1 #1: What's Love?

"Hmm" Yani, Elaina's housemate, hummed while having her head facing downwards towards the floor, fumbling with the rug under her, "Elaina, what do you think love means to you?" The abrupt question sparked interest in Elaina as she lifted her attention from the bright screen of the phone to Yani's sparkling honey eyes.

Elaina was taken aback but thought deep into the question, but all she could think of was the spoilt and heartless boys who acted upon their temptations. She heard too many stories of teenagers these days taking the matter of having partners lightly, it frightened her to ever begin something serious with any guy she talked to. Finding guys were never a problem for her but she was a strong willed woman and knew what she wanted. She could never imagine settling down with someone who acts solely on their emotions and especially if he behaves immature, that was a straight no for her. All she ever wished for was someone who will be willing to take care of her with much love and someone who shares a huge amount of compassion for lives around him. However, all boys ever think about these days are boobs, ass and sex. Such narrow minded creatures, hmmph, she scoffed.

"Alright let me be frank with you. Love is a fantasy everyone hope to find someday, but it is a commitment not all could handle healthily." Elaina stared dead into Yani and continued, " Before you think of ever falling for a guy, remember this advice I have for you - Be sure to love yourself before anyone else, because from there, you will know what is good for you and what is not. So," Elaina placed a tight slap on Yani's shoulder, " do not act rationally and give time for yourself."

"Sure thing LoVe ExpErt!" Yani pushed Elaina's hand away and threw on a silly face.

Yani and Elaina were both in the same boarding school since they were 13 years old. Convent High Stamford Raffles, also known as CHSR boarding school was located in the heart of the country, it was one of the famous elite schools that only had female students, strictly no male students in the gigantic campus. Ironically, a rival boarding school was located opposite the CHSR mansion. The major difference was that that particular school only enrolled male students. It was none other than Saint Brewmore boarding school. The only physical object that separates both schools is the so called 'love bridge' to cross the road from one side to another side, besides the firing tension.

There were stories about both of the schools having a strong bond once upon a time, told by the graduated seniors. However, that was not entirely the case in the current time. Students from both schools made use of one another for lust and that was it. Period.

As expected of the top schools in the country, not all students in CHSR as well as Saint Brewmore shared the same narrow mind and fell under the influence of others. Not all, but there were a number of them. It got to the point that the Principals of both schools had to adjust their timetables so that dismissal time would not clash with one another.

"You know, sometimes I wonder, what everrrr," Elaina emphasized her sassiness, "crosses their mind when they choose to leave their partners right after committing adultery." Her forehead creases as she stuck the tip of the pen on the edge of her bottom rosy lip.

She could hear the heavy sigh coming from the now exhausted Yani, after hours of reading a sci-fi novel. " I don't even know mann... Anyways, it's their problem. Let's nap and grab lunch shall we?" Yani brushed the topic aside and gave Elaina the puppy teary eyes.

Elaina's stomach was grumbling a loud yes as soon as Yani mentioned food. As if on cue, her phone alarm went off and reminded her that she had work scheduled in 3 hours. Elaina contemplated if she had time to grab lunch before work.

Without even asking, Yani turned the alarm off and rolled her eyes. "Okay ma'am, you need to stop thinking and let's grab some food before you head to work. Scrap the nap time." Having a friend to babysit Elaina was foreign to her. She was the one who always took care of others. Especially her family back in her hometown. She was the eldest of them all, the prettiest too. Babysitting was something she could never avoid when she was back with her family. Of course she loved her little adorable siblings, but she could not spare some time for herself and it was affecting her negatively overall. Leaving her family to attend boarding school was probably the best thing she ever did. Her mental health grew splendidly in an instant and matured well all by herself.

There were moments when she missed the chaotic and loud bunch of clowns, she loved them so dearly but at the same time, she needed to focus on herself.

"What do you feel like eating Miss Yani?" Elaina grinned widely towards Yani, who promised to treat her food if she agreed to grab lunch together.

The both ladies strut down the flight of stairs after putting on a simple outfit that would protect them from the scorching hot sun.

They continued to talk about the topic love on the way to the Indian restaurant which was located 15 minutes away from the dorm building they were at. The smell of fresh herbs that would fill up their noses could make them drool without even taking a look at the dishes.

"Girlie... please get me Roti Naan," Elaina paused, "WITH CHEESE please." She spoke with a tilt of her head.

Cheese Naan? The only thing that Elaina loved and swore to herself, will only love in the future.

"Alright boss, I got chu." Yani smiled innocently and left Elaina to order, while leaving the job of finding seats to Elaina.

Not long after, the both of them walked around the area to 'digest' their food, but actually were spending money on clothes. After everything, they parted ways as Elaina had to leave for her part time retail work. Cotton Off, the place she shops at and works for.

-END OF CHAPTER-