by Abby Osuna
"Hello Lea."
I waved my hands frantically at Drew. He shouldn't tell Mom! It'll just worry her. And we both
know how she acts when she's worried. To my disappointment, Drew didn't even spare me a
glance. Great. I have to brace myself for what's to come. I limped myself against the couch in
dismissal. I stared at Drew, almost gaping. He was talking to my mom, but I couldn't make out
the words. I was almost in a trance. What would Mom do now?
As if on cue, he hung up. "She has a plan. And you have no choice."
"As always."
"But while she's arranging everything, I'll stay with you here."
"Sleepover?"
"Something like that. But this time, I think it'll last a little longer."
"What do you mean?"
He shrugged. "Depends on how fast your Mom settles everything."
Why do I have the feeling that this is going to be a long week? I sighed. "Did you see anyone
suspicious outside?"
He shook his head. "Not even a shadow. Maybe whoever that was just wanted to give you a
fright. But I'm not letting our guard down. That's why I'm staying with you until everything's fine."
Everything's fine. I winced. When will that ever happen?
~
My alarm clock sounded a little too loud than usual the following morning. I rubbed my eyes and
slowly sat up in my bed. Though I had enough sleep, I still felt drained. After a few more minutes
of staring into nothingness, I hopped out of bed and disappeared into the bathroom to get ready.
Minutes later, I was all set. I slung my bag over my shoulder and was about to open the door
when I heard muffled voices from the outside. My heart thumped loudly in my chest. Did
something happen while I was asleep? Then I heard Drew's muffled laugh. Wait, he was
laughing?
I gathered all the courage I have and finally swung the door opened. I stepped outside and
hurried all the way down to the stairs. I gawked at the sight of Jonathan sitting on the dining
table.
"What are you doing here, Jonathan?" I asked as I approached them.
"Is that the new good morning now?" he feigned offense.
I rolled my eyes. "I thought you could hardly get past your strict Mom."
"Well, something happened last night."
I flinched. "Last night?"
He nodded, taking a bite of his food.
Just then Nanny emerged from the kitchen, carrying a plate and a glass and set it in front of me.
"W-what happened?"
"Secret." He winked. Why was he my best friend again?
I punched his arm. "Ow!"
I glared at him before turning to have my breakfast. Drew was silent, but he threw contented
smiles from time to time. No teasing from my uncle? It made me more anxious. What exactly
was my Mom planning?
Breakfast was done in no time. We found Mr. Champ wiping the windshield as we got outside. If
only this elderly man didn't have grandchildren to take care of, at least Nanny and I had a man
in the house every night. But we can't force him to. Jonathan entered the car first, followed by
me, and Drew.
I thought the ride was going to be silent all the way when suddenly Drew spoke up.
"Your Mom is nearly finished with her plan."
I was really finding it hard to be calm about this whole thing.
"Okay."
"She asked three people to look after you," he continued, oblivious to my unease.
I gave him a questioning look. I pointed out my hand, counting them. "One," I pointed to Drew.
"Two," I pointed to Jonathan who had earphones stuck on his ears. "Three?" I pointed uncertainly to Mr. Champ who was driving. If he had to go home everyday, he wouldn't be able
to look after me effectively. Geez. An eighteen year-old girl needs someone to look after her.
He flicked my forehead. "Almost but not quite."
I rubbed the spot, furrowing my eyebrows at him. "What do you mean?"
"You'll see." Just then we arrived at school, and Mr. Champ pulled up. Drew opened his side, and Jonathan did the same. I followed after Jonathan. Just then I realized that Drew was with
us. What if the students saw him with me? Would they grow suspicious? I gasped. What if a
teacher saw him?
Jonathan's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "You okay?"
I nodded absentmindedly. Just then Drew was beside me, nudging my rib gently. "Someone's
coming."
I almost froze. It wouldn't be a surprise if I suffered a heart attack one of these days. I sighed in relief when I saw Anthony approaching us. He had a bright smile on his face.
"Good morning, Anthony," Drew was the first to speak. He smiled politely and did the same to Jonathan.
"Guess I'll be taking you to the dance, after all."
It took a few seconds for me to understand what he just said. "Why?"
"He's number three," I heard Drew's voice say.
I turned to him with a confused look. Then it hit me. Still with that look, my thumb stuck out
absentmindedly and pointed to Drew in front of me, to Jonathan who was behind me, and
Anthony to my left.
Drew smiled happily and ruffled my hair. "Clever girl."
***
Chapter 21
“Stop it.”
“Why?”
“Just cut it out.”
“I’m supposed to do this.”
I turned and gave Jonathan a duh look. “Do you realize how many girls glared at me these past few days because you were peeping inside the girls’ room?”
He shrugged. “As I said, I’m supposed to do this.”
I almost gawked at him. This whole idea of having three people watch over me felt a little
draining. Drew and Jonathan were so paranoid; they wouldn’t let me leave their sight. Only
Anthony was doing it as discreet as possible. But he was still busy these past few days because
of the activities of the basketbal team, so I real y can’t say if he’s any good of a watcher than
the other two.
