8. Family

Maria had asked to hangout, but because I wanted some time to myself since I'd completed some artworks refused. Politely, of course. These days I'm not as blunt as usual. It was either due to Maria's presence in my life, or Winter wanting to be friends.

Speaking of Winter, she'd sent me friend requests and followed me everywhere. I told Chad and he was too excited for my liking. Normally, one should be suspicious or even curious, but he wasn't. He told me I needed more friends. I told him he was being ridiculous.

I wasn't interested in being friends with anyone. The additional 'friend' I'd gotten in Winter was enough for me. I wanted to add Maria but I just didn't see her that way, if that made any sense.

I'd been asked to hangout by a few guys from the moment I started highschool, but I'd refused. Somehow, I'd met Chad in a tea shop and we started talking and from then on he wouldn't leave me alone. I think some people were bitter about it, but I didn't really care. It was even a miracle that I talked to Chad, they weren't missing anything.

"Are you dating Maria Castillo?"

I paused as I stepped into my room to see my younger sister, Stacy sitting on my bed.

I held myself from shouting at her to get the hell out of my room. I wanted to be left alone for once. Sure, it wasn't anyone's fault that I wasn't the happiest or whatever, but at least I didn't bother anyone with it! I was by myself and only got angry when my annoying siblings bothered me. It's almost like they shared roles on who'd bother me and when.

"Get out of my room," I said slowly.

Stacy was very stubborn and wouldn't leave just because I said so, and even if I shouted at her though. I knew it was going to be a torturous time.

"Well, I have a friend that's in your school who tells me things and she claims you're dating her," she continued, not threatened at all.

"I'm not dating- "

Then she started gushing. "She's so beautiful and popular! I saw that she had over a hundred thousand followers on Instagram, then more than that on TikTok! Did you know that she has a twin?"

She'd mentioned it briefly the day we were messaging each other. I'd never had the urge to search for her nor her brother on social media. I was contemplating whether that was wrong of me or not.

"...So that's why she claims you're dating."

I raised a brow, confused. I wasn't paying attention anymore so I didn't know what she'd been saying. But I didn't want to ask her about it since my eagerness to be alone overshadowed my curiosity.

"I'm not dating Maria," I repeated.

Though I didn't know anything that was said, I knew what it was about.

She frowned. "Why not? I remember that time that you went to a party- "

"We're just being friendly with each other."

She crossed her arms. "You're never 'friendly' with anyone. It even took a while with Chad."

I sighed. "If I say that we're dating, will you get out of my room?"

Her face brightened and she stood up, nodding vigorously.

"Then yes. I'm dating Maria."

She squealed, gripping my arms and shaking me. "That's all I wanted to hear and also the best answer you could ever give, Val!"

"Yeah, yeah. Get out of my room now."

"Okay."

She happily skipped out and even shut the door behind her.

"I can't believe that was all it took," I mumbled.

It took a lot out of me in a way though. I'd never admitted such a thing. I knew if I didn't care for the person that I would deny everything. And I did care for her in a way that I couldn't exactly explain.

***

Spending time with my family wasn't fun and was never on my to-do list. But I always endured it because my mother was crazy emotional and would exclaim that she was the reason why I wasn't close to my siblings. Dad was alright too.

Back when we were kids, we were close. Really close. I don't really remember what happened though but I think it's something that had to do with my older sister Anna getting a boyfriend. Yup, that piece of shit really made me hate everyone. I really didn't want to remember the details- not like I could, for some reasons- and that was it. But every time I tried, my head would hurt.

Sometimes I'd catch Anna looking at me with a vulnerable look on her face. It was weird because she was always the funny one. I never asked her what was wrong and I didn't bother to. I didn't care. I only cared about myself.

As it should be.

It probably wouldn't make sense to a lot of people but I didn't mind. I'd never attempted to make sense to anyone.