#03 Chocolates (Part II)

His expression changed when I said that.Well, the truth was, those chocolates in my bag were actually meant for him but I just didn't want to give it to him now, not when Carl was staring at us so sternly.

"Was it not for me, then? I apologize for my rudeness." He returned the chocolate hidden in his hand behind his back.

"Eric! You took it?!" Ah, now I remember. Mia placed it on my desk randomly earlier before dragging me to the washroom to fix my hair.

Eric rested his head on my table. I supported my chin with my hand and sighed. "What do you want?"

"Chocolate." I lanced at his table and saw a mountain of chocolates there, just how greedy is he?

"She already said she's not giving you any, stop it." Carl looked annoyed watching him like that.

"She already told you not to argue with me, stop it." Luckily, it was prevented since Eric told him that. Just then, our teacher entered the classroom and it was time for class to start. Everyone returned to their seats and got ready for class.

I couldn't focus in class because I felt guilty for not giving Carl anything when he's just seated beside me. Well, I guess it's not needed to give desk mates?

During break time, I asked Mia who she gave her chocolates to since she asked me first. Surprisingly, she didn't give anyone nor did she even make them.

"Eh? Why?" I was disappointed because I wanted to tease her for a bit.

"My mother would nag me if she found out I have a crush."

Well, my mother didn't know I was in the kitchen all night, I guess. Come to think of it, I never asked who Mia's crush was. But too bad, class was starting so I didn't get the chance to ask.

"Oh, Amanda, the girls are going to a cafe later. Wanna join?"

Hang out? I should be fine but I need to tell Alice about it and I was so lazy to do so. Unlocking my lock screen just to send a text was a waste of energy.

Ring!

Woah! I nearly dropped my phone. What is my sister thinking, calling me at this time?

"Amanda, I didn't have a chance to tell you this morning since you were rushing so I'll let you know now." If it's going to be some nonsense, I'm definitely hanging up. "Join whatever outings your friends invite you. Appreciate your moment with your loved one."

L-Loved one?!

"I told Alice you'll be coming home later today so don't worry!"

"Wha-" She just hung up after saying that.

After school, the girls gathered at the school gate as promised. The boys were there too, but we were having a different destination.

"Let's go!" The girls cheered and before I knew it, I was dragged along to a coffee shop. The scent of coffee was soothing after we have been through such a long day, but we weren't there for the coffee.

"15 cups of hot chocolate, please." Mia ordered at the cashier and we split the bill. For the whole time, I felt like something was missing, as if we have forgotten someone but I just couldn't figure out who it was.

Ah, I shouldn't think too much. Having fun was my priority and that was the main reason I joined them.

We were having so much fun chatting about our day when suddenly, I got a call from Eric.

"Sorry but I have to answer a call."

"Don't worry, go ahead."

I asked him what was the matter and he told me to put the call on speaker mode so that everyone could hear. I did since there were no one else except us and the cashier anyway.

"We thought you girls would come back but it seems like we were mistaken." All of us tilted our head in confusion. Then, there were voices of other boys on the phone, complaining about how we didn't realize one of our own weren't there with us.

We quickly took a look around and counted the number of girls who were there over and over.

"15… right?" The boys sighed in disbelief.

"We'll get straight to the point." We were all ears and were shocked when we heard what they told us. "Natasha is here, with us."

I looked around again and realized it was true. I knew something wasn't right since we started walking but I never expected we left out someone of our own.

We told Natasha to come to where we were but she refused. She said she stayed behind on purpose and wanted to hang out with the boys secretly. Girl, this isn't some stealth game!

I don't know if it was our fault for not checking who wasn't with us, or was it her fault to not inform us beforehand that she doesn't want to join us. Either way, our day was ruined.

We told the boys to just let her tag along since they loved it anyway and we wanted to end the call, but Natasha held it.

"Hey, Amanda, or should I call you Miss Asia since you weren't comfortable with that calling last time?" The girls were frustrated with her way of talking and even the boys on the other line were asking her to end the call. There goes Eric's money.

"Anyway, I heard you and Eric are relatives?" What? Where did she hear that from? Eric can't possibly have told her right? After all, that would just make her stick to him more despite being rejected twice.

"Too bad, huh?"

"Hey, cut it out! Meet them if you want to talk, don't go wasting on Eric's money!" The call somehow ended and the girls were looking at me.

"You're… relatives?"

Sigh. Guess it can't be helped since it was leaked out so I just admitted the painful fact.

Everyone fell silent until another phone call from Eric came in. This time, he was smart enough to not turn on the speaker to prevent what happened earlier.

After the call ended, I relayed his message to the girls.

"Apparently, the boys want to meet up with us now since they were done having fun."

"Yeah, and dump Natasha to us too, right?"

Well… He didn't mention anything about that but I guess that was one of the reasons too. She probably caused some trouble for them and they got fed up with her.

They arrived at the coffee shop we were at and went to the karaoke together. I was always bad at singing so I just listened to them singing. Most of them pierced right through my ears and some of them felt like the windows were going to break except that there were no windows there.

We reserved a room for 2 hours and I was getting bored sitting for so long so I went to the washroom. I washed my face and finally felt awake after leaving that stuffy room.

I came out of the washroom and saw Eric coming out of the boys'.

"What a coincidence." I don't think it was a coincidence despite him saying that. "I want chocolate."

"You've got a bundle of those."

"Chocolates from unknown people don't count."

We returned to the room and I went to get my power bank from my bag since my phone's battery was low. Eric's bag was located near mine and I saw a bag filled with chocolates from this morning.

'Chocolates from unknown people don't count.'

I thought about what he said earlier and came up with a conclusion. Yup, he was definitely bragging about how popular he was until strangers came to know him.

But doesn't that happen often? That's how Valentine's Day works after all, people who admire you from afar would give you chocolates too despite you not knowing them.