❤️THE SPACE IN BETWEEN❤️
?Age is just a number?
✍️ Written By Precious Pinky✍️
?Chapter Ten (10)?
#NOT EDITED!
Theme: The announcement…?.
?Malby’s Pov?
“Hey.”
“Hey.” I answered dryly, resting my head against the desk.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“You sound awful right now. Anyway, I have gist for you.” She squealed.
I knew exactly what she was going to tell me and trust me I wasn’t ready to hear anything about the time she spent with Xander in the library.
I was still very mad at her for taking my best friend from me.
Although I know he was still my best friend and nothing will ever come in our way but I was afraid that the person who was going to come in between us is Mona.
….My female best friend.
And i was afraid of that.
I love Mona regardless of what happens but I don’t think I will be able to support her relationship with Xander.
….why?
Because I also like this guy in question!
Jeez, why does love have to be so complicated?
She started talking about the time she spent with Xander in the library and as for me…? I didn’t even pay attention to what she was saying but I pretended to be listening to her because i kept nodding my head with whatever she was saying when in reality, I don’t even know what she was saying!
Fortunately for me, the teacher walked in and for the first time ever I was happy about that.
Mona quit talking and focus her attention to the teacher as she started sobbing some equation.
It was Zero for me when it comes to Maths so I didn’t even bother listening to her but I took note of the equation she had solved on the board.
Hello, no one have to know about my failure in studies, okay?
After a whole hour of boredom, the bell rung which indicates next cla-ss.
I got up to my feet and packed my books while Mona did the same as well.
We walked out of the cla-ssroom and went to our locker to get our next textbook and notebook.
We didn’t say much to each other as we parted ways to our various cla-sses
She was having chemistry while I was having Literature.
Thanks God for that!
I know I shouldn’t behave like this towards her but…still!
I was mad at her.
She knew that Xander always give me a lift to school so why does she have to call him yesterday and ask him to give her a lift?
She didn’t even tell me about this Neither has she apologized yet.
I walked into the cla-ssroom and took a seat at the back of the cla-ss.
Hey, those who sits at the front answer most of the questions and I don’t want to be part of them.
The teacher hasn’t come in yet so I used that as an opportunity to listen to music.
It was poker face by lady gaga that was playing.
Don’t give me that look, I love lady gaga!
I zoned out that I didn’t even realize that someone had taken a sp-ot beside me until I felt someone take off one of my earphone.
I was going to tell at the person when I saw a smiling Manuel.
I grinned.
It was no problem as far as it was Manuel.
Shut up me!
“Poker face?”
“By lady gaga, yeah. why?”
“No. nothing. Never knew you were someone who listens to this kind of music.”
“Really? So what kind of music do you think suit me?” I placed my elbow on the desk and rested my chin on it as I stare at him.
He shrugged. “Rap?” That sounded more like a question than a reply.
I laughed. “Really?”
He nod, looking down at his lap.
“Not bad. Actually, I haven’t really thought about the kind of music I love. I just love singing.” I sighed. “What’s your kind of music?”
“Same.”
“You love rap music?” I asked in disbelief.
“Yeah, why?”
“You look like one who loves romance.”
He smiled but said nothing.
why is it that whenever i see Manuel I’m always happy?
Why does it feel like Manuel was the only who understands me even with the fact that I have a best friend and he (Manuel) knows absolutely nothing about me!
Why does it feel like he was my door into achieving my dream?
Manuel was still staring at his lap while I was staring at him.
I don’t know what exactly I was feeling but I was damn happy to be around him.
“Ah. That reminds me,” I took out my open palm towards Manuel with a soft smile on my face. He knitted his brows and gave me a confuse stare.
Wait. don’t tell me he has forgotten.
“The list!”
He formed his li-ps in an ‘O’ shape before opening his bag and taking out the paper and pen I had given to him.
Wait, he was with my pen?
Oh, I had given him the paper with my pen.
okay, I know you guys already know the truth, I didn’t actually write anything during Maths cla-ss.
I collected the paper and pen from him and unfold the paper.
I read throu-ghthe list with no particular expression on my face.
#1 I want to know how ice cream and chocolate tastes like.
#2 I want to go out on camping.
#3 I want to go to a karaoke with some group of friends.
#4 I want to dance in the rain.
#5 I want to get invited for a family dinner.
#6 I want to go to the aquarium.
#7 I want to go to the amusement park.
#8 I want to scream at the ocean.
#9 I want to defend myself against my father.
#10 I want to see my mother one last time.
