Exact Opposites

by Abby Osuna

Oh come on. It’s Saturday and I stil have to be up early? I shut my eyes tighter, willing myself not to hear the voice again.

  “Drei?”

  There it goes again. Nanny, won’t you just leave me alone?

  “We’re almost there.”

  Nanny? With voice like that?

  Finally, I opened my eyes and saw a dashboard in front of me. I realized I was in someone’s

  car. In…

  “Good morning!” Anthony greeted me as I straightened up in my seat.

  I spent the next moments staring blankly at the road dimmed by the night.

  “I’m sorry.” I mumbled, realization sinking in.

  “For falling asleep?” he chuckled. “I’m the one who’s supposed to apologize. I was on the phone

  too long and I even spent more time taking pictures of the scene outside, so no wonder you

  dozed off. And besides, I should’ve known you were tired. Your ankle has been making usual

  tasks harder to do.”

  I blinked absentmindedly. It was difficult to handle sleepiness and embarrassment at the same

  time.

  “Are you okay?”

  I nodded once.

  He laughed softly. “Guess you’re stil shaking off sleep. Wel , don’t bother. Save some of it

  ‘cause we’re blocks away from your house.”

  As he said that, I took in the road we were on and realized he was right. I felt so embarrassed

  for falling asleep like that. I can’t even look at him.

  Silence filled the car as we neared our house. He was pulling into the driveway when I noticed

  someone opening the front door.

  Anthony cut the engine off. Before we got out the car, I glanced at the open front door and

  realized there were two figures emerging to meet us. But I only saw the tall guy. The other

  person was behind him.

  I shut the car door and took a few steps forward. Anthony’s eyes were already on me when I

  looked at him. I nodded slightly and we started toward the house.

  As we got close, I realized the guy was Drew, with a meaningful smile on his face. I made a

  mental note to erase that look once I got near him.

  My uncle cleared his throat before speaking. “You’ve kept us waiting,” his tone with pretentious

  resentment. Wait till I speak to you after this, Drew.

  Just then the person behind him showed up.

  “Mom!” I hugged her, momentarily forgetting everyone around me, even Anthony.

  She squeezed me tightly. “I miss you.”

  Again, Drew cleared his throat.

  I was pulled back to the present and I turned to Anthony. “Right. Uhh Anthony, this is my Mom,

  Mom this is Anthony.”

  “Your…?” Drew continued and I elbowed his side. “Ow!” he complained silently.

  Mom smiled politely at Anthony and it surprised me that he returned it with a shy grin. He used

  to be so confident when he faces people.

  She gestured that we all go inside. Anthony fell in step beside her as we entered, continuing

  their conversation. Drew smiled mischievously on my side as I glared at him.

  “When did she arrive?” I asked, ignoring his silent tease.

  “Shortly after you called. But I explained to her that you were with someone safe so she need not worry.”

  “Thanks.” I said shyly.

  “Anytime.” He ruffled my hair, just in time Anthony glanced at us and Mom disappeared into the

  kitchen. Why did he always have to see that?

  I smiled sheepishly at him. “Err. Thanks again, Drew.” I told my uncle. He understood the cue

  and left.

  “Your mom’s real y nice,” Anthony said as I neared him.

  I smiled in affirmation.

  Dinner was served shortly as we settled at the dining table.

  “Mom, maybe Anthony needs to go already. It’s late,” I told her as she set a dish in front of us

  and Nanny placed the glasses.

  “I just called his parents. They said it was okay,” she winked at me.

  What?

  “Uhh, real y?” I answered stupidly.

  “Yes.” Drew appeared from nowhere and took an apple from the centerpiece. He vanished from

  sight just as abruptly as he appeared.

  “Aren’t you joining us?” I asked Mom as she emerged from the kitchen again.

  “We’ve already eaten,” she placed the dessert in front of us and left. “Enjoy!”

  I looked at Anthony from across the table and he shot me a consoling smile.

  “I’m sorry if---“

  “Now I see what you mean when you said that Drew was a family friend.”

  I just stared at him.

  He looked at the food set in front of us and helped himself.

  “Uhh yea.” I said, and tried to act casual. I took a serve of the dish closest to me and stuffed it inside my mouth. If he only knew. Drew is family.

  We were silent all throughout the meal.

  Just as we were about to join my Mom and Drew in the living room, his phone rang.

  After a few seconds of listening, he said yes to the caller and hung up.

  “I have to go, Drei.” He said almost regretfully.

  “Okay. It’s getting late too. Drive safely.”

  Mom and Drew waved him goodbye as we passed the living room. I walked him outside.

  “Thanks for the evening,” he said as we got out of the front door.

  “Why are you thanking me? I’m the one who’s supposed to thank you.”

  He shrugged, and I almost laughed at the gesture. It was so out of character. In school, he was

  always prim and proper, polite and all the qualities that a typical nice guy has.

  I was about to say something when I felt something wet on my shoulder. Then on my arm, and

  on my face.

  “You better get inside, it’s raining,” he nodded toward the house.

  I looked up and saw raindrops slowly falling from the sky.

