THE NEXT DAY

I wore a dress and a sandal to meet up with my friends. We met outside the restaurant before going in.

"So, guys I just want to inform you that I’m not single anymore," Rose said.

"I'm courting my long-time crush," Mark admitted to us.

"how about you Luna and Cara?" mark asked.

"I just got off a two years relationship," Luna shared with us. "He broke up with me, but it's okay. It was my fault."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"I entertained a guy while I’m still in a relationship with him," she said. "I miss him, but I couldn't blame him." she smiled at us. "How about you, Cara?"


"Well, I'm not in a relationship with anyone," I said.

"Do you remember my cousin? David?" Mark asked me.

"Yeah. I remember him, how is he?" I asked.

"Do you remember that he has a crush on you when we were in high school?" he said, smiling at me.

"That was a long time ago. Forget about it," I said, remembering the past.

"I'll set you up with him," He said, smirking at me.


We continued eating while remembering our old self being young and naive.

After we hang out. I went to the store to work, but it was closed, so I checked my phone if roman or the owner texted me.

"We're close for today. have some rest." A simple message from our boss that makes my day a whole lot better.
I spent my morning baking at Julia's place since she was studying for an exam. I baked the oatmeal cookies. And, of course, the brownies. Julia and I were thinking about putting marshmallows at the top of the brownies and calling it smores brownies. I haven't talked about Austin to Julia yet. I haven't heard from him since the night I kissed him. I think it's better that way, but we surely need to fix things if we want to be how we used to be. Truthfully, I'm bothered about what I saw last night. For me, it's very unlike Austin. He's now in a relationship with Hope, who she barely knew.
"Cara, it's burnt," Julia suddenly said, pointing at the cookies in the oven.
I immediately took the cookies out from the oven and panicked since we couldn't sell them anymore. "You seem distracted. Does something happen again?" Julia asked and sat beside me, still holding his reviewers. "No, everything's okay," I said, still checking if we could save some cookies.
What is happening between you and Austin? It seems like a lot of things have been bothering you both. Please focus when it comes to baking. We have little money for the ingredients," she said in disappointment.
"Austin isn't helping us anymore for a couple of days now. I called him last night, but he was too drunk. He went to a bar even though he knew we had an exam the next day. You're here to bake, but you were so distracted you forgot about the cookies," she scolded me.
"Don't bring your issues into our business," she added. I couldn't blame her. I was wrong, I admit.
"So tell me, what's bothering you?" She asked and looked at me.
"Uhmm. I'm shy to say this, but I saw Austin kissing Hope." I smiled bitterly.
"I saw his relationship status on social media," Julia said. "I think it's too fast for them to be in a relationship, but just let him be. It's his life," she said.
I nodded at her.
"You obviously like him, Cara. You can't deny it to me. I know you both too much, but I can't read Austin these past few days. I don't know what's going on and what's in his mind. Both of you need to talk. You need to sort things out."
I listened to her, and I think we should talk. But how can we talk when it's not only me that Austin was avoiding. He seems to be avoiding Julia as well.
I couldn't save any cookies to sell in the convenience store. It was so hot in the kitchen, so I changed my shirt first before going home.
I found Carlon in the living room on his phone.
"Did you deliver the orders?" I asked him as I sat beside him.
"Yes. Caia Bakes is growing. I've been delivering tons of orders every weekend," he said, "Your birthday is getting near. What's your plan?"
"Nothing. It will pass," My birthday is next week, and I'm not excited. I used to celebrate it with friends, but I think we will be busy.
I rested for a while in my room and scrolled down my feed on Facebook.
My classmates in college were busy studying and ranting about their professors. If I were still in college, I might be doing the same.
I saw a post from Austin.
[My love.] says the caption with their photos together.
I rolled my eyes after I saw that. It's annoying for me, maybe because I don't like Hope, or perhaps I'm jealous.
Did I confirm I'm jealous? Fine. I couldn't lie to myself. I wouldn't be bothered if I didn't care. But now that he's in a relationship. How about me? Should I date also? Okay. From now on, I'll entertain suitors. Maybe my feelings for Austin will go.
I received a message from Mark.
[Cara, let's have dinner later.]
I wondered if there was any occasion I missed today, so I said yes.
