chapter 2

FAYE

Oh wow. I’ve always known that they own a mall, but I didn’t know that it’s this big. Seriously, I’ve never been here. This is the first time that I get a glance of their business. Yep, that’s the downside of having no friends. I’m really glad that I agreed to this invitation.

And since this is the first that I’ve been here, I was like a child who’s so amazed with everything that I am seeing right now.

So at eighteen, Nikki’s been managing this mall? I remembered when Milo told me that when their parents died, her sister was the one managing all their business at her young age. Yes, she’s a Queen Bee at our school who likes to bully students like me, but what she’s doing for their business is really admirable. I’ve been with her for a short span of time, but here I am admiring everything about her.

Huh? Are you really admiring a girl, Faye? Do you have a crush on her? Is that the reason why you’re feeling something whenever she’s near you?

What? No, I don’t have a crush on her. Are you out of your mind? I was just admiring how responsible she is, that’s all. And there’s nothing wrong about it, right?

Are you sure? Seems like you’re having a little girl crush on your best friend’s older sister. I thought he’s the one that you like? Are you having a change of heart now?

Admiration is different from liking a person. And Milo’s the one I like, not his sister. I will never be involved in a romantic relationship with a same gender. I’m a girl and she’s a girl, and I like her brother who’s a guy, correct? That’s means, I am straight as a ruler.

Why are you being defensive? You’re the one who said that there’s nothing wrong in admiring her, right? Though that might really be the reason why you can’t look straight in her eyes without feeling awkward. I totally understand that.

Will you just shut up? Why are you making this hard for me? I’m trying to enjoy here, idiot!

“Uhrmm.” I stopped arguing with myself when I heard Nikki’s cough. I knew that she only did that to get my attention.

I gave her a bashful look.

“Sorry, I was just thinking about something. Do you need to ask me something?” I asked.

I almost lost it when she giggled. Oh my God, that was so cute.

“Yes, I was about to ask you if you like to eat first, but then I saw cute you were when you were pouting while arguing with yourself. Would you want to tell us the argument?” she teased and I felt myself blushed.

Gosh, did she really saw me pouting? That was really embarrassing. Why did I do that in front of her? What if she realized that she doesn’t want to be my friend anymore because of that? But wait, she said I was cute. Did she really mean that? Or was she just being nice?

I didn’t know how to react so I just bowed my head and checked how clean this tiles are.

“Awie, she’s blushing Bessy, Faye is so cute.” Jenny commented, and that made me even more embarrassed. C’mon floor, why don’t just swallow me, so I won’t need to deal with this embarrassment.

I tried looking at them again, and they were both smiling. Ugh! Please don’t do that again, Faye.

All their employees were greeting her when we were trying to find a store and she answered them with a smile.

“Did you see her smile? She’s really pretty and her boyfriend is really lucky to have her.” I heard someone said and I just shrugged.

Are they talking about the guy that she’s always with? What’s his name again? Chase? Oh well, why do I even care?

I just turned my attention to every store that we went in. Oh wow, Nikki really is a shopping addict. She’s been getting an item or more in every store. Oh well, you can’t blame her since she owns this mall. She can get whatever she wants.

After shopping, we ate and chatted a bit before going home since it’s getting late. We still have to go to school tomorrow, but they told me that this won’t be the last time and that made me so happy. At least they enjoyed my company.

The whole ride home was silent. We were just listening to music until we reached our subdivision.

I thanked her and got off her car when she called me.

“Faye!” she called.

When I faced her, she was smiling again and there was that unfamiliar and strange feeling again. Why does she have to smile like that?

She handed me all the shopping bags that she has so I gave her a questioning look. What’s this?

“This is all for you. I thought I since we’re friends now, I wanted to give you a treat so you would feel welcome in our group.” she said and I was about to thank her when she kissed me on the cheek.

I literally froze because I was caught off-guard. Yes I know that she’s like that with her friends, but I wasn’t prepared, so you can’t blame me if I’m not sure what to feel right now.

She already left and went inside their house, but I’m still standing here and looking at her direction.

Gosh, what the hell is happening to me?!

***

NIKKI

"Good evening, Baby bro." I smiled when I saw him waiting at the front porch.

“Nikki!” I wasn’t surprised when he hugged me tight. Yep, he’s really happy.

“So, did I do a good job? Though I think I know the answer just by seeing how happy you are.’ I said and he nodded eagerly. Oh wow, someone’s really happy.

“You did great, Nikki! And thank you so much!” he answered.

“Anything for you, Miguel.” I smiled. “By the way, have you eaten?”

“Yes. You?”

“Yep. We got hungry after our shopping spree, so we ate after.” I said and there’s his smile again.

“Thanks again. You have no idea how much this means to me. You’re the best sister in the world!” he said and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

I laughed and said,

“Ew! Why don’t you go to our neighbor’s house and kiss the girl of your dream?” I teased him.

I saw him blushed and that made me tease him more.

“Are you going to confess now?”

“No. But soon. I can’t wait to tell her what I really feel for her!”

“And then kiss her?”

And there’s that blush again. Aw, my baby brother is not baby anymore. He’s going to have a girlfriend soon.

"By the way, is it okay if we give Faye a little makeover?” I asked and he just shrugged.

“You can ask her. But I don’t think that she needs a makeover. She’s beautiful in her own way.” he said and I agreed.

“But if she agrees, will it be okay with you?” I need to know his opinion regarding this matter.

“Of course. I don’t own her. And I’m sure that you’re only doing this to help her.” he said and I heaved a sigh of relief. I thought that he’ll get annoyed if I pushed the topic.

“Positive! I only want the best for her and of course, for you. I’ll ask her tomorrow and I’ll let you know what her decision is.” I said and he nodded.

“Thank you.” he said. “Let’s sleep. It’s been a long day and we need to rest since we have an early class tomorrow.” he said and kissed me goodnight.

I was still smiling when I went inside my room.

Yep, it’s really tiring, but when I saw how happy my brother was, I know it’s all worth it.