This Love

Because I'm excited for today's plan… I arrived early into this small café in a mall where we decided to meet and hangout for a while. The café have this cozy feeling that surrounds it, a mum chattering will be heard every now and then. The sofas and couches looked comfortable. The café didn’t look like any other known café or coffee shops. This one for sure has a few branches of its own but I love the place. The wooden tables and other chairs gave that country side feeling for me and I like it. Other coffee shops and café already uses the metal or the usual/ typical tables that I see in fast food chains that I go to, that’s why I like the feel here than those popular shops. Even though I really like the Matcha frap in Starbucks. Well, the name is actually Matcha Green tea frap but I don’t want to call it that because it will be redundant. When you translate ‘matcha’ it means ‘green tea’ that’s why I kind of see at as redundant putting ‘Matcha’ and ‘Green tea’ together. Sorry for making that a big deal. Anyway, I know that when I told them that I’m already here thirty minutes before the said meeting time… she’ll ask me why I always arrive early than the said time. I find her so cute when she said that because she’s like pouting while saying that and that made me chuckle while I was searching for the perfect table for us. Before I forgot, I’m Anielle Tarrega. I’m five one foot tall, has black wavy hair that fall on my shoulders… when I remove my hair tie. I have deep brown eyes that almost looked like black, my face is a bit round, I have the average type of body… well, for me it’s average since my body is not that toned and I’m not even close to being fat, my nose is a bit pointy, I have a tan skin… darker than the usual I guess, but yeah, I’m tan. I graduated four years ago with bachelor degree in animation and I will tell you now that it’s hard to land a job after you finished it, since majority of the animation studios here in the Philippines and abroad are searching for animators with at least three years of experience in the industry. You’ll be lucky enough to find a studio who accept animators with one year of experience most especially fresh graduates. I’m currently in a simple café that was two rides away from where I live just to meet these group of people that I met two years ago in an animation training that didn’t go so well. And I’m actually excited to see them most especially her. Speaking of her I notice her car park. You might be wondering how did I know that it was her, well, I was able to ride in her car a lot of times back then so her silver Ford EcoSport 2015 Titanium AT is too familiar to me, and I can’t help but to smile when I saw her went out of her car. They also informed me that almost all of the girls in our group will ride with her and the boys will just commute to get here. It’s been a while since the last time that I get this giddy about seeing someone. To be completely honest I couldn’t even remember if I was like this for that person. For now all of my focus is on the current person who make me smile by just the mere thought of them. I don’t even know if I’m already in love with her because I’m afraid of falling for someone again. Plus I can’t really make a move on her. Why? Well, she’s already in a relationship! I don’t want to be the home wreaker… well they’re not yet married, but still! I’m not that kind of person. “Early as always. Aren’t you bored when you arrive here early?” She ask me looking straight into my eyes while she smiles. I know that I’m smiling too and of course I was looking directly into her chocolate brown eyes that somewhat sparkles when she smiles. “Nope, I don’t. Plus I’d rather be here earlier than the said time. I’m always like that.” I replied as she sat on the chair in front of me. Kaelyn’s hair was cut short, a bob cut if I remembered it correctly and the color of it was just like mine… black, but hers looked more smooth and soft than mine. I’m sure that if she grew her hair it will be straight and not like mine that was wavy. Her face was a bit round, her nose is not that pointed and also not flat, it was in the middle. She almost have a pale white smooth skin. She’s close into the chubby side and is taller than me… by an inch. Yes she’s five two foot tall and I’m hoping that I’d still grow a bit taller. I really need it ‘cuz I want to be taller than my girl if I will have a girlfriend… or maybe not, if Kaelyn will be my girl. I have ZERO experience having any romantic relationship, I tried to be involved into one but I was rejected… three times! But that time I know that I loved that person too much that I was blinded by my feelings, because I ignored everything that she was doing that time. Yes ‘she’ it’s a girl. I snapped out of my thoughts when one of the girls, Marco, nudge me to the side and then whispered something into my ear, “You should take a picture to make it last.” She said and I glared at her way playfully while she chuckled. Marco admitted to us back then that she was a lesbian and we didn’t even have violent reaction