Someone I'm Not

11. Never be the Same

[A WEEK LATER]

"Hey, sis, have you seen where one of my socks is?" Soroya shouted, s***h asks as she runs her way into her duffle bag, as she picks three shirts from her choices of shirts from her bedroom.

"Which sock? The one with Spongebob printed on it, or was it the Adventure Time Finn? Because I saw them both from the clothesline outside." Vianne shouted enough for her to hear it.

"Can you get them for me then?" She asks back that made her hear her scoff.

"No? I hate the way your feet smell, so there NO WAY I am going to hold them and bring them to you!" She shouts back that made Soroya rolls her.

"As if you don't have athlete's foot!" She shouts back, only to receive a hard laugh from her sister.

"At least, mine's less worse! Yours is just like, eugh!" She shouts in response, combining the words 'eww' and 'urgh!', forming a new word EUGH! This made Soroya laugh as she finally decided on three shirts to bring. She places it in the duffle bag, filling the remaining space.

"One towel, three shirts, three sleepwear, undergarments, of course, my powder, cologne and sanitizing gel. . . What else?" She pauses for a moment as she thinks of something she might be forgetting. "Right! My toothbrush!"

She rushes her way out into the room, making her way into the kitchen sink, where the tray of toothbrushes and toothpaste was placed neatly beside the kitchen sink.

"Careful, dear. You might trip yourself over that stinky foot you have." Vianne says still having issues with her smelly foot, which they both know is not valid.

"Yeah, right, as if the foul smell would make an invisible rope itself to make her trip on it." She tries as she grips her toothbrush in her hand. "Do you think this outfit is already okay?" She says that made Vianne turn to inspect her.

"Hmm, aside from you not wearing anything different? Nah, I don't think there's still an issue with that shirt of yours three years ago and that wide-leg high-waist pants of yours." She says before focusing back on what she's watching from her phone.

"It's because my friend got me this, you know. And it still fits me perfectly." She says as she appreciates her outfit. "By the way, why are you watching here instead of on the television?" She asks as she tries to peek over at whats he is currently watching.

"Well, do our television have YouTube? I guess not." She answers her own question before Soroya excuses herself, saying that she needed to get ready now or she'll be late for the train. When she sets her duffle bag ready, she rushes out to grab her socks and slip them on as soon as she's inside the house already. When done, she slips next to her Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG "Turbo Green" that she could buy from near Thrift Shop that costs almost ¼ of the price of the legit brands. When she's done, she was about to bid her sister goodbye and walk towards the door when Vianne stops her.

"Yes?" She asks as she didn't mind not placing down her duffle bag.

"Just be careful, okay? This is your first time going there. . . If you're near your station, give him a call already. I don't care if he waits long. What matters most is that you don't have to look so dumb when you get out of the train. Got it?" She shows a sign of worry for her sister, making Soroya place a hand on her shoulder as she gives it a light squeeze.

"You've told that to me for the nth time. Don't worry too much, and I promise I'll give Phoenix a call when I'm near the dropoff."

Even though it is a bit odd for Phoenix's soul to mouth his own name, he's starting to get used to it, now that he's starting to feel like a woman and not the OLD PHOENIX.

"I trust you and Phoenix. It's the city that I don't." She replies as she sighs, her muscles now starting to relax. "Just give me a call when something wrong happens, okay? I don't want dad thinking I'm a bad sis now that he hasn't come home to us for a few weeks now when he promised he would come home." She says before letting go of her sister. A cab then stops in front of their house, making her talk to the driver before opening the passenger seat door. She was about to enter when she stops and turns to face her sister.

"By the way, if Eduardus tries something on you, don't worry about me. What he said was true about you, so if you're still looking for a boyfriend, maybe he can earn his spot, right?" Soroya asks as she winks at her sister.

Vianne's eyes were wide open when she hears her sister say that. It was a surprise for her, especially that she didn't remember herself disclosing about her and Eduardus's argument last Sunday. Before she could even sink it all in and react, the driver quickly drives her into the train station. A few minutes later, she's already standing by the train platform in front of the yellow line. The station wasn't that crowded that made her have space for herself. As she waits for her train to arrive, she then remembers their conversation a week ago that made her smile again.

(Flashback)

From: P-Nix

To: Raya

I don't know what to believe. . . yet. Your dream seems to be suspicious, but at the same time, I know you're not just a stranger who wanted to get my attention. You're my best friend.

And I'm sorry if you'll have to deal with me for the next couple of days because I'm going to believe in this dream of yours. Good night, sorry for keeping you waiting (if you're still waiting for my answer.)

