Mom drove us to school, but there was an awkward silence between me and Briana in the backseat. The only sound was the radio playing softly in the car.
I could tell that Mom noticed that Briana and I weren't talking like we used to, and that I didn't seem excited to be going to school with her. Thankfully, Mom decided to stay quiet instead of questioning us.
Mom stopped in front of a convenience store and quickly went inside to buy something, leaving us alone in the car. It felt like we were both alone, even though we were sitting right next to each other. It was such a far cry from how close we used to be.
After a few minutes, a question popped into my mind, so I mustered the courage to ask Briana, "How did you know Rhian?"
She looked at me for a moment, seeming surprised that I approached her. "Why do you care?" She replied with a bit of an attitude, then turned her gaze back out the window.
"I'm just curious," I answered, not letting her bitchy attitude bother me.
She smirked. "Well, since I'm feeling nice today, I'll answer you. I met her at a bar and we became friends. Happy now?"
I didn't bother responding because Mom had returned. She continued driving until we reached the school.
"We're here!" Mom cheerfully exclaimed. "You take care of Briana, okay?" She added, looking at me.
"Yeah, sure." I replied.
"Don't worry about me, Auntie. I'll be fine!" Briana said, sounding like an angel. Yeah, she'll be fine, but I won't because she'll just add to the people I want to avoid at school. Ugh, so frustrating! We waited for Mom to leave before entering the school gate. I walked ahead, leaving her to deal with her own life.
"Hey, aren't you going to accompany me to the faculty? You're probably aware that I'm new here, right?" She said. Her snappy tone never seemed to disappear, even when she was asking for help. Ugh! She was supposed to be in another section, but I don't know why she suddenly became my classmate.
I stopped walking and faced her. "Just go straight when you enter that building. Then turn left, and there's another hallway there. Just keep going straight and then turn right again. You'll find it there," I calmly explained, pointing in the direction with my hand.
She raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? You're really not going to accompany me?"
"No. You're friends with Rhian, right? Ask her for help." I turned away from her and walked off. Even though I had my back turned, I could sense that she rolled her eyes.
"Oh, where's your evil cousin? Wasn't she supposed to be with you today because it's her first day here?" Sophie greeted me as soon as I entered our classroom.
I sat down next to her. "She went to the faculty." I replied.
"By herself? She already knows her way around the school?"
"Nope. I told her to ask Rhian for help and I gave her directions. I don't want to accompany her." I leaned back in my seat.
"Wow, Mira. Is that really you? It seems like your kindness has diminished," she said, sounding surprised.
"What are you talking about?"
"I mean, you refused to help Briana. I thought you would just follow your cousin's lead again."
I sighed. "I'm only like that with her. But when it comes to Rhian, I don't know how to fight back. I don't know why I can't."
"I know why." She said, and I looked at her with confusion. "Because she's a pure devil, and people like you, who are extremely kind, can't easily confront such individuals. She's like Satan's favorite daughter."
I chuckled at her words. "You're too much, but I guess you're right."
"I know," she said, and we both laughed.
Our conversation was interrupted when Liam entered the classroom with Ace and Ken. Ace approached us and started talking to Sophie.
I remembered what happened last night. Liam still helped me even though I refused his help, and he smiled at me. It made me wonder, could we become friends because of his actions?
I peeked at Liam, and he caught me looking at him. He turned his gaze towards me, and our eyes met. His face was blank, and he raised an eyebrow as if asking, "Why are you staring?" I couldn't help but continue looking at him. He rolled his eyes, went back to his phone, and silently mouthed "annoying girl."
What was up with that sudden change? He was so nice the other night, and now he's back to being rude and distant. Who are you really, Liam?
The classroom hushed as Mr. Valdez walked in, followed by Briana, Rhian, and their friend Sam. Briana really did bring them along. Rhian headed straight to her seat, while Briana stayed upfront with our teacher.
"Okay class, settle down!" Mr. Valdez called, grabbing our attention.
"As you can see, you have a new classmate. She's Mira's cousin. Please introduce yourself." He continued. They exchanged looks and whispers. I wasn't surprised by their reactions. I knew they couldn't believe that Briana was my cousin. She's pretty and well put-together unlike me.
After introducing herself, she sat beside Rhian and Sam. I noticed her glance at Ace, and from the way she looked at him, I could tell she had a crush. Sophie also noticed and from her glares at Briana, she was already killing Briana in her mind.
"By the way, Mira, why didn't you accompany your cousin to the faculty? Briana told me that you refused to help her. You know she's new here," Sir said, sounding a bit angry.
This is so annoying, and that witch even went and tattled!
I was about to speak, but Sophie beat me to it. "Sir, it's not like that. Rhian and Sam have been there for her, and Mira and Briana aren't on good terms." She explained.
Sir gave Sophie an angry look. "I'm not talking to you, Sophie. I'm talking to Mira. Just shut your mouth and be silent." I could feel Briana and her gang smirking even though I wasn't looking at them. Mr. Valdez looked at me. "It's your responsibility, Mira, to accompany your cousin. Just because you're not on good terms doesn't mean you can leave her and ask others for help. She's still your cousin."
Is this for real? I can't believe I'm being scolded in front of my classmates. For once, I did take revenge on Briana, but it turns out she's still the one who wins.
"Sorry, Sir." That's all I could say.
"Don't apologize to me. Apologize to your cousin," we locked eyes with Sophie, and from her gaze, it seemed like she was telling me not to do it. I didn't listen to her and looked at Briana. She had a sad face while looking at me. Maybe she was trying to make me feel sorry for her, but behind that sad face, I knew she was smirking.
