Torrecampo Series #1:
Elery Torrecampo, a cheerleader and aspiring fashion designer, embodies every trait a woman desires. Yet, the man she admires, Amiel, only has eyes for her brother.
How can she capture his attention and make him focus solely o...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
* * *
"Ami? I thought you were with Ada?" I was surprised to see Mom sitting on the couch in our living room. My parents were really home.
I was playing with my car keys in my left hand as she scanned me from head to toe. "Do you have plans with Ada?"
Why does she keep mentioning Ada anyway?
We have separate lives now; at this point, I might think we're some sort of twins.
"No, Ma. I have somewhere I need to go. Why?"
"Her mom called. She asked if you could check on her from time to time." I nodded.
"I'll just bring her food and meds when I get home."
Her forehead creased. "Why not now, anak? Is it that important?" I sighed.
I didn’t want to argue, so I just followed her instructions. It’s not that I don’t care about Ada; I just hate being late for meetings. I find it rude. I hope Elery Torrecampo will be patient.
"Thank you, Ami," Ada said in a dry voice. She was probably tired from their activities. I can understand; we had the same professor in that subject, and it was hell. Good riddance―I passed that stage, and that semester’s over.
"Get well soon. I'll visit you again," I said, making sure she had someone to look after her before I left.
Now, how do I deal with this new species of woman?
Surprisingly, she was calm when I arrived. I imagined she’d make a little scene and be all dramatic, but she was completely composed.
I wondered if she had switched with her twin, but that seemed ridiculous.
I let her order food only for herself since I had already eaten. She had a huge appetite... I might look like I’m just on my phone, but I’m aware of every movement she makes.
It’s just that I’m not really fond of starting conversations.
Not the talkative type.
So I wonder why she’s being silent.
Could she think I hate what's happening?
I was about to speak, but I choked on my words when she said. "Just to clarify, I’m not a stalker, okay?" My lips parted, but she didn’t see that. I only nodded because I wasn’t expecting that.
That was so random.
She always is.
She’s so unpredictable. Her actions don’t match her brain and words!
We went to the store, and I immediately looked for a sketchpad. I picked out every size and brand. I’d let her choose, but I think she assumed I’d buy them all for her, I was embarrassed.
I didn’t expect we’d take too long in the store, but I found her sitting on the floor, peacefully reading a book in the corner, while I was roaming around looking for her sketchpad.
It was a new sight; I almost didn’t recognize her.
So she can keep quiet at least.
I let her have her own siesta. She looked so peaceful that anyone wouldn’t want to disturb her. I just wandered around the store to find something I could give to my sister.
But I regretted that decision. I should’ve stayed with her on the floor.
Now, some random girls are flocking around me.
Another thing I hate, aside from the noise.
I’m really a private person, so I get easily offended if my privacy is violated. I don’t take many pictures; I only allow those close to me to do so. I really don’t like unpermitted actions, but that resolve always breaks down with the Elery Torrecampo.
It’s strange that I don’t mind her telling and doing things to me that I totally don't understand. She’s like a curveball thrown at me, and I don’t exactly know how to hit it back.
Just like now, she seems comfortable holding my hand.
Or so I thought?
She was about to stumble, but I caught her. I noticed the weakness in her leg, probably from sitting on the floor for so long.
"Can I?" I asked.
I know some massage techniques to ease muscle discomfort. We had to be knowledgeable about them as players; It’s vital during play.
She didn’t want to at first, but I assured her. She calmed down after a few minutes and seemed to actually enjoy it, so I had to stop. "Look, don’t mistake this for something else," I had to remind her because she seems like the type who makes narratives of everything for her own benefit.
"Why?" she chuckled. "You’re aware that I like you, right?" I nodded.
"I’m not interested."
That’s the truth; she’s not really my type. I’d get a headache if she were my girlfriend. I can almost foresee the future if that is to happen.
"Okay then, just be my model, please? I may have hots for you, but it’s not like I’m going to take advantage of you!"
I was bewildered.
Just how does her mind work?
In the end, I weren't able to buy her sketchpad, so I agreed to be her model instead. It’s not a problem because, back in California, I used to join similar contests. It was Ada’s idea, which I couldn’t turn down before.
It was the first time stepping into her dorm. Believe me when I say I was worried she might do something unpredictable again. She’s like a ginger cat full of energy.
She started measuring my body. Though I had taken a bath, I was still kind of worried that I might smell like sweat because I came from practice.
While she was getting my sizes, she was like a silly pixie circling me while chuckling evilly.
Our eyes met. Her eyelashes are long, but what caught my attention the most was the mole on her mouth.
It suits her.
She looks normal right now though.
"I didn’t formally introduce myself. Well, I’m Yrmine Ulrica Torrecampo, manliligaw mo." I sighed when she started quoting a line from a movie, I think.
Here I thought she was getting back to normal.
However, she looked funny while doing that even though I mostly didn’t understand what she was saying. I just listened.
I always cringed when I mentioned her name because it felt like I was calling my older sister without proper acknowledgment. So I decided to call her by a different name.
"You can call me Yrmine... or just Mine? But maybe that’s too much for you." Her little chuckles filled the room.
There she goes again with flirting, but I’m getting used to it.
"Mine then," I said, and she looked shocked, her eyes widening to the point where a chuckle almost slipped out of me. Though I hope she didn’t read too much into it. Her expression just made it look like she instinctively assumed something.
"Sure, I’m Mine Quelloso, Amiel." I stiffened while she was grinning like she won an invisible trophy.