#11 I want my best friend to fulfil her dream. Rap music suit her more, may I add that.
#12
Hashtag twelve was blank so I turned to Manuel, he shrugged at me saying nothing.
Maybe when he thinks of another thing he wants to do he will write it down.
I smiled and folded the paper back and handed it back to him.
He shook his head. “I want you to keep it.” He says.
“But it’s your list.”
“You are my list.” He says.
Wait, what’s that suppose to mean? How was i his list?
“Alright.” I dropped the paper inside my bag and turned to him again. “I didn’t know you had a best friend.” I wriggled my brows.
He rolled his eyes. “Oh, shut up. You know exactly who she is.”
“I do?”
He nods. “Her name is Malby. Malby Alvin. My best friend.”
He saw me as his best friend. I was Manuel’s best friend!
I smiled and stretched out my hand to him for a handshake.
“It’s an honor.”
He laughed but still shook hands with me.
??????????
“Aren’t you ready to go home?”
“Why will I be standing here if I wasn’t ready.” That was my reply.
He shook his head at my response but said nothing as we entered the car and drove out of school.
I rested my head against the window and shut my eyes close as I thought about Manuel’s list.
poor boy.
How did he even live his life like that?
I mean, how can a child grow without going to the amusement park or the aquarium? Or even tasted an ice cream and chocolate?
That’s very surprising.
He must have had a lot of difficulties while growing up.
“Malby, are you okay?” Xander’s voice pulled me out of my trance.
I snapped my eyes open and stare at him with a smile on my face and nodded my head ‘yes.’
“I’m really sorry for ditching you yesterday.” He apologized again.
“It’s fine, Xander. Seriously.” I say.
“You keep saying it’s fine but yet you are behaving strangely. I want to sincerely apologize to you and by doing so, I’m inviting you for dinner at my house. And besides, mom wants to see you. She said she misses you.”
Oh, Mom Cherry. I miss her too.
“Okay.”
Wait.
#5 I want to be invited for a family dinner.
I grinned at myself sheepishly.
How about we tick one out of the list.
Are you thinking what I’m thinking, guys?
??????????
“Mom Cherry.” I squealed as i wrapped my arms around her ne-ck, hugging her.
She hug-ged me back, squealing as well.
Mom Cherry was such a free being. you wouldn’t even know she has given birth to a guy as big as Xander unless you were told.
She was playful, kind, smart, beautiful. In general, she was amazing.
Mom was very lucky to have a best friend as Mom Cherry.
And I’m more lucky to have Xander as my best friend as well.
“Oh, my. I miss you so much, my darling.” She says as we pulled out of the embrace.
“Me too, Mom Cherry. You are lucky great as always.”
She smiled. “Thank you, dear.” She looks behind me and knitted her brows in confusion.
What was she looking at?
I turned and that was when I remembered that I didn’t come alone but I’d come with a friend.
Manuel.
“Oh. This is Manuel. My friend at school. Hope you don’t mind him joining us for dinner?”
“Of course not, darling. Your friends are always welcome.” She turned to look at Manuel who hasn’t moved an inch from his sp-ot “Come here.”
Manuel slowly made his way towards her and before he knew it, Mom Cherry was hugging him.
I smiled at his reaction. He was so freaking surprise at that.
I look around and did not find Xander anywhere.
Where the hell was that idiot?
I excused myself and went upstairs to Xander’s room to look for him.
Yeah, I know i said I don’t want Xander to know about Manuel but I came to the realization that there was no use for me in hiding my friendship with Manuel.
I wasn’t ashamed of our friendship if anything I was glad I made a great friend like him so fuc-k whatever Xander was going to think or say.
I entered his room without even knocking.
Xander was brushing his hair when I’d walked in.
He turned over to see who had just walked into his room without knocking, he smiled as soon as he saw that it was me.
I waved a little and came to stand beside him.
“You are here.” He says softly.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Nothing.”
“Wait. You think I wouldn’t come?” He shrugged. “Why would you even think that, idiot?”
He chuckled. “You left me no choice. I mean, you were mad at me for ditching you yesterday.”
I rolled my eyes as I let out a frustrating sigh. How many times Do I have to tell this guy that I was fine and that I wasn’t mad at him or anything!
“Think whatever you want to, Xander. I’m tired of a-ssuring you that I’m fine.”
“You see…you just called me by my name and not by my nickname!”
Oh. That right.
Was I really mad at him?
I always call him Sandal but call him Xander whenever i was mad at him.