Shaking my head in dismissal, I let Jonathan stand by the door of the girl’s room. After a few
minutes, I emerged out of the room only to find that Jonathan was gone. I looked from left to
right, but still no sign of him. Just a few students chatting by the corridor.
Panic surged inside me. What if the person stalking me caught Jonathan? I shook the thought
away. I was getting paranoid like Drew and Jonathan. I scanned the floor I was in. Still, no sign
of him. I went back again to where I started, still with the same result.
I started toward the staircase. As I was about to take the second flight of stairs, someone caught
my arm.
“Why are you alone?”
“Kris! You scared me.” I breathed heavily, as if I was running for hours.
“Sorry. Where’s Jonathan?” he smiled sheepishly.
I cocked my head in thought. “Why?”
He checked his watch. “Oh. I have to go. See you around Drei!” With that he spun on his heel
and went down the stairs again.
I raised an eyebrow. Weird Kris.
Taking the rest of the second staircase to the second floor, I searched for Jonathan. Where did
the Korean boy go? I was still fighting off panic. It was impossible that he was in danger. I
winced at the thought. Calm yourself, Drei.
I was on the end of the corridor when my phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Drei! Where are you?”
“Jonathan! I’m the one who’s supposed to ask that!”
“Sorry, Kristine asked me to accompany her for a while
and I forgot to tell you. I didn’t know she
was planning to leave the school and… I’m just sorry Drei.”
I sighed. I couldn’t blame him. “Okay. I’l call Anthony instead. Drew’s probably busy now. Call
you later.”
“Be careful.”
My eyes widened. This was Jonathan, not Carl. “Right. Bye.”
I retraced my steps and minutes later, I found myself wandering on the school grounds by
myself. I real y didn’t want to disturb Anthony now. School was over, and he was probably in the
gym. Besides, the basketball team was a bit busy lately since the dance was fast approaching.
Wait. The dance!
I sighed. How will I get ready for the dance tomorrow? Kristine helped me a lot during the party
of Anthony’s parents. And now I can’t have her over tomorrow. For security reasons. Again.
Finding an empty bench, I slumped onto it. Just then my arm was yanked by someone who
sped by. Reluctantly keeping up with the person’s pace, I tried my best not to trip over
something on the ground.
I craned my neck to see who it was and felt very relieved that it was Anthony.
“W-where. Are. We. Going?” I panted.
“Don’t talk. Keep running!” We got into his car and were out of the school parking lot in seconds.
Silence hung inside the car.
Clearing my throat, I broke the silence. “What is happening?”
“Someone’s after me,” he said, glancing on the side and rear view mirrors from time to time.
“W-what?”
“Calm down. We’re okay for now. Where’s Jonathan? Why were you alone?” he glanced toward
me. My eyes widened at how appealing he looked despite the sweat. I figured he just left
practice.
Blinking my thoughts away, I straightened in my seat. “Uhh. He’s with Kristine. He didn’t know
that Kristine was planning to leave the school.”
He didn’t respond. For a second I thought he didn’t hear me. I stared at him expectantly.
“He left you?”
“Uhh. I was in the girls’ room,” I defended my best friend.
He nodded, obviously having something in mind.
“Where are we going?”
As if he hadn’t heard me, he continued to focus on the road in front of us.
I cleared my throat. Then his head snapped to me, as if he was just pulled from a trance.
“What was that?”
“Where are we going?” I repeated, using a tone that said it was the most obvious thing in the
world.
“Oh. To Carley’s.”
I blinked in shock. “W-why?”
“We can’t stay in either of our houses since the one stalking you might find us. And as I said a
while ago, there was someone following me. I’ve informed her already, so no worries.”
Still unable to take in what he just said, I leaned my head against the window, feeling drained. I
hate to admit it, but Anthony was right. We can’t stay at our houses since it would be
dangerous. But what if we were just being paranoid? What if that was just a prank?
“Are you sure we should go to their place, Anthony?”
“Hello?”
I looked at him. He was talking to someone on the phone.
“Yes. We’l stay at Carley’s in the meantime. I think we’ll do that. Okay. Call you later.” He hung up. Though he was driving while on the phone, I didn’t feel the slightest worried about us
crashing to another car. His eyes were so focused on the road while speaking.
“Who was that?”
“Andrew.”
I cocked an eyebrow. Drew? So he was okay with this idea?
“He suggested that we skip school tomorrow.”
“WHAT? No!” I exclaimed.
Anthony was silent for the next few minutes. He was obviously lost in thought.
“The situation’s not that alarming that we have to skip school, right?” I continued to babble.
He glanced cast a sidelong glance at me. “I think it is, Drei.”
I slumped lower in my chair. Skip school? Great. What was worse was that Carley was around. I
would have to deal with my insecurities all day long.
