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CHAPTER 3

"Thank you so much, Amber, for helping with these scattered books again today. But, dear, how many times do I have to tell you that it's not your job? Your shift ends early, yet you always leave half an hour late because of me," Ms. Rossi said, her voice tinged with guilt. Why is she guilty when it's always me who insists on helping her?

"It's okay, Ms. Rossi. I don't mind helping you; in fact, I love to help," I said, trying to reassure her.

"But still—" I cut her off gently.

"No, Ms. Rossi! How can I leave this mess for you to manage alone? If you don't like my help, think of it as compensation for me being late today. No more discussion about this; I'll help you every day as long as I'm working here!" I declared firmly.

She chuckled at my words and caressed my hair like a loving mother. "God bless you, my child. May He grant you every happiness."

I smiled and hugged her from the side. She truly is a motherly figure to me—sometimes strict when I need to learn, and sometimes gentle, like a mother with her child.

"Okay, I'm leaving now. Otherwise, Clara will eat me alive if I get home late."

She chuckled and nodded slightly.

I grabbed my purse from the desk, put on my trench coat, and headed outside. As soon as I opened the library door, a cold wind hit my face. A shiver ran down my body from the chilly weather. It's definitely getting colder by the day, I thought to myself, and got into my car. But before I could start the engine, my phone started ringing.

I took out the phone from my pocket and saw the caller ID. I rolled my eyes while smiling at the name. I answered the call, holding it a little away from my ear.

"AMBER, HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU NOT TO COME HOME LATE, ESPECIALLY DURING WINTER? YOU NEVER LISTEN TO ME. DO YOU KNOW HOW COLD IT IS OUTSIDE?"

I knew this was coming. I put the phone to my ear and replied, "Chill, Clara. I just left the library and I'm on my way home. Don't worry, it's not like I'm a kid."

"But that doesn't mean you should always come late. You'll catch a cold, Amie," she said, her concern evident.

"You know I help Ms. Rossi every day. That's why I get a little late."

"I know, but you need to take care of yourself too, Amie. You know how worried I get whenever you're even five minutes late. I start thinking something might have happened to you." She expressed her worry. Oh my! What did I do in my past life to deserve such a caring friend like her?

"I know, Clara, and I'm sorry. I'll try to come home earlier from now on," I said, trying to assure her, though I knew I would probably be late again tomorrow.

"Hey! Are you talking while driving the car?" she asked suspiciously.

"No, I'm waiting for my dear friend to stop worrying and hang up so I can drive and come home fast," I replied playfully, emphasizing my last words.

I could already feel her glare through the phone and suppressed a laugh.

"Yeah, yeah, okay! I'm hanging up now. Come quickly but don't drive too fast," she said and ended the call.

I laughed at her senseless statement and shoved the phone back into my pocket.

I started the engine and put on some slow music, humming along to the tune. The road in front of me was only visible up to where the headlights reached. After a few minutes, my eyes drifted to the space under the passenger seat when I went to change the music. I narrowed my eyes to see what was under the seat. I realized it was the other piece of my AirPod, which I had been searching for and had even blamed Max, my other friend, thinking he lost it.