Spanish, Chocolate and Kiwi

III - August (Danielle)

August, an after school afternoon, Danielle and Julia was invited by a friend from school to play some Playstation 3. This friend of theirs is a actually a half Japanese that is why when they were about to enter the house, "Don't forget to remove your shoes, please."

"Also, I apologize about how messy the house is."

"It's alright, Yua. Thanks for the invite!" Julia and Danielle ran towards Yua to give her a hug.

"Too tight, have a seat, I prepared some cola and ramen noodles for us to feast on."

Yua then gone to the kitchen leaving Julia and Danielle in the leaving on the couch, in front of the television. Danielle then stood up to set up the PlayStation as Julia wandered around the house,

"Yua, your house really captures the essence of being a Japanese. I am loving it." Julia said as she examined the sliding door that leads up to the actual kitchen of the house.

"Also thee pillows on the living room, that I can actually sit on is cool." With that, Julia walked towards Yua to help her bring the ramen noodles and cola to the leaving room.

Danielle waiting in the leaving room, already playing Little Big Planet on the PlayStation 3 smelled the aroma of the ramen noodles and heard the fizz of the cola.

Yua, placed the ramen on a small table in the leaving room and Julia took charge of the cola. The ramen will truly make you hungry for it contains a perfectly cooked egg, beef, mushrooms and those transparent noodles plus the broth that will make you thirst for more.

Once it is perfectly placed, Julia, Danielle and Yua sat on those pillow like seats on an Indian seat position, "Itadakimasu!"

Danielle and Julia looked at their friend with a confused face, "What?"

"It's a thing we say before eating." Yua said smiling. "Want to learn it?"

"Definitely."

"Yeah!"

"Put your palms together, bow at the food in front of you and say, Itadakimasu!" With that, Danielle and Julia literally put their palms together like when Tarzan and Jane met for the first time? Like that, still facing their food and say, Itadakimasu!

Because of that, Yua giggled and, "Not like that." She then broke the connection between Julia and Danielle's palms. "Do it, individually."

Both of them laughed and followed what Yua said. While eating and leaving the PlayStation on Julia broke the silence among the three of them, "Do you live here alone?"

Yua looked at Julia, "No, I live with my brother. He is just out to buy groceries."

Julia was about to say something but she was fascinated on how Danielle is eating her ramen noodles, loud and fast.

"Danny?" Julia called at making Danielle look at her while he mouth is still stuffed with noodles.

"That ramen noodles of yours is really good, huh?" Julia added while smiling and pinching the nose of Danielle.

Danielle smiled at Julia and nodded, making Yua wonder if the two ladies with her a thing, "If you two don't mind, are you two you know, dating?"

Julia then examined the adorable person beside her, still busy with the ramen noodles. "It's complicated."

"Complicated?" Yua grew interested why these two seemed to be close than usual.

"Yeah, complicated it is like the epitome of one sided love."

"And why is that? Are you saying that you-"

Yua was interrupted by Julia before she can actually finish her sentence, "Yes, I do, I really do." she then smiled but Yua can sense that this lady is hurt.

With that, Yua did not hesitated to hug Julia, making Danielle looked up, "Hey, you two alright?"

Yua gave eye contact to Danielle and say, "Yeah, she just talked about someone. Let's play Little Big Planet after this?"

Danielle then smiled for she truly waited for hours to finally play the PlayStation 3.

"Thanks!"

Hours passed, they played video games, watched films, story telling until Yua heard raindrops hitting the house's windows.

"Danny, you sure that the both of you will be fine walking home? I can offer cash for a ride home for the both of you." Yua asked with concern.

"We are going to be fine, right, Julia?"

"Right."

The both of them then gone to the door to leave the house, walking in the streets while it was raining dogs and cats. Then, Danielle had an idea, "Why don't we go to 7Eleven to pass time there until the rain stop?"

Julia grinned, "You just want to spend more time with me, Danny. Admit it."