“Carley’s fun to be with, Drei,” Anthony said, as if reading my thoughts.
My eyes wandered outside the window. Easy for you to say.
Noticing my uncomfortable silence, he glanced at me again.
“You’l see what I mean soon,” he sent me an assuring smile.
I huffed as I frowned deeper, my head still turned away from him.
Minutes later, Anthony honked the car horn in front of a tall, dark green gate. Soon after, a guy
dressed in security guard uniform was opening the gate, allowing us to drive inside. In front of
me was a three storey high residence. The front garden was well-kept. The lot was wide, as if it
was a hotel of some sort.
Anthony cut off the engine and we started climbing out of the car. He rounded the car
immediately so that he was beside me as we started toward the front door. Still unable to find
something to talk about, I maintained my silence. Drew hadn’t called me ever since Anthony and
I left school. Nor Jonathan. I sighed.
As we took the last step before the front door, it swung open, giving me start. Carley was
standing there, smiling happily. “Hi!”
I didn’t know what happened to me that I lost all energy and enthusiasm to return her greeting. I
just smiled at her.
Anthony chuckled beside me and he gently pushed me inside the door.
“Err. Sorry for disturbing you Ca---“
“It’s fine!” She chirped, suddenly appearing at my side. Why is she so giddy? Just what did
Anthony say to her?
We settled in their living room. I found a large photo of Carley at the wall on the far side. It was so large, it almost covered half of the wall. I gaped at it and when I realized what my expression
was, I immediately wiped it off.
“Carley’s a model,” I heard Anthony’s voice behind me.
“Shh. She doesn’t have to know, Anthony,” Carley muttered.
I turned to face them. “It’d be weird if you weren’t, Carley.” I smiled at her. Final y. I was starting to get the hang of this whole set up.
“I take that as a compliment, Drei. Come here, have a seat.”
Anthony took the seat in front of us, and Carley tapped the spot beside her. I obliged and sat
beside her uncomfortably. Again. My insecurities were beginning to surface.
Just then a woman dressed in maid’s uniform entered the room, carrying a tray of snacks. She
placed it in front of us, and Carley thanked her courteously.
“Oh, by the way. Some friends are coming over tonight. I’m afraid there’s only one room left,”
she took a sip of her juice.
“That’s no problem. Drei can stay in your room, right? I’l take that room.”
She shook her head casual y. “Uh-uh. Zed’s coming too, and he requested that we should
spend the night together. During his whole stay here, it’s the only night we’re together. His
flight’s tomorrow.”
My eyes narrowed intently. Did I hear her right? Zed? Who was that?
“Okay. I won’t impose. Your husband might knock off the life out of me.” Anthony chuckled as
he leaned back in his seat.
I stared at the pair. So Carley has a husband? As soon as a sigh of relief escaped my lips, I
regretted it. Their heads snapped to me and I grabbed my drink just to have something to do. I
couldn’t hold their questioning gazes.
They roared in laughter simultan
eously.
I dropped my gaze to the floor. Stupid stupid Drei. I wish I could melt right now. Ignoring their
laughter, I repeated the conversation in my head.
“Wait!”
They stopped abruptly.
“Err. Where wil I stay tonight?”
Anthony’s smile faltered abruptly.
Carley smirked. “With Anthony.”
This was definitely harder than I thought.
***
Chapter 22
"I'm sorry Drei."
My head snapped up. I heard the faintest crink of my neck. I wish he hadn't heard it. I couldn't
stand anything that might add up to my already full-blown embarrassment. "You don't have to
apologize Anthony."
"But--"
"It's not your fault, okay?" I interrupted him. Even I was surprised at how exhausted I sounded.
His eyes flashed how shocked he was, but he immediately hid it. He looked at some spot
behind me, not meeting my gaze.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you. I'm just--"
"Hey, relax. It's fine," he chuckled, meeting my eyes again.
My embarrassment resurfaced, making me realize how fast I talked seconds ago. I ducked my
head, tugging at the hem of my shirt.
From the corner of my eye, I saw him stand up and go for the door. "If you want to take a
shower, go ahead, okay? I'll just stay outside so you won't feel..." He thought for a minute.
"Funny?" I supplied for him, not able to hide the amusement in my tone. I felt okay all of a sudden when I realized I wasn't the only one uneasy with the situation.
"Yea. That." He turned to face me, having that favorite smile I've grown so accustomed to.
I nodded, suddenly smiling cheekily at him. Oh boy. I think I have a personality disorder. He
nodded slightly, then reached for the door and disappeared behind it.
One moment I feel so down, then before I know it, I'd be okay the next minute. I think I'm going
insane.
I stood up from the bed, stretching my musles a bit. Scanning the room once more, I decided to
pace around it. The bed was large, though I don't have even the slightest idea what size it is. I
think this was the same with Drew's. But I'm not so sure.
I approached the bedside table, and reached for the drawers. When I found out that they
weren't locked, I pulled them open. There was an inspirational book, and a few keys. Realizing I