Chapter 11: Chapter 11

010.

Keeping my head down to see what it feels like now and I have no doubt, one day we're going to get out

"Maybe he does love you," Missy replied after I told her everything about Loud, not exactly Loud, but the things he did - he's doing for me.

"Maybe he's trying to make me fall for him," I reacted. "Then, break my heart."

Missy gave me a curious look. "Is there a heart to break?"

"None, of course!" I hissed. "There's no way I'd fall for him, especially that I know he's just using me," I whispered the last words.

I didn't tell Missy about Loud and his family background. I still want to keep things to myself and between us because it might ruin the plan. Though, I don't think there's a plan.

The plan is to get revenge, and how am I supposed to do that? Loud isn't helping at all. He wanted me to investigate my family, but he kept all the information in his hands. How fair is that?

"Are you sure?" Missy didn't look convinced. "I mean, you are living with him..."

Missy started to tell me the things I told her about Loud, which includes:

1. Living in his trailer house for a month, without paying anything.

2. He cooks breakfast and dinner.

3. He pays for the laundry.

4. He drives for me.

5. He sings lullaby every night, especially when he thinks I'm tired - I am always tired

6. He helps me study.

7. He acts as my alarm clock - I don't even know what's comfortable in his house that I usually fell asleep

8. He ---- okay, stop!

"You forgot how nagger he is?" I scowled. "Why only see the good things in him? He got bad things too!"

"He's a nagger!" I added. "I hate how he cooks pancakes every morning when I hate pancakes!"

"You should tell him what you like."

"I hate how he pays for everything even though I don't ask him."

"So, you are now contradicting every good thing you say about him?" Missy raised her brow. "Why do I feel like you are just trying to look for reasons to stop liking him, but..."

I cut her off. "No way! I don't like him!"

"O-kaaay!" Missy nodded but was still not convinced. "You don't like him, but you love him?"

I rolled my eyes and whined in frustration. Missy burst into laughter while I tried to ignore her.

I clicked my tongue. I shouldn't have told her about it. I hate her and I hate it the most because Zee also said the same thing.

"I don't like him. He's just trouble and I don't like trouble."

"Hmm," Missy looked me in the eyes and I almost wanted to kill her when she said, "You're a liar."

---

"Where can I find a heart in a jar?"

Zee almost threw the coffee she was sipping. We were inside the bistro waiting for my shift while also studying. She visited me, pretended she wanted to talk about something important to me, when I clearly knew she wanted to find peace for an hour before heading home - it wasn't home too.

Zee's life is also full of burdens. They're talking about her wedding date, which she really hates. Who wouldn't hate it when they are asking you to marry the guy you don't even like?

Zee looked at me with eyes trying to understand what I just said, so I repeated it.

"Since when did an aspiring lawyer think of owning a heart in a jar?" She leveled her brow. "It's fishy here. The last time I checked, it was only me and..."

"I'm just curious, okay?"

I didn't let her finish her sentence because she's my best friend, and I know what she's thinking. I used to do that to her back in high school. I used to tease her a lot with Zack.

I missed being a high school student in which my only problem was making my parents proud of my grades. For the record, I never make them proud. But, it was better than now - running away from them, living on my own, working hours for a small amount of money, getting revenge, and making them regret throwing me.

"It's hard to get one, okay? It's like a reward for us, so there's no way you're gonna get one," she said.

She stared back at her book. After seconds, she looked at me with playful eyes and excitement. "You can get one!"

"What? How?"

"Your brother! Gabriel! He was our attendant," she told me. "He promised us that when we do good, well, best, he will give us a heart."

"You're kidding, right?"

"No, he told us he would give us a heart in a jar, but only during our internship as a medical student. Too bad, I'm just a nursing student as of the moment, so..." She lifted both of her hands and pleaded. "Ask him to give me one."

"I don't ask favors from my family. You know why!" I hysterically reacted.

"It won't hurt your pride. It's your closest brother who always helped you." She pouted.

I rolled my eyes. "Still, no. Work harder to get a heart in a jar."

She frowned. "Whatever! Let's just study!" She picked her book and started studying again while I continued thinking about where to get a heart in a jar.

Why am I even thinking? I mean, ugh! Out of all the things in the world, why a heart in a jar?

I decided to let it go and focus on my study notes. The semester already started, and here I am...trying to survive the last two terms.

"Can you recommend a law firm to apply for my internship?" I asked Zee. "I mean, the one's gonna accept me."

"I thought you'll be joining Var? Is that it, Maquess?"

"Yes, but I need a plan B if it will not work."

"It will work, Gab. Trust me and trust Var. He likes you, so he'll make it work."

"He just got engaged, Zee," I rolled my eyes. "I don't like him, okay? We're friends."

"Of course, you don't like him because I know you like..." She cut her words as her eyes turn into my back. I already knew it was Loud when I smelled brewed coffee.

"Hey," he greeted with a smile. "I can't believe you can study in this place. Look around." He stretched his arms. It was only then we realized that the place was already crowded with people. "It's messy and noisy."

"It's just a matter of knowing what you should be focusing on," I replied.

I used to hate the noise because I was used to studying in a comfortable environment with no one to disturb me. But, things change and we go with it.

"I know right," he grinned. "That's why I know I should only be focusing on you."

Zee giggled and I stared at him in awe.

One of the reasons why I hate him is because he's so corny and cheesy. Also, it's the fact that he could make my cheeks burn. Damn! Why am I even blushing? He's just using me!

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I'm here to say hi, and sing..."

He smiled, removed his eyeglass, tied his fringe, and slowly walked to the stage. Two guys also went upstage and started picking their instruments.

Loud grabbed the bass and said hi which instantly caught the attention of everyone.

"I'm Lauyton," he introduced.

"I'm Jacquer," the guy with the tattoo on his left hand said while he played with the sticks.

"I'm Hander." His dimple on his right cheeks showed as he played some keys.

"And over there," I was surprised when he pointed at me. "Is our main vocalist. Meet Gabriella."

"What?" I widened my eyes and almost yelled. "Since, when?" I mouthed in disbelief.

He winked at me before turning to the audience again. "We are the Everglow!"

And just like that, we formed a band I never thought to be home.