I stepped out of class to find my friends already giggling.
"So… are you guys officially a couple now?" Clara asked, while Lyda grabbed my hands and shook them, waiting for my answer.
I stepped closer like I was about to drop some juicy news and whispered,
"We're just friends."
Clara and Lyda exchanged a dramatic look.
"Friends?" they said in unison. Lyda dropped my hands while Clara turned to her in mock disbelief.
"So all the cuddling, hugging, and chatting was just… friends?" Clara said, clutching her head like her brain couldn't process the information.
"I'm pretty sure I have a good memory, and it still functions well enough to remember we never cuddled," I said.
Clara waved her hand to shut me up and walked over to the wall, leaning against it like the betrayal was too much.
"But… did he say he'd like to see you again?" Lyda asked.
I nodded. "Yeah, he said he'd like to meet me again."
"Gorgeous! We just have to teach her how to approach," Clara said snapping her finger making me jerk a little at her sudene shift of mood , walking over to Lyda as they stood like two evil masterminds plotting.
"Approach who?" I asked, stepping between them.
Clara immediately pushed me out of the way. "Yeah, a makeover is definitely needed. And your hair? Top priority. Your wardrobe? Critical."
Lyda gave me a pitiful look, like I was a fashion disaster waiting to happen.
Were they planning something? Why were they looking at me like I was a charity case?
Raising my hands, I asked, "Lyda, I thought you liked my dressing?"
"So you told her she was beautiful in those clothes?" Clara whispered, pretending to be shocked. "It's not good to lie—especially when it's revealing."
I flicked Clara on the forehead. She winced and rubbed the spot while glaring at me.
I started walking off. They followed me, still whispering about "fixing me."
I rolled my eyes staring at my clothes trying not to sulk _ but I looked good!!!
Why did I need a full makeover like I am auditioning for some maodel competition.
We were still walking down the hallway , heading outside when someone walked up behind Clara and whispered in her ear,
"Hey Clara, I bought you this flower."
Clara screamed almost tripping.
We all turned around to see—
"Oh, my brother," I groaned, facepalming.
Why is he like this? Why doesn't he understand that love can't be forced?
"Are they… were they… are they really…" Lyda stumbled on her words. "Oh gosh, I can't form a coherent sentence."
I shook my head in disappointment , staring at Richard like he suddenly had three heads . "Don't ask me."
Clara took the flower and sniffed it like it had offended her. Then she threw it on the ground and stomped on it with both feet.
"Thanks, Richard. I don't like flowers. I especially don't like red ones. And, most importantly, I don't like YOU," she declared.
Lyda giggled while Clara fixed her hair, which had gotten wild during her flower stomping tantrum.
"I can get another flower if you don't like that one," Richard said, undeterred. "But I won't stop confessing my love. One day, you'll return my feelings."
Was this some kind of drama or movie , I couldn't place my finger on it , but either way it was funny .
What do they always call it , yeah unforbidden love .
The only problem was that , Clara was the one making it unforbidden , not her mum or society ...but her ...
Clara rolled her eyes. "That'll happen when pigs fly."
She turned and marched off while we followed, still laughing. We exited the school and boarded a taxi
Lyda leaned toward me and whispered dramatically _ cause it wasn't a whisper move of a taunting words.
"What should be their ship name ?? Am thinking
"Their ship name should be Clahard."
I clapped. "Yes! Clahard it is!"
"Nice one," Lyda said. We burst out laughing. Richard smiled shyly, while Clara looked like she might explode.
I swear, if it wasn't the sun, then it was rage smoke puffing out of her ears. Maybe she was secretly a robot.
"We can hear you," Clara muttered.
We laughed even louder.
Once home, Clara and Lyda went their separate way, and I headed inside with Richard. I collapsed on my bed.
What a long, weird day. I eventually got up and went to shower. After dressing in lighter clothes, I was heading downstairs when Richard yelled from the living room.
"I already ordered pizza!"
I walked in and saw him sprawled on the couch, watching football. I grabbed a slice and plopped down beside him.
As I took a big bite, Ken's face popped into my head making me grin like an idunot giggled .
Richard passed me a look with a frown . He must be wondering what demon or maybe demons possessed his sister .
