.... 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.....