Chapter 17

Chantria

Iwatani took me outside even though our houses were just next to each other. According to him, it was already dark outside. And as long as I'm out, he has to watch me all the time. I just shrugged and let him go because he had a point.

When we arrived in front of my house, I faced him and thanked him.

"It's my job to protect you, Seanne. No need to thank me."

I just snorted. If he said so. But why my chest tightened because of what he said, I had no idea. "Thank you very much anyway. Then thank you for the delicious Sinigang. You can get married now," I joked.

He frowned because of what I said. "I have no intention of getting married even though I know how to cook. That is not the basis of whether or not you can get married."

My mouth dropped open and I looked at him in disbelief. "That was a joke, Iwatani."

He cleared his throat. "I know."

"No, you don't. You know, sometimes it's nice to talk to people. Try it."

"What do you mean?"

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Talk to us mortals as well. Don't just make friends on other planets." I was still laughing because of what I said. I couldn't help but see Carleigh in him. She was also too serious about life.

"My friends on my own planet are better to talk to than people like you who are difficult to understand. Too much headache.”

I laughed even harder. "You know how to joke. Sometimes you should laugh too. You look like you were born with a grudge."

He sighed. “Nice try.”

I snorted again. I thought I could make him smile tonight. But it doesn't matter. I have many more days to do that. At least we can now talk rationally.

I stretched out on my bed after taking a shower. Just now I felt tired from touring the campus earlier. But instead of going to sleep, I opened my new phone to register the number. This phone is just temporary, Iwatani said. I need to use the phone dad is going to send me to prevent the mafia organization from tracking me down.

I hadn't given Iwatani my number yet. Tomorrow I would do that right away. The next thing I did was create social media to stalk Chanel. At first, I couldn't find her profile, but I remembered that the name she uses now is not Chanel but Iva Santillan.

My search for her new profile was easy. She had only a few posts but many Mydays. I immediately pressed it and then watched the short clips.

She was having fun with her newfound friends. If I'm not mistaken, she is in BGC now. She was drinking again. She was filming herself while drinking alcohol. She is very different from the Chanel I know. I know that he drinks heavily and loses it a bit when hit. But I see something different now in the clips.

She doesn't take pictures or videos and posts on social media when she doesn't look good. But now I hardly recognize her appearance. She was a mess.

I couldn't help but worry especially since it didn't look like anyone was with her right now who could take care of her. I wonder how she was living there. I couldn't travel to Manila now because it was a long way even if I took the train.

I was about to type when I realized that she was mad at me. No matter how much I bully or threaten her, she wouldn't budge. Maybe she would only get angrier when I intervene.

That's why instead of typing, I chose to watch the clips. I was satisfied with looking at her photos until another tear escaped my eyes.

The heaviness in the chest was here again. This is me and just watching her on my cellphone screen. I don't even have the courage to go to wherever she is now. I couldn't even talk to her or even chat.

I missed our banter. I miss teasing her and my trips. I wanted to see her frown again every time I did that. Then, after that, Carleigh was there to scold us both.

What happened to us? Why did it lead to this? Why do we have to go through these? I still thought that the three of us would be together forever, through thick and thin. I thought that even though we are married, we will still be the ones who would comfort each other.

But this is me now, alone. This is me hugging my cellphone where I hear Chanel's loud laugh, curled up on my bed, and crying.

I really wanted everything to go back to the way it was. Because Carleigh wasn't the only one I lost in my life. Even Chanel is gone. I hope it's all just a dream.

I fell asleep in that position. My cell phone was all folded up and it was still on my chest while I was hugging it tightly. Tears had dried on both my cheeks and I could also feel the swelling in my eyes. It would be hard for me to hide it for sure.

I tried putting makeup on my face to reduce the puffiness but I didn't do it justice either. If only Chanel was here to fix this.

I tried to smile in front of Iwatani when I left the house. Today is our orientation so I wake up early. Iwatani's going to drive us to school again because he's the only one with a license out of the two of us.

As I expected, he seemed to notice the swelling of my eyes. But I was very thankful that he didn't ask because I didn't think I could answer him right now. He just drove to school without saying a word.

