? Well, my Nanay and Jaco are practically neighbors. Jaco and other neighbor kids are my playmates too!

Chloe: Ohh, that's why. Do you think I already saw this guy?

Sydney: Yeah, I think so.

Chloe: Whenever we'll have a family gathering in San Juan, can you introduce me to him?

Sydney: Sure! I will. Anyways, I have to go offline.

Chloe: Alright!

Sydney is offline.

After I chatted with Sydney, I accepted Jaco's friend request on Facebook.

You're now friends with Jaco Russ Davis.

Jaco Russ is online.

You've got 1 message from Jaco Russ Davis.

Jaco: Hi ☺

Chloe: Hello? ☺

Jaco: How are you?

Chloe: I'm good, how about you?

Jaco: I'm fine, do you know me?

Chloe: Sorry, but no, how about you?

Jaco: Yes, I know you. ☺

Chloe: Huh? You― know me? How did you know me?

Jaco: Well, your grandma and I were neighbors, and aside from that, I know your dad too. Your family is famous here in San Juan.

Chloe: Sydney mentioned that you're practically neighbors with my grandma. My family is not famous. LOL

Jaco: Send my regards to Sydney.

Chloe: Sure, I will.☺

Jaco: How old are you?

Chloe: 13 years old, you?

Jaco: I'm 13 yrs old too. We're the same age

Chloe: Cool!

Jaco: Did you know I already saw you in person?

Chloe: Really? Where did you see me?

Jaco: I always see you at your grandma's veranda with Sydney.

Chloe: Oh, that's why. I haven't seen you though hehe.

Jaco: When will you visit San Juan again?

Chloe: I don't know yet, why?

Jaco: Nothing. Anyway, thanks, Chloe!

Chloe: Huh? Thanks for what?

Jaco: Because you replied, I have to go. I don't have enough money for the internet. Bye!

Jaco is offline.

---

I heard a knock on my door.

"Bessy! Evelyn will be leaving now," Sydney said behind the door.

"Wait! I'll see her way out," I said. I got up on the bed, went out of the room, and went to Evelyn and Sydney at the veranda.

"You are leaving?" I asked Evelyn.

"Yeah, I have to go," she said.

"You can just stay here for the night," I offered.

"No, I can't. Papa is waiting for me at home," I hug her briefly. "See you tomorrow!" she said.

"Be careful, text me when you get home," She nodded, then she turns around and leaves us behind.

"Bessy, are you okay?" Sydney asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why?" I narrowed my eyes.

"Well, you saw him, and you guys have lots of memories here,"

"You're right, we have lots of memories here," I look at the trees across from us and stare at it," This is where it all started… our love story" I smile weakly.

"Remember when you finally met with each other after you guys chatted on Facebook?" I chuckled.

"Yeah, I do remember. It was the opening of a basketball league in San Juan," I said.

"Then, I saw Jaco watching, and he's standing six feet apart from us. I even called him, and I pointed Jaco in your direction. But you guys didn't even talk. You just stared into each other," she shook her head disappointedly.

"He was shy, and I looked at him like, 'the-okay-whatever-I-saw-him-now look', and he didn't leave an impression at that time," I laugh remembering it.

"How did you know he was shy?" Sydney eyed me, looking puzzled.

"Well, a few days after he chatted with me, he told me about it," I laughed, "2012… that was the year he confessed that he likes me."

"So, you're telling me that Jaco was the one who has a crush on you, not the other way around?" Sydney said, thrilled at what she found out.

"You already knew about this. Why would you ask?" I rolled my eyes. "Well, I like to tease you," I shook my head.

"I'm mean to ask you this," She said. I looked at her and furrowed my brows.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Well, don't get your hopes up," she looked at me, and I rolled my eyes, "What is it?" I asked her again.

"What if you guys still have a chance to get back together. Will you go for it?"