Mare's Nests

December 29, at my third year in college

"Lucas, remember to pile up those books of yours on the top shelf"

"Sheez, I get it Ate Syne, shut up already"

"Why you.."

I was about to grab my brother's hair when my phone suddenly rang.

"Oh it's Ate Isla.. MOM! ATE'S GOING OUT AGAIN!"

"Shut up"

I removed my disposable gloves and took Isla's call.

"Hey what's up?"

"You doing something?"

"General cleaning, you know since new year's just around the corner. Why? Did something happen?"

"Yeah, Abrielle needs us"

"Why? Did her boyfriend broke up with her?"

"Actually, she broke up with him"

I chuckled before hand signaling my brother that I'm going out.

"Where did she want to meet up"

"At her house, her parents aren't there right now"

"Okay see you there"

I ended the call, took my wallet and halted a trike. Not a moment later I was already at Abrielle's front yard. I knocked at their door before shouting her name. The door opened and what stood in front of me was an Abrielle with puffy red eyes, messy hair and baggy clothes.

"Dude, what the hell?"

"Mnemosyneeee"

She threw herself unto me for a tight embrace, before burying her face in my shoulders. I felt her tears bursting through my clothes. I patted her head.

"Hey come on, we'll talk about it"

"I really did love him"

There's that word again, Love. Just what the hell does it mean to be in love?

"So he really was seeing someone else already even before this breakup?"

"yeah"

"Isla, should we contact some of your friends in XXX?"

Isla eyed me before giving a thumbs up.

"I'll tell them later, they just have to make it seem like an accident."

"Ah geez both of you really have it loose"

"Don't see anything wrong with that"

"Same here"

We laughed as Abrielle sighed in frustration. We already overlooked her boyfriend's sins before but now is different. He just f*cking cheated on our friend. How can we possibly let it all go?

"Just please don't overdo it"

"Wait you're actually letting us do something with him?"

We stared in surprise at her response, normally Abrielle would tell us that we can't do that so this reaction is really a surprise.

"Well yeah, I mean I hate him for making a fool out of me and it hurts like hell. I gave him everything I have to offer and yet he was never contented with me alone."

I stared at Abrielle. Is she really in love? Or is it just an illusion?

"Ahh I wish I could find another Lys in my life"

I looked at her in confusion. Lys? If I remember correctly Lys is one of Isla's guy friend. A guy friend that was born with a golden spoon in his mouth.

"What does Lys have to do with all of this?"

Isla and Abrielle looked at me before Isla punched Abrielle in her left arm.

"Ugh you and your mouth"

"Sorry I slipped" I raised an eyebrow at Isla before asking her to spill the beans.

"Just promise me you won't ask any questions more"

I nodded at her though I knew I wouldn't be able to hold back the curiosity once I hear this story.

"Lys likes her, and he has been making some secret efforts for her."

"Like?"

"Like stalking her boyfriend so that he can beat the hell out of him."

I looked at Abrielle and she was already staring at the ground.

"Lys thinks the reason why Abrielle and him cannot be is because of her boyfriend"

"When in fact it was you?" Isla shrugged off my comment before looking at me.

"Zev also did something you know?"

"Something?"

"Since we already talked about Lys, we might as well talk about Zev"

"Ohh kay?" I really don't know what it is we are about to talk to but I am getting the chills.

"Remember when we told you that Zev likes you?"

"Uhh yeah so is this about that?"

"Yeah, that guy has been following you every now and then"

I gawked at Isla like she just said something stupid and utterly unbelievable.

"You're kidding!"

"I wish I was but that's not it. He's been following you since first year college"

"Since first year?"

Wait.. so if he was already stalking me back then, then does that mean he already saw what I was like in personal?

"You can't be serious?"

"I am, why? Do I look like I'm joking right now?"

"No, it's just that. I never knew"

"Of course you wouldn't, I paid big bucks so that they won't get near to the both of you"

"Wait so even Lys?"

"Yeah, ha they were both so stubborn you know"

"You could've told us you know"

I looked at Isla, I was frustrated. I didn't knew that she was already having a hard time and yet she never complained to us.

"The biggest obstacle was yours since we don't spend that much time anymore since your course is different than ours"

Isla and Abrielle took up Pharmacy at their first year in college but quickly shifted to Mass Media since it was too much for them while me? I continued studying Psychology. Since they both shifted courses, they also needed to move to another university leaving me all alone.

I stared at Isla, she was busy comforting Abrielle. I always had a hint, that Isla may have loved Zev back then but I was always afraid to ask especially when I found out how Zev likes me.

"Hey Isla"

"Yeah?"

"Did you ever regret it? Breaking up with Zev I mean. He was your first boyfriend isn't he?"

Isla looked at me before shrugging her shoulders.

"To be honest, I was hurt when I learned that he likes you and I sort of hated you for that but.. I never regretted breaking up with him. Sure maybe I did loved him but we were better off as friends"

I felt a slight pang of pain in my chest. Isla is my best friend, as much as possible I wouldn't want to hurt or inflict pain upon her but without even knowing I hurt her and it was just painful.

"But you know it was already in the past and you know how I'm still in love with Kuya Travis right? Zev is.. Zev is like one of those boys who will come and go in your life type of boyfriend. The only difference is that he's still my guy friend"

I smiled slightly at her explanation. Since she was a kid there has been this guy she's been in love with. But unfortunately, that guy married someone this year without even giving Isla the second look. For him, she was just like a younger sister and hell knows how painful it was for Isla.
So, basically our life. It's as fucked up as everyone else's lives.