What’s even wrong with me?!?
I gulped.
I don’t even know how to defend myself right now!
Maybe I shouldn’t have come up here. Maybe i should have just waited for him downstairs with Mom Cherry and Manuel, that way he wouldn’t have the opportunity to ask me private questions.
“Oh. That reminds me. I brou-ght a friend along. Hope you don’t mind?” I say, changing the subject.
“Mona?” His eyes lit up.
Was he that happy to see Mona?
Well, sorry to burst your bubble, it isn’t Mona!
I don’t know what exactly I was feeling but my ch-est grew so tight and I wanted to yell at him for no just reason.
Yeah, I guess I was really angry with him.
I was jealous of Mona.
I was unhappy for that fact that the guy I like doesn’t like me back.
“No.”
“No? Wait, is it Greta?” The excitement that was once on his face when he thought I had brou-ght Mona were now long gone and were replaced with confusion.
I still shook my head, looking at everywhere but his face.
I was hurt.
I felt like punching him on his guts and confessing my feelings to him but that would be foolish of me because clearly this idiot doesn’t like me back but only likes me as his best friend and little sister.
I was the only one with the love fantasy.
“Then who?”
“Manuel.” I replied.
“Manuel? Who the hell is that?”
“You wouldn’t know him. Actually, I’m the only one at school who actually do know him.”
“How is that even possible? I know everyone in that school, Malby.” He says.
“Then why don’t you know this one?”
“Maybe because he isn’t actually from our school?”
Was he implying that I was lying?
“What is that suppose to mean?” I glared.
“Nothing.”
“Wait. Did you invite me over to piss me off or to apologize?”
He grinned and wrapped his arms around me pulling me closer to himself.
We were practically hugging.
And i hate the little insects that were now flying in my stomach!
I hate the fact that my heart were beating really fast at this position we were in now.
Like come on, this wasn’t the first time that Xander is hugging me. So why was my body reacting like this?
I didn’t pull away neither did I hug him back. I should stood there like a pile of wood and listened to his heartbeat that sounded like music to my ears.
“i’m sorry for being an a-sshole.” He say calmly.
“Thank God you know that you are an a-sshole.” I joked.
“I do know that and I’m sorry.” He whispered.
I hate this calm side of Xander, it always put ideas into my head and make it feel like he likes me back.
I sighed and slowly pulled away from him, breaking the embrace.
“Let’s go join them downstairs.”
“Who is this Manuel?”
Here I was thinking that Xander was going to try to stop me from being friends with Manuel because of the rumors going on about him at school but little did I know that this idiot doesn’t even know Manuel.
I was being worried for no just reason!
“You will see. And hey, be nice to him, he’s my best friend!”
Xander stopped walking and glared at him as if I had just said I was pregnant for Manuel.
I grinned. “But you are my number one best friend and nothing will ever change that.”
He smiled. “Good.”
??????????
“So are you the only child of your mother?”
We were already having dinner. Dad Vincent wasn’t back from work. He was on a night shift at the hospital.
Xander have heard about Manuel but just didn’t know who the guy was until I had introduced him to Manuel when we came downstairs.
He wasn’t really comfortable with me being friends with Manuel.
And this was one reason why i didn’t wanted to tell him about Manuel.
“Yes mam.” Manuel answered, getting uncomfortable with the questions Mom Cherry was throwing at his way and I know exactly why.
“The meal is so delicious.” I bu-tted in, trying to divert her attention from Manuel and to talk about something else. Something less personal.
Manuel gave me the thank-you look while I returned it with the you-are-welcome look.
“Thank you dear.” She smiled. “So how are you coping with your studies now, Malby?”
This is one reason why you shouldn’t bu-tt your head into some matters.
Now look, she wasn’t concern about Manuel again but was rather concern about my studies!
Shit!
I smiled. “I’m doing fine.”
Xander started coughing and i knew exactly why he was coughing.
Idiot. I hope you choke and die!
I kicked Xander leg beneath the table calling his attention. He stare at me while I gave him a death stare and the don’t-try-me look.
“That’s amazing. I hope Xander is taking care of you at school?”
“Of course mom.” Xander says.
“He was. But he actually ditch me yesterday.”
“He did?”
“Mom, I…I had apologized to her.” Xander gave me the really-do-you-have-to-tell-her-that look while I grinned and stuck my tongue out to him.
Take that, a-sshole!
“Why will you ditch her in the first place?” Mom Cherry questioned.
