"Down! Milani down!" I hear my mom yell with the sound of barking in the background.
I enter my house to see a tiny toy poodle running my way and jumping up at my leg. By toy poodle, I mean the breed. Not a toy poodle.
Before we ask why the heck there is a puppy in my home, let's backtrack.
The others came to us soon after we ate our ice creams. They actually enjoyed that sense killing movie. I don't know how or why they did, but I calculated that it must be because of those stupid love chemicals reacting within their bodies when they watched it with their significant other.
It is now approximately half past 6 and I made it just in time. I have a strict curfew when I go out (although I rarely do). I must be home by 7p.m. and no later. Meaning, no going to crazy parties. Ever. Unfortunately, my parents are not those chill parents who encourage socializing and hanging out with friends. I actually have to beg my parents to go out, contrary to other kids who can do whatever they like.
I go down and pick up the puppy who I assume is "Milani". She starts licking my cheek and I laugh.
"Mom, did you finally agree to getting me a puppy?" I ask in disbelief. I've wanted a puppy since...forever. But my parents didn't want a dog shedding fur all over the house. So I asked for a turtle. But they didn't want a turtle either and they freaked out when I asked for a snake.
So now I have a fish. Just one small fish.
My mom puts a hand on her hip and glares at me. Her other hand is holding a broom. Yup, she's been "stress cleaning". She looks so tired and her hair is a mess. "No. And I still don't understand why this nightmare," she says pointing at Milani, "is here."
"Then who does she belong to?" I wonder out loud.
"Remember Tita Lily?"
No, not really. To be fair, they've introduced the whole Filipino race to me as some sort of my relative. We could walk into Wal-Mart and my parents would point at some random guy and be like, "Oh yeah, he's your long lost third cousin." Next thing you know, a random stranger is going to go up to me and make like Darth Vader saying stuff like, "I am your father."
"Not really, no." I respond simply.
"Anyways, she's going on a business trip to Mexico for a month and she can't bring Milani." she explains.
"Then why did you agree to take care of her? I mean, you don't have the best feelings towards dogs, mom." I tell her. My mom is not an animal person. Not at all.
"I didn't." my mom grumbles.
"Then who-" I start but someone interrupts me.
"Hola ate!" Illa greets cheerfully as she runs down the stairs. "I see you've met my baby." she says as she takes Milani from my arms.
My mom gives Illa the death glare before turning to me. "Ara, I'm sure you can put the pieces together. It was not I who agreed to house this disaster but your sister who is as much of a problem as this thing."
Illa rolls her eyes. "Mom! I already apologized! Besides, dad knew that Milani was coming." Illa realizes what she just said and her eyes widen.
"Dad? He knew?" Mom questions.
My poor father has been thrown under the bus. R.I.P. dad.
"BRIAN!!!" my mom shouts so loud that I swear that the house shakes a little.
Let us have a moment of silence for my father's soul.
My mom rushes up the stairs (still holding her broom) and we hear reprimands and apologies being screamed. Illa and I brace ourselves for my mom's rampage. Not surprisingly, my dad runs down the stairs with my mom running after him and hitting him with a broom.
"Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow." he repeats scurrying away from my scary mother.
"Afksnzkxdn!" my mom screams at him, although not using actual existing words. If you are wondering, she's still hitting him with the trusted broom.
My dad runs past us and yells, "Mga anak ko, kung kailangan nyo ako, I'll be meeting a lawyer to file a divorce!" (My children, if you need me, I'll be meeting a lawyer to file a divorce!)
Illa and I shake out heads and laugh. This is the second time this month he said that and instead he went to KFC.
He runs out the door, "Don't worry, I'll fight for custody!"
My mom runs out too, "Make sure to bring home a 20 piece bucket of fried chicken!"
We all know that he's going to come home with chicken. Besides, we all know that my mom doesn't cook for the world and if my dad's gone, we'll probably all die from starvation.
Illa places Milani on the ground and the puppy goes running away, seeming very hyper.
"I think Milani needs to go for a walk." I tell Illa.
"Yeah, I think she does." she agrees.
"You better go take her, I'm going upstairs to get started on my homework." I say, about to go up but she pulls me back.
"Ate, could you puh-leazeeee walk Milani?" she begs, giving me puppy eyes.
"Uh...no. You're the one who agreed to take care of her so you're going to be responsible and do your job." I state.
"Pleeeeease? I have something super important to do!" she pleads.
"Really? What?" I ask in a bored tone. What could a 13 year old possibly be doing that she can't spare a mere 20 minutes to walk the dog.
A dorky grin appears on her face and she struggles to make it go away. But her sparkling eyes give it all away. Dorky grin? Sparkling eyes? I know the drill. In fact, I've seen it 3 freaking times this week! If she has a cru-
"You remember Kaden Lee right?"
Aaaaand we're dead. I am living under the same roof with a love-struck zombie. R.I.P. me. Why the heck does everyone have a love life? And why does their heart-feelings-things have to affect me to? Leave me out of it universe! I want nothing to do with these annoying chemicals that these people can't seem to control!
"No, no, no, no, this is not happening." I repeat, mostly in attempt to keep my sanity.
"Ate, I'm not doing anything bad. We just planned a study date in the library since we have a french test coming up next week." she explains, still sporting a lovey look on her face.
"Mmm hmm." I snort and glare at her. "Study." I do air quotations and roll my eyes. "And tell me, why is my 13 year old sister going on a date?"
When I was 13, I could barely talk to guys, let alone go on dates! I believed that guys had an incurable infection called "cooties". Wait...that's still me now.
