Love Is Second Best — Chapter 10: CARMELLA REIGNS ONCE AGAIN

Carmella’s POV

After more than forty minutes, we're standing outside the library to wait for Hope's dad. When I saw the car coming toward us, I couldn”t help but smile. Good thing their car was fixed just in time for our dismissal. It is more comfortable to stay in your private car rather than thinking of commuting and waiting for a bus to arrive. There will be a lot of passengers who were also rushing on their way home.

I don't know why but seeing Hope's dad makes me happy for no reason at all. It's just that I feel my heart is racing fast whenever I will see his smiling face getting out of their car.

"Hi dad! You're just in time!" Hope hugged her dad tightly right away that he's scratched his head. He shifted his gaze to me and his daughter and on what she did just now while looking at me. I can't help but smile because of the sight I just witnessed. Hope is really close to her dad and they usually keep an open communication would be very effective in keeping a close bonding. Sometimes, I wish that I could be that close to my mom, too.

I will not be only close to her on the day of my graduation but I also wish we could communicate as normally as possible even without any occasion at all.

"Please get in the car so that we can go home early." He said as he let go of Hope's arms around her waist. He opened the door of the backseat for the both of us. Hope held my hand as we went inside the car. She didn't even plan to let it go as she proudly presented it to her dad.

"Wow, that is one, possessive bestie." I think that gesture didn't escape her dad's eyes that we both giggled.

"Yup. She's one of a kind, dad." Hope cheerfully answered that her dad shook his head and laughed heartily to her daughter's weird expressions.

"Carmella, please do understand my daughter. She's like that all the time."

"Daddy! Carmella is awesome! She's very approachable from the first time I knew her. I know she will be my greatest friend ever!"

"Don't worry, sir. I think I am getting used to her right now so don't worry." I responded that made Hope smile even more.

"See, dad? She's also understanding!" Hope even clapped her hands that made her father laugh.

"Oh, you silly one," He said to Hope as his eyes were fixed on the road now since the car would be going outside the gate of our school now. "Carmella, you're her first close friend here in the Philippines. Thank you for easing my burden to be my daughter's 'only friend' all these time."

"Being her friend is a pleasure, sir. Hope is kind, not only for me but to all of us, her classmates. She's not having a hard time getting to know us."

"Wow, really? That's nice to hear." I can feel the delight in her dad's response to me. Hope is just smiling as she listens to us.

"See, my princess? The Philippines is a great country." He even added.

"Yes dad. You're right when you said that most people here are friendly as well. Carmella proved it first to me." I smiled observing the both of them. From the way they talk to each other, they were really close. I felt sad all of a sudden. I hope I can always experience it from my mom. Comparing her to Hope's dad? She's very cold and distant the way she treats me. She's more of a cold-hearted stone without any feeling towards me at all.

Sometimes I ask myself why my mother is always treating me unfairly? I often feel as if she's more of a stranger rather than a 'real mom' to me. I also feel that her work is more important to her than anything else. When her friends will also go to our house while I am there, I often feel jealous. How could she talk to them for more than three hours, even have an overnight to their houses while she only talks to her daughter for only five minutes maximum?

She's only asking questions answerable by 'yes' or 'no' and nothing more. Sometimes, I let myself experience a low score for me to hear her words as she gets mad at me. At least, from it, she can say more words compared to the moment when I only achieve perfect scores.

"We're here." Hope's dad brought my drifting thoughts back to reality. As much as I would want to stay, I couldn't do it because I am in front of our house right now.

"Thank you, sir. Please take care!" I said after I got off of their car. He nodded and smiled as I waved goodbye. I can also see Hope waving goodbye at me before she closed the glass window of their car. I stood beside their car as the engine started again. I waited until I couldn’t see them as the car drove away silently. I glanced at my wristwatch and it was almost six in the evening when I reached home.

When I checked the dining table, there was fried chicken and rice left. I smiled as I quickly ate my dinner. I noticed my mom ate beforehand because she's at work right now.

I slowly twisted the doorknob of her room to confirm and she's indeed working at this hour. I can see her wearing her headset and she's talking while typing on the computer. She looked really busy, I just closed the door once again. I decided to just stay inside my room so that I can have my study time for another ten minutes more to refresh what I read from the library.

The days started to happen like a flash of lightning. Now, we're in front of our Math teacher as he asked one student to give us our own test papers.

"Wow..." I saw her gasped in awe as she glanced on my paper before she passed it to me. I looked at her as I rolled my eyes.

What I really hate the most is when someone looks at my paper and he/she will know my score before I do. That's a bit unfair.

We already had all our papers when our teacher smiled in front of us all.

"Look who regains her throne, let's congratulate Carmella for having a perfect score in Math. Keep it up, dear!" I can see that most of my classmates clapped their hands. Some glanced at Hope who also clapped happily at the results of my score in Math.

I smiled and nodded in front of everyone when our math teacher told me to give a simple message or inspiration.

"Greatness comes to those who live up to their dreams. Do not think of negative things when you try. Think of greater things and do your best. Regret can't bring you to the places you want when you decide to give up on yourself."

"I always love to hear something from you, our dear Carmella. So my students, please follow Carmella's words of wisdom." Mr. Lancey clapped his hands followed by my classmates.

"Gosh, those words again from her." I heard someone murmuring behind me. Good to know, they already knew what I am capable of doing.

"Well, what's new? She's always competitive and we should always know it."

"Guys, I don't know whom to side anymore. Who's team Hope and team Carmella here?" Someone also whispered back. When I gave them an icy stare, they all became quiet.

"She's scary so I am team Hope."

"She's awesome like a kick-ass heroine, I am with her." One of my boy classmates answered. I guess he's the third placer in our room. From what I heard about some gossip, he had a crush on me.

I can't help but to grin. I am just warming up. This is simply my greeting for those who will try to put me down.

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Carmella's POV

Hope greeted me as if she's the happiest and ever-supportive friend alive. It made me feel better, honestly speaking. I am happy that my efforts are all getting paid off.

"You know what, Carmella? You're beautiful and sweet. Please do not ever change. She whispered as she shook hands with me. I nodded and tapped her on the shoulder as well.

Right after our math class, we're able to proceed to our Science class. I was the one who got the highest score again. Everyone can't believe what I am capable of doing.

"She's a monster."

"Yep, a monster that's always hungry for being on the top spot."

You know what? I really admire Carmella. She's always proving herself that she could pull herself together whenever she has low scores."

"I think she deserves to be on the top for her dedication to learning."

I grinned as I heard them talking behind us. Hope is also smiling as she nodded while listening to those whose topic is all about me.

"I never thought my close friend is really popular here in this school. I feel so happy for you, dear." Hope said as she hugged me from my back all of a sudden.

"I don't believe that." I said, not knowing what to respond to her.

"That's why you have to, now. Look how our classmates admire you like I do."

"Thank you so much for always believing in me, dear. I will always be thankful."

After that tiring Science lessons, I told Hope that I have to go back to study in the library until its closing time. She looked at me as if not wanting to hear what I just said.

"Are you serious? Don't tell me you plan to live here?"

I let a hearty laugh because I find her really funny plus her facial expressions as she disagrees with me.

"Please, I will tell dad to come here quickly so that we can all go home now."

"Well, what can I do if you're the one who is telling me to go home?"

"Yeah I am your mom so you need to listen to me." Hope said between laughs.