Chapter 3 – Friends?

After class...

The lecture finally ended, I stretched my arms and let out a sigh.

What a tiring day.

I packed my books and grabbed my bag, just as I was about to leave, someone snatched it from my hand, Jake, of course.

"Can I carry your bag?" he asked with that annoying smile.

I frowned.

"No way."

I grabbed it back before he could even take another step.

"Just go already."

"And please..."

"Stop bothering me."

He placed a hand over his chest.

"Ouch."

"You're breaking my heart."

I rolled my eyes.

Before he could continue his dramatic act, a group of his friends barged into the classroom.

"Jake! Hurry up!" one of them called out.

"What are you still doing here?" another teased, grinning from ear to ear.

"Stop flirting and let's go! The team's already waiting for us!"

The whole classroom burst into laughter. Jake shot his friends an annoyed look before shaking his head.

"You guys seriously have the worst timing."

His friends only laughed louder, clearly enjoying the chance to embarrass him. I couldn't help but let out a quiet chuckle, serves him right. Jake sighed dramatically before standing up.

"I'll continue this conversation tomorrow."

"As if there's going to be one," I muttered under my breath.

He simply flashed me one last smile before following his friends out of the classroom. They dragged him away while he kept looking back at me and keep on smiling.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Chelsea!"

I simply waved him off.

Finally... peace.

"Chelsea?"

I turned around.

Sunny was standing behind me with a shy smile.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

She scratched the back of her head before speaking.

"Can we... be friends?"

I blinked in surprise.

Oh my gosh...

I was just thinking about this earlier... and now it's actually happening. I tried to keep a straight face, but deep inside, I couldn't believe it.

"We literally just met today."

"I know!" she said with a laugh. "But I don't know... I just have this feeling that we're going to get along really well."

I looked at her for a second, surprised.

We had only met today.

Yet somehow...

It didn't feel strange at all.

A smile slowly spread across my face.

"I'd like that."

Her eyes lit up instantly.

"Really?"

I nodded, letting out a small laugh.

"Really."

"Oh my gosh!" she giggled. "I was actually nervous you'd say no."

"Why would I?"

"Because you're the daughter of the university owners. I thought you'd be hard to approach."

I couldn't help but laugh.

"And I thought you'd think I was weird for asking to be friends on the first day."

She laughed even harder.

"Then I guess we're both overthinkers."

"I guess we are."

She held out her hand with a bright smile.

"So... friends?"

I looked at her hand for a moment before reaching out without hesitation.

"Friends."

The moment our hands met, we both burst into laughter for no reason at all.

It felt silly.

It felt genuine.

And somehow...

It felt like the beginning of something special.

Neither of us knew...

That this simple handshake...

This simple friendship...

Would one day change both of our lives forever.

We walked toward the university gate together.

It was nice.

We talked about random things on our way out of the classroom. We laughed at silly jokes, shared a few stories about ourselves, and somehow, the silence between us never felt awkward.

Before I knew it, we had reached the university gate.

A tall guy was already waiting for Sunny. He had his hands tucked into his pockets, and the moment he saw her, a smile spread across his face.

Sunny smiled back and waved.

"There he is," she said softly.

I looked at Sunny.

"Is that your boyfriend?"

She immediately laughed.

"Um... nah."

"He's just one of my suitors."

She scratched the back of her neck before smiling at me.

"Well..."

"Thank you for today."

"It was really nice meeting you."

Then, without thinking, she leaned in and gave me a light beso on the cheek.

"See you tomorrow, Chelsea."

Before I could even react, she waved goodbye and walked toward the guy waiting for her.

I stood there for a moment, unconsciously touching the spot where she had kissed my cheek.

"...What was that?"

I blinked a few times.

Then I lightly slapped my own forehead.

"What the heck, Chelsea?"

"We're both straight."

I shook my head and laughed at myself.

"Get a grip."

I reached into my bag, grabbed my car keys, and headed to the parking lot.

As I drove home, my mind kept replaying today's events.

Jake...

Sunny...

Jake...

Sunny...

"What the heck was this day?"

I let out a long sigh.

"This has to be the most eventful first day of the semester."

I got into my car and started the engine. As I drove through the busy streets, I let out a quiet sigh. I think I'll just go to my condo, I didn't feel like going home. The mansion would probably be as quiet and empty as always.

Too boring.

I picked up my phone and called my brother.

"Hey, Kuya."

"Hey, Chels. Everything okay?"

"Yeah. I'm just heading to my condo instead of going home."

"Alright. Drive safely, okay?"

"I will. See you soon."

After ending the call, I continued driving, a few minutes later, I arrived at my condo. I parked my car, grabbed my bag, and headed upstairs.

The place was peaceful...

But somehow, it still felt lonely.

The moment I stepped inside, silence welcomed me once again. I tossed my bag onto the couch and collapsed onto my bed.

"What a weird day..."

I stared at the ceiling.

For some reason...

As I lay on my bed, I couldn't help replaying everything that had happened today.

Jake had been annoyingly persistent as usual.

Then there was Sunny...

I couldn't believe I'd made a new friend., A small smile found its way onto my lips. It's only the first day... and so much has already happened, I wonder what tomorrow will bring with that thought lingering in my mind, I closed my eyes, my smile refusing to fade.I quickly covered my face with a pillow.

"Nope."

"I'm just tired."

"That's all."

I smiled to myself before walking home.

Little did I know...

That simple goodbye...

Would one day become the greatest complication of our lives.

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