Dating alys perez ( English)

(Alys's POV)

"What's wrong with your face?"

Right after Ann told me about Tripp, it's like the world around me blacked out. I felt like my reaction was a bit over the top. Also, that Tofer guy just suddenly left! Like some eat-and-run drama! Tsk.

But maybe it's for the best, because Ate Karen's boyfriend arrived shortly after, and who knows what Tofer would've done if he saw him. Didn't he say he had a crush on Ate Karen?

I sat on the edge of my bed, took off my rubber shoes, and changed into slippers. I also grabbed a clamp and tied my hair up in a bun.

Since I didn't bring any money, I had to walk all the way back. It was so tiring!

"Ah, it's nothing, Kei," I said to her. We weren't exactly close yet, so I didn't feel like sharing my problems, right?

She shrugged.

"Whatever you say. Hey, I'll be going later. Wanna come?"

"Really??"

She nodded.

"Since I think I'm going to be roommates with you, might as well be friends with you, right?"

I gave her a big smile. YES, YES! Kei and I are going to be friends!!

---

"How about this?" I said to Kei, showing her the knee-high leather boots I found. This is the kind of thing I always see people wearing here! I want to join in too. :)

She shook her head and grabbed a pair of ankle-high boots.

"This."

:(

"But I want those. I wanna be a rock star."

Kei looked like this:

- _ -

"Are you on drugs, Alys? What the heck? Rock star? Really?"

I snatched the boots back and tried them on.

OMG I FEEL LIKE A ROCK STAR NOW!

"Why are you allowed to wear rock star boots and I'm not? That's so unfair!"

Kei suddenly laughed, grabbed a pair like mine, and tried them on too.

We looked like twins!

But she's prettier than me. I already know that. But hey, I'm cute.

"You know, Alys, you don't look like a rock star. You look sweet. You can't pull off boots like this one."

Hmmm. I think Kei's right. So I took off the rock star boots and picked the ones she gave me.

I also bought pumps, stilettos, flats, and many other things!

Oh well, Mommy in the Philippines will just have to deal with it once she finds out what I've been buying here.

After we bought shoes, we headed straight to a clothes store.

We had the shoes delivered directly to the dorm.

Haay, I'm starting to love New York already!

In the Philippines, there are only a few places where you can really shop freely.

Like in SM malls, it's super crowded.

Only in certain areas do you get real freedom to shop.

I was just sitting down while Kei kept handing me clothes. I didn't even have to try them on. I totally idolize Kei when it comes to fashion. I even peeked at her closet once—SO ENVIOUS! Her clothes were sorted by color. Hehehe.

"How's Sheen?" she suddenly asked.

I instantly smiled. Oh no, oh no! Kei probably misses my Loves! Because seriously, why did she even leave the Philippines? If I remember correctly, she and Loves were doing really great before she left. Loves was really down when Kei went away, but I think Sheen's okay now. Didn't he even have a third wheel spiel recently?

I took the coat she gave me and tried it on.

"Sheen's doing okay. They're coming here for vacation..." I said.

Kei looked shocked but recovered quickly.

"Really? That's good to hear. Excuse me first," she said, and stepped out of the shop.

Okay? She looked really shocked?

Oh no, once Loves gets here, I'm totally putting him and Kei back together! They HAVE to get back together so I can officially recruit Kei into the best friend's club!

I walked over and paid for the clothes I bought. Hehehe.

Sorry, Mommy. This is the first time I've ever spent this much. I feel like Dane spends even more anyway.

Ten thousand dollars isn't even enough for this shopping spree. :>

I went outside to look for Kei, but she was gone.

UGH SERIOUSLY?!

And I didn't even get her number!

This is always my problem—getting people's numbers.

Even with Drake, it almost took us a whole year of knowing each other before I got his number.

I checked around to see if Kei was still nearby, but she really was gone.

Did she ditch me?

Probably not... :(

I started walking back to the dorm but passed by a coffee shop that served strawberry shortcake, so I went in.

Classes start tomorrow. Time to get serious.

