Chapter 5

Freya's Point Of View.

Even though I didn't have any classes today, I woke up early. Perhaps because it's Yizell's birthday. I grabbed my phone from the bedside table and texted her. I should greet her.

Freya: Hello there, bestie! Best wishes for your birthday! I wish you a pleasant day. Enjoy, lovelots!

She responded after a minute.

Yizell: I am with Paul at the moment. Thank you so much!

I just smiled as I turned off the phone. At least she's having a good time on her birthday. That's what matters to me.

I was about to go downstairs when Mommy Faye and Daddy Raph suddenly burst into my room.

"Where are you going, Mom and Dad? Why are you dressed up?" I asked, startled.

"We have a date," Dad replied. "Would you like to join us, sweetie?"

"No thanks, Dad. After all, it is your date." I smiled and kissed their cheeks. Mom hugged me while Dad patted my head.

Just by looking at them, I can tell they still have chemistry despite having a child, and they can date without losing the spark.

When I get married, I hope my love life will be like theirs.

"Oh, and by the way, sweetie, you have a visitor," Mom mentioned.

My brow furrowed in bemusement. Visitor? I don't expect anyone to show up today. 

"Oh, Austin!" I uttered as I hurried downstairs to see who my guest was.

"There you are."

"What brings you here?" I asked. "You didn't even say you would come."

"Freya, do you know where Yizell is? It's her birthday today, isn't it? I would have given her this gift," he said, handing me his present for her. 

If I tell you that Yizell and Paul are together right now, I'm sure you'll feel down.

"I-I don't know, Ton…" I lied.

"Is that so? Then, if you see her, could you please just give her this?" He gestured to the chocolates and stuffed animals he was carrying.

"Y-Yeah, sure! Take care," I said, faking a smile. He bid his final farewell before leaving.

I cleared my throat as guilt began to fill my head. I didn't want to lie to Austin, but because I had no choice and it's also for his sake, I did. This is so hard.

***

Yizell's Point Of View.

I can't believe Paul is now with me. I'm still awestruck he let me be with him. Luck must have sided me. 

We have already arrived at the Amusement Park. It's pleasant here. The rides, the atmosphere, the view, and so on. Everything is nice. Everything is perfect for me, especially now that I'm with the person I like. 

"Where would you like to ride first?" Paul asked.

"Can we ride the roller coaster?"

"All right, let's go."

We got in line for the roller coaster. Just the speed of the queue because we're about to board. There are only two seats available, and the first row was chosen by both of us.

It began to move, and I clutched Paul's hand in terror. He was taken aback, but he simply let me hold it because he knew I was scared. I smiled stealthy.

Following the roller coaster, we rode the carousel and other rides. It was entertaining and fun. I was smiling the entire time, but I'm not sure about Paul; I can barely see his teeth.

I didn't realize it was getting late, so I asked for one more ride. I decided to surprise him with a romantic ride on the Ferris Wheel.

But the reality was nowhere near the scene I imagined to happen. We were just quiet inside, no one's even talking a single word. I was about to confront him when he preceded me.

"Happy birthday," he said his greetings.

"Thank you for coming with me here," I said, smiling. "By the way, why did you agree?"

"Because Freya said so," he said flatly. "It's also your birthday, so it's fine. Why didn't you bring Austin along?"

I was a little pissed off when he asked. Doesn't he want to be with me?

"Because Austin is a slob, and Freya is also doing something. My parents are busy. I didn't have anyone with me, so I thought of bringing you here," I explained.

He nodded and averted his gaze. For the time being, we remained silent. I was just surprised that our time on the Ferris Wheel had come to an end.

I was with the person I like, but why do I feel alone? Paul is super cold towards me. He doesn't even take my hand in his. He doesn't even give me a hug or a pat on the back. He doesn't even smile or laugh. Well, why am I not used to him anyway? After all, I'm just a friend of his. He has no romantic feelings for me.

A painful truth I can't accept. I'm just his friend... 

We're on our way home. We've already gone on several rides. Paul didn't even wait for me; he was the first to walk.

I'm not sure whether I'll be happy or annoyed because he's with me. He did accompany me here, but he pretended I didn't exist. I broke the deafening silence between us when I couldn't take it any longer.

"Uh… Thank you once again, Paul," I said.

"It's nothing. You don't have to mention it," he said dryly.

"Did you enjoy it as well?"

"Quite."

He resumed walking as if I was invisible to him again. I couldn't cease myself from confessing because I was so irritated.