I did my usual routine at work. My work in the convenience store is getting easier day by day, so it wasn't a hassle for me.
I went straight to the restaurant after work. I wonder why mark invited me to a fancy restaurant. My outfit for today doesn't suit the vibes inside the restaurant. I texted Mark where he was, but he didn't reply.
"Cara?" A man said. I looked around to find David in formal attire.
"Yes? Oh- Hi David! Why are you here?" I asked him.
"Mark said he couldn't be here since he has an urgent meeting," he said.
"That's why he didn't reply," I nodded, "I'll go ahead then," I said.
"Let's have some dinner together," he said, smiling at me.
I was startled by what he said, so I said yes.
David asked a waitress where is the best place to sit, and she guided us to the table for two.
He ordered for the two of us.
"I haven't seen you in a long time. How are you?" David smiled.
"I'm doing good. You graduated last year, right?" I asked, trying not to look awkward.
"Yes. I'm working now, and I guess Mark set us up for dinner tonight," he laughed.
"That's what I was thinking too. Mark mentioned you to me when we ate the last time we were together."
"He mentioned you to me also. He told me you were still single," He smirked.
"Yes. That's correct, but I'm not rushing to have a relationship. Maybe mark thinks I'm lonely," I said, and the food arrived.
"I'm sorry if he keeps bringing back the past. I know that you know that I liked you when we were still in high school. I'm getting shy now remembering the things I did for you," he laughed.
"It's okay. It's all in the past," I smiled at David.
"You changed a lot, but in a good way," I added.
"Yes, I think so too. I become so mature during college and until now. I had a hard time in college. You know my family is very different from Mark's family. We're not rich like them," he said.
"College is very different in high school. Did you know I dropped out of college now?" He was shocked at what I said.
"Really? What happened?" he asked curiously.
We shared our struggles and found comfort in each other.
We finished eating and decided to leave the place.
"Are you going home now?" David asked me.
"Yes, I'll go home," I smiled at him.
"I'll drive you home," he offered.
"Are you sure?" I asked him.
"Yeah. Of course, Let's go,"
We walked to the parking lot. He even opened the door of his car for me. He may have changed a lot, but there's one thing that didn't, he is still a gentleman.
He started the car and drove me home.
"Mark must have been so happy that we had dinner together," David said.
"Yeah. I think so. By the way, thank you for your treat."
"No worries." he said, "Can we do this again?" he asked me. He looked so shy when I looked at him.
"Are you asking me on a date?" I teased him.
"Don't do that, Cara. It took a lot of courage for me to ask you out," he shyly said, and I laughed at him.
"If I'm not busy, we can have dinner again." He smiled brightly while looking at the road.
"What makes you busy these days?" he asked.
"My friends and I have a small baking business. We baked mostly in the morning and in the afternoon till night. I am working in a convenience store," I said.
"Oh, you baked? That's nice. I'm not good at baking, but I'm good at cooking. Whenever Mark was in my house, he always asked if I could cook for him," he shared.
"Mom loves to cook as well. She has a small canteen outside the school," I said. We talked more about cooking.
Little did I know, we were already outside the house.
"Thank you, David. I had fun today. Drive safely." I waved at him to say goodbye.
"Who drives you home?" Mom asked, and I was shocked to see Julia beside her.
"It was David, a friend," I told mom. and looked at Julia, " what are you doing here?"
"Sleepover. I asked permission from your mo, and she said yes." Julia smiled at my mom.
"Fine. Let's go to my room. Goodnight, mom," I said.
I took a shower and let Julia wait for me in my bedroom.
After a shower, I found her looking at me as if I'd kept a secret to her.
"You're on a date. Why didn't you tell me?" Julia said, crossing arms.
"I am?" I looked confused.
"Yeah, he posted a blurred photo. You were laughing and tagged you," Julia said and showed me the photo. I smirked at what I saw.
"Now that Austin is dating, you're entertaining another guy," she said, " what are you planning?"
"I am not planning anything, but that date was unexpected. I was supposed to eat dinner with Mark, my high school friend, but he didn't arrive. He set me up with his cousin, David," I explained.
"A lot of people liked the photos. I'm pretty sure Austin can see this," she said.
"It's okay. If Austin can date, I can do that too." I smiled at her.
"Gosh, you two are such a headache," she shakes her head as if she doesn't understand what is in our minds.
Then a notification popped into my social media.
[Austin liked the photo you are tagged in]