“Hi, Ari! I miss you so much!” Shaine gave me a hug tight soon as I arrived at the campus gate. I wasn't expecting her here, since I didn't tell her to wait for me. But I appreciate what she has done.
“Today is Monday, and we last saw each other last Thursday. Come on, don't be such a miser,” I chuckled. I don't even know if that's the right term to use. Who cares, it's just Shaine anyway. She care less whether you are using the right word or not as long as you're talking to her.
“Who wouldn't if my friend is beyond beautiful?” She smiled and pinched my nose, making me say stop again. That is a bit itchy because her nails are sharp. I should have brought a nail cutter, but no, thanks. She will not be going to like it. Nails are life for her.
“I know that thing, but please don't get addicted by my beauty,” I jested, riding her trip.
Beautiful, huh? Well, I must have appreciated that beauty if only Shan's gonna love me back. My beauty is useless after all. I'm admiring him for many years already, but he still can't see it. Maybe I'm not that showy, or he just wanted us to stay as friends. It's either he saw the signs but he ignored it, or he don't really see us in the future.
“What about eating snacks first?” Shaine halted from walking and blinked her eyes. You know what's runnin' on her head today? Foods and foods.
“Fine.” I raised both of my hands in the air, showing defeat. What should I expect from her? She waited for me outside the gate for some minute that's why I should return the favor to her though I didn't ask her to wait for me.
We go to the cafeteria to answer her crave for foods. I'm also a food lover, but not that much to the point that I always look for it every morning when I wake up. Shaine is the most fan when it comes to food, and we're here at the cafeteria because of her.
“Over there!” she pointed out the vacant table, bringing her tray of foods. We paced toward it as I insist on helping her carry the tray. She ordered many foods, that's why it was a bit heavy.
“Did you eat anything for breakfast, then?” I asked, watching the food from the spoon until it was transferred to her mouth.
“Yes, but I'm still hungry."
I was like, woah. You sure you're still hungry after eating breakfast? I can't even finish a whole burger and a can of soft drink. But she has already eaten her breakfast and still ordering foods in the cafeteria like she was hungry like a horse. I can't believe her stomach for not being full. Maybe she's sick? Oh, no.
“Go ahead and eat,” I said, giving up on asking. I didn't take my order, since I'm not hungry at all. So, I was just watching her while she's eating. Great. I should cover my face with a book, knowing that I might feel hungry once she took a bite of that sandwich. But no need for me to do that. I don't envy foods.
“Girl, give me some chicka!” She gently slapped my shoulder to get my attention.
“Shan ate dinner with us last night. And mom started shipping me to him again,” I narrated to the delight of my gossiper friend here. Her favorite topic was all about me and my long-time crush. But that turns out to be my most hated topic. Why? Because that reminds me of how painful everything was.
“What? Is that serious?” She leaned close to me.
“I just said it.”
“Oh my gosh! Girl, that's so sweet!” She pinched my nose. “So, tell me what happened next.”
“Just the usual dinner. The only difference is that I slept last night with my cheeks blushing.” Until now, I can still feel some redness on it. His words must have lingered on my mind that great.
“Did you at least dreamed about him?”
“Thankfully, I'm not yet on that level of craziness,” I jested.
After Shaine finished eating, I immediately told her for us to go. I can't be so comfortable staying in the cafeteria, thinking that our class might start any moment from now while the two of us are busy talking.
The discussion ended as the students are starting to create a noise again. Shaine's scrolling on her phone as I preferred to just sit on my chair. There's nothing I can do here to kill the boredom. My phone is dead! Thank you, self, for not charging it last night. You got carried away by Shan's words.
“Ari, you have to sign this form.” My classmate approached me, holding a white folder in her right hand. She gave it to me as I searched for my pen.
“Is this already the membership form for the MathSci club?” I asked, signing the space just beside my name, which is reserved for my signature.
“Yeah, you're right. Maybe you can also help the club to recruit more members, if that's okay with you.”
“Sure. I'll give it a try.” I returned the folder to her soon as I finished signing my signature. I don't even know if that's really the club I wanted to join. As far as I'm concerned, that was Shaine's idea and I only said yes because I'm still undecided.
I wandered my eyes around, looking at my classmates. Most of them are busy dancing in TikTok. That toxic dance! They look great dancing on that tune. I'm surrounded with good views as their body kept on moving.
“Ari!” I held my chest when Shaine suddenly appeared on my side.
“What? You startled me, don't you know that? Please normalize lowering your voice.”
“Well, sorry for that. But hey!” She startled me again when she shouted. “He-he, sorry again.”
“What are you supposed to say, hmm? Don't keep saying sorry, you're making my patience getting thinner,” I jested as she giggled.
“Wait. I'll just get something on my bag. Don't go anywhere, okay? I'm going to cry, I swear.” She ran away, laughing. What kind of joke was that? Her bag is just five chairs away from me. Well, that is not her real chair. She was supposed to sit at my back. I don't know why her bag was there.
Seconds after, she's already in front of me. “Tsaran!”
“What's that?” My forehead furrowed on the card she's bringing.
She handed the card to me as I was quick to accept it. “An invitation card for a pool party?” I surprisingly asked.
That was something I didn't expect, huh? People's richness are on the different level now to afford throwing a pool party. But that is less of my concern.
“Yes!” Her eyes gleamed in joy as I was reluctant to open it. “A friend of mine gave me two cards and said I should give the other one to anyone I would like to go to the party with.” Her eyes blinking, definitely waiting to hear a yes from me.
Why am I not surprise? Well, Shaine loves to party. Once you presented the offer to her, she will accept it immediately without second thoughts.
“Look, I know you're a party girl, but I won't be able to accompany you." I hate to burst her excitement, but parties is my less priority. “Maybe you should give that card to other people.” I gave it back to her, making her shoulders go down.
For party people like her, it is such a disappointment if their request to invite you will be refused. Even when she's a friend to me, I still can't accept the invitation just like that.
“But I would love to be with you in the party.” She plastered a smile, still forcing me. “Please?” Here we go again with her please that always made me defeat.
I heaved a deep sigh, glancing at the card. “Give me one good reason why I should accept that.”
No matter how hard I am to refuse her request at the end, I will still surrender just hearing a single please from her. She's my only girl best friend, that's why it's hard to refuse. I can say no, but I later on I will just find myself changing my mind.
“Because having fun is my only escape. I'm still in the process of moving on from my mom's death. And this is the easiest way for me to cope from the pain.” Her voice cracked, but I can still see the curve of her lips.
Two years ago, her mom died due to breast cancer. I witnessed how she was shattered into pieces, her tears, sleepless nights, and her suffering. It's true that she's doing her best to cope up.
I smiled. “Fine. I'm gonna take that as a yes.”