Chapter 1

I looked at my wrist watch as I walked out of the house. It's 1:38 in the afternoon. After having lunch, we continued to move things to our future home.

"Cams, don't help. You'll just get tired!" Kennedy growled at me before I could even reach a box from the car compartment.

She was standing near the gate and carrying some of my belongings. She's wearing a plain peach croptop and highwasted shorts. She even put on a jacket because the sun was straight and the heat hurt her skin. Her hair was in a bun and a few strands of hair were hanging down while sweating. She frowned as she looked at me.

She's Kennedy Cervantes, my bestfriend since high school until college. Actually, we're taking the same course. Same vibes. She wasn't supposed to be here, but she insisted to help me. Since, we haven't been able to talk again after the wedding because I've been a bit busy too.

"It's easy! I can do it. To at least reduce your workload, you've been doing it for a while," I reasoned. I picked up the box and followed her. She rolled her eyes before heading inside next to me. She knew she could do nothing but agree.

When I arrived on the veranda, I found Auden sitting quietly reading a book. There are a few people who are assisting us with moving our things so that Auden does not have to act any longer. I have a lot of important things to ensure and keep safe, which is why I assist them. There are some important papers that cannot be entrusted to other people.

We put the boxes down on the sofa in the living area. I'll organize these later when everyone is here. I handed the juice to Kenny and so did I. While drinking I couldn’t take my eyes off the man outside and still quietly reading.

"You might melt him, Cams," giggled the woman next to me. I slapped her lightly on the arm. "Just slow down, haha!" she keep teasing me.

I shooked my head. "You're insane! I just can't believe I'm married now." I looked at my ring finger. "'It still doesn't sink in in my mind, things are moving so fast."

"Obviously. So, what happened after the wedding ceremony?" Kennedy looked at me with a playful smile plastered in her lips.

I nearly spit the juice out of my mouth. "Ha! The dirt on what you're thinking! That's terrible, honey." I shook my head and gave her a silly look.

"It was all a joke! But, seriously, this." She lowered her glass and adjusted her seat. "Did you sleep together, uh, uh, Huh?" The excitement of knowing the answer is audible in her voice.

I tried to fake a smile. "No, we slept in separate rooms."

We stayed at his parents' house for three days after the wedding ceremony to get this house ready. I also hoped we'd be able to sleep in the same room. I sighed and averted my gaze; I couldn't help but feel a weight on my chest.

She smiled at me while gently patting my shoulder. "You, too, can adapt. It is just that everything is just starting for the two of you," Kennedy sounded confident. I smiled as she said it.

"Awful! Can you only provide me with juice? Can't you even feel shy, your friend is pretty, and I'm trying to help you. I don't even clean our house-sgusjsgsj, " she stated it bluntly.

She said a lot more, but I just ignored her and went to the kitchen to get the pizza boxes I had ordered for them earlier. Kennedy used to be mean, but she doesn't mean what she says.

"Here, you're really a shameless friend," I remarked as I lowered the pizza in front of her. She even clapped her hands before having the food as sign of excitement.

I went outside to invite some of the others who were assisting with the move to join me in eating a snack. Auden didn't move from his seat, which I noticed. So I just brought him some pizza slices.

"Here you go, have some." Even though he wasn't looking, I smiled at him. His looks is breathtaking. His well-groomed hair, which is naturally black in color. And his thick brows that stand out. The scenery is so spectacular that I can't even blink.

"Thank you," he replied sparingly, glancing at me for two seconds before returning his gaze to the book and continuing to read.

I slowly stood up and walked away. I'm at a loss for words. I'm at a loss for how to start a conversation. I know he's busy studying for the upcoming school year, which begins in a week. Our senior year of college.

We are no longer conscious of the passage of time. The sun is setting. The colors orange and blue blend in the cloud. The sunset is breathtaking. "Are you sure? Can you handle it all? " Kennedy inquired. She has a worried expression on its face.

"Yes, it is a little better and more organized. Thank you for your assistance today, Kenny." I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly. "We'll take you," I said, grabbing her sling bag from the sofa and handing it to her.

"Just give me a call if you need anything, eh? Don't overwork yourself; you'll end up in trouble" with a threatening look, she said. I nodded and yanked her away from where Auden had parked the car.

We made our way quietly to Kenny's condo until we arrived. "Goodbye, and thanks for the ride! Be careful on your way home, eh?" Kennedy reminded us of this. She went down, but not before rapping on the window in front of Auden.

