Chapter 44: The Bet *Thirteen and Seventeen

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Chapter 39 Part 1 *Thirteen and Seventeen

~Sophia

The moment I wake up, the first thought that comes to my mind is today’s the thirteenth day of the bet.

The second thought I have is today’s my birthday.

13th Day. 17th Birthday.

Hah. Ironic? I think so.

Other people will be excited to open their cell phone and read all the birthday wishes they received. Me, in the meantime is lazy even to get up and start the day.

They say that your birthday is very different from other (ordinary) days because, hey, today’s your day! You, and just only you. Well, except for the people sharing the same day of your birth. But still, you can pretend it’s your own day because after waiting for three hundred sixty four days, your one and only day finally arrived. That’s why you need to celebrate. . .

Right?

I’m still sleepy. I don’t even want to go to school. I can imagine what would my face look like when my friends greet me a happy birthday. It’s hard to think of something to do when they sing a happy birthday to you. It’s embarassing and not, at the same time.

I think I’m the only one who’s not excited on my birthday. But I don’t know why I feel nervous, and there’s this feeling I have that can foresee something that might happen.

It's just another day for me. I doubt something unexpected will happen. What’s with the blabbering? I know, I’m just procrastinating.

Sighing, I get my phone and open it.

Nothing.

Is this possible? Is my network not working? Why don’t I have a new message? There’s probably some error because. . .

Don’t tell me my parents forget it? What about Parker, and Driana?

The people close to me sure know that today’s my birthday.

Parker! He gave me a present but he forgot that today’s the day! I know, it’s still my birthday until later but he usually greets me at midnight. And this is the first time he doesn’t. Maybe he gets tired, because he knows that I don’t like it. Maybe, finally, he listens to me.

And then Driana. I was just with her last night. She used to call me at exactly 5:17 in the morning.

In the corner of my eyes, I see the time in my alarm clock. 6:49AM.

My parents. When will I see them? It looks like I’m on my own. Is my mom not thinking about the day she gave birth to me? She’s probably busy with her own things.

Why do I feel disappointed if I don’t want to celebrate my birthday?

It’s just that, they are the people close to me, and then they don’t even remember this day.

Don’t you hate it when you don’t want something but it keeps coming and when you want it, it doesn’t happen?

Ugh! I hate this feeling!

Something tugs at my chest. Why do I feel like crying? It’s so childish to cry when no one greets you on your birthday. Especially when you yourself don’t care about it.

The day is just starting but I want it to end already. I don’t want to be lonely today. It’s hard to be lonely than alone. Yes, the two are very different from each other.

Why do these thoughts haunt me today? I don’t want to be depressed! Shaking my head, I try to think of nothing. I want my mind to be a blank sheet of paper, even just for a few minutes.

I want a piece of mind!

You’re the sky that I fell through. I remember the view whenever I’m holding you.

It takes a second for me to realize that that’s my phone ringing. Someone’s calling!

Finally.

Taking a deep breath, I grab my phone and answer it. “Hello?”

“Hi.”

That sounds like. . .

I look at the caller ID and not that surprised to see it’s Draky.

“What do you want?” I ask.

I’m not that disappointed because it’s him who calls. He doesn’t know it’s my birthday today and I don’t expect that he’ll greet me.

“Why so grouchy?” he asks.

“I’m not,” I deny.

“So, um, how are you today?”

“You’re calling to ask how I am?” I ask incredulously.

“What’s wrong with my question?” he asks.

I can imagine him raising his eyebrow.

Oh my. I can’t believe I can see him in my mind while I’m talking to him.

“Nothing,” I say evasively.

I have to admit, I’m quite grumpy today. And I don’t want to accept that it’s because no one remembers my birthday.

Such a shallow reason.

“How was your sleep?”

“Fine.”

“Did you dream about me?” he asks amusedly.

“A nightmare,” I say.

Actually, I don’t remember my dream last night. It even feels that I just close my eyes for a couple of minutes than hours.

“Sweet,” he says. “That means your thinking about me.”

“Huh?” I ask brilliantly.

He sighs. “Didn’t you know, when you dream about a person, that means you’re thinking about him too much. And see, I’m with you even in your dreams.”

I shouldn’t have lied. He’ll just think that I really dreamed of him. But isn’t a great idea to make him fall in love with me? I’ll let him think I’m falling, when in the first place it’s him who falls.

“They say that when you dream about a person, it’s the one on the dream thinking about the person dreaming, not the other way around,” I say, “and that means you’re thinking about me too much.”

I can’t believe I said that. It’s like someone is talking, not myself.

Draky’s speechless.

