"you have stain on your lower lip," i paused from eating my ice cream when innov crouched and suddenly wiped something on my lower lip.
my brows furrowed. he gave me a small smile.
"you're still the careless vanez i knew, especially in front of the ice cream." he then, added.
"are you making fun of me?" my brows furrowed even more.
he laughed shortly."you're being grumpy again. go on, continue eating your ice cream now. i bet you wouldn't like it more if it melts real hard." he motioned my one gallon ice cream.
"yeah, right..."
i ended up savoring the remaining rocky road, cookies and cream and double dutch ice cream. like what he said earlier, we bought these to fulfill our cravings first before anything else. somehow, i felt at ease and calm. i guess my weekend with him isn't that bad, huh.
after i ate all of it, i rested my back and suddenly burped while caressing my stomach. i stilled, my eyes widened as i glanced at innov who also stilled from his seat.
moments later, we're both laughing our ass off. i pouted in the end because i felt ashame after what i did though he didn't bring it up again after we left the area, i still caught him chuckling and i'm so, so shy.
"what do you wanna buy? feel free, van. buy anything you want, as long as it's not confidential." he asserted while we heading to the escalator.
i scoffed before i speak."i'm not like you,"
"uh-huh? what did i do to be as confidential as you think i am?" he dared and even put his heavy arms on my shoulders.
i irritably removed it away.
"you have different boxes of condom whenever you're going home. by the way, i'm not checking your bag, i'm just accidentally seeing it." i shrugged.
while his mouth left hanging open. i walked out first but he immediately followed me when he finally pulled back his senses.
"what the hell, van? those aren't mine! i think my asshole friends are putting those in my bag every after school. damn them! i'll crack their neck on monday!" he started ranting.
i rolled my eyes."boys are boys, innov. you don't have to deny it 'coz i know every boys has their needs. it's normal." i said like we're really talking about normal things in life.
"hey, hey. i already told you, i'm not that kind! and where did you get that ideas, huh? you're talking like you already gone matured. who's elder among us again?" he peaked at my face.
i harshly moved his face away."no guy can stay dry forever. and yeah, you're the elder among us but you're the most childish as well."
he just frowned because of my bluntness.
my feet brought me to versace area and i don't know why. i'm absent-minded as i entered the glass door. i can feel innov's presence because he never stop following me.
the saleslady greeted and accompanying us.
"hi, ma'am, sir! what are you looking up to? may i know, so i could guide you well?" she continued hovering around us.
i ignored her presence and surveyed the whole place instead, i scanned the top shirts one-by-one.
"hello, lady. i think my sister wants to buy new arrival shirts..." i heard from innov.
"oh, if that's the case then, let me guide her to the right way!" with that, the saleslady went beside me and to her dumbest audacity, she held my arms."this way, ma'am. i'd like to present you our new arrival shirts and skirts---"
"i'm not asking for your guidance, stay away from me!" i blurted that made her jump in shock.
innov immediately went in between."vanez, stop that. she's just doing her job. you should apologize to her." he's shaking his head, very disappointed of my sudden act.
the saleslady bowed her head a multiple times and her hands were trembling. i can see that i really did scare her. but did i ask for her guidance? she's being touchy and it's annoying!
"i don't need your help, i have a taste and i can pick whatever i want. i'm sorry, you can do your job without annoying your costumer."
she bowed her head even more but she nod it repeatedly."y-yes, ma'am. i'm sorry..."
when innov made me face him.
"that's not the apology she deserves to hear. repeat it. make it more sincere." he demanded. i gave him my annoyed look.
but it didn't have an effect on him. in the end, i gave up my pride and sighed. i faced the pale saleslady.
"i'm so sorry. forgive me for what i acted." this time, i made sure i said it with sincerity.
her eyes bewildered. i made a small awkward smile before i felt a hand tapping my shoulder.
"good job, sister."
i rolled my eyes irritably at him."still, damn you."
he helped me choose branded clothes and i'm not that picky so we finished early. he asked me if there's still things i wanna buy but i already declined. the shopping bags i'm holding was already too much.
on our way back to the mansion, for the first time in my life, i feel comfortable with him. i didn't see him as the annoying consuelo i knew, and at the back of my mind, i realized that akira is very lucky to have a brother like him.
after weekend, everything went back to normal. except from the emptiness of the mansion because dad, sharon and akira successfully flew to london while true enough as innov have told me, he didn't come with them because of his upcoming battery exam. it's not that i feel super empty because while growing up, i've been trying to not consider their presence.
but realization hits me.
and i hate to admit that i'm still hurting, thinking that the only family i have can left and resist me.
i hate dad so much, mommy. i don't think i'm still capable of considering him as my father. because as i can see, he never considered me as his daughter.
i left mom's picture frame and decided to go to school now.
