half/closer

half / 10

......

"How's everything, Quinn?" I asked the blonde across the table who just resumed her class after her recovery.

The familiar forest eyes shifted up to mine. I gulped at the intensity of them. It seemed like she knew something that she isn't supposed to know. I wondered if they were the kind of siblings that tells each other's everything. Well, there was nothing to tell anymore because Khloe and I were already friends.

Yup, friends. That's possibly the start of everything good... I hope.

Shit! No, girl. What type of 'good' were you referring? Of course, we could be best of friends. Khloe is a cool friend. She was someone between famous and infamous. Her popularity alone was above average among the students, even among teachers. Heck, she was so fine as an individual!

"Are you okay, Ry??" I heard my captain questioned me as she waved her hand in front of me. She got my attention immediately. "My girlfriend is talking to you."

I coughed to hide my embarrassment. "S-Sorry, I just can't stop thinking about Tiana."

YEAH! Stop thinking about her!

"I was so shocked that we both decided to come back here as soon as possible," Arisa recalled with a frown, then pointed her attention to Quinn beside her. "It's a relief that Quinn finally recovered."

"We visited her yesterday as soon as we landed. I wish that she gets out of the coma already. Bailey is so devastated," Quinn said, shaking her head in sympathy.

I gripped my disposable fork before taking a spoonful of shrimp ricotta pasta in my mouth. Strangely, the taste was so bland. Did the chef in our school cafeteria had a foul mood today? Or maybe I just didn't have an appetite to eat anything because of the current situation. Our friend, Bailey, refused to come to school because she had to be with Tiana and I completely understood her.

However, everything that was happening caused us to feel distraught. The school felt so cold and dark without Tiana goofing around. Since the school started this morning, everyone was giving us an apologetic acknowledgement and low nods. It was so annoying to the point I chose to ignore them after second period. I could even feel the glances of the students eating around us.

Tiana was still fighting for her life. She survived the car accident and she didn't die. So I couldn't understand why they have to pity us like we lost our friend.

I gave out a sigh. I just watched my friends across my table, then rolled my eyes at their sweetness. In all years I knew Arisa, I'd never seen her serving anyone but at this moment, she was peeling off the apple for Quinn to eat. The sweetheart blonde was obviously enjoying how whipped my captain is for her.

In summary, without Tiana and Bailey, I have to suffer being a third wheel. Kill me now!

And to make it worse, my parents wanted me to focus on my studies and any romantic contacts are prohibited. I was ranked third last year, and as usual Arisa was the ace. I just have to beat the person who was next to her. And that would be my new friend, Khloe Summer.

Her above average grade was the obstacle I had to bring down this senior year. Maybe it was really better that we ended our weird and confusing relationship. She could be a distraction. We better off friends.

But it didn't mean I had to comply with my parents' wishes. I could date someone without being committed. I was very confident about myself. With my long blonde hair, icy eyes, mannequin face and to-die-for body, I could get anyone I like.

The problem was, I couldn't find anyone I like. They were all... They were seemed bland like the pasta I was eating at the moment. Don't get me wrong! I had a few relationships before and they ended without any hard feelings. I guess...

Well, my parents were mostly the reason why my past commitments were unsuccessful. They could be critical and they have their own standards when it came to the people around me. Once they found out that I'm friends with Arisa, I didn't need to ask permission for sleepover or anything as long as I'm with her. They didn't care about her sexuality as long as it didn't affect my studies. And in addition, Arisa came from a sophisticated family. As long as I have Arisa by my side, they had no care if I were friends with Bailey who came from an average household or with Tiana who was marked as a drug lord's daughter in our town. I just had no idea if they would accept Khloe as my new friend. Maybe, because she's Quinn's half-sister? Quinn had a pretty awesome family background.

Speaking of the devil, she unexpectedly sat beside me. I jumped a little at her arrival, glared at her and subtly trailed my eyes at her features. Her rusty brown hair was a little bit messy but it added to her rebellious aura. She was wearing a denim jacket over her white and black striped top, matched with white jeans and mint-colored Adidas, Stan Smith design sneakers. She has a very cute face as usual and I would never compliment her for that.

"What? You miss me?" she noticed my staring, placing her arm across my shoulder which I flipped away immediately in alarm. I refused meeting her eyes because they were just so... magnetic.

"Will you stop teasing my best friend?!" Arisa defended, pointing the stainless knife at the brunette beside me. Quinn just shook her head while chewing the fruit in her mouth. Obviously, they were going to start bantering with each other.

"Will not," Khloe argued, crossing her arms. "It's my job to annoy her."

"Not today, you're being insensitive," my captain fired back.

