GINGER POV
I don't know what's gotten into me that I kissed Alessa on her cheek. I guess it's because of her kindness, she even gave me a cake and drove me to school. Good thing that I ran quickly afterwards because I felt really embarrassed. It's my first time to kiss someone aside from my mom.
I know it sounds corny but it's true, I never had a boyfriend before and my friends don't kiss me on my cheeks, neither do I.
Since the day that she talked to me in the pastry shop, my days became happier especially when she comes during lunchtime because she makes sure to find way to chat with me once in a while. She's been like that for a month already.
I can see the envy on the student's faces when I got out of Alessa's car. I can't blame them because her car is really amazing and this is the first time that a sports car has been spotted in our school. I went straight to my classroom with a wide smile on my face.
"Hey! Is that your boyfriend's car?" Julie nudged at me as soon as I sat beside her. She's my friend since elementary.
"Huh? Boyfriend?" I asked confused.
"The pink mustang, who else would bring you to school with a car? It's either your boyfriend or you suddenly became rich yesterday" she replied sarcastically, I blushed at the thought of a boyfriend.
"No! She's my friend. We met at the pastry shop where I work. Moreover, I don't think my boyfriend would choose to buy a pink colored sports car, if ever I have one" I replied while rolling my eyes at her.
"A female friend? Really? Hmm if she's just a friend then why are you blushing?" she asked suspiciously.
"Julie, why do you ask so many questions? I bet you would do the same to me if you're rich right?" I scowled at her, hoping that she would drop the topic.
"Yeah of course" She's about to say something again when our teacher finally arrived.
I sighed in relief afterwards. It's hard to explain everything to her when even myself don't know the answer as to why Alessa is being so nice to me.
The teacher announced that we will be having a long quiz. I didn't have the chance to review at work so I didn't expect that I would pass. I've been doing almost everything at the shop lately because one of the staff was on leave for two weeks.
After the quiz, the teacher dismissed us because he is busy with the upcoming foundation day. I didn't want the cake to spoil so I didn't waste time and went straight home.
"You seem so happy today Ginger," Mom noticed. She's waiting for me to finish preparing the cake that Alessa gave to me.
"I'm happy everyday, mom" I replied ecstatically. The flavor of the cake is blueberry cheesecake and it's my favorite.
"You are exceptionally happy today. I wonder what or who caused you that?" She's giving me a suspicious look and it made me chuckle.
"I'm just happy because my friend gave me a cake. Free desserts are the best, right?" She laughed because it's true. Nothing tastes better than free food.
Mom works at a local eatery. She's thin and you can see on her face that she's tired but the beauty that she possesses remains. A lot of people say that I got all my features from her which I believe is true, we really do look alike.
"Oh! How kind of her to do that. You should invite her here on my birthday" she said in appreciation before slicing the cake.
I'm saving all the tip that the customers gave me to buy her a present. I want to buy her a cellphone so that she can text me every time she's not feeling well. She have hypertension and the doctor advised us that she should avoid getting tired, but we don't have a choice, we both need to work to sustain our daily needs.
"Sure, I'll invite her. She is very kind, mom. She's rich but she's not like the others who think of us as uneducated, she's very humble" I said proudly. I can't help myself not to smile every time I talk about her.
"Do you like her?" she asked all of a sudden.
"Yes, I do. You know what? She drove me to school today and-"
"Is that the reason why you don't have a boyfriend? I mean you're into girls?" She interrupted me.
My eyes widened in shock upon hearing her sudden question. She misunderstood my answer. I like Alessa as a friend but I never thought of her as a lover. We're both girls.
I do have lots of suitors at school but I don't entertain them because I want to focus on my studies. I want to give my mom a better life and engaging into a relationship will only make my life complicated.
"Huh? Mom, I said I like her but only as a friend, besides, the reason why I don't have a boyfriend is that I want to focus on my studies, I want to get out of this place and I don't want any hindrance, for me having a boyfriend is just a burden" I explained between eating my cake.
She smiled in understanding and then she hugged me afterwards. I never lied to her. I tell her everything because she's the only family that I have and we're open to each other about everything.
"But what if I'm gay? Would you still accept me?" I asked curiously.
"Of course sweetie, you're my only daughter, I love you and that will never change regardless of your sexuality" I'm touched by her response. I kissed her cheeks multiple times. I never questioned my sexuality because I know that I'm certified straight though I've never been in love.
"Sorry to disappoint you mom but I'm not gay, I love you and please, enough of the drama let's just enjoy our free cake!"
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"Hey, your girlfriend is here again" Marcus teased me. He's my workmate and the oldest staff in the shop.
Girlfriend? I asked myself frowning. I'm busy wiping the counter table so I turned around to face him.
"Girlfriend? I don't remember having a boyfriend, especially a girlfriend" I said with a frown before glancing at the door to check who it was.
I smiled when I saw Alessa approaching. She's not wearing her usual uniform. She's wearing a peach colored sundress that compliments her white skin. She dresses very well, as expected of her.
She looks gorgeous. I shook my head to clear my thoughts.
The customers gazed at her in amazement as soon as they noticed her. I can't help myself not to feel proud because she's my best friend. She walked straight to the counter and then she sat on the empty chair that's facing me.
"Come with me," she said, smiling while resting her face on both of her hands. That smile can make every man drool, including me.
"Where? I'm sorry but I can't leave yet," I said apologetically. She pouted upon hearing my refusal.
Gosh, she looks cute even when she's pouting.
"Let's go shopping! Come with me, please? I'll wait for you, three hours is not that long so I'm just going to read and order my usual" She insisted.
