Since Childhood

5: Third Wheel

Timothy's name in our school have made a loud noise. Especially to the girls. Countless of love letters are arriving at his way. Gifts and chocolates being offered directly at him wherever he goes. Seeing those girls screaming and giggling because of his presence annoys me so much. 

I find their smiles and sparkling eyes while fixed on Timothy so slutty and I don't know. I just hate it. So much.

Despite of his current sufferings and sorrows, Tim remained a cheerful guy. He smile often, he laughs hard, he is so soft hearted and gentle. If I were to find a right guy, or if I will set a standard for man, Tim will be the perfect fit. He is the type of guy who sets the bar high.

He visits our house every weekend. He hangs out with Kuya Davien, Hirro and Gael. Sometimes every morning, he will dropped by with his bike. Then we will jog together. Share conversations, drop to a fast food chain for something to eat. We spend time together more than how he spend his time with kuya Davien. Kuya became busy with his college life. That is one factor why they lessened their time hanging out. Isa din iyong dahilan kung bakit dumami ang oras namin ni Tim na magkasama.

Routine remained normal for the both of us. We see each other at school, share lunch together, sometimes with our friends, sometimes just the two of us. And at the end of the daylight, he will walk me home. Despite of the distance between my school and my home, I never complain that I'm tired of walking. I actually liked it. I like it because I was able to enjoy every minute of the day with him.

Sometimes in school when the bell rang, Tim is already at the door of my classroom holding two juices and snacks. I always giggle when he's doing that.

Girls are hating me more and more because of our closeness. I honestly enjoy the idea that they think we are in some kind of intimate relationship. It just feel so different and cool.

The year have passed more rapid this time. Realizing how the time works when I'm happy made me believe in the saying that time flies at the good times and turn slower at hard times.

Timothy graduated high school. We didn't see each other that often whole summer because he is busy preparing himself in entering college.

The highlight of my summer this year was my 16th birthday when mom throws me a huge party. All of my classmates was invited and almost all of them were present to my celebration. Kuya Davien brought his friends from college, Kuya Hirro and Gael was there too. And of course, Tim. He made himself appear at my party. I can still see how handsome he look like inside that black suit and a cute little bow at his neck.

Now, first day of my Senior year. My mood was far from how I started my Junior year. I already prepared myself for this but I just can't stop myself from missing him and thinking how he makes school a better place to stay at.

"Hi, can I seat next to you? That's the only vacant, sorry." I am eating alone at my favorite spot in the cafeteria for the very first time of my Senior year when a girl approach and ask if she can sit next to me.

I raised my head and I was totally amazed at her beauty. She got a straight hair as if it was ironed seconds ago. Her eyes is so shiny, her nose is on point, her lips is shaped well in that baby pink lipstick with lip gloss.

"Can I?" She repeated.

Intimidated, I replied, "yes, sure you can."

"Oh my God, thanks. I thought you'll ignore me." She smiled at me. A smile that can enlighten everyone. " I'm Amanda," her right hand was stretched out waiting to be accepted.

"Daniela," I let my palm met hers.

"You are nicest person I've ever met today by far."

"You... aren't familiar. Were you a transferee?" I asked, now my whole attention diverted to her beautiful young face.

"Yeah. I'm from Australia, but we have to go back here for a business matter."

"What year are you in?"

"I'm Senior, section IV-B."

"Really? That was my section. How come I didn't noticed you earlier?" My voice sounds a little surprised.

"I actually..." she scratched the back of her neck as if she's embarrassed to admit something. "I was lost this whole morning finding the room. This school is quite a huge place, I had a hard time making it to my class."

We exchange more conversation until we found company in each other's presence. Since our first day, she become my newest closed friend. We spend our time in school wholly. We go to bathroom together, we buy our snacks and lunch together, we walk in the corridor with each other on the side.

One day, around September of the year, Amanda was with me on the house. We were sorting out our school activities and assignments. That day, Timothy come over to visit us.

That day was the beginning of my role to them as a third wheel. When I introduced Timothy to Amanda, I could see the amusement on his eyes. Its twinkling and he become oblivious to the fact that he's checking her out. While Amanda, she didn't noticed it right away. She's not interested, the exact opposite of how Timothy feel.

I mean... who wouldn't fall in love with Amanda? She's very beautiful for a 17 years old girl. She is very good at pairing clothes. She can make a normal pavement her runway. The boys in my school committed or not are drooling after her. That's the effect only Amanda herself possessed. And now... my biggest fear have come.

Even the boy I like the most had been mesmerized by her.

That day, Timothy stick with me. I know to myself that I wasn't the reason why he is sticking around. I know it was all Amanda. Because he like her. He like her at the very first glance.

Days after they first met, Timothy are suddenly making appearance to the school. He is either bringing me foods or fetching me. It was hurtful to think that he ain't doing all of those because he actually wanted to do those things for me. He's doing it because he wanted to see Amanda. He wanted to get the attention of a girl who never notice him.

Why Amanda? I'm here. I'm always been here, waiting for you. Why not me?

Those are the words that I often ask to myself every time Timothy drop a question about what kind of girl was Amanda.

I hate it. Amanda is a good friend. She never done anything wrong that is why she don't deserve my anger just because of one guy. Our friendship is genuine. It is real so of all the girls, why Amanda, Timothy?

"Rhein, do you think she likes pink? Or maybe roses or one in a million earrings? Lahat naman ng babae gusto ng ganun 'di ba?" Timothy asked while thinking of another stuff to present to her.

"I don't like any of what you said."

Tim chuckled. "That is because you aren't a normal girl. What you like is a guy's stuff. And those things doesn't suit you, tho."

Offended by what he said, I look at him seriously and then stand up from my comfortable seat on our sofa in the living.

"Alam mo? Why don't you go and ask her what the hell she like just so you could stop pestering my life?!"

"Why-- what's the yelling for?" he was confused. "Pero alam mo? I think that's a good idea. I'll just directly ask her, maybe this week? What you think?"

You're the numbest idiot I knew. My subconscious said with sadness.

Without actually replying to him, I walk away. Timothy was calling my second name but I never look back.