Fake Photographs

Chapter 1

I don't get it how girls forget their friends once they've gotten themselves a boyfriend. I don't like how some of my friends are acting like their boyfriends are their whole world when in fact--those boys are just slobs. 

One good example would be my friend, Sierra, over here. Even while listening to our other friend's adventures, she seems to be more engrossed in her boyfriend's cliche pick-up lines. So what Ingrid (the friend who is sharing stories) does is smack Sierra's back head until her forehead hits her phone. "Seriously, Sierra? I mean, we all get how much you and Dean love each other and all but don't you think you should also have time to give to your friends?" Ingrid complains.

Sierra makes an annoyed expression on her face, "So what do you think I'm doing here then?"

"Oh God, there you go again, trying to be sarcastic. Obviously, you're here with us but your mind and attention is with your "oh-so-perfect" boyfriend," Ingrid shouts.

Susan presents Ingrid and Sierra with her special puddings before Sierra could explode and rant about shit to her boyfriend again. She also gave me one and I thank God that she has not been influenced by Sierra. You see, Susan has a boyfriend as well and they've been going out for three years now while Sierra started dating hers four months ago. Considering the fact that they're both blondes, Ingrid and I are just happy one of them is not as stuck-up as the other. Don't get us wrong, we love each other but sometimes, we also get annoyed at one another. Especially at Sierra. 

While they continue their bickering and Susan's failing attempts on trying to contain them, I try to think of a time where I used to be as devoted as Sierra. I can justify Sierra's behavior but then again, it's not like high school and college are the same. I'm pretty sure I was immature back then so I can't say for certain that it's okay to be obsessed with someone now. Although that is a psychological defect, it is also a phase most teenagers go through. We don't look like the partying types nor the overly gorgeous type no one can reach, but we aren't hideous either. Instead of saying normal, I'd say we're pretty much like the rest. I don't think one can really define "normal" anyway. I'm just happy the way I am now. Or maybe I'm just saying that because I haven't experienced much. But will that really change anything?

I sigh and that's the time when three pairs of eyes notices me. Ingrid starts, "What's up, Raven? You don't seem like the usual." Well how am I usually? How would you know how I really am? 

"Yeah, did you get heart broken or something?" Sierra adds. 

Somehow, that annoyed me. I scoff, "What is with you equaling heart broken to sad? News flash, the world does not revolve around shallow relationships."

Susan and Ingrid raises their eyebrows at me while Sierra looks offended and guilty at the same time. The spoon I was holding and the untouched pudding suddenly became more interesting to me rather than these people who were trying to get an answer to a mystery they think they can solve. Before anyone could retort, I add, "Okay, that sounded wrong. I'm sorry, I'm just not in the mood to participate into fights and it's not like this feeling would not disappear. I'm just feeling under the weather, that's all.

They all try to comfort me but I don't think any comforting can help me at all. 

When it was almost time for class, we all stood up from the seats we were resting on in a fast food restaurant near our university. As I was holding the door, someone bumps into me. Not that I really care, but he looks kind of familiar. I was about to ask his name when our eyes met but Sierra pushes me outwards immediately. 

"Come on, Raven! We're going to be late, save your apologies for that nerd later," Sierra shouts loudly as she rushes to the gate of our university nearest to us. We all follow her and ended up huffing outside the door of our next class. I look back behind me, hoping the boy was there but who am I kidding? He probably just finished class and started his break. Even so, my thoughts wonder on who the kid was as I entered our room.