The Other Girl (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Thirty-One

JULIUS'S POV 

 November 26, 2012; 12:34 A.M 

This is a very special day to all of us, because on that day, my very first niece was born; Beatrice Gabrielle Bishop. And today, after two weeks of being born, my family decided to hold her baptism at the same day of her father's birthday. 

 And this is the reason why I was woken up at 5:30 in the morning to get ready and help with everything. The baptismal isn't going to be that big. We'll just invite a few of our family friends and some friends of my sister and her husband. And also, her husband's family and friends. 

 The whole family's supposed to go to the chapel, but I told Sheila that I'll just stay here at home and help with everything for the reception. She didn't hesitate on granting my wish, and I thank her baby for that. Since Bea was born, my sister has been twice as nice as she was before. A little protective, but still nicer. 

 The only people left here with me are Hartel, a few of my friends from school, Shannon, Chelsea, Tyron, Geoff and of course, Saab. She's looking really pretty today, wearing a peach dress with a big heart at the back, showing off her pale cream skin. She even pulled it off with just her black creepers. Actually, she can always pull anything off with just her docs, creepers or sneakers. She never wears heels, even if it's necessary or not. 

 She's talking to her friends, and to see her laugh the way she's laughing now, God I just can't help but think of how much I miss her. I miss our late talks at night, her carefree attitude whenever she's with me, her smile, her laugh, the way her eyes twinkle under the stars at night. Everything! I miss everything about her! 

 I don't know she started to drift away, but the moment Shannon came running in my arms and telling me how much she misses me and loves me and promised that she will never argue with me again is the same moment I lost my best friend. 

 I can never forget that day when everything happened. I think it will be forever etched in my mind, because that was the day that my heart broke into pieces. 

 I was playing in the court with Hartel, Ryan, Geoff, Tyler and a few other varsities when Shannon came running inside and kissed me out of nowhere. To say that I was shocked is an understatement. I even managed to earn a few wolf whistles from my friends and some remarks like 'get a room', or 'someone's getting laid tonight'. Obviously, the last one came from the one and only, Hartel. 

When it seems like air has become a need, we pulled away from each other to catch out breaths. Shannon smiled sheepishly at me. 

 I raised my eyebrow. "I thought we're not in good terms?" 

 "Yeah well... I changed my mind." 

 "Oh really?" I asked in a teasing voice. "What happened to my cheating on you?" 

 Shannon rolled her eyes. "I was wrong okay? You were never cheating and will never be in the future. So can we please stop the teasing because I am already admitting that I am wrong here?" 

I gave her a peck at the tip of her nose. "Gladly." 

 I told my friends I'll be going right after that, and they didn't bother stopping me. They know about what happened, and judging from what they saw, they also know now that we're good. But we need to do something about it, like maybe spend more time together. 

 I took Shannon on a date after that, and she told me everything that Saab did to help her realize her accusations was wrong. I cannot help but feel great towards Saab. Again, for the nth time, she's the reason that Shannon and I are back together. I honestly don't know how I can thank her for doing this.