Yia and Elya

Chapter Five

Yia's POV

During dinner, I felt like the world slowed down when Elya came down. She glanced at me, so I quickly gestured to the seat next to me. It seemed like she was a bit uneasy around me, so I tried to open up by asking, "You want adobo?" I offered, but she replied with a smile, "I still have plenty of food." I was kind of disappointed, but it's okay. I want to get closer to her. After she finished eating, she went upstairs to her room. I helped with cleaning up the table while my mom stayed behind.

Elya's sister, Andromeda, approached me in their living room and asked, "You're Yia, right?" I then confirmed her name and she said, "Just Anda, sis," which made me smile.

"Yia, Elya will be your classmate, right? Can I ask a favor? Can you help her adjust to ELU? It's her first time transferring, and she's shy and introverted," she explained.

"Sure, don't worry. I'm already close to most of my classmates," I reassured her.

"Thank you," Anda said.

"Anda, my brother will be your classmate too in other subjects, right? Will you have an irregular schedule?" I asked.

"No, I've already taken the necessary units online, so I only need to take the remaining ones. I need to have a regular schedule, especially since I'm a medical technology student," she replied.

"Here's my advice, ate Anda. Stay away from Kuya Jake, or he'll keep bothering you," I said jokingly.

"It doesn't seem like it, sis. Does your brother have a girlfriend?" she asked, a curious smile on her face. Oh, something seems fishy. Does she have a crush on my brother?

"None...Not that I know of," I replied with a laugh. "Why do you ask?" I probed further.

"Just curious," she said, smiling, and then excused herself, mentioning that she still had things to do.

My mom and I went home, and I took a quick half-bath before heading to the balcony. I noticed that the light in Elya's room was still on, so she must still be awake. I felt tired and quickly fell asleep.

"Hoy, Alyia, what's with you? Aren't you going to school? It's almost noon, and the rooster will lose its voice if you don't get up," my mom shouted, jolting me awake. I quickly checked my alarm clock, realizing that my mom beat my alarm. It was only 5:00 am. I thought I had forgotten to set my alarm. I realized that I had forgotten to close the curtains on the balcony, and the sliding door was transparent.

I looked out to the balcony and saw Elya sipping coffee and typing on her laptop, still in her pajamas. She wakes up so early. I hurried downstairs before my mom could shout again. It would be embarrassing if the neighbors heard her. Ate Mae was still asleep since she didn't have morning classes, and my brother stayed up all night playing Valorant. How could I not know when he kept waking me up with his noise last night? And he has early classes. It's embarrassing to sleep through class like that. I sat at the dining table, and my brother sat next to me.

"Hey, ugly," he said to me.

"Why, you buttface?" I replied, irritated by his presence so early in the morning.

"Why do you look like a siopao (steamed bun)? Yuck! No one would ever find you attractive," he taunted, reveling in his snide remarks. Swiftly, I seized the opportunity and yanked his thigh hair, eliciting a satisfying yelp of pain. Finally, some retribution. Hahaha, that serves him right.

"Bleeh," I retorted, unapologetic for my actions.

"Hey, it's too early. Don't be too noisy, or you'll wake Mae, and she'll create a fuss," my mom warned us.

"It's all because of Kuya," I said. "It's all because of Kuya," my brother imitated my voice, even lowering his tone.

"Hey, butt-face, I have something to tell you about Ate Anda if you wash my dirty dishes," I abruptly blurted out, causing my brother to turn his head and reach for my plate. "Seriously, can't you see I'm still eating?" I grumbled, irritated by his interruption.

"Fine, I'll do the dishes. Now spill, what's it about?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"After you're done with the dishes, of course. Do you think I'm gullible or something?" I retorted, asserting my intelligence. I wasn't about to let him take advantage of me.

"What is it, huh? Just spill it already. Ugh, why do I bother with you?" he grumbled.

Once we finished eating, I handed him the task of washing up. I was ready to leave when he grabbed my clothes.

"What now? Ugh... Fine, I'll tell you. Hayst. So, yesterday, I stayed behind, right? And someone asked me if you had a girlfriend," I said, prompting my brother to grin like a mischievous dog.

"What did you say?" he asked.

"I said you have two girlfriends," I replied with a smirk, just before he splashed water on my face.

"Why did you say that, you little brat?" he scolded.

"Bleeh, you deserve it," I said, taking pleasure in his discomfort.

I dashed upstairs to take a shower. Afterward, I dressed in our school uniform-a knee-length blue skirt paired with a polo shirt and a necktie. I had already packed my black bag and white rubber shoes. Our school allowed us to wear rubber shoes even when it wasn't Physical Education Day. I made sure my hair was neatly combed, avoiding any tangled mess. I peered out onto the balcony, finding Elya's room empty. Glancing at the time, it was already 6:30 am. I headed downstairs to pack my lunch in my bag.

"Mama said you're not riding with me," my brother remarked, trying to provoke me.

"And why is that?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"I just don't want to. I told Mama I didn't want to ride with you," he replied, taunting me with a mischievous grin.

"Mama, why don't you want me to ride with that ugly creature, right?" he shouted as he ran outside.

"Where am I supposed to ride then?"

"You'll ride with Elya," Mama informed me.

"Oh no, why at them? I feel nauseous riding in other people's cars. I don't want to," I protested.

"Just accompany Elya. She's new, remember? Be kind to her," Mama insisted, and a car honked outside our house. I rushed out and climbed into the backseat as Ate Anda rolled down the window.

"Hop in, sis," she said.

Star, their youngest sibling, occupied the front seat next to Ate Anda, so I opened the back door and sat next to Elya. Damn, she looked stunning in her school uniform, and she smelled incredible. "Thank you, Ate Anda," I whispered, expressing my gratitude. Elya and I remained silent throughout the journey to school. Thankfully, Ate Anda had the music turned up, reducing the awkwardness between us.