I LOVE YOU, BEST FRIEND!

CHAPTER 1

Gael POV

Here I am at the university gate, waiting for Zander. We are going to his parent's house because his Mom wanted me there. They are celebrating their 30th Anniversary, which I gladly agree to attend.

I feel comfortable with them because they treat me like their own, especially Auntie Vanessa, Zander’s mom. I remember her saying how she promised on my mother's grave that she would always take care of me.

She has been acting as my real mom ever since the day that my parent died. Also, maybe because she saw Thorn on me. She's not saying it, but I know how much she misses her other child. I can't tell the whole story of why Thorn was like a stranger to them. They look like a perfect family for me.

Every time we saw each other, or they would gather as a family. There will always be a fight between him and Uncle Luke, Zander’s Dad, or with Zander. It's been years since I last saw him. I remember I was still in elementary school when I last saw him, but I don't know now how he looks like. It's my disability! It's tough for me to memories faces, especially those people I do not see so often.

The last time I heard about him was he lived with his grandparents, but I don't know now. I don't hear any news of him from his family anymore. They haven't talked about him for a while now. It seems that they choose to avoid talking about him, especially Uncle Luke and Zander.

I feel so sad for Auntie Vanessa. I know how much she misses her son. I remember going to her room to console her whenever Uncle Luke or Zander fought with Brother Thorn. I feel her pain. She doesn't want to choose a side, so all she can do is cry, which makes Uncle Luke and Zander angrier to Thorn because they blame him for it.

But despite all of that, I saw in Zander’s eyes how much hurt he was during those times. He doesn't want to admit it, but I know despite their differences, I know he still loves his brother. I want to be there for him, to be his companion again just like before, but I know ever since Allyssa came into the picture, it’s like there was a wall between Zander and Me. He and I started to drift away from each other, and I didn't know how to fix it or if I could even try to fix it.

After a few minutes, I finally saw Zander’s car getting near where I was. He stopped in front of me. I waved my hands for him to see me, then I immediately walked fast to go to his car.

I was so excited to see him. It's been a while that we last saw each other. I want this moment to help ease our distance, even just for a little bit.

I got disappointed again!

I thought I could be with Zander today. To sit with him in front of the car, but as expected, Allyssa was already there claiming her position. They look so happy and so in love.

"Hi, Gael!" Allyssa greeted me happily as she opened her window for me.

"Hi, Ally! Hi, Zander!" I tried to smile even if it was fake! I'm so used to it now. I greeted her and Zander, but I guess he doesn't notice me again. He keeps looking at Allyssa like I wasn't even here. He was busy kissing her hands while looking at her.

"Love, Gael says hi!" Allyssa confronts Zander. Maybe she also noticed Zander’s behavior.

"Ow, sorry! Hi, Gael! Hop in. Mom has been waiting for you in their house. Sorry, I was late to fetch you; I did go first to Allyssa's studio; I waited for her to finish first before I went here."

What should I expect, Zander! She will always be your priority. She will always be the first one. Always her!

I pretended that I did not mind anything he just said and just smiled at him as I tried to hop on the back of his car.

"Yes, I know. I also received so many text messages from Auntie Vanessa. That's why you must hurry before she gets angry at you again!" This is me trying to pretend that I'm happy and okay.

You're okay, Gael! You're going to be OK!

~~~

After we arrived at his parent's house, His mother immediately hugged me so tight that I almost couldn't breathe. Seriously, do I look like a teddy bear?

"Gael, Son! I've waited so long for you to arrive. Why are you late? Come on, let's go inside. I cooked everything that you loved!" She excitedly said; I tried to pull away from her hug to talk to her properly.

"Auntie! You're doing it again! It's your big day, not mine! I should be the one pampering you and Uncle, not the other way around. I should be the one spoiling you, not me! It's your anniversary, remember?"

"Nonsense Gael, you know how much you are worthy to me. I love you as much as I love my kids. If you're happy, I'm happy too. If you checked the kitchen, you see, all that food is not just your favorite anymore but also mine. I enjoy watching you eat, especially I find this (She touches my cheek). I find these cheeks of yours so cute! So perfectly cute that I have to pinch it to be satisfied."

"Auntie, please stop teasing me."

Auntie loves to tease me and pinch my cheeks like I'm such a cute teddy bear.

Suddenly Uncle Luke approached us and put his arm around Auntie Vanessa's waist. Both look handsome and so pretty, even if they are already slightly old.

Also, Zander looks so much like Auntie Vanessa. Maybe it's one of the reasons why I love to be around Auntie Vanessa. It made me feel like I was close to Zander. Whenever I'm near her, I feel so safe and loved. I wish I could also feel this way with Zander.

"Hon! Here we go again. You're teasing Gael again, Seriously? Tell me! Are you pregnant again? You're always like this every time you're pregnant. Are you craving Gael's charm? Don't get me wrong! I don't mind if it means that our child will look as cute as Gael. I don't mind at all!"

Uncle Luke continues to tease Auntie Vanessa. She got shy, that's why she immediately ran inside and went to the kitchen

They look so cute!

They look like a perfect family for me.

It made me realize again the one thing that I don't have right now. The one thing that I can never have again and is to feel the love of my parents, to feel that I belong to a family. The feeling of being cared for, just like how my mom cares for me.

I miss them! I miss them so much!

How I wish they are here for me!

I was busy thinking about my parent when Zander suddenly put his arm around my shoulder.

I don't see Allyssa beside him. Maybe she already got inside to greet Zander’s Parents.

"Gael! Aren't you going inside? Come on! I'm hungry! We don't want those fluffy cheeks to be small, right?" Zander told me obviously he's also teasing me.

Gosh!

Why does this family love to tease me!

I didn't realize it, but my face and ear turned red because of shyness.

Omg! I can't let him see me like this. It's so embarrassing

Gosh, self! Would you please restrain yourself? He is your best friend, for God’s sake!

"Asshole!" I said to him as I ran inside their house

We finished eating all the food that Auntie Vanessa had prepared; yes! She organized all those foods herself, and according to her! All of this is for me! That's how much she loves me. I wish that Zander could love me the same.

We decided to watch a movie in their mini-movie theater, Me, Zander, Allyssa, Zander’s Parents, and Thanya. I told them that I wanted to go home early today. I feel so single here. It hurts me seeing the way Zander touches, kisses, and hugs Allyssa. He wasn't shy to show her how much he loved her, even if other people were around them. I want to go home, but Auntie Vanessa requested me to sleep over here. It's already 8 pm. She's afraid that something may happen to me if I still pursue to go home.

As expected, I really can't say no to her.

I also don't have a valid reason to say no! It's Friday, for god’s sake! I don't have to go to school tomorrow. I don't have a good reason to wake up early.

I'm doomed!

As they watched the movie, all I did was stare at Zander.

It became my routine to stare at him even from afar. I guess this is all I have. The only way to see him without worrying that he might notice me, or others will see me.

Yes! It may be stupid, but for me, it's enough!

At least I can see him freely.

Zander, please try to look behind you. I'm here! If only you will look around. Just turn around, and you will see me. Please just this one, I want to see you look at me. Please notice me!

TO BE CONTINUED