Second Chapter: First Encounter (2)

My eyes widened in shock and immediately the corner of my lips tugged to form a smile.

My bad mood immediately vanished when I saw that it was actually—

"Lia?!" I joyfully remarked as I lightly jogged and hugged her.

Lia returned my hug but didn't wrap her arms around my back.

"Do you really have to scare me to death like that?" I whined as I released her from my hug and jokingly frowned at her.

"Not my fault, didn't know it would surprise you that much." She shrugged her shoulders and showed a cheeky grin.

Then she suddenly pointed at my back and asked. 

"By the way, why's your back so dirty and full of mud? What the hell were you doing earlier?" She said to me, confused and curious at the same time.

"Did you roll on mud or something? I know you're really clumsy and sh*t but really? You won't even let the first day miss out, huh?" She laughingly commented at me.

I side-eyed Lia as I, again, lamented my misfortune.

"It's not even my fault! Like this is the result of a good deed, you know!" I raised my eyebrow and grumbled at her. 

"And it's a long story." I added as I sighed for the nth time today as I recount the events of earlier. 

***

I told Lia what happened earlier and how awful I feel today. I feel like this day really likes to see me suffer. What did I even do to deserve all of this?!

Ouphelia or as I call her Lia.

As you can see, she is someone I've known for a long time. She has been with me since the day I didn't even know how to clean my own ass. So yeah, you can definitely call her my childhood friend. 

I looked at Lia who, just like me, is bending slightly forward on the railing, and no matter how long I've known her, I can't help but marvel at the unique beauty she has that I can never hope to have.

Lia is an olive-skinned girl, almost the same height as me, just a centimeter shorter. For reference, I am standing at 160 centimeters tall. Heh, I win. Though, her legs look far longer and in better shape than I am. Tsk.

She possesses light brown curly long hair ending just right above her bottom, which I, to this day, still love and adore. I don't know when and why but I really find people with curly long hair so attractive and eye-catching. 

Looking up at her face, her almond-shaped eyes are so beautifully crafted with two moles under her left eye giving her a slightly seductive look. 

Now that I think of it, I guess it's not strange why she became what she is like …

"Lex?" Lia waved her hand in front of my face. 

"Ah. Sorry, I was just thinking about something." I told her and stopped daydreaming.

After hearing that, Lia shrugged it off and then grinned as if to mock me.

"You know it's very like you to have something like that happen on the first day of school, you're an idiot after all. Hahaha!" She teases me while poking me in the chest. 

She continued laughing for a while, and then all of a sudden, Lia stopped and looked from side to side. She leaned closer to my ear and whispered.

"Was she pretty?" She asked with a mischievous grin.

"Really? Is that all you think about?" I exasperatedly rolled my eyes at her words.

"Oh, stop acting like you don't care. You were the lucky one to have a pretty lady on top of you." 

"Argh! Can you not say it like that! You're making it as if we're doing something weird!"

I lightly hit her on the arm to make her stop acting like a pervert. This is why I don't like talking about girls in front of Lia! She, for some reason, is always able to make it sound so weird and dirty.

"You're still full of crap as always but how are you and Kristine?" I changed the topic because I didn't want to deal with this person with my still throbbing head.

She shut up and looked away for a moment.

Heh, that pipe you down, huh? I laughingly thought as I probably hit a nerve with my question.

Lia took a deep breath and then exhaled with a sigh. She looks a little bit despondent … However, as if it was an illusion, her face turned back to normal.

"Same as before, happy as friends~" She shared with a chirpy voice.

"I don't even know why you're so obsessed with Kristine when she clearly shows that you're only friends and nothing more." 

"Hmm~ I don't know~, probably … because she reminds me so much like you."

"Although, I've only met her once but she is way different than me."

"That's because you've only met her once. You'll get what I mean after getting to know her more."

I guess that's true, I met her only one time and that's barely enough to get to know someone. It's weird though to have a crush on someone because she reminds her of your best friend. 

I knew it! I'm this girl's type! I jokingly thought, not believing for a second what I had just said.

Lia always told me things about Kristine and how she is so similar to me. That's even the reason why they have gotten so close in the first place.

And if you haven't noticed it already. Yes, Lia is bisexual. 

It goes way back to when we were kids, we were called the tomboy twins as we acted and wanted to be a man, and obviously, we're called twins as we're always together. Unlike me, who has treated that as a phase, Lia probably realized early on that, that is her identity and calling. 

I have nothing against homosexuality so we are still as close as ever. I do have some bad experiences about them but still, I'm not so childish as to generalize all gay people.

Well, I don't even want to think about it. I just want to go home. 

I looked up at the sky and held my hand out. 

It seems the rain has stopped. I thought then turned towards Lia.

"You know what, I'm going home. Are you coming with me?"

Lia's house is near mine so we often go home together.

"Hmmm, you go first. I'll go look around the stalls and booths, and maybe find some babes there~" Lia pondered for a second then said to me with her signature cheeky grin.

