Maya's POV
I tried to keep the Scrapbook in my bag, and when I try to turn my head to stare at my best friend I didn't expect to find her so near me, and I realized she was reading Rich entry with me, but when I look at her face, it seems nothing to her. Maybe she is trying to hide her real feelings, and I don't want to let her know I was worried about her, so I handed her the Scrapbook.
"Wow! Rich, so your crush is Ariana Monleon? Are you sure about that? Don't you think you are mistaken?" My best friend asked Rich and I can't believe the way she bombarded him with queries like that.
"Yes, why are you asking me if I am not confused?" He replied, laughing while I am so embarrassed with Lisa's interviews.
"Why? Do you have someone in your mind that you figure out I admire?" He requested and looked at her in the rearview mirror.
"Well, I thought you liked, Maya." She said unexpectedly, and I am shocked where did she get that idea, I realized she likes Rich, and why my name is being dragged with their conversation. I turn my head towards her and smile, but I am holding my anger towards my best friend, sometimes she must learn how to shut her mouth.
"And why assume that way, Lisa? I thought you liked him, and why are you suddenly asking him if he likes me?" I asked her because I can't take it anymore, but my best friend just beams at me.
"Yeah, Rich is my crush and I felt he knows about it, but it is only a crush, Maya, I am not like you. You are so serious with your lifetime crush, that is why I want you and Rich to be together since you look good together." She declared, and I couldn't believe Lisa is talking nonsense again.
"Lisa, please stop speaking like that you already know he likes Ariana, why you insist the other way." I said, feeling so frustrated with my best friend.
"I am sorry, Maya, I don't want you to get upset, I just want to help you both, maybe I am the one who can make you realize you meant for each other." She responded.
"Lisa, I appreciate what you mean, at first I was confused too about my feelings towards Maya, but you don't need to worry about anything because I am honest, I love Maya as a sister, I don't know, but it is hard to explain. I want to protect her like a big brother, so stop talking something like that, and I felt glad I don't fancy Maya romantically, or else it will break my heart. Let us accept the fact that her heart will always belong to Adonis." Rich said seriously, and I can tell my best friend is shocked.
"Wow, I expected you like her." She still insists, and I just smile, since I can't believe her guts.
"Me too, I thought so, and I don't wish to ruin my beautiful friendship with Maya, and I like Ariana for a long while now. I am just waiting for the right time." He said, and I like Rich's style he is patient and very honest, and I will be the happiest person if Ariana and Rich will become a couple. I love them both, and I am so excited to discover what will happen to their romance. I just hope I can make Ariana sign Lisa's Scrapbook, and I need to help Rich. He had been a good friend to me for how many years and I prefer to make him happy.
"Don't worry, Rich, Lisa and I will help you with Ariana, you will be a perfect couple, and I can't wait to see you being together." I said happily.
"Yeah, me too, I couldn't believe this until now, do you know that is the reason I let you sign my scrapbook because I was hoping you are in love with Maya because I want you to be her boyfriend, Rich, but it seems you like Ariana, and I am also happy that it was Ariana because Maya is right you will be a perfect couple." Lisa added.
"I just hope she feels the same way too, and how are you going to help me?" Rich asked.
"Well, I will let her sign Lisa's Scrapbook as simple as that, then we will learn if you have a chance." I said, and I felt proud about my idea.
"Do you think she will sign it?" He sought so unsurely.
"Of course she will, you know her, she is also excited with everything." I responded.
"Okay, but please don't let her read my entry." Rich begged.
"Don't worry, Rich, I will make it fair to you, I will let her write on the last page, so she can't see everything." I replied.
"You realize you drive me to feel so nervous, and it seems like I am a teenager again." He said.
"Hello, you are still young, Rich, you are only twenty years old, you sound like you are already thirty." Lisa said, and I laugh. Then, we all fell silent until we reach the Monleon's mansion. The moment we get out of the car, I can hear the loud music in the background and I can tell the party has just started. Rich helps me with my bag, and when I looked at my best friend, he furrowed her eyebrows again. We are not done yet, since we need to talk. Then, there she is, Ariana runs towards us, and she hugs me long, and she looks so happy.
"Maya!" She exclaimed, then she turns her gaze to Lisa, and she embraced her, and she does the same to Rich, and I wonder how he feels right now, and I can't stop myself from smiling, and I felt so thrilled for them, and when I glanced at Rich he is blushing, now I can confirm he likes my other best friend, and I am excited to know Ariana's side. But my happiness was short-lived by the time I saw the red sports convertible of Adonis. It only means one thing. He is in the mansion right at this point. I want to turn around and go home, but it is already too late for me. I am sandwiched between my close friends.
"Maya, thank you for coming, I miss you so much, I will hate you if you didn't come. Thank you for making me so happy." She declared, and I felt so guilty for thinking of running away a while ago.
"Thank you, Ariana, for your invitation, and I am very sorry for how many times, I declined your request to visit you here in your estate. You know I am so busy with my work at Rich's farm." I said, and I am surprised when she holds my hand.
"I understand, Maya, and I am so sorry, if I am so tenacious sometimes, I just miss spending time with you." She responded.
"It is okay, Ariana." I replied.
"Wow, you looked so beautiful in that dress, Maya, I am so glad it fits you perfectly, it emphasizes all your curves especially your long legs." She responded, and I blushed.
"Thank you, Ariana, I love this dress." I said.
"Let us go to the poolside, and you have to eat an early dinner first, and after that, you can take a shower and change into your swimsuit." She declared, and I admire her beautiful face and her elegance. We have been best friends for a long time now, but I can't help to get shy to be with her, especially if we are surrounded by her other friends from the farm. I know some of them felt envious of me for being close to Ariana.
I don't have a choice but to follow Ariana in the pool. And I am shocked to discover many teenagers already having fun on the side, and some are already swimming in the pool. And it saddened my heart when I find Cassandra Louise Montemayor lying on the chaise lounge. She looks like a goddess. And I can't stop myself from feeling so jealous the point I saw Adonis standing beside her, and they are talking with each other. And I remember my sister's words, but I can't help myself stare at him.
The moment he raised his head and our eyes meet, I can see a sudden change in his expressions, but he just ignored me, and continued talking with Cassandra. I turn my head away from him, and I get food from the buffet table, then I sat beside Rich as we eat in silence. I tried my best to hide the pain that I feel inside my heart, but I felt so hurt. I know I didn't accept his proposals to be my boyfriend, but I just did it, so he knows I am not an easy girl. He didn't stick around for me.
Then, I realized, who am I? I have nothing to give him, and besides, I am way out of his league. Maybe I insulted him in so many ways, and he was thinking he is the heir of the Monleon Empire and the most handsome among his peers, why should he wait for someone like me who has nothing to offer. Cass is beautiful and a member of the rich kid's circle. They looked so perfect together, like Rich and Ariana. Why should I continue to chase the unreachable star? Maybe my sister is right I need to move on with him, now that everything is clear.
"Are you alright?" Rich whispered in my ear, and I lost it, my tears fall on my cheeks, I cried without a sound, and he immediately offered me his handkerchief saying nothing, and I dried my tears away, I am so afraid of the other kids to notice my tears especially Ariana and Lisa. I need to pretend in front of them I am strong, especially to Adonis Monleon.