Love Is Second Best — Chapter 28: BE AWARE OF

Carmella hurried in going back to school the next day. She knew that Kara would be meeting with her. She missed her friend indeed that they really have to talk, especially if it concerns Adrian.

"You almost saved me from last night. Thank you so much!" As soon as she saw Kara, she hugged her tight.

"Only for you my dearest Carmella. Please get used to my presence right now because I am in section one in the next school year." They giggled at the same time as they clapped their hands together.

"I am so happy you are studying very well now."

"Of course, we are the incoming senior high students. I have to leave a mark for myself to remember, especially that it is my last chance to prove myself.

"I am glad you're making that kind of decision now, Kara. I am proud of you."

"Well, I have to. I need to get updates as much as possible from my Charm-Ian love team."

"Silly girl..." Carmella blushed when Kara nudged her shoulder from behind her.

"Yeah, time to get that relationship to the next level."

"What level? Do you really want to unleash the monster that's only familiar to you?"

Kara laughs but she's a bit nervous now. She knew that Carmella refers to her mom. She already witnessed how she will get angry.

"Hmm, what I mean is, even if you're not in an official relationship yet, you'll both let the whole school know that you're both not available because you own each other."

"My goodness!" Carmella chuckled about Kara's idea.

"It's a good thing, right? So that other girls here will know that you're his and you also own him."

"Duh, I never say that. You know what, you're too much of a bad influence, you know."

"Well, I am since the day you're born."

Kara moved her eyebrows up and down as she grinned.

"We're friends. And whatever development we will be getting in the next couple of days and months, it's for us to enjoy. Forced relationships don't last." Kara was left dumbfounded as she gazed at Carmella.

She held her hand as they walked on the hallways of the school.

"Let's go to the library, Kara."

"Okay, if that's what you want. Oh, by the way, where's your other bff Elise Hope?"

"She told me she'll not be going to school today. She'll go shopping with her father. She told me she's not sure what time she'll be going to school."

"Hmm, the mall opens at nine in the morning. If she'll go shopping with her dad, I guess she can't go to school anymore since it will be closing at four in the afternoon."

Carmella slowly nodded as she surrendered her bag at the library counter. Kara did the same and they entered the library, giving their library cards to the librarian.

"Carmella, we need to change your log card."

"Huh?" Carmella and Kara looked at each other.

"Well, isn't it obvious? You're always here in the library and you already borrowed hundreds of books. I am one, proud librarian dear."

"Oh, that," She smiled while scratching her head. Kara poked her arms too.

"Yeah, I am also one, proud friend here."

"Okay, okay. I know. Let's go. Thank you miss." Carmella nodded as she blushed to what the librarian told her.

They sat at one of the tables. Carmella saw Kara walking towards the aisle of comic books. When she came back, Carmella frowned.

"I think I should tell the librarian to ban comic books here because it's a distraction to students."

"C'mon, Charm. Don't be silly. Have a life, too." She giggled that made her frown even more.

"What is life? I am having a great life."

"I mean, stop being a killjoy to someone. It's actually my first time in two weeks to read it again."

"Huh? Why? I thought you have three sacks of comic books in your house."

"Well, my mother kept all of those. She said she'll be giving it all to me when I will be in section one again."

"See? You know what, sometimes someone will really have to force you to be successful. You have to do your part this time."

Kara sighed as she rested her head to her arms leaning on the table. She groaned because she's being reminded of Carmella again.

"You know what, Charm, talking to you feels like I will be old in an instant."

"Why?"

"I don't feel I am only sixteen years old, you know." Carmella chuckled as soon as she heard Kara.

"Hi." Carmella froze after hearing someone's voice behind her.

"Eh, why are you here?" Kara folded her arms as she jokingly frowned.

"Why? Do you own this library?" Kara replied. Carmella slowly turned her back to confirm if she's not really dreaming.

"I knew I could see you here."

"Why?"

"Actually, I asked for a letter of permission from your school to use your library for my research. Sorry I haven't informed you about this."

"Well, it's a surprise for me." Adrian sat down beside her. Kara cleared her throat as if teasing the two. She also sat beside Adrian and poked her arm.

"I hate you. You never asked me to watch `` Pile Of Dreams."

"What do you know about Shrevakhuk? I know Pile Of Dreams isn't your type of movie." Adrian said that Carmella can't help but chuckle.

"Seriously? What do you know about what I know and don't know?"

"I knew you even the dirt of your fingers and feet."

"Adrian Kai Perez!" Kara shrieked as she covered her face. Adrian and Carmella laugh out loud that the librarian told them to keep quiet.

"You really knew each other." Carmella whispered aloud to all of them. Kara leaned her head closer as she put her hand on her cheek. "Yeah, even his deepest secrets."

"Try to reveal it and you're dead."

"You can trust me, Kai-yu." Kara winked. Carmella looked at them with confusion.

"Kai-yu?"

"That's her endearment to me."

"His second name sounds Japanese I learned to call him that." Kara confessed. Carmella felt her phone vibrate from her pocket.

