3 Brownies and Perfume

I was spacing out the whole time and I didn’t notice that until Cai pointed it out. I was really embarrassed that I couldn’t get it off of my mind. It didn’t escape my mother’s eyes as well and asked me why I was being weird. All because of that… that brute who kissed me! He didn’t even apologize for it! He stole my freaking first kiss! My first kiss was really sentimental for me ‘coz it belonged to the man whom I’m going to love. But it was gone. Just like that…

“Thank you for waiting,” said Cai when she got into my car.

I picked her up at their house ‘coz their driver isn’t available at the moment. And looking at how bored she is, I could tell that she was forced to go. Yeah, right. I forced her ‘coz I needed her comfort. Her presence alone would be enough for me to forget about what happened even just for awhile.

“Finally! We’re waiting for you two! But what took you so long? Did you bring your whole closet?” Dana looked at me suspiciously, but it instantly faded ‘coz she’s so happy that we made it.

“Cai took a while to prepare her stuff,” I said jokingly, but my grumpy cousin took it seriously.

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, my bad! Sorry! I had to pack a lot of stuff ‘coz I knew I was going to babysit you!”

I snorted. Her savage and sarcastic remarks always get me!

“Damn. I love her!” Dana almost choked ‘coz she was laughing so hard.

I went straight to one of the guestrooms located in the second floor. It’s the room that I usually use whenever we have a sleepover in here. It’s a habit that started when we were in the 7th grade.

“Heard anything from Stacie? Is she really not coming?” I asked Dana once I’ve finished unpacking and tidying my belongings.

Dana gave me a wide smile. “She just texted. She’s on the way now!”

That’s great! The squad will be completed in less than an hour.

My forehead creased when Cai walked pass in front of me. She’s holding a big tray full of decadent, gooey, and fudgy chocolate brownies. Her brownies are our favorite and we think they’re the best among the rest out there; but it’s too much for us.

“We’re only waiting for Stacie, right?”

The three looked at one another. It seemed to me that they were having a conversation through their eyes. I already got a bad feeling about it, but I just shut my mouth as I didn’t want to recall that.

And then we heard some noises outside, so we glanced at the doorway. Of course, I already knew who it was. Who else would it be?

“I just smelled Cai’s brownies! Tell me, where’s it?”

Ranie came in first. He was followed by Matt and then… Dwight.

“We invited them! The more the merrier, right?”

Damn, right! You did a good job, Dana! Come here and get your trophy!

Ranie didn’t care if I was sulking or not ‘coz he was already munching on the brownies. Food is the most important thing for him right now. The girls joined him, too.

“You don’t like us here?” Dwight raised an eyebrow as he sat beside me.

Matt glanced at me. “He’s right. I thought you’d be happier to see us.”

“You think so? Gosh! Why would you think that? Of course, I’m happy!” I let out a snort and slapped the air as if something was really funny.

Dwight narrowed his gaze on me while I was trying to convince myself that it didn’t bother me. I looked away as I rolled my eyes secretly. Then I exhaled deeply before I excused myself.

That prick was really dense to think that I was fine with him to be here. He should read between the lines! He makes me feel uncomfortable. If only I knew he would be invited, I wouldn’t come here in the first place. This is really messed up! Now they think that I’m being a party pooper ‘coz I’m bitching over a small thing. But it wasn’t a petty reason, at least for me…

I jumped in shock when the door suddenly opened. There was a big possibility that what happened to Ranie earlier might also happen to me if I was standing near the doorway. This guy is so careless and just pops out of nowhere!

“W-What are you doing here?”

He continued to walk inside the room like he forgot that I existed. He just casually put his bag on the bed.

“What are you doing here, Rank Two? This isn’t your room! And I have the right to own it ‘coz Dana always assign this room to me for the last three years.”

I was talking at his back while his hands were continuously digging the gold bars into his bag. Trust me, I used to have a lot of patience until I met this guy. Since I have to deal with him, I feel like I’m getting older and older as the years pass by. I can’t wait to get into college –only then will I never have to see his face anymore.

“Why are you here? Leave me alone,” I said, but there was still no response from him.

Agitated, I pulled his bag away from him. There. His attention was finally drawn on me.

“G-Give it back!” he tried to snatch the bag, but I quickly moved it away.

I smirked. “Don’t worry. I’ll just put it in your room.”

“I said give it back to me, Estrada,” he commanded through gritted teeth.

‘If you’re thinking that I’m gonna do something bad to your bag, you’re wrong! I told you I’ll just put it in your room. Would you please relax?” I replied irritatingly.

His jaw clenched as he glared at me. I scoffed and threw the damn bag in his arms.

