Chapter 6

Yizell's Point Of View.

The next morning, I awoke with a headache and swollen eyes. When I realized it wasn't my house, I forced myself to sit down and look around. I noticed a man with his back to me brewing coffee near the bed I was in.

"Where am I?" I asked, groaning.

My mouth parted when the man turned to face me. I gripped my head as I remembered what had happened the night before.

I halted in the middle of the road while it was raining cats and dogs until a man approached me holding an umbrella.

"Don't worry, I'm here…" 

Those are the last words I remember hearing before losing consciousness.

So, it was him… The man I spoke with before fainting in the middle of the road.

"Are you okay?" Austin asked, handing me the coffee. 

I slowly nodded in response. "Where am I again, Ton?"

"You're at my house. I brought you here because you were soaked in the rain last night that you passed out."

"How did you figure out I was there?" I asked, my voice curious.

"Paul told me..." 

What he said made me roll my eyes. Of course, I expected him to call Austin to pick me up. It's just his guilt and ego at work. 

"He was with you yesterday," he added bitterly. "Did you confess to him?" 

"I did, and I was angry when I found out," I paused. "You're right, Ton."

"What do you mean?" Austin asked, perplexed.

"You're right, we are exactly the same. We like someone who dislikes us. "I'm over this one-sided love."

He laughed, but obviously it's not how he felt.

"But what's even funnier is that the person they like doesn't like them back…"

He stated another fact. Because Freya dislikes him, I can call it quits. Was it, however, true? Freya doesn't seem to like him.

"Do you know who Freya likes?" I asked further as I sipped my coffee.

"Can I be honest? Yes. I knew it from the start. He didn't tell me, but I knew. I'm a man, and I know how a man looks at a woman," he said. I averted my gaze and cleared my throat. "What are you going to do now that you know Paul likes you? Will you try to avoid them?"

Will I try to avoid Freya? In reality, she is not to blame. If Paul has feelings for her, it's not her fault. But I'm still irritated every time I remember Paul has feelings for someone other than me. I'm still hurt.

"Perhaps I should. Maybe I'll avoid them both until this pain subsides and this shit feeling no longer remains within me…"

***

Austin and I exited the guest room. He pointed me in the direction of the kitchen. There was a beautiful woman there; she was a little older, but she was still lovely.

"Your visitor is awake, son," she said.

So, she's Austin's mother, then. It's no surprise they're alike. Austin and I have been friends for a long time, but I have only recently visited his home and met his mother.

"Come sit, honey. I'll prepare your food."

"Thank you, auntie," I said, smiling.

Austin spoke to me while his mother was preparing food for us.

"Are you sure you'll avoid them?"

"I'll just wait until I've accepted it completely before approaching them. I don't want to inflict my rage and bitterness on Freya."

"All right. Whatever your plan is, Yizell, I'll always be by your side. Always keep in mind I'm here for you…"

I'm relieved to know you're on my side, Ton. 

***

Freya's Point Of View. 

Yizell must have had a great time last night because she hasn't texted me yet. I reached under my pillow for my phone and texted Rafael.

Freya: Good morning, Paul! How did your walk with Yizell yesterday go?

He replied to my message just a few minutes ago.

Paul: Good morning, as well. Are you attending school?

Freya: Yes, I'm about to take a bath.

Paul: Okay, then. I'll see you later in the room. I'll tell you right there.

As I read his responses again, my brow furrowed. What could have happened yesterday for him to want to discuss it personally?

***

I'm already on campus at West University. There are only ten minutes until our History class, but Paul and I have something to talk about.

I dashed towards our classroom. I noticed Paul right away, but there were no shadows of Austin or Yizell.

Where are they?

"So, what happened?" I asked Paul excitedly as I sat down next to him.

"She might have enjoyed it… or she might not," he said coldly.

Before I could react, Yizell and Austin burst into the classroom. Okay? What exactly is going on? Wasn't I supposed to see a glimmer of joy on her face? Because she just celebrated her birthday with her favorite person! But I'm seeing the opposite, which makes me suspect that something is going on between the three of them.

"Hey there, bestie!" I called Yizell, but she ignored me. "Yizell!" I shouted again, but she sat in her chair.

"What's the matter with Yizell?" I asked Austin and Paul, my gaze fixed on Yizell's side. The two boys exchanged glances.

"I don't know either," Austin replied, but Paul remained silent. I simply nodded and diverted my attention.

Our History class has ended, but Yizell continues to ignore me. Paul and Austin went down to get food for the four of us when recess came. Only Yizell and I were left. I took advantage of the opportunity to confront her and ask her what the problem was.

"What's going on, Yizell? Why are you not speaking to me? Is this some sort of prank?" 

She doesn't pay attention to me or give me a glance when I'm talking. I don't recall being in arrears or doing anything wrong to her. We're not even involved in a major fight.

"Nothing," she said sparingly as she turned away from me.

"Can you tell me what the real deal is? I don't think I did anything to cause you to disregard me."

"I said it was nothing," she said, her voice cold. 

She was clearly getting annoyed with my obstinacy, but all I wanted to know was what was wrong.

"Yizell, tell me the truth. I'm concerned and perplexed at the same time. Is there an issue? You can say–"

"Yes, there is! It's you! You are the problem!" she yelled, pointing her finger at me, when she'd had enough. I was taken aback. She never raised her voice to me.

When she realized what she had said, she ran out of the classroom without looking back, leaving me even more astonished.

"Yizell!" I kept calling her name and tried to chase her away, but she was already out of sight.

Me? I'm her problem? I'm the issue? But why? Was there anything I did?