New Beginnings

Chapter 8

"It must be so romantic to have two guys fighting over you." Ching sighed dreamily as Pucca lamented about what she had just witnessed.

"It was agony!" Pucca wailed, shoving her face into Ching's pillow.

"Do I need to beat up Tobe?" Abyo offered.

Pucca shoved herself into a sitting position. "Why Tobe?"

"I don't think I could take on Garu and win."

Laughter bubbled out of Pucca, lifting her spirits with it.

Pucca became mildy aware, in the back of her mind, of Ching's father answering the door, though, perhaps subconsciously hoped it was just someone there to see him.

Luck was not on her side, however, as Garu entered the room.

"Hey Pucca, I've been looking for you. I have something I wanted to ask you," were the first words out of his mouth.

Pucca blinked, stunned for a moment. "Okay?"

Garu was silent, his voice seemingly caught in his throat, before choking out, "will you accompany me on a date this afternoon?" His face exploding red, sweat breaking out along his hair line.

Her nerves exploded, rendering her mute for the time being.

Silence befell them.

And was broken a moment later when Pucca's phone dinged.

She looked to see who had messaged her.

An unknown number.

'Hello, Pucca. It's Tobe. I got your number from Dada because I wanted to inform you that Garu wants to try and win your heart back. I won't be upset at all if you want to go with him. I trust you to know what you want, and to know what's best for you.

I only ask you stay safe if you allow him into your heart.

-Tobe'

Her heart raced in much the same way it usually did when Garu did something cute.

Tobe was respecting her, and letting her choose for herself. The bare minimum. But something Garu had not done when Tobe had originally asked her out.

Finding her voice again, she took a deep breath.

"I don't think I want to entertain a love triangle in my life-"

"So you're going to break up with Tobe?" He was way too excited. Pucca, strangely, didn't feel bad knowing she was about to break his spirits.

"No. I'm moving on from you. Or at least, I'm trying too. You hate me. You always only tolerated me because I was the 'golden girl,' and it looked good on you that I was all over you. You tolerated me because it was the honorable thing to do. You tolerated me because your friend, Abyo, was also my friend.

"You don't like me, Garu. You want me because you don't have me."

Okay, maybe saying that out loud hurt more than just him, but if she could get out of this without sobbing in his face, it would be a win.

Garu blinked.

Silence hung thick in the air.

Abyo shifted uncomfortably.

Ching kept glancing between Pucca and Garu.

"I-..." Garu looked down to the floor. "I'm sorry you feel that way." He stood for a second, giving Pucca time to back track, apologize gor her harsh words, beg for him to come back. When her silence stretched on, he left.

Pucca managed to hold herself together long enough for Garu to get out of the house all to together before she sobbed in Ching's arms.