  I nodded. “Drive safely, okay?”

  “Wil do,” that appealing smile spreading on his face as he opened the door.

  I turned and started trotting toward the house.

  I heard the engine come to life as I reached the front door. I turned and saw his car leaving the

  driveway. I remembered those scenes in the movies where the one left behind waves at the

  back of the moving car. Drivers can see that, their eyes are on the road! Smiling at the

  ridiculous thought, I entered and smacked at someone’s chest.

  I rubbed my nose.

  “Smiling to yourself, eh?” Drew wore that irritating smile again.

  “I am not,” I denied.

  “My little niece is in---“

  “STOP!” I shouted at him, just as Mom appeared.

  “Drei,” her tone that of a scold.

  “Sorry.”

  “I was teasing her, Lea. It’s okay,” Drew assured her.

  An awkward silence hung in the air as we entered the living room. I suddenly felt like I wanted to

  run upstairs to my room and call it a day but I knew that would be a bad idea. Mom was home

  too rarely that I couldn’t waste even a minute away from her.

  Drew and I seated on the couch and Mom on the separate, shorter sofa.

  “I have something to tell you Drei,” Mom said. She was obviously not in the teasing mode

  anymore.

  I listened intently. I glanced at Drew and by the look of his face, I knew he was already informed

  of this.

  “When I called Anthony’s parents, I learned he’s not the guy you think he is.”

  I felt my eyes grow wider as I waited for my mom to continue.

  She sighed. It was as if she was struggling for the right words.

  “He knows the victim.”<
br />
  At first, I didn’t know what she was talking about. And after a few seconds, realization kicked in.

  “Okay.” I answered ignorantly.

  “You don’t understand.”

  I raised my eyebrows questioningly.

  “The victim was once a member of the syndicate. He was a high-ranking official and he

  suddenly wanted to withdraw from the organization. That’s why he was kil ed.”

  I struggled to keep up with what she was saying.

  “Your Dad was within the vicinity that night and he heard someone pleading. He followed the

  noise, trying his best not to let his presence known. But his phone rang, which gave him away.

  The members saw his plate number that’s why he got traced.”

  I stared at my mom intently.

  “You know how he died, don’t you?”

  I nodded stiffly. “How did the victim have anything to do with Anthony?”

  “I hope I’m wrong Drei.”

  I narrowed my eyes in confusion.

  “But Drew told me that Anthony’s surname is---“

  “Tierro,” I finished for her.

  She was silent.

  I gasped.

  “So the victim’s also a---“

  “Tierro.” She repeated what I just said.

  ~

  Chapter 16

  “I recognized his mom’s voice over the phone.”

  I stared at my Mom, waiting for her to continue.

  “You know his Mom?”

  “His parents,” she corrected.

  I heard Drew yawn as he sat beside me. If this was any other situation, I could’ve snapped ‘bed

  time?’ at Drew but this time I couldn’t bring myself to do so. The situation was difficult than I

  thought.

  When my Mom realized I was too puzzled to speak, she continued.

  “I attended the funeral of her husband’s brother.”

  I processed the words.

  “Anthony’s uncle?”

  She nodded. “He was the victim.”

  Anthony’s uncle was once a high-ranking officer of a syndicate? I couldn’t believe it. Who

  could’ve thought…

  “You cannot let him know this, Drei.” Her voice broke my train of thought.

  I blinked. “Anthony? You think he doesn’t know yet?”

  “Way back at the funeral, his mom told me so. But I don’t know now.”

  “It’s safest not to let him know, Drei.” Drew said sleepily.

  I nodded, still lost in thought.

  My Mom stifled a yawn and I realized the two of them must be tired.

  “Why don’t we all rest now? It’s been a long day,” I said to them.

  They agreed and we all headed upstairs. After giving her a goodnight hug, my Mom headed to

  her room, and Drew and I went to the opposite direction. When he stays for the night, he uses

  the guest room just next to my room.

  “Good night Drei,” he gave me a one-arm hug.

  “Good night Uncle Drew,” I teased. He scowled at me and entered the room.

  ~

  Saturday was family day for us. Mom stayed with us the whole day. Since my ankle needed

  some rest, we decided to find something fun to do just within the premises of home. Mom and I

  baked my favorite chocolate cake. The boy in Drew was reincarnated, as he was doing boyish

  things while we were busy in the kitchen. He could’ve enjoyed a movie in the living room, but

  instead, he bugged Mom and I while doing the cake which he will also be benefiting from.

  The rest of the day was spent in movie marathon. One horror flick after another was played.

  Though I wasn’t exactly a fan of these movies, Drew insisted. Mom and I had no choice, since

  he always gets his way when it comes to things like these. I suddenly missed Dad. He was the

  only one who could argue with my uncle’s verdict.

  The sun was up when I woke up the next morning. I checked the clock on my bedside table.

  8:00am.

  I rubbed my eyes and sat up in the bed. I think I saw Drew leaning against the wall by the

  window, staring at me. I stared blankly on the foot of the bed, shaking off sleep.

  “Aren’t you greeting me good morning?” I almost jumped at the sound of his voice. I looked up

  and saw that it was indeed Drew leaning against the wall.

