Chapter Thirty

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We stayed for a while after the daycare center's closing time to help out with the clean-up and this way, I'll be able to become closer to NJ as Beatrice.

The kids seemed to be sad when the day's over. They said that they want to hear the next part of the story before closing time but I told them that I can't and that they should wait 'til next Saturday if they'd like to hear the continuation of the story I made.

It's a good thing that I bought a pack of lollipops. I told them that I'd give them lollipops if they would wait. So when they agreed that they are going to wait 'til next Saturday, I gave them a lollipop which made them happy.

Well, you know kids. Their happiness comes easily.

Anyway, when NJ flipped the sign "PLAY WITH US! WE'RE OPEN" to "IT'S NICE TO PLAY BUT WE'RE CLOSED" that was hung on the entrance door and locked it, I, Tom, Audrey and NJ began cleaning and placing back the toys played by the kids to a container where they always put the toys.

Then I compiled all the drawings they created about my story but not without looking at them one by one.

After checking out the children's drawing, I placed it inside a folder that I found on the top of the table and compiled it there.

After cleaning, we went out together and decided to grab dinner before heading home first.

We didn't drive towards the marketplace to find a restaurant to eat. We all chose to walk. It's not that far, anyway. And at least we get to talk while walking, right?

Then while we're walking, Audrey said, "I wonder why Beauty chose not to come back to the daycare center as a storyteller. Is she okay?" then looked at NJ then at Tom.

NJ simply shrugged and did not say anything.

Tom answered, "She's probably exhausted from their cheerleading practice."

"Cheerleading practice?" NJ finally reacted and looked at Tom. "I thought she never wanted to join the cheerleading team?"

"I thought the same too," Tom responded. "Quila asked her over and over again. Beauty said that Quila wouldn't stop convincing her until she finally succeeded."

"I'm impressed that she was able to convince B within a month's timespan," NJ said. "How was she as a cheerleader?"

"Why don't you ask her herself?" I jumped in and then I saw Tom and Audrey looking at me.

"We're not on good terms to be honest," NJ answered. I've been trying to read NJ's emotions but all I see was a blank one. For some reason, he looked emotionless. It made me wonder now if I am seeing the real NJ or only the lonely NJ. "I have no idea why she kept on pushing me. So I did what she would always tell me."

"What is?" Audrey asked.

"To leave her alone." NJ said.

"And you really left her alone?!" Audrey said, acting surprised. "I thought you were friends?! Friends were supposed to get each other's back!"

"Yeah, I know. It's just that, everytime I am visiting her, she would always kick me out and she said that I always make her upset," he explained then shrugged. "So as she wished, I left her alone."

"Oh, goodness. Did you even ask for the reason?" Audrey asked.

"I did but I didn't receive an explanation." NJ said.

"That's such a waste of friendship," Audrey said. "Beauty is a nice girl. She saved me from my bullies who are about to harm me using a knife. Knowing the risk, she grabbed my hand and ran with her," she shared. "If it wasn't for her, I don't know what would have happened to me back then."

I suddenly felt guilt for being jealous of her because it felt like she replaced me. After all, I always see her and NJ hanging out.

"That's fine," NJ said. "She got Tom anyway."

"What about me?" Tom asked. "We've been friends since the start of the semester, remember?"

"I know and as the time passed by, you and her grew closer," he pointed out. "Especially when I began distancing myself."

"What do you expect?" I said. "Of course, B still needs a friend who will never give up on her unlike you, who left just like that."

"That was supposed to be my statement, you know?" NJ said.

Was he saying that I didn't try to fight for our friendship?

Heck, I wouldn't be going on a disguise if I am giving up on him! I couldn't blame him. He even had no idea that I am Beauty so he would really think that I didn't try to fight for our friendship.

If I find out the truth about his claims, my heart will finally be at peace and I will be able to act normal around him and not like a crazy individual who would spout things that he doesn't know.

Before any of us got to speak, NJ suddenly said, "Since she's always with Tom, I guess she'll be fine."

