As soon as I got home, I immediately looked for Briana. I needed to talk to her. I wanted to talk to her at school earlier, but I didn't see her, or perhaps I just hadn't been paying attention to her presence.
 
I asked the maids about her, and I found out she was on the rooftop.
 
Wait, what could she be doing up there? I covered my mouth with my hand at the thought. Oh no, she might be planning to take her own life. Mom isn't here right now, and if I go to the rooftop, they might accuse me of pushing her. And then what? Mom and Aunt will be mad at me. Our whole clan will be mad at me and despise me. Then I will be jailed and my future will be ruined. Oh my gosh, I can't handle that!
 
I felt a hand on my shoulder. I came back to my senses and looked at the maid. "Mira, are you okay?" She asked me.
 
I nodded at her. "What is Briana doing up there?" I wanted to confirm.
 
"I'm not sure. All I noticed was that she seemed a bit down today."
 
Upon hearing that, I immediately ran towards the rooftop, fearing what might have happened to her there.
I just facepalmed when I saw her. She was just sitting there, enjoying the view from a distance.
 
Sometimes, I can be really paranoid. I think too much. She just seemed to be getting some fresh air.
 
Before I could approach her, she noticed me. She looked at me as if she was waiting for me to speak. "Can we talk?"
 
"Is this all about Sophie and Ace again? I already told you, I'm not planning anything."
 
I shook my head at her. "It's not about them."
 
She furrowed her eyebrows. "Then what is it about?"
 
"It's about your mom." Her face suddenly changed when she heard her mom's name. She looked disappointed.
She smirked. "What about her? Has her illness gotten worse? Is she dead?" She said it so coldly. I couldn't bear how easily she could say that about her own mother. Is she insane? I wanted to slap her right then and there, but I held myself back. What kind of daughter is she?
 
"Briana, what are you talking about?! Is that how much you hate your mom?! That you're even wishing for her death? You're going crazy! Do you know that she called me?"
 
"So?" She raised an eyebrow. She really doesn't care about her mom. I don't understand why she's so angry with her.
 
"She was asking about you, Briana. She said you haven't been answering her calls. Even to your dad or Kisha, you won't answer. You know, even though your mom is sick, she's still thinking about you."
 
"I don't care. Can we just stop talking about them?" She said while looking into the distance.
"Have you lost your mind to say that you don't care about your own family? What is happening to you?!"
 
She focused her gaze on me. "You don't understand, Mira. You don't know anything!"
 
"How can I understand if you won't tell me?" Even though I'm furious with her actions, I still want to understand her. I still want to support her through her problems.
 
"You just won't get it, okay? I seriously can't stand them, especially mom. So, do me a favor and quit bringing them up 'cause it really gets on my nerves! If they call again, don't bother telling me because I don't care." She stood up and walked towards the stairs to go down.
 
Before she could go down, she stopped because I spoke again. "By the way, your mom wanted me to tell you that she misses you and loves you so much." She didn't look back or say anything. She ignored what I said and continued to go down.
Briana POV
 
I immediately called Rhian as soon as I entered my room. It was supposed to be a good day for me, but because of Mira, it's ruined again. She just can't help but bother me!
 
"Let's go out." I said as soon as she answered my call.
 
"It seems like you changed your mind. Earlier, Sam and I invited you, and you said you didn't want to go."
 
"Ugh, that Mira is so annoying! She ruined my day again. I just can't stand being around her! So, are you up for it?"
 
"Sure. We'll pick you up then." I hung up the phone after she said that. I quickly changed and went downstairs.
 
I paused in my tracks when I saw Mira in the garden, reading a book. Doesn't she ever chill? A nerd will always be a nerd, I guess.
 
"Where are you going?" She asked.
 
Why does she even care? I don't know, but it seems like she's being nice to me again. It's like she's not bothered by my rudeness towards her. "I just need to unwind," I replied curtly.
 
She simply nodded and focused back on her book.
As soon as I stepped out, Rhian arrived with Sam driving his car.
 
"So where do you want to go?" Sam asked me from the driver's seat.
 
"I'm cool with going anywhere, as long as it's far away from Mira."
 
 ——–
 
"So why did you suddenly inviteus?" Rhian asked me as we entered and ordered drinks at a restobar.
 
"Because of that bitch, Mira! She's so arrogant. She acts like she knows everything! She doesn't even realize that she's one of the reasons why I'm so mad at my Mom."
"Spill the beans, Briana. I'm just dying to know why you despise your cousin so much. Honestly, at first, I had no clue why I hated that girl, but now I've got my reasons. I can't stand seeing her getting close with Liam." I could feel her anger towards Mira as she said those words. I feel her. I don't know what's up with her but everyone seems to adore her.
 
