For the third time, I heard my stomach scream. ‘I’m hungry and physics is boring. Can’t wait for class to finish so that I can eat outside.’ I sighed as I rested my chin on the palm of my hand, thinking, when will this class be over?

“Just a reminder. Tomorrow is the deadline for your assignment about thermodynamics. Consider it done if you don’t want to get a zero.” We filled the classroom with complaints and groans when our teacher said that. Even I did. I glanced at Celine, who was secretly scrolling through her Instagram while her phone was inside the bag. I tapped her shoulder while our physics teacher, Miss Jiang, was still not looking in our direction. She’s also our class adviser at the same time.

“Pst! Hey Cubs!” I called her. She immediately threw her phone inside the bag and closed it.

“Shit Via! I thought you’re the teacher! You almost gave me a heart attack. What do you want? I’m busy watching corgi videos.” She rolls her eyes.

“We’re still not done with the Thermo homework. We should drop by at the library later,” I said while putting away my physics textbook and notebook.

She fixed her hair while holding a small mirror in her left hand. “Okay. Will Anton be there?” she asked, and I just shrugged at her reply.

“I don’t think so. The soccer team is focused on the upcoming tournament that will happen in the next three weeks. He’s the captain of the soccer team. Remember? You’re the trophy wife. Be proud.” I joked as I emphasized the word ‘wife’. Her ears flushed as she looked away. For a fact, I know my cousin likes Antonio. It’s just obvious because you know what they say, action speaks louder than words.

Celine pointed her fingers at me. “You’ll get a piece of me.” She laughed. It was then when the entire class got silent when our teacher cleared her throat.

“Before this class ends, I have an announcement to make. You will have a new classmate this Monday.” Our classmates screamed in excitement. They are seriously getting excited over a transferee. Who the heck would transfer in the last weeks of the first grading period? What the hell? That’s just a transferee!

“OH MY GOSH! MISS, IS IT A BOY?” One of our classmates, Dave, asked. Palms on his cheeks as if he’s imitating ‘The Scream’ by Edvard Munch. But he was screaming in anticipation. Mind you, he’s our class president. He’s also gay. Dave’s cool, but I swear he’d lose his shit over guys easily, especially if it’s a new kid in town. I remembered back during our freshman years, he kept picking on us just because we were close friends with Antonio. Anthony Frall Laxea, is the current leader of the soccer team, but he was already famous back then when he first got in. Let’s just say that the football club made him more popular when he’s the one who keeps on leading Parkstones Black Hippogriffs to victory after having a losing streak of five years. He’s a part of our friend group, that’s why he’s also important to us. A very nice guy.

“Ah yes Dave. Sit down, please. Now I’d like to let you know na this transferee is not an average kid. Be sure to give him a warm welcome.” She said with a smile. I just gave her a nod, but this made the entire class scream even more. Hmm, what’s up with him if he’s just a transferee? Jeez. I also got shocked when Celine also raised her hand.

“Miss! Where does he come from?” She asked with her eyes full of sparkle. I gave her a slight frown and mouthed ‘Not you too?’ Oh my — Why are they all excited over somebody they never met? It’s just strange, but it’s true. I am excited too. I wonder who they’ll be.

“Okay, that’s all for today. Class dismissed. You can go home now.”

It’s already four in the afternoon and I’m outside the classroom,texting my best friend Ricky while waiting for Celine. But before that, let me introduce myself. Hi! My name is Olivia Sherry Wei. But you can call me Via for short because everybody calls me that, except Celine. I have three siblings: Kairo, Asher, and Asherah. I am studying in one of the prestigious schools in the city, Parkstones University. Well, I’m a scholar. My family lies in the lower-middle class and I am working part-time at a cafe so that I can help my parents at least on saving up for college. It’s the least I can do for them and I love to help people! I don’t want to burden everybody, you know.

I didn’t notice Celine sneaking behind me when she tickled me on my neck, which made me cursed. “I have arrived! Sorry if I made you wait, Cubs. Library, here we go!” This is Celine Madrigal. She’s my cousin on my mother’s side and also a close friend because of our very short age gap. Even if we’re classmates, I’m much closer to Ricky. I don’t know, maybe it happened by chance since I met him first, before Celine and Anton. We call each other Cubs. Cousin and bestie. Ugh, so adorable.

We finally arrived at the library and there were many people, especially from the college department. Most of them are just chilling, hanging out, gossiping, gaming or just surfing the Internet inside the library. This scene is nothing new, although I totally find it annoying. During this hour, the librarian would be out, taking a quick break, and she’d usually be back after an hour. It’s annoying how this is a place where most people study and they feel like they own the place. Honestly! They’re not the only ones studying in this school.

