When the Sun loves the Moon

CHAPTER 7

"Derek's your best friend, right?" I immediately asked Apollo after I got in his car.

"What about him?" He raised his brow.

"He's a good person, right? Like he's a good boyfriend too..."

He quickly glanced at me curiously before setting his eyes back on the road. "Why ask about him?"

I can't tell him. I promised Candy not to tell him about Derek asking her.

"Well, just curious."

"You have a boyfriend." He gritted his teeth.

"I'm not interested in him!" I laughed. Is that what he was thinking about?!

He didn't answer, so I kept quiet 'til we were back home. I was in my room already unpacking my things from the trip when Candy stubbornly asked me about Derek.

"Just ask him about Apollo! Like how he is as a boyfriend!"

"What if he got it wrong, like what if he thought I was interested in Derek?"

"Argh! Fine! At first, don't tell him that it was me, but eventually tell him that... WAIT! Why would he get mad though?!"

"He's a protective step-brother!" I defended Apollo.

Candy laughed hard. I rolled my eyes and eventually laughed. She has been teasing me about Apollo!

"Stop it, Candy! I'll ask now."

"Okay, thank you so much! Love you!"

"Psh, I'll end now."

Oh my goodness. I feel so nervous. I knocked on his door but he didn't answer. I opened his door a little and saw that he was sleeping. I pouted. Fine, I'll ask him later.

I was about to close the door but he called.

"W-what?" I got agitated.

"What do you need?" His voice muffled, still sleepy.

"Nothing! Go on and sleep." I closed the door and went down.

I was preparing coffee but I saw Apollo who had just come down from upstairs.

"I-I'm sorry, did I wake you up?"

"No, I couldn't even sleep." He answered and sat down right across from me. "Why did you knock on my door?"

"Coffee?" I tried to change the topic.

"What is it, Lyanne?" He asked again.

Okay, fine. "It's about Derek..."

I saw how his brows furrowed, then raised one brow.

"Is he a good boyfriend?"

He leaned on his chair and crossed his arms. He looked at me intently like he was observing me!

"Depends if he really loves the girl, but I don't know. I don't give a s**t about his love life. He can love who he wants to love."

"Is he liking someone now?"

Apollo looked at me with fierce eyes. "Do you like him?!" His tone got a little bit loud.

"No! I don't!" I laughed so awkwardly. I took a sip of my coffee but because of sillyness, I burnt my tongue. Goodness.

"Tss. Then what?"

"Just answer it!" I equally gazed at his stare and he immediately withdrew his blazing, angry eyes. He looked shocked.

"I don't know, okay? He doesn't really tell me things and I don't really ask." He shrugged and his tone got calmer.

"Ask him."

He sighed. "Okay, tell me why first?"

Fine. "Your best friend asked my best friend Candy to go out on a date."

He blinked twice, thrice, so shocked that he didn't expect it. His lips were slightly opened due to shock.

"Okay? So?" He asked, still confused.

"Well, we all know that Derek's also a playboy, right?"

"He had two serious relationships and the rest were just flings." He defended his best friend. "Wait, I thought Candy was dating Jazmond?"

"Oh, he's an asshole. He asked Candy for a date but he had a girlfriend. Two timer s**t. I'm sorry about my words."

Apollo just nodded.

"So, Candy's asking me so that she'll know if Derek will only play with-"

"We don't play girls." He cut me off.

"Okay, fling! Whatever. What is Derek's intention? Like, is he going to be serious with Candy or how is he as a boyfriend?"

"He's... good and loving? Boyfriend? The f**k, I don't know." He sounded so weird. I laughed when I saw that he was so awkward at describing his best friend.

"Ask Derek if he likes Candy!!!"

"Now?"

"NOW."

I got out of my chair and sat beside him. He got his phone and called Derek.

"Bro?"

"Do you like Candy?" Apollo immediately asked.

What the hell... Boys are so straight forward.

We heard Derek chuckle. Oh, what a low voice. "Did Lyanne tell you already?

"Lyanne's out of this conversation." Wow! Didn't expect he'd lie.

"Oh, stop covering for her. I know. Candy is Lyanne's best friend."

"Just answer the question." Apollo was getting impatient.