with it like she expect us to have because she thought that there would be at least one homophobic into our group, but none of us are. She was three years younger than me but she was an inch taller than me, although I look younger than her and that makes me laugh because it kind of makes me smile when some people thought that I was young but I don’t boast that thing so much… except now. “Shut up.” I told her chuckling too and that earn us questioning stares from the three girls with us. Kaelyn being the curious one ask us what we are talking about. Before Marco tease me again I stood up, “I’ll just order something, who else will order something?” I ask and they looked at each other. Adalyn and Rose said that they stay to man our table while Marco, Kaelyn and I went to the counter to order something for ourselves. I was the one who’s in the front and immediately ordered what I want to drink while Kaelyn and Marco was still busy looking at the menu. When I was about to leave the line to go to them I bumped into someone and their drink spilled a little on the floor and on the other woman’s clothes. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t looking where I was going.” I said and I ask for a tissue to wipe off some of the liquid that got to her black blazer over her white polo. When I finally look at the person whom I bump into, I froze. Hoping that she won’t look up to me and receive those raging dark brown eyes that I looked at back then. ‘Too late!’ I thought as she looked up and saw me. She had this annoyed look on her face that almost made me scoff, but I was able to wear my mask. When she finally recognize who I was, the scowl on her face vanished for a while and then it went back easily when she realized that it was me. I smiled at her as an automatic reaction. It was the mask that I’m used on wearing after everything that has happened between us. “I can buy you a new one for being careless. I’m sorry.” I said like I don’t even know her. Before she could answer me back I called the attention of the personnel and ask for a replacement of her drink and I immediately paid it. “I’m so sorry again for the trouble.” I said as I went to where Kaelyn and Marco were standing. They were both looking towards me and then Leanora… the person that I fell in loved with back when I was in college. I only told them a small fraction of what kind of relationship Leanora and I had before. Leanora’s height was four nine, her hair is also black and you could tell that it’s smooth, but it’s also soft when you touch it. She also have a bob cut but hers is shorter than Kaelyn. Leonora was chubby but she was beautiful… well I think back then. Now I don’t know… I’m still not sure how will I feel and how will I act in front of her. It’s been what, three? Or maybe four years since she stopped talking to me. “Isn’t that…?” Marco ask almost whispering at me and I gave her a smile, well, I know that it wasn’t my usual smile but she didn’t notice, I don’t know if Kaelyn notice the changes on how I smile, because she choose to just observe. “Yeah it is her.” I told her and that made Marco nod and excused herself because she knows what to order. I looked at Kaelyn and I could notice the worry in her eyes but she choose to not ask about it, just yet and I’m thankful that she didn’t since I’m still in such a mess to be honest. “I’ll be ordering too.” She said giving me a weak smile and taping my shoulder and that made my heart leap for a while. I could feel warmth started circulating my tummy and that made me forget about Leanora for a while. Well, until she herself called my attention and then she suddenly splashed her cold drink on me. “I don’t need you to replace it and don’t you dare act like you don’t know me and smile at me.” She said and that made me laugh humorlessly and I noticed that it made her fuming mad at me. “What do you want me to do? Be all over you? Beg you to forgive me? To talk to me? Or beg for you to take me back?” I ask as I wipe away the ice cold latte that she splash to my face. “I can tell you face to face that I stopped knowing you better after you slipped on telling me that you don’t feel anything for me. All those years… I wasted my time to put you first. I stopped trying because I’m tired of being used by you. I loved you Lean and you took advantage of my feelings.” I said while whisper-screaming at her because we were in a public place and I don’t really want to make the scene bigger here. “Why can’t you pretend that you don’t know me? You’re good at that right? Ignoring, evading and hiding?” I said and that made her swing her hand to slap me but I was able to grab her wrist. She tried slapping me again by using her other hand and like what I did to her other wrist, I caught it. “I let you hurt me back then because I genuinely loved you, but I won’t let you hurt me again.” I said as I forcefully put down her hands. Almost everyone at the café was looking in our direction and I just ignored them all. I took my order on the waiter’s hand when I noticed that she was about to call my name when