This Is Why I Love The Color Red

Amor

I saw myself taking out the strawberry keychain before Phoenix sent me home. I handed it to him. Oh God, this is what scares me the most. Starting to become a sugar mommy, aren't we?

"Wait... where do I put it?" He took his chains and mixed it with his keys.

"I love strawberries."

"I'll remember you by strawberries then. Anyway, this is the first time a girl has ever given me a gift." I froze.

"WHAT!?" I exclaimed in shock. Is he for real?

"Well, I tend to give gifts to my exes, but they never did anything like this... so." I immediately went to hug him. Where have you been, my boy?

When I got home, all I felt was extreme happiness and love. The whole day was just constant text messages from Phoenix.

'This is the worst kind of character development because we'll part on good terms,' he messaged. I felt sad, but it's reality. Long distance just never works.

'The universe is cruel.'

I hate this feeling. I know for a fact that we'll eventually break up, but why am I feeling a little ache as if this is my dating-to-marry phase? I should never fall deeply. This is a bad idea. I'm going away.

It feels like we are just dating to enjoy each other's company. Dating just because we are compatible. Dating because we found comfort in each other, and it doesn't matter if it takes years or months. We are dating for convenience, which I had been seeking for a long time.

Am I really happy, though? With this setup? Or am I just convincing myself that I like this because I'm trying to avoid a major heartbreak in my life? Oh, it hurts.

I saw myself yapping about Phoenix to my close friends on Instagram. I'd post about him and have my closest friends react and comment on him. That may feed my delusions or just give their honest opinions about my love life.

"I want to come to Cavite." Holy shit.

"Huh?"

"How much money do I need?"

I had plans of going to Cavite even before because I wanted to see both of my online friends. My original plan was to go alone, but I think it wouldn't be bad to have him come with me.

And then, I found myself waiting at Ayala Makati for Phoenix. I tried calling him, but he sent me a message that made me pout.

'Don't call me.'

Minutes passed, and I saw him walking towards me. He welcomed me with a kiss, which shocked me. What the fuck? I mean, a guy giving me a peck of a welcome kiss? Nobody has ever done that.

"Are you sure you're okay with commuting with me?" I could tell this kid liked going on car rides for most of his trips to the provinces.

"Yeah." Then I saw him navigating our way using his little map. Well, he said he got us.

"What would I do if you never came with me?" I'm not a fan of commuting. The only time I used buses or jeeps was during college with friends, or whenever they asked me to join them. I'm clueless about this stuff, yet I had the courage to come to Cavite. Probably, my will to do things for the plot.

All I can remember was Phoenix and me figuring our way to PITX towards SM Cavite. The trip wasn't stressful because he was beside me. He made sure I was okay and prioritized my well-being, even buying me water when I rarely drink it.

We spent the entire travel time talking about nonsense and even the people in Cavite wearing purple shirts. I called them demon minions because there were so many of them.