4 Regret 3 (Leila Jean Mendoza- How Our Friendship Started)

Reign

Leila Jean Mendoza is Neil's love of his life. But before Leila had that title, she was just my closest girl friend.

"Reeeiign!!!" as soon as I open the door, Leila immediately jumps to hug me.

When was the last time we saw each other? I ask to myself.

"I miss youuu", Leila's sweetness overloads again that she keeps on kissing my cheeks.

I guess we haven't seen each other since the vacation started. It's almost a month now.

"Miss you too", I hug her tight. "Come in, both of you. You surprised me", I motion for them to come in.

"Here's your phone. It's Leila's idea that we visit you today to also return your phone", Neil explains.

I thank them, and turn to face our kitchen as I say,"Have you eaten lunch? I'll be cooking now."

"Oh, no need. We already had our lunch before we came here", Leila winks at me and sits with Neil on the sofa.

Hearing it, I turn to face them again.

"Then, what is your plan now?" I ask them as I sit on another sofa in front of them.

"How about you? Have you eaten alrea--" Leila pauses as if she remembers something. She faces Neil and continues, "Gosh! We forgot to bring it."

"Oh, yeah", Neil agrees.

I'm alternately looking at them as I can't get what they are talking about.

"Go, get it please", Leila commands, and Neil immediately takes action.

Leila really has authority over Neil. Since Neil loves her so much, he supports everything that she wants. Without hesitation, he also does what Leila wants her to do.

Since Neil is outside, that leaves only Leila and me in the living room.

"We got you your favorite", she smiles as she announces.

That smile.. That smile always tells me she is happy seeing me. As long as she wears that smile, it makes me contented.

I cherish Leila as how I cherish our friendship that has been going on for more than 5 years now.

I met her during our high school days. She also likes singing, but dancing is her major talent. She's 1 year younger than me.

I smile back as I reminisce how we got to know each other.

**Flashback**

It was Valentines Day. The Music Club, in which I belonged to, had a lot of tasks then. We were tasked to sing live in the Blind Date Booth, in the Couple Dancing Booth, in the Marriage Booth, and in the Serenade Booth. I was assigned in the latter.

The guy or the girl had to register to the Serenade Booth, and they have to list the name of the person they want to be serenaded.

It was almost 4 o'clock in the afternoon. We were looking for the last target on the list. The guy who registered was with me, holding a rose. We were going to serenade his girlfriend.

"Let's just wait here. This is the room she should be in. And by 4 o'clock, they should transfer to the Science Building. Let's ambush her here", the guy was super excited.

We waited for a few minutes. And just as what he said, his girlfriend came out from the room next to us. We immediately blocked the girl's way, and I started strumming the guitar to sing "Still The One" by Shania Twain.

"Looks like we made it

Look how far we've come, my baby", I started singing.

The students and teachers around us also started to go wild.

"We mighta took the long way

We knew we'd get there someday

They said, 'I bet they'll never make it'

But just look at us holding on

We're still together, still going strong", I continued.

The guy forwarded and handed the rose to the girl. They were hugging each other, kissing each other's cheeks, holding each other's hands, and whispering sweet words to each other throughout the song.

I finished singing with everybody cheering for them. Then I started to make my way out. And since the crowd grew wild and I had my guitar with me, I found it hard to exit from the scene.

I was struggling until a hand caught my free hand, and grabbed it with her. I looked at the girl who was doing a little bit heroic act for me. She was also making a way out while shouting,"Excuse us! Pleaaase EXCUSE US!"

With that shout or should I term it 'yell', the students around us shockingly gave us space so we could exit from the crowd.Though, there was the disgusted look on their faces.

"Hoooh! Finally, I got you out!" she exclaimed. "That was amazing!" she added with her expressions mixed.

I read people's expressions or emotions, and as I looked at her, I was confused. How come this girl could show a lot of emotions one at a time? She's surprised, irritated, tired, amazed, excited, happy, and more.

"The crowd?" I asked for I didn't know which one was amazing for her.

"Oh, no! Your performance, girl!" she was smiling so wide to me.

By then, I concluded she's very happy. I just smiled shyly to her. I hadn't seen her ever since. I didn't know what to say.

"Love was in the air. I felt it though I am single", she laughed. "I felt like I have someone who's also inlove with me. Like totally, I felt what the couple should have been feeling when you were singing. I looove your voice! You are sooo amazing!" she added.

I felt so awkward, standing in front of her without saying a word cause I didn't really know how to react. If I say 'thank you' that would sound as if I agree that I am amazing.

"By the way, I'm Leila", she offered her right hand for a handshake.

I was still astounded that I didn't know how to react or what to do. I was just there, staring at her hand in front of me.

Seconds passed that I still had not accepted her hand, she withdrew her hand. "Oh, sorry.. Am I being overfriendly?" she asked and I saw a sincere apologetic expression on her face.

That was when I realized I was the one who's acting weird or should I say rude for not accepting her friendliness.

"Oh, n-no! I should be the one to say sorry. I-I was shocked", I stammered. Feeling guilty, I offered a handshake that time,"I'm Reign. Fritzie Reign Amazona."

"Leila Jean Mendoza", she also introduced completely as we shook hands.

**End of Flashback**

That's how I met Leila. I had the impression that she is a carefree type of person. And that was a bit confirmed as I became closer and closer to her.

**Flashback**

One day, Leila looked for me at the campus. She was claiming that she was looking for me for more than an hour. When she got to see me, I was in the gymnasium then, taking PE class. As soon as I saw her waving at me, I paused from what we were doing in the group and ran to her.

"Reeeign, sorry to have disturbed you. I just need a minute. I can't wait for your confirmation. You haven't read my chat through facebook yet", she said as if she was rapping.

Since our first encounter, we chatted through our social media accounts, and met at school to chat for a while.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Help me, please", she acted as if her whole life is depending on her request.

She's acting so cute that I wanted to pinch her cheeks. I kinda like her. She had a lot to say on things either on chat or personal. For short, she's talkative in a cute way. And she's doing what she wants without thinking for the consequences.

"How?" I asked.

"Help me serenade Jared tomorrow", she straightforwardly announced that I felt like choking though I was not eating or drinking something.

See? She's being carefree again! I wanted to do a face-palm that time. Jared's her ultimate crush in the campus. Leila's attractive as a girl, but to serenade Jared who's a very popular guy in our school..?

"You're impossible!" I exclaimed.

"You'll make it possible, right?" and with her tempting smile, I gave in.

The next day, we did what she wanted. We both sang "Your Love" version of Juris Fernandez in front of Jared Williams.

**End of Flashback**

I love Leila, and I know that she loves me more.

I mouth her 'I LOVE YOU'. That prompts her to give me a genuine smile that I could hardly give her since I knew she likes the same person I like.