FOREIGN BLISS

CHAPTER SEVEN

“Daph? Daph? Daphneee!”

Melanie’s loud voice snapped Daphne out of her trance, still affected by their minor interaction at the mall days ago. “Huh?”

“We’ve been here for a long time,” Fiona said, rolling her eyes. “In case you’ll say you’re sorry, well, apology not accepted.” she added, with Melanie nodding beside her.

Daphne sighed. “Okay, so what’s up?” Her response made Melanie and Fiona look at each other before facing her, blinking twice at the same time.

“Spill.” Melanie said, crossing her arms. “Yeah, what’s wrong?” Fiona seconded, leaning on the table and used her head as the pillow.

Daphne looked at them for a while before releasing another deep breath, contemplating whether she’ll say that she met Christopher some weeks ago and she felt weird, or she’ll just stay quiet and think of another reason.

“I’m just thinking on why you guys made me buy weird things.” Daphne blurted, choosing the latter and let her feelings stay hidden for a while. “I mean, I can’t even understand on where will we use the glitters and those colored papers.” she continued then rolled her eyes, adding touches to make her reason believable.

“That’s it?” Melanie and Fiona asked in unison, unfazed by the reason she stated.

“Well, duh. You know me, I can’t take a rest if there’s something I don’t know and it highly involves me.” she answered, and this time, her brain’s hoping that they’ll finally let her off the hook.

The two listeners looked at each other once again before looking back at her with a shrug. “Welp, typical Daphne the brain user.” Melanie said, believing her. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Fiona said in defeat.

“So,” Daphne started, trying to shift the topic as quickly as possible. “What are those stuffs are for anyways?” she asked, really curious on why did they made her buy several art materials such as three sets of different colored papers, seven glitters with different colors, twelve markers and so on and so forth.

The girls grinned widely, making Daphne think that asking them was the right idea. Who knows what will they do on that. Will they put the glitters into the test tube and add chemicals on it and see whether it’ll explode? Or will they use the colored papers to create vein-like examples for their studying?

“Remember the concert?” Fiona asked, making her nod and briefly recall their call some nights ago. “Remember I told you that we’ll go?” she asked again, making daphne nod once more. So what about it? Daphne thought, still not having a hunch on why do they need every material she bought from the store.

“We’ll make our banner and posters!” Melanie exclaimed with matching wide smile and continuous claps, applauding herself. “Isn’t it exciting?!”

Daphne blink. “No.”

Like a wind that just passed by, Melanie’s excitement quickly died down, replaced with a frown and glaring eyes. “You’re an RD now so act like one.” she said without removing the glares, which, unfortunately, was ignored by both the recipient and the watcher.

“I’m a what now?” Daphne asked, confused by the term she used upon her. “Ardee? What’s that? A name?” she continued.

“Are you really listening to us when we’re talking about it?” Fiona asked with a blank face. “Is your head really just filled with school notes and lectures?” Melanie asked, mirroring Fiona’s expression.

“Yes, I am and no, it’s not.” Daphne said with the same blank face, answering their questions at once. “Maybe I just can’t remember it being mentioned.” she added, causing her two friends release an exasperated sigh.

“You’re brain’s really a weird one.” Fiona commented, shaking her head. “Yeah, you forget lots of things yet your grades still hold on to your first rank position.” Melanie added, also confused with the way Daphne’s brain works.

“Try asking my brain and see if it answers.” Daphne said and rolled her eyes, used with her friends’ sudden bringing up of unmentioned topics, as long as it has relevance, the topic will change into the other topic they just opened.

“Sure, will do if I am a neurologist already.” Fiona said, tapping Daphne’s shoulder with an appreciative expression. “Let me use your brain for my experiment someday, okay?” she added with an innocent smile.

“Sure.” Daphne said, nodding yet still with the same blank expression. “You’ll exchange your heart for my own experiment.” she added before copying Fiona, tapping her right shoulder while nodding as if she understands her. “Your heart will be in good hands.”

“You guys practically just killed each other in your plans for the future.” Melanie said, joining in the conversation. “Don’t worry guys,” she started before leaning towards them, hugging them together. “I’ll create the best food plan the visitors will eat when going to your funerals.” she said while moving her hand on their backs in a comforting manner.

