by Abby Osuna
him properly. I blinked, thinking maybe my eyes were just fooling me.
"Hey Kristine, Drei!" Anthony suddenly squeezed beside us, Kris right behind him.
"Wait here okay? I'll be right back." I said, leaving them, just as they arrived.
"Where's she going?" Kris asked his twin.
Kristine shrugged.
I squeezed past the crowd and finally got near him. I wasn't mistaking.
"Park Ju Won?" I asked him.
"Andrea Ham---!"
I hugged him before he could blurt out my old surname. "Tullieno now, Ju Won. Tullieno." I whispered.
"Oh. Right. Sorry." He said and hugged me tighter.
"Ow!" I pulled away.
The eyes of the people around were on us. I felt uneasy.
"Err. Are you with anyone? I mean a friend."
"No. Good thing you found me. I was getting a little uncomfortable." He whispered.
"Let's sit there, beside my friends." I offered.
We returned to where I sat, past all the curious gazes.
"Hey guys. This is Park---"
"Jonathan Park," he said. "I use my english name now." He whispered to me.
Anthony and the twins looked confused, but still welcomed him.
By the time we settled, the assembly started.
"I heard there's a new teacher." Kristine told Jonathan and me.
"Really?" I answered.
Then the program commenced. "Drew's here too." I whispered to Jonathan.
"I know." He smiled.
Then the new teacher entered the stage, causing the girls to giggle.
I looked up and saw a familiar Englishman waving and smiling to the delighted audience.
My jaw dropped. Jonathan patted my leg.
**
Chapter 3
"You didn't ask about Drew's present job, so I thought you knew!" Jonathan protested.
I sighed. Whether I like it or not, he had a point.
Mr. Champ then arrived at the parking lot and stopped right in front of us. Jonathan opened the
door for me, and I almost jumped at the sight of Drew inside.
"Drew!" I cried.
"Surprised to see me again, young lady?" Drew moved to his left, giving room for Jonathan and me.
"Hey Bro," Jonathan smiled as we settled in our seats.
I turned to Drew and was about to throw him a load of questions, but he was quicker.
"I will answer everything when we get home," he raised a hand to stop me.
Defeated, I closed my mouth. Only my mom and my uncle could silence me like this.
Drew was the youngest brother of my late dad. He has always been a big brother to me, since
the gap was just six years. When Dad died, he immediately transformed from a big bro to a
second father to me. He looked after me when Mom was away, just like Dad. But because our
security has been shaky lately, he preferred not to reveal our blood relation to anyone, making
us look like a couple.
Jonathan, on the other hand, was my bestfriend ever since I could remember. He grew up in
England like me, but still his parents tried to raise him like any other normal Korean kid. He still spoke their native language, just like me, making us outgrow the English accent as we got older.
I shifted in my seat, as the silence in the car grew more awkward. I cleared my throat to break it, not knowing what to say next. I looked at the guys on my sides, hoping one of them would bring
up a topic, but none did. Both of them seemed to be enjoying the silence.
Then, my phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey Drei! It's me, Kristine. You free on friday?"
I blinked, forgetting I gave her my phone number earlier.
"Friday?" I glanced at Drew, who furrowed his brows, "I'll check my schedule." Jonathan and Drew frowned at the sound of my reply. Some celebrity, huh?
"Go check it now. I'll call you later, okay?"
Before I could ask her further about the event on Friday, she hung up.
"I've checked your schedule Ma'am, and you do not have any engagements this coming Friday,"
Jonathan mimicked their butler, holding out his hands as if reading an itinerary.
"Cut it out," I shooed him away, silently cursing my reply.
"Who was that?" Drew asked. He was strangely serious this evening.
"Kristine, my new---"
"Close friend," Jonathan finished for me. I elbowed his side, just as Mr. Champ pulled into our driveway. Still holding his aching side, Jonathan opened his side of the car, and we followed him
out.
"How many times do I have to tell you, I'm straight!' I whispered to Jonathan, as Drew walked in front of us.
"Yeah? Well, prove it," Jonathan demanded.
I gaped. He was acting strange lately. "How?"
"Get yourself a boyf---"
"What are you two talking about in hushed voices?" Drew faced us, causing us to stop dead in our tracks.
"Nothing," we said at once.
He narrowed his eyes at us, but decided to drop it. He continued walking, finally entering the
house now.
Nanny opened the door, wearing a serious face. She smiled faintly, making me grow ridiculously
nervous all of a sudden.
We entered the living room, and my heart almost dropped at the sight of the familiar woman
seated on the couch, her back on us.
Drew and Jonathan stopped, but I advanced with baby steps.
I wasn’t quite sure who it was, but when I got nearer, I could not believe my eyes.
"M-Mom?"
She turned, both with a look of happiness and anxiety.
I ran toward her, giving her a big hug.
"When did you arrive?" I asked, sounding like a little girl again.
"Just this morning," she smiled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
"I missed you mom," hugging her again.
She recounted what happened to her since she left. The security concerns have kept her busy
since Dad died.
