I like lying. Lying benefits me. It's a shield that protects me while growing up. I have two hobbies that I like doing. But first, I'll reveal the first one.

It all started when I was a young boy, at the age of 7, for my 7th birthday, my lovely parents brought home a pet dog. Its name is pudding because I loved eating pudding at that time. I would always play fetch with pudding, walk him, do all sorts of stuff with him. 3 months have passed and I felt bored. I felt extremely annoyed with it. I find it useless. It kept on barking and barking. My goodness. So what did I do? Well you've guessed it. I got rid of it.

"Felix! Your ma and I are going out soon. Make sure to lock the door and Aunt Gina's coming over to babysit you! Be good!" Screamed my father from downstairs.

My parents are going to Thailand for a business trip. They're gone for a week.

A day before my parents came back, I started my plan. Aunt Gina wasn't there that day because her Husband got into a car accident, so she had to rush to the hospital. I was alone afterwards. So, I took this opportunity.

I lured that thing in the Level 1 bathroom with its treat. I've had everything prepared. Likewise, I then covered its head with a black trash bag, eventually, it stopped breathing. Not only that, but I took out a box cutter and stabbed its body countless times until I felt satisfied. When I was done, I brought its tiny body to the backyard and dug a hole with a shovel. Before dumping the body, I had this urge to pluck out one of its eyeballs to keep it. And so, I did. Then, I finally finished cleaning up the place.

Pudding died on 4th April 2004 4:44 pm.

*Knock*

My parents are back home.

"Felixieee~ My baby boy! I miss you! You didn't do any naughty stuff, did you? Let's order chicken and pizza, how's that?!" Cried my mother while hugging me.

Meanwhile, my father was busy moving in the luggage

"I miss you too Ma!" But really, I don't miss either of them, but they are going to buy me chicken and pizza, so mine as well.

While eating the scrumptious looking food on the dining table, of course, my parents would get curious about pudding.

"Oh yeah, Felix, where's Pudding?" asked my Father.

To cover up, obviously I had to lie. I was fake crying the whole time. I told them that pudding had run away while I was walking him in the neighborhood. And, can you believe it?! Those imbeciles believed me till this day! Little did they know that pudding is just in the backyard. I truly deserve an Oscar award for my outstanding acting.

Afterwards, I've never felt this peaceful in my life.

At the age of 16, I had a crush on a classmate. Her name was Emma. She has beautiful eyes, long black hair like silk and her smile is just wonderful. Everything about her is perfect. The only thing that separates us is that, she isn't from a well-off family. The only reason why she got into this prestigious school is through a scholarship. She's smart. But she doesn't have friends.

My parents for sure won't let me marry a girl from a poor family. But, I personally do not care. I would be the one marrying her, not them. I would watch her from afar. Following her secretly from behind and I tried to impress her with my athletic skills during physical education class. I've done all the things that a 16-year-old boy would do to impress a girl. She wasn't impressed.

I usually follow her after school. I know where she lives, who she lives, her likes and dislikes, her favorite show, her favorite undergarments are, what her favorite shirt is, etc...

She just doesn't know me personally. She probably only sees me as another annoying teen boy who's smart and plays basketball.

Until there's this one incident that brought us together. Thanks to her one and only family member, her old and frail grandma. She had collapsed after buying some groceries at a nearby supermarket. I was looking for Emma after school as always, until I saw her grandma, laying down on the ground with all the groceries all over the place.

I hurriedly called an ambulance while standing beside her grandma.

The ambulance came.

I accompanied her grandma at the hospital till Emma came.

"Oh my god! Thank you! Thank you so much for saving my grandma,Felix!" Emma cried while hugging me.

This is the first time when a girl hugged me. I've never been so red in the face my whole life. She then, of course got shy and retracted away from me. I wished the hug would have lasted longer.

The next day in school, I apparently had an upset stomach that I went to the infirmary room. When I opened the door, I saw a silhouette of a girl behind the curtain, softly crying. I didn't want to disturb her, so I just went ahead and laid down on the next bed beside.

(*screech* The sound of the curtain opening)

The girl then opened the curtain. That's when we locked eyes. It was Emma. I was worried, so I asked her what happened. Apparently, her grandma had passed away just now. Then, from that day onwards, we became closer than before. I took care of her, and stayed by her side. Our classmates were obviously confused as to why we are always together. They thought that we were a couple.

Until it's time for me to confess to her.

It was a cold day that night. We were sitting on the swings eating ice cream and other snacks at the playground when I stood up and bent on one knee with a ring pop and asked her.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

As you have known. My second hobby is stalking. She doesn't know that I stalked her for over a year yet. But, does that matter? Is it wrong to follow a person around and steal their belongings every now and then? I'm just interested in her.

"Wait, Felix, isn't this too sudden?" Said Emma, with a confused look.

"What do you mean it's too sudden? It's been nearly a year?"

"I....i just need some time to think"

Ah...shit. What more does she need to think?! We've known each other long enough to date?! Instead of saying out my inner thoughts, I just replied with an "okay". I have to hold myself. I can't show her my bad side.

But in reality, I can't help it anymore. It's been weeks since she had given me an answer. I decided to just go for it. I've had everything prepared. Furthermore, I really can't hold it back any longer.

*knock*

"Emma? Are you home?"

*silence*

Of course I know that she's home. She's been living in a 2 level loft apartment since her grandma died. I bought this place for her obviously I've had some cameras installed for her safety.

"Felix? Why are you here?"

"So what's the answer? Yes or No?"

"Fine...fine. Let's talk inside"

I entered her loft. As expected, her scent in the apartment is strong and nice. The scent of flowers. I love it. I sat down on the sofa while she brought over mango juice to the coffee table.

"So, Felix, why are you here without letting me know beforehand? I could have been not wearing anything, and you just came barging in since you know the password."

I've seen that already. I would not be surprised if that happens.

"My bad, I'll let you know next time. I came here to ask you about what I said a few weeks ago. At the playground." I asked. Hoping that she would remember.

Emma's face changed.

"I'm sorry. I can't be in a romantic relationship with you. I just saw you as a friend. A best friend. You're the only person who I don't want to lose. If we break up, we won't see each other again. I can't risk it. I don't want to lose you." Emma said.

Great. I have been friend zoned. After all this hard work, it will all go to waste. But I won't waste that hard work. If the piece that I have been working on just falls apart, I just have to get rid of it. At least it'll help me feel at ease. Everything has to go my way. Not the other way around.

A few days have passed since I have been friend zoned. I went out with Emma to study on the weekend. Obviously we went to eat first. After deciding on what to eat, we ended up eating instant noodles at a nearby convenience store.

"Argh...ugh…" Moaned Emma, holding on to her stomach.

Me, being worried asked "What's wrong?"

"My stomach hurts..."

Ah... I see now. "Why did you eat instant ramen with full of cheese and eat chocolate ice cream at night yesterday? You know it's gonna give you stomach aches."

"Wait...how did you know what I ate last night? You obviously weren't there at my apartment."

"Oh.."

I realised that I fucked up.