The Scrapbook
Maya's POV
I hate attending parties since I prefer to work because I will earn extra cash, but I don't want my friends to despise me. They are waiting for me, and Ariana was expecting my presence, and I can't disappoint her this time. If only we have the same status in life, I think I am going to love all the parties they throw and celebrate. I am already wearing my new dress and my sister let me borrow her new pair of sandals, she grows, so fast since we have now the same size of feet.
"Wow! You look so gorgeous, Maya, let us just see if Adonis's eyes don't swell when he sees you in that dress, I am sure he will regret the times he didn't text you back." My sister said, and I frown at her.
"Can you please quit talking none sense, Mary, and don't ruin my mood." I said to her.
"I am sorry, I am just saying, anyway, don't worry, I can take care of our grandparents, just enjoy the party, sis! And good luck, and try to look for another boy, avoid focusing on the Monleon heir, if you want to keep your heart safe, maybe you can choose Christopher or John, they are both an excellent catch and if you chose Chris we have the same financial status, so you don't need to feel pressure in terms of meeting his parents. Give these great fellows a chance, Maya." She said, and I just shake my head how come she thinks that way.
"Why are you saying like that? Do you think those boys like me?" I asked her and she beamed at me.
"Of course, they do, Chris always asks me to say hi to you, while Lisa's brother is so obvious, he may be shy, but you can't deny it, he is very attractive, Maya." She said.
"Mary, stop your illusions, okay, I know about John's feelings towards me, but I already told him I just want us to be friends, but Christopher? I didn't even have time to talk with him, lately." I answered as I shake my head.
"Well, it is time for you to communicate with each other, give him a chance to know you since I perceive he will be there, he is also close with Ariana." She declared.
"Okay, I will try." I spoke and she hugged me.
"Well, at least you won't be busy thinking about your prince charming. I am not telling you to move on, but at least you will find other means to enjoy yourself and a piece of advice from your younger sister. If Adonis is around don't stare at him, avoid eye contact. Pretend he doesn't exist, and if you can't control yourself, look at him, but you have to make it quick. Don't let him catch you gaping at him. In that way, you will not get hurt, and he will beg for your attention." She said and I laugh.
"And where did you learn that idea? You don't even have a boyfriend." I said to her.
"Well, your sister is a bookworm, I have read a lot of romance novels, so I think I don't need to tell you based on my experience, but from other people, what happened in the books usually happens in actual life." She responded and couldn't believe my sister is talking something like this.
She is fantastic with her ideas, and I just hope someday when she falls in love she will not get hurt like me. She helps me fix my hair, and I admire the way she crowns braid my hair while she keeps the back loose. Then, she put on some light lipstick on my lips and I admire the effect. I grab my bag and as I am about to go outside the house, the pickup of Richard pulled over in front of our little bungalow home.
He rolled down the window of his truck and smiled at me as I approached him. He looks so handsome with his polo shirt matched with khaki shorts.
"Hi! Maya, did you realize I was worried if you are not yet ready, and I am so happy that you get out of your house with that dress. You look so lovely, Maya." He said as I buckle my seatbelt.
"Yes, you look so beautiful, best friend." Lisa added before I can reply to Rich, and she makes me startled, I didn't realize she was sitting at the back since I focus on looking at Rich.
"You almost give me a heart attack, Lisa, how come you are riding with Rich? I thought your brother will drive you to the Monleon Hacienda?" I asked her.
"Well, for the first time he declined, he got tired of waiting for you, and now he has a date." She replied casually.
"Really? Wow, that is good news then, and who is the lucky girl?" I inquired.
"Do you remember, Lynn? One of his classmates during his Senior Year? It has been a long time that she likes my brother, and I think right now she feels like she is the luckiest girl in the entire world for her long-awaited dream come true." She declared, and I can't stop myself from feeling so happy and sad at the same time. I am delighted for John, but I felt sorry for myself that I could never give him a chance, and he is an excellent guy.
"Oh, well, I am so joyful for your brother." I said.
"Yeah, but he told me if ever you will have a change of heart, he will always be there for you." She said, and I am touched.
"Tell him to get serious with Lynn, okay? I want him to stop thinking about it, especially now that he is dating her." I replied.
"Copy, I will order him that, so he can move on with you." She responded, and Rich is just driving silently listening to our conversations, and I can feel it amuses him.
"By the way, Rich, I have something here that I am dying for you to fill up." My best friend said, and I suddenly felt nervous.
"What is that? A raffle ticket?" He asked, looking at my best friend through the rearview mirror.
"No, but I want you to steer the car on the side of the road, so you can look." She said, and Rich pulled over the truck beside the pineapple plantation of the Monleons.
"Here, and please accept the bullpen as well." She added, and my eyes widened when I saw her scrapbook, I take it from her hands, but Rich easily took it from my hold, and I try to get it back, but he is stronger than I am.
"Are you insane? What has gotten into you?" I asked Lisa as I turn my head towards her.
"Hey! Relax, Maya, why are you so worried, it is just Rich, besides, he already knows you are crazy with Adonis Monleon, what is there to hide." She said while beaming at me, and I couldn't believe my best friend doing this.
"Lisa, Rich is a college young fellow, and why do you think he will fill up your stupid scrapbook." I said because I can't stop myself from feeling betrayed by her. I am afraid someone might see my entry since I filled it up on the second page next to hers. And when I glanced at Rich sideways, he is smiling.
"Maya, please calm down, I may be a college young guy, but I am still a boy, and I love this, don't worry Lisa I will fill up everything for your satisfaction." Rich said as he reads my entry, I tried to get it again, but he is fast, then he stared at me in the eyes.
"Maya, can you at least relax? I know you are worried but don't fret, I won't let anyone learn about this scrapbook besides, Lisa was right, all your classmates knew who was your crush. I think only the Rich kids from the circle don't know about this." He said, and I felt defeated, so I leaned on the car seat and waited for him to make his entry.
"Okay, I will not disturb you while you fill-up your entry, but you have to promise me you will let me see it after you finish writing on it." I said.
"Sure, just wait and let me complete it." He said and I looked at the plantation before me and I can't hold myself to appreciate the fruits that are now ready to be harvested, I can't quit myself from salivating. I know the pineapple products of the Monleon are number one in the country for its big and sweet variety, they are known all over Asia and other countries in the world. Rich handed me the scrapbook after he filled up, and I can't hold myself to feel excited to read what he had written.
What is your Name? Richard Clay Hernandez
What is your Nickname? Rich
Birthday? August 28
How old are you? 20
What is your Favorite Color? Cyan
Who Is Your Crush? Ariana M.
What is your Motto? The Golden Rule
Most Embarrassing Moment: I peed on my pants in 3rd grade
Favorite Book? Gone With The Wind
Favorite Food? Lasagna
Favorite Place? Esmeralda Flower Farm
Favorite Friends? Maya, Adonis, Lisa
Biggest Dream? To become a Pilot
Favorite Movie? Titanic
"Can you read it later, Maya? Can you see the look on your face, a while ago you were so angry with Lisa that she asked me to sign on her scrapbook, and now you express so amused reading my entry?" Rich said, and I wish to ask him about his crush, but I don't want Lisa to get hurt since I know she has feelings for Rich. And I wonder why everything turns so complicated, I just wish one of us could be happy, but it seems Lisa was right she became like me, her feelings towards Rich will become an unrequited love.