"Drive slowly, and try to catch out for my friend's heart." Kenny's face was painted with a grin. She gave Auden a wink, but he just nodded. Because of what my friend said, I can't stop myself from biting my lower lip. Kenny's words seemed to imply two things. Stupidity at its finest.

"Byeeee!" I waved and said my goodbyes.

"Do you need something? There's a grocery store on the way, "Auden inquired, coldly. He only speaks to me when absolutely necessary. At that habit, I simply shrugged my shoulders. He's nice to me in some ways. He's even concerned about whether or not I needed to purchase anything. I paused for a few moments to consider whether I needed to buy anything.

"I'd like to make dinner at home. Maybe I'll just go out and buy some ingredients." I noticed his expression. I hoped to see at least a glimmer of happiness. When he looked at me and smiled as he nodded, my heart seemed to skip a beat. I, too, smirked and smiled broadly.

When we arrived at the supermarket, I was the first to get out of the car. I'm curious why he hasn't come down yet. He looked out when the window opened. "Just take a taxi home because I'm still going somewhere. It's important, " he said this while holding his phone to his right ear, as if he was talking to someone.

I was stunned. What?

"A-ah? In that case, could you please get back to me?" I inquire. I'm trying to guess if he will agree. He just stared at me, his face is expressionless. He didn't respond, but I understand what he was trying to tell me. I just agreed with a nod. I can't anything anymore. Wews.

"Sure, no problem. "I'll just take the cab home." I gave him a friendly smile to let him know that everything was fine with me. I didn't argue any longer because it could be an emergency and he wouldn't have time to pick me up. I'm going to go home by myself. I'm hesitant to take a cab because I don't usually commute because we have a family driver.

Auden didn't respond and left right away. I let out a long sigh. It began to rain as I exited the supermarket. It was windy, and I didn't want to risk getting my groceries wet. It felt like déjàvu all over again. The same sensation, the same experience. I raised my eyes to the hazy sky. How long ago did that happen?

When a taxi drove up in front of me, I hopped in and hurried home. Auden was still not home when I arrived. I had already prepared dinner, and because I was hungry, I ate it first. I'm not sure if he'll like my cooking because it's the first time I've ever cooked in my life. Why hasn't he arrived yet? I tried to contact him because I had just gained his phone number from his mother. But he's not picking up on it.

After entering the room I looked for clothes to change before going to bed. I saw a familiar hoodie mixed in with clothes I hadn’t fixed yet. It felt like I was back in the day when my heart started beating for someone.

FLASHBACK

The weather was gloomy that day. As the rain started to fall, I knew it was going to be strong. I hurriedly ran and covered myself with the bag. I looked for shelter but the waiting sheds were already filled with students. When was class dismissal and then it rained.

I remember my books and notebooks getting wet from the rain, which is why I didn't stop running. I'm sure they're dripping wet. Until my knees start shaking and weakening. I was also out of breath and having trouble breathing. Even though I was in pain, I continued to run. Until I ran into someone. My body collapsed at the same time as raindrops fell on my face. The last thing I remember, someone was trying to hold me tightly. His face was painted with shock, and he was saying something while looking intently at me until everything went dark.

"She was lucky and was immediately rushed to the hospital," said the voice coming from a man. When I opened my eyes, I saw my Mommy and a doctor. They turned their backs on me. Someone got my attention, a boy was sitting beside me and plainly looking at me. He was the boy earlier. It was as if my world stopped and my heart beat faster when I saw him. This was the first time we met but why am I feeling like this?

"She's awake," the guy said, motioning to me. My Mommy and the Doctor reached, worried, and then examined my condition. My gaze was drawn to the boy as if he were a living magnet. A woman in her thirties walked into the room and approached the boy.

"What happened?" the lady asked the boy, that's when I found out that they were related because I heard her call her Mommy. I just knew later on that our parents were friends. My entire existence seemed to revolve around him since that night. Until one day, my whole world stopped when I found out that they were leaving for America. That was the time when my parents found out what I felt for Auden. It was pretty obvious.

His hoodie was the only thing I had left that reminded me of him. This grey sweater bears testament to how much I missed its owner. I'm insane, and I'm too young to comprehend love, yet that's how I felt.

END OF FLASHBACK

When someone grabbed my arm, my heart almost jumped out of its cage. I nearly let go of the hoodie I was holding. My eyes widened as I looked at Auden, who had his gaze fixed on the hoodie. Its eyes were solemnly fixed on my hand.

"How come you have that?" his tone is cold and inquisitive.

My mouth left open and my stance seemed to stiffen.