My father had advised me that once I enter a relationship, I must commit myself to remember small things like anniversaries and birthdays.
Forgetting one of those would likely cause a fight that could lead to one thing or another depending on the weight of importance.
Considering I didn't know it was supposed to be my birthday, I don't think I'm qualified to be a perfect boyfriend.
But I could forget about all of that when Winter was involved. She let me blow the candle and made a wish before sending me to the shower and dropping me off at school.
She said she would be taking a day off from her work and watch over Fifi, to the latter's excitement. A nanny was supposed to be coming instead of our missing mother.
But there was an emergency; hence Winter volunteered to take care of Fifi today. In the back of my mind, I don't think she even needs a guardian.
Harrith High was becoming familiar. By now, I could recognize the group of students who would enter late and the set who preferred to be early.
There were the usual jocks and the pretty girls.
Of course, the girls in Harrith are unusually pretty. It was probably the clean air and water. But among the sea of all pretty faces, there would be those who would stand out.
I mentally shake my head.
What am I even talking about?
Winter was the prettiest woman I ever laid my eyes on.
Floating on cloud nine, I almost skipped on my way inside the campus grounds. On reflex, I became aware of the surroundings, eyeing each side, and was ready to call for Fifi in case there was a monster lurking around again.
From the two encounters I had with different types of monsters, it always seemed to be in broad daylight.
But why?
Was that a pattern?
While I was musing about these details, someone decided to wrap an arm around my neck and brushed their knuckles on my head.
It jerked me out of my thoughts, bringing me back to reality.
The scent of her perfume registered in my nose before I could double-check who it was.
Savvy had me at her mercy, and I couldn't push her off and waited until she let me go. When she did, my heart fluttered, and warmth spread inside my chest.
She pulled something out of her skirt pocket and tossed a small box to me. I caught it midflight, wondering what it was.
"Happy birthday," she stated and then turned to walk away.
I wanted to call out but stopped myself. Questions flooded my mind, and I wondered if she and Exo were a thing.
The box in my hand became an object of concern. I opened it and found a silver bracelet. There was a thin plate that had some inscription on it.
I run my fingers along with the name.
It was Exo's.
His name was etched on it.
I saw a dragon design on the back when I flipped it over.
I was perplexed. But there was no way she knew about my evolving thing.
Without thinking twice, I run after Savvy. There was only one question in my head at the moment.
To my dismay, she ran faster than I had thought. We didn't have the first period together. I don't believe we are in the same class at all.
That complicated things inside my head. How were Exo and Savvy close then? I'm worried that she could be a girlfriend I know nothing about.
What do I do then?
What about Winter?
I mentally shook my head. I didn't have the heart to think about this right now.
Pocketing the box with the bracelet, I went on to attend my class, hoping I would see Winter later.
–
I'm one of those people who wasn't a fan of surprises. My father tried to tell me that I should get used to it.
My mother always surprised my father on their anniversary. One of the many reasons he doesn't forget it.
"Women," my father had lamented to me one day. "They are exceptional human beings. Aside from being multi-taskers, they can remember everything you promised them, especially when it involved taking them out to dinner or buying them gifts."
The thought left me dreading finding out what was the actual relationship between Exo and Savvy. I needed to ask Fifi for help if she was his special someone. Or I could break it off. It didn't seem fair to continue a relationship I didn't even start.
But on the contrary, she seemed like an adorable girl. I wouldn't want to hurt her.
Muttering a curse, I bonked myself in the head and gasped as a hand suddenly grabbed mine.
I didn't have time to figure out who the person was. I got dragged away, leaving me clinging to the hand before pulling myself free and finding Savvy looking at me disapprovingly.
I immediately lowered my head to apologize.
"You didn't even wear it," she expressed, sounding hurt.
I lifted my head and found Savvy looking at my wrist. She looked disappointed.
"Uh... I didn't want to lose it. So, um, I decided to hide it for now."
Savvy held my gaze. Slowly, a smile formed on her lips.
"You're forgiven."
I forced a smile of my own.
'Damn, Exo is in love with this girl?'
My heart fluttered again. Instead of my legs turning jelly, there was a weird sensation inside my belly.
Savvy saved me from overthinking as she tugged on my hand, dragging me along with her.
"But you have yet to be forgiven until you go out with me for today."
"G-go out?"
I was internally screaming for help. But who was there to do so?
Besides, if Savvy was really Exo's girlfriend, I had to do my part. And then, maybe, slowly, break up with her.
I don't want to end up being a jerk. And more importantly, I don't want her to think that Exo was a jerk.
I barely knew the kid, but I can attest that he was not a bad guy.
But I am.