Three

Every chapter is a mix of flashback and present time.

Five years ago.

I tightly held the strap of my bag as I walked down the long hallway, the surroundings unfamiliar to me. It was my first day as a college student, and I couldn’t help but feel nervous about what life would be like inside.

My building was at the far end, and I was running late, so I hurried my pace. It was frustrating—why did I oversleep today? Mom didn’t wake me up, and they weren’t home when I left, so I also felt hungry since I hadn’t eaten since last night.

When I arrived at the room assigned to me, everything was chaotic, although our professor was already seated. I took a seat at the front since it was the only vacant one left.

Like the usual routine on the first day, there were introductions to the lessons for the whole semester and getting to know each other. I didn’t know many people yet, so I just kept quiet as I walked towards the canteen near our building. The weather was hot, making it lazy to walk, and I didn’t bring an umbrella—I rushed and forgot to bring one to avoid being late.

“Bacon with rice, please,” I ordered at the counter. I really ate a heavy breakfast since my first class was only for one hour, so my stomach wouldn’t hurt if I ate something heavy.

“Hello, you’re the one I was with during enrollment, right?” I paused in my eating because of the voice I heard.

I faced her, a familiar face greeted me, so I nodded. “Adrianna, right?”

She nodded and smiled, and then I noticed she also had a tray of food.

“Is it okay if I sit beside you?” I almost laughed because she didn’t wait for me to answer and just sat down. “I’m Adrianna Savy Felicidad.”

“Ah, hello,” I had nothing to say to her.

“Why are you alone?” She stopped eating and looked at me with a spoon full of rice and viand.

“I don’t want to talk with anyone.” I gave a simple answer, so she stopped talking and continued eating. I really didn’t want to be harsh; I was just too lazy. I couldn’t do anything if she misunderstood what I said.

I just looked at the long hallway leading out of the canteen; there weren’t many people yet since it was only nine in the morning. You could still see the whole place. I estimated there were fifteen or sixteen long tables here and long metal chairs. Some students were sitting, probably just hanging out and waiting for the next subject.

“Do you have a boyfriend, Elara?” She suddenly asked, so I looked at her.

“No, how about you?” I asked back. It was embarrassing because she had been talking for a while.

“I do,” she answered, and she seemed to be thrilled.

“Just a few months, right?” She nodded and smiled. “Yep, how did you know?”

“It’s obvious in your actions, the superb smile with giggle,” I gave a simple answer.

“Wow! Hahaha! Oh my gosh! We’re best friends now!” She said and pulled my arm to hug me.

“Stop it.” But she continued to hug my arm. “I said stop.” I repeated, and she finally stopped and moved away but still smiling.

“Elyyy, just let me, I’m just really amazed at your skill. Okay, can you read me, even just half of my personality?”

I just shook my head at what she said. Is this girl for real? Or is she just going crazy, or both?

“Come on! Just do it!” She kept insisting, shaking both my shoulders.

I sighed and nodded. “Fine.” I said, and she clapped and sat properly. I looked at her and took my candy from my pants pocket and ate while waiting for her response to what I said about her. Well, I didn’t know if all that was correct; I just based it on well-observed things about her.

“What the heck?! How did you know that?! Are you a stalker?” I finally burst into laughter at what she said. With all the reactions I had thought of, I didn’t expect her to say that. What a funny girl. “Why are you laughing at me?”

“It’s just, you’re too transparent; whatever you want to say, you just say it.”

“Wait, how did you know that?” I lowered my hand on the table and faced her. “I just know.”

“Oh, come on, girl. Okay, fine. I’ll find out, too.”

After she said that, I stood up, adjusted the strap of my bag before putting it on. I wasn’t in the mood to talk anymore; I was just too lazy.

“Hey! Where are you going?”

“Somewhere.” I answered and walked out of the canteen. I checked my watch and saw that it was almost eleven; no wonder. I’ve been sitting there for a long time.

“Can I come with you?”