A Trip Down Memory Lane

Chapter Nine: That's What You Get

POV: Annika

The 12-o'clock school bell finally rang. I'm drained since our Calculus class and I endured this for so long. I badly need to recharge because, after our lunch time, another killer subject is next – our Physics class.

"I'm off to the canteen. Want something? I can buy it for you." Zieg asked me.

"Nah, I'm with you so that I can pick for myself."

Zieg then asked Aerilyn, "How about you Aeri?"

"Yeah Aeri, you should come with us," I added.

"Ah sorry. I have my homemade lunch here," she said.

"Okay. We'll see you later." Zieg said.

As soon as we stepped outside our classroom, a man jumped in front of us.

"HI!"

To my surprise, I just screamed, "Aah!"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Are you okay?" he asked.

"Ah – yeah," I said while catching my breath.

"I'm Kyle. Do you remember me? Yesterday?... Basketball court."

"Oh hello."

"Wait, what are you doing here?" Zieg asked Kyle.

"I just want to say 'Hi' to Annika and maybe I can grab a lunch for her."

"Wait, you know each other?" I asked.

"Absolutely yes! AZ is my 'main man'." Kyle responded and then put his arms around Zieg's back.

"Oh, that's nice," I said.

"So... wanna have lunch with me? My treat of course."

Eh? I just met him. Not that I don't trust him, it's just I'm not comfortable with him – yet.

"Ah.. eh..." I don't know what to say.

"I'll go if she goes." Zieg unexpectedly said after I paused. "Not that I don't trust you bro, but she's new here. She's still adjusting to this kind of set-up and she's still under my supervision as what our adviser said. You feel me, bro?"

Oh, Zieg, you're a lifesaver!

"Yea bro, I got you."

"So what do you think?" Zieg asked me.

"I guess... I'm in." I said but still hesitant.

"Yosh! Let's go."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

We went to the school canteen. The place is huge to accommodate the number of students here especially during peak hours like lunch time. There are also many food stalls to choose.

After a brief line-up, we finally got our food and got a table. Our lunch went well. I found Kyle is quite nice and fun to talk to. I also learned that he and Zieg are known each other for a long time! Just like Luanne-Zoe and Suzy-Aimee.

Aaww. I want a close friend I've known for a long time too. Or maybe I have? I just forgot his/her/them? Shame on me then.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

After we finished our lunch, Kyle separated from us because his next class in on the other building. Zieg and I were on the hallway of our building going back to our classroom when we saw Aimee.

Actually, she's the first one to greet, "Hi Annika! Hi, Zieg. It's nice to meet you two together."

"Hi Aimee," I said.

Zieg just nods his head to her.

After knowing their sweet and bitter history, I can relate to what other people feel when they saw these two collide. It feels like I am in the middle of a 'Cold War'.

They just stared each other. Oh, sh*t. I have to make a move.

"Earth to Zieg! We're late. Let's move.... I'm sorry Aimee, but we gotta go. See ya around."

"Ah yeah, see you around," Aimee said.

Oh geez, I wonder what will happen if we stay there a little longer. That awkward feeling and their blank facial expressions to each other were over the top. I wonder what they are thinking.

--x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

I'm in our room with Suzy. In case you don't know, we share the same room. Originally her room, but now we are now roommates since I got here.

"Suzy."

"Hmm?"

She is doing her assignments while I am surfing the internet with her computer.

"Earlier this day – after lunch, I got experienced that bizarre feeling when Aimee and Zieg meet."

"Oh really?"

"Yea, I don't know what to feel. I mean – their blank expressions to each other, I think, behind that have a thousand of unexpressed words."

"I know right? They never have a proper 'closure'."

"Aww. That's bad."

"Hmm. You seem so interested with them. What are you up to?" She said curiously.

"Ah. Nothing. It's just... they're my friends. Hehe." I said and then she just gave me an okay-that's-what-you-said look.

To our surprise, Zieg opened the door of our room. "Hey, hey. Watcha doing?"

"Woah! What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Sleepover."

"No – I mean in our room!"

He went to the bed and laid down, "Nothing. Just chilling."

"In our room? Are you gay?"

"Gay? Yea. Of course, I'm happy," he said and he grabbed something under my pillow.

"Woo. What is this?"

Oh, sh*t. That's my diary! It's too private that even Suzy can't touch that.

"HEY! GIVE ME THAT!" I tried to get it from him, but he's resisting.

"Chill. I wonder what's this?"

This guy is starting to piss me off. I gathered my breath and shout at the top of my lungs, "UNCLE! ZIEG IS HARASSING US! HELP!"

Zieg panicked. He dropped my diary in the bed and then he grabbed me towards him, covered my mouth. I'm struggling, but he's too much.

"Shh. What do you think you're doing? Don't cause a scene. I'm here to tell you that dinner is ready."

I found Suzy laughing so hard in her bed and at the same time, Luanne and Zoe came into the room.

"Eeeeh? What is happening here?" Luanne asked in her teasing tone.

"We're just having fun," Zieg responded.

"Let me go!" I punched him to his right shoulder and then he let me go. I got my diary, stood up and faced Luanne. "It's not what you think kiddo," I said to her and poked her head.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

POV: Ziegfried

"Geez, your cousin is pretty brutal," I said to Suzy while I'm massaging my shoulder that Annika punched earlier.

"Now you know. Don't mess with her. She's a kinda sadist."

"Wew. To be fair, she hit hard."

I didn't expect that coming. She's a kind of a cool, nice and sweet girl, but also has a sadist side. Scary! I better not mess with her. Or maybe should I do more? Hahaha.

Zoe and I are in the Mendoza's residence as requested by Uncle John and Aunt Susan. They will leave tomorrow, early in the morning.