Chapter 7

Paul's Point Of View.

"Why is Yizell avoiding Freya?" I wondered out loud to Ton.

It's already recess, so the two of us left the classroom to get food for the girls and give them a chance to talk.

"You already know the answer to your question," he said coldly, not looking at me.

"Does it have anything to do with what happened last night?" I added. "It's not Freya's fault if I like her."

He clenched his fist in rage, but I was unbothered. If Yizell is looking for someone to blame and pour her sorrow on, she should look no further than me.

"You're right, it's not Freya's fault. I understand you have feelings for her, but you have hurt Yizell!" As he grabbed my collar, his expression changed. "You know how much I like her! I accepted, even if it was painful, when I discovered you were the person she liked, but what did you do? You've just hurt her feelings! You shouldn't have told her you liked her best friend!"

"I didn't mean to hurt her, Austin," I said flatly as I took his hand away from me. "It's not my fault if my heart didn't beat for her."

I need to speak with Yizell. She doesn't have to involve Freya in our collision. She doesn't have to ruin their friendship, at least, just because I choose Freya over her.

***

"Where has Yizell gone?" As soon as I returned to the classroom, I asked Freya.

"I-I'm not sure. She dashed away…"

She was about to cry out of fear. I know she's worried about what's going on, but I can't make her understand why.

"Did she say anything to you?"

"She said I was the problem, Paul. I don't understand anything!"

This doesn't have to bother you, Freya. I'll do whatever it takes to keep my feelings for you under control so that this doesn't happen again and you don't get hurt.

"I'll tell you, but first I need to find Yizell. We need to talk," I reassured her.

"I hope everything will be fine once you come back. I don't want to ruin our friendship, especially my friendship with Yizell, because of a misunderstanding," she added.

I hugged her and stroked her hair. It hurts me to see her crying like this. She used to be the most upbeat and the least one to be dismal in our circle of friendship. But now I can see how transparent she was through my eyes.

"Everything will be just fine."

I comforted her for a moment before sprinting to find Yizell. Then, I recall our squad's favorite hangout. I'm hoping she was there…

I wasn't mistaken when I arrived because she was in the garden. She was crying when I approached her.

"Yizell…"

She wiped away her tears as soon as she heard my voice before speaking.

"What else do you need? Why did you come here anyway? Go away! I want to be alone!"

"If this is about what happened last night, can you not include Freya in your hatred? It's not her fault," I insisted.

"Aww, you're so sweet. You sure love her, don't you? You don't want her to get hurt," she said, smirking. Her tone is tinged with sarcasm.

"I'm serious, Yizell," I emphasized, keeping my poker face and not showing any emotion.

"I know. She's not to blame, but I don't know why I get irritated whenever I see her. I can't stand talking to her or bonding with her like I used to."

"It isn't her fault that I like her. She is completely unaware of this. What are you thinking?!"

"What did you see in her, huh!?" Yizell stated solemnly. "I could say she's beautiful, smart, and kind. That is a given. Were those the reasons you liked her? I, too, can be all of these things!"

I shook my head in disbelief. "You're crazy. You don't have to change yourself to be liked by others."

"I'm also beautiful. I'm intelligent. If you want, I can be nice as well! I can put aside my bratty demeanor and become the person you want me to be. Just love me…"

I took a step back, disgustedly staring at her. She had never been this way before. No matter how hard I try, I can't understand her.

"Are you desperate, Yizell? You're not like this at all! This isn't even you!"

"Yes, Paul! I'm desperate! You made me this way! Now tell me, what should I have to do to earn your love and attention?"

"Love yourself first, then others will love you."

She then started crying again. I want to pity her because I feel bad. I want to console her, but I'm afraid she will misinterpret it. I don't want her to think she's more than just a friend to me. I don't want her to get the wrong idea.

"Why is the world so cruel to me?"

"The world isn't unjust. It's just not the right time for you to meet the true person you're meant to be with," I clarified.

"I laugh every time I recall my Mom's past story. It's a little like us. What happened to them before is happening again," she said as she began to tell a story. "Mommy and Auntie Faye were best friends. They were close. Nobody could break their friendship because it was as solid as rock. Not until my father entered their lives. Mommy liked him first, but Daddy preferred Auntie Faye at the time. Because of Dad's determination to court Auntie Faye, she responded yes to Dad, and they later became a couple. When Mom found out, she fled the country. Mommy's rage drove her back to seduce and reclaim my father. She didn't have a hard time winning him back because Daddy relented. Aunt Faye realized she was being cheated on, so she became enraged and ended her relationship with Dad. She spent two years in Korea. When she returned, she was nothing like the Faye they all remembered. She became more ferocious and powerful. She returned to execute revenge on my parents for the pain they caused her. But on her way to get her vengeance, she ran into Uncle Raph. She fell in love for the second time. But she was happier now than she had been before because she had chosen the right person. Uncle Raph is Aunt Faye's husband, Freya's father."

I was bewildered. We never discussed our families during our years of friendship. We all agreed not to share information because it was personal and private. We don't want to intrude on each other's privacy, but I'm not sure why Yizell is telling me this now.

"Then came the point where Dad's feelings for Aunt Faye were rekindled, but it was too late because she already loved Uncle Raph. He apologized to Auntie, but she refused to forgive him. Until an accident occurred one day," she continued. "My father's car was crushed, and he was inside. He was struck by a truck. Aunt Faye felt guilty when she heard the news because the night before the accident, she and Dad were at a wedding reception for a colleague. Aunt Faye had forgiven Dad and Mom because of the accident. Daddy was able to love Mommy again as a result of the accident. They all got along because of that accident."

So, that's the story of Yizell and Freya's family… I admire Freya's mother because she forgave and accepted her supposed friends no matter what they did to her, even if they cheated on her or betrayed her.

"What happened to them is happening to us again," Yizell added. "I like you, but you like Eliza. Do I still have to seduce you in order for you to love me? Huh, Paul?"

I became furious by what she said. I never imagined what love could do to her. She's completely out of her senses. I felt sorry for her at first, but now I'm disgusted. This isn't the Yizell I remember. She's not the same friend I've known for years.

"Yizell, please stop. I'm sorry, but I can't make myself love you the way you want," I explained. "You can't force anyone to love you."

"And why can't you!? Is it because I'm not Freya, huh?"

"Yes!" I became agitated. "Because you're not Freya and you will never be her!"

"Why did you have to like Freya!? Why, of all people, her!?" she screamed. She was clearly angered.

I was about to respond when we were both stunned by the voice that appeared out of nowhere.

"W-Wait, what do you mean?"

I turned my head slowly to see who it was. I froze in my stance when I saw Austin there… with Freya.