After reading his message, a prominent smile forms on her lips, now have the assurance that she still has her best friend's trust for her. She quickly types, not wasting another time to reply to him.

From: Raya

To: P-Nix

Thank you so much for still trusting me, P! But that was so suspenseful, it almost made me think you wouldn't reply! But then, you did.

To answer your question, YES. Yes, I've been waiting for your message after we separated and I am just so. . . I don't know how to explain my happiness anymore!

But don't worry, I promise you that you'll never regret trusting me (not only because I'm your BFF)

When she's done, she sends it almost immediately as she waited for his reply. While waiting, she throws a glance over her shoulder to see if she made her sister awake, only to see her sleeping peacefully.

From: P-Nix

To: Raya

But, on one condition.

Soroya furrows her brows after reading his message. She didn't expect him to have conditions, but no matter what it is, if she wanted to find out who is Phoenix's killer, then she should be doing it.

From: Raya

To: P-Nix

As much as I don't like the sound of it, but whatever this condition may be, as long as I keep your trust in me on this one, then sure! What is it?

Not too much confidence as what she sends, she waited eagerly for his reply. It didn't take long for him to reply, which made her receive an answer as if almost immediately after sending her response.

From: P-Nix

To: Raya

I don't want to see Eduardus coming with you. Just YOU and ME. Or else I'll have to cancel this deal of ours, and ill be forever curious about not finding out if your dream is real or not.

When morning came, Soroya was surprised to see Eduardus from her school, wearing the same uniform as them, and that she has to remind him about what The Phoenix from the past wanted.

"I'm even happier hearing it! Yes, finally! A client that is NOT TOO CLINGY about my presence!" He says that made Soroya rolls her eyes.

"Yeah, because you're about to have a solo moment with my sis?" Soroya asks that made him raise a brow.

"First and foremost, Vianne is NOT your sister, Soroya is. Second, I am NOT thinking about HER when I mean by that! I just wanted to relax a bit, you know?"

"If you say so, Guardian Ed." She says as she walks past him and fastens her pace of walking. It made him follow her into the school hall as he hides the smile by biting his inner cheeks.

"So. . . When are we going to tell your sister about the real US?" He asks that made Soroya chuckle.

"Why? Because you like my sister?"

"What— hey!"

Phoenix from the future knew that something is undoubtedly going on between them, and he wasn't blind to notice how they both shared glances the first time. And she knows that her guardian has fallen for a mortal.

(End of flashback)

Phoenix from the present waited one long week for this, and now, he's more excited to see the body he's possessing and his self from the days of the past do something extraordinary. Not only that, but he also gets the opportunity to give his old self a time to be with his long time best friend and crush.

His thoughts were quickly disturbed when he hears under the speaker that her train will be arriving in five minutes. She can already see a ring of light illuminating from the dark tunnel that made him stand regular, but he can tell that Soroya is feeling scared and excited at the same time. Soon, she's already inside the train, and in a few minutes, it started moving. This time, she takes out her earphones after finding the right spot and connects it to her phone. She scrolls into her playlist before playing THE SCIENTIST by Coldplay. She leans her head on the head restraint as she closes her eyes, quickly drifting off to sleep.

A couple of hours later, she squeezes her eyes in the realization that it's already dark from the outside. She peeks outside only to see nothing, making her feel a little bit nervous. Just then, she feels the train slowed down as the metals from below creates that sound, making her realize that the train is about to stop.

'Sh*t, where am I now?' She curses to herself as the train stops, the sliding doors soon open for them to go out. She doesn't have enough time to fix her things that made her step out without closing her bag. When she's out, she was about to look for her phone when—

"Miss, you must have dropped something." Someone from behind her made her stop and turn. Now, in front of him is a blonde man with attractive features that quickly send her thoughts flying. But before she depicts into her imagination, he steps near her as he stretches his hand for her to reach. "I think this belongs to you."

"My phone!" Soroya exclaims as she grabs her phone from him. She inspects it for a second before shifting her gaze to his. "Thank you so much."

"No worries. I'm just happy to help."

'Suspicious.' She thought to herself. Soroya had trust issues, and judging others base on what they say or how they act cannot be prevented anytime.

"I—"

"Raya!" She hears her name even though there is a lot of talking people around them. The man turns his attention to her shoulder as she turns to see who it is.

"P!" She shouts for joy as she runs towards him and pushes herself into him for a hug. "I've missed you!" She gleefully announces as she hears Phoenix chuckles. She then feels his muscle tensed up as he didn't return the hug. That made her feel a bit sad, deciding to break her hands away from locking its position around his neck.

