Chapter 4

I haven't answered yet because I felt suffocated, it felt like I'm on a hot seat and I'm required to answer his questions, I don't know how should I respond so I remained quiet.

I was about to answer but Bryce suddenly talked.

"I'm just kidding Kaye, you don't need to answer that," He said and then, he avoided my gaze, I felt relieved because he did that on purpose for sure but on the other side, of course, I'm confused, I mean, why? maybe he doesn't want to hear my answer because he's afraid or scared or nervous? gosh maybe I'm just overthinking things I mean, why though? there's no reason for him to be afraid or scared, maybe it's just me.

I tried my best to remain casual until everyone decided to go home because it's getting late. I called Kuya Gene, my driver, to pick me up, and luckily, he arrived early so I requested a full-speed so that we can go home quickly.

I'm at my legal age now but my parents are not yet allowing me to drive my own car because they knew what I did in my driving lessons, and that was to increase my speed all the time that's why they didn't agree to let me drive in the road even once. I don't know, I really love the thrill of driving really fast, I know that's dangerous but I love the feeling of being at risk.

Anyway, I got home already, and since I'm tired of what happened today, I quickly did my evening rituals and I didn't bother to eat anymore because I slept early.

The next morning, I woke up late and I did not have time to eat anymore so I decided to go to our school quickly and I will just eat later during our first break.

I tried my best to avoid Bryce, I'm not really comfortable when he's around and yes because of what happened yesterday, I felt more shy than usual. I also hate the idea of us being awkward since we're kinda in one circle so I just want to go everything exactly how it is.

Time passed by quickly and luckily, our class ended right away, we went to the cafeteria to buy some foods and to make chitchats with our friends. When we arrived, Vince was already there and I didn't let him have a single word because I punched him quickly.

"Ouch Kaye, what was that for? That hurts huh?" he said while touching his neck.

"That's your punishment for embarrassing me in front of Bryce yesterday, how dare you, a good thing, Bryce saved me but if he did not decide to do that, I don't know what should I do to you now" I madly said.

Our friends let out a loud laugh because of what I did to Bryce so I also looked at them, they got scared for a little but I decided not to shout at them because I know maybe that was just all for fun but, when I looked on the corner of the table, I saw Aaliyah, she's also Bryce's accomplice yesterday so I did not manage to keep quiet and I also decided to shout at her.

"And you Aaliyah, what have you done? I thought we're friends but yesterday I felt like you want me gone because it seems like you're selling me to Bryce hmmm" I told her with matching fake cries.

"Kaye, forgive me please, and hey I'm not selling you, I love you okay?" she said, and then she also pouted.

When everyone stopped talking, I felt a heavy atmosphere, it seems like they're all experiencing some problems so I kept quiet for a little, I wanted them to open up but maybe they're not that ready so I talked.

"Okay, it seems like all of you guys are thinking of something so deep? Hmm? Sorry if I had to be that noisy but always remember that I'm here, I can listen to you all" I said genuinely.

They all avoided my gaze, maybe they're shy which made my heart felt heavy, I know, they're problem is something deep that's why they did that action, for sure, they don't want to share it with me because I think they don't want to disturb me or something.

I don't want them to suffer, If only I could take all the pain that they're feeling right now, I would probably do it. I love them so so much to the point that I'm willing to sacrifice my own happiness just to give them what they want and also to give them what they truly deserve. Yes, I'm very selfless, but it's actually fine, I'm fine, I guess.

Vince took the initiative to speak up so I listened, I got surprised when he cried in front of me so I immediately went to his seat to hug him, this is the first time I saw him crying and now I'm sure that what's inside his chest is absolutely painful, I comforted him until he felt like he was ready to open up.

"My parents are annulled," he said.

I was totally shocked because I never saw that coming, Vince's family in my perspective is very strong, I envy their family because I think they're perfect, imagine they have their own time with each other, they always have someone to lean on in the family, imagine how almost perfect they are but sadly, that's just how I thought.

I just found myself crying while hugging Vince, it must've been so hard. I just can't help but to feel sorry for him, he doesn't deserve to have a broken family. To be honest, he doesn't deserve to experience this kind of situation.

"Go on Vince, just cry, I'm here for you, let it all out, I will listen to all your rants without judgment and that's what I can guarantee you," I said. He cried even more because of what I said so we gave him a group hug because we want to make him feel comfortable with us.

I eyed my other friends to ask about their problem but they chose to shut up and let Bryce rant on us, maybe because, I guess they don't have problems, maybe they are just tired.