“And then we’ll haunt you in your sleep, so you’ll finally be with us.” Daphne said and put her hand on Melanie’s back, looking at Fiona who’s also looking at her before winking, mentally saying for her to play along. Which she easily noted and did what she’s supposed to.

“See? We’ll be best friends even if we’re ghosts.” Fiona said ang wrapped her free hand on Melanie’s back as well. “What a lifetime friendship.”

Hearing those, Melanie quickly pulled away with a hint of confusion in her eyes. “Did we just planned our deaths?” she asked and rolled her eyes. “That creeped me out.” she added, crossing her arms once again, making her two friends laugh at her response.

“You started it.” Fiona said and chuckled. “No one said anything about funeral food plan.” She added while pointing at the accused person. “Now whose fault is that?”

Melanie quickly shook her head and pointed at Daphne. “Not mine, she started it. She talked about that heart stuff so I just played along.” she reasoned, defending herself in their minor crime hearing.

“Me?” Daphne asked, pointing herself. “Nope,” she said, shaking her head before pointing at Fiona. “She’s the one who talked about taking out my brain.” she continued, shrugging before leaning on her seat. “She’s really the one who started it.”

“See?” Melanie asked while staring at the real culprit. “You pointed me and I pointed Daphie and she pointed you. Talk about roundabout.”

“Are you making a tongue twister or something?” Fiona asked with a bored face. “If so, then I’m out.” she said and raised her hand. “Me too.” Daphne said, raising her hand as well.

“Are you guys really my friends?” Melanie asked in a hurt tone. “It really hurts.” she said in a dramatic manner, followed by putting her hand on her left chest. “My heart is shattered.” She continued with her eyes closed and a sad expression.

Fiona and Daphne looked at each other, both wondering the same thing: what’s up with her?

“We really went far from our supposed-to-be-topic.” Fiona said and sighed, rolling her eyes at her friend’s weirdness. “Looks like your brain’s the most suitable one for my experiment. I want to see how your brain’s formed.”

“Yeah,” Daphne agreed. “And I’ll take your heart. I’m curious on how can your heart process your weird emotion changes and sudden actions. How can it supply blood well with your undefined range of heartbeat?”

“I don’t know what you guys are taking about, but I understand one thing.” Melanie said and looked at them seriously, making them look at her, waiting for her next words. “You won’t kill each other because you’ll kill me.”

“Her brain’s a lost cause.” Melanie said with a sigh. “And her heart has incomplete veins.” Daphne said, shaking her head.

“Why do guys take your dream job so seriously?” Melanie asked with a deep sigh. “Quit commenting about my heart and brain, okay? They’re not for sale.”

After her comment, silence took place. None of the talked and just exchanged glances with each other. After some seconds, Daphne sighed, thinking whether to bring back the topic they’re supposed to be discussing or not.

“So, the concert?” she finally asked, breaking the moment of silence.

Fiona stared at her for a while, processing things. “Ah! The concert this coming Saturday!” she exclaimed, snapping her fingers in realization. “We still have 20 minutes before our next class, so we can talk about it for a while.”

“We’ll use the materials to create our own banners.” Melanie said, starting to explain the details to their newbie friend. “We paid for the third to the front part, so we’re kind of near to them.”

“Paid?” Daphne asked, unaware of the p*****t. “You should’ve told me. How much is it?” Fiona immediately shook her head, declining her offer.

“Nah, it’s my surprise for you.” Fiona said with a smile. “It’s your first time and I just want to it be memorable.” she added with her hands making a heart.

“Aw thank you!” Daphne replied, making a heart with her hands as well. “You love me that much eh?” she asked jokingly, making the both of them laugh.

“And here I am,” Melanie interrupted, rolling her eyes at the memory. “I told her to pay for me too but her answer is a big no.” she continued while shaking her head. “It’s unfair!” she said with a huff, crossing her arms.

“I’ll pay for all of us next time.” Fiona promised with her hand raised in a vowing manner. “Promise?” Melanie asked with her brow raised. “Promise.” Fiona confirmed, nodding with her statement.

“Okay!” Melanie said with a bright smile. “Daphie and I were the witnesses so don’t turn your back on us.” she said with a grin.