I released a heavy sigh. She's not going to give up until I say yes.
"Okay, but don't buy me anything. Is that clear with you?" She always buys me things every time I go with her.
The last time we went shopping she bought me a pair of jeans and shirt that costs three months of my salary. Rich kids really don't know how to save money, I always refuse her but she always threaten me to throw it to the garbage so I always end up accepting them.
"Yes ma'am! I promise!" she said while raising her right arm as if she's pledging. I rolled my eyes at her before telling her to just sit and read silently while I finish my work.
"So, you have a date again?" Marcus teased me again.
I slapped his shoulder because I am starting to feel embarrassed. He always says that every time Alessa invites me to go somewhere.
"It's not a date, we're just going to do some shopping" I corrected him.
Honestly, I don't know what a real date is because I've never been to one before. We've been like this for almost two months now and I don't see anything wrong with it. I wonder why she doesn't bring her boyfriend in the shop though. I know that she's popular in her school.
I remember that she had a boyfriend the first time we met. I'm guessing that she's single now because she always hangs around here with me. Besides, we do not talk about relationships or her boyfriend when we're together.
Time went by fast and she didn't bother me during my work, she's just reading her favorite book, it's a series with an author named Patricia Cornwell.
When my shift is done, I headed straight to my locker to get changed. I just wore a simple faded jeans and a plain white tank top. It's windy outside so I decided to wear my headband. I don't like tying my hair because it'll make my hair form a curve which I really don't like. She stood up immediately when she saw me approaching her table.
"Ready? Let's go," she said smiling. She reached for my hand and she didn't let go of it until we reached her car.
I felt embarrassed when I saw Marcus grinning at the front door. He has a crush on Alessa, maybe that's the reason why he always tease me.
"My friends are also at the mall, do you want to join them?" she inquired while still focused on driving.
"Is it okay if I prefer just the two of us?" I replied.
It's not that I don't like them, it's just that it's hard to keep up with them because they keep on talking about other people and expensive things, which I don't understand because I'm poor so it's better if it's just the two of us.
I like it when she focuses on me, I'm comfortable being with her and I can act naturally without being shy. Basically we're like sisters.
"Okay if you say so. I need to buy new clothes for the party that I'm going to attend this Saturday" she informed me casually.
I don't know why rich kids love going to parties, I've never been to any. I decided to open the radio and I smiled when my favorite song is currently being played. I hummed to the tune of it and sang along with it while my eyes closed.
I felt embarrassed when she chuckled after the song ended.
"You have a lovely voice. What's the title of the song? I like it." I blushed by her sudden compliment.
"When I'm with you by Faberdrive, I'm glad you liked it. It's my favorite"
"Now it's my favorite too, especially when you're the one singing it." She winked at me afterwards and it made my heart skipped a beat.
"Thank you" I replied sweetly in appreciation. I really like it when she compliments the things that I do.
She focused on driving afterwards so I didn't disturb her and decided to just take a nap. I was awakened by a soft blow of air on my eyes, her peppermint breath smells so good. I opened my eyes to see her so close to me as if she's going to kiss me.
"Wake up, we're here" She informed me before getting out of the car. I don't know why I felt upset when she moved away.
Crap! Why do I want her to stay in that position? She's making me crazy. I shook my head to clear my mind before getting out as well.
Here we are again, standing in front of the mall where everything is expensive. Being rich really feels good, that's why I want to finish my studies and work hard. I want my mother to feel and have all the things that she wants. I smiled bitterly afterwards, life is really unfair.
She held my hand again and led me to the entrance. Every time we hangout she always hold my hand when it's possible, at first I felt awkward but now I feel comfortable as if it's the right thing to do, we're best friends after all.
We entered the Versace boutique and bought two dresses because she can't choose which one is better for her. She attempted to buy me one but I refused because the dress is too expensive and it doesn't fit me. It doesn't feel right for me to wear expensive clothes when everyone knows that I am poor. I don't want to look like a trying hard teenager.
"So, what if you're poor? Duh! You look richer than me," she argued after rolling her eyes at me.
"I don't go to parties or any event so that dress will just be a waste of your money," I explained patiently. She just shrugged her shoulders in response and I felt relieved when she didn't insist further.
We headed to Kenny Rogers to eat after an hour of shopping. It's my favorite part of hanging out with her because I let her spoil me when it comes to food, I love eating! Who wouldn't right?
She ordered a lot that I almost puked because I'm so full and I'm having a hard time breathing. There is still quite an amount of food left and I want to take it home for mom but I'm too shy to tell Alessa about it.
"Do you want to order more?" she inquired while massaging her tummy.
"No! I can no longer breathe" I immediately said. I know that she's thinking of ordering dessert but I no longer have space for that.
My heart skipped a beat when she leaned closer to wipe the residue of the sauce on my lower lip. I felt embarrassed afterwards when I noticed the two boys that were looking in our direction. I feel like they are wondering if Alessa and I are lovers.
I frowned when the waiter approached us with a bag of take-out food. Alessa accepted it and I gave her a confused look.
"This is for your mom so don't you dare refuse this. Food is food," She explained hastily before giving the bag to me. I smiled because it's as if she read my thoughts earlier.
If it weren't for the two boys looking at us, I would have hugged and kissed her on her cheeks in so much gratitude. I reached for her hand instead, and then I led her outside of the restaurant.
I chuckled when I saw the surprise on her face because of my sudden gesture. This is the first time that I'm the one who reached for her hand first. When I think about it, we really do look like lovers.
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