"I'll be there for B as her friend, always" Tom said.

NJ looked at me and asked, "B and Tom are really close. Are you okay with your boyfriend being close with another girl?"

"As a girlfriend, it would bother me," I answered. "Who doesn't?" Then to make it realistic, I began making up a story. "To be honest, I have loads of trust issues. I got cheated on twice so no one can blame me if I get bothered at the thought of MY boyfriend getting super close with another."

"You can trust B," Tom followed. "She's not the type of a girl who would flirt with someone she knew that was already taken. Who in their right mind would do that?"

"Let me guess," Audrey joined in. "Girls who are eager for love and affection to the point that they would snag a boy that was in a relationship?" then she giggled.

I agree with Audrey.

"Well, if you say that B could be trusted, then I'd like to get her number and facebook account," I said and smirked. "You know what they say: keep your enemies OR even a potential enemy close."

"You say it like B's is our enemy" NJ said. "Trust me, she's not what you thought she was. B don't flirt with anyone. And I doubt that she'd care about dating," then continued. "B is friends with us, the faithful ones and don't snag another guy. And remember, birds with the same feather, flocks together."

"Which means since all of us are in our right mind," Audrey started. "She would never do such a thing," Audrey looked at me and said, "Maybe you could at least try to befriend B? She's a nice person, really."

It's really sweet that they don't think badly of me. Aren't I lucky to have friends like them?

And I feel really bad for lying right in front of their faces.

My guilt would probably kill me anytime soon.

After I confirm NJ's claims, I am going to stop lying and tell who Beatrice really is.

After a long walk, we finally found a restaurant that we all agreed on. We ate at that restaurant for like an hour then after that, we didn't go home yet.

It was a Saturday night.

So we've decided to go and find a staycation and have a sleepover - the 4 of us but before that, we decided to go back to the daycare center to grab a car. Tom driving with me and NJ driving with Audrey.

It would be nice if all of us rode together in the same car but NJ got a car too. Tom didn't want to leave his car at the daycare so we came to an agreement that we're gonna drive both and decided who we were going to drive with.

***

The condo NJ chose was pretty spacious. There were 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. I bet this condo was luxurious because there's a chandelier and the displays, most especially the vases looked antique with a really high value.

And this condo, by the way, was owned by NJ. When he said that he's richer than me, he wasn't lying.

"Sit wherever you want and feel at home," NJ said and walked towards the dining area to get us some food.

"Thanks Nico" I said. As Beatrice, I chose to address him like that.

I saw a couch that looked so fluffy and soft so I decided to take a seat at that couch and whoaaaa. It really was soft and fluffy that I didn't want to leave! I hugged the pillow and it was so soft that I never wanted to let it go.

Tom sat next to me and Audrey sat across from me.

"You've got a great place," Audrey said. "Has anyone stayed with you in this place before?"

"She'd like to know if you took a girl," Tom said bluntly. "Why are you so curious?"

"Aren't you curious?" Audrey said.

Actually, I am beyond curious. If you think about it, I don't know anything about NJ. Has he slept with a girl inside her condo? How many exes did he have? Has he thought of taking someone so serious before? Has he planned his future with a special someone before? Why wasn't he staying with his parents? When's his birthday?

"Not really interested," Tom answered.

NJ went back with food and beers in his hand.

After seeing those alcoholic drinks, the back of my mind said, "OH. NO. YOU. DO. NOT"

First, I get legit weirdo whenever I get drunk.

I experienced it once when my highschool classmates held a graduation farewell party. It was held at my classmate's house and there, we partied. I didn't want to drink that time but I was forced and was curious as well so tried drinking and got wasted.

The next day, when I was sober with a hangover, I opened my phone just to see loads of nonsense messages sent to EACH & EVERY recipient in my phone.

It was really embarrassing! I never wanted to remember that moment but after seeing NJ's drinks, those moments came back in my memory.

But the past was different from today's time.

I might show a different reaction when I get drunk. I would find out after drinking.

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