Leanora made a scene. After I took it I went to our table, “I’ll be right back. I’ll just get some change of clothes on my bag inside my car.” I told Adalyn and Rose and they both nod and I went out to get what I need and maybe wash my face since I feel sticky. When I was in the middle of pouring water on my face someone tapped my shoulder. I was actually expecting that Leanora will follow me outside just to finish the scene that we were having inside that supposed to be quiet café, but I’m surprise to see Kaelyn standing right beside me. Hands resting on my shoulder and I can see the worry written all over her face. I gave her a weak smile and then I sighed. “How’s inside?” I ask her as I sit on the back seat of my car. Kaelyn looked at the café and then to me and then she shrugs, “She’s still in there fuming and talking to her group of friend about what happened a while ago.” She said meeting my gaze but I break it by looking down. “I’m sorry if you guys saw something like that happen inside.” I said as I chuckle humorlessly. Kaelyn pat my thigh motioning for me to scoot over so that she could sit beside me. “Well it’s not really your fault because she’s the one who started it all.” She said trying to read me but I was just looking on the ceiling of my car. I like being this close with her, but I can never be too touchy with Kae. I like her so much and I want her to be mine but I can’t. I can’t tell her what I really feel about her. I’ll just let the fact that I had a crush on her. I don’t want to make her feel awkward and distance herself to me like what she did when I confessed that I admired her. After moments of silence I finally looked at her and she was looking at me. We stayed like that looking at each other’s eyes, but as usual, I was the one who broke it by closing my eyes. Engraving the way Kaelyn look at me. I can only have her inside my head and in my dreams. I’m willing to wait for her but I won’t close my door for people who will want to be with me. If there will ever be someone who’ll have feelings for me. I bolted up and open the bag on my right side and took a shirt out of it and then I looked at Kaelyn, “Can you close the door?” I ask as I dangle the shirt and she nods and then she blushed. Kaelyn stepped out of the car and she closed the door. After I changed my clothes, we went back inside, the boys are already there waiting for us. They were already having fun there and that made me smile and forget about Leanora who I’m sure was still in here somewhere. I don’t want to search for her because she’s not worth it. We stayed there for a while, Marco and I kept on teasing one another. Well, most of the time she’s the one who’s teasing me and she kept on giving away my feelings for Kaelyn. And I just laugh and glared at her playfully and of course I steal glances at Kaelyn’s direction. And every time that I do, I always catch her looking back at me and it just makes me happy because I know that she was always looking at my direction. I want all of her attention on me. I just didn’t realize that, that fun moments will be ruined again, just because Leanora wanted attention… again. Their group of friend passes by and they were talking about me, saying things and comments when they don’t even know the whole story or my side of the story and that made me scoff, “Don’t f*****g label me as the bad guy for you don’t know the whole f*****g story!” I said hitting the table. That made them stop talking and glance at my direction, “You only heard what she thinks I did to her, but do you even know what she did to me?” they look at me and then to Leanora and then they look down. I stand up and the sound of my chair scraping the floor echoed loudly at the place, “That’s right you don’t so don’t you dare! Because all of you don’t know who I am!” I said and pass through them and stop in front of the door and face them again, “I even ask you to have a decent talk to clear things up but you just hide and made excuses just to avoid meeting me and now you’re telling bullshit to your friends. Pathetic.” I finished and then I left and headed to my car to cool my head. I open my car stereo and then Colbie Caillat’s voice filled my car. She was singing Fearless and that made me laugh humorlessly again, and then sigh. I closed my eyes thinking about Kaelyn and the others. I heard a knock on my car window and saw Kaelyn standing there with the others. I open my door and face them, “Hey guys… I’m so sorry for the scene that I made earlier.” I said as I gave them a weak smile. “We don’t mind because all of them are bitches anyway. Including that ex-girlfriend of yours!” Marco said and they all chuckled at her comment, while I shake my head and a genuine smile was starting to form on my lips. “I don’t even know what you see with that woman, when Kae here is more beautiful than her.” Marco added while she put her arm around Kaelyn’s shoulder I glared at her while Kaelyn blush at her comment. “I was young and she made me feel things that I’m new at… plus I’m not solely into looks only. It’s still important if they