In Between

Chapter 9

Red Pov.

It was a day ago since I had conversations with her, and I didn't understand why she suggested that kind of topic. But when she dared to ask me, I went silent. Until now, I didn't know what the answer to that question could be. She's right, I haven't know about love, and I hate what it is that made me clueless even I'm smart. I hate love because, for me, it doesn't exist anymore. If it did, I shouldn't be like this asking, why? why I let everything goes?.

Getting up from my bed, I reached the study table. Tonight, we were going to decide what topic we should work on. Finally settling into my seat, I opened my laptop and went to our group chat. Scrolling down, I saw their messages and the poll she created for us to vote on our topic.

7:16pm

Sira

So guys, should we had our vote now?

7:16pm

Yna

Hang on Sira, Red isn't online we should waited him.

7:16pm

Vivian

Let's wait some time before we start voting. Reminder please both what is you think is the best.

I took some time staring at the screen, thinking. Soon, I saw their new messages.

7:25pm

Sira

Hey guys. Red is online now, Hi red!

7:25pm

Yna

Vivian? should we both now?

7:25pm

Vivian

Okay then. You can have your votes now.

7:25pm

Red

Should we really take this seriously?

7:25pm

Vivian

Of course. We need fairness here.

7:25pm

Yna

Guys. stop that kind of squirrel let's vote now.

*************

Theo Pov.

Today is the weekend, and it's kind of a good day. Well, every day is good for me, but this one is totally different. Well, my buddy is coming over today, as she asked for some help with their thesis, and the fact that today is the day we're celebrating our months of being friends. Vivian doesn't usually celebrate this kind of thing, but she couldn't refuse, given the circumstances. She's coming over later in the afternoon, so I have the remaining time to prepare some food for her and clean the house. Ever since we started being friends, she hasn't had time to come over, so it's her first time visiting my house due to her busy schedule. But today, I asked her to take the day off, and it just so happens that our schedules aligned.

Waiting for the time to arrive, I finished cooking some dishes that I knew she would eat, and the house now looked pleasing to her eyes before she came inside. I also took the time to clean myself up and dressed casually since we were going to stay in. Not much longer, I heard some knocks behind the door, indicating that she had finally arrived. Walking towards the door and opening it, she flashed into my sight. Well, as I expected, Vivian didn't know how to dress like a girl... She was dressed in a kind of nerdy outfit that I didn't know how to describe, and her sneakers didn't match what she was wearing... This little buddy of mine had weird fashion taste, I must say... How could she be like this? Not to offend her, but since she's my friend, I needed to say something.

"Hey! Did you see a ghost?" I snapped out, hearing her, as I corrected my posture and acted normal again, welcoming her inside, which she was pleased to do.

We were now headed inside to the kitchen, where she occupied a seat at the counter area while I prepared some sweet dessert that I had forgotten to bake earlier.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, but it'll be finished right away," I said, glancing at her and smiling.

"It's fine, don't bother," she replied.

"So, how's your topic? Did you figure out what topic you should discuss?"

"Yeah, it's fine now," she said.

"Did he agree?"

"Yes, it's good now," she added.

"Then why are you still here? You don't need help anymore," I said jokingly, chuckling, which made her turn her head to face me.

"Because you said we're celebrating our friendship day, right?" she casually stated, which made me flash a teasing smile at her.

"But this isn't really your thing, right?"

"Don't annoy me, brat. The food is already cooked, and I've headed here, so I don't have to go back," she said, making me let out a soft laugh.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere became silent as she played with the fruits placed on the counter table, and I was busy with my tasks.

"Theo..." she called me, and I hummed a response, still busy in the kitchen.

"I couldn't imagine that platonic friendship really exists. I'm wondering how I managed to become your friend," she said, making me smile, her tone sounded thoughtful, with a hint of boredom.

"Aren't you happy?"

"Well... somehow I am," I replied, chuckling at her words as I glanced at her; she looked lost in thought, with a blank expression.

"Somehow? So that means it's not entirely?"

"Of course, I'm happy! I'm just wondering, okay, when we started and how I let myself trust others again."

"Don't mind such things, Vivian," I said.

"Still, I'd wonder," she replied, resting her head on the counter table, looking bored. I chuckled at her act, even though Vivian wasn't a typical lady who's ideal, but she had a different kind of magic that made you smile.

"Do you think we can't take this to another stage?" I asked, staring at her, which made her turn her head up instantly, facing me with an annoyed expression.

"Don't be such a jerk, you're joking. Plus, do you want me to kill off your weird admirers huh?" I burst out laughing as her words reached my ears. Like, how could she think that was a joke?

