Chapter 2

6 months later.

Today, I'm going to Nollybook Bookstore to buy some books and Xavier is coming with me.

Nollybook is situated at the Brunei International Airport and they sell quite a few variety of books, magazines, toys, board games and more. Although the bookstore's kind of far from where we live, I like it.

"What time is your mother coming?" Xavier asks.

Taking a look at my watch, I tell him, "Probably in just a few minutes more. She told me she would be a little late today."

"Okay," he says, turning his head towards the basketball court.

We just finished our classes at St. John's. The waiting area is just right in front of the basketball court. He's actually lin the Photography Club. On Sunday, he does boxing with Kyle.

I am allocated by the school to the Home Science Club. What students currently do in the club during the period is baking and making food. We've learned to make pizza, egg tarts, brownies, cream puffs and cakes. Coincidentally, we're going to get allocated to another club next month already. It's the Environmental Club.

"Are you tired of waiting?" I say to Xavier.

"No. Why are we going to Nollybook and not Best Eastern? It's nearer."

"They have the self-help books that you like, that's why."

"Thanks," he laughs.

My mother reached in 10 minutes. We get into the car and are on our way to the airport.

"We should go for lunch first. Where do you both want to eat?" my mother asks.

"Oh. Anywhere," I say.

"Yeah, anywhere should be fine."

"Okay. Let's go to The Phat Belly!"

"Yay! I love their cheesy fries," I announce.

"You do? I think the food is alright," Xavier retorts.

"Maybe we shouldn't eat there and just have our lunch at the airport," my mother changes her mind.

He says, "It's fine, Auntie Tee."

"Alright then. The Phat Belly, it is."

"You don't like their The Phatty Melt?" I inquire.

"I like it. Not that I love it."

"Okay then. I love it."

We reach the place and take a seat at a table situated on the right, next to the wall and the lighted sign of the name of the coffee shop.

"One cheesy fries and one The Phatty Melt, please," I order at the cash register. "I'll share the fries with you both."

"Sure. I'd like one The Phatty Melt," Xavier chooses.

My mother follow, "You can share it with Xavier. One 3.5" Chicken Cheese Steak Sandwich and fries for me, please."

We go back to our seats. Each of us take our mobile phones out.

"There's something I want you to know," Xavier says.

"What?" I ask.

"Riley and I broke up."

Feeling surprised, I inquire him, "How come? What happened again this time?"

"She told me her father doesn't like me."

"Really?" I ask, showing concern.

"She's too innocent for me, anyway."

"Oh?"

"She always ask if I want to have sex with her. I just can't have a normal conversation with her."

I feel the other customers at the coffee shop glance at us.

"You've said it before that you're not into sex."

"Exactly."

"Do you know I heard that if you really love somebody, you would love it too? I guess you know yourself very well, that's why."

"Is it? It's not like I'm in love with her too."

"Maybe that's it."

The food came in 9 minutes.

"Here," I say to Xavier, putting the plate of fries between us.

He and I each take one of the fries.

"So, what's next?" I question him.

"Nothing. This girl asked me out two months ago."

"Who?"

"Catherine Tan."

"Isn't she that girl in Class 8B?"

"Yes."

"What are you thinking?"

"I'll see."

"Have you been talking to her since then?" I ask, giving him a look of distaste.

"What if I say yes?"

"You always do that!"

He laughs.

"It's not funny."

***

We finished our lunch and reach the airport.

"Where is Nollybook?" Xavier asks.

"There!" I point to the upper left after we walk through the entrance of the airport.

We use the escalator to go up to the other floor. We walk to the bookstore.

They have many books here. I decide to buy Why We Love Them by Regene Lim, and Xavier buys The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck by Mark Manson.

"I'll pay today. It's as a thanks for lunch."

"Okay. You like this book?"

"Yeah. I've been meaning to have a read."

"Alright."

"What do you like about this book?" He picks it up to read the sypnosis.

