Freshman

Chapter 27: The Advice

It was a busy week full of doubts, tries, and tribulations in school alone. Not to mention the things that I had to face at home.

The day was just too depressing to enjoy, as if all life had been sucked out of my world. I just.... Needed a distraction.

I went and had a jeep ride with Mejel, Maia, and Jia once classes ended in gloom.

We had a long talk, or it's more like they had a long talk.

I kept my silence. I was just thinking of way too many things at the time to join in on the conversation. Eventually, they seemed to notice my dull mood and actually took the time to hear me out.

Wow, that was a first.

I didn't take the chance for granted, I told them everything that has been bugging my mind lately. Some problems in school, family, and everything in between. Thankfully, they listened with all ears.

I was having jealousy issues, and friendship issues. My mom, my dad, and life in general. It was a whole lot to swallow in such a short period of time. Well, I guess I've got a real awesome talent for not keeping myself together, huh?

They couldn't help with the family stuff, but what they did help me with was about my relationship. I couldn't expect any less from these three when it came to love, I was oblivious and they were experienced, they were the ones I needed.

Maia, was the first to speak. She lectured me about my stupid choices in having Jen as a boyfriend, saying that he never took me as seriously as he should have. As to any typical emotional girl, she lets me cry my tears out until my eyes were as dry as a dessert.

We were in public. There was in no hell's way I was going to let it all out there.

Hm.... Maybe later if I had the time, or if I had the courage to do so. Maybe, and only maybe, will I pour out my feelings to them.

The second was Mejel. Similar to Maia, she lets me cry up a storm as they attempt to comfort me with back rubs and typical unsupportive lines any concerned friend would say.

You might ask, what those might be?

It's somewhat similar to-
It's okay, there are plenty more fish in the sea.

I'm gonna kick his ass if he ever hurts you again, you hear me?

Girl, you deserve more. Don't let a guy weigh you down.

Don't they know? Those simple stereotypical lines never worked.

Finally, Jia took the stage. I had never expected her to tell me the most useful piece of advice that day, and with a bonus, she told me a little something Jen had told her from earlier that week.

She started on the Monday morning after CosCon, when Jen was frenetic about bragging his experience in the convention. Jen showed her pictures that he took in CosCon. What Jen had highlighted from the photos was a girl wearing a ¹Mikasa outfit from ¹Attack on Titan.

Jia showed me a pic of her on her phone, and I scrutinized the young girl. She was really cute, not as pretty as Flourdes, but yeah.... Pretty cute. Before we even hit the climax of her short tale, I already knew where this story was going.

She went on with her recalling that Monday morning. Jen had told Jia that he liked this girl to whom Jen had introduced to Jia as Ayesha Ysabel.

Ayesha had given her Notebook account to Jen, inviting him to talk with her there. Jen never told Jia anything about Jen chatting Ayesha, but I was already having suspicions.

"Jen told me that they've talked for hours in the CosCon," Jia had told. "He enjoyed it there. Oh my Min Yoongi.... I remember his words very vividly. He told me 'Jia, it's hard to have a commitment with Aria. Just look at Ayesha, she's gorgeous!' And that's what he had said, at least."

Jia shrugs and bites her lip.

What she had just told me was both overwhelming and chest tightening. I felt the world had drained itself from all it's color, as if it wasn't lifeless enough. It was now in monochrome, somber and melancholic- like my heart.

Although, I can never say that it was shocking. Like I said in previous chapters, I knew he had never taken his relationship with me way too seriously. I couldn't blame him, we were still young after all. Both of us were as inexperienced.

He kept on making these mistakes, and I'm willing to understand if that's what it takes.

I let myself cry up a storm as my friends huddled around me to comfort me.

"Aria," Maia gently puts in. "Why don't you just break up with the guy? We can't bare to see you like this."

"Yeah," Jia adds. "I mean like, Jen isn't the kind of guy fit for relationships anyway. He has no sense of regard nor conceit to your relationship, obviously."

"Why can't you just end it?" They all asked simultaneously.

I paused for a moment, I looked up to them. I hated myself when I said this.

"I can't, I just can't!" I said through tears. "I finally got the guy I wanted within my reach, I can't just give it all away. I don't care if I trip and fall, I don't care if I get hurt and wounded badly. I've been through worse...."

They fell silent as I wiped away the tears in my face.

Why couldn't I just let go? Or why couldn't he just let go of us? If he's that desperate for Ayesha, for Jams, for Flourdes....

Although it hurts, if he's man enough to give it to me straight, then I'm willing to wait for it.

¹Mikasa - female character in Attack on Titan.

²Attack on Titan - an anime about killing big gigantic humanoid beings called the titans.