Friendship

When Jonas entered the locker room, he noticed a phone on top of Charles' duffel bag and assumed he could find anything on it, so he checked it. He then noticed Gabriella's name on his contact list, leading him to send a text message to her number.

"Bro, what are you doing?" When a voice resonated in the middle of silence within the locker room, Jonas trembled, and he was shocked when he turned his gaze to where the sound came from. With a white towel dangling from his right shoulder, Charles stood behind him.

He looked back to the phone he was holding to check whether he had sent the text message to Gabriella.

"Nothing. Your alarm rang so I just turned it off because it's hurting my ears." Jonas reasoned out and puts the phone back on top of Charles duffel bag. He took his on duffel bag, hang it on his shoulder then look at Charles eyes before tapping his shoulder and walking away.

"I never set an alarm at these hours." Charles said after Jonas has left him alone at the locker room. He thought it wasn't a big deal so he proceeds in putting his used clothes inside his duffel bag without checking what Jonas might have done to his phone. When he was done, he immediately hangs it on his shoulder and opened his phone.

He planned to invite Gabriella on a lunch but when he saw the last text message he sent was just a few minutes ago, his brows furrowed as he couldn't remember when did he ever text Gabriella when he haven't opened his phone since the morning.

He dashed out of the locker room and checked the left and right corners of the corridor to see whether Jonas was still walking. But, to his dismay, he couldn't even see his shadow. As a result, he began walking quickly towards the soccer field.

When her arrived there he saw Gabriella in front of Jonas, he couldn't hear what they were talking so he walks closer to them.

"…that you liked me on Carlo's birthday so why not date me?" it was the only thing he heard from Jonas when he finally come closer to them. He could only see the side view of Gabriella's face. He waited for Gabriella's answer but when Gabriella suddenly turns her gaze towards him he finally snapped.

He thought that he might be disturbing the two of them so he decided to walk away. While he was walking away from them, the root of their deal repeats on his mind. He turns his gaze one more and saw Jonas holding Gabriella's arm while they were conversing. He let out a deep breath before finally leaving the both of them.

While on the other hand, Gabriella was stuck with Jonas. He wouldn't let go of her arms no matter how much force she use to get out of his grasp.

"Let me go or I'll scream!" Gabriella said while gritting her teeth. Jonas finally let go of her arms fearing that passers-by might think that he was harassing her. Gabriella immediately walks three steps backwards. "I do not like you and so I will never go on a date with." Gabriella added and began walking away as quickly as she could, afraid that Jonas would seize her arms again and never let her go.

She walks away from him without pausing, oblivious to the fact that she is heading in the opposite direction. She turned around to see if Jonas had followed her, and she was relieved when she didn't see him. Despite the fact that Jonas was not following her, she continued to walk as quickly as she could and collided with someone.

"Where did you go? You suddenly leave without any words." It was Olivia. She held Gabriella's arms to help her because she almost fell after their shoulders bumped into each other. Olivia's eyes widen when she saw bruises on her friend's arms. "Oh my God! Where did you get this?" Olivia suddenly asked in shock.

Vanessa and Chloe also looked at Gabriella's arms and their eyes widen too when they saw it. Gabriella's skin was so white that the red bruises were so noticeable.

"What happen to you?" Vanessa asked and come closer to her friend to support her too. They walk to the nearest bench so Gabriella could relax since she was still grasping for breathe until now.

"It's nothing; I just hit the pole earlier while I was walking." Gabriella answer.

"Then why were you running as if someone's following you?" Chloe asked.

"It's because I was trying to catch up with you so we could eat together. Have you eaten your lunch?" Gabriella asked trying to change the topic. Her friends didn't ask further questions anymore though they weren't really convince.

"Not yet, we were looking for you since you suddenly leave without telling us where you were heading. Let's go eat first, we'll be late in our next classes if we stay here one more minute." Vanessa suggested and so they all walk towards the cafeteria.

They instantly order their meals and take a seat in one of the empty chairs when they arrived. Even if there are many students currently here, there are still unfilled seats.