"Paul, I like you!" I shouted aggressively, which stunned him.

He frowned. "What are you saying, Yizell?"

"I told you I like you, Paul! Are you deaf or are you numb!?" I pushed him in rage.

"Come on, Yizell. Let's head home." 

As he changed the subject, he grabbed my arm and dragged me away.

"Let go of me!" I yanked my arm away from him. "Don't you like me?"

He came to a halt and looked me in the eyes. While staring into his eyes, I searched for a glimmer of admiration and fondness but found none. That's when I got hurt and lost the tiniest hope left within me.

"Let's just stay as friends, Yizell. Don't risk our friendship for the sake of your feelings."

"Don't be irrational, Paul. Just tell me you don't like me!" I exclaimed at the top of my lungs.

"I'm sorry. I like someone else," he admitted.

"I know," I fessed up, a bitter smile on my face. "You like Freya, don't you? I'm not a fool to not notice it!"

"W-What are you talking about?"

"I read your essay…" 

When I mentioned it, his eyes even widened more. My eyes began to well up with tears. It still hurts whenever I recall everything I read and discovered yesterday...

I was thrilled after knowing Paul had agreed to accompany me to my birthday party tomorrow. Because it's just the two of us, this is my chance to get much closer to him.

I sent Freya home first because I still needed to go to the faculty room to get the essays we turned in. I noticed the papers on the professor's desk, but he was not present. I noticed my paper was at the top, and decided to read both mine and my friend's work.

Davis, Yizell

At first, I didn't know how to love someone. I'm not interested in that thing because I thought love was a joke because others weren't serious about it. I didn't realize it until I liked someone. I had no idea I would fall for him. But then, I fell in love with someone and I wasn't sure if he liked me or someone else.

Wyatt, Austin

I've had love experiences. It's because I love someone, but learning that she loves someone hurts, and the worst part is that she loves my best friend. It breaks my heart, but if she's happy with him, I should be as well. Because I only want her to be happy. 

Aww. Who is this lucky woman who sparked Austin's interest? 

Paul's essay was by far the most recent one I read. I'm not sure why, but it feels like my heart is telling me not to read it, but my mind is also telling me to, so I did. I read it, which I probably shouldn't have done in the first place.

Colt, Paul

I have feelings for someone. No, I don't like her; in fact, I love her. I don't know when or how it started, but she always makes me smile every time she is around. She is always there to make me happy when I am upset or feeling down. The tiredness and pain I was experiencing vanished in an instant. I know I shouldn't feel this way about my friend, but perhaps I was struck by cupid. If you're reading this, I would like you to know I like you…

Scott, Freya

Tears began to roll over my cheeks as my lips trembled after reading his. Austin was correct. The person I like will never reciprocate my feelings because he likes someone else.

When Paul agreed to accompany me, I had high hopes that he would like me as well. But he would never do such a thing. I don't know why I'm angry. I have no rights and Freya has done nothing wrong to me, but I'm still mad. I'm mad because the man I have feelings for likes someone else, and the worst part is that it's my best friend, Freya, who he's in love with.

"Now, Paul, admit it to me. You like her, don't you? You like Freya," I repeated. 

"Yes. I like her," he confessed. 

"So, that's why when you're talking to me, you're always cold. But when she is with you, you smile and laugh. You went along with me, but I didn't even feel your existence. I didn't even feel your company," I ranted. "I could have accepted that you like someone else over me. But what irritates me the most is that, of all people out there, why must it be Freya?! Why must it always be my best friend!?"

He kept his mouth shut and didn't say anything. Well, that's just who he is; avoiding questions he doesn't want to answer by remaining silent. 

"What is it about her that I don't have?"

"Yizell, stop."

"Oh, so, it's true? You do like her. But the question is, does she also like you? You, Ton and I are exactly the same. The ones we like, don't and will never like us back. It's a punishment for being in unrequited love. We are all miserable," I remarked sarcastically before turning to him with a poker face. "It's not me who is trying to ruin our friendship here, Paul. It's you who ruined it first…"

Then, I walked away, leaving him alone. When I was far away, it began to rain, as if sympathizing with my broken heart. At the same time as the heavy rain was pouring, a thorn was engraved in my flower.

"Why? Why her!? Why not me instead?" I cried out in despair.

When my vision became blurry, I couldn't see who was standing in front of me, and offering me an umbrella.

"Don't worry, I'm here…" 

That was the only thing I heard for the last time before passing out.