"Who is he?" Phoenix asks that made the man step forward as he reaches his hand for him to shake.

"I'm just someone who saw your girlfriend's phone on the train floor when she gets out. She must not have noticed it since she's in a hurry." The man explains as he hands him her phone.

"Actually, I am not his boyfriend. . . I'm just her best friend."

'Best friend.' Soroya repeated those words that made her feel a sense of sadness. The man quickly chuckles as he gives them an awkward smile.

"I'm sorry! I thought you two were—"

"We are not." Phoenix interrupts him that made Soroya and the man feel a bit awkward. The man then looks at his watch before lifting his gaze to both of them again.

"I must be going now. You two have. . . bye!" The man dashes away from them, leaving both of them into the station. Soroya stares at Phoenix, whose eyes were glued on her phone as if he's looking for something. Soroya wanted to ask her, but she didn't.

"Here's your phone." He says as he hands Soroya her phone without looking at her. He then starts walking that made her follow him shortly.

"So, are we going to your place now?" She asks as she continues to follow him from behind.

"Yes. But first, let's get something to eat first." He says as both of his hands were inside his pocket.

"Yippee, food! But wait, you're treating me, right?" She asks as she slides her phone inside her pocket. Her question made him chuckle but still keeping his gaze in front and not bothering to look in her direction.

"You never changed, Raya." He mumbles to himself as they made out of the tunnel, making their way into a fine diner that he indeed will make her love the place even more.

When they're already there, the waitress gives them a menu as they order—

"I want these two double pattie burgers with extra cheese and a strawberry milkshake, please!" Soroya says confirms with a broad smile on her face.

"Ooh, we have the same taste, miss!" While they're both talking, Phoenix secretly smiles at the thought that he knew exactly what she'd like to order. And it makes his heart jump just by seeing how happy Soroya is.

"How about you, sir?" The waitress waits for Phoenix's order. As he's about to say what he'll like, Soroya interrupts.

"I know what he'll be getting." She says with a smirk on her face as she raises and lowers both of her eyebrows continuously.

"Oh, really?" Phoenix asks as he grins as well. The waitress looks at them as a smile forms on her lips as well. "Go on then, tell her what I'll be having."

"Hmm. . ." Soroya pauses as she stares at him for a second before snapping her fingers. "This is just a piece of cake." She then turns to the waitress. "Miss, she'll have a medium-sized fries, a big cup of that first coke you have, and a slice of your vanilla cake." She proudly answers.

"For dinner? Are you sure it's a cake?" The waitress doubted, but Soroya trusted herself.

"Yup. I'm sure."

Again, Phoenix chuckles. He then turns to the waiter as she smiles at her. "I'll have the same order."

"Got that. I'll be right back with your food."

The waitress walks away, leaving Phoenix and Soroya on the table. They didn't talk much when the waitress left. Soroya could still feel he's feeling awkward, and that only made her want to earn his trust 100%.

It didn't take them long to wait when the waitress comes with two trays, still wearing the same wide smile.

"Hi! Sorry if you waited long, but here are your two double pattie burgers with extra cheese and a strawberry milkshake." She says, placing down one of the trays as Soroya pulls the food near her. But then, she waited for his order.

"And here is your usual order." The waitress places down the tray, and it made her eyes widen. "Enjoy your meal." She then exits while Soroya's eyes were still glued over Phoenix's order.

"What the— since when did you eat salad? I thought you hated them? And what is that burger? That doesn't even look burger to me!"

"Oh, this is a veggie burger. It has lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and so much more! And to answer your first question, I started to like it when I move here for college. After my college friends found out that I hate salad, they dared me to eat a bowl here. It turns out that I finish my plate because it was delicious. . . Would you want to taste it?"

"Uh, no? Thank you. I think I'm okay with what I ordered."

"Then help yourself." He says as he gestures his hand over her plate. "Then we could start doing what you're really here to do." He says as he feels a lump on his throat like he disagreed with what he said.

'If only your main reason to be here is beside of me ONLY.,' he thought to herself. Does he sound selfish that he wanted her best friend and long time crush to see him the way he sees her too? Was it his fault to feel that way. . . because their relationship only lies to the word FRIENDSHIP?

On the other hand, as Phoenix starts devouring his food, Soroya then secretly watches him. For some reason, his last sentence made her feel like he's trying to say something, but he couldn't. And just like that, she feels a sudden pain in her heart was felt again as if a new wound was made. Why?

Because so much has happened that it almost made her forget that the word change ever existed. Why?

Because the man in front of her was not the same man, she was facing many years ago. And she doesn't recognize him anymore.