Happiness Is A Choice

Fast-food

"Am I late?"

Tanch shyly asked while fidgeting her fingers and straightening her slightly wrinkled dress.

"No love. I'm just early."

Sarah said while staring deeply at Tanch for a few seconds. She took her hand and motion for them to go. 

The two have been dating for a month now. Today is their first official date. They planned to watch a movie at the cinema and eat something not healthy. Then take a walk in some nearby park, holding hands and listening to each story to tell. Nothing special but you can see the joy and contentment on their faces. Being near to each other is more than enough. 

"Sarah, you said you once fell in love already. Who could it be?"

"Why do you ask?"

Sarah asked and handed her the cotton candy that she bought. 

The two sat at a near bench and started eating the color pink cloud-like food. 

"It's just, I'm curious. And also I never got a chance to asked you why James despised you more than anyone. And I thought maybe it was James?"

Sarah laughed out loud at her question.

"W-what? Am I wrong?"

Sarah still laughed which makes Tanch's heart flutter more. Still, Sarah is admirable even if she's laughing out loud. The sound of her laugh was a piece of music to Tanch's ear. 

It was the most beautiful music you won't ever get tired of listening to. 

"H-hey Sarah. D-don't laugh at me."

Tanch said shyly and pouted.

Sarah forced herself to stop laughing and tap the tip of Tanch nose and look seriously at her. 

"Sorry about that love. You're just too cute and I never thought it will cross your mind."

"Err- It's just, I thought maybe you left James because he's a jerk that's why James despised you the most."

Sarah stops herself from laughing again because she doesn't want Tanch to think she's making fun of her.

"That jerk, I mean James. She seduced my first love."

"Oh."

Sarah took it as a signal to continue.

"Chloe, my first love. We've been friends for I don't know 5 years? We're always together so I loved her unconsciously. I was 14 years old when I confessed my feelings for her and she accepted my love and dated for 3 months when James got into the picture."

"That time James was famous for girls. He's the captain of the basketball team and he was known as 'playboy'." I quoted the last word in the air using my fingers. 

"James tried to court me. But I rejected her I few times. I confessed to him that I'm not into boys and I already have a girlfriend. I confessed it to him because I thought when he heard that he'll finally leave me alone."

"But to my surprise, she courted Chloe instead and Chloe,"

"Dumped me for him."

"That time Chloe was my life and this maybe stupid but it's true that time that I can't live without Chloe."

Sarah felt Tanch's hand caressing her back. She didn't notice the tear that escaped from her eyes. 

Sarah wiped it and continued with her story.

"I was so angry with James back then, I walked up to him when in the locker room after his practice. I punched him very hard to the point I broke my little fingers back then. I choke him up to death but obviously, he's stronger than me so he immediately reversed the situation. He kicked me hard then slam my back on the locker room. I'm screaming in pain at that time but the pain on my heart is greater than everything else. His teammates were there but they didn't do anything to stop us. Chloe came and saw the commotion. She pushed me away to James. She didn't even walk to check on me, she checked the bruise on James face instead."

"I'm physically hurt but in the emotional aspect, it was worse. I approached Chloe and beg her to come back to me but she didn't and instead insulted me and called me dyke in front of everyone."

"I never expected Chloe was capable of doing that, hurting me emotionally. I never saw that day will possibly come. The day she'll betray me for someone else and leave me in pain like she never loves me.  After a month James left Chloe, I saw Chloe begged James. I saw how he humiliated Chloe in front of everyone. I want to approach her that day but I stopped myself from being stupid more than I was before. Then, when her life was a mess too, Chloe approaches me. She tried everything to take me back but I made up my mind and I don't have any intention to forgive her and give her another chance. I don't believe in second chances Tanch. For me, second chances are nothing but a bullshit. If you gave someone a second chance, you also gave her/him a chance to hurt you again."

Tanch held Sarah's face and wiped her tears then hugged her tightly.

"I promise Sarah I won't do that to you. I will never leave you for someone else. I promise to love you with all my heart and never leave you."

They stayed like that for a few seconds. Not even thinking about what people will think of them."

Sarah has a bubbly personality. Tanch never expected Sarah to experience something terrible like this. 

Sarah, whatever happens, I won't let go of your hands.

--

Tanch jogged lightly to opened the front door of their house. 

"Lacey! What are you doing here?"

Lacey walked inside and sit comfortably on the sofa.

"It's bored at our house. I don't have anything to do. So I came here to seek for entertainment."

"What do you think of me? An entertainer?"

Lacey ignored her question and grabbed the remote to open the TV.

"Where's your mom?"

"On her restaurant." 

Tanch said while scrolling at her phone. 

"Geez. I thought you Mom's here and I will get a taste of her wonderful cookies again."

"Ha. You wish."

"Then let's go out and eat somewhere!"

Lacey exclaimed and turned off the TV. 

"I don't want to." Tanch laid her back on the sofa. 

"Come on Tanch. Let's go."

Lacey pulled her hands to get up. 

"Okay. Okay, stop pulling me. Call Aria and Patty."

"She said they're not available. I already called them before coming here."

"Okay then, I'll just change into something decent."

Tanch walked onto her room and change into a simple shirt and pants.

"Let's just use your car."

Tanch just nodded. 

"Why are you not hanging out with Sarah today?"

Tanch slightly blushed at the mention of her lover's name. 

"She said she's not available today. She needs to do something."

"Oh. Did you date already?"

"Y-yes."

"Just once?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Nothing. You've been together for 5 weeks already so why did you date just once?"

"Err- She's busy during the weekend."