I ordered cake and coffee, then sat near the window because I enjoy watching people walk by.

It's really fun to take pictures!

Maybe this is what Tripp feels too.

Taking pictures is his hobby.

What would I do if I suddenly bumped into him here?

Tofer said Tripp's also at NYU, right?!

Tofer, on the other hand, is in another school. He said his brain can't handle NYU.

Tsk. GOOD.

He's sooo annoying!

If I see Tripp... uhm... I'll say hi?

"H-hi, Tripp?"

OH MY GOSH, THERE IT IS.

I just said hi.

---

(Tripp's POV)

UGH, Tofer is SO annoying.

Can't he see I don't want to talk about Zyril, and yet he keeps pushing?

Tsk.

I just went out to buy groceries.

We've only been here a week, and we're already running out of food—because of Tofer.

That freeloader's eating everything!

I haven't eaten all day, not since this morning.

AISH!

Fine, fine.

I'll just eat strawberries—because I'm thinking about Alys again.

"H-hi, Tripp?"

S—SHEEESH. Alys?!

WHY—

What is she doing here?!

Wasn't she supposed to be in the Philippines?!

"Hi?" I replied.

What the hell do I do?!

SHEEESH!

I just sat in the chair across from her.

Why am I acting like this?

We're still friends, right?

Even if she's my cousin's girlfriend...

RIGHT?

UGH. LIFE IS A MESS!

Zyril smiled and took a bite of her strawberry cake.

She really hasn't changed—still obsessed with strawberries.

"So you're here..."

I just nodded.

Where did my tongue go? I couldn't say a single word.

"You too. Are you with Drake?" I asked.

Was she with Drake? Were they on vacation?

Why is she even here?

This is so confusing!

I'd already gone two weeks without seeing her, and now she suddenly shows up again?

What is this—BACK TO SQUARE ONE?

She shook her head.

"Nope. I'm gonna study here now. What about you?"

I nodded again.

What other nearby schools are there anyway?

"I'm at NYU. You?"

"NYU too."

I stood up. I felt awkward.

I didn't want to see Zyril right now because… it's different.

I already promised Drake—she's off-limits, hands-off.

But seeing her here, knowing Drake's still in the Philippines…

SHE'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.

I might forget she's my cousin's girlfriend.

I gave her a quick smile before turning around and walking out.

WHATEVER.

I'll eat later—I need to get groceries first.

AISH.

"Tripp!"

I walked faster.

What is Zyril's problem?!

She knows I like her.

She already told me she likes Drake.

Why is she chasing me now?

Didn't she notice back then—when I avoided her for a week in the Philippines?

I already knew I was going to New York, so I tried to stop seeing her. I didn't even say goodbye because...

Whatever.

I'm taller than her, so I outran her easily.

But then...

"Aish."

I froze.

She fell.

OF COURSE SHE FELL.

Who even told her to wear those ridiculously tall boots?

She never used to wear stuff like that before.

I went back to her and looked at her knee.

"Can you walk?"

She bit her lip and shook her head.

I looked around.

There wasn't a pharmacy in sight.

"Zy..."

"Hmmm?" she said, staring at her wound and lightly blowing on it.

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FORGET THIS GIRL?

She's too kind.

Too pretty.

Too fun to be around.

WHY is it that every girl ends up liking Drake?

Why?

I'm good-looking too.

I'm smart—well, not as brainy as that weirdo, but still.

That guy's a literal gifted child.

But me? I'm not grumpy, I'm not a one-liner machine like him.

I'm actually nicer.

But STILL—everyone falls for him.

LIFE IS SO UNFAIR.

"Piggy back ride?"

Zy just looked at me.

That look again.

That look that makes me want to kiss her.

"If you carry me… does that mean we're best friends again?"

I stared back.

"Were we ever best friends?"

"We are, right? You're my Batman, remember?"

I smiled.

She actually remembered the time I lent her my shirt.

She looked stunning in it—actually made her even more beautiful.

Maybe...

If I'd met her before Drake did, maybe she'd love me now.

