“I THINK you should change your car now, Hapi.”
He closed the magazine that he found in the backseat of his friend’s car. Hapi turned his gaze to Piewie, who was sitting on the passenger’s seat. His friend looked like someone who was possessed by the way his body was twitched just to see him.
“I guess Piewie’s right,” said Mobi, the owner of the car, Piewie’s twin brother. “This is the third time your car broke in one month.”
“You tell Auntie Hazel to buy you a new car. She can afford to go on tours. Buying you a car won’t cost her too much,” Piewie added.
Hapi didn’t respond to his friends, he just turned his gaze outside.
Mobi’s car entered the Lycevm de Royale campus. It was indeed a school for the rich since most of its students were composed of sons and daughters of business tycoons and other prominent people in town. But as for Hapi, he thought he doesn’t belong there. He was Peter Buendia’s son to his mistress. The public must not know about his existence, so he must live discreetly as Hazel Legarda’s son to a nobody.
Hapi was pulled out of his reverie when Mobi suddenly stepped on the break. He could only cuss in silence after his head bumped into the headrest in front of him.
“What the heck?” he said annoyingly.
“Someone stole Mobi’s favorite parking spot,” said Piewie.
“Uh-oh…”
Knowing Mobi’s attitude, he wouldn’t be surprised that he got off his car angrily and snarled at the girl who stole his favorite parking spot. What amazed Hapi was the girl who dares to talk back to his friend. The girl was brave, she didn’t even blink an eye. While other girls on the campus would choose to run away the moment they crossed paths with Mobi. Though his friend was a campus figure, no one is ever fond of him because of his attitude.
Hapi decided to get off the car too when he saw that his friend was about to lose his temper.
“Calm down, Mobi.” He pulled him away. “She’s just a girl.”
The girl turned to him with her mouth wide open. Hapi didn’t know why she was staring at him as if she was bewitched or something. But he found it a little entertaining. It gave him the chance to assess her.
She was pretty. Her round eyes made her look charming, medium in height for a typical Filipina. Her nose was pointy like those of Spanish origin. She was a bit chubby, but she got all her curves in the right places. Her fashion sense was kinda simple, but he loves how it made her look decent.
Soon, the girl recovered.
She poked his forehead and said, “Tell your driver to drive safely! This may be his favorite parking spot, but it doesn’t mean that he owns it. Does he even have proof that he bought this piece of land?”
Mobi’s facial expression got even darker. But instead of correcting the girl’s misconception about him, Hapi just laughed at it. Piewie finally got off the car and went to his side.
“And who is he? Your bodyguard?” The girl pointed to Piewie and scoffed. “You even got twin minions here.”
Hapi and Piewie couldn’t help but laugh again, while Mobi looked like he was trapped between heaven and earth.
“Get your bike out of my spot!” Mobi yelled. “Or I’ll run over it.”
At that point, they already got the attention of other students in the parking lot.
Then, a car honked from behind. It was a pink Audi, and he knew whom it belongs to. After a few seconds, Ruby stepped out of her car. She was their childhood friend.
“Gosh, Mobi. Your stupid pick-up truck’s blocking the way. How can I park my Audi?” Ruby flipped her hair and turned her gaze to the girl. “So, you’re back to school, Sapphire?”
“So, her name’s Sapphire…” said Hapi.
“You know her, Ruby?” asked Piewie.
“She happens to be my estranged cousin.” Ruby rolled her eyes. She crossed her arms over her chest and turned to the bicycle. “A bicycle? Seriously? Eww, how cheap of you. If I were you, I’d ask Grandpa for a car.”
“It’s none of your business,” Sapphire countered.
“Whoa!” Hapi whistled. He couldn’t help himself. He was already fond of Sapphire.
He felt the tension between the girls. Hapi thought Ruby will argue with her cousin, but she chose to hop inside the car and look for another spot to park. While Mobi stood still on his favorite spot, not willing to give up.
“Hey…” He held Sapphire by the arm.
She turned to him and glared. “What?”
“There’s a designated parking for motorcycles and bicycles,” he told her.
“O-oh, really?” Sapphire scowled at Mobi. “You should have told me about it instead of arguing with me.”
“Come follow me,” Hapi let go of her arm.
He ushered her to the bicycle parking near the soccer field. Hapi even helped her to secure her bike.
“So, your Ruby’s cousin,” he said afterwards.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
Hapi laughed out loud.
Sapphire’s nose crinkled. “I don’t think we would get close. Are you friends with her?”
“Yeah, we’ve been friends since childhood.”
“Don’t get me wrong. You’re not good at choosing friends.”
Hapi put his hands inside his pockets. “Well, I didn’t choose them. They chose me.”
“Eh?” Sapphire cocked her head to the side. It even made her look adorable.
He shook his head and smiled like a fool.
“Anyway, I know this is too much… but… could you show me the way to the administration office? I need to submit my papers.” Sapphire sighed.
“Ah, sure.”
Hapi and Sapphire walked side by side as they entered the building where the administration office is located. They were almost there when the bell rang.
“Oh! I think you should go,” Sapphire told him.
“It’s okay. We’re almost there anyway.” He beamed.
“Don’t blame me if your prof marks you late.”
“It’s fine. We’re here.” Hapi opened the door for her.
“Thank you.” Sapphire adjusted the strap of her bag. “By the way, I’m Sapphire.”
She stretched a hand to him for a handshake that he gladly accepted. Tickling volts crept all over his system the moment their hands met. Hapi wasn’t sure if that was Science or sorcery. All he knew was Sapphire would bring change in his life from now on.
“I’m Hapi.”
“It would be nice if I know your name.”
“My name’s Hapi, H-A-P-I. Harold Pierce if you want it long.”