Bubble Tea

yearning for yesterdays

A/n: This is a long and angsty one. Time skip 2 weeks.

Song for the chapter: Heather by Conan Gray

Narrator's POV:

The days were slipping by seamlessly for Audrey and Andres, their budding friendship blossoming under the guise of a fake relationship. They found solace in each other's company, basking in the simplicity of their bond. Amidst the bustling corridors of their school and the quiet moments shared during their private tuitions, they forged a connection that felt inexplicably comforting.

Edvin leaned back against his bedroom wall, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he scrolled through old photos on his phone. Images of laughter-filled hangouts and carefree moments with Andres, Jeremiah, and Nicoli flooded his screen, reminding him of a time when their friendship felt unbreakable.

He couldn't help but chuckle at the memory of their impromptu beach trips and late-night gaming sessions. Andres' infectious laughter, his and Jeremiah's playful banter and Nicoli's antics had been constants in his life, bringing joy into every moment they shared.

But lately, Edvin couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed. As he scrolled through his recent messages, he couldn't help but notice a pattern - every plan he made with Andres seemed to revolve around Audrey. Whether it was a casual hangout or a gaming session, Audrey's name inevitably popped up in their conversations, leaving Edvin feeling like a third wheel in his own friendship.

He sighed, setting his phone aside as a wave of loneliness washed over him. It wasn't just Andres; even Jeremiah, had become increasingly unavailable, consumed by his own commitment to his games which were always his priority.
As for Nicoli, he's lost in his own world betraying his best friends just for the sake of coolness. So he didn't want to associate with Nicoli anymore. It made him sad seeing his best friend behave like this but what could he do? It's not like Nicoli will listen to him.

He couldn't deny the bitterness that crept into his heart whenever he saw Audrey's name on Andres' phone screen or heard Andres talk about their latest adventures together. It wasn't jealousy - at least, not entirely - but a sense of displacement, of feeling like he was slowly being edged out of the circle he once felt so at home in.

He glanced at the clock, realizing that he had been lost in thought for far too long. With a resigned sigh, he pushed himself off the wall and grabbed his backpack, ready to face another day of school - another day of navigating the ever-shifting dynamics of friendship and longing for the simplicity of the past.

Edvin's POV:

A few days back when me and Andres were hanging out, the sun beat down mercilessly as I lounged by the pool, idly flipping through a magazine. Despite the sweltering heat, there was a palpable sense of friendship in the air as Andres and I traded jokes and banter.

"Hey, An, you ready to get your butt kicked in a game of pool?" I teased, flashing him a grin.

Andres chuckled, rolling his eyes playfully. "Dream on, Ed. We both know I'm the reigning champion around here."

I laughed, shaking my head in mock disbelief. "We'll see about that, bro. Prepare to be humbled."

As we squared off in a heated game of pool, I couldn't help but notice the way Andres's eyes kept drifting towards his phone, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. It was a subtle reminder that Audrey was never far from his thoughts, even in moments of leisure.

"Looks like someone's got a hot date tonight," I quipped, sinking a particularly tricky shot with a flourish.

Andres chuckled, glancing down at his phone sheepishly. "Yeah, I promised Audrey we'd catch a movie later. She's been dying to see that new crime thriller."