Chapter 8 - Talk

*Aidan Zavia's POV*

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"My parents kicked me out and they cut their responsibilities on me three years ago. And, since then, I'm on my own." She answered and my mouth dropped in shock. What? Damn!

"Umm, uh... Well, that was insane. So, you mean, you don't get any support from them?" I asked curiously since this is really so fucking hard to process in my mind.

"Exactly. And, I'm doing fine, so far. Well, I never thought I could do things that I never thought that I could." She uttered and this is just mind-blowing. 

While I'm right here having a crisis with the thought of my parents kicking me out of the house, she has already been experiencing it for a long time. She freaking supported her studies and everything! How? Damn, I think that this is what my parents want me to be. To experience this kind of stuff in my life and to learn a lesson. But I wonder if what made her parents kicked her out. But, I wouldn't ask that, unless she shares it with me. That's too personal.

"Well, it was hard at first but it gets better as time passes. You'll get used to it. It's just like a new normal. A new lifestyle." She stated and I nodded my head slowly. Damn, other people really have different problems and one is worse than what you have, but we won't really know if we won't know them better. And, I just laughed at myself.

"What about you, why would you wish of another set of a family? Not to be nosy, but I think it's bugging you enough to make you ask that to me." She asked and I cleared my throat.

"Umm, it's actually my parents or maybe the problem is with me. You knew my sister, Nadia, right? She is super smart, cool, perfect in some kind, loved and liked by many, good in so many things even in everything, and many other good characteristics. She is exactly what every parent would want. Not that I am envied with what she achieves or what she have but... Well, I am everything that is not her. Do you know what I mean? Opposite. You would even notice it with our names. But yeah, I'm a sucker. And, no one would be proud of my existence. I am a disappointment in our family actually. They have said it so many times in my face." I answered and I could feel my chest tightening as I am on the verge of crying again.

"Hey, no, you are not. That's not true. I know that somehow in some aspects you can do things that your sister can't. And, you are good with something too. Let's just take for an example... Umm, does your sister knows how to skate or... Defend bullied students or even just punch someone in the face?" She stated and asked that just made me laugh.

"No. She can't even kill a fucking cockroach." I replied and she pointed me with her pen as she chuckled.

"See? She is not good at everything. And, I believe that there are so many things that you are good at. We are all different and we are made this way because of purpose. That's individual differences right there, and also, multiple intelligence. Even if you have the same face, you are a completely different person. You are good in your own way, Zav. You just need to believe in your abilities and believe in yourself." She told me and she is just so freaking amazing. I swear, she is not human. Or maybe she is superhuman. Mhmm, I am certain of it.

"Well, yeah, maybe you are right. No, you are right, Ming. I just wish that my parents could see me the way that you do in other people. Or me, I wish I could see that way too." I replied and she smiled warmly.

"Mhmm, you just need to get to know yourself better. And, do the right things that you really want to do. Or be someone that you want to be. Everything is actually possible if you just believe. Now, that quote is so familiar. But it's true." She stated and I kinda have a quick reflection now.

What have I been doing with my life previously? Well, my mind was clouded with the fact that my parents will never like me or anyone because I am different from my sister, and what I did was disappoint them. I never cared for my studies because even if I will do my best it would never be enough. I spend most of my time hanging out with my friends and be careless and reckless. I am indeed a waste of money and I wasted time.  

"I am messed up." I let out and she giggled.

"Indeed." She uttered and I snapped my head to her.

"What? You said it yourself." She defended and I laughed.

"Hell, yeah! But actually, here is my real and recent problem that made me lose my shit earlier. Do you wanna hear it?" I stated and asked her.

"Go on. And, let's see if I could help you with that." She answered and my face lightened.

"You are gonna help me?" I asked her and she thought for a while. Wow! This is so great. She is so great.

"Yeah! But wait... It depends. Because if you need advice about positivity and life encouragement, I can manage to give you some. But if you need advice about love problems, mmm, I doubt that. But yeah, what is it?" She answered and I can not help myself from laughing. This person is just a living happy pill. I am falling for her even more. Maybe you could help me with my love problem though. Damn, can we be...?

"Well, uh... How should I start? Here. I received my report card yesterday, and I showed them to my parents. And, they aren't happy with it as usual. But this time got worse. It is worse than it could ever be. Then, they made an agreement with me that... If I would get a grade below B- for the next quarter, they would kick me out of the house and I would not receive any financial support from them for my studies. My car will be taken away and they have even taken away my friends in advance today. Yeah, that's it." I told her, and she got her mouth hanging open in amazement or something else.

"Wow! Now, that is insane." She remarked while throwing my words back to me, and I took a deep breath.

"Yeah! Any advice?" I asked and she opened her mouth but then closed it back again.

"Umm... Well, you... Uh, you need to study harder. I mean, the hardest." She replied and I chuckled.

"Do you know that my highest grade is C+ in Math? Now, how the fuck did they think that I could get grades higher than that? That's just absurd. Pathetic, right?" I let out and she nodded her head lightly.

"Well, just as what I have told you that everything is possible if you just believe in yourself. Maybe it's time to be serious with your studies and focus. I know that it's not my right to tell you that, but it's just a suggestion. Because it could be good for you, especially with your situation that you need to achieve something higher." She stated and I smiled. That's what everyone is trying to tell me. And, she's right. They are right. But how? I don't know where to start, or even how to start. But I have just thought of a brilliant idea right at this very moment. I just hope that she is up for it.

"Ming, can I ask you something?" I asked her because I just think that she could help me. A huge help actually.

"Yep. What is it?" She replied and I took a deep breath. I just need to know this badly.

"Are you... Single?" I asked and she turned her gaze to me while surprise is painted on her beautiful face. Yeah, I did ask her that. I am brave enough to talk to her about it.

"Uh... Well, why?" She began and ended not answering it. Fuck!

"Umm, I just wanna know," I replied and I hope that she won't think that I am making a move on her right now. Because I am not. Well, it depends. But no, it's really not.

"Why would you want to know?" She asked, and still, that's not a freaking answer. I just want to know if she's dating someone, hopefully, no, outside the campus or discreetly. 

"Because... I need to ask you something else after that." I answered and her eyebrows met. Mm, I will then ask you if will you be my girlfriend. No, I'm just kidding. Well, maybe someday. Sooner.

"Okay. Umm, no, I am not taken." She replied and it's my eyebrows turn to meet each other. What?

"Uhh, oh, alright. That means no boyfriends or girlfriends?" I asked and she chuckled as she nods her head in response. And, I am deeply and truly celebrating inside. Damn, I am still not sure if she's straight or not. Well, maybe that would be the next question. But no, it's not.

"Cool! Now, I wanna ask you something else." I uttered and she is listening intently.