I smiled. This time, I had to let it all out. "Ever since we were kids, Mira, my sister Kisha, and I were so close. My younger sister and I didn't really get along back then, but because of Mira, we became closer. We were like the best cousins ever when we were so young. Then, there came a point when Kisha got seriously ill and they needed to take her to America for treatment. It took a while for her to recover there, so she missed out on schooling here, and they decided that she should continue her education there once she got better. Mira and I were left here, nothing changed. We still hung out but we missed Kisha."
 
I paused and took a deep sigh. "And then, as time went on, I noticed that Mira was always the one getting attention, always being compared to me by Mom. She was always the good one, the kind one, she excelled in everything! While I was always the one who knew nothing, always in the wrong, always worthless. In Mom's eyes, I never did anything right. But Mira's mom was always there for me. Everything I wanted to hear from my parents, I only heard from her mom." I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. I never asked to be like this, but Mira and my parents are the ones who made me turn out this way.
Sam gently placed a hand on my shoulder, trying to comfort me, but deep down, I knew it wouldn't make a difference. I just couldn't find a way to be okay.
 
I continued my story. "To be honest, I used to be just like Mira, the quiet one sitting on the corner, focused on studying. In a way, between the two of us, I was the real loser back then. Even more of a loser than the old Mira you used to see and know. I was always unnoticed, while she was always in the spotlight. She was always the one liked by the guys I liked. And it came to the point where I started hating her. Because of that, I tried to change myself. I didn't just want to match Mira, I wanted to surpass her. And when I transformed, I changed her too, exactly the way I wanted her to be. She just never realized it."
 
I was the one who envied her. I was the one who wished I could be her.
 
It was evident on their faces that they couldn't believe what I just said. I couldn't blame them, it's hard to believe that someone like me was once a nerd and changed because of envy.
 
I changed and became like this because I wanted to prove to them, especially to Mom, that I can do better too. I wanted to show them that I can do everything that Mira can do. But I think it's all useless because they never even notice. I'm still not good enough for them.
 
Throughout my whole life, I've never heard them say that they're proud of me. Even when I top the school or win contests, it's always Mira or Kisha who get praised.
 
At first, I couldn't understand why they treated me that way. But when I learned the real reason, everything became clear to me, and because of what I found out, I hated them even more, especially Mira.
 
"Wow, I didn't expect you to have such deep-seated resentment towards your cousin." Sam said, surprised.
 
Instead of answering him, I drowned myself in alcohol.
 
"But on a different note, are you really serious about fixing things with Sophie and Ace's relationship?"
 
I grinned at Rhian's question. "I am."
 
She raised an eyebrow at my answer. "Why did you do that? I thought you liked Ace?"
 
"I realized that I won't gain anything by stealing Ace from Sophie. Yes, I admit it. I have feelings for Ace, but deep down, I know that no matter what I do, he will only see me as a friend because he loves Sophie with all his heart."
 
There's no excuse for what I did. The ex that I mentioned was not real, it was fake. I only said those words to cover up my unsuccessful plan. The moment Sophie caught us that night, I instantly knew I had done something I shouldn't have. The look on Ace's face revealed the pain he felt when he saw Sophie crying. Guilt consumed me, and I couldn't help but feel humiliated. It was a feeling I had never experienced when I stole Chris from Mira. I began to question myself, wondering why I was trying to hurt someone else when my sole purpose was to make Mira suffer throughout her life.
Rhian chuckled. "Wow, you've changed, huh? I wish I could do that too, but I'm never giving up on Liam."
 
"But what do you mean by not gaining anything?" Sam asked.
 
"If I steal Ace from Sophie, it won't hurt Mira. Maybe she'll be hurt for Sophie, but not the kind of pain I want her to experience." I paused and looked at Rhian. "You like Liam, right?"
 
She nodded in response. "Why?" She asked, feeling confused.
 
"You and Mira have the same interest. She's into Liam too, but the only difference is that she's way closer to him than you are." I said.
 
Rhian flinched at what I said. "You don't have to rub it in my face. I already know, and it drives me crazy to see them together."
 
"I know, that's why I won't stop you. If you want to steal Liam away from Mira, you have my whole support. Especially now that she's already falling for him."
 
"How can you tell? Did she even tell you that?" Sam asked.
 
I chuckled. "No dummy! You can literally see it in her eyes."
 
"But how can I do that when Liam already hates me? Because of her, it's like his dislike for me has doubled. Damn it, I hate that girl!" Rhian hissed.
 