"It's a study session. Barely even a date!" she exclaims.
"Study date." I correct, putting an emphasis on the date part.
She sighs in exhaustion before smirking and wiggling her eyebrows, "Why are you being so mean to me when you have a date every day?"
My brows furrow in confusion. "What? I've never gone on a date. Ever. You should know since you said that I was going to die alone the other day."
"Well you study with Kuya James every day," she tells me, stiffling a laugh. "Isn't that a date?" she challenges.
She must be screaming checkmate in her mind right now.
"N-n-no! That's a completely different thing! Stop trying to turn the tables on me!" I defend myself.
"Tell me dear sister, how is that any different?" she muses.
"I don't like James at all, but you are in love with that Kaden guy." I state.
"Really? Ate are you su-" she starts but I interrupt her.
"Okay! Just go on your date! I'll walk the dog!" I give up. She smiles victoriously and goes upstairs to get ready. Ugh. 8 year olds with phones and 13 year olds dating? What is wrong with life? I better get some popcorn for when my dad comes home and finds out about this. Mwah-ha-ha-ha-ha.
I call for Milani and she comes running to me. I get the leash and get her ready for her walk. We go outside and this time, I actually bring a sweater.
"Y'know Milani, I never thought that my friends would be head over heels for a bunch of guys." I start talking.
She barks at me.
"Yeah. I mean, Jasmine never had a crush on anyone. Well, she didn't tell us anything. When we were 7, we wanted to invent a chemical formula that would act as boy repellent." I laugh, remembering the memory.
She barks again and starts walking a little faster.
"And Kiera? It was funny seeing all the guys that she rejected. Well, not for them. After she became a cheerleader at school, everyone was attracted to her like a magnet. But she literally shunned them all! I literally remember that one kid that she threw a pizza at because he over did the flirting." I laugh again.
Milani just looks up at me like she actually understands.
"Carol wasn't a stranger to guys. But she always picked the best guys. They were kind and respectful. To be fair, she does only have 2 Ex's. Plus, they're still super nice. She did date that one jerk...but he doesn't deserve to be called an ex. He deserves to be called a-well I don't swear so I'm not going to say it."
As if on cue, she barks once more before I start blabbering on again.
"And me? Well, it's kind of hard being in between those love sick girls. I guess I just have to suck it up since they're my best friends." I sigh.
Someone interrupts my conversation. Yes, I do consider that a conversation even though I was talking to a dog. Stop judging! Dogs make much better companions than humans.
"Talking to dogs now, are we? What? Ran out of people to talk to? Or did they all run away from you?" someone sneers from behind me.
I turn to look at the guy and he greets me with a playful smirk. What is he doing, criticizing me when he's walking a dog too? A golden retriever is on a leash and Milani sniffs him curiously. The golden retriever isn't a full grown one though, just a puppy. Him, again? Why world why?
I grit my teeth as I try to force a smile. "I'd much rather talk to my puppy than to someone like you, thank you very much." I really did not need to see him again this week. Or ever.
"Ah! Well then, now that I've ruined my first impression, could I get re-do?" he asks, smiling genuinely.
I roll my eyes. "Xander, a first impression is when you meet someone for the first time. Unfortunately, I've met you too many regrettable times before."
"Hilarious, Lauren-" he stares at me.
"It's Lara." I correct. It's hilarious how one can forget a name when they're not trying to get homework answers.
"Right. So, you're not planning to help me out with french anytime soon, huh?" he gives me a sad, crooked smile.
"No, not at all. I prefer wasting my time with other activities." I tell him.
"Okay then. 1 question though. Would you consider me your friend?" he asks. That's a bit strange. Who the heck just asks that?
"Um, considering you just called me Lauren, I'd have to say no."
He smirks again. I do not know why, but he does. "Sooner or later, you're going to like me. I'll make sure of it. It is now my new mission to win you over and be your friend." he announces. Wow. Desperate.
I narrow my eyes at him in confusion. "Why?" is all I ask.
"Because you don't like me and everyone else does." he brags confidently. Oh. So he's one of those people. The ones who can't take it if a single person doesn't adore them.
"Xander, a lot of people don't like you. I'm just the only honest one. Sorry if I can't lie." I burst his bubble of confidence and start walking away. I look down at Milani and she won't budge. She's too busy with Xander's golden retriever. I tug her leash and we walk away from him.
He runs after me. "Layla!"
"It's LARA!" I yell back at him.
He pulls my arm back. Why does everyone do that? "Why don't you like me? Give me one good reason."
"Player. Jerk. Homework copier." I count on three fingers.
"Homework copier?" he raises an eyebrow.
I nod. "Yes." Oh my gosh! If I don't like you, I don't freaking like you! I'm so sorry if not everyone can like you! Get over it! "Now good bye."
"Fine. But trust me, I'll be your best friend by the end of the semester." he says, smiling at the challenge. I don't need any more friends!
I don't respond but I am getting slightly-super annoyed by his persistence. I blink, only for a moment, when I hear a scream of terror.
"MY SHOES!" Xander screams, and I look down to see Milani doing her business on his expensive shoes.
Huh. Looks like I wasn't the only one getting annoyed.
Shaloha!
What do you guys think is going to happen with Xander and Lara? Are we going to have a Xara? Do you think he's actually going to become friends with her? Or nah? I am so stressed out with Exams coming up and huge projects so wish me luck! Especially with english...and everything else. Lol. If you liked this chapter or you love the book, please vote and comment! I love seeing who's reading this!
-Summer :)
Same.