Danielle then gave Julia a death glare, "You wish."

Then the both of them stopped at a 7Eleven that is in front of a Catholic Church.

"Do you even realize what time is it?"

"It is like, 5 o clock, right?"

"Right, which is why I really need to walk you home." Julia said while looking at Danielle.

Danielle frowned, "Can we at least get some Slurpee? Please?"

"Danielle, I don't want to be a bad influence to your parents, and of course, to you."

With that, Danielle smiled, "You are not. Can we just eat, please? Open your mouth."

Danielle was about to put some chips into Julia's mouth she heard her phone ringing.

She answered it, still looking at Julia,

Yes, mom? Uhm, I am going home a bit late, we extended school hours to design our room for the Buwan ng Wika celebration. Don't worry, I'll be home soon!

Julia gave Danielle a glare when she hung up the phone and, "Why did you do that?"

"Because, I still want to spend my day with you."

"What's going on, Danielle, why are you like this?"

"I don't know, can we just please have fun and eat?"

Julia rolled her eyes at Danielle and smiled, "Fine, but don't do that again, okay?"

"Yes, I won't." Danielle smiled.

Julia and Danielle spent hours in that 7Eleven store to let the rain be quiet and for them to peacefully go home. But to their surprise the store clerk approached them, "Ladies, the rain is still pouring, and it is already 7 p.m. Don't you think that your parents are getting worried?"

Upon hearing that, they took a look at the windows of the store and saw that the rain is indeed not stopping at this moment, "Let's go?" Julia asked and led a hand to Danielle.

They both approached the store clerk to say thank you. Pushed the door open and all they can hear is the strong wind, the cold temperature enveloped between them. Before crossing the street, Danielle prepared her umbrella for them to share. Moments after, Julia removed her jacket to let Danielle's figure to fill it in, Danielle's eyes widen and she looked at Julia, "You're getting cold." She said smiling.

"But, Julia how about you?"

Julia teasingly smiled, "The cold never bothered me anyway."

Both of them laughed along this rain and wet streets, they walked, walked, talked and talked until they found the bus stop that leads to Danielle's home.

I guess, Julia is not bad at all. She's wonderful, Anyone will be lucky to have her. Danielle thought.

Julia suddenly spoke, "Danny?" That made Danielle looked at her, "Yes?"

"Thank you for today." Julia said, not making a single eye contact to Danielle but a smile is visible in her lips.

With that, Danielle decided to step closer beside Julia and she held her hand giving it a squeeze.

They just stand at that bus stop, not muttering a word. For the both of them it is not a bother, as long as the day end with them being together.

A few minutes later, Danielle heard the sound of the bus and saw its light reflecting on the tears of the street. Danielle then let go of Julia hand, "Good night."

She watched Danielle get to the bus and not noticing that a few seconds, the bus is already gone.

"Good night, Danny."

Julia walked alone, soaking wet for she doesn't have an umbrella and her jacket is still with Danielle, she saw a McDonalds near by and decided to buy a hot coffee. Minutes after, she sat alone on a table, reading a book.

She then felt her phone, speaking inside her pocket. She ignored it and continue reading Simon Versus the Homosapiens Agenda.

But she kept on hearing,

You're popular, someone's calling you, pick up your phone! And it is Louis Tomlinson's voice. Making other customers look at her, after the fourth ring, she finally answered it.

Yes, Hello?

Julia!

Julia was stunned to hear Danielle's voice on the other line.

That she kept quiet and just listen to Danielle,

Are you home now?

I should have let you stay here at home with me!

Julia!

Take a bath when you get home, okay?

Take care! Also, are you still there, Julia!

With that, Julia giggled and finally talked, "Yes, I am still here, And no, I am not home yet."

On the other line, Danielle shouted, "Where the f**k are you! Don't you dare say that you are still at the bus stop?"

"Danny, relax. I am at McDonalds, drinking a hot coffee, I'll be home in a few minutes, I'll just finish this."