I cleared my throat shaking my head in nothing _richarf rolled his eyes mumbling something as he turned back to the tv .
And then Clara's ridiculous reactions.
Gee that girl was a whole lot on her own . Clahard would really be a good name .
I chuckled and quickly covered my mouth again .
"Why are you laughing so annoyingly?" Richard asked. "There's nothing funny on TV. The first time you laughed, I thought maybe something funny happened. I looked harder—still nothing. Then you laughed louder and I realized…"
I glanced at him, chewing the pizza very quietly waiting to hear whatever he had to say .
I doubt it would be good though .
"…You're losing it. You're going crazy, coo coo " he finished, completely serious.
Wow .
I frowned at him but stayed calm. "Okay, sorry. Let's just go back to football."
He sighed and turned his attention back to the TV. I took another bite and thought of Ken and me.
Kenma? No…
Mean? Ew.
Never mind.
Maybe we'd figure it out later.
Richard suddenly switched off the TV and turned to me with his brows raised.
He raised his hand touching my forehead, and said, "You're perfectly fine. So why are you smiling like that?"
I rolled my eyes.
"Do you have a death wish? I could help you fulfill it," he joked with a serious expression.
I wondered if it was a joke _ but I rather take it as one .
"Alright, sorry!" I said, tossing a pillow at him. He caught it and glared.
"You ruined my football, so now you have to tell me what's so funny."
I hesitated, then said, "Um… nothing. I just never knew you liked Clara that much. I mean, I knew, but not that deeply."
"Yeah, I do. But she doesn't think I'm interesting," he admitted after a few minutes huffing like it didn't matter .
With the whole display this afternoon he made _ plus the ones several weeks ago , I could bet a million dollars that It didn't affect him anytime Clara said No.
Also I know Richard enough to know that he would never admit to being weak or vunerable _ but I could guess he was serious right now .
For once, my brother sounded sincere. I didn't tease him. I could tell—he really liked her.
"I tried everything," he continued. "But she just doesn't accept me. And don't you dare say it's because she's older. We could still make it work."
I gave a small laugh.
"Okay, listen," I said. "Girls don't like being bugged. Gifts and compliments are nice, but not when they're forced. Especially Clara—she's not the 'roses and chocolates' type."
He looked at me like I was revealing the secrets of the universe.
"Bugging someone all the time makes you look like a stalker. Think obsessed fanboy waiting for a selfie—and getting a bodyguard beatdown instead. That's the vibe you're giving off."
He blinked.
"If you want her attention, try being there when she needs it. A compliment when she's feeling down. A gift on a special day, not randomly every Tuesday,or every day in a week . And for heaven's sake, take a break from daily love confessions. It's giving paparazzi vibes . Let her breathe."
He nodded seriously as I patted his shoulder.
"Good night," I said, yawning while stretching my sore limbs before moving to the stairs.
"Yeah. Night," he replied.
I flopped on my bed and picked up my phone. I had messages from Clara and Lyda.
Clara: We've got ideas for how to approach him… and a new outfit.
Lyda (on Clara's phone): It's me, Lyda. I've also got a hairstyle suggestion.
Me: Wait… are you guys together?
Clara: Rhetorical question, girl.
Lyda: Yeah, I'm at her house. Her sisters weren't around, so she's staying with me.
Me: So the almighty Clara is scared of being alone?
Lyda: Hahahahaha
Clara: You guys are not serious. I'm not scared. I'm just taking precautions.
I laughed, then replied:
Me: Precautions for what? Just admit it—you're a scaredy-cat. Chicken.
Lyda: She's mad now.
Me: Good. Y'all have nothing better to do than scheme about how I'll talk to a boy.
Lyda: We're just being good friends
Me: Well, newsflash: I don't need your help. Good night.
I dropped my phone with a smile. What kind of friends do I even have? I thought, rolling to my side and drifting off to sleep.
Meanwhile… at Lyda's house
After reading the last message, Lyda turned to Clara.
"We're still helping her, right?"
Clara smirked. "of course we are , what sought of friend would we be if we don't ?".
"Bad ones " Lyda added giggling mischievously, as they both laughed out drawing the blanket over their body, after which they switched the light off _ ready to sleep .