Chapter Sixteen

When I reached the main entrance of the mall, I stopped right outside of the entrance. I looked at the spacious parking lot in front of me. There were only a few people around which made my search easier for me. Soon enough, I spotted her.

She was leaning by her motorcycle fondling her jacket. She seems like looking for something in her jacket's inner pockets. I walked towards where she was. As I did that, I rehearsed in my head what I was going to say to her.

I want her to stop. I don't want her apology. It's impossible to get it from her anyway. I just want her out of sight and out of life. I'm thinking of creating an agreement with her so this could end now. I want my old life back... at least parts of it.

She pulled out something from her jacket. I looked carefully and saw that it was an electric cigarette. That made me falter in my steps. Does she smoke? It seems very unusual for a girl to smoke. But then again, this is a girl with such an evil attitude. It shouldn't be a surprise to me if she smokes.

As I passed the parking lot's section entrance, she was about to open the cigarette when she noticed me. She looked at me and smiled. Other people will mistake this for a friendly gesture but not me. I am fully aware of how evil that devilish smile on her face can be.

However, her eyes started to narrow as I drew closer. Maybe she is sensing my purpose for coming to her. Then, suddenly her eyes light up and so does her smile. She left her motorcycle and walked towards me. That made me stop dead in my tracks. What is she doing?

Before I could think of a logical explanation, she had reached me. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around my neck. Before I could even react, she pulled me to her. Then the next thing I knew, I felt her lips on mine.

WHAT THE HELL!!?!?!?!

Why is she kissing me? What is going on? My brain is yelling at me to pull away but I can't. Why can't I pull away? I felt so shocked. It felt like her soft lips were caressing mine. It felt so tender despite the reaction of my pounding heart. So, this is what a kiss feels like. It felt so lighthearted. Then she pulled away.

I looked at her wide-eyed. She just smiled at me. Why is she smiling like... damn! Then, it hit me. The smile she was giving me was that signature devilish smile of hers. Oh no.

"What the f***!?!!?!"

That voice. Damn! They're here! I turned to the direction of the voice. I saw Patrick seething in anger with Roby and Chris behind him both gaping at us.

"You traitor!?!?!! Sancho told me you want to talk to me to clear things up. He said that this was all a misunderstanding. I did not expect that you would clear this by actually confirming this."

"Wait! I can explain! This is- "

"I don't care about whatever bulls*** you are going to spout. I don't believe the words of a traitor like you. I'm done with this s***."

After his angry remark, he walked away. He got out of the parking lot going towards the mall. Chris and Roby both looked at Patrick's retreating form. Then, they both walked off to catch Patrick without sparing another glance at me. That could only mean many things. But for me, that could only mean one thing. Their friendship with me is now officially over.

My shock was soon replaced with anger. But compared to earlier, I was even angrier.

"How could you do that!??!!!" I screamed at the person beside me.

Without even flinching a bit, she talked back.

"You know I wouldn't miss an opportunity to drive your friend away from me." Yes. It was nothing but an opportunity for her. It didn't matter to her how this would affect me.

"Friend? We're no longer friends thanks to you!!!"

I was very much yelling at her with all the anger I had. I'm surprised the mall security at the front had not heard me yet. I was so angry. She not only took my girlfriend away from me but also my friends.

Those people might mean nothing to her but they meant so much to me. They made my college life filled with laughter and great memories. They were my ups when I was down. Even if I was far from my hometown, they made me feel like I was home. All those memories I had with them flooded through my mind. They were great memories, memories I can no longer make. Wet droplets stream down the side of my cheeks. I looked up at her with this face of mine unashamed and said.

"What did I do to you to deserve this..." I choked on the words but I continued to say, "...for you to take Aria and my friends away from me?"

Her face was expressionless completely unreadable. Why am I even asking her this? I did not wait for her to reply. I turned and walked away. It is pointless to pour my anger or my sadness into someone who does not feel pity, remorse, or anything at all. How can a heartless evil snake like her feel sympathy or empathy after all that she had done?

I always knew that I did not have much in my life. But, knowing I have people who care about me feels like I almost have everything. I was happy despite the problems I faced every day. But these past two months were just the worst and it is all because of that evil snake.

She first took Aria from me. One day, I was happy with her. Everything felt like it was all sunshine and rainbows. But the next day, I found out about them then, she took her away. Then, she took Patrick, Roby, and Chris away. It was just a blind date but she blew it out of proportion. She also smeared my good reputation with these tricks of hers. I never had people look down at me. But now I do and it is because of her doing. But, those were not the only ones she took from me.

As I lay on my bed for the night, I touched my lips as I remembered what happened earlier. I remembered a certain memory when I was a kid. I just got home from school at that time. My mom was home to greet me. I was very unhappy and she noticed.

"Oh, Justin! You're home. How's my baby boy?" my mom greets me the moment I entered the living room of our home.

I walked to her. I climbed up the couch and hugged her. After I broke off from her, I began to sulk.

"It was terrible. I have no friends." If Cristine was there, I wouldn't have a bad day. Why did she have to move away?

"Oh? You didn't make friends?".

"No.". I don't want another friend. I want Cristine.

"Didn't anyone at school come to you and ask you to play with them?". I didn't reply. There were some kids. But, they are not Cristine... so no. But unlucky me, my mother seems to have mind-reading powers. She had already realized what had happened.

"You rejected them, didn't you?" my mother looked at me a bit mad. I didn't reply. My mom sighed.

"Oh, Justin. You won't have friends if you keep rejecting kids that want to be your friend."

"But mom! I don't want them to be my friend. I only want Cristine to be my friend." I covered my mouth when I realized I said Cristine's name.

My mother gave me that teasing smile. She always does this whenever I mention Cristine. She will pick on me and say that I have a crush on Cristine.

"Oh, is my baby boy missing a girl? Why did you grow up so fast? It felt like yesterday that I just held you in my arms for the first time. But now, you are starting to have a crush.".

Oh no! Here she goes again.

"I don't have a crush on Cristine. I am happy when I play with her. She doesn't hurt me when we play. She even helps me when I get hurt while playing.". But Mother looked like she wasn't even listening to me.

"Hay... innocent love. I hope you will always have this innocent love. But sadly when you grow older, you will realize how complicated love is." my mom said as she continued to caress my head.

"But, I don't want you going around kissing girls you have a little crush on. Remember that you should only kiss the girl you truly love." my mom said in the same tone she uses whenever she doesn't want me to break things at home.

I didn't understand back then what she meant but I did say yes.

"Yes, mommy! I promise to only kiss the girl I love so I can only kiss Mommy." I said as I stood up on the couch to kiss my mom on the cheek.

My mom awed me and called me a sweet baby. Then she kissed my forehead and whispered.

"Please never change."

I did change though. But I never forgot that promise I made. I was never promiscuous in my relationships. I had three girlfriends in the past but I never kissed anyone on the lips. If there's anyone I kissed, it was Aria. I only kiss her on her forehead though. I never kissed her elsewhere especially not on the lips. But I did plan to share my first kiss with her. It is very uncommon for a guy to value this stuff but I do.

But sadly, I can never fulfill that promise anymore. I feel so tainted remembering what happened earlier. To add salt to injury, I even lost my first kiss to the worst person I have ever met. So much for saving it for the girl I love. I guess that is another thing she took away from me. I just hope this will be the last thing she'll take from me.