.... but I love You..... (part 19)

O'Brien is getting anxious day by day. He felt doubt about his feeling anymore, and he couldn't do anything about it. Even Nathan, his best friend, can only be by his side and watched the sky falling, which is not yet to happen. Ever since he accidentally bumped into the most prettiest girl he ever saw, Heidi Hilton, and ever since he got her phone number, he had yet to have gut to dial her number and said hello.

It's been 4 months, and O'Brien has yet to make his first move. They met occassionally during lunch but only briefly because Heidi is tagging along with her bunch of friend. O'Brien could only watched from the distance, seeing Heidi laughing shyly at her friend's jokes, and he also noticed that Heidi occassionally steal a glance at him when he is not looking. Whenever their eyes met, it seems like you can see the electricity that goes on between them. Nathan, seeing the obvious picture of it, is getting frustrated with his best friend for his lack of courage to ask her out.

And now, Nathan once again caught O'Brien doodling Heidi's name on his notepad during Psych class. Nathan tried to kick O'Brien's chair but O'Brien seems so far away. Miss Clarice, the Psych teacher, called O'Brien's name as she noticed that he is not with them now. Nathan kicked his chair again but still no response. Nathan gave up and just sighed deeply, thinking that O'Brien really need some help, and obviously he need other's help as he couldn't even manage himself.

"Penny for your thought, O'Brien Stevenson?" Miss Clarice is now sitting on the edge of his desk, raising her voice slightly to get his attention. Miss Clarice always have a huge crush on O'Brien ever since he attend her class. She will steal a secret glance toward him whenever she got a chance. Learning that he is now single, she feel more excited to lull him to her. She is just turn to 25 years old, still young and beautiful and sexy, as her friends always describe her. Many of her friends still wondering why she, a beautiful girl, is still single. Even some of the male teacher had tried to ask her for a date but she declined them. To her, those guys are not her type at all. She was more into the shy-and-young-type of guy.

And that guy happen to be the one named O'Brien Stevenson.

She cleared her throat again, and this time it got O'Brien's full attention, his face turns pale at first then when he saw her eyes on his notepad full with Heidi's name, he covered it immediately and a blush crept into his face. Miss Clarice caught up the name scribbled on his notepad, and it makes her so angry with jealousy. She couldn't accept that her crush is crushing on someone else. The fact that someone is her own niece, Heidi Hilton, makes her even more angrier.

Wait 'till I get my hands on you, you little slutty niece of mine! She thought evilly. O'Brien, seeing his Psych teacher turned devilish look, gulped in anxiety.

"I....i'm sorry, Miss Clarice. I......" he stammered, unable to finish his words, his hands turn cold and clammy. Miss Clarice stared at him, and she feel her heart melt at seeing him so afraid of her. She decided that she will let him go, for now. She can hear the huge sighed in relief coming from O'Brien when she retreated back in front of the class. All of her students has gone very quiet. She chuckled inwardly and continue her lesson about dealing with stress. She will keep in mind about what she want to do to her niece later on.

*************************

"I can't believe she let you go just like that," whined Nathan when the class is finished. O'Brien just shrugged, grinning sheepishly. "Man, she must be having a crush on you," Nathan jokingly said and slapped hard on O'Brien's shoulder, made O'Brien cringed in pain.

"Dude, that's hurt!" he poke Nathan's ribs playfully while putting his books on his bag pack. "I have no class after this so I'm headed home. What about you?"

"Damn.... I still have Biology class at 3pm. I hate lab session, and I certainly hate that partner of mine," Nathan complained as they walked out of the class and went into their locker.

"Gerthrude is such a whiny ass, like you," O'Brien laughed out loud at his own joke. Nathan just stared at him.

"You better watch your mouth kiddo, or I......" he stopped in mid-sentence when he saw the object of his best friend's undying love walking across the hall. He poked O'Brien's rib, and indicated the girl with his head.

"Wha-.... oh...." O'Brien stop, and just stared at Heidi Hilton walking graciously with her group of friends. Their eyes met and instantly he felt like his world is being paused and totally out of space with just the two of them in there. Heidi gulped nervously at seeing O'Brien's eyes, her heart suddenly pumped twice as fast as before.

Both of them never notice that Nathan and the girls has left them alone. O'Brien looked around for his friend, needed his support, but Nathan is nowhere to be seen. He sighed nervously, and decided that he has to make a move or else he will lose her.

"Hi, Heidi," he greet her. Heidi smiled shyly, her face is flushed with red.

"Hi. Haven't talk to you for a long time huh?" she said while leaning against somebody's locker.

"Mmm, sorry about that. You are busy with your work, and me too." Both of them became silent, just staring at each other's eyes.

"Heidi-"

"O'Brien-". They laughed at their clashed of words. "You go first," offered O'Brien.

Heidi cleared her throat. "Umm... I was thinking, about..... hanging out with you tonight?"

O'Brien feel like he wanted to jump in excitement. He can't believe that Heidi just ask him out!

"Yeah, sure, why not? I'll pick you up at 7pm, how is it?" he said, maintain his cool act, while inside he was so excited. He couldn't wait to tell Nathan about this.

"Cool, so..... I'll see you later?" Heidi asked in a tiny voice. O'Brien just nodded, become speechless so sudden. Heidi then bid her goodbye to him and walked rather fast back to her locker. O'Brien leaned on his locker with a dreamy look on his face. Little did he knows that there are two people watching and hearing their conversation just now, and it made these two people angry!

.... but I love You..... (part 18)

Archelle couldn't believe it that she actually said it! She was so nervous that as soon as she confessed her love to Marcus, she ran away without even waiting for his reaction. No, she was not ready to see what might be the reaction that Marcus give. She was not ready to face any possibility of being rejected.

She was not ready. That's all.

She was so focus on getting away from Marcus that she never saw someone walking the opposite direction, and ended up bumping with each other and fell to their own butt. Both of them groaned in pain, and then both of them became silent as they heard their voices, which sounds familiar.

Archelle opened her eyes and gasped loudly when she saw the person that she bumped into just now.

"Oh my God," she whispered in awe-struck. The other person just stared at her, with moist suddenly form in her eyes.

"Archie?"

Archelle blinked several time before reality struck into her. She was facing her bestfriend - ex-bestfriend to be exact.

"Brie?" Archie said in low tone, while getting up from the grass below her. She rub her bottom a bit and cringed in pain as a result. Brie was on her side in a second.

"Are you alright? I'm so sorry I didn't see you," Brie said softly while hesitating of whether she should hold Archelle or not, and in the end decided against it as she still doubted that her ex-bestfriend already forgot about the incident.

Archelle shook her head. "No...no, it's my fault. I was running away from something and didn't see you," she explained in a rush, and took her deep breath. She stared at figure form of Brie and noted that Brie looked different from the last time she saw her. Brie wore her hair longer, had a very suit make-up on her face, and is wearing a chic-kind-of clothes, which she never saw Brie wore before. She knew Brie as a casual-type-of girl, always wear T-Shirt and Jeans, and according to Brie, dresses are her biggest turn-off.

Brie sensed that Archie is assessing her, and she tried hard to fight her blush but failed miserably. She cleared her throat, pulling Archelle from her own musing. "Owh...sorry... mm you look.... different," she said, stammered. She is actually feeling nervous of meeting Brie after not seeing her for so long. She was planning on seeing Brie, but she never expected that the chance is coming right now, so she didn't prepare any of it (well, she never prepare for ANYTHING today) and makes her become tongue-tied. Brie, still not completely get over her feeling toward Archelle, is feeling warm all over her body at just seeing Archelle, and she cursed herself silently for letting her feeling overtake her.

"Nah.... I looked the same," Brie waved off Archelle's word with her right hands, and shrugged. "YOU look different. Your eyes are shining and your cheeks are so red. Are you just having a date with Marcus?"

The mere sound of his name makes Archelle choked up and coughed several times. Brie once again just going to put her hand on Archelle's back and do backrub but then she stop herself. She cursed again. Once Archelle settled down, she took a deep breath and answered Brie, "Umm, actually, I.....I did....ran away from....Marcus."

"Oh?" Brie raised her eyebrows, curious. "What have you done to him?"

"I....." Archelle fidgeting on her feet while clenching and unclenching her fists. Before she could continued, someone is calling her and it make her heart stop the moment she recognize the voice.

"Archelle, wait up!" Marcus is running toward the girls. He was gasping for air by the time he was on their side. 'I thought I couldn't catch you up...oh, hi," he noticed Brie who was just standing rigidly. "Are you Archelle's friend?"

The simple and innocent question is enough to make Brie's world shaken for a moment. She didn't know how to answer that so she just remain silent. Archelle sense the tension in the air, so she volunteer to save Brie from answering Marcus. "Yes, we are friend. Best friend, indeed. I thought you remember her, Marcus."

Marcus just stared at Brie, tried to remember if he ever see her before, then a memory flashed of Brie punching his face at Pizza Hut about 4 months ago when he was just getting to know Archelle. "Yes, I still remember the first girl that punched me so hard that it bruised for a week," he recalled with a grin. Brie blushed furiously, embarass at the memory of it but then she sighed inwardly as she recalled that at the same night her friendship with Archelle was cracking because of her stupid mouth.

"Sorry for that," she muttered. Marcus just shook his head.

"It's alright. I completely understand that you are being protective to your best friend. I was such a total jerk at that time." Marcus then furrowed his brows. Come to think of it, as far as Archelle was concern, he rarely heard nor see Archelle hanging out with Brie again since that night. He still wonder whatever happen to both of them, and sometimes he thought maybe it was his fault for entering Archelle's life and replacing Brie in a best-friend-spot, but he never raised this concern to Archelle because he don't want to cross Archelle's personal line.

Brie became uncomfortable as minutes ticking by. She can't stand this anymore so she make an excuse of leaving them alone. She was supposed to go meet her roomates in about 5 minutes and she didn't want to be late. Plus, she didn't really want to observe the romantic mood between Archelle and Marcus. By the look of Archelle, who is still flushing, she can tell that Archelle might already confess to Marcus. Who are you kidding, she is best friend with Archelle for 5 damn years!

"Brie, I'll text message you later," Archelled said to Brie's retreating back. Brie just wave without turning to them and keep walking.

As soon as they were left alone, Archelle didn't dare to look into Marcus' penetrating gaze, so she sticked her eyes on the grass. Marcus put his finger on her chin and forced her to look at his eyes. "Archelle....."

Suddenly, a panic burst into her. "I....I need to go, Marcus....."

