Chapter 3: New Friends

The next day, I went to school early. I had planned to hang out at the library to advance my studies since I still had a lot to catch up on in class.

When I arrived at school, there were only a few students, so the hallway and library were not crowded.

I immediately looked for a seat upon entering the library. There were some students there, but not too many. Yesterday, it was almost full of students, so I did not stay.

I was currently studying math when someone sat at my table.

I Sighed in annoyance.

Doesn't he get tired of pestering me?

"Can you not sit beside me? I want to be alone," I said without looking up.

He didn't answer.

"I'm sorry, miss. I thought I could share a table. All right, I'm leaving." I immediately looked up when I didn't hear Danny's voice.

I saw a chubby woman with an embarrassed expression.

"Oh, no..wait..it's okay..I mean. You can share my table," I quickly stopped her.

"Eh?! But you said.." she replied, a little confused.

"I'm sorry. I just thought you were the annoying man who often ruins my day."

"Ah! Is that it? All right." She smiled and then sat down in front of me.

"I'm Theresa," she introduced herself and extended her hand.

"Anne," I briefly introduced myself and shook her hand.

"You're new here, aren't you?" she asked.

I just nodded in response.

"Ahmm, is it okay if I talk to you first?"

"Sure. No problem," I replied.

"When did you move here?"

"Just the other day."

"Ah, I see. So, do you want to come to the plaza later? Some actors will be there because there's a festival here. Do you have any companions?"

"Nope. Well, alright. I also want to roam around since I'm not with anyone," I smiled in response.

"Great. Then I will introduce you to my friends. We have an amazing festival here," she said, smiling.

I smiled back at her.

"You live with Sister Abby, don't you?"

"Sister Abby?" I asked in surprise.

"Ah. Hehe..your aunt. We call her Sister Abby here because others thought she would become a nun since she loved the church so much. She never misses mass."

"Ah..yeah..she's very religious," I answered with a laugh.

News spreads quite quickly here.

Theresa and I talked a lot about the beautiful sights in their area. She lives here in Aguinaldo, but they call it 'Tambungon.'

"There is also a resort near here that you should visit. I tell you, the Jollywood Resort is very beautiful. It is in Pulang Lupa. It's a bit mountainous to get there, but it's worth it," she shared excitedly about a well-known resort in Tambungon.

"Really? Alright, I'll go sometime. But maybe it's better if you come with me," I suggested.

"Oh sure. No problem. We can include my friends. They're great to be with," she said excitedly.

I smiled. She's fun and talkative. I felt a little relieved.

We were in the middle of a conversation when we heard students yelling outside the library.

"What's up?" I asked her in surprise.

"Oh, it's definitely Daniel again. He's a famous baseball player here."

I frowned at what she said.

If I'm not mistaken, Daniel was also called by the women yesterday when referring to my annoying neighbor. Don't tell me it's him?

"I heard you shouted at him yesterday, so those who saw it were surprised," she added.

So, am I right? Is my annoying neighbor famous at this school?

I would have asked more questions, but I was distracted when someone entered the library.

He was still smiling when our eyes met.

He had men next to him who were all in jerseys.

The students there still couldn't contain themselves when Danny waved at me, while his classmates smiled at us.

"What a jerk!" I said, averting my eyes.

"Huh? Are you saying something?" Theresa asked me.

"Ah, nothing. He's the annoying man who ruined my day."

"Ehh? Daniel? That's why you shouted at him yesterday? But why? He's really kind person though," she didn't seem to believe it.

I just sighed.

"Yeah, if he wasn't my neighbor, I might say he's kind."

"Why? Is he a naughty neighbor? But all I know is that he is really friendly."

"Well, if you say so. I gotta go, Theresa. I still have work to do," I said goodbye to her when I saw Danny coming to our table.

"Ah, sure, just call me Teri. We'll see you later in the plaza," she said. I just nodded.

I went to the far end of the library, where there were very few students.

There were still a few minutes before class, so I planned to hang out there.

I sat on the single panels that were there and squirmed slightly as I used my arms as a pillow.

"~ Does anyone who loves you now.. If not, please be mine... ~"

I immediately looked to my side when I heard that voice.

"Hey Annie..," Danny smiled broadly at me while still waving, even though we were just facing each other.

He looks really stupid!

"What are you doing here?" I asked irritably.

He just smiled at me again.

