Chapter 47
"You're really avoiding me, aren't you?" I looked to my side. Tripp Marco Palma's son, after all!
I've been successful for two days avoiding him, but I failed on the third day! Shemay, what am I going to say to Drake if he asks? I don't want to liel
I continued walking and he followed me. What I was carrying was heavy because I had a baking class today! My bag was full of strawberries, there were so many left over that I just took them home. Hehehe.
"No, you're just too sensitive," I just told him. I'm sorry, Tripp. You don't deserve this nonsense I'm doing, but I really love Drake. You probably know that from the way I cried in front of you.
He stopped walking and unconsciously, I stopped too. Okay, I said I should have ignored Tripp. But I really can't. Because I'm No-Tripp-Allowed, every time I have a break, even if it's only an hour, I still go home because I have no one to talk to in Brent. I'm such a friendless person. It makes me cry.
I still have my back to him because I'm in front of him. I don't have the courage to face him because I'm ashamed of what I've been doing to avoid him. I feel so guilty...
I felt him walking towards me. Lord, give me courage! Just a little bit more, I'll give in and talk to Tripp, promise!!
"Happy Birthday. After all, you don't want to talk to me." I felt something cold on my neck, and when I looked, there was a necklace already on me. That's terrible, Tripp! Do you want to make me feel so guilty?!
I held the necklace. It was beautiful, its pendant was two long silver lines with a pink gem at the end. There was a Z engraved on the first and the letter Y on the second. It was gone! I felt so guilty!
When I turned around, I saw Tripp walking away from me. He was so far away. Maybe he didn't hear me when I said, "I miss you.."
I took a taxi home. I have a class later at 4 but it's just a lecture. I don't want to go because I'm afraid to see Tripp. I can't handle the guilt I feel! I feel like I'm a bad person for what I'm doing to him. After all, he's done nothing but make me laugh but what? This is how I retaliated against him, treating him almost like he doesn't exist?
"Alys, why are you idling? Your gowns are upstairs. Go, measure it," mom said. Oh, by the way, my debut is tomorrow. Haaay.
I went up to my room. I thought my debut would be fun because Drake agreed to let me escort him but what happened? I guess I wasn't too happy because Tripp was angry. Life is so confusing!
"You're already ugly, you're getting uglier. Are you really my sister?"
I forgot that my wonderful brother was here!!
I ran to my bed and jumped to strangle Dane. Waah! Dane is the only one making me happy now! It's a good thing he's here now, I thought Felice was with him again...
"You really are! If you talk like I'm not your sister!" I said to her while messing with her hair. Look at her, she doesn't even look four years younger than me! She's taller than me and smarter. Life is so unfair!! And she's daddy and nana's favorite!! So unfair!
He smirked. "Because I'm cool," he said as he continued reading the encyclopedia. It's a good thing he inherited mommy and daddy's intelligent genes I don't want to live my life reading thick hooks So not me.
I took the gowns hanging from my dresser. Why are these placed here?
I went into the cr and measured myself like my beloved mother told me to. Hmmm. I'm so cute!! I finished measuring myself and Dane and I went down to dinner. Dane was holding me in his arms. My brother is so sweet!! That's why he has so many girlfriends. Playboy is so tearful! Even though he's been staying in Cali with Nana and Dada for the past two years, we're still close. We're the only siblings, what choice do we have? Hahaha!
We had dinner and mom showed me the flow of the program. It looked boring!! There were so many 18 something somethings!
After dinner, Dane and I went upstairs. Mommy was busy putting the final touches on my debut and daddy was busy at work. Hmmm.
Dane came to my room because he didn't want to be in his room. I don't know why. I didn't ask because it was better for him to be here.
"Alys," he said. He doesn't call me sister. I'm annoyed! I looked at him. Now, he's looking at my magazines. Is my brother gay?! "Do you believe that the number of girls I played with would be the number of times you would cry because of someone?"
I raised my eyebrows at him. He was English once too, inherited from his mother.
"Why? Did he make you cry a lot??"
He shrugged. "I don't know. But if this is true, I think you should brace yourself for a lot of crying, Alys."
"Happy Birthday, Besh!!"
"Wahl!"
I ran to Aya! It was her first time visiting me at Brent! I usually go to SCA!
Sheen is carrying a cake with a candle in the middle and Kent is clapping as they sing 'Happy Birthday, Alys!' I'm crying!!
I blew out the candle and then hugged them one by one. They are truly true friends who, even though we don't see each other often anymore because I'm separated from school, never forget me.
"Besh, we still have class. Our gift, later tonight, huh?" I nodded and then Kent and Aya said goodbye. Sheen was left behind. Wah! I missed Loves!
"Happy Birthday, Alys," Sheen said while hugging me again. Of course 1 thanked him. "Are you ready for your party later?" I just smiled, because I was nervous in a way I couldn't explain. The whole family and friends would be coming. Even my cousins and the children of mommy and daddy's friends. My gosh! The venue would be packed!
Sheen and I sat on the bench. Luckily I had a free cut today. "I missed you, Sheen!" I told him. He smiled at me. Isn't that great? Before, I was so excited when Sheen smiled, but now, I'm just happy when he smiles.
"I missed you too. Too bad you're not at SCA. How are you doing here? You're probably okay now, right?" He asked.
I just nodded even though the truth is, I'm not okay with this. It's still so sad because the first semester is almost halfway through, and I still don't have any friends. Do they hate me so much just because I'm Drake's girlfriend? Is that reason enough for me to be forever alone with Brent?