"But-"

"We will hang out tonight then we will talk okay? I....I-"

Before Archelle could even complete her babbling, she was quieted with a touch of her lips with his lips. Marcus kissed her tenderly at first, protrude his tongue at her lips, asking permission for her mouth to open up. She then gradually open her mouth and their tongue are met, and fell into deep, passionate kiss. They broke the kiss when they lack of air to breathe after about a minute.

"Don't run away from me again, huh?" Marcus whispered to the still moist lips of her. She just nodded and smiled sheepishly. They hugged each other tightly as if they never want to let go. "I love you, Archelle Stevenson," he whispered in her ear. She jerked up, and let go of her hug and stared at his eyes to make sure that she didn't hear it wrongly.

"You....really.....love me?" she said slowly. Marcus smiled tenderly and put his thumb on her lips.

"Yes. I do love you, since the first time I saw you entering that damn class," he said with such full of love that it make Archelle want to cry.

Archelle feel like want to scream out loud. She was so happy that Marcus love her as much as she loves him. She hugged him again and kissed his neck several time and repeatedly utter "I love you" to him.

From the distance, Brie watched the scene with tears in her eyes. She has some kind of mix emotion when she watched Marcus and Archelle kissed. She feels happy for her best friend for finally found the one for her, and at the same time she feels sad because she really wish that she was on Marcus' shoes at that moment, but she shook her head at the mere thought of it. It will never happen, Brie. Face it up! The phone ringing startled her, and she answer it immediately.

"Where are you Brie? We are hungryyyyy," drawled out Maria.

Brie smirked. "Yeah, yeah. I'm coming. Jeez, it's not like the food will run away from us, ya know?" she said sarcastically.

"Get your ass here now!" Bella now. Brie just laughed at her roomates' antic, shaking her head and ending the call. She glanced at the newly couple for the last time with a sad smile before she retreated to the impatient duo roomates.

************************

"What's taking you so long, chica?" Bella said in a slightly annoyed tone when finally Brie reached them. Maria is sulking that she didn't even acknowledged Brie's presence.

Brie has a darken, sullen look on her face and it grows concern out of both of her roomates. Maria, forgetting her sulking act, was immediately on Brie's side. "What's wrong, little girl? You look....devastated."

"And pale too. Are you having a fever or something?" Bella put her back of her hands on Brie's forehead and felt that there is no rising in her temperature. Brie just stared at both of them with vulnerable look. "Tell us, Brie. What happen?" Bella urged, her concerned growing more and more now.

Brie just shook her head. "I'll tell you guys later okay? Right now we got to fill somebody's stomach in before it started to throwing tantrum," she attempted a weak joke, but still is enough to bring a smile on her roomates' face.

***************************************

.... but I love You..... (part 17)

The library is quiet as usual. Well, that is the main purpose of the library- to have a nice and quiet study time. Brie was seated at the slightly hidden corner with tons of books about make-up on both of her sides. She was cranking up her brain, and huffed in frustration of not being able to understand a word about the chemical reaction in every products of make-up. She couldn't understand why she need to learn all of this chemistry stuff when she knows she'll ended up being a make-up artist, and not a make-up advisor.

Suddenly she felt like someone is staring at her back, she can actually felt as if the eyes are just penetrating her back. She turned around and there it is, guilty as charge. She groaned out loud, and cursed of the so-called-beautiful weather for making fun of her day. She doesn't need to face the one person that she hate the most now. The girl is walking toward her, and she pretend to concentrate hard on the ever-confusing chemistry of make-up.

"Hey," soft voice greeted her ear. She was froze for the moment, couldn't believe it in her ear that this girl ever spoke softly to her. She turn her face to see the sunken-looked-face of Kendra Louis.

"Hey," Brie said emotionless.

"Mind if I sit here?" Kendra asked, while struggling to keep her balance with the thick-medical-books. Brie just mumbled in agreement. Kendra then took her seat in front of Brie and started to open up the medical book, which Brie caught up the title "Biochemistry" on it.

"I hate chemistry so much," Brie muttered as if to herself. Kendra just snorted.

"Me too, but our professor insisted that we should master biochemistry or else do not dream of becoming a doctor," Kendra complained without breaking her eye contact with the book. "What are you studying?"

Brie indicated her book. "Chemistry on make-up world. Sounds fun right?"She stressed out the word "fun" in a sarcastic way. "I don't know why we have to learn all of this. I thought make-up is supposed to be all about art."

Kendra chuckled a little. "Well, I can help you, if you want."

Wait. Are you kidding? Kendra Louis is offering some help? Brie blinked her eyes for a several times before she could think of a respond.

"Well... if you're willing to help...." Brie hesitated. Kendra sensed it, so she looked at Brie straight to her eyes and smile reassuring.

"Let's just put all the hatred we had on each other behind us," she suggested. Brie looked at her sideway. "You are not friend with her again, Brie, and as long as you didn't spill the thing about me to her, I am cool with you."

"But what you did is wrong, Kendra. The fact that she used to be my friend doesn't change any of my perspective on what you did. It still wrong to me," Brie hissed, began to feel annoy.

"The fact that you like girl, is okay for you?" Kendra countered back. Brie's face became red.

"I never said I like girl!" She whispered harshly.

"But everybody knows you hit on Archelle and get rejected, Brie. Ev-ery-bo-dy!"

"That doesn't make me a lesbian!"

"Oh come on-"

"Stop it okay!" Brie had enough. She was just making a move to stand up when Kendra grabbed her forearm tightly.

"Please don't go. I want to....help you with....the chemistry," Kendra said in a small voice. Brie just stared at her in disbelieve. She didn't how how Kendra can change her personality in a blink of an eye. One second she was a kind girl, the next thing she became a bitch, and then she changed back to the previous one. Brie thought for a second, then she sat down. "Thank you," Kendra said with a slight smile.

"I accept your offer for MY own sake okay? This doesn't mean we are friends, got it?" Brie warned her. Kendra just shrugged her shoulder and began to take a look at the text that Brie had been staring for hours.

"Oh... okay, I think I know what these texts means. C'mere, Brie, let's get started." Brie rolled her eyes, but did comply and listen intently to Kendra's explaination. After about an hour or so, Brie finally can made sense of the texts, and when she looked at Kendra, she actually offering her a genuine smile to her.

"Thank you Kendra. Now I know what these craps means," Brie said jokingly. Kendra nodded gratefully.

"Glad to be on your service."

Brie looked at her watch and noted that it was finally time to lunch. "Hey, I gotta go, I'm hungry, and I don't want to keep my roomates waiting for me."

"Yeah, go on, I still need to do some revision, and am gonna skip lunch anyway," Kendra said while she is still slipping the pages over and over again.

Brie grabbed her bag pack and library books to be return to its appropriate place, and got up from her seat. She held out her hand to Kendra, and Kendra gladly accepted it. "Thanks again."

"Your welcome."

As Brie left the seat, Kendra couldn't help but smile at what just happen between them. She cannot believe that she can be so kind to Brie, but then she shrugged it off and continued her revision.

************************************

Lunch time. As the clock struck to 12.30pm, all students gather their things way too fast and just leave the lecture hall without so much as to said thanks to Mr.Rufus, well, except for Archelle & Marcus who still have manner.

"I'm glad that some student still have manner," Mr.Rufus said, sighed. Marcus just chuckled, while Archelle was fidgeting a bit. Marcus was left unnoticed.

"What's wrong with you? You look like you were going to pass out or something," he rumbled while putting his books into his bagpack.

"Nothing. Let's go," Archelle held Marcus' forearm, which was a big mistake for her because as soon as she touched his forearm, she jumped like getting an electric shock. Marcus just cringed and looked at Archelle with confusion. After they said goodbye to Mr.Rufus, both of them went to cafeteria. No conversation was held during their walk. Marcus was getting worried of his best friend, wondering what made her acted weird so sudden today. Meanwhile, Archelle was getting more nervous and she even had a hard time to breathed properly. Marcus then stop her midway by standing in front of her.

"Are you okay? You're breathless," he said with worried look on his face. Archelle took a deep breath and suddenly she found the grass on her feet much interesting. She was mumbling something but Marcus is having a hard time to hear it so he asked her to repeat it again.

"I...have something to tell you," she said in tiny voice. Marcus smiled and patted both her shoulders.

"Do tell now, or should we go to the cafe first and then you can tell me whatever is bothering you...?" He suggested. Archelle shook her head.

"No, I wanna tell you right here, right now," she insisted, clenching and unclenching her fist. Marcus was frowning now, becoming more confuse with her.

"Okay, tell me then, I'm waiting," he said, folding his arms around his body.

Archelle is getting frustrated. She couldn't even form the right word to say, and it sucks because these kind of things always happen when she is nervous, and now is not the exception of it.

"I'm waiting.....waiting......" He said in sing-song tone, while whistling and tapping his right foot. Then, suddenly he caught her telling him something but he couldn't catch it up. "What is it again? You talk too fast."

Archelle cleared her throat. "Marcus Lawrence.... I.... I adore you as my best friend."

He smiled at that word. "Yes, I feel the same too, my best friend-"

"...but I love you Marcus Lawrence!" She cut in, and then followed by silence. A total silence. Before Marcus could even react, Archelle suddenly just ran away from him without another word. Marcus saw her with his eyes, mouth was open wide now, and blinked his eyes in disbelief.

"Archelle.... Oh God, did I just heard her saying I love you to me?" He muttered to himself, and continue his walk to the cafeteria in awe.

.... but I love You..... (part 16)

Brie was on the way to the library when her phone rang. She sighed deeply, slightly feel annoyed of being disturbed in a peaceful, beautiful morning.

"Hello?" She said matter-of-factly.

"Brie! Hi, love." Brie smiled at the sound of her beloved mom.

"Hi mom," she said, now in cheerful tone. She really miss her mom. Ever since the unwanted incident, she became homesick day by day. She text messaging her mom almost everyday, and called her every night. Her mom is her best friend that anyone could never have. Being an only child, Brie feel much loved by her mom. Her father, God bless him, has passed away due to leukaemia when Brie was just a year old. Her mom never remarried, because she said she will never replace dad from her heart.

Brie's mom, Nelly Matthews-Bright, is working as an executive manager in a business company. She work so damn hard just to give Brie the life that she could never had when she was at Brie's age now. Now, at 40 years old, Nelly was so proud of seeing Brie growing up so well and was on her way to Hollywood soon.

"How's my favourite girl?"

Brie smiled while stepping in front of the library, and she took a seat at the bench nearest. "I'm fine mom. I'm going back this weekend, for the mid-semester holiday," she said with full of excitement.

"Really? Wow, that's terrific! I can't wait to spend some time with you, baby," her mom said cheerfully.

