Having heard everything Chelsea said, I gave a thought about it and made for my bag, aiming to write in my diary.
I kept a journal; my trusty friend as I called her. My journal was the only thing I could express my feelings in, and also pour out my hearts and emotions whenever I felt not at ease.
I rummaged in my bag for it, hoping I hadn't misplaced it, as the search didn't go well. "Now, where did I keep it? I'm quite sure I left it in here!" I grumbled hopelessly.
I looked around, under the bed, atop the table, and still there was no sign of it anywhere.
I looked to where Joan was busy with her laptop, and I had no choice but to ask if she had seen it. "Jo, have you seen a yellow thingy with a flower patch on it?"
She curved her lips and gave a negative answer, as I turned to Karen. "Have you?"
My roommate, who entirely hates me now, gave me a "Don't-you-dare-ask-me-anything" look and averted her gaze.
I sighed in frustration, giving a final scan and concluded it was officially lost. Sure hope no one reads it.
I decided to go see Philip the next day, with the help of the address he had given me. Knocking nervously on the door, I imagined the expression on his face and how he would feel when he saw me standing right outside his door.
I made to knock a second time as the door pulled open, revealing a white-hair lad in a cute denim, with no shirt covering his upper form.
"H-hi," I stammered, staring at his well-built abs.
"Um, who are you?" He chewed the gum in his mouth, continuously, and pulled his earpiece out of his ear.
I stopped staring for a second and answered, "I'm sorry, I'm a friend of Philip. Is he home?" I pointed inside.
"You mean MacKenny?"His face twitched. "Oh, you just missed him."
"Ah. Guess I'll have to come back later then." I said, and made to leave as he clasped my hand.
"What's the rush, chica? You in a hurry or something?"
"And why do you care?" I replied with a question.
"Oh, oh! There's no need for that." He let go of my hand. "The name's Xander. What's yours?"
"Can you please just tell Philip that I dropped by?" I ignored his question.
"You do know you're beautiful, right?" He showed his shiny set of teeth.
"Well, can I go now?" I asked in a rude tone, not thanking him.
"Not yet," He inched closer. "Don't tell me you're scared that I'm gonna do something? And besides, I don't bite." He went on, smirking sexily.
"And why should I be?"
He laughed and made a ticking sound with his mouth. "My! You're one tough lady."
I felt the urge to punch him at that moment but stopped. "Look, man. I don't have time for this. So just tell Philip that I came to see him or you can forget all about it!" I hissed and walked away.
I didn't bother going back to my hostel, since it was actually a Saturday and I had nothing doing. I decided to pay Chelsea a surprise visit, and it turned out she was around like I hoped.
We talked about boys, had snacks, played games, and did all kinds of girls' stuff.
Getting to a quarter to three, a knock came on the door and Chelsea made to answer it.
"Chelsea, who's there?"
"Trish," Philip called, as Chelsea made way for him.
I stood up, having no nerves to talk to him, not after all the shunning, as I made to leave. "I'll be going now. I was leaving anyway." I said, and he clasped my hand.
"Trish, please talk to me. Have I done something wrong?"
I bit my lower lip and looked at Chelsea, who gestured to me to say something. I couldn't think of anything better to say, so I just let out the words that came to my mind. "You haven't done anything wrong, Phil. I just want to be left alone." I took my hand from him.
Chelsea's expression grew into an angry one, and she made more signals with her eyes.
Taking a deep breath, I looked back at him and said, "There's something I'd like to tell you." I swallowed hard, looking at Chels. "We won't take long," I said slightly and we went out.
There was a bench seated not so far off from where we were, so we made towards it, sitting on it.
"You wanted to tell me something?" Philip asked, and I looked nervously, thinking of whether to tell him or not.
You can't do this, Tricia. You can't, not with James in the picture. What would happen if he finds out about this? Philip might end up getting into trouble and you would have yourself to blame!
"Hey. What's going on in your mind?" His voice jerked me out of thoughts.
"Phil, I... I'm sorry," I started, taking his hand. "I never should have snapped at you like that. It was totally wrong of me and I know that. Can you ever forgive me?" I pouted my lips.
"Forgive you?" He slanted his body and placed his hand on the bench head. "Trish, I can never be angry with you." He spoke softly. "Come on, I know something must have triggered that. What was it?"
"I... I saw a picture of you and Daphne, so I thought you two were together and..."
"Daphne?" He stared in amazement. You know Daphne Martinez?"
"Sort of," I shrugged my shoulders.
"But what would make you think her and I are a couple?"
"I don't know. Maybe the fluffy red sweaters you two had on made me think that."
"OH. You mean the picture we took last Christmas -" He chuckled and I frowned.
"Great! Now I'm sounding funny."
"Oh, you so are." He laughed again. "You shouldn't have let that get to you. Besides, Daphne and I aren't together anymore."
"So you two were together then?" I inquired like I hadn't known.
"Well, you know, yeah. We were, but it wasn't that..."
"Amorous?" I cut in.
"Yes. That!" He smiled. "So we're good now, or you're still jelly?"
"Haha! Never said I was."
"Oh, your countenance showed it all!" He laughed alongside. "Oh, here -" He stopped and pulled out something from behind.
"Is that..."
"Your diary?! Yes! You dropped it by mistake." He said, and placed it in my hand.
"Oh, gosh! I thought I had lost it!" I held it close to my bosom and asked, "Where did you find it?"
"The library," He winked. "But don't worry, I didn't read it." He assured.
"You didn't?"I gaped at him. "Well, why didn't you? Certainly no one will miss the chance of doing so."
"Uh..."
"There you are! Have been looking everywhere for you two." Chelsea chimed in from behind, as we both turned around. "So you guys are paddy-dallies now, hm?"
We looked at each other and laughed. "We sure are!"