"van! hey, van! someone's looking for you! come, come!" my mind wakes up the moment lia crashed in with her lively aura.
i raised my brow at her."is it miller again?" that guy. he's freaking stubborn.
but to my surprise, she shook her head.
"no, it's not him! it's he but not him!"
"what?" i asked, feeling confused even more.
she tsked and grabbed me to stand up from my seat."just let's go outside and you'll see!" she winked and her mysterious smile shown up.
i cringed, goosebumps. is suddenly wondered.
who's who she's talking about?
"she's here!" she proclaimed when we finally left our room.
my brows almost formed in one line when i saw who are in front of me.
"you're really the best, rocelia my loves!" i cringed when vencie pinched my friend's cheeks.
and lia didn't even bother, she looks even flushed and her cheeks turned red as tomatoes. are they flirting exclusively? what the hell.
"what the fuck is happening?" i asked then.
"first cuss, bad shot." vencie mumbled and i couldn't understand.
lia pouted."yuki here wants to say something to you..."
i didn't know why but my chest suddenly became wild. what the? what's happening to me? am i getting nervous? for what? am i now afraid of that meddler?
of course not!
"come on, man. say it." that's when i saw yukenzo beside vencie. he's massaging his both shoulders.
"what? i don't know what you're talking about! can we just go back to the faculty?" yukenzo asked his friend irritably.
i can't help but to intrude.
"what now? i don't came here to just waste my time!" i glanced at my wristwatch.
10 minutes by now and it's already lunch break.
he faced me properly and noticed his look today. nothing's changed, his usual complete uniform, a bit messy hair and glasses that making his chinky eyes looks big. i can also smell baby cologne scent. oh gosh, don't tell me that's what he can only afford?
"congratulations, arnaez." it was a casual greet from my most hated guy in the whole campus.
and i've already heard those words from others. so, i shouldn't feel surprise or somewhat anymore.
but why does it feels like the first time?
he's the last person i'm expecting to greet me that but why does it sounds so good?
goodness, i think i'm getting crazier and crazier. i think i need to consult some specialist because my of my other concern... my abnormal heartbeat.
i only responded 'thank you' and fastly left them there. i'm confused because i shouldn't be affected like that. what just happened?
my feet brought me to the cafe and i realized it's now our lunch break. i didn't even wait for lia. i feel somehow guilty but i'm sure she'll find me rightaway.
i entered the cafeteria and was about to walk straight to the food sections when someone blocked my way. i got wonder while looking at the three girls in front of me. i don't know who are they but i have this suspicion that they are sophomores.
"do you need anything? if none, get out of my way." my first lines got many attention. i can feel everyone's eyes at us now.
the girl in between with a high-ponytail spoke."so, it's true. you're not really just a thick-faced but also, a stinking loser trying to be a superior." my blood immediately boiled.
seems like i'm gonna work my ass with these trolls before i could take my lunch.
"is that the righteous ms. fest? has no breed at all?" says by the girl at the left side, she's wearing sweaters.
i'm puzzled. did she just say breed? what am i, a dog?
the other girl from the right side stepped forward and to my freaking shock, she pushed me away.
"you don't deserve the fame you're gaining! you're just a pain in the ass in this campus! an attention-seeker! delusional winner!"
and i didn't know what happened next, i just feel rigid and so, so mad that i can't see anything but dark. i only want to punch their ugly faces.
"how dare you insulting me! you're the cheapest!" i pointed the middle girl and she looks insulted."and you? you're disgusting little wench!" next is the right girl and the last is the left."you're the dumbest of all of dumb! get it? you're----"
i didn't even finish my words because one of them already pulled my hair. i screamed and the whole cafe started to become a mess.
"fuck you, bitches!" i shouted and i was the one who's pulling their hair now, they can't do anything but to wail and cry.
three versus one? i'm not even sweating.
but my world just stopped and all the hatred gushed on my veins when a filthy hand slapped me. hard and truly painful.
i turned to the owner of that filthy hand and my blood rushed fastly after seeing the stupidest of all.
"why did you slap me?" my voice was calm as i asked azelyn.
she's heavy breathing while looking at my swollen face. i even heard another batch of students went in but i didn't care, one of them was lia but i'm too focused to glance at her.
"van!"
"what's happening here?"
"why the fuck did you slap me, huh?! what is your damn problem, pathetic girl?!" i shouted in front of her face.
i'm very alert when she raised her hand again and ready to slap but i'm faster than what she expected so the table turns. i caught her hand and i gave her a mind-blowing slap.
everyone gasped. her eyes widened as she held her swollen face.
now we're quits.