"Me too," Brie mumbled.

"Mmm, well, Brie. I got something to tell you."

Something about the tone made Brie felt uneasy so suddenly. "Yes mom, what is it?"

"Promise me you would not freak out okay?"

Brie sighed. "Yes, mom. Now, spill the bean please?"

Nelly took a deep breath, quite shakily. "Brie... I'm getting married."

Silence is accompanying them for about 30 second before Brie practically yell at her mom. "You what, Mom???"

"I said I'm getting married," Nelly's tone began to strain at hearing Brie's harsh reaction. Brie felt like being shocked by an electricity at hearing her mom's confession. She thought mom will never remarry again and will stay loyal to dad. Obviously, all of it was wrong.

"Mom, but why?"

"Why do you ask that? Of course it is because I love him. He's my manager partner here in my office, he's nice to me, and he loves me too."

"What's his name?"

"Jamie Johnny, he is 45 years old, and he has a son and 2 daughters, all are in their 20's," her mom gave Brie the information excitedly. Brie hate to hear about it. Even though Brie wanted her mom to be happy, but thinking about her new step-dad, step-sisters and step-brother, she was afraid that she will be left out once they become 1 family.

"Brie? Are you still there?" Nelly said, felt worried about her daughter on the other side. Brie cleared her throat, just realized that she has became so quiet.

"Yes, mom. I...I'm not sure how to take this news.... it is so sudden..." she hesitated.

"Don't worry, we can postpone our wedding date-"

"No mom! Don't do that for my own selfish sake! I'm happy for you... it's just that, I am used to just have you all by myself. Thinking of sharing you with other people, it's just feel weird to me."

"Are you sure you're okay with it?"

"Yes, I'll get used to it, just need some time," Brie reassured her mom, even though she sounds not really convincing.

"Hmm okay...well, I gotta go, my boss is signalling for me. Love you, Brie."

"Love you too, mom." The line went dead. Brie stared at her cellphone for about a minutes, still disbelieved of what she just heard.

"Mom is getting married? Am I the only one that feels that the world is turning upside down?" She whispered to herself, before she stood up and made a move into the library. She feels that the day is not as beautiful as it seems.

**********************************

After the conversation with her brother last night, Archelle has a great determination to just confess to Marcus the moment she woke up the next morning. She woke up before her alarm set off, took her shower first, then get ready to go to class. Her roomate, Kendra, was just waking up when Archelle is getting ready to go.

In 4 months period, Archelle and Kendra has very little conversation together. Kendra never pulled any prank on Archelle again, and Archelle cannot help it but notice that Kendra is getting thinner and thinner. Even her tight blue jeans was clung loosely. Her face looked sunken too, Archelle thought she might feel too stress with her upcoming exam. Medical course is never easy, it can drive people crazy by just learning it. There are time when Archelle really want to ask Kendra about her well-being. Well, she is still mad about Jane ditching O'Brien, but she is not as mad as she was 4 months ago.

Kendra needs help, and it better be soon! Archelle thought while brushing her hair. The image of Marcus came back into her mind and she began to shiver with excitement. She couldn't wait to see him again. She missed him dearly, even though they met everyday & text messaging always. She want to hug him, to kiss him and whispered "I love you" into his ear. Oh, how great the power of love she felt at this moment.

"Hey, you're up early," mumbled Kendra as she walked to her closet and pick up her towel. Her hair is tousled everywhere and her eyes are not quite open yet, she did look like a walking zombie.

"Yep. I have something to do, urgent," Archelle replied nonchalantly, applying light make-up on her face. Once she felt satisfied with her look, she went to grab her bagpack and saying goodbye to Kendra. Kendra just waved her and mumbled goodbye to her while continuing wandering around the room.

Archelle was nervous. She was well-aware of it. She never felt so nervous before, that she even got palpitation because of it. She was happy, scare and desperate at the same time. She needed to get this over it. Just confess and run, that's what she intended to do.

*****************************************

Archelle couldn't keep her eyes from the doorway to the class. It's 7am and Marcus is still not arrive yet. She was getting more anxious by the time class is almost half-packed with eager students. When Marcus made his entrance to the class, with his usual whitish-teeth smile on his face, she was on the verge to get panic attack, but she did remain in control of herself.

"Morning, beautiful," Marcus said as he took a seat next to her.

She tried to reply him but the words got stuck in her throat. She cleared her throat. "Morning too."

He can sensed something is weird about Archelle and decided to ask about it. She just shrugged nonchalantly. "Nothing. It's cold today."

"Cold? But you're sweating," he said softly, smirked.

Archelle couldn't even think about any words to reply so she just shrugged once again and act as if it was no deal. She couldn't believe it that her great determination suddenly lost at nowhere the moment she set her eyes on him. She was so determine to confess to him of how much she love him, but this is not as easy as it seems. In fact, this is the hardest thing she ever have yet to do so far.

Oh come on, Archelle! Get over it, you can't move on with your life without knowing about his feeling toward you! She screamed at herself in her mind.

"Umm Marcus? Are you busy tonight?" She asked with shaky voice.

"No, I'm all free. Why? Wanna hang out together?" Marcus raised his eyebrows with a sweet smile.

"Yeah, sure. You still owe me..." she trailed off.

"What...Oh! Yeah, I promise you to treat you a game of bowling," he slapped his forehead and sighed. He smiled back at her.

"Cool.... Glad you remember it."

"A guy has to remember every bit of his words that comes as a promise," he stated, proudly.

"You're such a brat," she slapped his forearm playfully. He just laughed.

The conversation was stop when Mr.Rufus came into the class and began his never-ending-4-hour-lectures. By the time the 2nd hour is up, almost half of the class are in their own la-la land, but Mr. Rufus doesn't seem to mind about it. Archelle couldn't fell asleep nor concentrate on the lectures. Her mind keep replaying on what she will tell Marcus later. She haven't decided on how she will tell him, where the situable place, and what word she should use. She groaned silently, wishing she had friends that know more about it. To tell the truth, she has no other close friends besides Marcus, ever since she & Brie broke up their friendship.

Brie......

Gosh, she suddenly miss Brie. It's been so long since they see each other. She miss Brie terribly. Brie will know what to do about this situation, she will be a great help for Archelle about this, considering that Brie has one experience of being in love before.

But.... she didn't know if Brie is still in love with her.... one way to find out was.... to talk to her roomates about it. But, her roomates are so resent on her, she never dare to go to their room anymore. They hate her because she hurt Brie's feeling. It made her feel so frustrated because they don't really understand the situation.

But still.... she missed her friendship with Brie. Brie and her had been bestfriend for 5 years, it was a shame that their friendship didn't last long over some thing called "love". Love can make people happy and sad at the same time, she guess.

She sighed deeply at the sentiment of it. Marcus heard it and he stared at her with a questioning look. She just shook her head and pretend to concentrate on the lectures.

***************************************

.... but I love You..... (part 15)

Another two months has passed..... seems like the wind has just blowing pass the tree, went by unnoticed. Two months with so much happening, whether it is good or bad..... hmm... maybe more to bad than good.

Archelle and Marcus are best friend. Everybody can see them as a potential loving couple, but to other's amazement, they haven't declare to each other yet. O'Brien even scolded his sister of how she should make a first move and confess to Marcus.

"Easy for you to say," Archelle snapped back, couldn't believe that her brother even dare to suggest such a thing. It was one night when Archelle decided that she had enough of burying her feeling. Initially she decided to just text messaging Marcus and confess to him that she loves him, but ended up dialing O'Brien's number. O'Brien was like "ooh" and "aah" when he heard about his sister's undying love confession. Archelle had to raise her voice a bit to stop him from pondering her. She was so in an unstable emotion now that she couldn't accept any kind of jokes. O'Brien understood then, and is willingly kept his mouth shut for the rest of Archelle's story.

"What's wrong with that? If you really want to confess to him, just go for it!" O'Brien said, not giving up on her.

"Look...here's the fact: I am a girl. G.I.R.L." Archelle insisted.

"So?"

"And guy, G.U.Y, is supposed to be the one who make the first move," she stated clearly.

"C'mon, sis! This is 21st century okay? Nobody care about that anymore!" O'Brien said, frustrated.

"But I CARE!" Archelle argued. She can hear her brother sighed in defeat.

"Whatever. Don't blame me if you suffer more after this okay?" He warned. She groaned out loud.

"You're not helping me!"

"You're not listening to me!"

Both of them grunted. Archelle then said in defeated voice, "Fine, fine. I appreciate your advice, bro. I just.....can't do it. I want him to confess to me first....well, IF he did have feeling toward me, that's it."

"How long you want to wait, sis? Until you have wrinkle on your face? Until he grow beard, happily married to someone else? Sis, you gotta be kidding! Loves can't wait for too long, nothing can last forever!"

Archelle cannot help it but to laugh at her brother's antic. Boy, he sure is a great philosopher at such a young age. "I can't believe you're still 15 years old."

"Shut up, sis!"

"Okay, okay. You're right.... Hmm, talk to you later. I need to get enough sleep to gain more strength to face him tomorrow," she said while yawning.

"G'nite then, sis. Oh, and said hello to Brie, will ya?"

Archelle froze at the mention of Brie's name. Gosh, it's been a while since I last heard her name! She almost blurted out to him about Brie not being her friend anymore, but then she remember that her brother is completely clueless about this. "Okay, I will," she said, nonchalantly.

Before she falls into sleep, the last thought that came to her mind was not Marcus, but Brie.

How have you been, Brianna Matthews?

******************************

"London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down...Lon-"

The music stop mid-sentence by a slap on the alarm musical clock, followed by a series of curse.

"Damn! Why do this stupid alarm has to go off at this hour!! Fuck it! Fuck fuck f-"

The curse was stop by the pillow thrown purposely to the source of the voice. "Stop fucking cursing!" The attacker said in annoy voice.

"You heard yourself, bitch!" The curser argued back, began to slowly sat on the edge of the bed, yawning soundly.

"Eew, have some manner, will ya?" Another voice said with disgusted tone.

"You shut up, dumb blonde!"

"I am not blonde, are you blind?"

In an instant, three of them laughing hysterically. Ever since the friendship break-up 2 months ago, Brie has became closer to Bella & Maria. Wherever and whenever the situation is, people never miss 3 of them walking together, laughing and talking and gossiping about anything. Brie has been doing so well in her study. She got the best mark in mid-semester exam, her lecturers are so proud of her that they started to talk about potential make-up Hollywood celebrity, as they quoted it. For the next 3 month, there will be the final exam, and then they will graduate in the Summer.

