(Alys Prov)
"Okay," I said to Tripp. "Don't be serious," I continued and then winked at him. He suddenly laughed, thank you! He was so serious earlier, I suddenly got nervous. The last time we had a fight, I cried so much. Drake is his deal breaker. I don't know why! Given that again... Oh, well. I keep on going back to that road. Now, I need to stop thinking about it. It's taboo, Alys. You hear? Good.
He stood up and then he pulled me into their entertainment room. We sat down while he went out to get our popcorn. I took the controller and then I scanned their movies. Hmmm. They're not showing the others here yet, huh! Tripp is really a pirate!
While I was busy choosing a movie, my phone suddenly vibrated. And then I saw on the caller ID Cristine's phone. I don't know but I felt Drake on the other line so I turned off my phone.
Tonight is about me and Tripp.
I put my phone on the table then I continued buying a movie. Let's just go cartoon! That's where we're going home from. I don't want a stressful movie anymore. I just want a good laugh for tonight. I've had enough drama, time for laughter.
"What do you want to watch?" asked Tripp.
I pointed using my lips.
His eyebrows rose. "Hotel Transylvania?" I nodded and then he sighed. He blew his bangs off his forehead. "Sometimes I forget that I'm in love as a child."
I hit him! "You're welcome!"
He laughed again and then leaned on my shoulder. We watched the movie in silence but Tripp, he managed to multi-task! He braided my hair and then played with my fingers! He was counting earlier. As if the number would suddenly change, no! It was still 10!
"Stop it." He was tracing circles on my palm. It was so ticklish! "Tripp!"
He pursed his lips, trying to hide his smile. "What?" he said innocently.
I narrowed my eyes and scowled at him. "I was concentrating on the movie, what was it."
"You can't concentrate, come on," he said. He's a philosopher too!
I pulled my hand back then took one of his hands and placed it on his other hand. "There. Play with your hand, okay?" He kissed my cheek and leaned back on my shoulder.
"I'm so tired, so tired, so tired, Zyril. Go to sleep, okay?" he said. I adjusted and let him doze off. Poor kid. He's getting tired every day, I just notice. What does he do at work? Is he lifting hollowblocks?
which one sandwich or pasta?
I bit my lip while deciding. It's past nine o'clock and I'm hungry again. What should I cook? Is it a midnight snack? I'm pigging out! Very much I was scared, I felt pregnant. Well, that's impossible unless I was the Virgin Mary.
I was busy circling their kitchen when I noticed an invitation sitting on their microwave oven. Why was it there?
Hastily, I opened the envelope and it said it was about the annual reunion of the Palmas.
Oh.
I was busy reading the entire text when someone poked me from behind. "Hey," he said. I turned around and saw Tripp looking dazed. "What are you doing here?"
I tried to hide the envelope but he saw it. He took it from my hand and stared at it.
He puffed a breath and stared at me.
"Will you go with me?" he asked.
"H-ha?"
Slowly, he said, "I said... can I be your date to our reunion?"
I bit my lip again and asked him, "I thought you didn't want to?"
He gave me a half shrug and leaned on the marble counter. "You and Drake have met again so... it's over."
"But I thought you didn't want to talk to Drake?" I asked him. I was so bothered by them. I hope they get along. Not for me but for themselves. They're cousins, you know.
He nodded. "I don't want to, but we'll meet and see each other. We're cousins," he stated.
Although I knew it wasn't the perfect time, I smiled at him and diverted the topic. "So... pasta or sandwich?"
I proceeded to make both of us something to eat while Tripp made fresh orange juice. I even laughed because he used the wrong juicer, he kept spitting! He's also pretty stupid! Hahaha!
"Still laughing," he said while wiping his face.
I stuck out my tongue. "Moron."
He tsk-ed at me and then left to get dressed. As I have said, pretty stupid.
After eating, he took me to our house. Good thing the lights are all out. I don't want to explain to Mom and Dad why I'm dressed like a man, more so in boxers!
"Good night, Marco."
"Good night, Zyril. Go to sleep," he reminded.
I roger-ed at him and ran towards our house.
The following day, I woke up with a heavy head. Ah, I think I'm gonna be sick!
I literally rolled out of bed and picked up the phone. My eyes were swirling and I felt really dizzy.
With my eyes half closed, I composed a text saying, "I'm sick. Can't come. Sleep."
I half heartedly scrolled down and when I saw something like Palma on the name, I hit select and send. Oh, screw this headache!
After sending my apologies to Tripp, I crawled back to bed. I also reached for the AC remote control and turned it off. I'm really gonna get frost bite from being so cold!
I reached for the comforter and rolled and rolled until I felt like suffocating. Seriously! Why at all? the day I can get sick, right now?!
I feel like someone. The comforter was wrapped around me. Aaaaah, so comfy!
Smiling, I tried to bring myself back to sleep. Yes, Alys. When you wake up, you're gonna feel better, okay?
"D-drake?"
My lids were half closed. Who was this guy?
He didn't answer my question, he just kept on checking my temperature.
I badly wanted to stand up and shake his hand away from my face but my body felt so limp. I can't even lift a finger. Ah, seriously so annoying.
He stared at me, not saying anything. Or so I thought.
He breathed in and began speaking. "You're sick," he stated. "Alys Perez, the thing I hate the most is making myself pathetic. Do you know that? Of course not. You hardly know anything about me because you refuse to. Why am I even talking?" he paused. "Ah. Because right now is the only time I have where you will listen to me. Every time I try to smack some sense in to you, you shut me out. You're so stubborn.
"Why do you hate me so much? Was that because of what I did four years ago?" he asked.
I really, really wanted to say yes. Why did he leave me? Why? But... there's this part inside me that said no. Don't listen, Alys. You're happy now. Don't listen to him anymore. He'll ruin everything... like what he did to you before.
"Do you want to know?" he asked, again.
He stared at me and caressed my face. He stood up and got his keys from my nightstand. "Ask me, Alys. You never really did ask so don't hate me for not telling."
And then, I saw his back walking away from me.
Did I just pull his last straw?