“I…I…”
“It was because of…”
Before I knew it, Xander shut me up by feeding me some of his salads. It filled my mouth that I couldn’t even talk.
I glared at him and chew at the salad, quietly.
“I will make it up to her, mom.”
“You better do. And don’t ever ditch her again.”
“I won’t. i promise.”
He promise?
He won’t ever ditch me again? Wait, does he mean he was willing to take me to school than to take Mona to school?
Does he prefer me to her?
Does he like me than he likes her?
What was i even thinking?
??????????
“Thanks for the wonderful meal.” Manuel says to Mom Cherry with a smile on his face.
We were done with dinner and were about to go home now.
She smiled. “It’s an honor. And I’m so glad to have you here with us. And i hope to see you next time.”
“I hope so too.” He glance over at Xander. “Hope you wouldn’t mind?”
“A friend of Malby is also a friend of mine.” Xander says and i so much love that reply of his! I love his maturity also.
“Thank you.”
“Xander, give them a lift.”
“Ah. No need, Mom Cherry. Manuel brou-ght his car.” I say.
“Oh. Alright.”
“I’m still giving you a lift.” Xander says, grabbing his car keys from the table beside the door and walking out of the house, pulling me along with him.
“I can’t go with you, Xander. Manuel…”
“It’s alright, Malby. I can go on my own.” Manuel say with a smile which was clearly not reaching his eyes.
“But…”
“Thank you so much for your understanding, Manuel.” Xander opens the pa-ssenger’s seat for me and pulled me in before slamming the door shut and turning around and got into the driver’s seat.
I hate this guy immaturity.
Scrap that word on when I said I love his maturity because clearly this jerk wasn’t matured!
I felt so bad in leaving without Manuel. I mean, I had invited him over for dinner. It was very wrong of me to leave without him.
And it’s all this best friend of mine fault!
“Your look could kill.”
“I hope it does right now.”
“well, too bad for you, it can’t.”
“And I hate that fact!”
Silence.
“I’m not comfortable with you being friends with that guy.”
“Why not? Because Manuel is a nice guy so why aren’t you comfortable?”
“You know about the rumors going on about him.”
“Well, thank goodness you said rumors. And you do know that rumors could be false.”
“And can also be true.”
“Xander, Manuel is a great guy. Yeah, rumors says he’s a suicidal guy,” which was true but no one knows that. They were only suspicious because of the way Manuel behaves. “But that could be false.” But too bad it wasn’t.
“I don’t like that guy.”
“Well, that’s your problem because Manuel is my friend and i wouldn’t have you insult him for no just reason.” Why was I even defending Manuel like this?
“Why are you defending him?”
Well, dude. i just asked myself that same question and trust me, I have no answer to that question.
“Because… he’s my friend.”
“Malby…”
“Enough, Xander. You don’t have to judge people because of the rumors you’ve heard about them. The least you could do is to get to know him instead of bad-mouthing him.”
“I’m not bad-mouthing him.”
“Then what are you doing?”
“I…just be careful.”
“Manuel isn’t dangerous.” We didn’t say anything after that.
I wouldn’t let anyone insult or look down on Manuel and even if that anyone happens to be my best friend, I will still defend Manuel!
He has been throu-gha lot already…I won’t let his life be like a piece a shit because of the rumors going on at school.
I won’t let him see a reason to die. i would rather let him see a reason to live.
??????????
“Hey.” Mona waved a little as she saw me walked into the hall.
I smiled and waved back at her before taking my seat beside her.
I’ve decided to forgive her and let go of the anger and jealousy.
It’s not like Xander likes her or anything.
Yeah, i asked him.
⏱️ FLASHBACK⏱️
“Instead of you getting so worried about who I’m friends with while not get worried about the girl you like?”
I was a bit taken aback by that statement.
He gave me a look I couldn’t quite understand.
Did I cross the line?
I scratched the nape of my ne-ck as I gulped, getting nervous and sweaty.
“What is that suppose to mean?” He questioned.
“I…you…I… don’t you like Mona?” I stuttered.
“Why should I like her?” He fired back.
Okay, I wasn’t expecting that response.
“Because she’s beautiful, smart, nice, amazing, she’s everything and most importantly, she’s great in her studies.”
“And did I tell you that that’s the kind of girl I want?”
“It isn’t?”
“Nope.” He sighed. “Look, Mona is such an amazing person. She’s beautiful. in fact, she’s everything you’ve described her to be but she’s not my kind of girl.”
“So you don’t like her?”