"Yes. She's the girl I'm talking to you about. I was asking her out, actually, and oh, will you do me a favor? Ask Lyanne what Candy wants for dates."

Apollo looked at me and I stared back. What now?

"Like if she loves flowers or something."

"She loves roses." I answered and Apollo didn't bother.

"Oh! Someone's listening." Derek laughed. "Hi, Ly! Apollo's been-"

"What else?" Apollo asked me.

What? Uhm... "Her favorite colors are pastel colors, she loves movie dates and... she'll actually love anything that you do. Just be kind to her and show her your love, Derek."

"Thank you so much, Lyanne."

I smiled.

"I'll end now." And Apollo really ended the call! "What about you?" He asked.

What? "What do you mean, what about me?"

"What dates do you prefer?" He also sounded confused about why he asked that.

"Beach dates... Alone time with the love of my life like just cuddles and stuff. I don't really like going out too much."

"What flowers do you prefer?"

"Anything..."

"That's so random. What if someone gave you a dead flower?"

I laughed at that. What the hell! Why would someone do that?

"Okay, I'll be specific. Tulips. I love tulips." I smiled.

"Is there a reason behind it?" He asked.

"Well, it means perfect and deep love..." I bit my lower lip and faced him. "What about you? What kind of date do you prefer?" I asked him now.

It had just been a week and we're really getting to know each other now.

"Well... I don't really mind mine, because all I want is what my love wants. If she wants this, then I'll want that, too. As long as I'm with her."

I smiled at that. Such a romantic person.

"You should find yourself a girlfriend. You sound so romantic." I laughed.

He rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"Did you ever take your flings out on a date?"

"No." He shook his head.

"Why?"

"You won't understand."

Oh, there he is again with the "I will not understand." Psh, boys.

I leaned my head on his shoulder and I felt him tilt his head a bit to take a look at me.

"I hope that Karl will treat me the best," I whispered.

"He must. If he doesn't, then he'll face his greatest nightmare every day, even if it's daytime."

I chuckled at that joke. Such a protective brother. In every rumor I know about him, none of them were really proven. He's a good person. He may look intimidating, but once you get to know him... he's really a gentle person.

"Do you miss your mom?" I asked to break the silence.

"I do... Do you miss your dad?" He asked back.

"Very much... My mom said that I should love a man who's like my dad."

Apollo chuckled. "My dad said to marry a woman who's like my mom. Even though I didn't get a chance to really meet my mom... I know her. I know her because my dad got me to know her so well."

"Still scary that I look like your mom..." I stated and laughed a bit.

"Are you saying that my mom looks scary?"

"No! I didn't mean that." I laughed.

"What if I was reincarnated as your mom?"

I looked at him and saw that his face really looked confused.

"No." He shook his head. "Being reincarnated, it'll take years... right?" He sounded so scared what the heck?

"I don't know!" I chuckled.

We both got back up and went to our rooms. I was just watching Netflix the whole afternoon until it was time to eat dinner. I ate dinner with Apollo and as soon as we were done eating, I went back up and slept immediately.

I woke up as usual. I had to wake Apollo up.

"Apollo!" I knocked on his door and opened it.

I saw him slowly getting up with messy hair. He looked at me with one eye open.

"Good morning! Get ready!" I laughed and closed his door again.

He really hates me in the mornings.

I got ready too and went down to help prepare breakfast.

"Oh, bacon!" I said, hungrily.

"Well, I noticed that it was your favorite." The maid smiled.

"Thank you!"

As soon as I sat down, Apollo came down from upstairs. He was buttoning his polo and, as usual, he was not wearing his coat and necktie yet.

"Bacon, huh?"

"Good morning!"

"Mornin'"

He sat down and got his milk. I also noticed that he prefers milk over coffee sometimes. What a baby boy.

"You coming to school with me or not?" He asked after a long silence.

"Still no." I chuckled.

"Why do you even care if they knew that we're step-siblings? So what's the problem with that?"

"You should not have kissed me. It's weird. You kissed me, then the next day I was your step-sister?"

He stopped eating and looked like he had thought about it. He nodded and accepted my reason.

I'm done eating and got up to fix my uniform and other things. I got the necktie and put it on him. "You take care." I stated before going out of the dining room.

"You, too," he answered.