“Now leave…” I pulled the door and we were both surprised to see our friends outside the room.

Ranie, Cai, Matt, Dana, Danielle, and Stacie fell down altogether. Ranie protested when he got pinned down upon by Matt. He shut his eyes tightly as he felt the pain in his back. We immediately helped him out.

“Guys, I’m fine. I just panicked and it’s not like Matt did that on purpose,” he gave us an ‘okay’ sign and flashed a smile.

“We know that...” I crossed my arms when they all looked away. “…But what are you doing here? Were you eavesdropping?”

That’s probably the case. I feel like they planned it out, but it was such a failure ‘coz I won’t let Dwight stay in this room.

“W-We were eavesdropping. Sorry, Tania,” Cai slapped Matthew’s arm because he admitted the truth.

“And why’s that? Why do you wanna hear our nonsense conversation?” I pointed my finger to Dwight’s direction. His blank stare at me sent chills to my bones. Seconds later, he went to my side and stood there quietly.

“B-Because, uh, we heard that, uh, you two were shouting at each other…” even Dana couldn’t convince herself.

So, they heard that we were having an argument. But how’s that possible if the rooms in this house are soundproof? Dana said that herself.

I glanced at my cousin who was looking at the opposite direction. Stacie, who’ve just arrived, was casually gazing at Dwight and I. And, Danielle was pretending to blow her new polished fingernails.

“Cai…” I called her.

She heaved a sigh. “We usually stay in one room together, but we decided to make some changes. From now on, Dwight will be your new roommate.”

I literally gasped when I heard her explanation. That’s absurd! They knew the fight would ensue the moment Dwight came in. Now, they’re telling me that he’s going to be my new roommate?! We will surely turn this room into a battlefield if they still insist on doing what they want.

Paying attention to Dwight while they were bickering amongst themselves, I caught the glimpse of his smile. He was smiling! He put his hands inside his pockets and cocked his head to the left side just so he could avoid my angry stare. I really wanted to punch his face for doing that! If only I was violent enough to do that…

“I don’t want you here. Tell them that you’ll stay with Ranie or Matt. You can’t sleep in this room.”

“I wanna stay here. Is that a bad thing?” his teasing gaze traveled down to my lips.

I couldn’t believe him! He wanted me to feel miserable, so he recruited his underlings to execute his evil pan; and he succeeded on that part.

“Fine. I’ll just leave. This room is yours now. You can hug and kiss the walls if you want,” he grabbed my hand before I could even take a step.

“I’ll leave on one condition…” grinning at me, he proposed a deal.

His underlings tried to look serious, but I knew they wanted to laugh so bad.

“Very well, then. What is it that you want?” I asked him seriously.

I didn’t like the way he smirked at me. Call me delusional, but I feel like he just wanted to piss me. I’m sure he has a hidden agenda.

“I’ll let you have this room if you’ll agree to have one mistake in our homework.”

My eyes widened and laughed in disgust. “And you think you could manipulate me just like that? In your wildest dreams!”

I faced the others and told them to leave. Fine! I’ll sleep in this room. The boys gave Dwight a high-five. Everything was planned. They knew how competitive I can be, so they used our homework as a bait. I just have no idea as to why they want us to sleep together. The last time I checked, we’re rivals.

“Stacie, do you need anything else?” I asked her when I noticed that she was still standing in the doorway.

She shook her head. “Just admit the truth—”

What was that? Admit what? I wasn’t able to hear the rest of what she was saying ‘coz she left immediately.

“What should we do about you, Tania? You’re obviously afraid me.”

I glared at the brute. Who wouldn’t be afraid of him? First, he kissed me without asking my permission. And now, he was trying to outsmart me by using our friends. But he totally underestimated me. I already finished the homework at school.

I took a rest after we ate dinner. Then I changed my clothes into a swimming attire before I headed to the pool area.

“That’s it? I thought you brought a swimsuit,” Cai said as I dipped my feet in the water.

They wore a two-piece, but Stacie and I weren’t informed. Kidding! We just didn’t want to expose our skin that much. Stacie was in a simple t-shirt and denim shorts. She’s the most conservative among us.

“I’ll take off the dress later,” they were all happy to hear that. “Anyway, where are the others?”

“Oh, right! They’re getting the drinks and foods!” Dana answered excitedly.

The boys went back later on. We’re allowed to drink alcohol. Moderately. We’re not a heavy-drinker either, so our parents don’t really mind at all.

“Tania, aren’t you going to take a dip?” Stacie was sitting quietly beside me, smiling as she watched our friends having a lot of fun in the pool.