"Did she ever tell you the reason?"

"No. I never asked."

"Why? Aren't you curious?"

"Not really."

"Why?"

"Why do you asked so many questions?"

"What's wrong with asking too many questions?"

"Just shut up Lacey or I'll kick you out of my car."

"Scary."

Tanch didn't reply and just drive. Lacey can be annoying sometimes. 

A few minutes later they found fast food and decided to just eat there. 

"I'll just park look for a parking space. Just order me anything good enough to eat."

"Okay."

Lacey opened the door of the passenger seat and walked closer to the counter. 

"Good afternoon Ma'am. Wh- Lacey?!"

Sarah with her voice out loud shouted. She caught the attention of other people and immediately mouthed sorry and bow lightly. 

"Sarah? You're working here?"

Sarah awkwardly nods and smiles.

"Did Tanch know about this?"

"N-no. No one knows. Just you. Is she here with you?"

"Yes. She's just parking her car."

"W-what?"

Sarah grabbed Lacey's hand and look at her pleadingly.

"P-please look for another place to eat. Please don't eat here. She doesn't have any idea that I'm working here. Please, Lacey. I'm begging."

"Why don't just tell this to her? It's not like she will leave you if she discovered it."

"Y-yeah. But I have reasons keeping it as a secret. Please, Lacey."

Lacey was about to speak again when Tanch entered the door and called her name. 

Spotting Tanch, Sarah immediately turned her back to them and pretended she's fixing something. 

"Lacey. What did you order for me?"

Lacey was battling herself whether she'll tell the truth to Tanch or she'll just follow Sarah's request. 

She spaced out for a few seconds and only came back when she heard Tanch's voice again.

"Hey, earth to Lacey?"

"O-oh right. Sorry, Tanch. I just spaced out. I haven't ordered yet. You know, I changed my mind."

"W-what?"

"Let's eat somewhere else."

"Why? What's wrong?"

Lacey pushed Tanch to leave the place.

"It's just-"

Lacey thinks for a few seconds.

"I saw my ex with her new girlfriend and it's not healthy for my eyes. Come on, let's go."

The two went to the direction of the Tanch's car. 

"What? I thought you already move on?"

"Well yeah. But still, it's not a good view."

"Oh, okay."

"Come on. Hop in. I'll drive. We'll look for pizza."

Tanch just nodded and opened the door of the passenger seat. 

--

"You're still with James, right?" 

Lacey asked as she bites on her pizza slice.

"Yeah. Why?"

"And you're with Sarah?"

Tanch didn't respond with her question and just twirl the spaghetti on her fork. 

"That's a cheating girl. You're two-timing them."

"My relationship with James is not serious."

"But still it's cheating."

Tanch didn't respond again and busied herself to the delicious pasta on her plate. 

"Why don't just break up with James if you're not serious with it?"

Tanch shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know how."

Lacey leaned her back on the chair and look seriously at Tanch.

"Just tell him you don't love him, never did actually, Right? Or did you?"

Tanch nodded and look at her friend with an 'are-you serious-why-would-I' look.

"Wow, friend. You just looked at me like it's the stupid thing I asked."

"Because that's really the most stupid thing you asked."

"Why didn't you even let yourself fall for James? I mean, James is handsome, he's cool and hot. Almost all girls in our school want him to be their boyfriend. And you, I doubt if you ever dream James at night." 

"What the hell Lacey? If you want him, you can have him."

"What the hell too Tanch. He's not even my type and I'm more than interested in Sarah." 

Lacey smiled sweetly and took a bite of her pizza.

"What?" 

Tanch irritatingly asked while raising her one eyebrow.

"Just kidding. Back to the topic, break up with James. Tell him you don't love him. Sarah deserves you wholely. Sarah has only you in her life and you, you have someone else."

Tanch lost her words and her appetite after hearing what Lacey tell. 

She's right. I should break up with James soon. I must be loyal to Sarah. Especially after knowing what happened to her. I should do everything to take care of her heart. To make her feel how much I love her, how important is she to me. 

"Hey, Tanch?"

"Ah yes?"

"What's on your mind?"

Tanch ignored Lacey's question. 

"You're right Lacey."

"Right on what?"

"I'll break up with James as soon as he came back from their camp. Then forever be faithful with Sarah."

"Finally! Sarah would love that."

Tanch just smiled at her and looked outside.

I wonder what she's doing right now. I miss her already.

"Then, as gratitude, I think you should give me that remaining slices of pizza of yours."

Tanch just laughed mouthed "Do the honor."

--

Sarah

"Sarah, you are going home already?" 

Maine, crew, and the closest person here on me asked. She's on break and currently drinking water.

I just nodded and tied my shoelace.

"Then, take care, and see you tomorrow!"

"You too Maine. I'll be off."

I took my bag and went outside of the fast-food I'm working on. 

I sighed when I remember the scene earlier. I'm thankful for Lacey doing my request. I hope she didn't mention it to Tanch. 

"Sarah."

I looked at the direction of the person who called me by name. 

"Lacey. Why are you still here? Are you with Tanch?"

Lacey walked closer to me then shooked her head.

"No, I'm not and I waited 3 hours for you."

I sighed in relief and looked apologetically to her. 

It's already 7:30 in the evening.

"Then what do you need from me?" I awkwardly asked. 

My heart was beating so fast due to nervousness. I'm sure she'll ask me why I didn't tell it to Tanch or even her.

"Did you eat dinner yet?"

I shook my head and she motioned for me to follow her. 

"Come on. Let's eat dinner first then we'll talk about earlier. I think you owe me an explanation."