When we got there, we went straight to our room. It was noisy in the hallway and there were a lot of people so it was a bit difficult for us to pass. I was ahead while he was just behind me. When a student even bumped me, he quickly attended to my side and then blocked his own body from other people.

Because of that, we quickly reached our room which was on the second floor of Lab High. Iwatani and I sat in the middle before watching our future classmates enter the room.

Some of them already knew each other so they gathered in a corner. Others seemed to be just getting to know each other. When I looked at Iwatani, he seemed to have no intention of socializing with other people. He was just like an Eagle while he watched around.

"So," I began, "any friend of yours here whom you can introduce to me?" I heard that he did his first year of high school here, so I think he made a friend somehow.

"Do I look friendly to you?"

I was appalled. "I knew it." But even so, I was still surprised.

No matter how quiet or withdrawn a person is, there is definitely someone who will make friends with them. Not to mention he's handsome. I'm sure there are girls here who want to be friends with him. And knowing guys, none of them are quiet or rude to each other.

Instead of asking, I just looked down while also observing the surroundings. I was not even here to make friends. I'm here to study and to graduate. This year is crucial. Only one year left and I will graduate from senior high school. Although I'm still going to college here.

I noticed my classmates murmuring. It was very noisy earlier and then it suddenly became quiet. It also seemed to get Iwatani's attention so we both looked at what they were talking about.

"Who is that, right? So handsome!" exclaimed one of our classmates to someone who had just entered.

"It also looks like a transferee. A lot of people transferred now when it was only the last year of senior high school," said the woman with her.

"That's fine if it's that handsome!"

I just shook my head because of their laughter. When handsome people appear, other people's blood lives. I admit that I also lose myself when someone is handsome but I don't tell other people anymore. Well, except for my twins.

"Seanne," Iwatani called. I was slightly startled when I noticed that his face was so close to mine. But it didn't seem like he cared because he just looked straight out of the room.

“Oh?” I simply answered even though my heart was raising.

"The man you talked to yesterday seemed to be our classmate."

I immediately looked at the man entering our room. And Iwatani was right. He had a serious conversation with a man who looked like our classmate. Our room got even louder because of his entrance.

I couldn't hide my disappointment because of what was happening. The world is really getting smaller. I thought that he should be avoided only on my campus, but that seemed to be unclear. That rude guy is actually our classmate. What are the odds, right?

"If you're looking at me," I whispered. And it was as if he heard me because he looked at me. Before I could see his reaction, I immediately looked away. "I don't want to see him again."

"Why did you react to each other like that? Do you know him?” Iwatani asked.

I had nothing to hide from him in that scene, so I told the story. Even the fact that Carleigh punched him, I didn't leave it. My twin was so cool at that time! She could be an action star.

"I agree with what Carleigh did," said Iwatani. "No matter what his reason was, he had no right to shame a woman even if there was no one at that time. If I were in her situation, I would do the same thing."

I sighed. “You shouldn't, Iwatani. Hurting other people just for the sake of it is not the answer. You can just go through a sensible conversation."

"Even if he didn't listen to you?"

I covered my mouth. Okay, he has a point. "You know what I mean!" I softly exclaimed to him. "Now that I know that Cha–I mean, Iva is to blame, let's just let it go. But when he really says something else to me, I will fight."

"I think you should explain to him that it's Iva's fault, not yours. He will understand when you say you have twins. If he doesn't believe and still insists on what he wants, tell me."

My eyes narrowed as I stared at him. "And what will you do?"

He looked at me. "I'm not going to do anything."

I laughed softly. "According to what you told me about Carleigh, it looks like you have plans to kick his ass. I'm warning you."

I was shocked when he rolled his eyes. "I'm not that violent. I will not hurt him. I will show him evidence that you are telling the truth.”

"Then, I'll do that. I have a photo of Iva and me that I can show him. So, you should calm down and keep that fist to yourself.”

"Okay. Okay.”

I just smiled because of what he said to me. He could really be naughty at any time. But I'm glad because at least he's talking to me sensibly. Even though I know he hates me for some unknown reason, this is who he is and he is really ready to protect me even if it's just that guy.

But I'm starting to wonder, why is he so angry at that time? But now it's like nothing happened. I can't help but wonder.