30

Wednesday.

I could not stop staring at the bracelet.

While I was preparing my books for class, the flamboyant accessory continued begging—and succeeded—for my attention. Its beads had been shimmering under the sunlight penetrating through the windows, proudly flaunting itself to whoever saw it. Even Adelynn and Aly were mesmerized at the souvenir, and they have to admit, Edward surely knew how to find something this beautiful.

Heck, I couldn't escape from Seb's scrutiny either.

"That bracelet looks gorgeous," he suddenly complimented, completely fixated on the accessory. "Where did you get it?"

"Oh, um, t-thanks! Um... Edward got it for me," I stumbled upon my words.

"That's... really nice of him." His earthy eyes widened. I didn't know if it was just me, but from the corner of my vision, his silvery eyebrow twitched slightly. "No wonder it looks familiar, he must have gotten it from that crane game. When did he give it though?"

"H-His mom came over, passed it over to my mom."

"Ah, right, yeah that makes sense. Dude's sick in bed, anyway," Seb muttered, but that did not clearly mask the bewilderment setting in his countenance. He was constantly nodding and rubbing his chin, attempting to wrap his head around his best friend's unusual actions.

Like he had not been acting unusual as well.

After Adelynn and Aly left, I saw him leaning by the lockers, waiting specifically for me. His face practically brightened up as soon as he saw me, claiming he wanted to keep me company and wanting to have some chat. Usually, if he was not with Edward, I would often see him with the basketball team. I mean, it was not like we were not friends, especially now that I was growing closer to Edward.

"Speaking of which... I've heard from Lynn, you girls are visiting him after school?" I jerked up at his question. Sitting with his legs spread open, Seb rested his elbow on top of the chair as he leaned closer towards me, maintaining his gaze.

"Yeah, a-are you going to come too?"

"Did it last night. Besides, I can't join in today, unfortunately... need to help my parents prepare with something after school," Seb breathed.

"H-How was he?" I found myself immediately questioning him; my curiosity thirsted for answers.

"Hmm, maybe a little better, but his fever is still kinda high and he still has headaches." He said between his profound sigh and threw back his arms. "Sheesh... ever since he started working, he's been getting frequently sick. It's like he keeps forgetting the fact that his body is not as strong as he thinks, but he never listens to us..."

I could only let out nervous laughs, leaving no comment. Of course, from the way Seb complained and groaned, Edward's self-willed demeanor still had his friends pulling their hair and smacking their faces. However, I have to admit, his resilience is pretty respectable.

Edward had always wanted to ride a bike, and when he found out about me, he was practically begging me to teach him. Unfortunately, I watched with my heart clenched against my chest as he constantly tumbled down, having lost his momentum. Cuts and gashes had angrily decorated his knees and elbows, so I pushed myself to try stopping him, but...

"No, I'm not giving up. Don't worry, I'm fine, I got this!" was his sole response.

Surely that attitude might be perfect, but only when the timing was right. I definitely understood how exasperated his friends must have been. He needs to understand his limits...

"If Ed's mother visited you, then I assumed you must have received the red velvet cake too?" Seb questioned, cocking his head, his bangs falling to the side. "My mom also got a huge slice yesterday, and I ravaged it to oblivion. My siblings never got a share and they were big mad." His wrinkling eyes took the shape of a crescent. "Can't help it, it's too delicious."

"Y-Yeah it's good... too sweet for me though. I-I'm probably gonna finish them for lunch." I grabbed the box with the leftovers from my bag, but Seb quizzically exchanged his glance between me and the food as he pressed his mouth together.

"The last time I checked, red velvet doesn't look like that," he announced with a hint of laughter.

Don't tell me... I rapidly blinked while my smile faltered. Frantically scanning the box, as I suspected, it was a small cheese bread I baked yesterday, meant for Edward. Oh, how much I wished I could just evaporate into thin air from all the heat that quickly devoured me. Without further thoughts, I shoved the box back in and hung my head as Seb beamed impishly.

"I guess that's for the bread fanboy?"

My shoulders tensed at the reference of his best friend, but I chose to let the question hang in the air. Not only was I drowning in the sea of embarrassment, I could not even have the guts to admit it. Likewise, I couldn't just tell him that the bread was some extra snack, like he was going to believe such a blatant lie.

"You're so cute, Ren," Seb commented as he covered his lips, failing to cover up the chuckles spilling out of them.