Nobody ever mention Archelle's name when Brie is present. But in her absence, Bella & Maria is still talking about it. The things about Brie's feeling toward Archelle has been remain secret, with only Bella & Maria knew about it so far. Brie never made herself drunk anymore, is no more depress, and she is moving on with her life. She never attempt any relationship to anyone so far.

Throughout all this, occassionally Brie is still thinking about her Archie. She is still in love with Archie, and she didn't know how to get over it. Bella once told her that In order to forget someone, you gotta find someone else to replace that someone from your heart. Brie doubted that she will met someone else in future. After all, her future career matter the most.

"So, Brie, what's your plan for today?" Bella asked, while preparing herself to go to class.

"Jeez, I am so jealous of you, Brie. I wish my class got canceled, too," Maria interjected, slightly pouted. Brie just laughed, and smile at both of them.

"Oh, come on, guys.... Life is boring without classes," she said, and mocked yawning, causing her to be rewarded with another pillow attack. "Hey, stop it, girl!" She squealed with delight.

15 minutes later, Brie was freshen up and is ready to go. Both her roomates raised her eyebrows. "What? Can't a girl dress nicely for once?"

"Where you wanna go?" asked Bella.

"To the library, of course. I need some change in environment," she said, shrugging her shoulder.

"Right.... I keep forgetting about our roomate turning into a nerd," Bella said, winked at Brie. Brie just protrude her tongue at them, and wave at both of them as they departed to the much dreaded long hour class.

*****************************************

P/S: Sorry for keeping u'all long for the update. Enjoy it while u still can, comment is always welcome ^^

last birthday

She came to me one day..... she said she will never bother me again. I asked her why she suddenly said that, but she just shrugged it off and took off.

We were not a close friend, and I always see her sitting alone in the corner of our school. Every lunchtime she spend most of her time lying down under the tree alone. Sometimes I can see her cried, but I never did bother to approach her 'coz what I was thinking at that moment is that she is not related to me so I have no right to interframe her privacy space.

I wish I have gut to do just that.....

Here I am. Standing at her side. She was gone long time ago, about 5 hours. And I was reading her journal of her life. Gotta tell ya, it was full of depression, and every pages I turn, I cried. I can feel her suffering so well, that I want to hug her. I wished over and over again of how I wanted to make her feel better and not letting her take her own life with her depression.

15 June 2004

I began this sorrowful diary becoz I dont have anyone to talk to and listen to me. Today, is just like other days. I sat alone, eat alone, play alone, sing alone, everything is alone to me. I saw some girls joking around and leering at guys and I was jealous becoz I wanted to be one of them. But deep in my heart, it's not gonna happen.

17 June 2004

My mom scolded me. She said some mean word to me. I'll never forget her exact word. "You are the mistake that I ever have, I wish you were never born." That's what she said. Did she really think that to me? IDK....

18 June 2004

I went to my doctor for my appointment. I might be out of my mind lately but I still cannot miss of what the doctors discuss about me.

"Her condition is not improve."

"We need to be there for her. But we can't...."

"Let's just hope that nobody will treat her bad, or worse, being closed to her and leave her."

They gave me some medication, which I always take whenever this illness attacking me. I was diagnosed with depression, and they are the one who asked me to write diary.

19 June 2004

I chatted online, and surprisingly i meet so many new friends, mostly girls 'coz I don't prefer to be friend with guys. They are all so nice to me, and they are willing to help me to get through all of this. This makes me smile, and is thinking that things are not bad sometimes.

5 September 2004

I've been busy with my study lately, so I have no time to write here. You see, I found new group of friends. They took great care of me. I am now one of them, and it makes me happy. They even thinking of celebrating my birthday which is coming soon in a month away. I never had anyone who wants to celebrate my birthday before. I always buy my own gift and wrapped it up and pretend that this gift is from other, and I will buy cake and sing a song for myself. Pathetic huh? but that will gonna change 'coz I now have great friends.

6 september 2004

I stop taking medication long time ago. I never felt this happy like this in all of my 16 years. Even my family couldn't take me down anymore, 'coz I now have strength from my friends. We always hanging out together, study together and even had sleepover several times. We talked about almost everything. But I never told them about me dealing with depression. I couldn't do that, 'coz I don't want them to change their opinion about me.

4 October 2004

It's my birthday's eve..... but, I suddenly feel weird. I feel like I need to do something to make this weird feeling go away. So I went to buy a cake for myself, a gift, a wrapper, and then I go back here n start cleaning my room. I never done this cleaning up before 'coz I feel like I don't really need to do that. I washed all my clothes, even the one that I never wear. It's been a one week holiday at this time and I was at home all days. My friends didn't contact me since the holiday started, and I was getting anxious. I was worried about what if they forget about their plan on celebrating my birthday? But I still keep hoping. I know they will never dump me at my special day.

...... I went to check my FB, and I am surprise, and shock, to see that all my friends are blocking me..... IDK what to do..... i gotta end it here.....

5 October 2004

My birthday..... my so-called birthday. I went to shop, no one wish me happy birthday, and then I saw my friends there in the mall..... they were shopping without me.... at first i thought they want to give me surprise but then, I follow them until they finish with their shopping. when I called them, they just looked at me, the same look I got in my depress day. They ignore me, totally ignore me...... on my birthday, i lost hope, i lost my friend, i lost trust......and slowly, i think i'm gonna lost life..... maybe, just maybe, i was born to be meant to be like this..... this could be my last entry, 'coz I am convince that by tomorrow....i shall not be there anymore...

Maybe.... it's best if i just go.... to somewhere where i will never bother my family and friend anymore.... they will be leave in peace.....without me,their life will be so much better.......

I cried by the end of her last entry. On her birthday, 5 October 2004 at 6pm, I received news from her neighbour that she shot herself after she wrapped gift, singing happy birthday song, and eat the cake. The bullet hit her chest, and lots of blood gushed out from it. Her neighbour immediately called 911. I never knew her that well, but I have a sudden instinct that I should went to see her. When I came into this room in ICU, seeing her in ventilator, I feel like wanna cry, full of regret. If I ever knew what she's been through, I will never let her go. But it's too little too late. She did open her eyes, when she see me, she smile and with slightest bit of her breath, said "thank u......i dunno u, but......this means so.....m..mmm..mucchhh...ttoo....m.mmm.ee.ee.e...."

i whispered "happy birthday" to her, and she smiled, crying. "ttthhee.....b...bbbesssss...ttt.... gift......e......evverrrr....rr...." and she is gone after that......

It is indeed, her last birthday, and hearing her said that my wish is the best gift she ever had, makes me touch. I manage to make her feel special in her last moment. I wish she didn't shot herself, we would become friends then.... but, maybe God wants her to be in the better place. I hope..... she will be happy up there..... i will always remember u.......

the end.

wasted love

There was once a girl, who has a crush on this person named A. Everyday she woke up she keeps hoping that she will meet A somewhere around the place where she study. Every morning she keeps singing in the shower, humming every love song just the thought of A. Everytime she saw A, she just keep staring at A with her peripheral vision. However, she never have any gut to even meet A's eyes. Her heart keeps pounding faster just the sight of A, and keep on wondering that when will A ever notice her.

One day, while waiting for her friend's car, she saw A standing alone below the tree, apparently reading something. She gulped, and heard sharp intake of breath of herself. She began to sweat profusely, her hands are shaking so bad that she had to grip her shirt just to control the shaking. Suddenly, A turn his eyes on her, and she nearly faint. Their eyes met from far away, and it feels like this is happening for few hours instead of just a faint 30 second.

She tried to form a smile, but ended up forming a smirk. A raised his brow in wonder, and she blushed.

"Ohmigod, A's looking at me! Shit, what 'm I gonna do?" She whispered. But before she could form another thoughts, suddenly she notice that A is now standing right in front of her. She form a smile again, and this time a real smile appear. But, A did not smile back. She wonder why, and before she could argue some possible reason, suddenly A just pass her. She looked at where A went, and feel a sharp of pain in her heart when she saw A is hugging another girl. She can feel tears form on her eyes, while gripping on her shirt so hard that her knuckles turn red.

She was so frustrated at that time that she failed to notice an arson with a gun that aim toward her. She couldn't even form a scream when the bullet has hit her chest, and splashes of blood burst out from the bullet wound. She looked at the shocked expression on A's face before she hit the ground and bleeding to death. The last thing she heard was....

"Poor her. I don't even know her, too bad."

And so, she died with that word keep playing on her mind, while nobody is truly mourning for her.....

a myth of things called LIFE

The life I had now,

Is not what I'd imagine....

Sparkle of golden dust,

Turns into gloomy of rotten leaves...

In which I stand alone,

To witness the darkness,

That engulfing the light, like a Tsunami..

The sudden disappearance of chirping bird,

The humidity of the early morning,

The sound of chicken doing their morning call...

How funny this world might be?

The things we most expected,

Can be turn into things we least expected...

It's like our life has its own tyre,

Wheeling itself whenever it wishes to be,

Without waiting for our reaction,

No one can expect anything according to their favor,

More hopes crashed, more dreams shattered...

Only people's mind can work it out,

Better or worse, is their own choice,

Never depending on other's opinion,

'Coz who knows, they can be a traitor?

Clueless? Unsure?

What we can do now, is to keep living a life.

What's God's purpose to give you life?

If it is not for preparation,

To enter the real life ahead....

.... but I love You..... (part 14)

**Archelle**

I was humming with happiness as I stride back toward my room. Today is definitely the best because for the first time ever, I spend my whole day with Marcus. We went to watch movie, play bowling, and even play bumper car. And at night, we went to fun fair, where he played almost all game there just to get prizes for me. And he did won all the game, so now I am struggling to carry these prizes, with teddy bears as the majority of the prize.

I am so in love with this guy, I feel like I've known him longer instead of 2 months. Yeah, we've been coursemate for 3 years here but we never have any chance to really get to know each other. I am glad that he took an initative step to ask me out for lunch 2 months ago.

I don't have any idea of how he feels toward me, and I certainly have no gut to find out about it, afraid that he might not have any special kind of feeling on me. He is the first guy that I go out with, the first guy that I really trust, the first guy that always be there for me, and certainly the first guy that I love.

I feel like I wanna scream to the world of how much I love him. I have a very big grin plastered on my face. I was just going inside our dormitory lobby when I heard someone calling me. Well, I heard someone said "Wait a second, lady!". I looked around me, there is nobody else here besides me so I guess this guy is addressing me. I turned around and saw a tall, lean boy waving at me. I didn't recognise him but I walk toward him anyway.

