Chapter 20
"Earth to Eunice?? Are you still with me?" Jeanny said to me as she waved her hand in front of my face and I snapped back to reality. "Did you hear anything I said?" She asked.
Honestly, no.
"Huh?" I looked at her with wide eyes, a little confused.
"So you weren't listening to me the whole time I was talking?" I continued to stare at her and nodded slowly.
"When did you stop listening?"
"Uhhhh... since you started?" I answered in an unsure tone. She pouted at me. "Hey I'm sorry. It's just that--" she cut me off.
"You've been spacing out the whole day?" She finished my sentence although that wasn't really what I wanted to say because I wasn't even aware that I've been spacing out the whole day. I thought it was just for five minutes.
"Sorry." That's the only word I could say to her.
I felt so guilty. She asked me to go out on a date with her today because we haven't been going out or having fun for a while. Besides the fact that I was kind of avoiding her last week, we've been very busy with our exams.
"Hey. You know you can tell me what's been bothering you. We may have not known each other since we were kids but we only have each other now." She said as she smiled at me. "I brought you out on a date cause I feel like there's a lot going on in your life that you don't want to share and I'm not gonna force you. I just want you to know that you can breathe, Eunice." She held my hands and I smiled at her. She has a way of warming others’ hearts and I love that about her.
I haven't really shared my thoughts with anyone. Not even when I cried to Chase that night. I just cried without saying anything. It's not that I don't want to. I'm just scared that they wouldn't understand. That I'll only bother them with my thoughts and emotions.
"You can pause for a while and breathe. Don't push yourself over your limit. You'll just get tired. Whatever's happening with you now, whatever your worries are, don't pressure yourself. Life has a way of working itself out for the better. Just wait and do your best." With that, my tears started to fall and I just can't suppress my feelings anymore. Jeanny stood up and sat on the chair beside me. She patted my back and I hugged her.
"I'm so sorry for not telling you or talking to you." I said as I sobbed. Some customers here in the cafe are looking at us now.
"It's okay, as long as it's not about boys. If it's about boys you should definitely tell me." She teasingly said as she winked at me. I slapped her shoulder lightly and we both laughed. The people here must think that we're crazy.
"Let's eat our food before it gets cold and before it gets hot." She said as she moved her plate and milkshake beside me while laughing.
"Your joke is so funny that it died." I told her. And we both started laughing again.
Our date ended with Jeanny going back to the dorm and me going to the restaurant. I told her what was going on and that I'm going to the hospital this afternoon, probably the main reason why I was spacing out. I'm quite scared. She told me that she couldn't come with me because she has lots of school projects to pass.
I saw the volume of people as I came closer to the restaurant. I went inside and looked for Anna.
"Anna, are you okay? Do you need help?" I asked as I approached her. She's cooking spinach soup and stir frying vegetables at the same time. She's got a lot on her plate.
"Oh, Eunice you're here. I'm okay. Lea and Kiro are here." She said and I nodded Lea and Kiro are the new part-timers at the restaurant. They just got here this week and we've (Jeanny, Jace, and I) been taking turns helping out at the restaurant two weeks before they came.
It's already 3 pm. My appointment is at 4. I wonder if Anna can still accompany me. I stood up from my seat and walked towards the counter.
"Eunice dear, I'm sorry." Anna said as I approached her. "I don't think I can come with you. There are still a lot of customers. I don't think I can leave the restaurant like this."
"It's okay. I understand." I smiled at her but deep inside I got more nervous. Who's gonna come with me? Do I have to go alone? I let out a deep sigh.
"I'll get going now, Anna. See you." I shouted while grinning widely towards the kitchen cause she's already inside, then I waved at Lea who's already at the counter. Anna just smiled at me.
"Woah!” I stopped in my tracks in surprise. I turned around only to see Jace facing me with curious eyes.
"Hey." He said.
"Hi." I replied. There was a moment of silence before I decided to speak up. "Uhmm do you want to come with me? I mean, if you're not busy."
He looked at me for a moment looking confused but he eventually said yes.
We're now walking towards the bus stop now and there's this endearing silence that makes everything awkward between us.
"I'm sorry." We both said. I saw him smile.
"Me first." I told him. He just nodded. "I'm sorry for getting mad at you and for avoiding you and for sort of pushing you away." I said with my eyes on the ground.
I stopped walking when I realized that he's no longer beside me. I looked up and turned around. He was just standing there so I walked to him.
"Honestly..." he started, "I understand that you can be very sensitive about those kinds of things but I won't hide the fact that I got hurt too." He said as the sadness in his eyes tugged my heart. I fell silent at his remark. But then I saw a smile slowly forming in his lips.
"But it's okay now. Sorry for pushing you too, I was just worried." He said while grinning at me. I'm a little shocked and confused but happy at the same time. We both laughed. Then we continued to walk towards the bus stop.
"I guess you're quite okay now." Jace said as we got on the bus. I placed my bag in my lap and he sat beside me.
"Hmmm...no. I'm just trying to be. I need to help myself at least." I answered and smiled at him.
I leaned my head in the window while staring outside. At least things are starting to get better.
My phone vibrated in my hand so I looked at it.
*Reminder! Doctor's appointment @4pm*
I took a deep breath and turned off the screen. Then the screen lit up again because of another notification.
*Reminder! Friendly date at the rooftop @5pm*