I took a quick glance at me. “Later, Stacie And I feel so lazy. I don’t—”

“No, you can’t!” she raised her tone and that startled me.

“Maybe, she isn’t confident enough to show her body…”

And just as I finally felt some peace, the jerk had to ruin the moment. He always does it like it’s his job.

Stacie felt the awkwardness, so I just stood up and left. I had to adjust, or else, Dwight will make everyone uncomfortable.

“You’re obviously not having fun, Tania. What did Dwight do this time?” said Ranie as I neared to the table.

I swallowed hard ‘coz that platter of nachos made me drool. I almost forgot why I went there.

Matt offered me some drinks. “Drink this, so you’ll have enough courage to beat him up.”

I chuckled and declined his offer. “I’m not drinking tonight. And y’all can’t force me to do so.”

After devouring the nachos, I went back to the pool area. My tummy hurts now that I’m so full.

“Tania, come here! Let’s have some fun!” Dana splashed the water to me.

I smiled at them as I slowly untied my dress. Then it revealed the midnight blue one-piece I was wearing underneath. They all cheered for me as if I joined a swimsuit competition.

“You’re really hot, Tania,” Stacie commented when I dipped myself in the pool.

Danielle pouted as she nodded her head. “Yeah. She has the sexiest body, but she doesn’t even know that!”

Cai smiled at me. My cheeks flushed ‘coz I’m not used when someone praises me. But our conversation was interrupted when we heard a loud hiccup from one of those people at the table. It turned out it was Ranie. He was covering his mouth and his gaze was on me.

“Hey, she might melt if you’d continue staring at her!” Dana shouted at him.

Ranie smirked. “Don’t be jealous! You all have a great body!”

We laughed when Matthew threw the empty can at him. I swear, that laugh almost chocked the hell out of us. It really made our night!

“Damn you, Logan!” Ranie shouted angrily and rubbed his head.

Matthew raised his hands innocently. “What now? I only did what Tania would want to do to you!”

Oh. So, it’s because of me? I just felt like he had been wanting to do that to his best friend.

Ranie rolled his eyes and cussed again. I thought we were going to witness a live brawl, but Dwight was there to calm them down.

Minutes later, I excused myself. I took a shower before I went inside. That wasn’t enough, though. I’ll just take a proper bath later.

I twisted the doorknob and I suddenly felt the weight of the towel on my shoulders. I turned around and my jaw dropped when I find out who did that.

“D-Dwight!” my grip in the towel tightened as I wrapped myself more.

His cold gaze took in every detail of my face. There was something in his stare that I couldn’t point out. He probably noticed the effect it gave me ‘coz I saw the ghost of smile on his lips. But I couldn’t take it any longer, so I just looked away. It felt weird as it was new to me. It was burning and so intense. I don’t understand…

“Don’t let anyone gawk at you like that again…” he breathed, anger crossing his face.

I began to grow vexed with him. “Is there a problem with what I’m wearing? Should I wear a gown instead?”

What is wrong with him? We’re fighting over the smallest things ‘coz he can’t keep his filthy mouth shut! He always notices every little detail in me and I don’t like that ‘coz it’s creeping me out!

“Just do what I told you,” he sighed heavily before he left.

I pulled my hair irritatingly. I watched his back until the darkness swallowed him. I entered the room, groaning as I messed my hair up. Argh! He’s stricter than my dad!

I threw myself on the bad after I took a bath. This room has a two single beds, so there won’t be a problem. It’s not like we’ll stay up all night to fool around. And it’s not like I’m willing to start a conversation as if we’re close enough to do that.

Time had passed and I’m still awake. I was rolling over the bed the whole time. I don’t really know what’s happening to me… There might be a surprise quiz tomorrow, so I shouldn’t pull yet another all-nighter like what I did last time.

The door pushed open. I covered my face with the pillow right away. I’m 100% sure it’s him. I’m glad that I turned the lights off, or else, he would know that I’m still up. I’ll just pretend that I’m asleep.

His musky, yet not too strong perfume attacked my nose. I could hear his footsteps towards the bed. My heartbeat hammered so fast when I felt the soft cushion sunk in. And when he cupped my cheek gently, I almost lost my composure and forgot that I’m just pretending to be asleep.

What’s he doing?! And what’s wrong with my heart? Why is it racing so fast? My chest hurt as I thought it would jump out anytime.

A few seconds later, he was gone. I realized that he went to the bathroom when I heard him shut the door quietly.

I relinquished the blanket and sat on the bed. My heart almost exploded when I heard his voice. Goodness!

“Sleep, Tania!” he chuckled.

I squeezed my eyes shut. He knew! Tell me, how am I supposed to sleep now?