Chapter 1

Hello there. My name is Selina Tee. What I love about my life is that I go to St. John's School with Xavier Khoo. He has been my bestest of friend for at least 7 years. I've known him since Year 1.

We became fast friends as we sat next to each other in the year that we met. We had classes in the afternoon, up until Year 3, and then from Year 4 to Year 11, we had them in the morning. We had the same group of friends, we got scolded for being talkative, also naughty, in class, we went to tuition together, and also hung out at each other's houses.

I remember this one time in Year 4 when Xavier forgot his textbook and he got punished! What made it memorable was that our class teacher, Mr. Fang, asked him and my other classmates who didn't bring their books to stand in front of Class 4G as a punishment. Wow. Talk about embarassment! Luckily, it wasn't me. I'm not saying that I never got punished though.

What I know about myself is that I am kind of smart, I guess you can say. I get As to Cs for my exams and sometimes, one or two Ds. As for Xavier, he actually got Cs to Es in Year 1 to 5. From Year 6 onwards, he always get As to Ds. To me, he's always been a genius. I like him.

What I like about him is that he seems like someone from another world. I always see him as just a friend since we met. However, at times, he's like a King (All Hail, King Xavier!), and at times, a God (Dear, Xavier.). He's just.. special to me.

"Selina." I hear a voice.

I turn to look at Xavier. "What is it?" I question.

"Why are you so deep in thought? Are you talking to yourself again?" he asks, showing a mixed look of distaste and concern.

"No," I retort.

"Are you coming over to watch The Notebook with me and Riley?"

"Yes, but why do I have to watch with you and Riley? Especially watching The Notebook?" I ask Xavier.

Looking dejected, Xavier says, "What? How can you say that? Riley likes you."

I shake my head to myself. Why do I have to always be a third wheel? I mean, being best friends with him is good but what does that Riley like about me?

"I bet you're wrong. Did she tell you that she likes me?" I ask him.

"Yeah, she told me," he states matter-of-factly.

"I don't believe it."

"Come on! Just watch with us," he cries.

"Fine."

Sigh. I bet he doesn't know her too, like his recent ex-girlfriend. Actually, they don't like me. They think they do only because of him. From what I know, after he tells them that I'm his best friend since young, they always have this sort of look. Like, they like me. I guess maybe they do, but they don't, you know? I can see that there's always an underlying hint of jealousy and sadness.

While mentioning about his ex-girlfriends, he already has 4 of them. He's so frivolous!

***

I got back home from school and see my mother in the living room, ironing the family's clothes.

"Mom, I'm going Xavier's place later," I tell her and sit on the couch.

"Oh, okay. What time will you be home?"

"At 8 pm." I haven't said it, but Xavier just lives 4 minutes away, by walking. Therefore, I will be walking to his house.

"Alright. You're going to eat at his place?"

"No, I don't think so. Maybe we'll order some food."

"Okay. I will leave some food for you, just in case."

"Thanks, Mom."

I decide to go take a shower and do some shaving. I have manly legs. What I mean is, my legs are hairy. Today is the day I shave again. I shave bimonthly, by the way.

After the routine, I wear my house clothes and bring my mobile phone and wallet with me.

I leave my house and am ready to go to Xavier's house. On my way there, I meet Auntie Wang while she is walking her dog, Xiao Bai, which is Little White in English and Small White if translated directly.

I greet her. "Hello, Auntie Wang!"

"Hello, Selina! Where are you going? To Xavier's?" she says, stopping Xiao Bai.

"Yeap. That's right." I stop to pat Xiao Bai.

Xiao Bai seems to like me, sitting and letting me.

Although I live at another area, Xavier and I live in the same neighbourhood. It's a peaceful and quiet one. Up until now, there are no crimes, maybe just theft at my neighbour's house. I heard from them that despite their maid telling them that she did not steal the $700 cash that they kept in their bedroom, they did suspect that she stole it. They didn't call the police.

I still am cautious though. The neighbourhood might be peaceful and crimeless, but I still make sure that no one is following me. It's scary. I watch the news and at times, these kind of neighbourhoods can be dangerous. There are a few cars passing by and residents going back to their homes, so there's that. As an advice, a 4 minute walk to another place might need a car.

I reach Xavier's house in about 5 minutes, I check from my watch. The gates are open, probably for me and I ring the doorbell.

I ring the doorbell again, for 3 times.

Where are they? Why is the Khoo family not home? I know his parents are working, but what about his brother? What about Xavier?

I decide to squat next to their house door and text Xavier. "Where are you?"