"You shouldn't trust anyone Drei," Mom told me with utmost concern.
"I know Mom. And besides, Drew and Jonathan are always with me," I assured her.
We ate our dinner almost wordlessly. We seemed like lost in our own little worlds.
"By the way mom," I broke the silence.
She looked at me.
"Who was the victim? I mean, you said Dad witnessed a murder, right?" I spoke the words as if the events happened in ordinary days. My mom winced.
"Sorry mom, I shouldn't have asked," I apologized, going back to my meal.
"No, it's okay Drei. I know you would eventually ask. The investigators told me it was a guy
named---"
My phone rang.
We just looked at each other for a moment.
"Go answer it Drei," Mom told me.
With obvious hesitation, I reluctantly answered it.
"Hello?"
"So you've checked your schedule already?"
Kristine. I totally forgot about her invitation.
"Uhh yea," I lied.
"Great! I know you would never let me---- Hey!"
Then I heard the phone was grabbed by someone else.
"If you really don't want to come, it's okay Drei," a guy's voice said.
Silence.
"Oh, sorry. It's me, Anthony. It's my parent's anniversary this Friday, and they allowed me to invite some friends too," he explained.
"Oh. I see. No, it's fine. I have nothing to do this Friday," I said.
"Really? Great! Uhhh I mean, that's great that Kristine won't get bored being the only girl in the lot."
Was it only my imagination, or did he really sound excited?
"Give me back my phone!" Kristine's voice loud in the background.
"Thanks Drei. See you!"
He hung up.
I hurrie
d to the dining room, remembering Mom was there.
***
Chapter 4
Mom left the day after for some reason I do not know of. When I asked Drew, he had the same
answer just like before: security.
The days went by in a blur. I didn't exactly notice each single day because I was bothered by
the situation in the family. Mom has always been... on the run.
I closed the door of my locker, and almost jumped when I realized there was someone beside
me.
"You almost gave me an attack," I told Kristine, who was smiling broadly.
She pretended to frown, but her eyes were still smiling.
"Don't you realize it's Friday already?" she beamed once more.
My mind was blank. "And?"
"We're going to Anthony's!" she shrieked, the excitement almost tangible.
I processed what she said for a moment.
I blinked. "Tonight's the party?"
"Yessssss," her smile growing even bigger.
Before I could ask her about what to do, she spoke up. "We're dressing up at your place. I
bought a gift for the both of us, so you don't need to worry about that," she said.
"Thanks. I'll make up to you," I said.
"A treat or a sleepover would do," she winked.
~
School was over before I knew it.
We waited at the parking lot for Mr. Champ, while Kris and Anthony were at practice.
"Err. Do you think they'll make it in time for the party?" I asked Kristine, referring to Kris and Anthony.
"Kris and Anthony? Sure they will. You just don't know how fast those boys can dress up," she said confidently.
Just then Mr. Champ pulled into the parking lot and Kristine and I climbed inside. We dropped
by her house first, to fetch her things and the gifts, then we went home.
I left Kristine at my room and I went to the kitchen to ask Nanny if she could fix us a snack when
my phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Drei? Anthony," he whispered.
"Oh. Is practice over?" I asked, trying to sound as casual as I could.
"Almost. Are you getting ready?" He whispered again.
"Yea. Kristine's here at my house now. Wait, why are you whispering?" I managed to ask.
"This is Kris's phone," I could almost hear the mischievous smile in his voice.
"Oh. Return it before he finds out. We'll call later when we're ready," I said, then I hung up.
I smiled as I entered the kitchen, which surprised Nanny.
"Something funny, Andrea?" she asked.
"No, nothing Nanny. A friend just called," I answered honestly.
"A friend," she repeated, eyeing me suspiciously.
"What?" I asked, getting the hint.
"Nothing dear. Need me to do anything for you?" she asked, still with the teasing tone.
"Uhh. I was wondering if you could fix us a snack before we dress up," I smiled shyly. Though Nanny took care of me since birth, I respect her like a second Mom.
"Of course, of course." She answered and was off to the fridge immediately.
"Thanks Nanny!" I called out, then climbed upstairs again.
~
"Where are you?" Kristine was booming to her phone. She was calling Kris for a good fifteen minutes and he picked up just now.
"Good. Ring me up when you've arrived. You understand the directions right?" She demanded to her twin. I assumed he just affirmed then hung up.
I just looked at her, and was hiding my amusement while doing so. Her big fuss about this event
was very obvious. She really likes Anthony.
"They're on the way. He actually said that they were coming any minute----"
A car honked.
"Now," she finished then literally dragged me downstairs.
She set our things on the table in the living room while Nanny and I let Kris and Anthony in.
I didn't meet Anthony's eyes when I saw the both of them. I didn't know what I was so shy about.
We entered the house, then Anthony and Kris looked at me like they've never seen me outside.
"Wow Drei. You look---"
"Beautiful," Kris finished the sentence for Anthony.
Noticing that Kris was still looking at me, Anthony moved toward the living room, finding Kristine
fixing the gifts.
