Chapter 2: Let's Play Pretend

Breana's POV

“Hi, I’m Alex Song, I’ll be studying here from now on and I hope to get along with everyone.”

Hmmn…now that sounds familiar.

Like some distant memory buried within one’s consciousness but a certain sight, smell, taste or feeling might unearth despite how deep it was. For me it was a name I heard.

What are they talking about again?

I diverted my attention from the window, cutting my peaceful reverie, angling myself towards the people in front.

“Well, I guess I know you have tons of questions to her considering your reactions but save it for later because we’re running out of time to finish our topic for today. Miss Song, You can sit beside Breana there, the one who is seated by the window.”

The teacher gestured towards the vacant seat beside me.

“Okay sir.” The figure answered and slowly stride towards the empty seat.

In my peripheral vision, I observe how most of my classmates are checking her out. Boys have that knowing smirk plastered on their faces while girls are mostly intrigued, including me. I squinted my eyes to really see her, more like to verify it is her.

Hell, it has been four years. I don’t know anymore.

When she finally reached her destination, she removed her bag hanging across her body and put it at the back of the chair. Then she proceeded to sit and face he teacher as if this is just a normal encounter. Just a normal transferee.

She is everything but that, at least to me.

“Okay, attention here. Not at the back…” The teacher reprimanded. “Where were we again..” He continued blabbering about literature which I mostly blacked out from hearing. All my attention was on the person beside me.

She’s still gorgeous and fit like a model. She kept her black hair long and she still has that perfect comma bangs on one side. Her lashes curl up, giving emphasis on her eyes that sometimes look like it’s going to pierce right through you. Her pointe nose that scrunch up whenever she smiles or is confused is just pure perfection. That jawline which becomes evident when she flexes her jaw muscles, almost like it’s smoothly chiseled at times but hers normally looks soft, curving her face into that V-shape. Her lips, so small and thin like it is pink satin. And of course, those Indian dimples just below her eyes. I’m sure I saw it as she faced and smiled at me. It’s as if all are still the same after all those years, but better. Oh, so much better.

How could she glow up like that?

To call her pretty before is understandable but now, it would be an understatement.

“Hello Bree, long time no see.” She gave a small wave.

She called me Bree. Just like before.

“You remember me?” I asked, just to be sure.

“Of course, how could I forget? We were good friends…” She stalled.

Yes. We WERE. And I couldn’t have forget about it ether. It molded me into the person I am now.

But how? How could she act like this?

“You’ve been staring at me weirdly for a looong time. I know I’m that drop-dead gorgeous and sexy as hell but you better pay attention to the teacher or we might be called y’know. We’ll catch up later.” She amusingly smiled.

She's definitely still smug.

I tried focusing on the lesson as much as I could but it was in vain. I have so many questions running in my mind now.

Questions I thought I accepted to have no answers before. Only for them to come stirring my peace of mind once again.

Eventually it was time. When I turned to the side I was surprised to find most of my classmates swarmed on the seat beside me.

“So, do you have a boyfriend?” One of our classmates asked her, rather straightforward.

“Or maybe a girlfriend? Well, if not I could volunteer.” A classmate seductively suggested pulling her full-watt smile while twisting the tendrils of her hair with a finger.

Someone's gaydar is working or maybe they're just shameless.

“You wanna hangout after class?”

“Can I get your number?”

Here comes the tirade of questions.

She still has that effect on others. Charming and captivating as ever. Before I could hear her answers I got up and found my way out to the cafeteria. I’ll leave the catching up part on her if she really wanted to. I’m not up for confrontations right now.

After eating my snacks I went to the bathroom to freshen up. Or maybe to verify I wasn’t asleep and dreaming all this.

Looking at the mirror I studied my face.

What would she have said about how I look right now?

How would I look 4 years ago?

Deciding to stop where my thoughts would lead me, I closed my eyes and sighed deeply. When I opened them, that’s when I saw her reflection in the mirror, staring back at me.

“You could have helped me back there, Bree.” Then she sighed. “They’re so persistent that I have to hide in here and finally by some luck here you are.

“I…I…” I am stuttering in front of her. Damn, how embarassing. I internally face-palmed myself.

She might have sensed my struggle so she started again the conversation.

“How have you been? I know we’ve been apart for years but yeah, I had no choice but to follow my parents and now here I am. I mean, uh, I am just happy you’re here too and I was hoping you could help me out since I don’t know anyone aside from you in our class and we know each other since we were kids…

…but if this is awkward to you, it’s okay. I understand that too. Just letting you know I’m cool with you.”

Yes, we’ve known each other since we were kids. Our parents are actually friends which made us friends too. But after grade school she just seemed to slowly drift away and then awful things happened. Back in the days she used to be beside me always, protecting me from bullies. She was my rock and I was hers. I used to be her crying shoulder whenever things got ugly in their house. I can always comfort her every time she comes to me. Until always turned to rarely and eventually it never came again. I didn’t know why I didn’t bother to ask for when she started to drift away. I guess we were too young to face the world on our own.

Six years ago, we were too young. So how about now?

“No, it’s fine Alex. You’ve always treated me nicely before. I guess I can do the same for you now.” I finally said though I’m not sure if I meant it.

“Thank you Bree baby! You’re a lifesaver.” She smiled, making her Indian dimples so visible that I did the same.

I smiled at her, showing her I was happy to see her but didn’t show how confused I am about many things right now.

“So, where to after class?” She put her arm around my shoulder as we went to our next class.

“You know I don’t really go out after classes. I just go home and study or watch or play with Maggie.” I reminded her.

Maggie is my Scottish Fold cat. She can be moody but she lets me pet her and she can be effortlessly adorable.

“Well now that I’m back I guess you might as well consider yourself open for business. We’re gonna have so much fun to make up for all those years. I missed you Bree.” And with that she lightly pinched both my cheeks.

“Hey!...” I swatted her hands away.

“…it’s your first day and you’re acting chummy with me already.”

She laughs. She is really something when she laughs. It’s so convincing that I could even fool myself with it that everything is right. Everything is good as it was before. Nothing had changed.

“Sorry my bad. I just missed your cheeekss. I used to smush it all the time. Don’t worry, I’ll make it up for the lost times.” She promised.

Now, I’ve been hearing the words ‘miss’ and ‘you/your’ pretty often.

“No, you don’t have to do that, I just wanted to know why…”

Before I could finish my question it was already time for the next class and by some inexplicable reason, the teacher decided for us to do an activity outside the room.

Another time maybe.