The Thrill Of The Chase

Chapter 2

"What's your problem??"

It felt like I was stripped of my right by Yza's question. She's here at our house right now because I invited her to shop for school supplies later. It's Saturday today and classes start on Monday. I swallowed hard before speaking, struggling to find the words. I couldn't say a word. I felt cornered by that question.

"Uh, just okay??" I asked uncertainly.

"What? What do you mean just okay?" She asked, confused.

"I don't know. It's just confusing, I also don't know if we have a label!" I said exasperatedly.

Yza looked at me with disbelief in her eyes. She was speechless, and so was I. It's because, well, I told Yza that Ziander and I had a fight and suddenly she's asking what we are?!

I mean, I guess a fling? Ziander and I have been talking for two months since he messaged me that time. He always texts me, always updates me, and so I am. But we had a fight last week because he didn't chat with me even though he had a new story!

"What happened? Are you talking again?" She asked, looking at herself in the mirror.

I put on my Dior bag before taking out my cellphone.

"He still didn't! He didn't even see my message," I sighed.

"Maybe he's just making up for it, you ghosted him before, right?" She laughed before walking out. I followed her while pedaling.

It's so annoying! Why did I tell this girl anything if she doesn't have anything nice to say?!! I really shouldn't tell the people I talk to, it always comes out!

Yza teased me all the way and my forehead was knitted the whole time. I deleted my messages to Zian. If he doesn't want to be seen, don't!

When we arrived at the mall, we quickly walked to the National Book Store. I only buy a few books because I have other books at home. I also read because I need to study in advance.

"I'm hungry, let's eat," I almost rolled my eyes when I heard Yza.

"What's new? You're always hungry," I said as I paid for our purchases.

I saw a slight raise of her eyebrow as she walked out of the store, clearly annoyed. I approached the other counter to get my purchases before I went out. We planned to eat at a restaurant but they were all closed.

"Let's just go to McDo," I said as I looked at my phone.

I was about to put my phone in my pocket when I suddenly bumped into someone's shoulder. Because of that, my phone fell to the ground. I immediately picked it up and faced the person I bumped into to apologize, but my heart almost skipped a beat when I realized who was in front of me.

"Z-Zian..." I stuttered.

It was Ziander, with Luigi, Yohan, and two unknown girls. He had his arms around the shoulders of the two girls while grinning. When he looked up at me, I immediately saw his usual expression. Normal, as if he didn't know I could see him while he had his arms around the two girls.

"Oh! Solace, hi," he casually greeted me.

My lips parted. Seriously? Why is he acting like we just know each other? JUST KNOW EACH OTHER.

"Wow. Just wow!" I said, hysterically.

What's his deal in his life? He didn't reply to me for a week and now I see him in the mall with two girls? Two girls!!?

He looked at me with a furrowed brow. I glared at all of them and left, almost bumping into Luigi's shoulder. Yza followed me from behind. I didn't want to waste my time with them.

"What was that? Why are there girls? Who are they? What are they?" Yza asked me one after another. We were sitting in McDo right now.

I tried not to roll my eyes. I closed my eyes tightly before taking a deep breath. I didn't want to be stressed out before school starts. I need no distraction now.

I didn't answer Yza's questions. Well, as if I knew the answer to her questions. I just waited for our orders to arrive, I didn't even feel like eating. I think I need to talk to Zian... later.

After we shopped, we went home immediately. My mood suddenly changed because of what I saw earlier. I lost my desire to shop because of it, maybe because of a little bit of jealousy. But who am I to be jealous? We don't even have a label. I have no right to be jealous.

After packing up my things, I immediately took my phone to chat with Zian. I think this is the right time to ask him.

itslacy: Zian.

After 15 minutes, he finally replied to my message.

zianfuentes: ??

itslacy: Can I ask questions?

zianfuentes: sure sure, what is it?

itslacy: First, who were the girls with you earlier?

God! I feel like his girlfriend is confronting him. It took him 5 minutes to reply to my message.

zianfuentes: The girl on my right was Marga, my ex. The one on the left was Yanie, my fling. Why?

I couldn't believe what I read. His ex and his fling? Seriously? He's juggling them? And us? What are we anyway?

itslacy: And us, Zian, what are we?

zianfuentes: wdym? we're friends, of course.

That's it. I blocked him. He already answered my question. How dare he say we're just friends, when he updates me and says goodbye when they're out, and we're just friends?

Do friends update each other?

After that, I immediately fell asleep. Just friends, okay. I should move on. He's just my friend anyway.

The day went by so fast. It's already Monday, I'm not ready to go in. Is time really going by so fast? Why does it seem like it's only been 5 minutes since the last time? I just blinked for a moment, why is it time already?

I'm here now outside our campus. I'm waiting for Yza to come in now, we're going in together. We took the same strand. I've been standing here for 5 minutes, that girl's always late!

It's already 6:55, our time is 7:20, I have a few minutes to wait for Yza. I looked around to see if Yza was here but I saw someone else. Luigi. I caught him looking at me.

I remembered what I saw at the mall. What kind of friend is he? He tolerates his friend's toxic behavior? I'm more annoyed now, and I have more reasons why I'm annoyed at him.