I want to punch him!

"To be with you," he said, winking.

"Tss, are you kidding me?"

"Of course not. I just wanted to be with you. Is that bad?"

"Yes. Especially when you are disturbing my peace. If you plan to trespass on it, do not try me," I said firmly and got up to leave, but I immediately turned to him when he held my hand.

"What are you doing?" I was angry and tried to pull my hand back, but he tightened his grip even more.

"What! Let me go!" I was fed up with him, but he just didn't seem to hear anything. I struggled to free myself from his grasp when he suddenly pulled me away from there.

"What? Let me go! Where are you taking me?!" I shouted as he pulled me by the hand.

"What's going on here?" We looked at the speaker. It was the chief librarian, feared by the students. Her hair was red and curly. She looked like an old maid, but I knew she was married and had three children.

"What are you doing here? This is a restricted area for students," she said, staring at me.

What the..! Am I the only one here? Why does she seem mad at me while there's another person beside me who always causes trouble?

"I'm sorry. I wouldn't have come to this place if this guy hadn't pulled me. You should scold him and not me," I replied angrily, surprising her.

"What-!" I didn't let the librarian finish what she was trying to say and turned my back on them.

I just kept walking and never looked back.

"Hey Annie! Wait up!" I closed my eyes in irritation when I heard that annoying voice calling again.

I didn't look at him. I continued walking until I reached the rooftop.

I got there by accident because my feet brought me here to avoid that guy.

I looked around, and when I saw no one, I approached the railings.

And I couldn’t help but marvel at the beautiful scenery.

It was a farm, and it looked like a large square divided by many ponds planted with new rice plants.

This was my first time seeing a farm like this.

In the mountains, I could also see banana trees, but I was more amazed when I looked at the other side.

It was a sea with peaceful waves. There were a few fishermen in it.

"Wow... this place is really amazing. So we're in the middle of the sea and mountains?" I smiled in amazement.

"A perfect getaway, right?"

"Yes, it is," I answered with a smile.

Ehh? I immediately turned to my companion without realizing that he was by my side.

And my good mood earlier disappeared as soon as I saw my annoying neighbor.

"Aren't you really going to quit pestering me?" I was very angry with him.

He turned to me and then put his hands in the pockets of his jacket that he always wore.

"No. As long as I don't see a smile on your lips, I will not stop approaching you, Annie," he said, looking at me seriously.

I was stunned by what he said and was speechless.

"W-what do you mean?" I asked, confused, hardly believing what I heard.

"I know you've been through a lot of pain and guilt. I just wanted you to know that I'm here and always will be."

I didn't know what to say. I was shocked and puzzled by what he said.

Does he know about my past? Does he know why I'm here?

I didn't know how to react to what he said.

If he knows something about my past, does that mean I will have haters again? What he said was true. I've been through a lot of pain, both physical and emotional.

Because after the death of my friends, I became the target of bullying at my former school. If I used to be admired by students because I was good at softball and participated in drag racing, I was also friends with the famous students at school: Bryce, Glenn, and Jake. We were like brothers and a sister. I was their princess because I was the only woman in the group.

We even made a band, and I was the drummer since that is one of my passions. And then Sam went to high school. My brother was a very cute and happy companion. I felt even more special because they loved me even more.

But everything changed when I lost them.

Every day I went to school, there was not a day that I did not receive a death threat and endure pain from my haters.

I felt weak and unwanted. One day, I didn't want to go, but my dad wanted me to finish junior high at that school before moving to another school.

My dad. He was the only person I had. He used to love me, but I think not anymore since he thought that I killed his only son, who should inherit his company. In our family, the firstborn child should inherit the family's business, but I was born first, and dad told me that I wasn't suitable for the line of our business. I accepted it since I didn't want to handle our business. And Sam was born. We were so happy back then. I was so happy because I had a baby brother. Dad was happy because he had an heir, and mom was happy too.

So when Sam disappeared, Dad left me and went to handle our business in the US.

I felt like I didn't just lose my friends, but also my family.

"I know all about you, Annie. But don't get me wrong. I'm not here just to fool you around. I'm here because I think you need someone to make you feel needed and special the way you used to be."

Tears welled up in the corners of my eyes at what he said.

He gave me a genuine smile and tapped my head. And I couldn't stop my tears from flowing at what he said next.

"I'm here because I want to see your smile once again."

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