"How are you? Do you have a new love life?" I teased him. Well, it's been a while since Kei's been gone! It's time for loves to move on.
Loves just smiled. "Just a third wheel. That's fine."
I'm confused about the third wheel! What does that mean?!
He suddenly stood up. "Okay, I'm leaving too. See you later." He waved and walked back to the SCA. Hmmm. Weird. I asked my playboy brother the meaning of third wheel.
I walked to my room carrying the strawberry shortcake that Sheen and I gave me. Good thing it was in a box! It would be a shame if the judgmental citizens of Brent could see the cake that was evidence that it was the birthday of the woman they hated!!
I met Tripp but instead of smiling at me like he used to... he ignored me.
Is this easier or will it be harder for me?
I turned around but I saw him, he didn't even look at me once. Was he that angry about what I did? I was just following Drake... I don't like that... I miss him so much...
I just went straight to my room even though I was crying because Tripp forgot about my existence. It was my first time losing a friend. Was it painful?
I tried to listen to Ethics class. But since nothing came to mind, I just doodled until I received a text.
From: My boyfriend is gone!
Only you. Happy birthday, Alys.
Wait, wait. Google translate. Sometimes I really don't understand Drake. It's like we're playing a game of decoding the meaning of his text! I was about to type it when my professor caught me. Hehehe. I'll find out the meaning of that Seulement Vous later!
All my classes are over. I haven't seen Tripp because I think he's really avoiding me...
I'm back home. Everything is ready for the debut, all I need to do is get dressed.
I heard a knock. "Come in," I said since I was already wearing my gown again. I had already gotten ready when I arrived. But of course I took a shower first, right!!
"Morm said come down."
"How much is that?" I said to Dane. He left me suddenly!!
I walked slowly down the stairs, because I might have suddenly rolled over in my clothes! It was like he was going to marry me in a white gown! But... wah! Then Drake was wearing a tux. It was like we were going to get married later!!
When mommy saw me, she suddenly hugged me. Wah! Has my cuteness really upgraded to prettyness? I'm about to cry!!
"You've really finally become a woman, my little girl," said mommy, still crying. Oh, how annoying! I'm crying tool Daddy, on the other hand, looks like an idiot for taking pictures of us. Dane is next to him, laughing at mommy and me. It's terrible!
"Mommy... It's my birthday! Let's just celebrate, okay?" I said. Mom nodded. We got in the car. Daddy drove now. Hmmm. It's so new. No one was left at home, just the guards. Even the maids were at the party. Oh, right? It's really complete!
While we were in the car, I texted Drake.
To: My boyfriend is gone!
Where are you?
From: My boyfriend is gone!
On the way.
Yiell I'm so excited, it's annoying!!
We entered the venue. I was wearing the one Tripp gave me... I wanted to invite him but... I don't know how. Haay.
I saw mommy's friends at the venue, Aunt Sara, Aunt Nof, Aunt Kim, Aunt Karen, Uncle Clarence, Uncle Dave, Uncle Leif, dad, Aunt Liana, Aunt Angel, and their children. It's a shamel We weren't schoolmates so we weren't that close. But we were okay because we were almost the same age as Dillon, Clarise, and Dine. Hmmm. Hey, Felice is here too! Dane is excited again!
Hahaha!
"Where's Drake?" mom asked. I replied that he was on his way. Maybe he'll be here in 15 minutes?
I went out first and waited in the lobby.
From: Tripp
Happy Birthday.
Again, Tripp... Why are you doing this to me?
"Drake!" I waved. I saw Drake's car, He rolled down the window and smiled at me. He must have been talking to someone on the phone...
"Drake!" I called him again. Instead of him getting off, wasn't he my escort? Why... did he make a U turn?
Why am I crying again? This is not okay. It's my birthday! Shouldn't I be happy?
I called Drake. I don't want to conclude.
"H-hello, Drake?"
("...I'm really sorry, Alys. I need to go. I really didn't mean to disappoint you. Happy birthday,") he said.
Wow. Happy Birthday, Alys. A very happy birthday...
I don't know how I'm going to get back inside and how I'm going to tell mom, "Hey, mom. Drake can't come. He said he's sorry. What, let's start the program now?"
No, it's not.
This is how I am, I'm so selfish.
calling...
Tripp
("Oh? You got called?") he said. It was obvious from his voice that he was angry with me.
"T-tripp... Come to me here, please..."
("Wait a minute, I don't understand you. Are you crying?")
"P-come to me, please. I-I don't have a partner... Go ahead, Tripp... P-don't leave me alone either..."
I heard him sigh. ("Do you understand what you're saying, Alys? When I get there, I'll make my joke come true. I won't stop you. Are you sure?")
I nodded even though I knew he couldn't see me. I didn't know what I was doing. Is this what they call being full?
"Please, Tripp. I've cried for five times... It's too much... Don't you feel sorry for me? Come to me..."
He hung up. Does Tripp also not like me anymore? Why are you like that, Drake? I let Tripp go because you said so, and now you're going to let me go?
I was about to head back to the venue. I wish Sheen was there... He was the only one left for me... It's terrible... I guess I was too selfish because I liked Drake and Tripp too, I felt guilty when I left him so they disappeared together.
Suddenly someone pulled me.
"I won't stop you, you know that, right?"
I nodded.
"Sorry if I made you come here, Tripp. I didn't know Drake wasn't going to my debut. I was so stupid..."
Tripp hugged me from behind.
"You're really getting old, Alys. Do you know what that means? I'll do anything to make you leave me."
"You're drake"