Chapter 4

Chia’s POV

After the break ended, the bell rang once again, signaling the start of our next class. The entire lesson passed quietly, with nothing much happening aside from our professor giving us homework before dismissing everyone.

A few minutes later, the lunch bell rang.

I checked my phone and saw that it was already twelve noon. I was about to stand up when Sivesco suddenly grabbed my wrist dramatically.

“Let’s eat outside!” she announced excitedly.

I blinked in surprise.

It was actually my first time being invited to eat outside the campus. Usually, I just stayed inside the cafeteria alone.

“That’s actually a nice idea, Sivesco,” Kitana agreed while standing up and grabbing her bag.

Synth silently followed behind her without saying a word, as usual.

A few minutes later, we walked out of the classroom together. Synth was walking ahead while I stayed beside Kitana.

“She’s always like that?” I whispered while glancing at Synth’s cold figure.

Kitana laughed softly. “She grew up in a family colder than an air conditioner at 2 a.m.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that.

So Synth didn’t grow up with a loving family either.

Maybe that was why she acted distant all the time—like she was constantly protecting herself from getting hurt.

Kitana spoke again, her voice softer this time.

“Synth was born from an arranged marriage. She hates the relationship her parents have. Honestly, she was mostly raised by her grandmother.”

I frowned slightly. “So… since birth, she never really received love from her parents?”

“Nope,” Kitana replied. “Did you notice her surname? Hawthorne and Salvatore. She carries both her mother’s and father’s last names.”

I looked confused. “Wait… are her parents divorced?”

Kitana burst out laughing.

“No! Weirdly enough, they’re obsessed with each other,” she explained while trying to stop laughing. “According to my mom, Synth’s parents kept arguing about whose surname she should use. So my mom jokingly suggested, ‘Why not both?’ And ayun, they actually did it.”

I stared at her for a moment before laughing softly.

“That’s… honestly kind of funny.”

“Right?” Kitana grinned proudly. “Her parents are weird. Busy sa work, tapos parang love language nila ang makipag-away.”

While listening to Kitana’s stories, we finally reached the campus entrance where Sivesco suddenly crossed her arms dramatically.

“Excuse me?!” she complained loudly. “Ano ‘yang secret conversation ninyong dalawa? Betrayal ba ‘to?!”

I giggled for the first time in a while.

“We’re coming,” I said while smiling. “And thanks for telling me about Synth, Kit.”

I lightly patted Kitana’s shoulder before walking toward Sivesco and Synth.

“Hoy, don’t tell Synth na nagkukuwento ako tungkol sa buhay niya!” Kitana whispered nervously before quickly following us.

The four of us walked side by side toward a nearby restaurant outside the campus.

And strangely… I felt warm inside.

This was my first time having real friends—people I could laugh with, talk to, and spend time with without fear.

Maybe this was what happiness felt like.

Having people who made your world feel a little less lonely.

Then suddenly, Sivesco spoke again.

“Guys, libre ni Chia ‘to, right?”

I immediately stopped walking. “Excuse me?!”

Sivesco grinned shamelessly. “A true friendship starts with free food.”

Even Synth let out the tiniest laugh at that.

To be Continued....

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Author: Hi I'm cytales you can call me CY for short, and it's my first time doing writing a novel in the MANGATOON.

But don't worry I published this story to Wattpad too. Same username please follow me there's I will send the Screenshot of my Wattpad account…

Don't worry I will create a group page soon in I will send screenshots of it if you want to join. it's free

By the way sorry for the grammar because I have been trying a lot and this was taglish.

I was great ful if you support and like this story.

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