are beautiful inside and out.” I said and then I looked at Kaelyn and she meet my gaze, “And I admit Kaelyn is pretty and she also has good qualities that I like.” I said smiling at her but I never thought that she’ll blush that hard and I find it cute. Adalyn and Rose giggled silently on the back while Marco chuckled teasing me and Kae more. While the boys were laughing silently like Adalyn and Rose did because they are really amused with the teasing and flirting in front of them. “Okay! Time to know to whom car you’ll ride with.” I said as I call their attention and I got out of my dark blue Ford Ranger FX4 2017. I admit I want to have my own sports car but I don’t think that you would want a sexy and beautiful car submerge into water when rainy season comes. And the almost unmoving traffic in Manila… well, your sexy sports car will be a waste, not unless you live far away from the hellish traffic in the city. Marco was about to say that she would like to ride with me and ride shotgun but I stopped her, “You won’t be the one who’ll decide whose car you’ll ride. We have this lottery.” I said as I took a cup and put sticks with letters ‘A’ on some and ‘K’ on the others. “Kae will have five while I can take six with me.” I said. Kaelyn stand beside me as I put out the cup with the sticks and let them get the sticks. I’m lucky that Marco got the ‘K’ because I can’t really handle her screaming on me while I’m driving because I’m sure that I drive too fast for her preference. The only thing that I really don’t want is that, I got almost all of the guys with me. Well aside from Angel whose riding shot gun while the four boys are on the back. We were on our way to the pier where we will go to my father’s home town. It was a small island in Quezon province and I’ve been there a couple of times with my family and one time with my college friends… Leanora wasn’t included on that trip because she doesn’t want to see me or be around me. “Who among those women was your ex?” Angel ask me, I took a quick glance at her. “Not ex… We never really ‘dated’, but she’s almost my girlfriend because I asked her out, but she rejected me and still said that she liked me too. She was the small chubby girl with the bob cut. The one that kind of wear something close to being a Goth Lolita style.” I said and that made her nod and then there was silence again. “She’s cute but, what did you actually see in her?” Ed ask on my back and I started to hum just to think of something, “Well she’s actually kind, caring and affectionate. It will be easier if I just tell you the whole story when we arrive on the island.” I said when we arrive in Atimonan Quezon’s pier where we will ride a ferry to get to Alabat, Quezon Island. After our car boarded the ferry we went up for them to see the view when the ferry start to move and head for the island. I was enjoying the sea breeze when I felt that someone sat beside me. She have this creamy smell that makes me calm and her heat that comforts me. Like me she doesn’t wear perfume I don’t know why she doesn’t because I haven’t had the opportunity to ask her about it because that’ll be awkward. I slowly opened my eyes and steal a quick glance at her and then I smiled, “You should’ve bought your girl with us, I won’t mind.” I joked and that made her look at me, “I- I… S- She’s actually busy and can’t join us.” She said stuttering trying to have a proper excuse on why she didn’t invite her girl to come with us. I chuckled, “I’m just kidding. But next time you should introduce us to her. We’re kind of curious what she looked like.” I said as I face her and give her a soft smile and she returned it. We were looking at each other like that for a while before the screaming Marco made a scene and that made us both laugh. “Is this also your first time ridding a ferry?” I ask Kae and she hummed while nodding at me. I chuckled, “Well at least you’re handling your first experience on riding one normally unlike her.” I said pointing at Marco. She was now reenacting what Jack and Rose was doing in the Titanic movie and people are looking at her, some are amused while others were weirded out by her. Adalyn and Rose sat on the other side of the chair where I was sitting and they also watch Marco with the others who are enjoying their first experience on ridding a ferry and heading in an island for a short vacation. Adalyn leaned in a bit and then she whispered something, “Did you notice that you kind of confessed and flirted with Kae a while ago?” she ask and that made me laugh and of course that made Kae look at me. “What? What is it? What’s funny?” she ask and I just shakes my head and say “Nothing. I just remembered something. Sorry.” I said. It might look like that Kae dismissed the topic, but she didn’t because she looked at Adalyn and Rose’s way like she was asking them what did they say to me for me to laugh like that and all they did was shrug at her. Those two are really good for covering me up, unlike Marco, who’ll definitely drop hints that it’s about Kae and my feelings for her. The whole ride went