“What about the ardee thing? Is that their founder’s name or something?” Daphne asked, remembering the name they mentioned a while ago. “Have you mentioned anything about founders?”

Fiona and Melanie looked at each other before bursting out with laughter. “I didn’t’ know you can be that dumb!” Fiona said between her laughs. “Yeah! That question was epic!” Melanie added, also dying from laughter.

“I just asked?” Daphne asked, her face now blank and just waiting for their answer. What in the world did I do wrong? She thought, unaware of what’s happening.

“Okay, first of all, it’s not a name. It’s two letters, R and D.” Fiona said after recovering from laughing. “RD stands for raindrops.”

“RD is Gray Sky’s name for their fans. They explained it like this,” Melanie added, clearing her throat for her next words. “Gray Sky were often seen before a rain or storm happen. Raindrops were the next seen with or after the gray sky. After all, they are inseparable when raining.” she recited.

“And that means that before, we, the Gray Sky was just a lone band with nothing to be proud of. Until you guys came along and stayed with us, just like the raindrops that accompany the gray sky. So we promise to stay along with you guys no matter what happens.” Fiona continued, ending the explanation of RD’s origin.

“I see.” Daphne commented while nodding. “They really care for everyone, don’t you think?” Fiona asked with a dreamy expression plastered on her face.

“Yeah, you bet.” Melanie agreed with the same expression. “I’m so excited to see them again!” she said loudly, raising her hands up high.

“Be excited to see us again, it’s time for our next class.” A voice, Yuan said, interrupting their mini-discussion about the band they wanted to meet.

“You’re such a kill joy.” Melanie irritatedly said before looking behind her, Yuan standing with his left hand on his pocket, with his right hand holding two folders with lots of papers in it. “You’ll be late again.”

Melanie rolled her eyes and raised her wrist, showing her the time. “Seriously? It’s just-”

“Holy! We’re gonna be late!” she exclaimed after seeing that they are three minutes past the time they’re supposed to be on their class. They all stood up, piling their food’s wrappers in the middle of the table and hurried took their bags.

“Calm down.” Yuan said and shook his head. “I’ll just say that you guys accompanied me when Miss Fritz called me for the folders she wanted to give our prof.” Yuan said and raised the folders. “See?”

“Didn’t know you can be a life saver.” Fiona commented, now relaxed and not preparing to sprint down the corridors.

“Yeah, guess we owe him one.” Melanie said and glared at him. “Now we’ll buy him lunch for another week.”  Yuan looked at her amusedly. “Oh? How did you read my mind?” he teased.

While walking, Fiona silently walked with Daphne, both eyeing their friends that were bickering in front of them.

“I’m not surprised if they’ll end up together.” Fiona whispered, still staring at the two of them. Daphne glanced at her before looking in front of them, nodding to her statement. “I have a feeling they’ll get married.”

“What should I make you buy? Two boxes of pizza?” Yuan asked with a smirk. “Shut up jerk.” Melanie replied, rolling her eyes before looking behind them, seeing her friends whispering to each other.

“Hey! What are you guys talking about?” she asked, loud enough for them to hear. The mentioned people looked at each other before shrugging.

“Just some things.” Fiona answered. “Yeah, just random things we can see while walking.” Daphne added, making Melanie confused on why are her friends were giving her vague answers.

 Despite her confusion, she just shrugged it off and continued bickering with her childhood friend, that she knew will take advantage of the help he gave them just to not be marked as late.

***

“Okay, that’s all for today.”

After hearing their last professor for the day, Ms. Silver, their anatomy and physiology teacher, announce the end of their class, the students put back all their used materials one by one, and as soon as she left, they all transformed into wild beasts that are eager to be set free.

“Why do human body have lots and lots of systems and structural components?!” Fiona ranted while putting her books back in her locker. “Ugh, and here I thought I’ll just need to focus on the human brain.”

“Quit whining.” Melanie said, calmly putting her books back on the locker that is three lockers away from Fiona. “If Miss Silver will hear you, your grade will make you rethink and just focus on business management.” she added.

“Yeah, if you’ll have a lower grade than what you’re supposed to have, your parents will pull you out here.” Daphne added, yawning after. “I’m sleepy I can sleep for a year.”

