Seasons

Actually Buddies

Anntonia's POV:

I finished having my hair and makeup done before the clock strikes 8 a.m., so I am good to go, and I will be going alone. Miss Laos hasn't been back since last night, and I really wonder where she spent the night.

I stepped out of the room and locked it. When I was about to walk, someone suddenly appeared.

"Can I join you for the rest of the rehearsal day?"

I just stared at her confusedly. I want to answer meanly, but she looks like she's worried.

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her with me in the elevator. I hurriedly closed it so that no one could join us.

"Is this about my roommate?"

"Uhm... I probably don't have the right to ask because she probably opened it up to y--"

"I know nothing. What's happening?" I was getting worried because this is so unusual for Fabienne. I am used to her fooling around.

"Well, I saw her last night. She was super intoxicated and did not want to listen to the staff that she's not allowed to be so drunk," Fab explained. "I got a message from her this morning saying that she did that because of me."

"What did you do? Be honest."

"I don't know! We were just clicking so well, then she became distant." She sadly said, making me believe that she's really fond of the friendship she built with Miss Laos. "Then I saw her earlier. I was trying to reach out, but she was so focused on Miss Japan and Miss Cambodia."

"Is she good? She was nowhere to be seen last night until this morning, at least for me."

"She's so well," Fab said and lowered her head as if she's thinking of something.

"That's why you approached me?"

"No, no! I just wanted to not be alone. I also haven't seen Michelle. I guess she went early too," Fab explained. "I am not using you, to clarify."

"Okay, deal. Just be sure that I'll have my roomie back, and your misunderstanding with her will be fixed."

"I can only hope. I can't fix something that is completely unknown to me."

"You can if you want to."

She did not respond, but I can see her looking at me. I looked back, and there were various emotions in her eyes, including her most annoying one. "Are we perhaps saying this because someone is too good to never let you be preoccupied about it and she fixes it right away?" She said in a teasing tone.

"That's none of your business, Fab," I said, trying not to roll my eyes at her.

We remained silent until we reached the place where we always come to eat. The girls are already almost complete. Miss Costa Rica saw me right away, and she invited me to their table. I tugged Fabienne with me so that she wouldn't be left out.

I looked through the whole venue to see where Miss Laos is, but my eyes stopped where a tall short-haired woman was standing. She was talking with Miss Nicaragua and Miss Mexico.

I saw another woman come to their group, and it was Miss India. I saw how Michelle looked at Miss India and took a few steps closer to Miss Nicaragua when the other woman went beside her."

Is she avoiding her?

"Golden rule: when your lover is uncomfortable with that person being close to you, you must create space if necessary," Fabienne whispered to me. I turned around to face her, and she was looking at them too.

"What lover are you talking about? We're good friends," I told her. She smirked at me and shook her head, as if she had heard the biggest lie in her life.

"Oh, really? Where can I avail that good friend package? Seems like it really is too good of a good friend," she said while wiggling her eyebrows.

They really are roommates. They are both annoying.

I just ignored Fab and stood up with Miss Costa Rica to grab our breakfast. Fabienne joined us, and I was happy that she's kind of trying to have a conversation with the girls.

Fabienne arrived first, so she grabbed two plates and gave the other one to me. "Here."

"Too sweet of you. Thank you." I bowed at her, and she just nodded.

The two of us busied ourselves at choosing what we should eat. Fabienne stepped closer to me, "Is Michelle jealous of me?"

"Why would you think that? She's not an insecure person," I answered, still filling my plate with the foods I want.

"No, I mean in a way that she doesn't like me being close with you?" Fab clarified.

"Totally not. She doesn't seem to mind whoever I am with because all of the girls are nice naman."

"What's 'naman'?" Fabienne confusedly asked while looking at me.

"Nothing. Just get your food so that we could go back to the table."

I honestly didn't realize I am starting to adapt how Michelle talks. Being with her daily makes me copy what she often does.

We came back to the table and started eating. The girls were talking, and Fabienne managed to join every once in a while. It made me happy.

The breakfast was finished, and we started walking in the hallway. This has been the longest time I had with Fabienne. Thankfully, she wasn't that annoying and she's not a flirt.

But she is too loud and she has so many stories that she wants to share, most of them were nonsense.

We reached the arena later than the other girls because Fabienne was too slow.

"Argh, I'm so lazy. I want to go back to the hotel." Fabienne grunted and lazily rested her head on my back because she was behind me. I annoyingly dodged by moving my shoulders, but she keeps coming back like it's a boomerang. When I felt tired, I just decided to let her because it's totally nonsense to mess around with her.

"Where is she? I haven't seen her during breakfast," Fabienne asked while still resting on my back.

"Look for her then, if you're really that curious," I responded.

"You're not helping. As if she'll talk to me if I ever find her."

"Sounds like a 'you' problem."

"Fine. Whatever." She stood up and went in front of me. "Where do you think I can find her?"

"There," I said, pointing at her chest. She annoyingly rolled her eyes at me and was ready to fire back, but she eventually got silent when Miss Olivia passed by. We greeted her, and she just smiled; she seems to be in a rush.

"Wow. Miss Olivia Culpo is so stunning. She ages like fine wine," Fab said, obviously getting starstruck by the former Miss Universe.

"She's literally glowing," I added. "Oh, there she is!" I said and pointed at the backstage where Miss Laos and Miss Cambodia were standing.

Fabienne turned around to look at them and hurriedly excused herself, probably thinking of grabbing that opportunity to talk to my roommate. "Ha! Is it Miss Cambodia? Why are they always together?"

"Seems like none of your business."

"Just wait, and I'll also say that to you if I catch you staring at Miss India."

I rolled my eyes and pushed her arms to encourage her to move faster. She left our side and rushed to the backstage. I lost sight of Fab already, so I was able to enjoy my alone time, processing that the finals night is actually so close already.

I wonder what will happen to me after Miss Universe.

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A/N:
Good morning! 🌞
Honest confession lang, I actually regret na ginawa kong panaginip lang 'yung 'Phantasm'. Sorry na indecisive lang, but it's okay kasi I already know when's the best time for THAT.

Miss ko na PorDee 😔