smooth, no one got sea sick… well, of course besides Marco who started to vomit when the ferry stopped since we reached our destination. The sun is almost down when we start to travel again by car to get to the other side of the island which was Villa Norte, where our summer house was. It was a land given to my father and I saved up to have the money to build a summer villa there. The island is beautiful and it’s not commercialized yet which was good because it’s not that crowded like the other popular islands here in the Philippines. But it already have its local Filipino tourist who visit the place, but not too many. Most especially on this part, since there’s barely mobile signal here before. Now it has cellular signal and I also bought solar panels so the villa won’t solely rely on the electric distribution of the island. I also have a power generator installed just in case. The villa had enough guest rooms because I made sure that it can house seven families with five to seven family members. All in all there was fourteen guest room on the second floor and four bedroom on the top floor near the entertainment room and the veranda. There’s also a small rooftop since I like star gazing. There’s a pool that’s facing the sea… if you’re not up to swimming in the sea you can soak into the pool and watch the sea. We can’t really swim on the beach in front of us because it’s too rocky and we have to walk on the side where there’s not much rock in it. When my car was already in front of the villa’s gate the caretaker opened the gates for us and I thank him. “Feel at home guys. You can choose any guest rooms that you want on the second floor. There were seven big rooms there so you can share in one room, but if you don’t want sharing a room there are seven rooms more rooms that a couple could share.” I said and then they all looked at me. I raised an eye brow at them, “What?” I ask them… well mostly the girls because the guys immediately head to the second floor to check the rooms, “What about you?” Rose ask. “What about me?” “Aren’t you joining us?” Adalyn asked next. “You still have that story to tell.” Angel added. I chuckled, “Don’t worry about me, and for the story maybe we could have that in the entertainment room upstairs later. I have to talk first to the care takers so you can also check the rooms upstairs.” I said as I wave to them and head out. “Good evening miss Tarrega.” Mr. Roland greeted me when he noticed that I’m heading on his way. “Good evening to you to Roland. You know you can join us and your family to dinner later and you can go home after that to rest. I’ll just call you when we needed something. You and your family need to relax and have more time together.” I said as I pat his shoulder and gave him an envelope for the money that he spent restocking the house’s refrigerator plus his salary and bonus. “Won’t we just bother you kids?” he ask worried about my friends, I shake my head and giggled at what he said. “I’m sure that they won’t mind. So I’ll be expecting you and your family later.” I said and he said his ‘thank you’ to me and I wave goodbye to him. When I entered the house and headed on the second floor, I could hear the boy’s loud chatter but I couldn’t hear the girls and I had this feeling that they are on the upper floor where the other rooms are. The moment that I reached my designation I saw them on the veranda near the pool, facing the sea watching as the sun went down. “I can see that you haven’t choose a room.” I said and that made them look at my direction and I smiled but as always my gaze lock on Kae and she on mine. “Oh we actually found one!” Marco said as she went beside me, “Right gals?!” she said and they all nod and that made my eyebrows furrowed at them because they still have their bags with them. “Where?” I ask them. Rose answered my question, “Your room.” “Oh.” I said and I can’t help myself but to look at Kae again, “Okay. Follow me.” I said before breaking away from Kae’s gaze. They silently followed me into my room, which was the master’s bed room. Yeah, yeah I know that the biggest room was supposed to be for my parents. Their room was big too but mine’s the biggest since I’m the one who paid to build this summer house and they both don’t mind. My room consist of two small rooms, a bathroom that has a big bathtub inside and a door connecting to my walk in closet that doesn’t consist much of clothes but mostly consist of different kind of hats and caps, then shoes and different kind of boots or course most of it were flat and if ever I have boots that has hills, the max inches of the hills was two inches, nothing more than that and I will never ever have stilettoes. I have a king size bed because I dreamed of having one even though I don’t have a special someone whom I can cuddle with. I also have a small comfy love couch and bean bag couches on my room with a small coffee table on the center. I also have a small veranda that’s facing the sea and there’s stairs on the side for the small roof top that has a glass shed to protect my telescope there. I also have