Sometimes...

I just end up ENVYING my cousin.

Everything I want...

Ends up with him.

Everything I want...

HE JUST MAKES THEM CRY.

LIFE IS SO DAMN UNFAIR.

I patted her head.

"Fine, fine. You're Catwoman, I'm Batman. Hop on," I said, turning my back to her and lifting her up.

Just like before, she wrapped her arms around my neck, almost choking me.

But I'm used to it now.

I was doing my absolute best not to lose it.

My hands were holding Zyril's legs.

GET A GRIP, PALMA.

She's your cousin's girlfriend. Your "best friend."

"What's your degree program, Tripp?"

I told her it was still the same.

Because... well, it still is.

My dad was the one who picked it.

I just followed—like always.

Because what else could I even do?

I really wanted photography.

But he said I wouldn't get anywhere with that.

So I just said "yes." Like always.

"Are we in the same college?"

I didn't know.

I hope not.

I don't want to.

---

(Aya's POV)

"You, Sheen—my best friend. Take care of my girlfriend, okay?"

=_=

KL is SO dramatic!

It's only two weeks and he's acting like I'm leaving for an entire year!

And it's his fault too!

He chose summer classes over a vacation in New York.

CB just smiled as always.

This guy is Mr. Friendly—everyone's his friend, I swear!

He even ran for freshman rep and won by a landslide!

Every freshman loved him.

Because he's always smiling.

I waved at Kent as we headed into the airport.

Everything was good—we'd already finalized the flight last week, and my visa and passport were all set.

We went to a coffee shop inside the airport while waiting for our flight.

We were early because—DUH—I was so excited to see Besh again!

"How are you and Kei?" I asked Sheen.

Because Besh said Kei was her new roommate!

Can you believe that?!

Out of everyone in the world, her roommate had to be Kei Chui?!

But honestly, Besh should be thankful to Kei.

Kei was the reason she and Drake even got together.

All because of Kei's weird obsession with him back then.

So weird, right?

Why did they all like Drake when he's so RUDE?

I NEVER crushed on Drake, thank you very much!

Sheen smiled—of course he did. That's his default face.

"We're okay."

"Weh? Just okay?"

He nodded.

"We still talk sometimes. On Skype."

"So… you're still together?"

He shook his head.

"We're just friends now. I like someone else."

He was looking straight at me.

I quickly took a sip of my coffee.

THERE HE GOES AGAIN—with those killer butterflies.

---

(Drake's POV)

"Drake," my dad said after knocking.

"What?"

I was packing my stuff.

Apparently, he already booked my plane tickets the day he offered me to take the exams.

Good thing he had faith that I'd ace them.

He walked in and sat on my bed.

"Shaira's here," he said.

"Tell her I'll come down in a bit."

"Don't you want me to let her in your room?"

I stared at him.

"I have a girlfriend, Dad. Kindly bear that in mind."

Then I walked out of the room and headed downstairs.

"Drake..."

"What?"

She smiled at me.

"I've decided to leave this country."

I just stared at her.

Maybe this was another one of her impulsive whims.

It always happens.

"I talked to Alys last night and she's so nice. Why is your girlfriend SO NICE?!"

I don't know.

She's too nice—it's honestly kind of irritating.

One day, I want to see her be BAD.

I want to see her in a completely different light.

I want to know every version of her.

"Because of that, I've decided to go to my Tita in London instead. I'm going to stop studying for a year and just see where life takes me."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded, and then stepped closer to me—and hugged me.

"I'LL MISS YOU, HUBBY!!"

I smiled and gently patted her head.

"Sure, Shaira. Call me."

She shook her head.

"I won't call you until I'm sure I'm over you. Don't you dare forget me, okay?"

"Of course, Silly. When's your flight?"

She said she'd be flying next week.

I'll be flying this afternoon.

I'm going to miss her, that's for sure.

After a hell lot of goodbyes…

She finally left.

I went back to fixing my things.

See you tomorrow, my girlfriend.

And Tripp.

And Tofer.

---