Love Is Second Best — Chapter 29: THE SOFT-HEARTED FEELING

Hope's POV

"Dear, are you okay?"

"Yes, dad."

"You're not in the mood."

"No, it's just I am tired, dad."

"If that's the case, then we can go back to the car to rest for a while. Anyway, the day is almost ending and we're about to go home now. Dad tapped my shoulders as I looked up to him. I nodded and we started walking to the parking lot where our car is located.

I don't want my dad to feel worried about what's bugging my thoughts. I watched the trees become smaller as our car passed by them in a swift motion. If this is how my dad drives our car, it only means he wanted to rest as much as I do, too. It's been almost a day since we strolled the mall. However, the weird actions of Carmella lately is making me worry even if I don't want to.

Is she keeping something from me? I also noticed that she's fond of going with Kara more than I do. That's why I am just making an alibi for them to enjoy what they have to do. I know I am out of it. I know that they are more familiar with themselves more than I do with both of them. As much as I want to also go to Kara and Carmella, it felt really awkward.

"Here we are now." We started to get out of the car. I helped dad in emptying the backseat of the groceries and necessities we bought from the mall.

"You can tell me what's on your mind, dear."

"Dad, have you ever felt being left out with your friends? I mean I don't want to get jealous but sometimes I can't help it."

"I can't blame you dear," Dad sat beside me. We are in the living room and the maids are bringing the groceries to the kitchen to sort them all.

"It's the feeling that you're getting used to that person being by your side for the longest time, and then out of the blue, that person is changing little by little. Sometimes, you feel like you're not being a priority anymore."

"Yeah, that's the exact feeling, dad."

I felt dad's hand resting on my shoulders as he pulled me closer to him.

"It's alright, dear." He gave me a warm smile that somehow eased what I felt.

"Dear, remember, we can love our friends but I hope you will always reserve something for yourself."

I nodded as soon as I heard my dad's advice. He is having a good point there. I should never force friendship to anybody because it's like begging for attention. Dad is right. I should always remember to be patient and just enjoy as I go with the flow.

Days seem to pass like lightning. I noticed that our senior high year started roughly. As our first week started, I have proven what came into my mind during our summer times. Carmella loved going with Kara more than I did. Sometimes I tried fitting in but I guess they knew each other more that I am just getting disappointed.

"Elise? Are you alright?" Kara approached me one time as I put my hands on my cheek. I am looking through the window during one of our vacant hours. It happened that Kara is my seatmate and Carmella sat four rows away from us.

"Oh, yes Kara. Thank you. I'm fine. Don't mind me."

"Don't mind me, mind your own. Don't care for me, instead care for the love of your own."

I smiled as I faced her. She jokingly rolled her eyes.

"Gosh, Shrevakhuk can really make you feel fine. I proved it myself now." I giggled as we did the high-five. I felt my cheeks blushed but yeah, Kara is right.

"How do you know that I liked Shrevakhuk so much?"

"Carmella mentioned it to me when I saw her marking the pages where Shrevakhuk's life and works are located in our literature book."

"Oh, I see. That's cool."

"She said you both love it."

"Yes. In fact we watched “Pile Of Dreams”, a cartoon movie inspired by Shrevakhuk's words of wisdom, especially about family.

She smiled at me and I never noticed that we both glanced where Carmella is. For a minute, we observed what she's doing. She was able to talk to our other classmates while laughing. I think one of our classmates shared a joke to her that made her laugh so hard.

"Okay class, please go back to your proper seats and sit straight." We almost never noticed how our teacher went inside our classroom.

"Okay, it's the start of the week for all of you. This is your final year to prove yourselves more, especially you, our dearest Carmella." Our class adviser looked at her. We also glanced at where she was and I noticed that she smiled at all of us in the room in a very timid manner.

"Well, I bet Hope will be in the first spot this time,"

I heard our other schoolmate whisper to his seatmate behind me.

"How sure are you?"

"Remember, Hope was a transferee last year and she got the second spot already." Our classmate next to him replied in a very sure manner.

"Hmm, wow, I never realized that." As soon as I heard them, I turned my head on my back as I look at those who talked behind me.

"H-Hello, Hope. We're on you."

"I don't like what you're talking about. Please stop the gossip. It's going nowhere."

"Hmm, we'll stop if you tell us that you love having a competition with Carmella." Dan's voice is like challenging me to tell what's in my mind.

"No. There's never a competition. Carmella and I are best friends. Everyone is doing their best to have good grades. Please stop the hate." Because I am getting annoyed, I got back at Kara who seemed shocked with what I did just now.

"Wow. That's too badass!"

I can't help but chuckle because of how Kara reacts to what I did.

"You know what, Elise, I thought you're just sweet and harmless. I never thought you can be this awesome!" I can see that she's really amazed.

"I will always speak for what is right, Kara. Nobody can ever stop me from doing it." I smiled as she nodded. We even had a high-five.

"I like you. You're true and you always show what you feel. I hope you will always be like that. Please teach me how to do it, too." Kara encircled her arms around mine as if wanting to establish a kind of friendship.

"Of course. I love having a lot of friends."

"I guess we'll be forming a squad. You will be the muse while Carmella will be the leader. I'll just be a member."

"What, muse?"

"Yeah, you're Gal Gadot. You look like a goddess. I find you really, really beautiful. Don't mind Carmella, she's used as a leader. No doubt about it." I can't help but to chuckle because of Kara's outrageous ideas.

"Well, we can be called a squad without labelling ourselves such names. That's a bit off for me."

"Okay, this is noted."

"In short, we can be friends without any reason at all. At the end of the day, it's all about trust and acceptance."

"You know what, Elise? I am happy that I am finally here in your section. I made it after a year of studying for real."

I can't help but laugh at Kara's goofy sense of humor. She's really effortless when it comes to making other people happy.

"What do we have here?" I can see that Carmella is coming towards us as we enjoy our ten-minute break after some few introductory pointers about the start of classes and some requirements.

"We are just talking about starting afresh and anew."

"Kara, how do you like that? Wow I didn't know you're also fond of that."

"This is for a change. You seem to not notice but I've been working hard since last year so I really deserve to be back on top, watch out, I might oust you as the reigning top one in class." Kara laughed as if mimicking a cackle of a witch. I can see Carmella shaking her head as she listens to her friend. I can see how close they are and somehow, I am thrilled to be a part of their friendship as well.

"We can always make our circle of friends bigger than the usual. Since it's the last year, I have decided to make friends with everyone. I hope it's not yet too late."

"Of course, everyone gets that chance." I tapped her shoulders and I can see a beaming smile that formed from her lips. She looked so fresh and happy and inspired as well. I hope she'll always feel this way. As students, we deserve to find happiness not only in academics but to develop friendship and trust in everyone around us.

"Well, friendship unlocked! It's the three of us now! Go girl power!" Kara cheered that everyone turned their heads on us.

"Alright!" We both cheered with glee.

"We should go to the library to study." Carmella interrupted us all that made us all giggle.

"Hey library addict, we still have our English class. We could do that after class at 4:00 PM."

"Wow. This will be bloody for real."