It All Started With: We're Just Friends

Eleven

Deanna's Point of View

When we arrived at Julia's condo I lie down in her bed because of burn-out. We watched TV series for a while while waiting for our delivery. Julia let me stay in her condo and she'll include me when she goes back home in Rizal. I actually can stay at the campus dorm, but I'm all alone, and Ricci won't allow me to stay there without any company.

"I'll be back in Rizal next week, is it okay for you to stay here with me for a week?" Julia asked while munching salad. "Of course, do I have a choice?" I sarcastically asked. "Yes stupid. Ricci's probably stay here almost everyday just to be with you."

"Oh and by the way, remember that time when I asked you about Korea?" Julia said. "What about Korea? You never mentioned Korea to me before." I asked thinking if she really did asked me.

"Shunga. I'm the one you asked." He said. "Oh yeah, right. So, are you willing to join me in Korea? Mark's been asking me these past few days about it eh. I really wanted to go, but mom's not gonna allow me because he's a boy and I'm a girl. She doesn't trust me with him all alone." She said. "When is it?" I asked without any hesitations because I really wanted to go to Korea too. Myeongdong doe!

"I'm not sure but as soon as mom allowed me, we'll buy the tickets promptly." She said. I stayed silent for a moment, thinking about my schedule this summer. "Well, I guess I'm available." I said.

"Are you not going to ask me?" Ricci said. "Oh. Almost forgot, are you going with us?" Julia asked. "I can't though, I have games until second week of June." He answered, then I face palm. "Ang sh*tty mo. You can't go naman pala. You asked pa." Julia irritably said.

"But I can go after the tournament." He said. "We'll be in Korea for a week, how about you?" Julia asked. "Can you just adjust the date? I want to be with Deanna in Korea too." He asked.

Julia thought about it so well, she even called Mark to make sure if they can adjust the date for Ricci. Then they talk for a while and both Ricci and I keep looking at each other because we're waiting for her.

"He said okay, but we'll buy the ticket on Saturday." She said. "That early?" I asked. "Yeah, it's summer already! It's hard to book a flight this season. We're lucky tho, Mark's dad is working at the airport."

After we discussed about the flight, the tickets, and etc., we went to go drink a coffee in a small coffee shop in the lower level of Julia's condo. We talk about life and stuff after college. We're preparing ourselves  being an adult. "After college, I'll probably be still in the court playing." Ricci said. "Well for me, for sure I'll be in the streets looking for a job." Julia answers. "I still don't know what I really wanted to do after college." I answered. I can see by the reflection of the glass that they both looked at my direction. "Then why Philosophy?" Julia asked. "How about you two? Why Philosophy?" I asked. They both looked at each other and they nodded. "All of us pala still confused what to be in the future." Julia said. "I'll probably be in the business industry instead." I answered. Who would've thought that the three of us who are actually rowdy every time we're together can talk about the future that serious.

We met Ate Bea in the coffee shop alone, so she stayed with us. I introduced Julia to Ate Bea because she is a fan of BeaDel. "Oh my gosh Deanna. She's so pretty!" Julia speaks softly. "Really? I can't see it doe." I said with jest. "Hater! I super love her! The swag doe!" Julia said as she stretched her arm imitating Ate Bea's habit after getting the point.

"What was that Juls?" Ricci asked looking as if he's ashamed of what Julia did. Ate Bea keeps on sipping her tea and just watching us three. "Ate Bea, she has a crush on you. She loves you daw." I said. "Hi Ate Bea!" Julia said. "Ohh! I'm always seeing you! In the cafeteria, the hallway and sometimes in the girls' washroom!" Ate Bea said.

"To be honest, I'm stalking you. Sorry to invade your privacy." Julia concedes. "Really? That's why." Ate Bea said and nodded.

Meanwhile, the two kept on talking as if they've been friends for so long. Ricci and I decided to use his phone to stalk people. "You followed each other on Instagram?!" I asked when I saw Leila Alcasid liked his photo. "Yes. What's the matter?" He asked.

"Nothing. Do you like her?" I asked being suspicious once again. "No. You're exaggerating! I just followed her on Instagram and that's all." He said and he seems annoyed. "Sorry." I said then give back his phone. "Huy, I'm not mad. It's just that you're being paranoid. You're becoming me ah.", and with that I laughed. "Sorry, it's just that she's so pretty compared to me!" I said. "So? I don't look at the appearance babe. I care about here.", he said pointing at my chest. "Sa boobs?!" I mumbles and covered my chest. "Huy! I'm not pervert! Sa heart kasi!" He said then hit my head gently. "Ah, so you think I'm not that pretty?" I asked. "There you go again." He said then stole a kiss from me.

I pushed his head and looked at Ate Bea and Julia and they're both staring at us. "PDA talaga!" Ate Bea said. "Get a room you two!" Julia added.

I felt my cheeks turned red and hid in Ricci's underarm. "I love your underarm." I whispered to him. Then he laughs at that.

We went upstairs because Ricci will be leaving and he forgot his bag in Julia's condo. Afterwards, I decided to accompany him down the parking lot. We're walking together holding hands and we remain silent for a minute.

"Deanna." He calls me. "Yes?" I ask. Then he calls my name again. Over and over again. "What's with you tonight?" I ask. "Nothing, I just love saying your name over and over." He says. "You're being weird again." I said.

"Can we walk in the park? I want to be with you still." He says then he pulls me near the side walk. We walk together while watching the people having their own company. We both laugh at the same time when some kids were running and stumble in the grass. "Look how cute those kids are!" I said while pointing at the kids who has been braiding each others' hair. "I remember Rapunzel." I added.

"I want a boy and a girl babe." He said after we sit on the grass. "Me too. I want the boy to be the eldest and the girl to be the youngest." I said. "So that the eldest will protect her in bullying and such that." He said. "Right! Also to be the shield or guard against bullies and suitors." I added. Then again, we high five.