02: Party

I didn't even bother to go to Pete's family celebration because I'll have mine later this evening. And I think I can't join because of Pete's Father's look at me, it's like I've done something wrong.

I let myself get busy by doing household chores. After that, I get ready again for tonight's celebration with my Mom. But as I was finishing up my look, the house doorbell rang.

I ran downstairs to check who is it. I thought it could be Mom coming home, but I saw a delivery man outside carrying a bouquet on his arm.

" Is Mam Susan Ochoa living here?"

" Yes, that's me by the way."

He handed me the sunflower bouquet and I also accepted even though confusion strike my body. He was about to leave when I stopped him.

" Wait, are you sure you're right about the address?"

Like I mean maybe he got the wrong one or this is just some pranks and cameras surrounding me.

He pronounced our house address as he looked at his phone, and it was all correct. He also said that it was from Mr. L written on the card found in the bouquet. I slowly nod at him. Who the heck is this Mr. L stalker guy?

Before I could even walk towards the living room, the doorbell rang again, and this time Mom was outside carrying paper bags with her, and her smile is so wide. She hugged me so tight that I could barely breathe as I let her in.

" Congratulations, congratulations..." she sang while dancing to me between our hugs.

" Mom, I ca-can't bre-breathe,"

She let go of me right after I said it," I'm sorry," she giggled.

She gasped when her eyes saw the sunflower, " Who is the guy, huh? They're so pretty! We should keep them!"

Mom snatch the bouquet from my hands and brought it to the living room.

" Mom! I don't even know who is it from! Maybe it just got the wrong address. I'll give it back,"

" Why? Isn't he showed up at your doorstep to hand it to you?"

" No! It's from a delivery guy a while ago and told the sender is anonymous and it was really for me,"

" See? No need to worry, this is for you and that's final! Besides, it's too pretty." she said admiring the bouquet. And she pull out a card she found inside the bouquet, this is maybe what the guy was talking about a while ago. She showed me a sour look on her face as she glance at me.

Before I could even argue with her, she placed the sunflower on a vase and displayed it in the living room, " I'll place it here and will get ready, wait for me." she said, running down the stairs.

I just nodded at her and sighed out of nowhere. I checked the paper bags she bought for me and saw nice cute dresses. There's also a pair of sandals. As I'm checking out the pair of shoes for men, that I don't know who is this for, I turn around at Mom's when I heard her voice, " Oh Sue. if I were him, I would introduce myself, who could not like my beautiful daughter,"

" Mom!"

She just laugh at me and started fixing her hair in the bathroom, leaving the door open that's why I could hear her inside, " Let's go to Peter's first, I'll just give him a present."

That explains the men's sneakers I found.

" Okay," I shortly said and picked up my bag and checked if all of my needed stuff are there.

We walk through the sidewalks going to Pete's house because we're just a few houses away. But their apartment looks way too nicer than ours. When we got there, Mom said that I should be the one who'll give this to Pete. But this isn't my intention in the first place, I shouldn't be doing this! But Mom pushed me towards the door, gave me the bag, and rang the doorbell.

" Mom!" before I could even back out, someone open the door and it was Pete who opened it.

I glare at Mom but she just looks at me, innocent. I sometimes hate my Mom.

I gulp before opening my mouth, " My mom, wants to give this to you. Mom!" I called her while reaching the paper bag out of my hand.

When I look at her, she just waved at Peter, " Congratulations," she simply said.

" Thank you, Auntie. Do you want to go inside?"

I shook my head, " No thanks, we have other plans tonight,"

I waved at him goodbye and immediately lock my arms on Mom to take her away from her.

" That's not funny, Mom."

" What? It's not like I told you to do something hard, it's just Peter,"

" I know but I'm not the one who should be giving it,"

" What done is done, Sue," she said with her cunning face.

I pout at her, disappointed. I know she's up to something and I can't figure out what is it. We both wait for a taxi on the sidewalk and eventually got one after a few minutes of waiting and fighting over it like we were just sisters fighting over the small stuff.

While waiting for our order, my phone beeped, and a message appear from Peter Pan, which is Peter.