my own flat screen TV inside my room and a mini fridge for my drinks. The two small room inside this master’s bedroom are my working stations. The one for animating while the other for sound recording, yes I sing and a play a couple of instruments. The girls were busy looking around my room while I’m busy taking out of my clothes from the bag that I was carrying. I also put the shirt that was drenched with the cold latte a while ago into the laundry basket near the door that connects my walk-in-closet to my bathroom. Good thing that, that wasn’t my favorite shirt. When I thought all of them were at the veranda I chuckled and I search for my sleeping wear… well mostly my boxer, sports bra and an oversized shirt. That will be my usual attire when I have visitors. But if I’m alone inside my room, I only wear boxers or panty-briefs or just my panties when I will sleep. “What story will you tell Angel?” I was startled when I heard her sweet and soft voice that I dropped the clothes that I got because of her. I gathered them all again and picked it up and face her. “About my past. I’m not even able to tell the whole story last time… I’ll admit that I skipped parts that were too private to talk about.” I said as I put my sleep wear ready near the door that leads me to my bathroom. She was about to ask about it but I cut her by saying, “I almost forgot that I’ll be the one who’ll prepare our dinner. Can you prepare any kind of desert?” I ask her and she smiles. I really love seeing her eyes light up every single time that she smiles or laugh. I also love the sound of her laugh… she never giggle, not that I know of. “I guess I can bake something for desert but I don’t know if you have the ingredients.” She said and I chuckled. “We’ll see. I’m heading down to the kitchen you might want to check if we have what you needed. There were new stock of foods and other necessities for cooking or baking on our pantry and refrigerator since I asked them to restock before we arrive.” I said as we walk out of the closet. The others were still busy sightseeing when I called to them. “I’ll be preparing dinner will you guys stay here or do you want to join us downstairs?” I ask them and they looked at one another, “Us?” Marco ask instead of answering my question. I nod, “Yes us.” I said pointing my finger to me then to Kaelyn. “We’ll just stay here for a while~!” Adalyn said and that made me suspicious as to why they choose to stay here than to come with us. “Okay.” I said and then turn around to face Kaelyn, “Let’s go?” I said looking straight into her eyes as I smile at her, and like always… she’s returning the smile. We went down and I retied my hair into a messy bun and then I wear my apron and get what I needed inside the refrigerator and start preparing dinner. I was so focus on cooking that I didn’t notice that Kaelyn was just waiting until the desert that she’s making cook. “Did you took culinary like what you planned before?” she ask me and I took a glance at her way while I was cutting another ingredient for a different dish so that there’s a variety where they can choose what to eat. I shake my head at her question, “Nope, I didn’t had the chance to take even a short course in culinary. I’m more on self-thought, then trial and error cook until I find the consistency of my cooking.” I said and that made her chuckle too. “Well I too didn’t took any cooking class or course to learn how to bake. I just love baking and making sweets.” She sad and I mentally took note of what she just said. “Well, on my part I just like cooking I guess. But to be completely honest cooking wasn’t one of my interest before, but later on I took interest to it since I really want to have my own place, where I can have my personal space, far away from my parent’s eyes. To do anything and everything that I want to do.” I said as I put the ingredients into a pot and start sautéing. “Well, it seems like your dream did came true.” She said chuckling again and that made me laugh. “Yeah, indeed I got what I want. I just wonder how did you know that I live here and not in Manila?” I said as I face her since I was just waiting until the meat cook slowly. “Your office or small working studio and the recording studio that’s next to it.” She said and that made me smile and nod. “Well, yeah most of the time I’m here working but I’m visiting Manila for the business that I told to you about back then.” I said as I face the stove again to check if the meat was already cook for me to put the next ingredients. I also checked the other dish if it’s already cooked. “The studio renting business?” She said with excitement on her voice. “Yep that’s the one. I’m starting to make the survey pertaining on the number of their artist that are coming from the south side. And I’m kind of getting possible sponsors for the equipment that I need. I already bought a land where the building will be build up.” I said and I heard her say “Wow!” breathlessly and that made me chuckle. “Yeah, wow.” I added as I turn off the stove and put away the first pot where the first dish