Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Harsh

I checked my overall look before going outside. My plan today is to buy pizza for Sera's family, wanting to make a visit since I'm bored being all by myself all day. Just wanting to unwind and have a break from gadgets and such. My dad also called me earlier and reminded me to go outside and stop exposing myself too much on my laptop.

I really missed my parents. 2 months ago, we celebrated my moving up ceremony which I received with honors in last school year's academic list. They are always proud of me and supporting me as I'm going to take a business course. Besides, my grades will also pass Arkinstein University's standards. Average teenager, that's me. I won't stress myself in studies which I might get depressed about.

Studies are important, yes. It will lead us to our success but don't be so harsh on it. I'm just aiming for the PASS record, not to be on top. I don't want to take paths that I may regret someday. Being competitive is okay as well as getting on top. But that's not the real essence and will not make me happy either. I'm very lucky to have parents that understand my point.

"What's your order, ma'am?" The cashier asked.

I smiled, "Pepperoni overload, please."

He smiled too, making his eyes smile as well. Wow, what a cutie. "Right away, ma'am!"

I snapped myself and sitted on the first table. The cashier guy is somehow the same as my age, he's working already. I also think of working too but maybe when I need the money and want to be independent. My parents are spoiling me and I also tell them that they don't have to work overseas as I want to work here in the Philippines to make my own money. They dismissed that argument and replied to me that their life is there. They also thought that soon, they will also fetch me and we will be together finally.

To be honest, I'm scared of that thought. I don't want to leave my friends here in the Philippines. Yes, I want to travel around the world but not that I will stay there permanently. My life is here.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" I blinked and saw the cashier guy in front of me.

"Ah. . yes! Sorry and thank you!" I gave my payment as I got the pizza then exited the pizza parlor right away. I called a cab and said the address of Bautista's Family.

"Hello, Aunt! I brought pizza!" I smiled with excitement as I hugged Auntie Glorification. She's Sera and Patry's Mom.

"I told you, Kira. You can call me Mommy too like your second mother. I'm feeling weird when I hear you calling me Aunt. Besides, Sera's calling Emily. . Mommy too." she replied, pertaining to my Mom.

We sat across the dining table and placed the pizza box. "Is it really okay?" I asked.

"Of course, it's okay!" Sera arrived as she successfully walked her way down from the stairs. She hugged and kissed me.

"What's with the pizza and why are you here? You're not busy with your boyfriends?"

"Ssssh!" I interrupt and whispered, "Patry might hear you. Is he here?"

Aunt Glory— I mean Mommy G, to be short, looked at me suspiciously. "What's with Patry?"

"He's in his room, playing computer games as usual." Sera answered as she looked at Mommy G with a smile. "Kira has a crush on him."

"Oh!" Mommy G holds my both shoulders. "Why? And when? Is it long already?"

I bit my lips, "Last week?"

"Kira was so shocked with Patry's appearance last week at the Sumgyupie Restaurant. Remember, Mom? He tried to fetch me because it's uncle's birthday."

Mommy G clapped as she remembered that day. "Oh, I remembered that it might be your first time seeing him because he's always out! Yes, but why? Why my jerk son? He's a snob and always in his own world."

Sera laughed, "That's what I've told Kira last week too, Mom. ." She opened the pizza box and started to eat.

My eyes clouded. "Mommy. . . Patry's a handsome, tall, fair skinned,"

"He's a snob and a jerk." Sera added.

"That's what I liked about him so much."

Mommy G smiled, "I see my teenage years on you. Sera's Dad used to be a snobbish hot guy back when we're young."

Sera rolled her eyes. "Here we go again. . ."

"Have you two also met in highschool?" I asked.

"Yes. He's also younger than me, 3 years." she answered looking so in love.

I smiled and imagined the future it will be. I wish we can also be like that after so many years. Being in love with kids. OMG! I didn't think that I would be like this. Having a long list of crushes but far from me. But now! He's near and fortunately my best friend's brother. I don't care if it's a 2 years gap. I think I'm in love! It's love at first sight!

Mommy G looked at me looking amused. "It will be hard for you, Kira. My son's a cold hearted jerk. But I will help you—"

"Mom, what's for lunch?" A voice interrupted. I immediately turn my head from where the voice came from. It's Patry!

"Bro, Kira brought pizza! Come and join me?" Sera exclaimed.

Patry looked at the pizza I brought then give a dark stare at me. "Why are you here? Giving pizza for lunch? Pizza is not a healthy food, aren't you aware?"

I gulped after hearing his voice. That was a long statement, scolding rather. I wish I could hear many of these everyday and set all as my ringtone.

Shyly smiled but I still replied, "Yes. And sorry if I brought unhealthy food to your family. Uh, can I ask what's your favorite food so that when I come here again—"

"No. Don't you ever come here again." I gulped.

"Patry! Don't be rude!" Not minding his Mom, he rushed back upstairs getting me so humiliated and awkward at my side feeling so down.

I felt a punch at my chest like my heart having a crack on it. So this is the jerk Patry that they are talking about. Is he really like that towards girls? Or is he like that only to me? Does he hate me now?

"Kira, are you alright?" I glanced at Sera and Mommy G then smiled telling them that it's just alright.