I breathe a sigh of relief. At least I make him speechless. Again.

“I wish you a happy—.” He stops talking suddenly.

“What?” I ask not too eagerly.

It’s a few seconds before he answers, “A happy day ahead.”

“Oh.”

I hate how my voice sounds disappointed with that single word. Is Oh even a word? What I know is it’s a sound of expression.

“Expecting me to say something else?” he asks curiously.

“No,” I say quickly. Too quickly.

“Okay,” he says, “I have to go now.”

“Goodbye,” I reply.

“See you later.”

“See you.” I always want to have the last word.

When I’m about to hung up, he says something. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard it!

Well, since it’s Draky, I don’t think it’s important but I’m curious on what it is.

Letting it go, I arrange my clothes and get ready for school.

Aunt V is already at work so it’s just Andre and me in the dining room. We’re both preoccupied with our own thoughts while eating. I’m still confused at his actions last night. Why would he keep his dating life a secret? Even with his best friend? He’s so unpredictable! No wonder he and Draky are best friends, they balance each other.

When Andre asks me if I’ll ride with him today, I take his offer. I’m not in the mood to ride a bus. I’ll make an exception because today’s my birthday.

Like Draky, he doesn’t know that today’s my birthday. If he knows, I’m sure he’ll greet me.

Again, the thought of my birthday makes me sad. I’ll just forget that today’s October 19, 2010. I’m sure, before I know it, it’s the twentieth already.

After eating, we put our dirty plates on the kitchen counter. Andre says that they hire a temporary house cleaner. They always do that when he and Aunt V are busy.

While walking to his car, Andre hums quietly to his self. He’s even smiling while doing so.

I can’t help but feel suspicious towards him. He’s so cheerful, it’s like his birthday is today. Not that he’s not cheerful, but today, it’s different.

I can’t explain it, but I feel something is wrong. Well, considering there’s the game, when it is ever right?

When we get in his car, he drives to the school without saying anything.

What is happening?

He’s smiling while he drives and it makes me think that he’s making a plan. A plan of . . I have an idea of what exactly it is. But you know, it’s not good to assume.

Before, he doesn’t stop talking. Now, why so quiet? It’s creepy.

“Andre,” I start.

“Yes?” he asks, glancing at me.

“Who do you like?”

He smiles playfully. “We’re not playing.”

“I know,” I say dryly, “I’m just asking.”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Because I’m curious,” I answer.

He tilts his head to the side, making his hair falls to his eyes. “Did Drake tell you to ask me?”

“What?”

He smirks. “I know you two are teaming up to know who the girl is. Tell him to forget it.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask incredulously.

“I think the reason why he wants to know is because he’ll kill the girl. Because you know,” he lowers his voice as if he’s afraid someone will hear us, “he’s jealous of people, especially girls when they’re with me. He wants me all to himself.”

I stare at him, wide eyes with shock. Andre is—

“I have an idea,” he says, breaking my thoughts, “tell him it’s you I like.”

Andre is insane. He really is.

*****

Happy Birthday to all the Octoberians out there! :D May all your wishes come true :)

This is just a teaser for the next part. I haven’t been able to sleep yet since last night so it’s short. I uploaded this because I want to keep my promise =)

The song is Transatlanticism by Death Cab for Cutie. Banners by Aspen77. Thank you! :>

I went to Owl City: Live in Manila 2011 concert last night. It was one of the best nights of my life :D *If not for Taylor Swift, I think yesternight was the best* I got a meet and greet pass (unexpectedly) when they (the management) asked anyone to sing a line of his (Adam) song from his new album. I sang : I’ve been longing for, daisies to push through the floor (Plant Life). I was not even shy at that time: me, singing in front of a crowd. Who would have thought? XD Then they told me that I could meet Adam Young. I was so shocked. Like, really? OMG! Haha I couldn’t stop laughing! I couldn’t even believe it :>

When I saw him, I almost cried because of the overwhelming happiness I felt. He hold my hands while we talked. I told him about my dream (:In my dream four nights ago, I saw him because of a meet and greet. A dream came true;) I told him “Thank you” many times. He was so sweet and nice. After that, when the show was about to start, a VJ from MYX (a music channel) interviewed me. If ever they air it, I’ll be on TV again. It was, like my friends said, my night. I feel so blessed ♥

Turn your dreams into reality!

Wow, you read the whole thing? This was long and you probably have other stuff you could’ve done in the last two minutes but you chose to read this :> Thank you so much! For reading my story/stories and for keeping up with me. You don’t know have an idea how happy I am. I wish I can see your face while reading *.*

Thank you again! I hope and pray we can see each other someday. :)