How to be a Bida

Step 7: Audition For Real

"Will you quit your pathetic act and do something productive for once?" Bree said pulling my comforter off of me which made me whine in return.

"Girl you stink, how long has it been since you've showered? You can't stay holed up in your room forever. I gave you one week to mope around, now get off your ass, we're going to school."

She continued to open my blinds, letting whatever bit of sun shining outside stream through my window to brighten up the room, blinding me. Stubbornly, I kept lying down my bed, aimlessly staring at the ceiling contemplating what the meaning of life is now that I've lost my one and only.

"I know you think you look cool or whatever for skipping school for an entire week, but you don't. Now get up before I drag you looking like...that."

"I'm giving up on Tony," I admitted feeling weak and heavy hearted. I kept looking down on my intertwined hands as tears threatened to fall.

"Ria," I heard Bree say and felt the bed dip as she joins me and pulled me for a hug. It means a lot to be hugged by this best friend of mine since it takes a lot of effort for her to even accept physical contact from anyone. Now that she's initiating one, does that mean I'm that pitiful?

At that thought, I couldn't help it and I started to cry. I buried my face against her shirt and cried my heart out and didn't even care that I look horrible with eyes bulging and snot dripping off my nose. All that matters is Bree is here and she's willing to comfort me with a hug.

"I'm so glad you are finally willing to let go of your delusion," Bree stated while gently rubbing circles on my back with her left hand to comfort me. "Though I am glad of this decision you're making, I highly suggest you confess your feelings to Tony- argh!"

Shocked to hear this from her, I pulled back bumping the top of my head against her chin causing her to bite her own lip and bleed.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry." I said over and over hoping to stop her bleeding with my apology. If only it was that easy, apparently you are supposed to use a clean cloth or tissue to apply pressure on the wound until it stops bleeding.

At least I offered her my shirt.

"&@#!*^" Bree let out a series of strong language, viewer's discretion is advised, after I stripped my shirt off and forcefully placed it on her wound in my panic.

"I'm so sorry Bree, I didn't mean to hurt you." I said holding back my tears and fought against her hands that were trying to push my right arm away. Good thing I have my left hand against the back of her head, so I did what I had to do, I applied pressure there to keep my shirt on her wound.

"Get. This. Off. Mmm." Bree exclaimed in between whenever she could pull back and talk.

"Stay still, you're bleeding."

With all her might, she pushed me off the bed and I landed on the floor with a loud thud. I don't know if it's because I'm topless aside from my bra, but the fall hurt than it normally would whenever I fall off tripping over the tangled blankets in my rush to get up and get ready for school.

"That shirt is filthy you idiot!" She stormed to the bathroom and muttered something about needing a bath, getting infections and what not before she slammed the door shut.

I got up and decided to fix my beddings. I looked around, for once, thankful that I stayed in bed for a week seeing how clean my room is. My mom must've cleaned the entire room over the weekend and since I haven't been out of bed for a week, everything is in place, except of course, my bed.

I was still on the process of tidying up when the doorbell rang repeatedly. There are only two people in this entire world who would ever visit me at home, one being Ria and since she's here, that leaves Tony to be the one making that annoying sound ring over and over. In my panic, I grabbed the bloodied yellow shirt that I used to stop Bree's bleeding lip with and put it on, not caring if it was upside down.

I ran to the front door and came face to face with the love of my life. When he turned his attention from the doorbell and saw me, I saw shock register in his face before he stifled a laugh as he pull his phone and quickly snapped a photo of me.

"Who is it?" I heard Bree ask from the top of the stairs and heard her choke on her breath before laughing as loud as she can causing Tony to laugh along with tears building on his eyes.

Did I miss something here? What are they laughing at? Before I could ask, Tony turned his phone towards me and I saw just what they were laughing about.

"Damn you look good Ria," he joked and continued laughing.

To make things short, I looked like the love child of Shrek and the Grudge. Yea, I look amazing I know. My hair is a mess, pointing at different direction due to oil build up from not showering for an entire week, I probably smell too, my eyes are swollen from all the crying I've been doing, my shirt is inside out with a patch of blood right in the middle, and I was wearing my Hello Kitty pyjamas, and mismatch socks.

"Thank you," was all I could mutter in utter humiliation.

Finally recovering from his fits of laughter, Tony handed me a paper bag with God knows what's inside. I took it graciously from his hand and when I took a peak inside, there were some Hershey's cookies and cream chocolates, orange flavoured lollipops and a pint of cookies and cream ice cream. All my favourite treats in one bag.

I looked at Tony, looked at the contents of the paper bag, and repeated the motion for about ten times. I couldn't stop the butterflies in my stomach from doing their happy dance, its as if they know I have something to feed them with directly from the man of my dreams.

Awkwardly, Tony rubbed the back of his neck, a gesture he does when he isn't comfortable with a situation. I guess being in my presence makes him just as nervous as I am whenever he is around. I knew we were made for each other.

"I heard you were sick and I haven't seen you in school for a week so I thought these would make you feel better." He said and cleared his throat when I kept staring at him in unmasked admiration. "Also, I got you this. Danielle and I made copies of the notes you missed while you were-"

I couldn't help but zone out as he goes on and on. I felt an overwhelming urge then and there to audition for the role of heroine. Screw looking perfect, there isn't a written set of rules that needed to be followed when confessing your feelings. You just have to be yourself and let it all out.

I love you.

I love you Tony.

Tony,

"I love you." I blurted out loud before I could stop myself and saw confusion pass over Tony.

"Yea, I love you too so get some rest, be sure to look over these notes and come to school on Monday okay?"

"No you don't understand." I closed my eyes and shook my head to clear my thoughts, though all I could think of in that moment was how fast my heart is beating, I might need to go to the hospital after, and whether or not I should just kiss the shit out of this man.

"I'm in love with you."

There. I said it. It's out. I finally said it.

In your face Bree.

I slowly opened my eyes, one lid at a time, and saw Tony blushing profusely, at lost for words. He opened his mouth, and then closed it, opened it again, only to close it. Right when he was about to say something, we were interrupted by none other than the role usurper, Danielle.

"Hi Ria, I hope you're feeling better." She said with that gentle voice and bright smile, the sun should be ashamed.

"Uh, we have something to work on so we'll get going then. Bye." Tony said in one breath and rushed to grab his girlfriend's hand dragging her along with him while I was left alone with my messy hair and bloodied shirt to stare after them as they disappear out of sight.