[Peter Pan: Are you going to Mark's party?]

I replied back at him.

Susan: I don't know. I still didn't ask my Mom about it.

[Peter Pan: Yeah, right.]

Susan: Why? Are you going? You traitor! Don't go without me.

[Peter Pan: What if I want to?]

Susan: *shrugged

[Peter Pan: We're not that close, why would I even go there?]

Susan: We neither, but he invited me over a while ago

[Peter Pan: Over the phone.]

Susan: Also personally, excuse you. But what if I want to go? Will you go with me?

[Peter Pan: Goodnight, Susan.]

With that, he isn't replying anymore. I'm just joking, I know I can't go without him. Our food just arrived in time and Mom and I shared it with each other while having a conversation over, laughing together.

I was only interrupted when Mom looked behind me and she looks like she has seen a ghost whatsoever.

" Mom? What is it?"

She shakes her head, " Nothing... I-I thought I saw someone...familiar,"

I nod and nod, suspiciously and turn my head around to check who is it she saw but I just saw no one behind me or around me. Maybe it is really a ghost?

" Just continue eating, Sue. It's no one."

" MOM..."

I swallowed a big gulp and pride to have the guts to call her before she could leave the house. I badly want to go this afternoon, and I will ask for permission no matter what it takes to grab this opportunity given to me by God.

She turned on the sofa where I was sitting even though she was already running towards the door. She's running late, of course.

" Hmm?" she frantically asked.

" Can I go to Mark's party this afternoon?"

I'm already biting my lips and fidgeting with my fingers, nervous about what Mom's going to answer. I hope she'll say yes, this would be just once in a while.

" Okay," my silent scream is kicking but that fades when she talks again, "... But... Peter has to go with you,"

I knew it! I was right! I immediately got up from the sofa to protest the condition she just said, " But-He won't like it! He doesn't want to go, Mom." I explained.

" And you can't go,"

I looked at her in disbelief as my lip was parted and that made my shoulder drop. It felt like I'd lost my interest in everything. Do I really have to?

" Do I have to?" I ask, just making sure.

She walked towards me and gave me a peck and a kiss on top of my head while I can't still recover from what I just heard, " Yes, it's for your own safety, Sue."

" Mom-"

" I have to go Sue. Be back early after going to the party, okay?" I nodded reluctantly, " Your food is on the fridge, love you."

It seems like I've lost my words even though I badly want to object. I still look the same even though Mom already shut the door and left me alone in the house.

I rest my body on the sofa, thinking of how could I convince Peter to go with me. It would have been okay if he didn't want to because they weren't close. But he treats him like he's some kind of an enemy even though he's the only one who knows I like Mark. of course.

I checked Mark's last message on our group chat. Getting some motivation to persuade Pete to come with me.

[Mark: 4 pm at our house. See you all.]

May God be with me.

" SUE?" HE WAS SURPRISED to see me outside of their house. But I wasn't surprised to catch him only in his shirt, and boxers. His lazy days.

" Who do you expect?" I said and make my way inside their house, " I made your favorite snack," I presented him with a red box.

I give him the brownies I spent making the whole morning that's why I only have 3 hours left to persuade him. This is my method that works with him when we were in Gr.8 back then. Thank goodness I joined the Baking Club at our school, that's why I know some recipes like how to bake brownies. I didn't think it will be this helpful.

" What is this for?"

" For your snacks, duh."

I walked towards their living room and sat down on the sofa. When I roamed my eyes inside, I think Auntie Tricia and Uncle Nico are not there, the house is looking like a haunted house, and the hallways around here have no presence of lights, which is Auntie's not style.

" Sue..." his voice sounded like a warning: but I didn't bother to pay attention.

I place both of my arms on the sofa, feeling relaxed as if this is also my house, "What? Is Auntie home? I want to share the brownies with her also."

" Susan..."

My eyes widen at him, asking him innocently while he's standing in front of me. But our stare lasted for minutes, his is so dark and deep it made me bite my lips. It felt like I build a staring contest between us. Then I gave in, my eyes is starting to burn from all of this.