were. “I also have trip abroad next month and I’m searching for a companion for that trip. I asked my best friend if she could accompany me but she said that she was busy. I also tried for my other friends in college but like my best friend they all have other plan for next month. I don’t want to take my mother with me since I know that she won’t like what I’ll be doing there since she’s a bit homophobic?” I said sounding unsure because I’m not really sure what was the deal with my mother when it comes to homosexuality. Because she says that she have no problem with them but… I don’t know. She’s one very confusing old woman. “Why? What will you do?” She ask while I took the vegetables that I took a while ago and started cutting them and some garlic and onions. “I’ll be interviewing a few known l***q+ writers/ authors. And I had an appointment with each one of them. I’m excited because I’m also one of their fans.” I said giggling. YES! I giggle, I even squeal. I still have this girly side but I don’t wear frilly clothes or even dresses. I fall on the ‘tomboy’ category when it comes to clothing. The only difference was I wear short shorts that sometimes doesn’t reach even the lower half of my thigh. I have a lot of skinny jeans too. “And I don’t know who else I will try to ask to accompany me because I also tried asking Marco, but she said she can't.” I said as I finished cutting the ingredients of the only vegetable dish that I’ll cook for tonight. “Where are you going exactly?” she ask again while I started on cooking the new dish. “America… where in America? Well a lot of place that I can’t really tell you, but I’m sure that one of those places will be L.A.” I said and she hummed. I'm planning to joke about asking her if she could join me for that trip because I know, like the other’s she will decline my invitation because… come on! She have a girlfriend and I know that she wouldn’t let Kae go with another woman who confessed to her girlfriend about having a crush on them, right? I thought and then I open my mouth and I said, “Would you like to come with me if you’re free?” “Sure.” She said and that made me froze for a while and then continued on mixing the vegetable and turning off the stove since the second dish was already finished. “W-What?” I ask just to confirm that I heard her right. “I said, sure I’ll come with you. I’m not busy next month so, why not right?” she said and I faced her. I still couldn’t believe that she agree on coming with me. Is this the sign that I should confess to her this time? But I can’t! She has a lover! “W-What about your girlfriend? Will she allow you? You know… being on a trip overseas alone with another girl?” I ask her and she was like thinking for a while and then she shrugs. I really, really like Kaelyn Reyes and I think that I’m falling for her, but I can’t! I really can’t. This is so hard for me because I want her to be mine and being alone with her on a trip can reveal a lot of things. “Well, if your girlfriend and family is okay with you accompanying me then I thank you in advance.” I said as I gave her a smile. I tried not to sound too excited about her answer and I’m glad that I’m able to hide the excitement when I said those words. The only thing that I couldn’t hide was the smile on my face and the only method to hide that smile from her is for me to face the stove again. After a few minutes of silence the desert was cooked and Kaelyn got it out from the oven then we were not alone anymore because they went down after we talk. Marco and Adalyn were calling me ‘Mama Anielle’ because I’m cooking our dinner and I was just chuckling to what they were saying. While Rose commented “You’re ready to be a wife!” all of them laugh including me and I shake my head. “I don’t know if I’ll be one if I’m not even involved with anyone.” I said chuckling, “None sense, Marco’s here and available.” Rose said joking and Marco ride along with the joke I just laugh and said, “She’s not my type.” And they all laugh while Marco pretend to look hurt. They helped me set up the table and I told them that Rolando the care taker and his family will join us and so we waited for them before we started eating. The boys offered to wash the dishes while we girls headed up stairs and went to the entertainment room. “So are we gonna wait for the boys? Will this be the legendary ‘girls’ talk?’” Marco said excitedly and that made us laugh at her. “Well I'm ready to start anytime just say the words and I’ll start telling my college life.” I said and that made Marco scoff, “You mean LOVE life.” She said as she laughs and I just shake my head while glaring at her playfully. “We should start. I’m too excited to know your story to wait for the boys. Plus I know that they will have their own fun on their room.” Angel said as she scoot closer and that made me chuckle and then nod. I took deep breaths and I looked on each one of them. The last person that I laid my eyes on --- of course was Kaelyn and I could see that she too was interested to hear my story. “Okay… Let’s start on ‘frosh orientation’…”