I rode a cab and went to school. I was about to talk to Candy but I saw her smiling with Derek. I smiled when I saw Derek holding a bunch of flowers. I also saw some girls looking irritated and gossiping. Oh, jealous now are we?

"He really did give flowers, huh?"

I was startled.

"Apollo!" I slightly punched his chest and he laughed.

"What?" He asked while smiling. Probably because of my shocked reaction.

"Let's go." He pushed me a bit but I tried my best to stay in place.

"You go first."

Apollo groaned and chuckled. "Fine." He stated before he went to his best friend.

I also went there and stood beside Candy.

Roses

I looked up at Derek and saw that his eyes were also smiling as he looked at Candy. My eyes also darted at Apollo and as soon as our eyes met, he raised his brow and smirked. Tsk, this man.

"Good morning to you, Lyanne!" Derek greeted me.

"Good morning, Derek." I smiled and I was surprised that he gave me a piece of yellow rose.

Friendship

Candy giggled.

"Thank you for telling me about Candy's favorites." Derek smiled.

I got the rose and smiled. "Thank you, Derek. Take care of my best friend though or I'll beat your ass." I got serious at the end and I saw his shocked and maybe scared face.

Apollo chuckled. "Take that seriously. Derek. She's really going to beat your ass." Apollo stated while nodding.

"I will take care of her." Derek smiled and looked at Candy.

"So are you both official?" I asked Candy and Derek.

"Today's day one!" Candy answered, excitedly.

"Dang," I smiled and Candy chuckled.

"C'mon ladies, I'll take you both to your room," Derek stated.

"What a gentleman." I whispered to Candy and she smirked like she had won.

Apollo's with us, like yeah, of course. I hate it. We're walking now through the corridor and everyone's looking at us. I'm beside Apollo and in front of us is Derek and Candy. Damn it.

"Why don't you relax? I can feel your tension 'til here." Apollo whispered.

I just shook my head as an answer. As we reached our classroom, Derek kissed Candy's forehead. I was about to butt in but I chuckled when I saw Apollo's face. He looked so done.

Apollo's attention came to me and he raised his brow. I shook my head and smiled.

"Later? Lunch?" Derek asked.

"Wha..." I whispered.

"Sure!" Candy smiled and kissed Derek's cheek.

"So sweet," I commented.

"You'll soon get it, Lyanne. Actually, maybe you're the ones who's going to be more PDA." Derek smirked and looked at Apollo.

"What?" Apollo asked irritably.

I saw Candy laugh with Derek. Finally! Those two walked away now.

Candy told me her story of how she agreed and this morning, Derek fetched her and they went to school together. I just hope he doesn't hurt my best friend.

"How are you and Karl, by the way?" Candy asked.

Oh... Right... I have a boyfriend.

"Oh!" I didn't know what to answer. "We're doing well."

Candy looked at me like she was suspecting me of something.

"Babe!" Karl called me and I smiled.

"Hey!" I greeted. He kissed my cheek.

"Oh, Candy, I heard you're dating the famous Derek Ryder." Karl smirked.

I chuckled and looked at Candy, who was smirking back. She winked and chuckled. "Oh, well..." Oh, so boastful! HAHA.

"Good for you. Let's have lunch together?" Karl asked me.

"Oh, right... Karl, can I borrow her for lunch? I would like to introduce her to Derek formally as my best friend."

"Oh? Is that so? Okay, sure, no problem." Karl kissed my lips and smiled. "I'll go to my friends now." He whispered and kissed me one last before walking out.

Candy laughed and I curiously looked at her. "BABE?"

"He calls me that." I immediately said 'cause she would tease me.

"Do you love Karl or was it just a happy crush stage?"

I couldn't answer... Damn it. He never said that he loved me either...

"You'll figure it out soon." Candy winked.

Damn it. I'm overthinking about this again. I looked at Karl and saw that he was laughing with his friends. I smiled at that.

Classes started and it was boring. I took some lectures about the lessons and we had a short quiz every after discussion until the bell rang and it was lunch time.

"Hey!" Candy greeted Derek and they kissed each other.

Apollo looked at me and smirked. I rolled my eyes and chuckled a bit.

"Okay, love birds, I'm hungry." I interrupted and Derek chuckled.

"Okay, Apollo and I will get your food." Derek stated before he left with Apollo.

