Above Cloud Nine — Chapter 17: HAPPINESS IN A BOX

Rose's POV

I noticed Kamilla's glow as I entered the room. I noticed her weird smiles and everything like that as I sit beside her. She has this cheerful vibe that lighted up the whole room.

"Wow, you seem to be happy today, dear." I complimented that made her smile more. She looked like as if she's the happiest.

"Well, not really a special day. I just promised myself to stay happy whenever I can."

"Hmm, that's a great start then." I replied as I look at her. She's really weird because she can't stop herself from smiling. This isn't the normal facial expression that Kamilla wears everyday.

"You should try it, too. It's nice." She started to got her notebook as soon as our teacher entered the classroom. I saw Kamilla scribbling something on her notebook. She's still smiling. I just shook my head and be happy to what my best friend is showing right now.

I am sure something happened to her that she's really happy about. A part of me was relieved. Were they able to reconcile with her mom? Were they happy right now? If that's the case, then I am happy for them, too.

I hope to see her reaction like this for always. I noticed that she's not that willing to tell me about what's happening with her and her mom if ever she's getting a low mark. A part of me still hopes that what Wilma and Janelle told me is not true.

We had a short quiz after our teacher's short discussion about our new lesson. I took a glance at Kamilla and I can see that she's more focused this time. I shifted my gaze on my own paper. I looked at my answers very well. I am sure I got them all correctly...

"Three minutes more." Our teacher called out. I looked at Kamilla again and I noticed her looking at the window. She already passed her papers in front.

I deleted the other item and changed it to a wrong one. I passed my papers before the time runs up.

I smiled as I look at Kamilla. As I did this, I felt peace deep within me. I hope that being the top one of this class will keep her happy and her mom, too.

It's time for the checking of papers. I am nervous as hell but I never intend to show it to the people around me. When the teacher announced the score, I smiled when Kamilla got perfect again.

"Oh, let's congratulate Elizabeth Rose, too. She only got one mistake out of thirty items." Everyone looked at me as if very confused. I smiled at all of them as I scratched my head.

"Oh dear, if only you never changed your answer, you should have been perfect on your quiz, just like Kamilla."

I slowly glanced at Kamilla who is looking at me with that mysterious expression. I don't exactly know why but it suddenly made me scared. She's looking serious and mad...is she really mad at me?

I smiled at her as I smiled at everyone.

"Gosh girl, she's too much." I heard Wilma's overpowering voice.

"Yeah, how could you be that stupid for the sake of friendship?" I heard Janelle's voice answering me.

"I guess that's how they love each other. They love pretending and stabbing each other's back at the end."

"I wish both of them luck." I can feel Janelle's sarcasm as she said those words. She even rolled her eyes that I can't help but to secretly close my fist.

How could they ever be like that? Is that how friendship works here in the Philippines? I am feeling attacked right now. I can't help but feel pity towards Kamilla who is always trying to fit in. After I heard about Kamilla's situation, I can't help but to feel her. I am trying my best to fit in her shoe. I've been thinking what if I am in her place? What if my mother will also put all the pressure on me? I guess it is hard to catch your mother's attention to the point of you trying your best to get the top spot to gain her love for you as well.

I sighed. We had more activities before we even call it a day. I decided to go to the library now to make it up for Kamilla. I remembered her urging me to come with her last week. I always came up with urgent things that's why I haven't met her.

I am in my best mood as I stepped in the library. After I surrendered my library card, I looked around the spacious area full of tables and chairs. There were few students who are napping. Some of them are busy with studying and taking down notes. However, I've never seen Kamilla sitting on her favorite spot located near the corner of the first aisle.

Where is she? It is weird. I usually see her inside the library during this exact time. It's odd that I can't see her right now, knowing we have three short quizzes for tomorrow.

I dialled my phone and called her right away. I am starting to get worried right now.

"Hello, Rose!" She greeted me first with a very happy tone.

"Are you home right now?"

"Huh? Uhm..." I heard some background noise as if she's walking on a sidewalk somewhere.

"Yeah, I am going home right now." I can sense that she's stammering.

"Are you alright?"

"Huh? Of course I am. Why did you call, by the way?"

"I'm so sorry. I really thought you're here in the library so I went here a while ago. I never expected you'll come home very early."

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry dear! I forgot to text you ahead of time because I was in a hurry. My mom texted me to have dinner with her that's why I am not able to go to the library today."

"Oh, I see. Wow, that sounded like a delicious dinner. Please enjoy it dear!"

"Thank you so much, Rose. I will be at the library tomorrow. I hope you'd still be there."

"Sure, I will. I answered as I ended the call. Oh, I guess I am right all along. She's indeed reconciling with her mom I am proud of her. I hope she will not be beaten by her mom for any minimal wrong doinģ anymore.

----

Kamilla's POV

I ended the call but I felt a little nervous. So this is the feeling of lying for the sake of trying to save something for myself.

I am walking on the sidewalk going to the restaurant where we'll gonna eat early dinner with Andrei when Rose called. I put my phone inside the pocket of my skirt.

I sighed and pushed the door as I go inside the restaurant. An awkward smile formed my lips as I see Andrei waving his hand from the center of the place. I slowly go to his direction. When he saw that I am almost near the table where he's at, she stood up.He pulled a chair for me to sit on. He's really a gentleman.

"Did you wait for me for a long time?"

"No." He shook his head as he smiled at me. That looked really pure. I admire the way he gives me this kind of effect.

"I ordered for both of us already. This restaurant serves the best red pasta in town." He cheerfully said that made my heart flutter.

"Wow! I did not see it coming!" I said between chuckles. I can see that his facial expression changed a little.

"Why? Don't you like pasta? I'm sorry."

"What?" I can't help but to giggle. "I love pastas. I call it spaghetti you know. Calling it red pasta is just a classy term but it is still spaghetti."

"Hmm...good to know. Thank you." He nodded. I can't help but to be amazed when I can see the red pasta topped with meatballs being served on the table. I almost drooled as I smiled at Andrei who is now looking really amused.

"Wow! This even exceeded my expectations!" I am about to get the fork when he stopped my hands as he held it in a gentle way. He might never knew it but it almost made my heart stop, too.

He smiled as he took his phone. "Sorry, Milla. I wasn't able to take photos of us when we ordered some burger on that restaurant meters away."

What? Is this guy nuts? I am only thinking of eating snacks with him, why is it that he wants to take photos of us all of a sudden? My mind panicked and I started to get anxious that it got obvious on my actions.

"It's alright. You're already beautiful. You don't have to retouch or what. Just smile, alright?" He said as his face almost touch my cheek. I smiled in a very awkward way that made him chuckle and that's the exact scene that his phone captured.

"Can I see it?" I ask, worried because he's chukling as he looked at our picture.

"I look funny here and yet you gave me the sweetest smile. Thank you, Milla." Andrei smiled as he let go of my hand in a gentle way. I smiled and told him that we should eat the pasta before it gets too cold.

"That's why I love inviting you whenever I eat snacks. You cared a lot and I am starting to like it."