Several hours have passed and I stayed at their house without the appearance of Patry again. I'm somehow concerned about him not eating lunch and it's almost eight o'clock right now. He already skipped lunch and dinner.

"I'm going home now, Sera and Mommy G. Thank you for the time you gave me." I sincerely said as I looked at the stairs again hoping that he will  appear hearing that I'm going to leave. But none.

Mommy G pat my shoulders, "Don't worry about Patry. He will be hungry later and eat. Be safe on your way home."

"Do you want me to accompany you, Kira?" Sera suggested.

I sighed, "No, it's only a few miles from here. Thank you."

They waved their goodbyes to me and I also walked on my way home. I went to my room and stuffed myself on my pillow. This is just the first day of taming him and it went painful. I never knew that every word spit out by him is so harsh and humiliating.

I opened my laptop and browsed for his Cheekbook, it was a social media platform where we can post pictures and status. I found it hard searching for him, several persons appeared with the same name. Geez, maybe I should be asking Sera about that.

I got my phone and was about to call Sera when a notification popped out on my laptop. It was from a game named Lit Fire. The notification says that someone added me to be their friend.

Aside from watching Chinese and Japanese Dramas, I also play Lit Fire, a US based game application on laptop or PC, which is a shooting game competing with other squads. The mission is to obtain number one rank in every game to earn multiple points gaining also the ranks as an individual player. I'm not bad at this, I ranked 66th as an individual player worldwide, not considering joining a squad because I think it would be complicated for me to be active in this type of game because I'll be busy. Squads create their own rules and will join game battles from time to time to reach the number one rank in the squad. I think they'll be able to compete internationally, talking about E-Games competition.

I opened the game Lit Fire and accepted the friend request. A popped up notification appeared again. It's from WaveringSoul, who added me.

WaveringSoul: Hi.

ChasingStar: Hello.

WaveringSoul: I wanted you to join our squad. I've stalked your profile and you've never been into a squad from the day you played this game.

I arched my brows and typed.

ChasingStar: Sorry, I'm not interested in joining any squad because I think I'll be busy in my school work.

WaveringSoul: Don't worry, you'll just be a reserved player.

ChasingStar: Sorry, I really don't want to join.

I was about to exit the game when a notification popped out.

WaveringSoul added you to Evening Dragons. Welcome to your new squad! Enjoy your stay playing with your friends and earn points to top the charts!

What the hell? I told him that I don't want to join their squad!

A message from WaveringSoul popped out.

WaveringSoul: Feel free to observe first, don't mind the player whose name is BlazingEve. He's weird. And don't you ever leave the squad, I've locked you in already. I have the right to set you free or make you stay for a year.  Welcome to Evening Dragons!

My head heated as I typed automatically what's in my head.

ChasingStar: Who are you to decide for me?!

I lost my hope when I saw his status offline. I just pouted. I forgot that when we became friends, he can easily add me to their squad and when you're in, only the admins of the squad can remove me. The admins are the officials or leaders that are very known when it comes to tournament games. Whoever added me into the squad, he's only the one who can remove me. That's why I hate it! Too complicated!

Looks like I was left with no choice. 

I scanned the player list and saw WaveringSoul, SpotlessFish, and BlazingEve as the admins. He mentioned earlier about BlazingEve. Maybe he was just joking.

A chat popped up, it was the other members greeting me a welcome. It's so amusing that they bother to greet me, maybe they're not busy right now and only playing games. C'mon, Kira! It's vacation, LOL.

ChasingStar: Hello, thank you!

YellowUrine: #66 in rank is not bad huh.

I smiled and was about to type something when someone chatted.

BlazingEve: What's good with #66? So low.

My mouth formed an 'O' literally and scoffed. 

BlazingEve: Third added a noob again, disgusting.

SpotlessFish: Bro, don't be harsh on Star. She's new. 

BlazingEve: Noobie.

I gritted my teeth and exited the game. So that's BlazingEve being the weirdo? He's not! He's arrogant and harsh! He's like someone I know. . . Patry. Why do I have to stuff myself with harsh people? Whatever. I will not give up. 

My phone rang and I immediately answered it when I saw Sera's name.

"Kira! Tomorrow, we are going to enroll at Arkinstein University. Are you ready?"

I sighed, "What's new and exciting about that?"

She laughed. "Patry's going with us."

"Shocks! How did you convince him?" My mood lightened up as I heard the good news. OMG! He's going with us! I'm very happy!

"Well, he said it first actually. He's meeting someone too, maybe his friends? He's somehow happy about it. I don't know, he's always weird."

I bit my lips, "Well, it's alright! As long as he's there! OMG! I'm very happy! I must get ready for tomorrow!"

She chuckled and bid a goodbye to me then ended the call. I happily lie on my bed and imagine what it feels like around him. I'm sure it will be very awkward and it will make me hyperventilate as well. I never knew that I would be that attached to someone I just met, 2 years gap and he's my best friend's brother. Well, even though he's 2 years younger, I'm just 1 year ahead of him in terms of school year. He's Grade 10 and I'm Grade 11.

A jerk, snob, and harsh guy, hmmm. . . I like it.