Love Is Second Best — Chapter 17: BOX FULL OF HAPPINESS

Hope's POV

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

"Wow, you seem to be happy today, dear." I complimented and it made her smile more. She looked 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 looked at her. She's really weird because she can't stop herself from smiling. This isn't the normal facial expression that Carmella wears everyday.

"You should try it, too. It's nice." She started to get her notebook as soon as our teacher entered the classroom. I saw Carmella scribbling something in her notebook. She's still smiling. I just shook my head and was happy with 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 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 Thelma and Marielle 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 Carmella 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 Carmella 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 ran up.

I smiled as I looked at Carmella. 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 Carmella got perfect again.

"Oh, let's congratulate Elise Hope, 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 Carmella."

I slowly glanced at Carmella who was 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 Thelma's overpowering voice.

"Yeah, how could you be that stupid for the sake of friendship?" I heard Marielle'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 Marielle'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 Carmella who is always trying to fit in. After I heard about her situation, I can't help but to feel for 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 called it a day. I decided to go to the library now to make it up for Carmella. 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 step 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 Carmella 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, Hope!" 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, Hope. 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.

----

Carmella'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're gonna eat early dinner with Adrian when Hope calls. I put my phone inside the pocket of my skirt.

I sighed and pushed the door as I went inside the restaurant. An awkward smile formed my lips as I see Adrian 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 Adrian who is now looking really amused.

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

He smiled as he took his phone. "Sorry, Charm. I wasn't able to take photos of us when we ordered some burgers at 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 touched 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 chuckling as he glanced at our picture.

"I look funny here and yet you gave me the sweetest smile. Thank you, Charm." Adrian 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."