"Did you meet up with Charles again?" Olivia suddenly asked in the middle of their silence while her eyes were darted to Gabriella. Gabriella was shock with her sudden question so she just looks at her with wide eyes and shakes her head.

"What's the matter? They were lovers in the first place, and if you were concerned about what we had just heard previously, perhaps Jonas was simply spewing rubbish that irritated Charles, which is why he responded that way. We didn't even get to hear the end of their chat." Vanessa explained which made Olivia grasp air in disbelief.

"Lovers?! Really? So you didn't tell them?" Olivia asked Gabriella again. Gabriella wasn't able to answer and just lowered her head and puts a tablespoon of rice on her mouth.

"Tell us what?" Chloe asked in confusion.

"Is there something we should know?" Vanessa asked too. They were all looking at Gabriella, waiting for an answer.

"Gosh! You really don't have plans telling them about the deal you made with Charles?" it was Olivia again, she was starting to feel annoyed because of Gabriella's silence.

"Olivia." Gabriella said, begging her friend to stop. She's afraid of what Chloe and Vanessa would think of her after they hear about the deal she agreed on without any ounce of doubt.

"I told you already! End that bullshit you made with him! Can't you see? He's just using you. You wouldn't even gain anything from that since you don't even like Jonas." Olivia said in a higher voice that caught the attention of other students sitting near them. Vanessa started calming Olivia down so the tension between them will not grow anymore.

"What bullshit?" Chloe asked and repeatedly turn her eyes from Gabriella to Olivia.

"Your friend here agreed to become his crush' fake girlfriend thinking she could hook his attention and now ended up being his emergency toy. Pathetic, isn't she?" Olivia answered and darted her eyes to Gabriella. Gabriella's eyes got teary, she just look at her friend while biting he lower lip as hard as she could and tilt her head up slightly to prevent her tears from falling down.

"Olivia, I know you have something you want to point out but please don't let your anger control you. Calm down." Vanessa said after seeing Gabriella's reaction.

"I thought you're smart? Then why can't you see what's wrong with the set up between the two of you? What are your academic awards for if you'll just make a fool of yourself because of him?" Olivia said, she's so consumed with her anxieties and irritation that she's no longer aware of how her words hit Gabriella in the chest like a million daggers.

"Olivia! Mind your words." Chloe said and come to comfort Gabriella. Olivia stared at them for a few minutes and walked away. Vanessa called her a few times but she didn't look back and just walk straight out of the cafeteria.

"Gabby, let's talk about it next time. For now, just eat you lunch and we'll head to our next subjects." Vanessa said.

"Don't worry about her; she'll eventually give into you once you talk to her. You know her very well, didn't you?" Chloe said. They continue eating their food in silence. Vanessa would sometimes peek at Gabriella and would attempt to raise questions but Chloe would stop her every time.

When they were done, they went on to their next classes. Olivia was not in their room when they arrived. Their next lecturer arrived early and promptly began his discussion. Gabriella keeps an eye on the door, waiting for Olivia to come in as the lecturer discusses his lesson.

The discussion was interrupted when the door suddenly opens. Gabriella's back straighten and her eyes were focused the lady who come in.

"I'm genuinely sorry I'm late, sir." Olivia said with an apologetic smile. The lecturer just nodded his head and proceeded on discussing his lesson while Olivia walked towards her sit while bowing her head, not wanting to interrupt other students from listening.

Gabriella is watching her attentively, waiting for her to look in her way so she may whisper her apologies. Olivia, on the other hand, made no attempt to look Gabriella in the eyes. Gabriella's attention was divided as the discussion proceeded. She kept staring at Olivia's back, praying her friend would turn and look at her.

Their first subject in the afternoon ended, and the next subject began immediately. Gabriella's attention was split, as it had been in prior lectures. Gabriella's behaviour was repeated in all of their subjects till all of them ended.

Gabriella immediately stands up to come and talk to her friend, but Olivia left before Gabriella could even get close to her.

"Let her chill for now." Chloe approached Gabriella and slightly caress her shoulder. Gabriella turns her gaze to Chloe and smiled at her.