"What's going on? And who are you?" I asked, little bit suspicious. I have no reason to be afraid of him 'coz he is just a teenager, but look can be deceiving sometimes. So I keep a reasonably distance from him, just to be on the safe side.

"I am Jason, the bartender of NiteyBuzz Club. I believe this is Ivory College dormitory?" He said, hesitantly.

"Yes, it is," I nodded, still look suspicious at him. And apparently he notice that too.

"Don't worry girl, I come here to bring back one of the student here. She is so drunk and is pass out right there in the taxi. So would you come and help me bring her to her room?"

I glanced at the taxi and catch a glimpse of young girl sprawled motionless on the back seat of the taxi. "Okay, I hope I recognise her, 'coz it'll be hard if I didn't know her."

"Great! Let's get the girl!" He said, running toward the taxi while I just stride along him. He opened the door and tried to wake that girl up, but failed. "She really is drunk. I hope you can lift her up, I think she is light." He winked at me. I smiled briefly and prepared myself to help the girl.

But what I see next is not what I expected at all. I gasped aloud when my eyes set on the girl in front of me.

"What's the matter? You know this girl?" The boy, I believe he said his name is Jason, asked.

I was stunned for a second. Then, realizing that Jason is waiting for my response, I cleared my throat. "Yes, I know her. Very well." I spoke slowly.

"Then, it should not be a problem to get her tuck in her bed safely," he sighed with relief. "I gotta tell ya, she is in bad condition, and depress too. She drink 8 glasses of beer in just one gulp of each!" He said in astonishment.

I patted his shoulder. "Thanks Jason. I owed you. How much this taxi cost?" I began to put out my wallet when he touched my arm to stop me.

"No need to pay. I already paid it," he said in finality. I knew better to not argue with his decision. I then trying to make Brie stands up, put her arm around my shoulder while I put my arm around her waist, saying goodbye to Jason, and began to walk slowly toward our dorm.

"I didn't think that you are much lighter than this, buddy," I said while still struggling to guide her to the elevator. Thank God elevator is provided in this dormitory or else I might pass out myself if I have to use the stairs toward our floor, which situated on the 2nd level. Brie (yeah, she is the one that I hold unto now) is still very slumber, sometimes muttering incoherent things.

I miss hanging out with her. I miss talking to her. I miss my best friend... I feel a pang of guilty ache on my heart, thinking of how I abandone her, avoid her all the time. I know I should just confront her, said what I have to said and be done with it. But this is not an easy task to do. She is my bestest of best friend, I can't stand of seeing her this heartbroken. But everytime I tried to approach her, either me losing my gut or she always find some other way to avoid me. I know she always avoiding me, 'coz she never eat in cafeteria again, she never went to library because she knows I always spend time there, and she will always make sure that I've done with my shower first before she have hers.

And now, seeing her so drunk, with declaration from Jason about how miserable she is, makes me feel sad and regretful.

"We need to talk, Brie, when you are somber again," I said to her, not sure if she even heard me, if she even know that I am the one who is guiding her toward her room, which is not far now. By the time we reached her door, she already making retching sound and before I realize, she already running toward the nearest bathroom and throw up all her stomach content. I go to her and brushing her back gently while she did her business.

"Easy, girl..." I soothed her.

"Fuck! This is suck!" She mumbled, resting her head on the porcelain toilet seat.

"Come on, let's wash your face and get you tucked in your bed," I said as I helped her to stand up and guide her to the sink. I help her wash her face and then we both go to her room. Maria is the one who open the door.

"Good gosh! Brie, what the hell happen to you?" She exclaimed, shaking her head.

"Don't...a-a-ask," Brie said, still slurred. She immediately go to her bed and land down on it in prone position. In a second later, we all could hear her soft snoring.

"Wow...that is so fast," I whispered. Maria just shrugged her shoulder. I sensed that she is acting indifferent toward me. Well, can't blame her though. After all, she is Brie's roomate and she might have guess that I am the reason of why Brie acting like that. "Ehm... I'll be back here tomorrow. Don't tell her I'll come, or else she will find a way to run away from me."

"Nah... she will definitely have a very huge hang over the first thing in the morning," she snickered a bit, then staring at me deeper. "I hope you come here for a good reason, 'coz I gotta tell ya, you did a helluva great job of making her feel miserable."

I blinked back my tears that threatened to fall. "Is she.... depress?"

She snorted. "Yeah, she is, all thanks to you. I warn you, if you hurt her again, I will make sure that you will feel the same way that she feel," she said in a menacing way. I feel dejected, knowing that now her roomates dislike me more. I know I deserve it. I do. No complain required.

Feeling a bit unsure, I nodded anyway. I took a last look toward a now sleeping form Brie before I bid my goodnight to Maria and go fetch my prizes that I put on the security desk before I fetch Brie just now, and go back to my sanctuary.

******************************************************

**Kendra**

Several hours and bottles of beer later, we were dancing crazily to the beat of the disco music. Joe even do a little stripping by tore off his shirt, making all buttons flew aimlessly, leaving him with bare chest. I licked my lips at the sight of his well-build body. Gosh, I can't wait to lay my hands on him.

Knowing that the night is getting late, I whispered to the now drunked Joe in his ear, "Let's get out of here, it's too crowded here, and I want some quiet moment with you."

Joe deliberately agree, pulled me out of this crazy crowd and out of the club. "Keane, I don't wanna leave you..." He slurred.

"I know darling. Where did you stay?" I asked bluntly, in my mind I have another thought coming in.

"B&B hotel. Why? You wanna come?" He raised his eyebrows, winking at me. I laughed a little, pretend to be shy. Oh well, he did buy every of my act, which is great. Perhaps I should enroll in acting world?

"Yes, if you don't mind. It's getting late and I'm sure I will look suspicious if I go back there in such a late time," I put my arm around his arm. "Lead the way, baby," I said in a husky voice.

In the hotel room, Joe immediately landing on the king-sized bed. "Would you like a glass of wine? Before you go to sleep?"

"Nah, I am too drunk to drink another alcohol," he muffled through the pillow. "C'mere Keane," he urged me. I smiled deviously.

Well, if he doesn't want to drink my special wine, guess I'll just have to use my plan B. Seduce him!

And so, without hesitation, I stripped myself slowly, leaving me in just my underwear. When he turn to his back, he gaped at me. Even though his face clearly showed desire, his eyes still look hesitant. "W-wait, Keane. A-a-are you sure about this?"

I exhaled a deep breath. "More sure than anything, sir," I winked at him. I kissed his lips briefly before I lay myself on top of him. "Don't worry Joe. I love you so much that I want you to be my first."

He gulped. I can tell he is nervous by the rate of his heartbeat which I can easily feel below my own body. "Oh dear Joe... don't tell me you haven't done this, 'coz as far as I know, you produce 2 beautiful children," I cooed. He still look hesitant, which slowly making me feel anxious. Doesn't he love me enough to make love to me? "Well, if you don't want to do this, it's okay, I can leave..." I was just lifting myself from his body an inch when he put his large hand on my back, preventing me to go up further.

"If you're so sure about this....then why not?"

I smiled sneakily before he began to ravish my body with his passion, and I did the same to him. From that moment, I knew that I am completely his. There's no way he can get away from me ever again.

****************************************************

**Brie**

The light that shone directly to my face has awakening me. I shielded my eyes from the sunlight. "Oh gosh, somebody please pull the curtain on? I could go blind with this light," I ordered to anybody here. The curtain is indeed being put on, showing the grinning face of Bella.

"How are you doing?" She asked with soft tone.

"Good," I simply answered. I tried to get up from the bed but suddenly my head is throbbing like somebody is hammering in there, so I ended up put my head back on my pillow with a painful moan. "Oww, my head's hurt!" I pinched both side of my temple.

Bella go out for a moment, only to be return with a cold towel on her hand. She put that damp towel on my forehead. "Stay here Brie. You have a hangover," she soothed me.

Hangover? Have I drank that much?

"Great! Now I have to skip another class," I muttered. Bella chuckled. "It's not funny, Bella," I said, annoyed.

"You must be so drunk yesterday that you didn't even know that it's Sunday today," she said, still chuckling. I feel embarassed but still act as if it was nothing to me.

"Where is Maria?" I asked, when I realized that there are only Bella and I here.

"Hmm, of course she's gone to church," she said, matter-of-factly. "And I'll be going out soon, with my boyfriend. I hope you can do all your own here, but please stay in bed today," she winked.

I nodded, winced in pain as that movement makes my headache become worse. "Ouch... my head is really hurt! How could you leave me alone in my condition?" I pouted, and that makes her laughed more.

"Don't worry, whiny baby. Maria will be back in about an hour or so. You know her, she never like to hang out longer than necessary," she reassured me. I sighed in relief and closed my eyes. In few seconds later, I drifted off to sleep once again.

************

I was just opening my eyes for a second when I heard a door open. I assumed it must be Maria, 'coz Bella did told me that Maria will be back soon. "I'm thirsty, Mar, you have some water please?" I asked with a sore throat. I wonder how come a hangover can lead to sore throat?

No response. Weird, hmm..

"Maria? Do you hear me?" I tried again, I am still on my prone position, so I have no idea what Maria is doing right now. Probably staring at my sorry ass, eh?

Still no response.

I turn my back while muttering, "I think I said it out loud en-" I stop in mid-sentence as I stare the girl in front of me.

She's not Maria. She's the girl that I can't seem to get out of my mind lately.

My best friend.

I miss you, Archie....

"Do you want me to go to the cafeteria to get you a drink?" Archie asked me carefully, but I was too stunned to respond to her. "Brie?" She clicked her finger in front of me, and I fidgeted.

"Ehm... it's okay. I can hold on longer.... what are you doing here...?" I asked her, still disbelief that Archie is standing in front of me. Part of me was relief that finally she make some effort to confront me, but another part wished that she shouldn't just appear in front of me when all I wanna do is to just forget her. Now all the old feelings are coming back, and that is the last thing I wanted.

Archie cleared her throat. "We need to talk."

There you go. The 'we need to talk' sentence usually will lead to no good, I thought.

"Yeah, let's talk," I said, pretend to be relaxing, when in my heart I am dreading the truth that might hurt me. I patted on the bed. "Sit here."

She shake her head. "No, it's okay, I can sit on the floor."

I feel dejected with it. I remember we always sit next to each other when we hang around. Now she cannot even stand of being near me.

That's because she knows how you feel toward her, idiot! My mind screamed at me. I sighed, but nodded in defeat.

"Don't get me wrong, Brie. I'd love to sit there, but given the circumstances..."