“Fine.” Fiona said, releasing a sigh. “I still hate anatomy though.” she mumbled yet loud enough for them to hear.

“Let’s go home.” Daphne said, covering her mouth before yawning once again.  “I might sleep in the car if we don’t go now.” Added, rubbing her eyes to keep herself attentive.

Luckily, upon persuading her parents to let her use the car, they finally let her use it once again, with the deal of having her 1st rank secured and still with her their last day. It’s not a news for her, she already knew they’ll bring it up as the requirement. It happens every time.

“But that stupid jerk wanted us to treat him 2 boxes of pepperoni pizza.” Melanie said, earning a groan from Fiona and a deep sigh from Daphne.

“I wanna go stress shopping!”

“I wanna go home.”

Fiona and Daphne said at the same time. “And I wanna kill him.” Melanie said, rolling her eyes at the mention of the said person.

“Is that how you repay the person who saved you damsels in distress?” Yuan said, leaning beside the door and looking at them with a grin while shaking his head. “Talk about rude.”

“Rude my foot.” Melanie fired back. “Fiona wants to go stress shopping, Daphie wants to go home and I want to kill you. Can we all do that now?” she asked with bored eyes.

Yuan pretended to think, putting his finger on his chin while looking at them. “Fiona and Daph can, but you can’t.” he said then smirked, satisfied with Melanie’s annoyed expression.

“I badly want to sleep.” Daphne said with a sleepy face. “Can you just request for something else?” she asked, while staring at the floor, blinking continuously to stay awake. “I really really want to go home.” she said, looking at them before covering her mouth to yawn again.

“Did you even get enough sleep yesternight and the last nights?” Fiona asked with knitted brows. “You keep on complaining you’re sleepy for the past days.” Melanie added, having the same conclusion as hers.

“Nah, I’m good.” Daphne said, waving her righthand in a dismissing manner. “I’m just feeling sleepy whenever I’m done with things.” she said and looked at them, particularly to Yuan. “So, the new deal?”

Yuan stared at her for a while before looking at the three of them back and forth. “Hm, how about I’ll join you guys at the concert?”

“No way!” Melanie exclaimed after those words left his mouth. “A kill joy shouldn’t come with us!” she said and crossed her arms, her face showing an irritated expression. “I want to enjoy!”

“Why all of the sudden you chose that?” Fiona asked curiously. “You never wanted to do anything with pop and bands.”

“I just want to.” Yuan said with a shrug. “For a change, I guess.” he added, making Fiona just nod and go along with it.

Daphne looked at Yuan for a while, thinking whether the thing she just saw were just normal and her brain is just playing with her. “How long have you been listening to us before, Yu?” she asked, catching their attention and Yuan looked at her confusedly.

“Before? You mean during break?” Yuan asked, making Daphne nod in confirmation. “Let me think, I guess long enough to hear the concert thing of yours next Saturday.” he answered. “Why?”

“Nothing.” Daphne replied and shrugged, leaving Yuan confused on the sudden question.

 But deep inside, she confirmed something: Yuan wanted to go to check on Melanie. Daphne did catch the brief glance Yuan gave her when he answered that he just wants to go, making her realize that it’s just his made-up reason. I knew it, he cares for her. Daphne thought.

“So are we set?” Yuan asked, waiting for their positive reaction. The three of them looked at each other before facing him, all nodding slowly.

“Great! Let’s all go home then.” Yuan said and clapped his hands, trying to lift up the atmosphere.

Melanie rolled her eyes and smacked the back of his head before walking, causing him to yelp and hold the smacked part, the usual they do whenever they just finished bickering and Yuan ended up winning.

“See them? Such couple goals if you ask me. The only thing they needed is a formal label.” Fiona whispered, looking at them who’s walking in front.

“Yeah, Mela’s just dense. I think she likes her too, she’s just not aware.” Daphne whispered back. “Agreed. She just says she likes Johann, but I know she likes Yuan more.” Fiona replied.

“Come on guys! I thought you guy badly want to leave the school?!” Melanie asked in a loud voice. “You’re too loud.” Yuan said and ruffled her hair, making her shriek in annoyance and chase him until they both arrived at the parking lot with almost no cars left.

Fiona and Daphne looked at each other when Yuan handed Melanie a bottled water from the side pocket of his bag, Melanie hesitated at first while glaring at him, but she still took it after catching her breath.