"Am not."

My captain rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Look, bimbo. You might be my girlfriend's sister but it doesn't mean you're allowed to be an ass to my friend. Can't you see that we're shattered right now because of what happened to Tiana?"

"I know and that's why I'm making her feel better as her girlfriend," Khloe replied carelessly, causing my jaw to clench in irritation.

If she wanted me to be her friend, then why she would still needed to tease me like we really had that kind of relationship. Yeah, it wasn't like Arisa and Quinn would believe it because since day one, I acted like she had a contagious virus but the truth is, I had kissed her like there was no tomorrow anymore.

Noticing that my captain was already pissed off, I instantly broke the revolting air. "It's fine, A."

The couple strangely moved their attention at me, even Khloe.

"In fact, Khloe and I decided that it's better if we stop fighting with each other. It will not be healthy in our situation," I continued giving them a small smile. "Khloe and I, well, we agreed to be friends."

Arisa hung her mouth open while Quinn shifted her eyes to her sister with suspicion.

"And when did you have this kind of talk?" Quinn questioned, narrowing her eyes at me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and then asked, "Khloe? When was it?"

The brunette raised her eyebrow at me. "Ummm, last week. At the ice cream shop?"

"Ice cream shop??" Arisa said out loud, causing heads to turn at us. My captain leaned forward and spoke lowly, "What the both of you were doing at the ice cream shop?"

"Together?" Quinn emphasized her girlfriend's question. She was truly slick.

Dammit! I didn't expect that Khloe would answer the question frankly.

"I saw her crying," Khloe tended her first answer in my relief. "I saw her crying inside an ice cream shop so being a golden hearted, matured adult, I approached her and asked why she was crying. She told me about what happened to Tiana so fast forward, we both agreed to stop fighting and be a casual friends without benefits."

I tossed a glare at her last statement. Being too dense again, Arisa ignored it, nodding her head, satisfied at Khloe's answer. Yeah, who would believe that I have already kissed the girl beside me? No one! Although Quinn was already having suspicion with her questioning eyes, I think she would not believe them without any valid proof.

"I guess I'm also going to accept you as my friend from now on. You helped us a bunch last time and for the sake of my girlfriend and her sister, I will acknowledge you as part of our group."

Quinn giggled at Arisa's declaration, placing a kiss on her cheek. "Thanks, love. That's very kind of you."

Khloe clapped her hands in fake enthusiasm. "Wow, you're truly kind. Can I capture your ass now with my camera so that I can post it on my hall of friends in our house? You know, to make memories."

Her sister shook her head, laughing. "Not her ass, she's mine."

Khloe raised her hands in defense and Arisa pecked Quinn's lips, whispering sweet nothing causing my stomach to flip. Damn gracious, why do I have to suffer like this with this mushy couple? I wished that Tiana woke up already so everything would go back to normal with Bailey. Gosh, I completely forgot, even if they come back, I would still feel out of place because of their blatant eye-fucki ng. They were worse than Quinn's and Arisa's light kisses.

"Gotta go now," Khloe announced, standing then walking back to her group. I felt down again but refused to let it show. I wasn't saddened of her leaving. I just felt uncomfortable because the couple in front of me were rudely smooching each other already as if I wasn't there.

Please, holy munchkin! I never hated lunch break in my entire life.

Someone save me!

••••••••

In my whole existence, I never questioned myself on what being friends mean? It was the question whirling in my head while driving back home after school.

What friends would usually do with each other? First, they are always hanging out. Planning for friendly date, having a sleepover at each other's house and deeply supporting one another in all terms. That's the basic of a true friendship.

The next question was, how Arisa and I became best friends? Because we tell our secrets to each other? We open ourselves and trusting our feelings without restrictions? Or was it because, we just clicked just like that.

I was wondering if Khloe and I could be best friends seeing that she was also suffering being a third wheel while with Maggie and James. We have this similarity so I was thinking that it's good idea to spend more time with the bimbo. So that I wouldn't feel left out anymore.

In between those conflicting thoughts, my car slowly stopped in the middle of the high road. I swiftly checked my fuel but it was almost full so I started my car again but I wasn't having any luck. Maybe I had an engine failure. My poor Maleficent died and I was glad that I wasn't driving fast. Thanks to my thoughts.

Running my hand through my hair in frustration, I leaned back on my seat and reached for my phone. I almost dialed my Dad when I got an idea.

Searching my contact list for 'My New Friend Klo', I bit my lips in anticipation. Once I found it, I excitedly dialed the number with a foxy smile on my face.

In my relief, she answered my call.

"Hi, friend! Can you tell me why am I answering your call?" Khloe said in a playful tone.

