19

Saturday, 10:19 AM.

I wanna go to sleep...

After a lukewarm morning shower, I strode and catapulted myself onto my bed, taking in the softness of the mattress. I shoved the thought of tangling my hair to the back of my head; at least I have combed them beforehand. Wrapping my arms around on one of my pillows, I buried myself within its cool comfort. Ah, this is what I need after such a long week... I must cherish every single second of this.

I rolled over to the side and grabbed my phone from the nightstand. Time to watch some YouTube videos...

However, before I could turn on the screen, a blast of music precipitously thundered throughout the vicinity, shaking the entire house. I choked a shriek out of my throat, and if not for me tightening my grip on my phone, it would have fallen flat into my nose.

"We're bored to death in heaven, and all alone in hell, we only want to be ourselves," the song sang.

Ugh, him and his loud music again...

A twinge of annoyance plucked against my nerves as I glared at my lovely brother's room on the other side of the wall. Groaning and combing my disheveled hair, I forced myself—I wish I didn't have to though—to get up from the bed. Mom and Dad would have chastised him out if they were here, but the restaurant had been keeping them busy. I better check what the heck he is up to and what he has to offer...

I knocked on his door, but of course he would not hear them; his prosperous music practically canceled out every noise around him. Huffing, I opened the door without any second thoughts, and almost immediately, the roars of his rock songs busted against me, making me recoil.

Jordan was sprawled out on his bed, accompanied by the blaring speakers Dad got for his birthday beside him. With his eyes shut and his arms on the back of his head, he bobbed along with the beat. How did he manage to cope with the music so loud beside him? He's gonna be deaf soon...

"What? What do you want?" Jordan asked brusquely, shooting daggers at me like I disturbed his peace and snubbed off the fact he was making not just my ears, but our neighbor's as well, to bleed profusely.

Another frustrated groan broke off me. "Lower the volume, Jo. Use your earphones or something," I really tried to keep my voice as firm as possible.

"Tch." Jordan rolled his eyes and kissed his teeth. I thought he was going to disregard me and shove me out, but to my surprise, his body shifted and actually rolled the adjuster until the deafening music was subdued. Despite this, it was quite loud enough to reverberate throughout his quarters.

"Go away," he growled and waved the back of his hand. "Don't bother me."

"No one wants to," I retorted before I closed the door.

Why am I stuck with someone like him? He was pretty much the epitome of an insufferable brother. Not only did he barely listen to what I have to say, but he would always put up with his ill-mannered behavior and ruffled my feathers. Any of our civil discussions would always turn into endless squabbles that Mom had to stop us.

I scampered to my safe space and was about to hurl myself back to the comfort of my bed, but the sudden noise of my phone's ringtone stopped me. Looking briefly at who the caller was, it washed all the annoyance away.

Aly.

Smiling thinly at the name flashing across the screen, I pressed on the green button and held the phone close to my ear.

"Hi Rena!" The moment her cheery voice filled my phone's speaker, it alleviated me further. That upbeat tone of hers could only mean one thing: we were definitely gonna hang out somewhere today. My bed might have so much gravity that it pulled me in, but the time spent being with Aly and having fun defeated such a force.

"Hey!" I greeted her back.

"Wanna go hang out in the mall today?" I heard some thuds and static noises; perhaps she already went outside. "Remember the arcade we once talked about? It just opened yesterday!"

"Really? Of course I'm going!" I exclaimed, immediately jumping straight into action and tidied my hair on the mirror. Placing my phone on the vanity and activating the speaker mode, I opened my closet and looked for some proper clothes and hats to wear. "Who's gonna be with us?"

"Obviously Naomi and Sam, they've been wanting to check them out... oh and Mark's coming too!" Aly announced.

"Mark?" I pulled out a white blouse out of my closet and laid it out on the bed.

"Yup, apparently his team didn't have plans this weekend, so he's free with us," she revealed.

"That's nice," I said. Honestly, Mark and I weren't as close as him with the others. However, we did manage to maintain some interactions in our shared classes and on certain occasions, so I didn't really mind him joining our group.

"Alright, that's all set," she chirped. "I'll see you in the mall this noon!"

"W-Wait, you don't want me to pick you up? I'm almost ready," I asked while I ended up deciding on a cream knit vest with white shirt underneath, and a pair of boxer shorts.

There was a long pause as background noises came pouring in, but then, I could pick up the coerced laughter in her strained voice. "D-Don't worry, you can go ahead! This time, Mom told me the proper shortcut, and I'm very sure I'll get it right this time!" She claimed. "See ya there!"

The line went dead before I could respond, and I could only stare at my phone as doubt began to take shape within me. Even with all the shortcuts provided, Aly's sense of direction... well, I could only pray and wait.

I hope she really makes it this time.

***

I was way too lethargic to use the bike, so taking the bus was the best option. Unlike peak hours, buses were typically vacant. Only a handful of people were present, scattered throughout most of the seats. I don't have to squeeze through hordes and get sandwiched.

I was about to sit down next to the window, but the guy behind me somehow netted my attention. His face might be shrouded underneath his hood, but his bright golden hair heavily contrasted his dark gray hoodie, making it so distinguishable. He definitely was not asleep, as when the bus wheels hit a speed bump, he maintained his momentum.

Although he had earphones on, he ultimately glanced up, as if he realized I had been observing him. His eye quickly locked on me; the usual cold and bottomless one, belonging to the boy who used to be one of the happiest people in the world.