"Sorry," I said softly while looking at her.
"Sir, it doesn't seem like she's sincere with her apology." Sam chimed in. I took a deep sigh and closed my eyes in frustration. Please, I don't want to apologize to her again. She didn't deserve my apology because she deserved what I did.
"Say it again, Mira." Sir ordered me. Do I have any other choice? I stood up and went to the front while she remained seated.
"I'm sorry, Briana. Please forgive me. It won't happen again." I said, trying to sound sincere, although it might not have come across that way.
———
"Where on earth did your cousin come from? She's so full of evil," Sophie said, annoyed.
We're here at the canteen with Jhea. We're all Senior students. We're in Section 1 and Jhea is in Section 2. We were supposed to be in the same section, but Jhea enrolled late this year, so she ended up in a different section. She was supposed to be Briana's classmate, not us.
"You reacted as if you were the one who looked bad in your classroom earlier." Jhea said.
"Of course, I'm annoyed for Mira. And besides, the way she looked at Ace earlier was so irritating! I just want to smack her!" She was so frustrated that the food in front of her almost got crushed.
"Chill out, okay?" I told her.
"Seriously? I can't because of her attitude. You know, it's like you act like nothing happened earlier. How can you be so chill like that?!" She even stood up and pointed at me while saying that. It's like I'm the enemy here.
"It already happened. And I also admit that it's partly my fault. There's nothing we can do about it now."
She laughed in disbelief. "I really can't believe you, Mira." She sighed heavily as she sat down.
"By the way, are you and Ace official?" Jhea asked.
Sophie remained silent at Jhea's question. "Yup." she said quietly, playing with her food in front of her.
"It feels like just yesterday he was flirting with you, and now you're already together?" I remarked.
"You're unbelievable, Sophie! Although, to be fair, you've always been like that to your relationships." Jhea said, shaking her head.
"Hey, watch your words!" Sophie scolded her.
"Why? It's true." Jhea retorted.
Sophie just sighed and became serious. "But you know, I think he is the right one for me."
"What the hell, Sophie?!" Jhea covered her mouth in disbelief at what Sophie said.
I couldn't help but laugh. "He's the right one? It hasn't even been a month, and you already think he's the one? Are you crazy?!"
"Guys, I promise. This time, I think I'm serious about him, and I can feel that he is too. This isn't just a fling. And why would he bother pursuing me if it's just going to end there, right?" She protested.
Jhea and I exchanged glances. From Sophie's words, it's obvious that she has already fallen for him.
"Speaking of him." Sophie and I turned our heads at what Jhea said. We saw Ace heading towards us.
Before Ace could reach us, Briana approached him. They talked for a few minutes before Briana left.
"Hey babe!" she greeted him and sat next to Sophie.
Sophie removed Ace's arm that was around her. "Stop calling me babe!" This girl is so bipolar. She was praising Ace earlier, and now she's yelling at him.
"Wait, what did I do?" He asked, confused. I suddenly felt sorry for Ace. His cool demeanor disappeared.
"You were talking to Briana earlier, that's why she's jealous." Jhea answered him.
"But you have nothing to be jealous about, babe. Rhian just introduced Briana to me. I don't understand why they needed to introduce us. She already introduced herself in the classroom earlier."
"Then why were you smiling while talking to them?!"
"I just didn't want to be rude. I'm sorry, babe. Let's make up."
For a few minutes, they went back and forth, like a never-ending dance of words. They were acting so strange, like a couple of weirdos. But as time passed, Jhea and I were surprised to see them suddenly being all sweet and affectionate with each other.
"Get a room, you two." Jhea scolded them. They stopped their affectionate display and seemed to realize that they were not alone.
"Wait, Ace, why are you here and where are your friends?" I changed the topic of our conversation.
Ace looked at me annoyingly. What's his problem? I raised an eyebrow at him. "Why don't you just admit that you're looking for Liam?" He grinned.
I gave him a glare. "Are you crazy? No way!"
"You sound guilty, Mira." Ugh! Sophie joined in, teasing me along with her annoying boyfriend.
Jhea let out a deep sigh. "Stop it. There are better guys out there. You'll just get hurt if you get involved with him." She said bitterly.
"Hey, you're going too far. Liam is not like that!" Ace protested.
"With all the girls he's made cry and flirted with, do you really expect me to believe you?" Jhea snapped back.
"Whatever, Jhea." He shifted his gaze from Jhea to me. "But Mira, you're actually beautiful. You're even more beautiful than Rhian, especially compared to your cousin Briana, but the problem is, you just don't know how to fix yourself!"
"Do you really have to rub it in my face?" I retorted.
"Yes." He said without any excuses. "In the future, you'll be a doctor, right? Isn't that your dream? Do you think anyone will take you seriously if you dress and carry yourself like that?" He raised an eyebrow while saying that. He talks as if we're close.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "It's not about how you look, it's about your skills to treat people."
"Times have changed, Mira. You know that it's not just about skills anymore. Even appearance matters now. And I'm not saying this just to say it. I'm telling you this because it's true, and also for your own sake. Are you just going to let Rhian bully you? You know she only has the confidence to bully you because, right now, she's prettier than you."
I don't know what's with this guy and why it feels like something has struck me. I didn't speak for a few minutes as I let Ace's words sink in. After a while, he left too. He mentioned that Ken messaged him and they have soccer practice today.
While Jhea and Sophie were talking, I don't know what came over me. I realized something and blurted it out. "I'm ready." They both looked at me, unable to understand what I was saying.
"Ready with what?" they both asked.
"I'm ready to have a makeover."
I just hope that my decision is the right one.