"Don't you believe I'd protect you from them?"

"Don't be ridiculous, we both know I'm not your standard, and you're not mine." she said casually, earning a smile from me.

"Then can't feelings evolve?" I asked, smiling at her as she just looked at me somehow, our gazes meeting.

*************

Another day. It was Sunday, and today she couldn't go to work, as Vivian was really dead tired from yesterday's study session for their thesis and being with her boy friend, who brought stress to her. So, she decided to take this day to rest. She was still lying in bed, putting her gaze on the ceiling, thinking about something. Over the past day, she had been feeling some type of emotion that she couldn't explain, which got her frustrated.

If I'm not Vivian... would my life turn out different now? "Stop being dramatic; that's an old issue of yours..." Still, I'm wondering, how can our lives go on like this? "You can be fine." I hope too.

Snapped out of her thoughts, she heard the voice knocking at the door.

"Vivian! Come on, eat breakfast now!" Dada called out to her from behind the door, which made her sit up in bed before letting herself walk towards the door and then opening it to head outside. Once she approached the dining table, she pulled out the chair and sat down.

"You're not at work?" Dada asked her once she noticed her finally settled, which made her pull out a chair and sit down as well. Then both of them started eating.

"Yes, Dada. I don't feel well today." "Did you take your meds? You must drink them now before it's late," she said to Vivian, who had a mouthful of food, making her nod her head.

"And also, Vivian..." she uttered, making Vivian turn her head to face her before she continued speaking.

"This week, I'm not around. I have some important things to do, so the thing here is if you can be good alone?" Dada informed her, which made her pause for a while, then slightly nod her head.

"Don't worry, the bills are already fine, as well as the stocks. Are you sure you can manage?"

"Of course, Dada, I can," Vivian replied.

"I apologize for leaving you here alone, but if you want, you can go to someone else's house until I get back?" she said, which made Vivian frown.

"Which house should I go to?"

"Your boyfriend's house?" Dada suggested, making Vivian sigh in disbelief.

"I have no one, Dada. I'll be fine here." Vivian simply stated, taking herself to the sink to wash the plates. "How can Dada think such a thing?"

**************

Another day had come, it was Monday. She had already woken up to the sudden sound of her alarm, beforehand taking a bath, then wearing her clothes before heading out. Dada had taken her leave three days ago after they talked, leaving her alone in the apartment now. Well, it wasn't a big deal for her, she was used to being alone.

Soon after taking her breakfast, she headed out to the university, as this day was important - it was the presentation of the thesis topic that the group had discussed. Unfortunately, the topic they chose wasn't the one she suggested. As Red's suggested topic won the votes last time, it somehow made her feel disappointed about the idea of how they could think love was usual and wouldn't be a topic. But how could she complain when it was decided fairly, Red won the voting process.

At some weeks and days that she used to observed him, Vivian must say that Red had a strong personality, he keeps to be competitive and stand what he think is right as well same of her personality. And that's why they had an minnie argument last time about the topic, somehow made her realize that it theres something different to this sudden guy she met.

In conjunction with her arouses feeling that she cannot able to understand as well identify what this emotion born to her, How and when its start? when their presence met onto the horizon.

Soon, finally Vivian reached the University, As she already stepped in inside the room noticed him before she take herself to her seat. Vivian didn't know what urge happen to her to gazed at him.

After some weeks and days of observing him, Vivian had to admit that Red had a strong personality, he was competitive and stood by what he thought was right, much like her own personality. That's why they had a mini argument last time about the topic, which somehow made her realize that there was something different about this guy she had met. Along with the arousal of feelings she couldn't understand or identify, she wondered how and when it started - perhaps when their presence met on the horizon. As she stepped into the room, she noticed him before taking her seat. Vivian didn't know what urge had her gazing at him.

A while ago, Mr. Yan entered the room, and they stood up to greet him first.

"Good morning, Mr. Yan," they said in unison, taking their seats again.

"Good morning, class. So, today would be the presentation of each group's topic; did everyone prepare?"

"Yes, sir," they replied politely, and Mr. Yan nodded his head, satisfied with their response.

"Alright, so let's start the group topic presentations." Mr. Yan cued the presentation to start, and soon each group began presenting their topic. So far, all the groups presented their topics well, and Mr. Yan was amazed by their presentations.

"Well, class, I'm glad that all the groups presented their topics very well," he said gratefully, and the students smiled, happy that the presentations went well. After some time, the rest of the students had finished presenting their topics, and Vivian's group was the last group to present.

************

To be continued......