  “You ignored me,” he said, as he neared my bed. He perched on the edge, the same spot

  where I was staring at a while ago.

  “Sorry,” was all I could think of saying.

  He reached out and ruffled my hair. Every time he does that, I can’t help but remember

  Anthony.

  “Anything funny?” he asked.

  “Uhh, nothing.”

  “You’re smiling.”

  I removed the covers and I got up from the bed. “Whatever Drew,” and I disappeared inside my

  bathroom.

  I heard him call out something incomprehensible.

  I stuck my head from the door. “Saying something?”

  “No more limping.” He pointed to my unseen ankle. I turned my gaze toward it and noticed he

  was right. It didn’t hurt anymore.

  “Yea. I think I’ve recovered already.” I smiled, trying to circumnavigate my ankle. Surprisingly,

  there was no sign of pain.

  “Good.” Drew muttered mischievously. He lowered his gaze, thinking I didn’t catch that glow in

  his eyes. I eyed him suspiciously. He felt my eyes were on him, so he met my stare.

  “What?”

  After a few seconds of considering what mischief he might be thinking of, I shrugged the matter

  off.

  “Nothing.” I disappeared again into the bathroom.

  When I returned, Drew was holding my phone.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Sending messages.” He answered confidently.

  “To whom?” I pressed further.

  “Some people,” he shrugged and tossed my phone back on the bed.

  People? I stared at him suspiciously and picked up my phone. I checked the sent messages

  and almost wanted to grapple the life out of him. He just told the twins and Anthony to meet me

  at the ice skating rink by 10am. What’s worse was that they all agreed.

  “What is this?”

  “Something fun!” he said as he left the room.

  ~

  “I think you should’ve informed Jonathan too. It’s not fair he misses something like this,” I said to Drew as we entered the mall.

  “You mean something as fun as this?” he teased again.

  I rolled my eyes. “I just don’t want my best friend left out.”

  As the last word was said, someone suddenly jumped from somewhere behind us, beaming.

  “Jonathan!”

  “I was right. It was your voice,” he winked at me.

  “Drew informed you too?”

  “Of course. You think I’m that forgetful to not include him? I used my phone. You almost forgot we’re best buds.” Drew chuckled.

  Jonathan nodded a little too hastily than usual for emphasis.

  We entered the skating rink and saw the twins almost immediately. They were quite a sight.

  “Hi guys! Hi Mr. Hamilton!” Kristine welcomed us.

  I smiled at them. It was obvious that she was delighted to see Jonathan with us. We sat at the

  benches near the entrance, waiting for Anthony.

  A few minutes later, my phone beeped.

  I can’t make it, Drei. Sorry.

  “Let’s get inside, Anthony can’t make it,” I said casual y.

  “Too bad,” Kris muttered. You can say that again.

  Jonathan was talking with the twins as we entered. Drew walked beside me.

  “That’s okay. Don’t think too
much about it. You were together the other night,” he reassured

  me.

  “I’m alright Drew,” I answered him. Why would I get affected? He wasn’t compelled to come.

  Why would he be? We weren’t… together.

  I pushed the thought away as we lined up for the ice skates. I was at the end of the line, and

  Kris was standing to my right.

  “Aren’t you worried someone might see us? I mean, Mr. Hamilton’s with us…” he whispered.

  I blinked. “What?” then I realized what he was referring to.

  “We’re a group, Kris. And besides, we’re not together. Nothing to deny,” I assured him.

  He shrugged. “Okay.” After a moment, he added, “I believe you.”

  Those three words were stuck in my head. I believe you. Why do I have the feeling that it meant something more than what it’s supposed to mean?

  A few minutes later, we were ready to enter the rink. Jonathan and I were chatting happily about

  our favorite moves on ice when I noticed the twins whispering to each other.

  I was about to ask Kristine about the fuzz when someone pulled my arm.

  I turned and saw Drew staring down at me.

  “What?”

  “Did you invite him, too?” he nodded toward his right. I followed the direction and didn’t see who

  he was referring to until someone on the far side of the rink waved at me. From the arrogant

  stance, I knew exactly who it was.

  “Am I that crazy that I’d invite him?” I denied harshly.

  Drew shrugged. “He real y knows when to show up, doesn’t he?”

  I frowned. Get lost, Carl.

  Jonathan entered the rink, with Drew and I following him. I turned to the twins who seemed

  rooted to the spot. Their faces had the same expression that I tried my best not to laugh at

  them.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked them.

  “Err. I know it sounds ridiculous since we agreed to go here…” Kris hesitated for a moment.

  Kristine continued for him. “But we can’t actual y do this.” She smacked her skates lightly

  against the floor.

  I chuckled. “That’s not a problem. We’l teach you! Right, Jonathan?” I knew he was listening so

  I joined him in.

  I wasn’t the least shocked that he was suddenly beside me, wearing a proud smile on his face.

  “With pleasure.”

  Kristine took Jonathan’s outstretched hand, and I held out my hand to Kris. He hesitated for a

  second, then took my hand and finally entered the rink.

  ~