Risa thought that she is safe. That her friends had forgotten about Mark since they are pretty much occupied squealing and gossiping about Roy and June who have left the café, of course with Raccoon, an hour ago to god-knows-where to have dinner.
“I bet they will dine at some five-star hotel!” Amber chirped eyes glassy with excitement, imagining high ceiling, lavish curtains, and an orchestra.
“Or maybe they are going to some flower garden with a fountain and fireworks. That will be so romantic~” Faye cooed also in her own dream world full of flowers and twinkling stars. She is the romantic of their group.
Risa chuckled at her friends’ antics before turning to Rei who is busy with her phone, probably chatting with her online boyfriend, K.S.. “--so?”
Rei gave her a side look, a brow raised in query. “Hmm?”
“--how about you? You got no reaction about June’s, you know, man.”
Rei pocketed her phone then leaned on the counter behind her, they dawdling around the café’s counter. “I think I saw that guy’s face somewhere.”
“It’s Roy. Not that guy.” Amber cut in.
Rei rolled her eyes before she reached out to grab one of the left over pastries in the basket on her right. Chomping down, she said. “—doesn’t matter, It’s not like I’ll see him again.”
“Hey, don’t jinx June!” Faye and Amber yelled in unison, both glaring intensely at Rei while Risa reprimanded Rei for speaking with her mouth full.
Rei swallowed. “Whatever.” She said before biting off half of the pastry. She pushed herself off and rounded the counter. “Can I have this?” She asked pointing at the basket of pastry.
Faye rolled her eyes. “You’re gonna have a stomachache, I swear.”
“I won’t. So, can I?”
Faye sighed. “Fine, but don’t blame me if you get sick.”
“Thank you!” She beamed grabbing the basket to her chest. “—okay, so, see you guys tomorrow!”
“Hey, don’t order pizza for dinner, okay?” Amber quipped from her spot beside Faye.
“Eh? Aren’t you two going home together?” Faye asked turning to Amber.
Amber grinned. “I have a date.”
“She’s gonna stalk the waiter at the new diner.” Rei deadpanned.
“Eh?!”
“I’m not, okay?! We know each other. And I told him that I’ll return to the diner.” Amber hollered glaring at Rei who stuck out her tongue in return. “Anyway, I’m going now~” Rei waved before she skipped her way to the entrance, out of the café and into her car.
“Okay,” Risa exhaled. “—I guess, I better go t-,”
Two hands grabbed each of her wrists.
Risa gasped. “Wha--,”
“Don’t think we have forgotten about you, Risa.” Amber hissed.
“Who is the man that June was talking about this morning?” Faye added. Both are grinning like mad men, eyes bright and wide. They look like Jigsaw in Saw.
“And here I thought I was saved from you two.” The eldest sighed, slumping back down on her chair.
Faye and Amber grinned. “So tells us~.”
Risa sighed again before she started. “You two are well aware of my circumstances, right? I mean, how I….got Maris.”
Her friends nodded, their eyes a bit hazy remembering the day Risa came to them with the little bundle of cuteness for the first time eight years ago. Of course, they were so shocked beyond belief at that time because Risa has no boyfriend and they know and firmly believed that the eldest of their group is not one to indulge in one-night-stands or anything remotely related to sexual escapades. Their shocked immediately faded and morphed into admiration, fondness and, unfortunately, sadness when they found out the truth from Risa.
Risa found Maris, the little bundle, abandoned in a freaking public toilet –who in hell leave a child in that kind of place?! Those people probably do not have souls! – located at the city park a block away from Risa’s home and with nothing but a small note with a written: I’m sorry, and a couple of baby clothes. Risa cannot just abandon the infant; the floor was cold and the place was obviously unsanitary. Shoving the rational and realistic part of her brain that was telling her that what she was about to do is insane especially that she was still just in her junior year of college aside, Risa gathered the wailing child in her arms. And when their eyes met for the first time, Risa knew that she was completely and utterly taken by the child.
It was no surprise when Risa’s parents threw painful words and a few Chinas when Risa vehemently refused to have the child be taken to an orphanage. And with an ultimatum of disownment versus handing over the child to the social service, Risa left her home without turning back.
“Oh god,” Amber sighed. “—you’re worse than June! June picks up strays while you pick up people!”
Faye hit the younger on the arm. “So,” She drawled. “—when did you meet this guy?”
Risa looked up and stare at the scene outside of the café. It’s raining. “Eight months ago. He was at the parking lot.”
“Parking lot? You’re place’s parking lot?”
Risa nodded.
“What is he doing there?” Amber asked.
“His girlfriend broke up with him and threw him out. He had no place to go.”
“So, you just took him in?” Amber hollered incredulously.
“He was there for hours and it was raining.”
“What’s up with you picking people up?” Amber puffed crossing her arms in-front of her chest.
Risa chuckled dryly. “I know, right?”
“But,” Faye perked up averting her gaze from Risa for a second or two. “—is that guy….safe? I mean,”
“Mark is not a criminal.” Risa chuckled. “He is a med student in St. Catalina University. Sophomore.”
“Woah, the kid must be a genius or a really hardworking.” Amber chirped. St. Catalina is an old well-established and top notched medical university that takes in twenty or less applicants per year not because people cannot afford their tuition fee but because those few are the ones who passed their hard-ass-insane entrance examination.
Risa smiled. “He is both.”
Amber whistled. “--whipped~.”
A/N: *sigh* I know, I said I'll be updating every Monday but..but..I'm sorry! I'm not really good at following schedules so, yeah, here's an update~ *grins* Be safe and take care of your health my tomodachi~! Summer is near so be sure to wear comfortable clothes~
P.S. Excuse the grammar errors.