I could have acknowledged Edward back, casually sat beside him and then talked like friends do. My panicking instincts, unfortunately, chose to turn away from him and settled down in front. I gently positioned my bag on my lap then clenched my hands, facing down on my shoes. Come on Rena, the heck are you doing? You can't just pretend he's not here! At least the best you can do is say h—

"Hi," addressed Edward which made me nearly hop out of my seat because I was such a miserable fool. He clicked his phone before he plucked out his earphones out of his ears. "Can I sit beside you?"

"Oh E-Edward, go ahead!" I literally tripped over my words as I moved aside to give him more space. "I-I didn't know we were on the same bus! Where are you g-going?" I began, already wanting to smack myself for flaunting my stuttering powers further. But nice save!

"The mall," he answered. "And you?"

"Me too! A-Aly and the others wanted to try the new arcade center."

"Lynn and Seb said the same thing," he revealed. "They installed lots of new games."

"I-I'm glad they opened an arcade after the other one closed down," I tucked a hair behind my ear. "I... I'm gonna miss that."

"Yeah. It's where we always used to go as kids," Edward said, leaning back to his seat.

I said nothing; a small smile was my answer.

As if I could not tell already, this was a stroke of luck. Encountering, let alone interacting with Edward on the weekends, happened only once in a blue moon. Also, for him and I to get to the same destination had joy welled up inside of me. It was another opportunity to hang out not only with him outside of school, but with our friends from the past as well.

Never did I expect I was one step ahead.

"Do you guys... wanna join us?" I asked. "L-Let's go together."

Edward blinked as he played with his fingers, which awfully... had multiple bandages plastered all over. "Sure. Lynn and Seb don't mind either..." he then paused, thrusting his hands in his pockets. "Maybe that idiot would mind Alyssa, but that's their problem."

Are those bandages even there before? I just noticed them... I wonder what happen?

He was right, nevertheless. The Aly-and-Seb combo was like asking for trouble; I did not even think they would ever put aside their differences. Breathing rather sharply, I pulled out my phone—so did Edward—and texted Aly. Hopefully it didn't affect her decision though.

Rena: So I kinda met Edward on the way to the mall! He said his friends are gonna play the arcade too. I think they should join us :)

After our bus dropped us at the stop and a 5-minute walk, Edward and I both watched the prestigious mall looming majestically over us. Well, this was the only largest shopping district in our town, renowned for their fountain and dancing light shows during the night, where the others and I often watched.

Edward then pulled out his hood from his head, finally revealing his full appearance. He gingerly brushed his tousled bangs, somehow reminding me of the damaged eye he had masked. He then started patting his hoodie and sweatpants off, although I did not seem to detect any speck of dirt.

"L-Let's meet up with the rest first," I said and he nodded as we stepped into the lobby.

"Hey Rena, wait up!" In unison both of our heads turned around, as the girls and Mark—it seemed Aly had not arrived yet—sped towards us as they waved their hands.

"Edward's with you too?" Naomi said.

"Well, w-we kinda meet on the way. Y-You guys don't mind if his group's joining in?"

"Bro, of course! The more, the merrier!" Naomi exclaimed. "Gonna have lots of fun!"

"And for you two to cross paths... it's fate!" Almost immediately, Sam and Naomi wrapped each other's shoulders as whispers and snickers erupted out of them. If I could seal off their stupid smirks with a tape right now, I would do it in a heartbeat. Good lord, Edward's gonna get the wrong idea too!

Mark greeted me, but he shied away as soon as Edward began to walk towards his direction. With hunched shoulders and a frozen smile, he cowered behind the girls for their safety, although he did nod his head at him as a greeting.

Well, I saw this coming from miles away. I was told he... had accidentally kicked Edward in the groin while they were playing soccer. Ever since then, Mark always broke into sweat and kept distance whenever Edward appeared, even telling me that his deadpan expression looked like he wanted to beat the crap out of him.

Poor Mark... I sighed. That's just his face. I don't think he's that angry with you though.

"Lynn and Seb are gonna be here soon," Edward announced as he drew near me. "How about Alyssa?"

"Ah, Aly?" I promptly checked my phone for her responses, and a barrage of notifications welcomed me. Speaking of which... didn't she say she took a shortcut? She should have been here first before the rest.

Aly: I was about to say hell no because I don't wanna be with that bastard friend of his (¬_¬)

Aly: But I really want you and him to get along more and hang out together. You both are already friends after all :3

Aly: Besides, Edward really need a break from his basketball team

Aly: he needs to let go all that stress from the drama

Aly: You def want that too I bet

Aly: It's kinda a win-win situation for you both hehe (*^‿^*)

That's Aly for you. I typed in my response.

Rena: Yeah of course it's true :)

Rena: Thanks Aly, you rock :D I'm already at the lobby with the others, btw. Lmk if you're here!

The moment I hit send, another set of texts from her came in.

Aly: Also um sooo I tried talking my mother's shortcut to the mall

Aly: But it seems longer than I thought

Aly: Hmm thats weird, I didn't see Gevenie Street stop

Aly: ACUTALLY HOLD UP

Aly: YOO GURL I TOOK THE WRONG BUS

Aly: DNWJSKALSL THIS ONE'S GOING UP TO THE MOUTNAINS HELP

Aly: IM IN THE MIDDLE OF NWOHERE

Aly: JAKDKWKDKSK RENAAAAA

Aly: PLEASEEE HELP ME TOT

Both my brows and the corners of my lips twitched as more screaming texts of hers popped up as she practically punched all over her keyboard. Meanwhile, Sam and Naomi managed to peek at all the messages, before they snorted and chuckled.

What did I try to tell you...