"Hey Kristine. You look pretty tonight," I heard him say. Pretty? Was that what he wanted to say to me too? I thought.
I smiled at Kris shyly. Kristine and Anthony were right beside us seconds later.
"Ready?" Kristine asked us excitedly.
The three of us nodded and we went outside to Kris's car.
I entered the passenger's seat and Kris rounded the car and climbed on the seat behind the
wheel. Kristine and Anthony were still chatting when I entered and I was surprised when
Anthony was suddenly beside me.
He settled himself in his seat while Kristine climbed in, with a look that made me think she didn't like the seat plan.
Kris glanced at us, but said nothing. When Kristine was settled, Anthony placed the gifts on the
empty front seat.
~
The party was filled by distinguished guests. I saw businessmen here and there, and even
caught a glimpse of a celebrity or two.
Anthony's parents were ideal. They were celebrating their silver anniversary tonight.
"You ready to go?" Anthony approached our table.
"Where?" I asked, clueless.
"We're going somewhere fun," Kris told me with a mischievous smile.
"We're ready!" Kristine beamed then tugged at my hand.
I raised my eyebrows and the twins stood up. I looked at Anthony and he smiled. "Let's go," he called out to everyone, but eyes still on mine.
~
"Where's Kris?" Anthony asked Kristine and me, as we settled ourselves in the backseat.
I shrugged. "I don't know," Kristine answered for me.
Just then someone knocked on the window, and I looked up to see he was on my side.
I was shocked when I recognized him.
"Jonathan?" I said, and he knocked again, gesturing me to open the window.
"What are you doing here?" I asked as I opened the door.
"Drew told me you were here and---" he trailed off.
I rolled my eyes. "He asked you to follow me."
"Well, yea. Kind of," he answered shyly.
"Hi Jonathan! Come with us," Kristine suddenly tugged at his arm, pulling him in.
He closed the door and sat beside me.
"Let's go Anthony. Let's just call Kris when we get there. Besides, he can use his car." Kristine had a point. We were using Anthony's car anyway. But wouldn't that seem like we left Kris
behind?
Reluctantly, Anthony started the engine and we were on our way.
~
Kristine and Anthony didn't give me even the slightest hint about where we were actually going.
When I saw the place, I couldn't believe my eyes. An Amusement Park.
"Wow," Jonathan and I said, sounding like little kids again.
Anthony cut off the engine and we climbed out of the car. "Kristine, would you hold this for me?
I'm leaving my coat in the car." Anthony tossed the keys to Kristine, and she slid them in her pouch.
Jonathan was so excited, he pulled Kristine toward a ride. I looked at him, a little confused.
Maybe he thought I was the one he was pulling away.
That left Anthony and me, standing awkwardly at the entrance.
I cleared my throat.
"Where is everybody? I mean, isn't this supposed to be crowded?" I asked him, still not looking at him.
"They closed early today." He answered.
"What? So we can't use the rides?" I looked at him, and was taken aback when I realized he took off his coat. He
was wearing a baby pink long sleeves, that looked so good on him.
He shook his head.
I gave him a 'what?' look and he smiled.
"We can use them. My parents own the place, and they closed early to let us use the rides," he smiled.
"Really? Wow," I said again, like a little child.
"The kids at the party were here the whole day, before they went to party. So we can use the
place freely," his eyes were filled with excitement now, like a little child.
I blinked, trying to digest what was happening. Before I could ask again, he pulled me toward a
ride and before I knew it, I was locked on the roller coaster seat.
~
The place was so big that we didn't even bumped into Kristine and Jonathan. Maybe she was
having a great time with him.
Anthony and I sat on a bench, laughing our hearts out after going into the horror house twice.
We were making fun of the ghosts inside.
While still catching my breath, I found myself staring at the ferris wheel.
"You want to try that?" He asked.
"No, I'm afraid of----" he pulled my hand and started running toward it. "Heights!" I panted.
~
Just like I expected, the ferris wheel wasn't exactly my ride. But it was worth it. Anthony was so
fun to be with.
We sat on the ferris wheel cab until after the ride. That's the privilege you get when you're with
the only son of the owner.
Anthony let the operator rest already, since we had no intention of doing the ride again. He
looked so concerned when looked like I was going to vomit after.
"So, you're an only child too?" Anthony asked me as we were enjoying the cool evening breeze.
"Yea," I nodded. Usually, I feel uneasy when other people ask me personal questions. But
Anthony made me comfortable.
"Where're your parents now? Still in England?" he asked further.
I explained about them, but left out the part why Dad died.
"Sorry to hear that. I shouldn't have asked," he apologized.
"No, it's okay," I assured him.
Just then the ferris wheel suddenly jolted, moving us higher.
"What's happening?" I rattled, holding on to the seat.
"The operator probably forgot to tighten the lock," he said, and he looked down.
Just then, the ferris wheel suddenly stopped, landing us on the top of the wheel. I froze.
"You okay Drei?" He looked concerned again.
"Yea." I swallowed. "I'll get used to it." I said, closing my eyes.