And yep, that girl Lia is a freaking womanizer. I've always told her that if I didn't know her since childhood, we'd probably never be this close to each other—scratch that, we'd probably not even talk. After all, I hate cheaters with all of my being.

Anyway, I just waved it off and said goodbye. I don't even have the energy to tell her off. 

***

 Poof!

Finally home, I dropped down on the sofa. Tired and weary. I was feeling happy though, now that I am inside my comfort place … 

Why do I feel like I forgot something though?

"Before you take a nap, eat something first, Alex." A weathered but calming voice called out to me from the kitchen.

That's my grandma. Since my mother is working overseas, my grandparents are the ones taking care of me and my siblings.

"Okay, Ma." I stood up and went to the table.

When I sat down, Mama already set the food on the table. All I have to do is bless the food and eat. 

I'm not particularly religious nor is my family. Still, we have gotten used to blessing our food before we eat.

I have no qualms about it. It's actually preferable since it's the least I can do for killing animals for my survival, right?

Well, enough philosophical tal—wait, is it even called philosophical? Whatever, it's not important. 

***

As I chomped down the food, I couldn't help but think that this is what life is for. 

I am not for the taste, more like I prefer just feeling full and bloated. Not saying that I eat any crappy food that I can get hold of though. Is that a sign of an eating disorder? Doesn't matter. 

After finishing my plate, I washed the dishes then washed up and went to my room to sleep.

***

A week has passed just like that, after that eventful day. It was just a week full of orientation and providing guidelines, like, for class and school. 

Since it is just general orientation, it is merely done online which I greatly appreciate since I can just sleep my ass off from all the boring stuff they have said repeatedly back when I was in senior high school.

I already heard all of this as this is my alma mater. I applied here for convenience. Now, I don't have to think too hard about choosing a college. And it's free, that's why.

For your information, I'm taking nursing as my course. I actually don't even like this course since I hate interacting with people, but since it's the only pre-medical course that I can take locally I just gave up and dealt with it.

But it probably should not be too bad, eh? 

I feel like I'm raising a flag but, meh, I don't believe in such things.

Hmm … tomorrow is Monday, my head is still on vacation. I don't want to go to school! I buried my face on a pillow and kicked my feet repeatedly on the bed like a kid acting spoiled and bratty.

I should probably prepare the things that I need for tomorrow. I have to make a good impression since I don't know anyone there!

I stood up suddenly and walked to my closet.

"Hmm, should I wear all black, or maybe colorful clothing would be better?" I pondered as I put my fingers on my chin in a thinking pose.

"Nah, I'll go with all black I have to make an impression that I love black!" I punched the air as I hype myself up. 

Ping!

My phone suddenly pings so I picked it up and looked at who messaged me.

"Oh, it's just Lia. Probably just sent a funny video." I tapped on Lia's bubble and looked at her message.

Lia: [Look at this.]

I clicked on the video and played it. When the video was almost finished …

"Ahh!" 

… I almost threw my phone in fear as an ugly ghost suddenly popped out on the screen!

This. Freaking. Donkey! Does she not have anything better to do at all?! 

I typed out a reply: [I hope you eat crap, Fugly!]

After waiting for a few minutes, no reply came back so she probably sent this to me just to annoy me … 

I hope she will not have a nice dinner!

***

After calming down, I ate lunch. Lunch is good. Food is good. Ten out of ten. Great job, Mama!

Ping!

Another ping sound came from my phone, I annoyingly picked it up and thought to myself.

This better be not Lia or else …

As I looked at my phone, I saw that it was not Lia. Lucky her or I might just unleash the Godzilla in me. I guess N&N has to hold the throne for a while. Hmph.

When I looked at the notification bar, I was quite surprised to see who messaged me. 

I tapped it and read the message out loud.

[Hello, Kris!]

Hm? Why would Evans text me all of a sudden? I'll know if I ask.

Me: [Yes?]

Caikee Evans: [What block are you in?]

Ohh, it's about this matter. I see, I see.

Me: [Block A]

Caikee Evans: [Yay! Me too! Are you in the group chat already?]

Me: [Nope]

Caikee Evans: [ I'll add you! Just a sec]

Ping!

Yet another ping sound sounded out. I guess that means I'm in the group chat now.

Caikee Evans: [I added you, check if you received it]

Me: [Received, thank you]

Caikee Evans: [No problem!]

I heart'ed her reply and then closed my phone. Sigh, even just a normal interaction like this makes me so nervous and stiff. 

Especially since Evans is a chatty person, good thing she didn't try to talk about some random things like before, fuuu … 

She probably wants to find someone she knows in class. Maybe that's why she texted me. Anyway, it was a good thing for me as now I'm in the group chat.

When I opened the group chat, I saw that there had been a lot of messages and I can see that it's been a while since this group chat was made.

Really? These people didn't even bother to find their other classmates. Like at least announce something on the student page, sissy.

I put my hands on my chest and said with mock anger. "The audacity! They dare to forget yours truly?!" 

Though, even if they did post it, I wouldn't even know it since I don't even check it out that much, so I guess I'll forgive them this time.

I'll just prepare my things and wait for the night to have my beauty rest.