"Sorry, Carmella. I guess we'll be spending time at the mall. I can't go there anymore." She could see Hope's name registered on the screen of her phone. She admitted, she felt relieved all of a sudden. It only means she could spend her time with Adrian and Kara.

They spent another two hours reading quietly. Kara kept herself busy in reading every comic book that interested her at this moment. Adrian also read some books related to his research, while glancing at Carmella. She's also doing her own thing, as she's working with some of the problem solvings she's having a hard time with.

"Wow, It's really amazing how you're able to do self-studying so effortlessly."

"I think I am already used to it, that's why."

"It's still a challenge for me up until now. I don't know how to really focus effectively as much as you do."

"Don't be too humble. As far as I know, you never gave the top three spots away ever since you started."

"That's right. But you're admirable the most. You've never fallen from the top spot since kindergarten, is it true?" He smiled as he leaned his head closer to her face. She could smell his cologne which became her favorite ever since the time she smelled it from him.

"She loves studying. Even in her dreams, she's still doing that."

"Kara!" Carmella said between chuckles. Kara winked at her as she teased her more.

"Isn't it true? You really love studying to the point that your way of thinking becomes mature. I think I am not talking to someone my age anymore."

"Yeah, I agree to that. She even gives great recommendations when it comes to everything."

"She's a lawyer in the making." Kara whispered to Adrian's ear but Carmella heard what they are talking about.

Carmella felt her cell phone vibrating again. When she checked her phone, her heart suddenly beat fast.

"Hey, Charm. I forgot my Math books at the library counter. I am on my way there with dad. I might hang out in the library for thirty minutes while he is inquiring for the following school year."

I stood up that made the two look at me. I pulled Kara's hand as we went away from Adrian.

"Kara, Elise Hope is on her way here."

"What? Oh my gosh. Wait let me tell my cousin to eat with me at the cafeteria."

"Alright. Please go the other direction and not on the main entrance of the library."

"Will do. Will you go there with us after this one?"

"I will. She'll hang out with me for thirty minutes the most and she'll get going after that."

"Okay. Got it. I will tell him what you said. I will think of an alibi when we get there. Promise me you'll be going to the cafeteria, too."

"Yes, of course. I will go there. Please wait for me patiently."

"Okay. Anyway, we had a lot to talk about." She nodded and winked at me. I stayed in the aisle of books. I pretended getting a book and scanned it in front of them. I glanced at Adrian and Kara. I saw her talking to him. He glanced at me and eventually nodded at Kara. I waved at them as they went out from one of the exits of the library near the cafeteria.

"I'm here!" Hope appeared in front of me that I almost jumped because of being surprised.

"My goodness! It's like you've seen a ghost just now." She chuckled as she hugged me from my back.

"Have you gotten your book at the counter?"

"Yep." She said while proudly showing it to me. We sat on one of the tables facing each other.

"Sorry, we have to go back to the mall. Will you be okay here?"

"Yep. Anyway, a few minutes more and we'll be having our lunch. I will just eat with some of my friends in the cafeteria. Don't worry about me." I said. She hugged my arm and leaned her head on it.

"You can join us at the mall for lunch. I will tell my dad."

"No, no dear Hope. My mom prepared a packed lunch for me. I will be eating this one. The mall is far from our school. I have to go back to study, you know."

"Oh, I see," I noticed her disappointed reaction. We read books and we waited for another couple of minutes before she finally stood up.

"Dad texted me just now. Our car is waiting for me outside."

"Okay dear Hope. Please take care as you go back to the mall."

"I will. Please enjoy your lunch at the cafeteria."

"You too, dear." She even kissed my cheeks and hugged me. As soon as she left, I rushed to our school cafeteria.

"Whoa...you're here now." Adrian greeted her first while Kara gave her a meaningful grin.

"Let's eat?" I nodded and I got my packed lunch and opened it in front of them. I noticed they already ordered their food. It looks hot and delicious, while I only have rice and chicken nuggets. Adrian noticed this. He got my tupperware right away and closed it. He stood up and went to the microwave area. They both look at him while he's buying sets of fruits and vegetables at the counter. He waited for more than two minutes. When it was done, he went back to their table.

"Here you go." He smiled as he opened Carmella's tupperware again. He also placed a small bowl of stewed vegetables and fish fillet beside Carmella's lunch.

"Oh my gosh! Cous, you're so sweet. Carmella will really fall in love with you more because of that. Ouch!"

Carmella kicked her leg under our table that made Kara quiet in an instant. Adrian looked at her and she awkwardly smiled. "I'm okay...I really am." She said while showing two thumbs up. Carmella chuckled as she put her hand on her mouth. She also noticed a lot of mango, apple and pineapple slices that Adrian bought for the three of them.

"This is a healthy meal. I noticed your meal is too dry." Carmella blushed as she met his gaze.

"Yeah. I guess mom is just too busy. She only prepared this one. She is also cooking vegetables for me, don't worry."

"That's nice. Now, let's enjoy this lunch."

"Don't worry about me guys. I am still here. Let's enjoy lunch." They all laughed together when Kara said that.