As usual, we sat in our place and waited for Derek and Apollo. I'm happy to see Candy this happy. Like, for real. After a few minutes, Apollo and Derek arrived.

Derek sat beside Candy and Apollo sat beside me.

"This is your usual order, right?" Apollo asked in a whispered manner.

I smiled when he got my usual lunch right.

"Good thing you're observant." I teased him as I got my food.

"I just saw it once." Apollo rolled his eyes and I chuckled.

"Oh! Try this." My attention went to Candy and saw that he was feeding Derek. I'm feeling jealous. Damn it.

I looked at Apollo and saw that he was eating grumpy as he looked at his best friend. I smirked at that. I want to tease him. I got a little bit of food on my spoon and placed it closer to Apollo's mouth.

He immediately got it and I thought he was going to push my hand away and be arrogant, but I was more surprised that he ate it! He didn't look at me or even a glance at me! He just continued chewing the food I fed him.

While eating, Apollo and I were very quiet. Complete opposite of Candy and Derek.

"We would like to remind you both that we're here." Apollo butted in and Derek smirked at his best friend like he was teasing.

Well, Apollo's fun to tease.

"Oh, sorry!" Candy giggled.

"Jealous much, Apollo Moon Gray? Then get yourself a girlfriend." Derek winked.

Derek looked at me and smiled. "You're with Karl, right?"

"Yes, she is, but surprisingly, she is not sure if she loves Karl." What the hell, Candy!

Candy looked at me and winked.

"It takes time..." I defended and Candy shrugged. "You said I'd know it eventually."

"But you can only tell if there will be a development or not. I can't really explain it, but you'll have that feeling."

"I don't get it..." I said so frustratedly. I massaged my forehead.

"You'll get it soon. Don't worry. For now, just enjoy." Candy winked and chuckled.

I looked at Apollo and saw that he was staring at me. He raised his brow and twisted his lips in a manly way to hide his smirk.

I don't know if he was teasing me or what! Good thing these love birds let us now join their conversation. The bell rang and they went with us to our rooms and, just like this morning, Derek and Candy had a little time together before going into our classroom.

"Hey! Yow, bro!" Karl went beside me and also greeted Apollo.

Apollo just looked at him and nodded.

I smiled at Karl. "Ate well?" I asked.

"I did. Wanna go out later?"

"Oh..." I remember our bet. Not too obvious, but I sneaked my hand into Apollo's back and pulled his coat lightly from the back as a sign of "help, what should I say" signal.

"Sorry to butt in but Lyanne can't for the whole week. Our parents planned something for us." Apollo stated immediately.

"Oh, some step-sibling bonding, huh? Okay, sure. No problem. I'll wait for you inside." Karl kissed my cheek and went inside the room.

Good thing, Karl was so understanding.

"You coming home with me?" Apollo whispered to me.

"Wait for me at the back gate." Apollo stated, as it was final and I couldn't do anything about it. I just nodded. "We're going to be late, Derek." Apollo interrupted their sweet moment again. I chuckled and slightly punched Apollo's arm.

So bitter!

"Fine. We'll go now, I love you."

"I love you..." Candy answered.

I was stunned by that. How can they tell each other those three words so easily?

"Back gate." Apollo whispered one more time before walking out with Derek.

As Candy and I sat down... I looked at her. "You love Derek?"

"Why would I say "yes" to him if I didn't?"

"What do you mean by saying yes?"

"I told you that not so long ago, Derek and I started talking until we both admitted to each other our feelings and he asked me out on a date. This morning, he asked me to be his girlfriend and later, he'll introduce me to his mother."

So lucky... I envy her, but I'm happy for her.

I don't get me. I have a boyfriend but it feels like I don't. I have a boyfriend but it feels nothing. I have a boyfriend but I envy other couples, so, what the heck is wrong with me?

It was the last subject until the last bell rang and it was dismissal. Like Apollo said, I went to the back gate wherein I think no students ever come here, that's why he asked me to wait here.

Within five minutes, I saw his car approaching and I got in his car, not in a mood to even take a glance at him or even talk.

I'm overthinking about this. It felt wrong.

"Are you okay?" Apollo asked before he maneuvered his car.

"Something's wrong with me..." I said so honestly, and tears were forming in my eyes.