"Umm, listen. Where are you?" I crossed my fingers in hopefulness.

"Still at school. Just got detention," she responded, hearing her car ignited.

"Actually, I have a problem. My car suddenly stopped at the middle of the road and I don't know what to do. I called my Dad but he's not answering," I lied through my teeth.

There was a little pause but she spoke then, "Where are you exactly?"

"Here at the road meters away from going to Holyway Farm," I explained my whereabouts and wished that she would speed up a little to rescue me.

"Okay, got it. I'm going there for you, my friend."

I smiled, knowing in time, she would pick me up and drive me back home. I have time to talk to her about anything in a span of time. At first, I thought being just friends with Khloe wouldn't benefit me but realizing that we needed each other because everybody around us were in a relationship and wouldn't give a s**t about my lonesome feelings, I was pleased that Khloe and I could hang out at ease without any scrutinizing eyes aiming at us.

I waited inside my car impatiently. There were a few vehicles that offered their help but I told them that I've already called someone to pick me up. Well, I've already called service to send my car for repair while also waiting for Khloe.

When a familiar mini beetle car stopped in front of me, I perked up in excitement. Khloe sprung out of the car and walked towards my direction. Opening my car door, I stood out to meet her with a timid smile.

"What happened?" Khloe asked, checking my car before she stared back at me.

I restrained myself from feeling unsteady when our eyes met. "I don't know. I think it's an engine failure."

Khloe rubbed the back of her neck in awkwardness. "You called the wrong person, though. I have no idea about car. You should've Alec for this. Or do you want me to call Jet again? He's good at fixing car."

That Jet again?

I shook my head, completely refusing the idea. "No, I already called a service to send my car for repair. I called you because I need someone to pick me up and drive me home. Seeing that we're already friends, I decided to call you to give you an obligation to make our relationship official. Friends helps each other, right?"

Khloe seemed unconvinced but brushed it off as she nodded in agreement. "Right, friends help each other."

Luckily, the tow car service already arrived, cutting off our conversation. And once the driver rode away, Khloe ushered me to her car.

"Nice car," I complimented to break the silence between us when she started to drove off to my house.

Khloe laughed lowly, glancing at me for a moment before focusing back her attention to the road. "You've been in my car a couple of times already so why the sudden compliment?"

"Ummm, b-because we're friends?" I said with hesitation.

This time, she laughed out loud. The sound was strangely giving me an unnamed feeling."So are you going to admit now that I'm the coolest person you've ever met?"

I chuckled as a response. "Yeah, in a bad way."

Khloe seemed to have something else in her mind because she opened an another topic which I wasn't expecting at all.

"Look, about what happened at the cafeteria. I'm so sorry that you misunderstood my teasing. It's just that I'm trying to be optimistic because you all looked miserable together."

"I know. A was just being A," I said, smiling at her sudden explanation.

Then a silence fell between us again. I had no idea if it was out of awkwardness or something else but I remained quiet because I might say something stupid.

Khloe pushed a button for stereo and an oldies song played, deteriorating the stillness around us. Maybe I should talk.

"About the painting, can I come every Saturday afternoon?" I initiated a conversation again.

"Of course," Khloe smiled in appreciation. "Thanks."

I just nodded and then she spoke again.

"You know what, I should've repay you for agreeing to paint my father's unfinished canvas. While your car is under repair, why don't I drive you to school in the morning and drop you home after class?"

I smiled widely at her friendly idea. "Of course, that will be helpful."

"Yeah, because friends help each other, right?" she repeated my words, smiling at me.

I smiled back at her and nodded.

"We've reached our destination," she declared, stopping her car at the front gate.

Sighing in disappointment, I stared at our house before turning to look at her.

"Thanks for riding me home."

"No problem. So I'll pick you up tomorrow at 7?" she asked in expectation.

"Yup, at 7."

Hesitating to come out of her car, I gave myself a push and a little self-talking. When I found the courage, I leaned forward towards her and gave her a hug. I felt her tense a little but soon reciprocated as she embraced me back.

I slightly pulled away and swiftly pecked her cheek. Pulling myself backward from her body, I looked at her confused face.

"What?" I frowned at her reaction. "Friends hug and kisses each other's cheeks, right?"

I stared directly at my eyes before she nodded. "Yeah, you're right."

Smiling in triumph, I skipped out of her car and turned my body to give her a wave as a goodbye. She gave me a wave back with a tiny smile on her face. Once she drove off, I couldn't help feeling excited at our new improving relationship.

Being friends with Khloe was fun and cool.

And I would take advantage of it as much as I could.

Because Khloe and I were going to be best friends.

........