When Vince was already calm, I told everyone about my plan this weekend, actually, this idea just came across my mind this morning and I think this one's the perfect timing to execute my plan, besides, I want to at least cheer up Vince and let him feel like I'm always here for him.

We're going to drink some liquor at my house and then we'll go swimming and after that, we're gonna watch Netflix and then chill. Our parents knew that we're drinking alcohol, especially my parents because I told them about it. I think, going to the bar daily is dangerous so I told them about it so that we can just hang out here in our house without problems that we might get caught drinking.

Of course, my parents got mad at me first because they think, it can ruin my true health but I used the "occasionally" think so they did not have any choice but to agree.

"Oh my gosh, I'm in! anyway, what should we bring, Kaye?" Audrey asked.

"None, just bring yourselves, and then we're all good," I told them.

Vince stopped crying a while ago that's why he shouted as if there's no tomorrow.

"YES WOOOH WE'RE ALL SET"

We just laughed at him but my laugh immediately faded when I saw Bryce with his friends Danica and Zander. Danica's wearing her bitch face while Zander is as usual, naughty. I got shy so I just lowered down my gaze, I'm not shy because of his friends, well, I'm shy because of Bryce, I don't know why but his presence can make me feel shy.

Anyway, they went to our table to ask Vince about what he just shouted "Hmm Vincent? why did you shout? you're so noisy and what about the set thing? care to explain?" Bryce asked.

It's because of Kaye, she decided to have a small get-together party at her place this weekend that's why I got so excited and shouted, anyway, Kaye, go invite them!" Vince said and then made a teasing smile. Since I'm not a fan of saying no, I just told them to come to my place, a good thing, Vince offered them a ride so I don't have to think about it.

I just told them the details about my party and finally, Danica's bitch face faded quickly, she's actually nice, it's just that, my first impression about her is kinda bad and also, I have a feeling that she likes Bryce because I can see how she looks at him, it's quite different.

Anyway, even if Vince told them that they would go to my place together, I still offered them a ride, I plan to let Kuya Gene pick them up but they refused, they said, they can manage so I just said okay.

Bryce and his friends are still at our table which made me feel a bit awkward, actually, sometimes, I can feel him staring at me but I didn't take that as a big deal because I don't want to assume, one more thing, maybe it's not me who he was looking at, I know this excuse is lame but I don't know.

Anyway, after how many hours, they decided to finally say goodbye to each other. I tried to call Kuya Gene so that h can pick me up immediately but he's not answering, I'll just try later. We just said goodbye to each other and even if I feel awkward when Bryce's in front of me, I still said goodbye to him so that they won't notice what I am trying to do.

While I was waiting for Kuya Gene, I suddenly felt a presence near me. I can't even stand up and just go away because he's right in front of me. I just smiled at him and let him sit beside me.

It's just the two of us here which is actually good because I don't really know what to say. When I looked at him, he looks so tired and I felt like something is bothering him. I can't resist seeing someone sad so even if I feel awkward when he's around me, I still tried to comfort him and I guess, this is normal for the two of us because we're hmm, friends? yeah, maybe.

"Are you okay?" I asked him.

He let out a heavy breath that's why I confirmed that something is bothering him so I remained looking at him.

"Why? What's wrong?" I asked again.

He looked at me so I got surprised so when he realized what he did, he immediately talked, when our eyes met once again, realized how beautiful his eyes, it was brown and by just looking at his eyes, I felt some butterflies on my stomach, I can't handle this, these are very pretty. When I can't resist looking into his eyes anymore, I avoided my gaze and after how many minutes, he just answered my question.

"Danica confessed her feelings towards me," he said. Okay, right from the very start, I'm right about that girl.

"Oh? is there something wrong about that? I mean, she's pretty, she looks nice and she looks like she's willing to love you unconditionally" I said.

I swear it's difficult to say those words because I know that I like him and I felt like when I said that, I'm making him choose another woman.

"Yeah I get it, she's pretty but she's also my friend and I swear when I saw her crying earlier because I said I can't love her back, I swear it hurts, It hurts that I'm the reason why she cried but don't get me wrong, It just hurts because she's my girl best friend" he explained.

Actually, I understand him, she's friends with Danica and I guess that's the reason why he's now feeling sad about Danica's confession. To be honest, I can say that, we're kinda same because we both don't want our friends to be sad.

"Actually, there's another reason why I am sad," he said again.

"Hmm?"

"Kaye, do you really think that I won't notice what are you trying to do? To be honest, I've been thinking about this since earlier, so now, please answer me

Why do you keep on avoiding me?"

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