“I told you so.” Fiona said, nudging Daphne’s right side. “Yeah, looks like they’re the first ones to get married.” Daphne said with a small knowing smile.

“Marriage?” Fiona asked with a small laugh. “Such an advance brain you’ve got there.” She commented before chuckling.

“I’m just predicting.” Daphne replied with a shrug, smiling as she saw her friend having fun with her childhood friend. “Who knows, right?”

“Looks like we’re steeps behind from Mela in terms of love life.” Fiona said as they speed walk when Melanie called them once again. “Me? I’m not interested.” Daphne said, waving her hand as her answer.

But she knew it was a lie. She might not be interested in love yet, but she knew she is interested with a certain someone. After having those weird thoughts ever since they met, she had a hard time studying, because of him suddenly interrupting her thoughts.

For her, she developed another uncontrolled emotion, the term she used to classify the intense feelings she can’t understand, such as feeling extremely sad, self-hatred and many more. She even got to the point that she researched about emotion changes and its connection with brain.

She lives in a world where she’s lying to almost everyone, including herself. It’s hard to stay happy, especially if her happiness is temporary.

“Really? You’re not thinking about Christopher?” Fiona asked in a teasing tone.

“Yep. I don’t even care about him.” Lie.

“Are you sure?” Fiona asked again.

“Yeah. I swear.” Lie.

“Okay, whatever you say.” Fiona replied in a sing-song tone, making Daphne roll her eyes before smiling. “Just go and shop.”

“You bet I am, bye humans!” Fiona said as she opened her car’s door and blew a flying kiss before entering, quickly turning her engine and finally went to the mall she wanted to go.

“I’m going to eat lots and lots at home.” Melanie said and hug Daphne before going beside her car, waving her hand while her free hand opens the door. “See you tomorrow!” she said and went in, following Fiona as she goes home.

“Those girls were energetic, aren’t they?” Yuan said, shaking his head while smiling. “You’re the most normal in your group, I guess.” he added and let out a small laugh.

“You’re right.” Daphne said and walked towards her black car. “I’ll go home and sleep.” She said and opened the car door. “And oh, you’re secret’s safe with me.”

“Secret?” Yuan asked, confused on what she just said. “You like Mela, don’t you?”

“H-huh?” Yuan stuttered, shock Daphne’s answer to his question. “What d-do you-” he was cut off when Daphne let out a small laugh and put her finger on her lips, as if saying she’ll be quiet and won’t tell a soul.

“You’ll go with us because you want to check on Mela.” Daphne said with a smile. “It’s okay, only Fiona and me who knew about your feelings.”

Yuan blinked for some time before letting out a sigh. “Am I that obvious?” he asked, chuckling after. “Yes, too obvious, but not for our dense Mela though.” Daphne said and shook her head.

Yuan laughed and looked at her. “I’ll trust you on keeping the secret.” he said and walked on the blue car beside hers, opening the door before looking at Daphne.

“You should go now, you need sleep.” As Yuan mentioned sleep, Daphne automatically yawned. “Right, I’ll go now.”

“And one more thing,” Daphne added after remembering something. “You better quicken up your pace. Mela might be dense but still, you need to act and secure her as yours.” She said, pointing at him.

“Just don’t hurt her, okay?” she asked with a serious face. Yuan stared at her with amused face before raising his hand as if promising. “I won’t.”

Once satisfied, Daphne went in her black and purple themed her car and started it, eager to go home. While driving, the red light came, causing her to pull into a complete stop. While waiting, she opened her phone and looked at her schedule, sighing after seeing it loaded with studying lessons and homework.

If only I can chill like how most of them do, Daphne thought. Shrugging the negative vibes off, she went in her music app and opened it, shuffling it to listen to random music in her phone, before putting it on the seat beside her.

The world isn’t against you,

It’s just not working like how you want to

Daphne immediately looked at her phone, recognizing the voice that was singing with the up beat and pop background. “Christopher.” she muttered while staring at her unlit phone.

Her thoughts were interrupted with a loud honking from the car behind her, making her return her attention on driving back home.

Why am I easily distracted when it comes to him? Daphne thought while looking at the busy road. I must have gone mad.