Love Is Second Best — Chapter 18: EPITOME OF BEAUTY

Carmella's POV

"My goodness! Did my cousin really do it?" Kara giggled as I told her of the good news.

"I don't know but he always invited me to have snacks with him. Isn't that weird?"

"Yeah. I should agree. He's not usually fond of girls. Hmm..."

"Well, I think he's just bored, that's why he invited me for always." Kara noticed the change of tone in my voice that she chuckled all of a sudden.

"You know what, Carmella? You're cute. Why are you thinking about that?"

"Of course. Why, me, of all people? How can you explain that?"

"I guess he liked your personality. Let me tell you something." I can sense Kara being really serious this time around. Whenever she does this, she often creeps me out.

"What?"

"Since then, for the record, you're the first girl he dates with. You must be very happy and proud."

"Oh my, really?"

"Are you happy now?" Kara seemed to giggle on the other line that I am beginning to believe she's really crazy.

"Gosh, Charm-Ian loveteam! I am your number one fan! Gosh!" I can't help but laugh after Kara said that out of the blue. She's really being silly.

"I don't think about that. You and your malicious mind does. Can you stop it?" I said between chuckles. She even teased me more.

"I really love you future sister. I welcome you in the family in advance!"

"Silly girl. Even if we're not meant for each other, I already accepted and loved you more than a sister. Please don't be like that."

"Well, I am just making sure." She replied and giggled with me, too.

"Oh, by the way," she immediately changed the topic for us. "I saw Hope inside the library looking at you."

"Yeah. She called me this afternoon before she went inside the library."

"Did you already tell her about Adrian?"

"K-Kara...could you keep a secret?"

"Huh? What do you mean?" I heaved a deep sigh as I answered my best friend.

"I haven't told Hope about him yet."

"Really? Why?" I can sense that she's getting more curious this time.

"I don't want to make a big deal about Adrian. I don't want my classmates to know and will create a buzz out of my friendship with him." She started to look at me, a weird, questioning look to be exact.

"But you're close with Hope, right?"

"We're closer."

"Oh, I almost forgot." She giggled as she responded.

"I will tell her about him soon. But I think I can't tell her right now. We're having a lot of quizzes and it may create a distraction..."

What did I say just now? Oops, I am dead. Kara chuckled as she heard those words.

"Well of course. I am not surprised with that. My clan is a powerhouse of beauty and grace. It is just a normal kind of reaction to my cousin because he's really damn attractive."

"Kara!"

"What? Of course it is true! Look at me?"

"Need I say more?" We both chuckled as we spoke. I can feel that my phone is already getting hotter because of our conversation.

"Can I trust you?" I finally said.

"Of course, why not?"

"Please do not ever tell Hope that I'm already friends with Ian."

"Ok. It's as if I have a choice." I can hear she's annoyed at me already. I chuckled as a response.

"Thank you so much Kara. I love you. Let's call it a night. We're still gonna study for tomorrow."

"Aye, aye, captain!" She ended the call right away. I smiled as I put my phone on my bedside table.

I opened my Economics book and read the designated pages to study. Good thing I was able to have some notes with me beforehand when I was studying in the library yesterday. I easily got the points as I understand more about the topic.

"Oh, let's congratulate Elise Hope, too. She only got one mistake out of thirty items. Oh dear, if only you never changed your answer, you should have been perfect on your quiz, just like Carmella."

I suddenly recalled this statement from our Math teacher that made me stop from what I am reading.

What does he mean by it? Did Hope erase her correct answer on purpose? Or is it only a coincidence?

Did she let me have the perfect mark on purpose? But why? Why would she do it? Why would she let her opponent win the game when she has all the options to do it, too?

I massaged my forehead because everything gets weird. This thought alone made my headache all of a sudden. I don't even know where it came from.

I need to talk to her to know it myself. I have to hear it from her personally so that I'll stop assuming things.

The next morning, I went early to school to meet Hope. I saw her sitting next to mine. Since we still have thirty minutes to start our class, I sit on my chair near her.

"Good morning, Carmella!" She cheerfully greeted me as she stopped reading her book.

"Good morning. I am so sorry yesterday." I started.

"No, please don't make a big deal out of it. I understand." She said as she smiled at me, a reassuring one.

"Next time, I will be sending you a message that I will be at the library."

"Are you not going there after this class?" She asked. I scratched my head and smiled.

"I don't know." I can't help but smile. I think Hope noticed it and she gave me a curious look.

"You know what? I noticed you look really happy these past few days. Would you mind sharing what it was all about?"

"I am just happy that I am getting a lot of perfect scores in a row." I said as I opened my notes for our subject this time.

"I'll be going to the library after class. I miss Shrevakhuk's stories. Our library only had them so I decided to hang out there."

"Sure I'll hang out with you there later." I told her. Maybe Adrian will not ask me to go out later because we've been eating together for two days in a row now.

"We'll just go there together if you want."

"Deal."

The long hours finally came to an end. We're inside the library now but I am just finding some good timing on how I can ever ask her about what happened during our math quiz. I look at her as she's smiling while reading Shrevakhuk's literary works. I am just standing behind her. When she noticed that I am looking at her, she stopped from what she's doing. She placed the book on the table carefully and smiled at me. She tapped the vacant chair next to her and I sit down right away.

"Are you alright?" I can sense her worried tone.

"I am supposed to ask you that." I replied as I met her gaze.

"Why? I am ok."

"I want to ask about what happened during our math quiz."

"What about it?" She looks cute when she's curious.

"Uh...that single mistake. I remembered our teacher told everyone that if only you didn't change the answer, you can also get a perfect score."

"Oh, I remember now." She looked at me with a relaxed facial expression. "I was confused about which one is the correct answer. I'm sorry."

"Really?" I reacted in a low voice. Now, I proved that it was only an honest mistake. I thought she did something that I didn't know about.

----

I was right. Adrian told me that he will be joining his group for a long-hour practice after class. As much as I want to see him, it is better for me to miss him somehow. After we read some books in the library, we both parted ways. Hope waved with a smile as she got inside the car. They insisted on driving me home but I politely refused. I just want to ride on a bus on my way home so that I can be as comfortable as I can.

As soon as I reached home, I went right inside my room right away. I opened my laptop and decided to relax for a while. I browsed some educational videos when Adrian came into my mind all of a sudden.

I smiled as I typed his youtube account: IanPeepzOfficial

I covered my mouth as I saw some of his vlogs and basketball videos. I can't help but to smile and be excited. I even touched my chest to feel my heart beating uncontrollably. I noticed that he already uploaded seven videos as of the moment. When I scrolled up to the bottom, a short clip caught my attention. When I clicked it, I almost fainted.

It was a video specially made for that restaurant where we ate the burger. I got some stolen shots as I ate it. However, it was not obvious that it is me because my face was hidden for a purpose.

I am thankful for what he did. I admit, it made me really,really happy because he's a great photographer. He took pictures with great effects even without the help of modern camera gadgets and the likes.

Although he didn't get my permission to post those for himself. I want to make everything clear as I got my phone and searched his number.