"Okay, uhm, take care?" Danielle said on the other line with a questioning manner.

Julia smiled even though she knew that Danielle is not with her for her to see it, "Yeah, I will."

Julia then took a tricycle ride to her home as she went home she took a shower to not let her body completely absorb the rain.

Danielle, don't be too caring, it might hurt me in the end. She thought as she felt the water from the shower flow on her body.

Fast forward to Monday morning, Julia wrote a letter to Danielle for her to leave inside Danielle's school envelope.

Dear Danielle,

Thank you for last Friday, I never thought that it will be that fun to be with you and with that cup of noodles making memories among the three of us, with Yua. Also, it's adorable that you worry that much. By the way, I went to the mall last weekend to look for a book entitled, Heartless? I had a gut feeling that you wanted that, look inside your bag, it's in there, no need to pay for it, it's on me. Take care, Danny!

Sincerely,

Julia Joselyn

Julia prepared an envelope for that letter, leaving her initials, JJ. Even though she know that Danielle will obviously know it's from her.

She was too early in class for that reason she sleep. But, after a few minutes she felt a pair of arms hugging her, "Julia, wake up."

Julia then opened her eyes and looked up to have a clue who is the person hugging her. She saw the girl she was with yesterday, the girl with the long silky hair and rose colored reading glasses. She smiled, "Good morning, Danny."

"I read your letter and that gift! What was that for?"

"Nothing, I just felt like I need to give you something.", Julia smiled while her face is still resting in her arms still looking up at Danielle.

"Thank you!"

"You're always welcome."

Afternoon, at the canteen,

Danielle sat beside Charles and Julia on the other table behind them, talking to a friend.

"Charles?"

Charles looked up and looked at Danielle in the eyes,

"Yes, Danny?"

"Don't we feel guilty about the pushing myself to Julia?"

"And why is that? You seemed to be starting to be good friends, I saw it."

"That is what I am trying to point out, that Friday afternoon with her last week made me feel guilty, I feel like I am playing with her feelings."

Charles grew interested once he heard that from her friend, "Why do you feel like you are playing with her feelings, huh, Danny?"

"Because I let myself befriends with her in the first place, knowing that she might actually have feelings for me."

"And you are saying this, because?"

"Because, I might have feelings for two persons."

"Are you-" Before Charles can finish his sentence, Julia sat beside Danielle, "Hey, guys! What are you two talking about?"

Danielle almost jumped up because of that greeting from Julia, "Hey! Uhm, we were talking about the upcoming mass this Friday? Do you think that I should, uhm, do the respond thing?"

Julia smiled, pinching Danielle's cheeks, "I think you should, you'll be cute."

Danielle then looked at Charles and she saw that he gave her a resting b***h face because of that she mouthed, "I am so sorry."

As Julia let go of Danielle face, Danielle gave her phone to Julia, "Julia, can you check my paper regarding the essay about the LGBT rights?"

"Yeah, sure. Let me see it."

With that, Julia seemed to be focused beside Danielle that caused her to face Charles and whispered shouted, "What should I do? Should I tell her the truth!"

Charles then gave Danielle a glance, she's still busy reading Danielle's paper. "I think you should have, I mean look at her! She seemed to be fragile. What the f**k are you doing!"

"I just don't want to break her heart, we are having this kind of friendship, a special one, actually!"

"Then go tell her-" Charles was interrupted by Julia.

"By the way Charles, stop by my house after school, I am going to tell you something."

Charles gave Julia a nervous smile, "Sure."

Danielle gave a Charles a what's-up-with- you- two look. Charles smiled and, whispered shouted, "I don't know what she is playing at, I swear!" raising his hand.

With that, Danielle didn't hesitated to call Julia to ask her about the thing between her and Charles.

"Julia? May I ask you a question?"

Julia then looked up to Danielle leaving the phone flashing onto her face, "Yes?"