“I like her.” My smile drop. What’s wrong with this confuse idiot? “But as a friend.” Oh. My smile returned back to place.
This was the best news ever!
Xander doesn’t like her.
Yay life!
“And besides, I like someone else.” His face suddenly turned pink.
Xander was blus-hing right now.
My smile dropped once again.
How…what the fuc-k!?
He likes somebody else?
Who could that person be?
How come he didn’t tell me about her until now?
So Mona wasn’t my rival but someone else was.
“Oh. who is she? Is she coming to our school? Is she a senior like you?”
“You don’t need to worry about that. It’s a secret.” That was his reply. And what annoyed me most was the smile on his face!
Was he that happy to talk about his stupid crush?!?
For some reason, I already hate that girl he likes so much.
⏱️ FLASHBACK ENDS⏱️
“You seem to ve better now.” Mona says.
I smiled and shrugged.
Currently, every students were a-ssembled in the hall. Both the junior and the seniors.
The principal of the school had asked everyone to a-ssemble themselves at the hall and whenever She calls for everyone, it means there is an important information she wants to pas-sto us.
Xander, Greta, Zayn, Sam and Matt sat down beside Mona and i.
I saw Manuel walking into the hall. I quickly waved him to come over and to sit with us.
He did.
He sat down at my left side while Xander sat down at my right side.
“Hey.” I whispered to him.
“Hey.” He smiled.
“I’m sorry for not going…”
“It’s fine.” He a-ssured me, still smiling. “Thanks for inviting me over for dinner. I haven’t done that before until yesterday. Thank you.”
“Stop thanking me. I told you I was going to do every single thing you haven’t done with you. Didn’t I?”
“Thanks.”
I brou-ght out the paper from my pocket and unfolded it before handing it over to him.
He collects it and tick hashtag number five.
That was out of the do list now.
I collected the paper and folded it before keeping it back into my pan-ts pocket.
“What was that?” Xander whispered in my ear.
“Something that does not concern you.” I whispered back.
He was going to say something else when principal Broker walked into the hall. The whole hall went silent as she stood in front of us.
“Good day everyone.”
“Good day.” We all chorused.
“Without wasting much of our time, I will like to inform you all about the school excursion that will be coming up next week.” Everyone started cheering as we clapped and yelled in excitement.
This was the part I loved more about school.
The excursion!
Whoo!!!
I can’t wait.
“It will be divided into five groups. That is, every students should be in one of this group. Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D, and Group E. A particular teacher will be in charge of this group.” She smiled. “Mind you guys, it isn’t just for fun. It’s rather a competition. The group to give the best presentation about where they had visited and what they had learnt during this excursion will be given an award. So I would advice you guys to have fun but not too much fun. So tell your parents about this and receive their permission. So.., every one of you will step forward and picked a paper from this gla-ss, whatever group you see in there is where you will be. Good luck guys.”
I smiled at this announcement. I was fuc-king happy about this.
But there was a problem, I want to be in the same as Xander and Manuel.
I sighed as I watched every student get up to their feet and walk over to the glas-sto pick a paper.
It went on and on until it got to Mona’s turn. She got up to her feet and did a little prayer before going to the gla-ss. She picked up a paper and opened it. I watched her reaction that I’d didn’t even notice that Sam had also gone forward to pick a paper.
I saw her face lit up as she walked over to Mr David, he was the one in charge of Group C. He was so nice. She was lucky to be in his group.
Sam face dropped as he walked over to Miss Tasha. She was the one in charge of Group A. She was one heck of an annoying teacher!
Too bad for Sam.
Zayn picked a paper and so did Greta, Matt, Manuel, Xander and finally, me.
Zayn grinned and walked over to Mona. He was also in group C. They both high five each other, smiling.
Good for them.
Matt walked over to Mr Anthony who was in charge of Group D.
Greta walked over to Mr Lucas who was in charge of Group E.
Manuel opened his paper and walked over to Miss Tasha. Miss Tasha? He was damn lucky.
I actually love Miss Tasha. She was my best teacher.
….why?
well, she was the musical teacher.
She was in charge of Group B.
Oh God. Let me be in Group B. My smile dropped as Tricky walked over to Miss Tasha.
Oh no. What was that thing doing there?
fuc-k.
Let me rather be in Group C so I can be with Mona and Zayn instead.
I slowly unfold the paper and honestly, I don’t know if I should be happy or not!
I just look up at Xander and he was staring right back at me with a blank expression on his face.
What group did he even get in?
Or was he as unfortunate as me?
*
*
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#To be Continued…