"I understand, Archie," I said, too quickly than I thought. I hugged my pillows and my eyes are wandering around, but not to her. "So what do you wanna talk about?"

She keeps quiet for a moment, seeming to organize her words, before she spoke, "First of all, I'm sorry for ignoring you within these 2 months. I know we should have this talk long time ago, but I was too scare of hurting your feeling-"

"No offence intended, you hurt my feeling one way or another, anyway," I said in monotone. She flinched a bit.

"Well, there is no easy way to say this.."

Uh-oh. Here it comes...the bad news... breathe, Brie, breathe!

"I....I think...we should just.... move on with our life... I do cherish our friendship memories forever, but....."

"You want to end our friendship, isn't it?" I finished for her, with a bitter tone.

She reluctantly nodded. "It's for the best...... you know..... I don't want you to keep hoping on me, 'coz I will never interested in having relationship with a girl, especially with my own best friend. And besides, I love Marcus, and I am happy with him, and he is the right guy for me...and so I guess...."

Every bit of her words did stung my heart, and all I wanna do is to just run away from all of this and just forget everything. But I still keep my composure, and nodded in understanding, hurt or not. "I'm happy for you...that you found a guy for you....."

"Brie-"

"I understand completely. Who am I to compare with him? I am a girl, who comes from average family, nothing to offer... Marcus is the better choice, eh?"

"Brie-"

"No need to say anything, Archie. Don't you worry about me, I can cope with this myself. It'll take more time but I'll eventually comes around it." I give her a small smile. "I'll go to LA after this anyway, to pursue my make-up artist career, hopefully I'll get a job..... and maybe I can even hook up with several good-looking guy..... or even girl, whichever comes first...." I know I am babbling right now, but I just can't stop myself. I really wanna cry but I can't let her see that and being sympathesized. "There you go. My future is already being mapped up..... don't worry, we will never cross road to each other again.... you with your life, and me with mine.... that's fine with me.... now will you excuse me? I need to get some more rest, I have a hell of a hangover today, and my head is still throb painfully..." I buried myself in a blanket, never want to see her face again.

It hurt more than being shot. Gosh, it really hurt... I know this will happen to me eventually, but I just not prepare to actually hear those words from her mouth.

"I'm sorry Brie...." she whispered regretfully. I didn't replied to her, and she took it as a sign for her to leave me alone.

Good bye, my best friend..... I'll always love you no matter what.....

.... but I love You..... (part 13)

**Brie**

I was so frustrated with myself. Why the hell did I do that? I am not sorry that I punch the guy, but what I regret the most is the unexpected confession toward Archie. Now what will I do then? I am 100% sure that she will not want to have anything to do with me anymore. I mean, who would want to be friend with a freak like me?

It's not that I want to feel like that, but my heart just keep feeling it. I know I love her but I never thought of loving her this much until today. But, how could loving someone can be so wrong?

Well, what's done is done, I can't take it back and pretend as if nothing happen right? I just have to learn to deal with it. Maybe it is probably the best interest if we didn't continue our friendship anymore, that way I will easily get rid of my feeling to her.

But will I manage to handle it? That's the million-dollar question that I might not be able to answer straight away.

I was still standing in the same position as where Archie left me about an hour ago. Somehow I can't bring myself to take a step. I know I need to start walking if I want to go back to my room before midnight, but I just can't make my leg move. It's as if I've grown a root there, making me stand still.

I need to forget about this feeling, it is not right at all! I scolded myself.

But love is all about right? Not the gender... The voice within me countered.

"Yeah right. As if all people can accept that fact. You and I know that women are suppose to be devoted to the men, not the same gender," I told myself loudly.

My cellphone ringing shrilly, making me almost jump out of shock. "Good Lord!" I exclaimed while putting my hand on my chest. I answer it without even looking at the caller ID. "Hello?"

"Hey Brie, are you still in the same position?" Said the voice that makes my heart melt.

Stop it! She is your best friend and is a girl, for God's sake!

"Yes I am," I said bluntly, trying to act as if I never confess to her anything at all.

Archie exhaled. "Listen, your roomate Bella will fetch you using my car, her car is still out of service. So just stay there until she get you safely okay?"

I blinked my eyes, thinking how she still care of me after what I've done. "Yeah. Sure, I'll wait for her."

"Good. Ehm... I gotta go, nite," she said and hang up before I can even formulate my appropriate reply.

Good night best friend.

*******************************************************

**Archelle**

I know life is not always perfect. It can be said as a roller coaster, sometimes life turns out great, sometimes it's worse. But never did I expect myself to have my life completely change ever since that night.

The next morning, I wake up at my usual time, 6 o'clock. Thank God Kendra is sane again, so she didn't pull a prank to me today. I go to class on time and sit at my usual place, regardless of the knowledge of Marcus might be seated next to me again today. I wanna make a peace with him and clear some misunderstand about me. I wanna know where he got the idea of me being a slut.

Slut...slut.. I cringed at the thought of the word. I always use that word when I was refering to Jane Louis. It's the real fact, that Jane is the real slut who can't get enough of fucking one guy. I never expected Marcus to think of me like that. Hell, I never even went on a date with one guy before in my life.

Marcus come around just 5 minutes before class started. He has a big bruise on his nose. Every eyes stared at his shiner, but he took no notice about that. As I expected - and hoping - he sit next to me, but didn't make eye contact with me. I was just going to start a conversation when Mr.Rufus come into our class.

Damn, now I have to wait 4 hours before I can really talk to him. But nevertheless, I write him a note and pass it to him silently. This is what I write:

Marcus, we need to talk, about yesterday. I want to clear some thing about me, I hope u can spare some time with me. Give me a chance to explain the truth please?

He read my notes expressionless, but regardless of that, he stole a glance at me and gave a slight nod, giving me the answer that I needed. I smiled a bit, relief that he agree to meet me after this hell-hours of class.

******

The time is ticking, people come and go, but still, no words are said ever since we sit on the same place we sat yesterday at cafeteria. Neither one of us is eager to start the conversation. I was staring at the ants on the table, while he close his eyes as if he is meditating. Time pass slowly and the tension that surround me makes me feel uncomfortable.

"Okay, that's it, if you don't want to talk, I'll talk," finally I initiated the talk.

"Mmm," he just nodded.

"First question I wanna ask you, what gives you an idea that I am a slut?" I drawled the last word with sarcasm.

He didn't reply me, but instead he snatch out his cell phone from his pocket, punching on it and then give it to me. "Read this to yourself."

I grabbed his cell phone and the first thing I saw is my name on message inbox. Weird, I don't remember ever send him a message yesterday. I open up my message and gasped out loud.

"Fuck! I didn't write this!" I exclaimed, in shock.

Marcus look as shock as I am. "You don't?"

"Hell yeah! Let me check what time this message is delivered," I checked the message detail, "6.15pm, hey I was sleeping at this time, and wake up at 8pm."

"Weird..." he mumbled. "I should have know it, you will never write this kind of language. I know you ever since we become classmate 3 years ago." He cringed, then scratched his head. "I am such an idiot.. Archelle, I'm sorry for calling you that name. I would never done it if I knew it wasn't you." He looked so apologetic, it makes me smile.

"'s okay, I understand. I might react the same way as you do if I were you..." then a sudden thought hit me. "Don't tell me that bitch is the one who screw this up," I mumbled to myself, clenched my teeth so hard.

"Archelle? Are you okay?" He said with a worried look.

"Yeah, I'm glad we are cool again, but I am not alright at all, thinking that someone is apparently too nosy to mess things up," I said. Then, I remember that Kendra will not have evening class today, and neither am I, so this is the perfect timing to confront her. "Marcus, I gotta go. I have something to be settled with my dear roomate."

He nodded in understanding. "Okay. Will you go to dinner with me tonight? I wanna make it up with you, and plus, I really wanna get to know you more," he whispered the last sentence with a wink. I blushed, suddenly become speechless, but I recovered quickly.

"Okay. See ya later," I said, waving at him before I rushed back to my room.

Kendra Louis, you are SO DEAD now!

********

By the time I reached my room, my anger limit has reach its maximum limit, and if I didn't know better, I would have capability to just kill Kendra right away. What she did to me is unforgiveable, and despite that I regain Marcus's trust, I lost my best friend. Well, not entirely lost, just that if this didn't happen in the first place, Brie will never confess that to me, and everything is back to normal again.

Sadly, "normal" didn't apply in my life anymore.

I wonder how is Brie doing right now? I exhaled a loud sigh as I reach my door knob and twist it. I didn't contact nor seeing her ever since that fateful night. And neither is she making effort to contact me. I began to feel mellow just the thought of my best friend. I am sorry for making her feel like that, but we are human and we can't stop from falling for other human, regardless of what gender they have.

I don't have any problem with the same gender relationship. The only problem I have is that I don't love Brie the way she did to me. And this gonna hurt her more if I chose to stick with her and pretend as if she never utter those words to me. That'll be like a hypocrite ass, and the last thing I want is to let Brie dwell with her feeling.

I want her to give more time to forget her feeling to me, 'coz there's no hell way a chance for us to have that kind of relationship, and Brie did know that our family is a tight religious...

My thought has gone the moment I lay my eyes on the bitch. She is online with her laptop now, swinging her legs in a relaxing way.

"Hey, Kendra, can you look for me, the definition of 'slut'?" I said out loud as I throw my bagpack on my desk hard. She fidgeted a little, then settle her eyes on me.

"What do you mean by that?" She asked in her usual soft way.

Oh no you don't, Kendra, your softie act will not work with me ever again, I can't believe I fall for your stupid act all these years.

"I was asleep yesterday evening, but the weird thing happen to me you know?" I sat on my chair, whistle a bit, trying to look nonchalant. "Marcus showed me my messages to him, and apparently he believe it, but don't worry, we are settle now." She wear a look of expressionless right now and it makes me want to just strangle her.

"So?" She asked, rolled her eyes.

That's it! I go to her desk and slammed my hands on it so hard that she almost jump in shock. "Don't you try to play a fool with me okay? I know YOU sent that messages to him! You bitch, arrogant asshole!" I spat right into her face. She cringed, her face now flushed in anger.

"Watch your language, girl! I don't tolerate people talk dirty to me!" She poked me on my chest, I grip her hand so hard that she did cry in pain, I loosened my grip but still did not have intention to let it go.

"Look at yourself in the mirror, bitch! You are nothing but a trash, and very nosy too! Are you have any mental disorder? Do I need to call a shrink for you???" I shouted right on her face, I don't care if my voice can be heard all around this campus or not, I still wanna let go all of my anger toward this bitch. "Listen to me carefully, Kendra," I lowered my voice in a hiss but still sound menacing, "I'll let you go this time. If you do this again, next time I won't play softie with you again, GET IT?" I pushed her and burst out from this hell.