"Why is Charles going by your house later?"

"It's a thing between us, you'll know soon, don't worry!"

It's a thing between us.

It's a thing.

Between us.

That statement replayed on Danielle's mind like it is on loop.

"Oh, okay, have fun!" Danielle then gave Julia a fake smile.

"Sure, how about you, going somewhere after school?"

"None, straight home. Finishing reading Order of the Phoenix."

Julia smiled, "Miss Granger, you are indeed."

"Thanks." Danielle coldly said.

Why is Danielle like this? Is it because of Charles going with Julia or Julia going with Danielle? 8th grade is being a ride for her. It's complicated, she is like a candle that is slowly melting. Yet some people are worth melting for.

Religion Class, their teacher is a nun and before that teacher came in to teach, Danielle and Julia decided to sit beside each other. Then Danielle had an idea,

Danielle found Julia's hand resting on her arm chair. She intertwined her hand with her, slowly playing with Danielle's hand.

"Danielle, what the f**k?"

"Can we please listen, at least just for now?" Julia added, trying her best to focus on the lecture of the class.

"We are listening, you just look adorable, extra adorable today." Danielle said still holding Julia's hand and playing with it while listening to the nun in front of them.

"What is with you-"

Julia was interrupted when Danielle held her chin, now, they are looking at each other.

Danielle then realize that this girl, in the palm of her hand looked beautiful, expressive and dreamy pair of eyes that will truly drown you and you will not regret it.

"Julia."

Before Julia could speak, their teacher, the nun called out their names that caused them to almost jump up their chairs.

"Danielle!"

"Julia!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Pay attention please."

"We are truly sorry." Julia apologized and smiled afterwards.

"We should have listen, I told you so." Julia said not looking at Danielle.

Danielle just smiled looking at the girl beside her even she didn't receive any eye contact from her after being scolded.

Going home, Julia and Charles are walking together, having a casual talk and Julia seemed to be surprised that Charles agreed to go with her.

"I am surprised that you didn't argue to go with me."

"Of course, may I know the reason why all of the sudden?"

"Can we talk about it when we get to the house?"

"Sure, but can we get coffee before doing so?"

"As long as it's on you."

They arrived at McDonalds, good thing, it is not that crowded.

While the both of them are in line, Charles suddenly spoke,

"Is the reason why you invited me connected to Danielle?"

She looked at Charles and smiled, "Actually, yeah. I feel like I need someone to talk to about it."

"I am good at reading people, huh?"

"Yes. Yes you are."

They met the cashier in a few minutes and ordered a pair of iced coffee with a pair of large fries. Yes, best friends are like that.

Walked, walked and walked and finally they arrived at Julia's house.

A woman in her 40's greeted them, "Julia? Home so soon? And who's with you?"

"Hey mom, this is Charles, a friend of mine. Best friend, actually."

"Hey, Charles, don't go breaking her heart!"

Julia gave her mom a look, "Mom, how many times do I need to make it obvious that I like girls?"

"It is endless." Julia's mom teasingly said, "Anyway, want some hot chocolate?"

"No, thanks. We got ourselves some McDonalds!" Julia then ran upstairs that leads to her room.

Charles was left alone giving the mom a smile, "Thank you, Ms. Joselyn."

Upon opening the door, Charles saw Julia being tensed for she is walking and walking and walking around her room.

"Julia, are you okay?"

She looked at Charles and walked towards him, holding both of his shoulders.

They are so close to each other, and moments after, Julia stared at Charles and fireworks filled in the lips of one another.

"Julia, why did you kissed me!"

"I am figuring out if I really love Danielle and I think I do?"

"And you kissed me?" Charles asked with a confused face.

"But, I think, my heart is being filled by you two."

"What. The. Fuck." Charles said giving emphasis on the statement.

Meanwhile on Danielle's home, she is still busy with the Harry Potter book reading and she received a text from the unknown number.

I kissed your friend, I am truly sorry.