" What is this for?"

" Fine! I mean, can we go to Ma-" he cut me off with his high tone answer 'No'.

So I chased him when he started going upstairs, " Pete, please?" I held out my two hands as I begged him," Even just for today?" he didn't bother to turn around or nod his head, " My graduation gift from you? Please? Just this time." I pleaded.

" I'm not going, Sue. "

" What if I'll cry? Kneel? Pray? Call you master?-"

I stopped when he stopped, and I was a little taken aback when he turned around to me, especially his looks. It's too serious, " Stop it, Sue. I won't change my mind,"

My lips pursued his answer. He walked away, walking towards his room, "Peter, come on." I sounded desperate while following him, " You know my mom, she won't allow me to go anywhere unless you're there beside me. And you know how much I like Mark, can you give this one to me... please?"

He was about to turn the doorknob when he stopped and turned around to me again, "A no is a no, Sue. " he said emphatically. He slightly opened the door, and stood there but didn't mind turning around again, " You can take back your brownies, I don't want to owe you anything."

" Pete-" before I could even call his name, he slammed the door in front of my face.

Are we friends? Can't he give this to me? He did nothing but annoy me. I can't even blackmail him because I barely know him, he's not an open person like the others I know. You know everything from them since they're born.

It's good that Auntie is friendly, and somehow I know something from Pete especially when he's a child. Auntie loves to tell me more about what happened to Pete during his childhood.

I run downstairs and get the brownies I give to Pete. Before I left, Auntie suddenly went inside the house.

" Auntie," I welcome her.

" Sue, what are you doing here?"

" I just came for Pete, Auntie, but I'll leave soon."

" Be careful on the road, hija,"

We both left a smile for each other, and I went outside their house, walking back to my house.

What if I'll go alone? Then Mom will know about it, she'll ask Pete for sure. I can't sneak out if I have an invisible camera everywhere I go that would give Mom an idea where I went. Pete is just so annoying, sometimes and every time. He could have given this to me.

" YOU CAME?" MARK SOUNDED SURPRISED when we met on the porch of their house.

" Yeah, I mean I already ask for permission though,"

His house looks more enormous than what I saw on social media. It is also colorful on the outside because of the colorful lights that are lit. There are also many people outside and people coming.

We're interrupted when Misha came between us with her minions, " Hi, Sue."

I was disgusted when she called me by my nickname: but I was even more disgusted when she hugged me as if we were close. Plastic!

My suspicion rose from Misha: but it even got suspicious when she let me inside Mark's house, with her clasping my arm!

I suddenly lost myself as I entered their house, it enormous just like how it looked outside: but every corner was occupied. It seemed he invited everyone from our school, many also dancing in the living room, having fun even on the stairs. I feel like I was being left out.

Then they left me suddenly, so it felt like I couldn't breathe. Lots of people are passing by both my side: who enter the house as if I am not in the middle so that they can pass through like that. I manage to hide on the side and slowly make my way through the crowds. I think this is a bad idea and Peter isn't by my side.

But then Mark showed up, he assisted me through the crowds and even introduced me to his friends. There was even someone who accidentally mistook me as Mark's girlfriend but we immediately decline it, and she laughs at us before leaving.

" Do you mind if I leave you, first? I have things to do upstairs," he asked me and I just nod as an answer.

So I decided to go out for a bit that's why I reached their backyard and I found myself in their garden. It's more peaceful here outside, maybe I'll have a few inhale and exhale before going back into the midst of the crowd.

After doing some rounds of breathing, I start walking back inside. But the sliding door, which will let me inside, is already locked! This isn't locked when I went outside, I leave this slightly open!

Someone must be mistaken and locked the door. I look around for a way to get out of here but there are just bushes and trees around.

Suddenly I backed away when I saw people starting to surround me. Until I can see and recognize who they are. Then they split in half, revealing Misha walking in my direction.

" Open your claws, kitty." she teased and smirk.

She lifted my chin using her index finger so that I could feel her nail buried on my chin. I hardly swallowed, but I didn't show any fear. She isn't to be feared, she should be the one who needs to be scared. She's just brave when she's with her minions.