"It seems interesting and good. I did spot a few grammatical errors though."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeap. I wonder who the writer is. I want to look her up on Google."

"There's no biography."

"Yes, that's why."

"I think I know why."

"Why?"

"She's new, and paranoid," Xavier says, emphasising the 'and'.

"You're so mean!"

***

4 months later.

"Hey, Selina." I receive a text from Xavier. "I want to introduce you to my new girlfriend."

"What? That's fast!"

"Yeap. Let's watch a movie at The Mall Cineplex later."

"Okay, sure." I hope she doesn't think of me as an issue. "What are we watching?"

"Love, Rosie."

"What? A romance movie again? Are you sure your new girlfriend's okay with it?"

"Yes, of course."

"Alright then."

"I'll pick you up later in 15 minutes. My father's bringing us there."

"Okay. We're meeting her at The Mall?"

"Yes."

This Xavier doesn't know his girlfriends. Or does he?

It's Sunday. I change into a white t-shirt and a blue jean, take my handbag, and wait for Xavier and his father.

They come in 22 minutes.

"Hello, Uncle Khoo," I greet Xavier's father. "Hi, Xavier."

"Hello, Selina. Do you have everything?"

"Yes!"

"Okay."

On our way to The Mall, we have a conversation.

"So, do you know who she is?"

"You mean, your new girlfriend?" I take a peek at Uncle Khoo, keeping my voice low.

"Yeah."

"No. Who?"

"You'll see later."

***

What? Isn't she Catherine Tan?

"This is Catherine, and this is Selina," Xavier gestures each of us to each other.

"Hello, Catherine."

"Hi."

Hmm. She seems a bit of a high maintanence girl.

"What is she doing here?"

"What?" he chuckles. "I just want to introduce both of you to each other. She's my best friend."

Hmm. They seem close. What is this feeling?

"So.. we're watching Love, Rosie?"

Catherine answers, "Yes."

Xavier has booked for the tickets earlier, apparently. I do feel like a real third wheel here, with Catherine's attitude so far. What am I doing here?

"What do you want?" Xavier asks Catherine.

"Sweet caramelised popcorn," she answers.

Usually, he asks me too but not this time. I buy myself a cup of popcorn after them.

We go into the cinema in 3 minutes.

I meet Derrick Woo in the cinema, next to my seat.

"Oh, hi, Derrick."

"Hello, Selina."

"Hello," I laugh. "Hey, Xavier. It's Derrick."

"Oh, hey, Derrick!"

"What are you guys doing here?"

"Catherine wants to watch the movie."

"Hi, Derrick," she says.

The movie starts in 5 minutes.

In this scene, Rosie is doing her wedding speech for Alex and Katie.

I tear up. It's a sweet and sad scene. The movie has a few bittersweet scenes. Sigh. I love this movie so far.

Suddenly, I feel a tap on my arm.

I look to my left. "What?" I whisper.

"You want some?" asks Derrick.

I reach my hand into the Lays bag. "Thanks." I put a potato chip into my mouth.

"Where'd you get that?" I hear Xavier whispering to me.

"Derrick asked me if I wanted one."

"Okay."

The movie ends.

"See you in school, Selina and Xavier."

"See you!" Xavier and I say in unison.

Just for your information, Derrick Woo is our classmate starting from Year 7. He's a nice boy, and he is smart too. He gets first place most of the time in our class.

"I don't like the cliffhanger. Did they get together or not?" Catherine asks.

Xavier answers, "Most likely."

I wonder if he got a divorce with Katie.

"What do you think about the movie, Selina?" Xavier asks.

"I don't like the cliffhanger too," I say, glancing at Catherine.

"I love the movie," Xavier confesses.

Catherine admits too.

"Do you want to get a drink?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Okay. What about you, Selina?"

"Sure!"

We go to Gong Cha and order our drinks. I order a Lemon Kumquat Juice, 50% sugar, less ice and they order something different.

I notice that Catherine is special to Xavier. They seem close too.