Ren. I immediately piqued up at the nickname he had given me; the same one he used to call me. Instead of the usual Rena, he swerved for a completely different route, and there was no way I could forget how thrown aback I was. Well, not that I minded; back then he even asked whether I was fine with it or not.

Looking back at him, he preserved his broad but gentle smile, but his gaze softened as they trained towards me; reminiscent of how little Seb would as we talked, except that they were more solemn.

Was he ever this approachable before?

***

"You're going to Edward's house?!"

When Aly and I told them about our afternoon plan, Naomi and Sam's screams were fortunately muffled by their sandwiches, but their slumped bodies abruptly sprang forward. While Mark and I instinctively winced at their actions, Aly shook her head and groaned.

"You two are so dramatic, Jesus," she grumbled and rested her chin on her hand. "It's not like we're visiting some well-known celebrity or something. Also, chew on your food first!"

"Oof..." Samantha swallowed all of her food down while Naomi gulped down a whole cup full of juice. "Honestly it's kinda unexpected. It's been so long since you girls went there, right? The memories... I remembered Edward always invited you to his house on the weekends."

Naomi slammed her hands on the table and shot up, her chair almost toppling over before Aly or I had a chance to react. "Dude's family is crazy rich as well! I heard his house is like a mansion." She breathed and flashed a smirk at me. "God, you're so, so lucky you got yourself a wealthy man! I'm so jealous, I wish I—"

"Sit your ass back down," Aly retorted as she forcefully pushed her finger against Naomi's nose, to which she squealed, so that she shrank back to her seat. "You make it sound like Rena's after Edward's money, you gold digger."

As Mark and Samantha burst into snickers, I could only smile at their shenanigans. 3 years have passed but it did feel like decades since I last stepped in Edward's humble abode—as he often dubbed. I remembered how we would often play in his backyard, swim in his pool and even relax in the living room. I wonder if things have changed since then...

"But Alyssa, wouldn't you also want a man like that?" Naomi batted her brow, leaning towards her. "Not only you don't have to worry about money anymore, you're basically set for life."

While both Samantha and Mark snorted loudly at such a suggestion, my best friend rolled her eyes and disregarded her. I just sipped my juice in silence. Naomi can be extra sometimes...

A few tables behind Naomi and Samantha, I found myself zooming towards Seb and Adelynn while they were busy conversing with their friends. However, when Seb's traveling gaze zeroed in on me, he motioned his hand before he fleetingly shot a wink at me.

...and that nearly made me choke on my drink.

***

The only thing that my muscles in my right arm could register was... sore.

That did not stop me from hastily scribbling all of the important notes, especially when my teacher was erasing them all without mercy. As a result, my formerly decent handwriting gradually degraded into some sort of a convoluted mess that not even I could comprehend. I can just fix this at home later and hope Edward can read it.

"Come on, let's go Rena!" Adelynn called out, approaching me as soon as the bell screamed down the hall. "I checked the weather this morning... looks like it's gonna rain real bad."

"Oh, o-okay, wait!" I stuffed all of my belongings into my bag and managed to zip it up while pursuing after her. Out of all the days, the weather had the need to be pouring this afternoon when we were out. Obviously, I left my umbrella back home. Nice job, Rena.

We then hurried to Aly, who had been standing by the entrance with her foot tapping against the floor. As soon as she noticed us, she waved both of her arms high in the air, barely concealing the cheeky expression animating her face. She's gonna have the chance to interact with Edward again after a period of no contact.

"Okay, so we're taking bus 190, and it's the fastest one from here..." Adelynn paused in her words. "Rena, you should get your bike first."

"Oh, d-don't worry, I didn't use my bike today," I said, shaking my hand. "I know w-we're going somewhere, and i-it's gonna be a hassle."

"Awesome! Let's go before we end up drenched!" Adelynn asserted and we nodded in unison, following after her without further remarks. Strolling to the bus stop, she and Aly were chatting about some stuff, while I silently stayed behind, lost in my own mind.

As much as I was looking forward to the visit, my nerves were tingling with might as my fingers wouldn't stop fidgeting and fiddling with my school blazer. Gulping the lump in my throat, my own heart thumped against my ribs. I could simply ask how he was feeling and all, but what was next?

Regardless, I should still seize this opportunity. This is the time to shine.