We immediately sat down at the vacant table right beside the window that shows the view of the football field. I popped out my textbook and my notes as Celine opened her laptop.

“Tsk. Well, this will be easy.” I heard her jesting. It’s because she’s a smartass in physics. Jeez, what a lucky girl. And then there’s me who can barely comprehend our lessons because I have the brain of a goldfish. A smart goldfish. I love Science. It’s a tolerable subject, but heck, who am I kidding? With word problems, consider me dead. I’ll be like a burnt dumpling in solving stuff like trajectories and velocities.

I squinted my eyes and yawned while staring at her, totally focused on her laptop doing her own thing. “Cubs, is there something I can do?”

“Oh, just encode these while I’ll do the solving.” Without looking at me, she passed two scratch papers that were loaded with answers.

Not that long when the door opened and an old, frowning woman appeared. She’s no other than Mrs. Deetz, the school librarian. “Thank god she’s here. Now I can focus.” I heard Celine sigh in relief. All the college students walked out of the library once they saw her. As they should. Finally, the library is peaceful again—

“Hey Via, Celine. Mind if I join you?” I immediately froze when I knew whose voice that belonged to. My hands are getting clammy and I can feel my face warming up in anticipation.

Slowly, I turned my gaze to my right. Of all the people I can have a crush on, it's my best friend, Rickson Lemuel Lee.

“Hey there, Ricky. What’s up? And Via’s totally stunned. Hey Cubs, snap out of it!” I came back to my senses when Celine shook my shoulder.

“O-oh, hi Ricky.” My voice cracked, which made me stammered. It feels like my heart is about to burst. “We’re just doing our physics homework. You probably know that the deadline is tomorrow.” I added as I tried my best to smile. You know, that smile that doesn’t look awkward as heck. But I guess I failed when I noticed how my cousin was holding her laugh. This girl! Ricky might know that something’s up and that he would notice my feelings for him!

Something caught me off-guard of his next move. He leaned forward and cupped my cheeks. HE CUPPED MY CHEEKS!

“Via, are you feeling sick? Your face looks flushed. Did you catch a fever?” He asked as he moved the back of his left hand to his neck, checking his own body temperature and mine at the same time. I can vaguely see my reflection in his glasses.

It’s just so annoying how this guy makes me feel butterflies inside my stomach.

I removed his right hand from my neck. “Uh I mean–no! By the way, what are you doing here in the library? I thought you’re busy.”

He scratched his nape and yawned. “I just stopped by to read something good until I saw you guys. Mind if I join you? Maybe I can help you.”

I shook my head as a sign of refusal. “No, you don’t have to. We are halfway done with this, but thank you. Have a seat.”

Just focus on what you’re working on, Olivia. You are a strong, independent woman. Deep breaths, deep breaths Via. I’m doing this for my grades, grades for my scholarship in college, and finish school to look for a decent job and help my family live a good life. Screw capitalism.

It was then when I noticed Celine’s eyes widening when she opened her cellphone. “OMG. Cubs, Cubs!” she called.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“It's my sister, Ning… She’s actually alone at home right now.” Ning is a daycare student and is also Celine’s younger sister. Their parents are constantly busy and would come home late at night, that’s why they have maids. But this one is weird. I don’t know. There’s Mrs. Marisa who’d babysit Ning every afternoon since that kid likes her. Maybe something came up at her place. That’s why she’s absent.

“Where’s Mrs. Marisa anyway?”

“Her grandkid got sick, and she has to take care of him first. I’m already finished writing the answers. You just have to type those and print it on your way home. You can just return the laptop tomorrow. If it's okay with you–”

“Aye it’s okay. No problem, babes! I gotcha!” I pointed my fingers at her and did a cool pose. She chuckled and gave me a suspicious look. It was then when my phone gave a ‘ding’ noise as I noticed a text message from her. This girl! I’ll certainly give her a payback on this one.

‘Good luck with your cute date and have fun! You’re welcome:>’

I stared at her grinning face. Shit, she knows. She knows that I have feelings for my best friend. Well, that’s it, I’m done. I want the ground to open up and swallow me whole. Nobody should know that I like Ricky and see him more than a friend. No one! Or it’ll be jinxed. That thing where if you tell a secret to your closest friend, it’ll spread. I don’t want that to happen!

“Ricky dude, my cousin will be under your care. Bye!” She immediately ran to the exit.. Probably scared that she’ll get a taste of my fist. Just kidding! I love my cousin even if she’s kind of crazy sometimes. Actually, both of us are crazy. No wonder why of all my first cousins on my mom’s side, she’s the one who’s very close to me.