"Remember Liam's Diary that is missing?" I asked them.
 
"What about it? Everyone at school knows about it, and everyone is searching for it like crazy." Rhian replied.
 
"Wait, does Mira have it?"
 
Both Rhian and I were taken aback by Sam's statement.
 
"There's a chance, but I don't think she has it. We all despise Mira, but we know she's not that bold and desperate to do something like that. They're already close and she should've been more aware. Liam is such a mysterious guy, and if he finds out that she has his diary, he'll definitely be angry. He hates people snooping around his personal stuff." Rhian explained.
 
"Exactly." I replied with a sly smirk.
 
They exchanged glances, intrigued by my response. "Are you trying to scheme something?" one of them asked.
 
"No, we are " I corrected them, with a mischievous gleam in my eyes. "But if she ever has the diary, then it will be much easier for us to destroy her."
———
Morning came, and I went straight to Mira's room before finally leaving the house. I knocked and prepared my acting skills before entering.
 
She was surprised to see me. I knew she didn't expect that.
 
"Do you need something?" she asked. In her voice, you can hear her innocence and kindness. That's one of the things I dislike about her. Just with her voice, she can win over anyone.
 
I approached her and held her hand. "I'm sorry for what happened last night, Mira. You know I just don't want to talk about them. I hope you understand me."
 
She quickly pulled her hand away from mine. I could tell she's uncomfortable with my gesture right now, but she's trying not to show it. "I get it. Maybe I don't fully understand why you're like that towards them, especially your mom, but Briana, I hope that whatever you're holding against them, someday you'll find it in your heart to forgive them." I forced a smile. There she goes again, acting all righteous.
 
"Sure," I lied. "Let's go? We might be late." I could sense her discomfort in my presence.
 
"You go ahead. Liam and I will go together." I raised an eyebrow at her statement, but I didn't let her see it.
 
For now, I'll let you enjoy every moment with him, because when the time comes, I'll make sure you won't be able to be with him anymore.
———
I walked towards the cafeteria to meet Rhian and Sam when I noticed a handkerchief dropped on the pathway. I looked ahead and saw Sophie walking with Ken towards the library.
 
I grinned. It seems like destiny is really on my side. I picked up the handkerchief and chased after them.
 
"Sophie, wait!" They stopped and turned to look at me.
 
"Is this yours?" I handed it to her.
 
They exchanged glances, as if they couldn't believe it. She nodded at me and took it. "Th-thank you."
 
"You're welcome." I gave a sweet response and smiled. I was about to leave when Sophie stopped me.
 
"Briana, wait." I grinned even wider. But before I could face her, I quickly removed it.
 
"I just wanted to say thank you. I know I haven't properly thanked you yet, but seriously, thank you because if it weren't for you, Ace and I might not be okay right now." The sincerity in her voice was undeniable.
 
I just smiled at her in response. "I know you've changed, Briana, and I'm happy for that. So friends?" She reached out her hand to me. Ken remained silent, although it was evident that he was surprised by what Sophie did.
 
I smiled back and took her hand. "Friends."
 
I greeted Rhian and Sam with a big smile when I reached their spot. "Oh, why do you have such a big smile?" Rhian asked me.
 
"You won't believe it. Sophie and I are now friends." I said, chuckling.
 
Both of them furrowed their brows. Before they could react, I quickly told them what happened earlier.
 
"Wow, I never expected Sophie to do that. I guess the plan is going smoothly. I mean, we haven't even done anything yet, but they're the ones doing it for us." Sam remarked with a grin.
 
A few moments later, Liam suddenly entered the cafeteria. He seemed to be looking for someone. When he couldn't find who he was looking for, he approached Madison and the rest of the cheer squad and soccer team at the table next to ours. We could hear their conversation loud and clear.
 
"Have you seen Ken and the others? They're not answering my calls." His voice showed irritation. It seems like he has been looking for them since earlier.
 
"Sorry, but we haven't seen them." Madison replied.
 
Before Liam could leave, I stood up and approached him. "Actually, I know where they are."
 
He raised an eyebrow at me. "Don't start again, Briana. I won't fall for your tricks."
 
I chuckled slightly at his statement. "I'm telling the truth, Liam. I saw Ken and Sophie heading towards the library."
 
He stared at me, observing me. "I'm not the Briana that you used to know. If you don't believe me, then see it for yourself."
 
He gave me a glare before leaving.
 
I smirked to myself.
 
Just wait and see, Mira. I'm going to snatch away everything important to you. That includes your precious friends. Especially Liam.