FIVE years ago
"Good morning, Aunt Windy." From my room, I heard the voice of my best friend, Jomarie.
Why is he so early? I don't want to wake up yet. I was busy kicking my blanket and pillows until it falls down to my bed like a baby having a tantrum when I heard my mom calling my name. I growled and messed up my hair in annoyance.
"Aunt Windy, she's probably sleeping. Would you mind if I enter her room? I'll wake her up." Jomarie volunteered, which had my eyes widened in shock.
"Oh my God! He will come here? What will I do now?" I panicked and starts talking to myself as I stood up and was trying to fix the bed when a door suddenly open.
I froze, and my mouth was agape when my best friend entered my room. My hair was a maze as well as was my room. Damn! I'm so doomed. Joe's eyes widened, and he suddenly turned around.
I tilted my head to the right side and frowned, wondering why he acted like he was seeing a ghost. I immediately looked at my back and turned my eyes around to see if there was really a ghost. But when I confirmed that there was none, I sighed in relief.
I looked back at him and call his name. "Why did you suddenly turn around? Is there something that you could see and I couldn't? He shook his head and pointed fingers at me while he was still facing the door.
"We are teenage now, Gracey. You should be aware of what you were wearing." My brows knitted and looked at the set of pajamas that I was wearing.
My eyes widened as I felt my cheeks burnt upon the realization that I didn't wear any bra. I immediately crossed my arms on my chest to cover the thin cloth I'm wearing.
"Damn! It's your fault, Joe! Why are you here at this hour?! Get out of my room!" I commanded.
"I'm sorry. I- It was not intentional. Don't worry… I'll go out right away," he said and just like that… he was like a dog who was being nagged by its owner. Jomarie immediately stormed out of my room.
I sighed in relief after he left. I know we were young, but my body starts to change. My bosoms are growing. And as years go by, it became larger than I think. I should be mindful next time. Especially when he's here. Though he's my best friend, still he is a guy.
***
"Oh, there you are. Did you bully Jomarie again? Why he was his cheeks flushed after he goes out to your room?" I looked at my mom like I heard a ridiculous joke. I pointed at myself, using my fingers.
"Me?!" I scoffed. "When did I bully him?" Mom raised her brows as if she didn't believe what I was saying.
"You always bully your best friend. Whenever you were together and playing games, you always cheated and let him loose." I sneered at her. So, she always keeps his eyes on us?
"Where is he now?" I asked, but my mother just pointed her lips at the door.
"He left," she informed. "Call him. He said that you call him once you're done. Are you going somewhere?" she asked without looking at me.
"Yup! We'll go to the arcade." I informed her happily.
"Graciella, you're no longer a kid. You are a high schooler and you are setting a bad example to Jomarie. Remember, you are older than him, you should set a good example for that kid." I rolled my eyes at her remarks. I always do. But they don't seem to notice it. Since, I'm always a bad person to them, who likes to bully my friends and fight at school. They always compared me to the other kids out there who liked to play dumb and innocent. But I don't care at all… I the sees me as a bad person, then so be it.
"Whatever. I should go now." I took a piece of bread and walked out of our house." My mom tried to stop me, but I'm not in a mood to talk with her. As if they will listen to me, right?
As soon as I stepped out of our house, I saw Jomarie standing in front of their gate, wearing a simple white shirt and blue stripes beach shorts. I looked around to see those girls in our neighborhood who were drooling over him.
As usual… I rolled my eyes… What did they see in him that I didn't notice? He's just an ordinary nerdy kid for me. I smirked when some of the girls can't hide their feelings when my best friend smiled and showed his white perfect teeth. Is he trying to be cool with these young ladies? I shook my head.
Sometimes, I heard them talking about us. They envied me because of my closeness to him. I'm the only one who can talk to him, bully him, play with him. Aside from that, we have our own worlds whenever we're together. If only they knew… He's not a cool, handsome guy.. But he's mama's boy and a nerdy genius.
"Gracie!" I came back from my deep thoughts when he called my attention. I didn't notice that he's already in front of me.
"What are you thinking? You've been spacing out when I called you," he asked which had me wrinkled my nose and frowned in irritation. He's too close and because of that I can smell his cologne that irritates my nose. Pinching my nose, I shoo him away.
"Your cologne was too strong. Do you want me to have a sinus attack?" In my remarks, he immediately stayed away. Ahh… Much better. I can breathe properly.
"Sorry. I forgot." He smelled himself to confirm what I was saying. I'll go change clothes. Give me a minute." And with what I said… My best friend change clothes just to let him close to me. Too obedient, right?
I shrugged all my thoughts and wait for him at their gate.