The Gap Between Us (Under Revision)

Chapter 45

"Guys, I think it's time to tell you the truth where I have been all along." I started. 

"Why? I thought you're living with some of your friend? Don't tell me?" Janine asked.

"I am gonna tell you the truth, the truth is, I lied, I lied that I said na nakatira ako sa dati kong kaibigan, pero ang totoo nyan, I've been living with... Sandro, ever since." I answered 

My friends stared at me, their jaws practically hitting the floor. I could see Janine blink rapidly, trying to process what I'd just said.

"What?!" she exclaimed, her voice louder than usual. "You mean Sandro? As in, the Sandro we've seen you with? You've been living with him this whole time?"

Kirsten gasped, her eyes widening as she looked at me in disbelief. "Seryoso ka ba, Lorraine? Hindi ka naman nagbibiro, right? Living together? Like... in the same house?"

I nodded slowly, biting my lip. "Yes, in the same house."

Veronica threw her hands in the air dramatically. "Oh my God! Naririnig nyo ba ang sinasabi nya guys?! Lorraine has been living with Sandro this entire time! I can't even—wait, legal ba to?" She looked half shocked, half concerned.

Kirsten covered her mouth with her hands, her voice coming out as a muffled squeal. "This is so crazy! You're seventeen, and you're living with him? Eh paano yon nangyari?"

"Well... it kind of just happened," I said, shrugging. "We got really close, and he offered to help me out when I needed it the most. And before I knew it, I ended up living with him."

Janine's eyes narrowed, her expression turning suspicious. "And does this mean... you two are, like, together-together? As in, boyfriend-girlfriend?"

I hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "Yes, we're together."

Janine's eyes went even wider, if that was possible. "Lorraine! You're seriously dating him? This is insane! Sandro's, like, mas matanda talaga sya sayo as in mas matanda! And he's—"

"Rich and super hot," Kirsten cut in, her shock now mixed with a bit of awe. "I mean, I get it. But still, Lorraine, this is huge! Bakit ang tagal mong itinago samin ang totoo? Hindi naman talaga namin sasabihin talaga kahit kanino."

I gave them an apologetic smile. "Alam ko, I know. I just... I wasn't sure how you guys would react. And I didn't want to put you in a position where you felt you had to keep my secret. But I couldn't keep lying to you anymore. Gusto kong malaman ninyo lahat ang totoo."

Janine leaned back, letting out a long breath. "This is... a lot to take in. I mean, si Sandro ang pinaguusapan natin dito. The guy who looks like he could be on the cover of a magazine. And you're actually living with him?"

Veronica looked at me with wide eyes. "And you're in love with him?"

I felt my cheeks warm as I nodded. "Yes. I'm in love with him."

For a moment, there was silence, and then Veronica shook her head, a bewildered smile forming on her face. "Wow, Lorraine. You really know how to drop a bombshell on us."

Kirsten grinned, her excitement bubbling over. "This is like something out of a movie! Hindi ko alam na kaya nyong makapag tago ng sikreto ng ganito katagal. But, Lorraine, you better tell us everything—like, every single detail!"

I couldn't help but laugh at their reactions, relieved that they weren't angry with me. "Okay, okay, I'll tell you everything. But you guys have to promise to keep this between us, alright?"

Janine sighed, still looking like she was processing everything. "Yeah, yeah, we promise. But, Lorraine, you owe us big time for keeping us in the dark!"