"I guess I really anger her." Gabriella said with a strained smile and walk towards her seat and picks up all her things.

They take a walk together, and they also try to reach Olivia numerous times but she does not respond. Vanessa proposed they pay Olivia a visit at their house, but Chloe refused, claiming Olivia was overreacting and that it wasn't their responsibility to come for her when she decided to treat them coldly.

Olivia's cold treatment to her pals continued for several days. Chloe would constantly interrupt Vanessa when she tried to coax Olivia. Unlike her other friends, who can't stand Olivia's frigid treatment of them, Chloe responded in the same manner.

Gabriella believes that the small feud between her and her friend should be ended. So when she awoke on Saturday morning, she took a shower, changed into casual clothes, and went directly to the nearby grocery shop to get the items she needed to prepare Olivia's favourite food.

Gabriella came home and promptly made adobo for her pal. And while she made a lot, she only packed a fourth of it for Olivia. She cleaned the kitchen afterwards and laid the dish aside first. She went directly to her room to have a half-bath and change her clothing. She returns to their kitchen and places the food storage container with the adobo she made for Olivia on a white paper bag.

"MOOOM!" Gabriella shouted while she was climbing the stairs. When she arrived in front her mom's door, she knocked first and waited for her mom's approval. "I've already made adobo. I'll pay Olivia a quick visit and I'll be back before 5 p.m." she added, peering into her mother's bedroom. Her mother only nodded, so she quickly shuts the door and walks out.

Gabriella just walks to her friend's house while carrying the white paper bag since they don't live far apart, which is why it didn't take her long to get there.

She was about to rang their bell when a lady wearing a jeans and a white printed shirt welcomed her.

"Olivia?" Gabriella utters as she scans her friend from head to toe. "Do you have plans today?" she asked when she saw that she was also carrying a paper bag. Olivia immediately hides it on her bag and looked away.

"I-I was going to pay a visit in your house because my mom told me so." Olivia reasoned out and even cough after speaking. "What bought you here?"

"I cooked adobo for you." Olivia's eyes sparkled when she heard her. Adobo was their all-time favourite, it was even the reason why they became friends.

"Come inside." Olivia said as they both walk inside. "I also cooked adobo, let's see which one's tastier." Olivia said.

They brought their own paper bag to the kitchen and set out the adobo they had. Olivia got two plates, filled them with rice, and set them on the table. They taste each other's food in synchrony, and with each taste, they make the identical expression.

"I guess mine's tastier." Gabriella said while proudly smiling. Olivia grasps in disbelief and tastes both dishes again.

"You should taste it again, mine's tastier." Olivia proclaim while pushing her adobo towards Gabriella. Gabriella laughs hysterically on how Olivia acted.

"I'm really sorry for what I've said to you last time. I got carried away by my worries and annoyance." Olivia suddenly said in a soft voice which made Gabriella stopped from laughing. She looked at her in the eyes and smiled.

"It's all fine, I also made mistakes." Gabriella replied. "By the way, do you have any alcohol there?" she asks while acting as if she's pouring wine using her hands.

"I don't have any, but dad has." Olivia said with a mischievous smile. They both get out of the kitchen and run towards her dad's collection of wine. They were looking at those wines trying to decide which wine they would stole.

"Not your dad's wines." They were both startled when a voice suddenly spoke behind them. They turn their gaze to whom the voice came from. It was Olivia's mother wearing a royal blue robe with her hair on loose.

"N-no, this is for school purposes, right?" Olivia reasoned out while elbowing Gabriella in the arm.

"Y-yeah, we're only using these wines as inspiration for our painting project because they all seem good. " Gabriella said and tried to smile naturally while her lips were trembling. Olivia's jaw dropped as she turns her head to Gabriella while Olivia's mother just laughs.

"I'll just buy you one if you want to drink." Olivia's mother said before going back to her room to get something.

"Really? Art project?" Olivia asked in disbelief while Gabriella just shrugged her shoulders with a downward smile.

"Oh! By the way, I have something to tell you about Charles." Gabriella said when she remembers something. Olivia's expression change and her back straighten as she looks into Gabriella's eyes intently.