"FUCK YOU, ARCHELLE!" I heard Kendra scream to me, but I just keep on walking. I looked at my watch and decided to go drive out of town for a while before my punishment duty is due. I just wanna go away from this hell created by Kendra. I really like to kill her if I wanted to, but I love my future more than I love to kill her, so I just let her go. But I am a girl who keep her word, so when I said I will not play softie with her the next time, I will do exactly like that.

************************************************

**Brie**

Two months has passed. Hmm, who ever thought that time can move so fast with just a blink of an eye? My cosmetic course is doing well, I passed the theory as well as the practical test. I have a very big dream in future. I wanna be a professional make-up artist, and hopefully I can make it to the Hollywood. Once I fullfill those dreams, I will open my own make-up boutique and will make as much money as possible.

These past two months, so many things are changing. Apparently until now, Archelle never make any effort to contact me, which is both fine and also painful for me. I keep blaming myself for not be able to keep my mouth shut at that time, but I know regretting about it doesn't do any good to me. Things happen, and so bear with the consequences, no matter how much it hurt me. I never have lunch at cafeteria again, instead, I will drive to the restaurant or sometimes fast food restaurant to grab my lunch or dinner. For breakfast, I just eat bread with jam or margerine or whatever that suit me at that time.

Besides eating, all I did was study and study and study. My roomates once said to me that I study like a maniac and should be medical student instead of make-up artist. The mere mention of 'medical student' remind me of Kendra. There's no news about Kendra at this moment, so I guess she is back to her original miss-goody-two-shoes self. I don't care about her anymore. The person that I care most is her roomate.

The problem is, Archelle is already cut loose our friendship without saying it directly to me, and that makes me so frustrated. I prefer her to just say that straight, not let it be and pretend as if we never met. There are times when I really want to go to see her and have a discussion with her about our friendship, but everytime I started to make that step, I ended up losing my gut and in the end, I will shrink cowardly like a turtle.

I always trying my best to avoid her, even during taking shower. I will make sure that she already take a shower before I did, and so far we never met accidentaly in the toilet. Outside dorm, sometimes I see her with Marcus from a distance. They look like a couple to me, but according to several sources, they never declare themselves as a couple. But they can't fool me, I know Archelle for 5 years, and the look of her face said it all.

She is in love with Marcus Lawrence.

The fact is enough to make my heart ache. How stupid I am to even consider of falling in love with her, and find myself not only losing her as a potential partner, but most importantly, lose her friendship. And now, besides my 2 roomates who constantly care for me, I do not have anybody to trust anymore. Yeah, there's been some time when guys approach me and ask me out for a date, but I decline them all. I don't want anybody to be near me. I just want....her...

All these problems that keeps lingering in my mind has slowly gnawing my good senses. By the end of September, I have been falling apart, and is having a great depression. No one will help me get through this, because I just keep all to myself, even my roomate never have any idea of me dealing with depression. I seek for a shrink once in a week now, with prescribe medicine to calm me down. Even though talking with a shrink can help me relief some of my burden temporarily, I don't know how long I can hold on.

I am starting to drift apart.... no one knows what am I going through.... But I'll just keep quiet 'coz seems like my mouth can brings to disaster in my life now. I don't trust with my mouth ever again, because of the stupid slipped out from my mouth, I lost everything.

*************************************************

**Kendra**

I keep looking at my watch, somehow feeling anxious about the event that will occur here in this club. Oh yeah, you hear it right. Me, Kendra Louis, a medical student, is going to have fun in the club tonight and there'll be nothing that can stop me from it. To add to the excitement, I will soon meet my love of my life. Just the thought of him enough to make my skin tingle.

I have a great plan tonight, and I hope he will accept it with an open arms. And open legs too, I added with a smirk. With the way I dress tonight - a miniskirt with a very tight tank top - no one will even expected it to be me, at all. People always see me as a girl-next-door kind of girl. But looks can be deceiving, right?

I saw the guy that I love so much enter the club. God, he look so handsome right now with his jacket, white t-shirt and a jeans with a cowboy belt. People will think that this guy is in his middle-age, single guy instead of 43 years old guy and have 2 children in which I despise the most, especially my roomate.

Oh yeah, speaking of my roomate, apparently she and Brie are no longer friend, even though I still couldn't find the main reason of their broken friendship. And Archelle is in love with the same guy that I tried to screw up with. Hmm, typical. But Archelle is too boring for me anyway so I started to behave myself again so as to not having another unwanted issues with her, especially thinking about the fact that I love her father.

Of all guy in the world, I still couldn't understand why I love Archelle's father? I don't mind having married guy as my lover, but I do mind if their family is related to me in my life literally.

"Hey pretty lady," Joe drawled, brushing his hand over my waist.

"Hey babe," I replied with a husky voice. He hissed and kiss me on my mouth. I kiss him back, and without even care of people watching, we deepened our kiss with our hands around our waist respectively.

"Oooh, wow," I whispered as soon as we ended our kiss. "You are such a great kisser."

"Yes I am, darling, and it is all just for you," he said with a wink.

We order some beer while began to chat about our regular day. Let me get this straight. Joe doesn't know my real name, I address myself as "Keane Dawson" and he's been calling me that name ever since we first met. I know he is Archelle's father long before I met him. He is the greatest artist in the state, and has his own art gallery. That's where we met for the first time. I remember seeing him in very thoughtful position, and I can't help it but to approach the artist himself. We get to know each other, even exchange mobile number, and the next day we went to have dinner together in a restaurant near the beach. That's when he talked about his family, and is telling me about Archelle who will enter the college for art and literature course.

Without hesitation, I enroll the same college that she attend and even have to bribe Mrs. Willow just to be Archelle's roomate. I do want to be a doctor someday, so that is why I take medical course. But somehow, day by day, year by year, my interest toward this course has become mellow. I am not so sure if I wanna continue my study again. The reason why I chose another name to adress myself is that he doesn't know about me being Archelle's roomate. I am so in love with him, and if he know about this, I am 100% sure that he's gonna end our secret relationship.

And I don't want that. I am so close to get him, knowing that his relationship with his wife has hit the bottom rock.

But, tonight, I have another brilliant idea that will guarantee him to stick with me for the rest of our lives. I will make sure that my plan will be succeed, finger cross!

**********************************************

**Brie**

"1 more beer, please?"

The bartender of the day, Jason, clicked his tongue, slightly disapprove with my umpteenth order of beer. I chunked that beer in just one gulp. When I tried to order another one, he held up his hand.

"No more, girl. You are so fucking drunk now, you need to hail a taxi, it's too dangerous for you to drive," he warned me. I laughed out loud, didn't even know why I find it funny but just wanna let it all out.

"D-d-drunk? I am not d-d-drunk, man," I slurred, making no sense at all. "I am p-p-pathetic, isn't it, dude?" I tapped his shoulder. He just shrugged. "Of course you have no idea. Y-y-you have n-n-no idea at all," I continued to slur. Who cares of the way I acted right now? I feel much better after drinking 5 glasses of beer. Or was it 6? 7? I dunno, I've lost count already.

"C'mon, I help you find a taxi," he urged me, but I didn't move.

"I lost my best friend... I love her, really do," I keep on talking, totally clueless to what was I talking about. "I am so f-f-fucking stupid for ruining our friendship.... b'coz of this f-f-f-fucking feeling I had on her. Now she is h-h-h-happy with a g-g-g-guy... Marcus. Yeah... his name is Marcus. She totally worship him.... who am I to compare myself over him?" I know it's not right to just pour out my depress feeling toward Jason, poor little Jason has to deal with my drunken state. But really, I need to talk to someone so bad, and Jason is the lucky one to be the listener.

"Wait a minute. Are you gay?" He asked with curiosity.

I shrugged. "I don't think so. I just love her not because of her gender, but because.... she is herself.... I always like guy, mind you... but she is different... you get what I mean?" He nodded in understanding. "I listen to this song....whenever I was thinking of her...." I pulled out my mp3 player and give him the right earphone while I stuck the left one in my ear, and choose this particular song that I really like.

"I wanna go back to the way it was,

When I knew that you were mine,

I wanna know how it feels to love,

The pure and easy kind,

I wanna go back to the way it was,

Baby tell me where you're at,

'Cause I wanna go back,

I wanna go back..."

The thought of Archelle everytime I listened to this song makes me wanna cry but I still manage to maintain my composure. Jason seems to enjoy the song. When the song is finished, I put my mp3 player back into my jeans pocket. "This song is called 'I wanna go back' by Jordan Pruitt. She is my best friend's favourite singer... Ever since we lost contact, I listen to this singer's songs everyday... " Oh gosh, I can't hold my tears anymore.

Jason put his hand on mine, then said in soothing voice, "Let it go, girl. If you wanna cry, just cry. I guarantee after this you will feel much better."

And I did cry. I cried for the lost that I experience. I cried for my broken friendship. I cried for my own stupidity. I cried for my heartache and heartbroken. I cried for my loneliness. I cried and cried until there is no tears left to be shed from my eyes.

Eventually, Jason manage to persuade me into taking a taxi and brings me back to my dorm. Once I arrive at my room, I directly landed on my bed and fall asleep in a few millisecond.

TBC

.... but I love You..... (part 12)

**Archelle**

It is already dark when I eventually wake up. Man, did I feel so sated with hours of sleeping. It is dark here, so I gather Kendra is not back yet. I was just going to stretch when I heard a sound of humming.

Kendra is here? Why the hell she did not switch on the lamp?

I walked toward our study room and notice that Kendra indeed is sitting on her desk, doing some notes with a candlelight while humming love song that she obviously is listening to it on her mp3 player right now. I tapped on her desk, and she glanced at me, pull out her earphone from her ears and raised her eyebrow.

"What?" she demanded in an annoyed tone.

"Is electricity out of power?" I asked, calmly.

She shrugged. "No."

"Then, why the hell you did not switch on the lamp?" I shake my head while going to get my towel, and oh, not forgetting my key in case the same thing happen again. "You know it's not good for our eyes to read in dark. You should know that by now, you are medical student," I stressed out the word 'medical' purposely. She cringed a bit but manage to recover.

"Well then, sometimes I need a change in study environment," she said simply. I was just going to counter her but decided against it. The last thing I wanna do is to have another stupid argument with her. It's only 1 day and already she caused me lots of headache. I just snorted in mock agreement and leave her to take a nice, long shower.