" Don't worry, we'll have some fun just like why you came," she said, grinning her teeth.

That explains her being nice a while ago she got other plans in mind. I knew she couldn't be trusted. They all start backing out as they throw a water balloon at me. I immediately blocked the water balloon flying at me, and so I slowly get drowned from what they were throwing at me.

I slowly remove my hands when I felt nothing smashing at me. I wiped my eyes with my bare hands when the water struck, and I couldn't see well, everything is getting in my view. I didn't even notice Misha is already holding a hose, and she focused it on me.

But I still steadily look at her after recovering my vision, lifting my chin, and don't even bother to be blasted again by water. But instead, someone wrapped their jacket on top of my chest and pinned me down to the door so that I could barely feel the water on me.

I look up to see Peter blocking the water for me. His eyes are shut tight embracing the freezing water while I'm still pinned down in the glass because of him.

" Seriously, Peter? A real KJ!"

He let go of me, eventually, and I have never seen Misha around. He's all wet, fresh from the shower. Then he removes the jacket he's currently wearing and put it on my shoulders revealing his tenuous t-shirt and his abdomen, " Pe-Pete..."

I was trembling with cold, thank goodness for the jacket he gave me, " You owe me," he simply said while combing back his wet hair.

I followed him out of their garden like a puppy being picked up by his owner until we reached the road.

Pete pulled me closer when we both heard Mark's voice coming on our way, " Sue, what happened? I have spare-"

" -She's going home with me, the party's over."

" Woah! Chill, it's my responsibility to look after her besides she's my guest.,"

"Your girlfriend did this to my best friend, do you think I could forgive you both for that?" his voice is starting to rise.

" Don't blame my girlfriend here dude, she has nothing to do with this. Let me take her," he defended.

Mark keep on pulling me away from Pete that's why Pete was about to attack Mark when I stop them in time. I shake my head at him when he looks down at me.

" I'm going home, Mark," I said without even looking at him.

I carried him away from their house. I don't want any trouble. I can't afford to witness another fight, I'm already blaming myself.

His words already hurt me like a deep cut from a knife but it was also mixed with anger. He should see how cruel her girlfriend is, but I guess they just deserve each other.

And Pete was ahead of me in walking and he also seemed to be angry with me.

I stop walking and bowed my head, " I'm sorry..." I said, " I should have just stayed at home. I know my mistake-"

" That's why I don't want you to go to any party with them, Sue."

" I know my mistake, Peter, and I'm sorry for not listening to you and your Dad will scold you again because of me, I'm really sorry!"

I heard a sigh from him and his shadow cover the ray of sun that shine upon me, " I don't really like Mark." he whispered that's why I barely heard him, "Let's go." he picked my hands and walked together.

I nod as if Mom was scolding me now. They're on the same level when it comes to this but Mom raises her voice to me while he was still calm even though he's already scolding me.

My chin lifted when we stopped, All of a sudden, I receive a hug from him which relieved all the weight I was feeling. So I just let myself rest on his chest because I knew he would only hug me once and comfort me like this.

" I'm sorry... I promise to listen to you from now on," I raised my pinky finger waiting to lock it with his pinky finger.

I could already feel my arm being numbed and thank goodness he already accepted it, "As promised." we said together.

He let go of me from his hug and I hold his hand so that we'll walk together so fast as if someone were chasing him. I play with our hands by swinging them in the air.

" What are we gonna tell Auntie that we're all wet?

He shrugged his shoulder as an answer.

" What do you want in return then?"

I push him slightly when a shake of his head is what I receive as an answer, " You told me I owe you, come on. what is it?"

" The brownies..." he said almost in a whisper.

Is he becoming shy? It was good that we were just sided by side and I could still hear him even the faintest.

But my mind suddenly wants to tease him, " What?" I asked and put my ear near his face.

" Brownies..."

" You like my brownies for sure," I mock him, " Yes you do, don't worry if I'll have my own bakery someday you'll get free brownies but just one piece a year, okay? Because I may get bankrupt because of you."