Four by Forever

Chapter 13: Reason Why

Maria’s POV

“Okay, spill it.” I blurted out on the dazed Breana. She looks like a deer caught in the headlights.

I snapped my fingers on her face.

Once,

Twice,

Thrice.

Wow. She was too deep in her thoughts. It took four times before I snapped her out of her reverie.

“What? You said something?” She turned to me.

“Come on, spill it. I’ll listen.” I repeated.

Her brows curled in confusion meeting at the middle of her forehead.

“You’ve been staring for hours at your so-called “Art Project’ but all I see is a blank canvas. I’m starting to think that you actually find that white sheet intriguing and amazing for you to stare at it non-stop. So either I’m just imaging it or-” I paused. “- you are crazy.” I pointed out.

We’ve been hanging around a lot lately. After our brief interaction in the gym, the café and the messaging I’ve actually grown closer to her that she even invited me to their house. Her mom and aunt were ecstatic when I’ve arrived and told them I was there to hang out with Bree and to do our projects. This proves my theory that she rarely have friends coming over. We are on the carpeted floor with paper, paint tubes and brushes scattered.

“I’m not, you are.” She just shrugged as she went back staring at her canvass, finally picking up a brush. I was already done with my English essay but she had not made any progress at all.

“Says the girl who rolls on the floor while talking to her cat.” I countered back but the truth is I find her adorable doing that.

She pouts at me. “At least I have a real cat. Not a plush toy. If I’m crazy, you are crazier for talking to a plush toy.” She bantered.

I put my arms on my chest. “Oh, you did not just diss Nala. You’re going to pay for it.” I warned her, failingly making an angry look.

She laughed at me. “You don’t actually look threatening.”

“Are you doubting the ultimate amazing cheerleader hmnn Miss Breana Jung?” I am crawling my way closer to her in a mischievous manner until I am hovering over her.

“What do you think you’re doing?” She asked, unmoving. She squinted her eyes.

Without saying anything I grabbed at her sides and tickled her.

“Hey!” She shouted then immediately burst out giggling. I didn’t give her time to resist and even if she tried I already had her pinned down with my legs as she laid on the floor. Then we were rolling and laughing.

“Ss-sto-p it, A-ri.” Her chest is heaving as she tried to speak in between giggles.

“That’s – what will happen if you mess with me – or Nala.” We are both breathing hard from the exhaustion when I stopped.

Laying side by side we waited for our breathing to even out just to end up laughing again at our silliness.

“You’re weird, Breana.” I turned my head to the girl beside me. She wipes the tears at the corners of her eyes she shed from laughing too much.

“Is that how you treat an upperclassman, Ari? Tsk, tsk.” She glanced back at me acting smug.

“You’re just ahead by months. A while back you’re so silent and now you’re being cocky huh?” The duality. “But really, what’s wrong?” We look eye to eye.

“It’s about Alex.” She started.

When I did not utter a word she continued explaining herself, telling me a story from her past. She told me how much she was dependent of the transferee and how much it devastated her when she left with no explanation but with demeaning words. Then now that she had returned with an apology but clearly an unexcused one. 

She did not deserve it, oh my adorable pup.

Yes, that would be her pet name from me, Breepup or Breebutterpup. But back to the matter at hand I’m getting pissed because of that Alex.

“She’s such a jerk!” I cursed with conviction.

Bree is amused at my expression. “Yeah, I know but since I’ve talked to Sunny about it, I came to realize that it must have been hard on her part also and that we were immature back then and we couldn’t fight some things, most things even,”

How could she even defend that jerk of a person? She is horrible for making my Breebutterpup feel small. Though I might admit she really is (Her height is 159 cm). Oh, she did talk to Mitchelle about this?

“Sunny? You mean Mitchelle? You talked to her about it before me? I’m offended Bree. I thought we were closer. How could you, puppy?” I crossed my arms.

She nodded at my question. “It’s not like that, at the moment I had to and it’s not like she knows all the details like you do. She seems mature and reliable. There’s no need to be jealous Ari.” She chuckled at my sour face and lightly shoved me on the shoulder.

I smiled at the gesture but I’ve been thinking how hard it has been for Alex. She doesn’t give the expression that she’s struggling in any aspects, financially, physically or even intellectually so I couldn’t help but ask. “What do you mean she’s got it hard back then?”

“If you’d look at her you wouldn’t see anything wrong or that she’s just carefree-looking. Why wouldn’t she be? Her family is filthy rich. She could have everything she would want. Anything money could buy, but that’s not her at all. The things she wants most can’t be bought. Her passions and dreams that she had to suppress, the unconditional love from her parents she can’t feel, and the childhood she could never fully enjoy because it had to be exchange with studies, studies and studies on how to become the next CEO. She is just good at hiding them.” The selfless understanding of the younger girl towards the other was on another level. I feel a little jealous of how much they have known each other.

I saw her eyes filled with sympathy and admiration.

What is actually bothering her when it clearly seems she still cares for her but cannot give her forgiveness?

“Then why does it bother you?” I perused.

She swallowed before turning to me. “Cause – maybe, I might have like or lo-love her back then but I’m not so sure. We were just teenagers back then and I don’t know if the feelings, ehrr – my feelings stayed or changed. That might also be the reason why I can’t say that I forgive her. You’re the only person I’ve told this Ari.”

“Wow.” That explains a lot.

“That’s all? Wow?” She is perplexed.

“And I thought you said I shouldn’t be jealous.”

She burst out laughing, tilting her head up at my anticlimactic response then she throws a crumpled paper at me. I shielded with my arms.

“Hey – I was actually a second away from hunting Alex for what she did but now that you might have liked her then I can’t do that anymore. Whatever, as long as my pup is happy then I am too. Wanna play fetch?” I joked.

She pouts. “No. I still have my art project.” She looks around then smiled. “But you can play with Maggie for the meantime.”

“Okay.” I hummed. “Now where is that furball?” I scanned the room and spotted the unaware feline.

---

At the Song Estate

3rd Person POV

Mrs. Song is pacing back and forth in front of her wooden office desk. A petite lady is sitting on one of the plush seat across it, her gaze following the frantic business woman.

“It’s been weeks and she hasn’t come back yet. What a difficult child! She is making this difficult for the both of our families.” The old woman furiously expressed.

The young one released a sigh. “Let us wait for some time. She’ll definitely come around Mrs. Song.” She tried appeasing the angry woman who just stared down at her. It took her every ounce of self-restraint to act respectful towards the CEO for forcing them into this.

“And what if she doesn’t What if despite the fact that I had cut off all her accounts and she still won’t come back, what then?” The pacing woman challenged her.

“Then I’d be the one to take her back myself.” She announced confidently as she straightened up and bow before heading for the door.

“I’m counting on you.” She heard just before she was out of the room.

That will put the old woman at ease. For the meantime at least.