*********

The shower is so relaxing, especially when I was so exhausted that I got sore muscles everywhere. Imagine me in Kendra's place, for sure I'll fall asleep until the next morning. Hmm, Kendra look fresh, as if she did not do anything at all, but indeed she did have finish her punishment. I was amaze of how she can manage to do that in 2 hours and still looking fresh.

I was just going to my room when a sudden thought occur to me. Good Lord, I totally forgot about Brie! She must still feel devastated after her unwelcome encounterment with Kendra. I wonder what did Kendra said to her that made her so mad. And so, with just a towel wrap on my body, I go to her room and knocked gently. The door burst open and reveal Brie who obviously just waking up herself.

"Hey Brie-Brie," I greeted her with a smile.

She has weird expression on her face. "Are you trying to seduce me?" She blinked her eyes several times.

"Huh?" I confused. Then she burst out laughing.

"I'm kidding, girl. You appear in my door with nothing but a towel on your body, it is kinda look like you are seducing me," she chuckled happily while inviting me to her room. I sat down on her chair, looked at her with concern. She notice my stare. "What?"

"Are you feeling better now?" I asked gently.

She shrugged. "Yeah, I'm okay now, after taking a long nap," she smiled a little.

"Tell me, what did Kendra said to you?"

"Nothing. She just trying to be sympathy to me 'coz I eat lunch alone..." she lowered her voice at her last word, as if she did not want me to hear me. But unfortunately, I heard it loud and clear, and it makes me feel guilty about it.

"I'm sorry, Brie. I shouldn't leave you alone," I apologized to her sincerely. She waved her hand, to dismiss it.

"Nah, things happen already. No need to dwell with the past," she said, too cheerful. I still not convince that she is okay with this.

"Tomorrow we will have lunch together okay? I pro-"

She held up her hand, stop me mid-sentence. "Don't promise something to me, Archie, 'coz it'll hurt me more if you can't keep your promise." I hung my head, sighed sadly. "Hey, it's okay Archie. I was so sensitive today, maybe it's the sign of PMS," she reassured me.

I forced a smile. "Well, at least, let's have dinner together. You can tell me about your class today."

"Oh puh-leese! Nothing to tell about it. It's boring," she yawn purposely. "I wanna know about Marcus Lawrence," she winked at me. I blushed furiously.

"Nothing to tell either," I tried to get myself out of the Marcus topic. It is enough that O'Brien make me feel shy to talk about Marcus. I don't want to have to endure it again.

"Aww man, I wanna know, I insisted!" She said with straight face, while pouting too. I sighed in defeat.

"Okay, okay. Let me get dress first, and then we go to Pizza?"

*****************************************************

**Brie**

Hmm, yummy! This pizza is so delicious that I ate most of the slice that we ordered. Maybe it's because I didn't eat my lunch properly? Archie just staring at me, watching me attacking those poor pizza. Who can blame me, I was so dead starved, and my mood does improve a lot ever since Archie asked me to go dinner.

While we were eating, she told me about Marcus, which surprisingly makes me wish that I hadn't demand her side of story. It's not that I am not interested in hearing her story, I do, believe me! But the mere mention of Marcus's name is enough to make me feel irritated for no obvious reason. She might sense my unattentiveness that she stop her story in mid sentence.

"Did I bored you?" She asked slowly. I just shrugged. She sighed deeply. "As far as I know, YOU are the one who started this conversation, and now that I shared a bit about him, suddenly you are disinterested, hmm?" She look annoy and I almost feel sorry for her, but still unable to give a satisfying response. She gets more annoyed by now, I can tell it. "Are you still angry that I had lunch with him? If that's the case, then I will never have lunch with anybody from now on."

I blinked several times, more guilty than before 'coz she make it sounds like I trapped her. "No, it's not that," I denied.

"Then what's going on? Everytime I mention Marcus's name, your expression change into bitter, don't think I did not notice it."

I sighed in exasperation. Honestly, I myself have no idea of why did I acted like this. No idea at all. I wanna said that to her but suddenly my throat is not working, so all I can do is shrug and shake my head. She just rolled her eyes and continue eat the soup without looking at me again.

Great, I ruined it again! I scolded myself in my mind. I didn't dare to look at her face again, and so I just keep eating a slice of pizza slowly while my eyes took a sudden interest in a table.

Why did Marcus keep making me feel uncomfortable? Was it because I was afraid that I might lose my best friend over him? I mean, there's nothing wrong at all for Archie to finally found a guy to talk to, so why am I acting nonsense about it? It's not like I can't get a guy for myself. In fact, I know how to approach a guy if I wanted to, but I did not want that because, you know, my past history won't allow me to make the same mistake again.

Someone's clearing throat, that makes me being pulled away from my own musing. I looked at the source of the sound and guess who's standing on our side now?

Marcus Lawrence.

I took a glance at Archie, and boy did she look so flustered and sweating. Surely this guy do have effect on her, 'coz I've known her for 5 years and she never acted like this when guy is around before. But to my surprise, Marcus has a sneer look on his face, a dislike expression shown on his face clearly. I wonder why...

"Hey Marcus," Archie greeted him with a slight tremble on her voice. Marcus didn't reply her greet, instead he just keep staring at her with weird expression on his face.

"I thought you are having dinner with few guys," he said in an accused tone. Hearing him saying that makes me wanna punch him on his nose right away. What the heck did he said for? Archie is not the kind of girl who merely just hanging out with guys easily, so who the hell is he to judge her so fast? I looked at Archie again, seeing hurt expression on her face. Gosh, I wish I could help to ease her uneasiness.

"W-what do you mean?" She stuttered, her face become pale.

"Huh, see? I knew it, I knew there's more than meet the eyes," he smirked. "I thought you are... ugh, doesn't matter. Hmm, what word can I think of to describe you well eh?" He imitated thinking of something. "Oh I know! Slut, yeah! That's the right word, isn't it, slutty girl?"

Before I realize myself, I was already swing my punch on his nose, making him fall down on his feet with blood gushing out from his nose. Everyone is scrambled about to see what is happening there. I don't care if I will embarass myself or not, all I know is that I can't stand of hearing him saying those word to Archie. I just can't!

"Brie -" Archie began but I cut her sentence immediately.

"Don't tell me to stop it, Archie, 'coz I won't! I won't let him or anybody saying that kind of word to you!" I stared down at Marcus who is still groaned in pain. Seeing his face ignited my anger more, that I added his pain some more by stepping on his chest. Archie pulled me away from Marcus. I tried to release her hold but she tightened her grip.

"Are you crazy Brie?" She hissed at my ear.

"No! Let me go! He deserve that!" I screamed on top of my lung, my anger is burning wildly now. Archie has tears flowing on her cheek now.

"What's going on?" The manager of Pizza Hut come to us, clearly irritated with us for causing riot in his place.

"Sorry, sir. It won't happen again," Archie quickly apologized, then pulled me right out of here until we near her car. She then let me go and deliberately pushed me against her right side of car. "You are fucking idiot, Brie! Why would you have to punch him?" She sobbed uncontrollably. I tried to hug her but she shrugged away. "Don't even touch me! I feel bad enough, and your stupid act make it even worse!"

"I only did it 'coz of you, Archie! I can't just let him said thing that is false! He deserve more than that!! I should kill him!!!" I literally shouting now. I can feel my own tears started to fall down. "How could I let him do that to my best friend?!"

"But you shouldn't punch him, you know that's wrong, why did you still do that??!!!" She shouted at me.

"I know it, but I love you Archie, and he's a jerk!!!!" I shouted back, not realizing what I had just said, until I saw her staring back at me.

"Y-y-you love me? As in...LOVE ME?" She asked in disbelief. I gulped, suddenly lost my voice. I wanna undo it, I wanna say that what I mean is that I love my friend enough to not let anyone hurt her, but I couldn't bring myself to say it, 'coz I know deep in my heart, that is not what exactly I tried to imply.

"I can't believe this. You are my best friend, and for God's sake you are a girl! You can't love me like that!" She shook her head, unable to even look at me, which is fine by me, 'coz I also can't stand of seeing her hurt expression. "This is great, sooo great!" She said in full of sarcasm, then suddenly she enter her car, started the engine and was about to drive off when I called her name.

"Y-you can't leave me here! It'll take 1 hour to reach our dorm by walking!" I said in panicked. But she pretend as if I did not exist at all. She drove off from me in full speed, leaving me behind. By the time the tailight of her car is out of my vision, I knew deep in my heart that I just lost my best friend.

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**Archelle**

I was so furious about what happen just now, that I was driving like a maniac. Even that, I still considered about my speeding limit so as to not ended up being pull over by the police. I thought my final year here will be a blast, but instead the opposite happen.

I still can't believe that Marcus thought of me as a slut. S.L.U.T you got it right. Goddamn him to Hell! What a son-of-a bitch he is, accusing me of something that isn't true. And while I feel touch to see Brie protecting me, it crushed my heart again to know that she did it out of L.O.V.E, and guess what? She love me not as a friend, but more than that. I cannot believe, my own best friend, a girl, is falling in love with me! What the hell did I do to deserve all of this.

Yes, I love Brie too but never think of her more than that. I could never return her feeling 'coz I am damn STRAIGHT girl! And then there's this religious thing. I am a Catholic, and my religion despise homosexual. Ugh, just the thought of that H word already makes me wanna puke. I am not a homophobic, I can accept that, but when it comes to me, relating to me, that I will never accept.

I am in such a dilemma. I cannot throw away my friendship with her just because she loves me, right? But, if I stick around her, I might lead her to heartbroken, and she will suffer more than she is now. So what am I suppose to do? Brie is my only best friend that I really can count on, and trust. Just because she is abnormal doesn't mean that I should break our friendship right? Arghh, why did my life turns complicated? Why me, for God's sake?

Hmm, I guess I need some time alone. I cannot see or contact Brie at this moment, but I am worry that she might do something stupid, and that's the last thing that I want it to happen to her.

I'll ask Bella and Maria to look after her, then, just in case...

Having my decision made, I slowed my driving speed as I cruise along back to my dorm. I hope to God that Kendra is already sleeping, 'coz I am really not in the mood to 'entertain' her. I will asked either Bella or Maria to fetch Brie out there as soon as possible.

I hope she'll be okay. I'm sorry Brie, but maybe me not being around you is probably the best...

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P/S: There you go. Another new issue comes out. Brie loves Archelle, more than a friend. Big issue here haha, I like it 'coz I imagine too far. I don't really like to write normal things, so why not add spice to this? Don't worry, I won't get further with these same sex relationship, unless you can tolerate it? haha.. gimme comment if u want, any comment will trigger me to write more ;)