We'Re Just Friends? Novel PDF Free Download

Six years.

Mom

Are you done packing, Kaia?

I looked up from my suitcase and smiled softly at my mom, who stood by the door with that familiar worried expression she always tried to hide.

Kaia

Almost!

I said, zipping it up.

Kaia

I can’t believe I’m finally going back

Back home.

Back to the Philippines.

Back to everything I left behind… including him.

My dad leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, but his eyes were warm.

Dad

You’ve been talking about this for years. Now it’s finally happening.

Mom

And just in time for your birthday too.

Mom added, walking over and fixing a strand of my hair.

Mom

Eighteen already… I still can’t believe it.

I laughed softly.

Kaia

Me neither.

Mom

You’ll be staying with Lynda for a while, okay?

Mom

Just until the house is finished.

Kaia

I know.

Kaia

Aunt Lynda won’t mind.

Dad

Of course she won’t.

Dad chuckled.

Dad

She and your mom have been inseparable since they were kids. You’re practically her daughter too.

That made me smile.

Aunt Lynda… and River.

It had been six years since I last saw him.

I wonder if he still remembers me.

The next day came faster than I expected.

The airport buzzed with noise, but all I could hear was the pounding of my heart as I stepped out, scanning the crowd.

And then I saw them.

Kaia

Aunt Lynda!

She opened her arms immediately, pulling me into a tight hug.

Aunt Lynda

Kaia! Oh my gosh, look at you!

Kaia

I missed you!

I laughed, hugging her back before turning to her husband.

Kaia

I miss you too, Tito.

(Note: Tito means uncle in tagalog.)

Uncle Deuce

We missed you more

He said warmly.

I pulled away slightly, my eyes instinctively searching behind them.

Looking for someone.

But… he wasn’t there.

I tried to ignore the small sting in my chest.

The car ride was filled with nonstop chatter.

Aunt Lynda kept asking questions, barely giving me time to answer before asking another.

Aunt Lynda

So, how was France? Your school? Your friends?

Kaia

It was… hard at first

I admitted, staring out the window.

Kaia

I got bullied on my first day.

Aunt Lynda

What?

She gasped.

Kaia

But it’s okay now.

I quickly added with a small laugh.

Kaia

Things changed. I guess… I changed too. I ended up becoming pretty popular.

Aunt Lynda

Well, of course you did.

Aunt Lynda said without hesitation.

Aunt Lynda

With a face like that? How could you not?

I laughed, feeling my cheeks warm.

Kaia

Auntiee..

Maids greeted us as we entered, and I was guided upstairs to my room.

Kaia

Wow

Kaia

It’s all pink.

Aunt Lynda

I heard you like pink so I had it decorated.

After unpacking, I went downstairs, drawn by the smell of food.

Kaia

Auntie, you didn’t have to cook.

I said, walking into the kitchen.

Aunt Lynda

I wanted to.

she replied with a smile.

Aunt Lynda

It’s been so long since you’ve been here.

We talked while she cooked—about everything and nothing at the same time.

And then…

Aunt Lynda

River has been such a headache lately

she sighed

My heart skipped.

Kaia

Really?

Aunt Lynda

His grades are dropping, he’s always out… I don’t even know what to do with that boy anymore

She said, shaking her head.

Aunt Lynda

Honestly, I’m even surprised he has a girlfriend.

I blinked.

Kaia

…Girlfriend?

Before I could processed it–

River

I’m home.

The voice.

I turned.

And there he was.

River.

For a moment, everything went quiet.

Our eyes met.

But then–

a movement behind him.

A girl stepped into view, smiling brightly as she slipped her hand around his arm.

Selene

Hi, Tita!

Note: Tita means auntie in filipino.

Something in my chest cracked.

And just like that…

I realized.

Maybe things didn’t stay the same after all.

We'Re Just Friends?

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