The Rules We Break

Chapter 1

I was dizzy from all the alcohol I'd consumed. I staggered through the bar, searching for Yuhan. I tried my best to hold back the urge to vomit and walk straight, but it seemed I couldn't manage anymore.

I finally collapsed near the door. I closed my eyes, waiting to hit the floor, but after a few seconds, I still hadn't fallen.

I forced my eyes open and saw a man supporting me, preventing my fall. I couldn't make out his face, but I was sure of what I saw—he looked like Adonis.

He was saying something, but I couldn't hear him, probably because of the loud music in the bar and my intense dizziness. I couldn't do anything but completely collapse into his arms and fall asleep.

I found myself sitting on the bathroom floor after throwing up. I couldn't remember anything from the previous night due to my drunkenness. I just woke up to find myself in my room.

"Ting!" (That's the sound of Messenger, don't be weird!) My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of my phone.

I stood up and rinsed my mouth to get rid of the vomit taste. I'd brush my teeth later, once I was sure I wouldn't throw up again.

I grabbed my phone and checked who had messaged me. It was Yuhan.

Yuhan: Are you awake?

I replied to him right away.

Me: Yes, were you the one who took me home last night?

Ting

Yuhan: No, you were completely wasted last night, weren't you? Luckily, someone told me you got home safely. Looks like you had quite a night again. Haha.

Huh? Then who took me home? I was about to ask, but I figured I might have gone home alone.

Me: Lol. I don't remember anything. You're the one who looks like you had a one-night stand last night!

Yuhan: No way. I was well-behaved. :)

Me: Please, you can't fool me. You're a f*ckboy. Whahaha.

Yuhan: What? Me? You're bold.

Me: Of course! Haha. Okay, I'm going to rest, I have a hangover.

Yuhan: Haha! That's how we are. Okay, get some rest. Message me later when you wake up, okay?

I didn't reply to Yuhan. I just sighed at our conversation. Yuhan and I had been friends for over a year. I met him at one of the bars I used to go to. I smiled as I remembered our first meeting.

I was sitting at the bar. It was two in the morning, and I needed to go home. I still had five shots of liquor left.

I was about to drink the liquor in my glass when someone sat next to me. I glanced at him and continued drinking. There was no denying it—the man beside me was handsome. He was my type, looked like he'd be good in bed. But I wasn't in the mood.

I wanted to go home, but the man beside me seemed to want to play. He kept looking at me, then smiling whenever I looked back. On the fourth time he looked at me, I turned to him.

"Do you need something?" He seemed surprised by my sudden question. He gaped for a moment, then smiled and laughed. "Why?"

"Um... My friend asked me to ask you for your name, and your f*******: name so he can add you."

Yeah right, "friend." That's what guys who are interested in me always say. You can just be direct; I'd agree to have s*x. And I know that's all you men want from us women.

"Sure, I'm Kyla Francine Rivera. My f*******: name is Kyla Rivera."

"Oh, thanks, I'm Yuhan." After thanking me and shaking my hand, he left.

I finished my last shot and walked out of the bar.

I heard the man who asked for my name call out to his companion, saying he'd won the bet.

My ears burned at what I heard, but I let it go.

Ting

I was snapped back to reality by another message from Yuhan.

Yuhan: Hey, why haven't you replied? :( Are you asleep? Message me when you wake up. I have something to tell you.

Me: How can I message you when I wake up if you won't let me fall asleep?

Yuhan: Haha! You're so grumpy. Okay, go to sleep. You'll have nothing left but eyebags.

I ignored his teasing. That's just how Yuhan is, always joking. I put my phone aside and closed my eyes.

I didn't realize I had fallen asleep after chatting with Yuhan.

~~~

"YUHAN, SON, wake up! It's already afternoon, you won't be able to sleep later."

I woke up to my mom's shouting as she knocked on my bedroom door. I hadn't realized I'd fallen asleep while waiting for Kyla to wake up. I immediately grabbed my phone to see if she'd messaged me. I had three messages, but none were from Kyla. I messaged her right away to see if she was awake.

Yuhan: Hey, sleepyhead! Are you awake?

More than ten minutes passed without a reply.

Yuhan: Hey, sleepyhead, wake up already!!!

Kyla: What?!

Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Yuhan: I miss you!

Kyla: I'll smash your head against the wall, you pest. You know I'm trying to rest.

I don't know why, but I enjoy it when I get her riled up. I don't have a younger sister, so I don't get to annoy anyone like this.

Yuhan: Hahaha! You're so picky. I'm the one who misses you.

Kyla: Like I should be grateful for that?

Yuhan: Of course, you're being missed by Yuhan Klyde Hemeses. Not everyone has that privilege.

Kyla: Jerk!!! What do you want? Hurry up, I'm planning to go back to sleep.

Yuhan: Don't go back to sleep. You've been sleeping all day. Keep me company.

Kyla: No.

Yuhan: Please...

Kyla: No way. Just go to sleep.

Yuhan: Please, I've been waiting for you to wake up all day just to keep me company.

Kyla: Now you're guilt-tripping me? Where are you going again?

Yuhan: I'm not, just trying to make you feel guilty. Heheh. Keep me company, I'm buying shoes.

Kyla: You're unbelievable!!!

I laughed at her reply. Kyla gets easily annoyed when she's sleep-deprived. My friend's practically a koala. She sleeps like a log. I'm almost expecting her to have cravings so I can prove she's pregnant, hahaha.

Yuhan: Come on, we haven't bonded in a while.

Kyla: Are you an alien?! We were together last night! Don't you remember?

Yuhan: Well, you disappeared quickly, who knows who you went off with. You're like an octopus, just following the current.

Kyla: You were the one flirting last night, so I found someone else to hang out with because you left me alone.

Yuhan: Someone just introduced themselves to me, and when I got back to our table, you were gone.

Kyla: Because you're an itchy pest!!!! Go buy shoes by yourself!!!

Yuhan: Hahaha. Sorry, come with me. I'll be so pitiful if I go alone. A loner, no company, no girlfriend.

Kyla: You're such a child!!!

Yuhan: I'll buy you dinner.

Kyla: No.

Yuhan: Mom made cookies.

Kyla: Stop it.

Yuhan: Seriously!

Kyla: Yeah right.

Yuhan: I had her make your favorite ones.

Kyla: Where are you even buying them? Why don't you just buy them online?

I know she'll give in when food is involved, and I know she can't really resist me. That's why I love hanging out with Kyla. She's such a good friend.

Yuhan: I don't like buying online, they often deliver the wrong thing. I'll pick you up at your apartment. Get ready. I'll prepare too.

Kyla: Okay.

I left my room to get some coffee before leaving. I hadn't had lunch yet. My mom was in the kitchen, preparing dinner.

"Mom, make some cookies for Kyla and me," I said to my mom. I just made up the part about the cookies. Her cookies became Kyla's favorite when she visited our house once.

"Oh, Yuhan Klyde! You're tricking your friend again," my mom replied.

I just laughed and took my coffee back to my room.