"I'm on my way home," he replies.

On his way home? Sigh. How can he leave me here waiting alone?

I wait for another 6 minutes before I saw him and Riley.

I scowl at him.

He laughs. "We just went to buy Jollibee." He held up the plastic bags.

"Yay! Jollibee! It's for dinner?" I mutter.

"Yeap!"

I look at Riley.

"Hi, Selina! Sorry that we kept you waiting."

Xavier laughs again.

"Hi, Riley. It's okay." I turn to Xavier after. "It's not funny. You left me waiting alone here. I could have been kidnapped by somebody!"

"Okay, okay. I'll make sure to tell you to come later next time, alright?" he says.

"Not alright," I answer.

He opens the door with his house key and places the food on the dining table.

It's only 3:36 pm. We usually eat dinner at 6 pm, but Xavier suggests that we eat at 4:45 pm later. We're eating fries and burgers during the movie and the chickens and rice after.

"My parents are not coming home to eat, and Leo too."

"Alright!"

***

We are watching the scene where Allie and Noah kiss in the rain.

The atmosphere is a little.. awkward. Xavier kisses Riley's head and I really wish that I didn't come here in the first place.

I stare at them.

Xavier must have felt my eyes on them because he turns to look at me. "What?"

"Nothing." I frown and take a bite off a fry.

"We're sorry," Riley adds.

"No, it's alright," I say, giving her a little smile.

What I don't like about Riley Lee is that she likes me just because Xavier likes me, but what I like about her is.. that she's kind of a nice person, I guess you can say.

"You should get a boyfriend soon, so you don't get lonely," Xavier advises.

"I don't mind not having a boyfriend currently," I inform him.

"Okay then," he smiles and continue wathing the movie.

***

The movie ends and it's 6:25 pm. I decide to go home early.

"Xavier, I'm going home first," I tell him.

He responds, "Okay, we'll walk you. The sun has set."

"Sure."

We have finished our food and cleaned up the living room. The three of us walk out of the house together.

Xavier and Riley are holding hands next to me, and I'm walking next to Xavier on his right.

"Xavier, will you be hanging out with Kyle tomorrow?" I hear Riley from my left.

"Yeah, he's coming over," he announces.

She continues, "Will you be going too, Selina?"

"Oh, yes. I am."

"Oh.." she mutters.

I think she's sad. What I know about Xavier is that he doesn't like his girlfriends hanging out with his other friends other than me. He says it's because I'm a girl and he wants us to get to know each other too.

To me, he just wants them to like me, since I'm his best friend.

We reach my house.

"Do you both want to come in and have a drink?" I inquire them.

"Of course," Xavier exclaims.

"Yes, sure," Riley answers, after looking at him.

I invite them in.

"Hello, Xavier!" my mother greets.

"Hey, Xavier," my father follows.

"Hello, Auntie Tee. Hello, Uncle Tee."

Riley repeats after him.

"This is my girlfriend, Riley," Xavier informs.

"Hello, Riley," my parents say in unison.

"It's not 8 o' clock yet," my father questions.

"Yeah, you're home early."

"I don't want to be a third wheel today."

I hear Xavier and Riley laughing.

I go to the kitchen to pour some orange juice into two glasses of cup.

"Here," I put the cups on the table placed in the middle of the living room.

"Thank you."

"Thanks."

"Have you finished your homework?" I ask Xavier.

"Yes, of course."

"I need help with it."

Although I get better marks and grades, Xavier IS still smarter than me. I did mention that he's a genius.

"Okay, I'll help you with it later."

"I want to see if you know how to do it."

"What time will your father be fetching you, Riley?"

"Oh, I haven't told him but you know my curfew is at 10 pm."

"Okay, can you call him to fetch you in 20 minutes?" he asks.

"She can stay here longer, I don't mind," I interrupt.

"No, she'd get bored."

"I can help too," she says.

"Yeah," I follow.

"No, you should go home."

Xavier can be either mean or very nice. I don't know about this side of his.

Riley calls her father and he comes to pick her up in exactly 15 minutes.

***

I take out my exercise book and ask Xavier for help. He does know the answer.

"How can you not know the answer to this?"

"I don't know. I'm blank!" I exclaim.

Usually, I tell Xavier not to walk me and go home alone after. Who asks him to tell Riley to call her father tonight. Fortunately, it's only 8:12 pm.

"Don't worry about me. I do boxing."

"Yeah, whatever," I say and he leaves the house, chuckling.

I text him in 5 minutes.

"Have you reached your place?"

"Yeap."

"Okay."