Chapter 2

 Chapter 2

Chills

We're here now at Chills because we don't have classes anymore. We're talking about the debate that happened earlier and asking Travis what are his plans if ever he'll win the election.

"You were great earlier Trav" Coleen said.

"I know" Travis answered that I didn't expect. So full if himself We're busy looking at the menu for food. We haven't had lunch yet because of what time did the debate take.

"Order you and it's on me," Travis said while smiling. Oh, he is the one Isha was talking about earlier.

"I want seafoods," Isha said. "I'll order buttered shrimp and crabs and a smoothie"

I'm still looking for food when my phone beeped.

miggyslabs: where are you lab?

miamore: @chills. Wanna go here?

miggylabs: who's with you?

miggylabs: no spicy foods, no seafood, no peanuts, no chocolates !!!!

I laughed silently because of his exclamation points. Furious?

miamore: gg? Hahaha, are you going?

miggylabs: I have a class :( I'll just treat you after class

I replied again and look at my friends. They're still choosing their food.

miamore: okay. I expect that boss! :P

I was about to keep my phone in my bag when I hear someone says "Please keep your phones. I hate it when I see someone using phones while eating"

I'm not the only one on the phone so I'm not the only one he's talking about. I put my phone in my pocket quickly and glanced at the menu.

No spicy! No kinds of seafood! No peanuts! No chocolates!

Okay, there are many taboos so I have to be careful.

"Hey, it took you a while to order! You thought you had the strength to eat!" They all laughed at what Akisha said. I, on the other hand, still have a hard time choosing because the foods on the menu are unfamiliar.

I'm not the only one on the phone so I'm not the only one he's talking about. I put my phone in my pocket quickly and glanced at the menu.

No spicy! No seafood! No peanuts! No chocolates!

Okay, there are many taboos so I have to be careful.

"Hey, it took you a while to order! You thought you had the strength to eat!" They all laughed at what Akisha said. I, on the other hand, still have a hard time choosing because the foods on the menu are unfamiliar.

I simply whispered to Akisha and she said she would take care of my order. Ten minutes passed and finally, our order arrived. My companions immediately left because we were both hungry.

I smiled at myself when I saw that Isha had just ordered Balsamic Salad for me.

"Of course! We talked earlier at the party about Davin's platform" said Adrian who was with Akisha's older brother at the party. We all listened to him.

"Yes, Leila told me. They said that sports clubs were lack attention but they still focus more on academic clubs, Davin." I secretly raised my brow, why would he neglect the sports club and our school is known because for how many years we have been the champion in different sports competitions.

"What. That's odd, we all know that Davin and almost all of his colleagues are into sports so why is that?"

"Maybe they have something in mind?" I murmured. It looks like they are planning something else, knowing that they are known for sports so why settle for the obvious?

We continue eating our food. I've been thinking about our upcoming training. Finally, I can find my sweet escape again away from my suffocating world. It’s been a month since we took a break from training and I can say that it’s like hell for me. I really can't wait to get back to the dorm and train again.

"Guys, I need to go! My mom texted I need to fetch her" Akisha said. We bid our goodbyes to her and reminded her to be careful.

We continue to talk about our school works when Travis pushed a glass of water beside me. What? I mouthed him. He rolled his eyes at me like I'm asking a stupid question. Of course, I will ask him that. Do I know what to do there? I just ignored him and continued eating my salad. I haven't eaten half yet but I'm full. I know it's bad to consume food so I will just request to wrap it so I can eat it later. Akisha was not here so there is no objection hihihi.

They were all done with their dessert while I had less than half the food. "Hey, I need to go now. I don't eat and run Trav ha!" Coleen laughed. It's just Travis and me.

"How about me? Will you leave me? I will just be with you!" I shouted at Coleen. Even before Coleen could hear me she was already down the stairs of the cafe. I was about to put away my belongings and let my companion know when he suddenly spoke.

"Finish your food first. I'll wait for you." Travis said while looking at me intently. I looked at my food and by just looking at it I can feel that I will vomit if I continue eating it.

"I am so full Trav, have mercy on me," I told him while averting his gaze. "No. I treat you so you finish your food" he said while rolling his eyes.

"What? You're accusing me? It's not like I'm forcing you to treat me." he laughed so hard for an unknown reason. Is he still laughing at me?

"Are you making me fun because of me?" I punched his arm while asking. "Fck, I can't stop laughing." My gad, what's funny?

"What's funny? And stop cursing no!" I am really irritated right now but yeah it's effective. He doesn't remember my food hehe.

"You know what? I'm leaving, you're like a madman" I sneered at him and was about to get my bag when he holds my right hand. He put his hand above my hand and make me move like a puppet. I was just looking at him confused about what is happening.

"What? What are you doing?" He just looked at me plainly and uttered "Eat. Even just a little" he is so annoying and why is he forcing me? I can pay him if he's thinking about leisure.

"If you are thinking about your treatment, I will just pay you. I can't really eat. My tummy will hurt when forced." He looked at me like I am saying something stupid. "Fine, let's take it out. Eat it later when you're hungry. Your eating habits can't always be like that, remember you're an athlete so you have to be healthy"

"Okay, I understand" I whispered. He requests the bill and also took out the food I didn't finish. He also ordered a box of pies. The waiter gave him the paper bags and I was about to get the first bag but he just took it away from me.

"I'll carry this, let's go," We walked out of the cafe together. "Are you doing anything else?" he asked me without looking at me.

"Yes, I have to review my notes. Also, I need to stretch because we will be training again a few weeks from now" I said to him and hoping he gets the signal.

He stared at me intently as if weighing what I was saying. It's 3 pm and it's too early to end my day.

"Okay, I'll bring you," he said to me and walked together towards his car. "I'm sorry Trav but I can handle myself"

"Okay, here please eat these when you get hungry" he handed me two paper bags with only food. "Thank you for these" I said and waved at him before heading the opposite way.

My smile faded when I turned my back. Why am I smiling anyway? I do not deserve to smile. I chuckled soundlessly, how can I forgot that. Walking and walking without destination and made up my mind that I have to go somewhere.

I also spent an hour traveling to the destination. Fortunately, I still haven't forgotten for a long time. Just around the corner, I was about to go down, I grabbed paper bags and prepared to go down.

I went downstairs, I remember this place. I turned into a mango tree and looked across the old two story building. I immediately approached the sliding door which was hard to open probably because it had been a long time as well,

"Good afternoon, Lola Nini" I smiled at the old woman who was arranging the shelves. He looked at me earnestly before smiling slowly. "Dea iha?" I smiled at her sweetly and ran to her for a hug.

"How are you? It's been a long time since I last saw you and you're so beautiful you're really young" I felt the little peace that I am looking for. "I'm okay grandma, are you?" Really Dea? Okay? Who did you fool haha

"I can see it in your eyes son. Do you remember what I said? That when I'm with you you don't have to pretend. You're free here Dea, there's no one to judge you here" I smiled at what grandma said. She hasn't changed, she is still my family, she still cares. I hug her again tightly.

"Go to your happy place iha. I always clean it because I know you like that spot. It's been closed for a long time but I know you'll come back to it" said grandma Nini.

"Thank you Lola, Thank you so much" I smile at her. I continued walking to the place he was saying. It's been years and it still feels the same. I looked around and I can vaguely imagine my young self around the place.

"You're here again Deydey" I smiled bitterly.

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