“What are you still doing here? Aren’t you going home?” I asked
“I will be bored at home and Mom will only nag me so let me stay here. Are you really that comfortable with me to show how messy you are in the morning?” he said
“I don’t look that bad since I already washed my face.” I said
“It’s up to you. You can wait in the living room while I finish cooking.” he said
I didn't want to disturb him so I went outside to water the flowers of Nana and check on the vegetables in the garden. I was busy plucking some weeds when I heard someone speaking near the gate.
“Good moooooorning.” someone shouted
“Pssst!” someone said again
I tilted my head and was ready to glare at the rude person as I raised my head. How dare that person use that sound to call someone?
“Hi. Good morning.” Vladimir said smiling while leaning at the gate
“What are you doing here?” I said
“I was just passing by when I saw you so I decided to stop by.” he said
“Oh okay but why are you here?” I asked again
“Ahhh. I just went for a quick exercise.” he said
“Are you feeling okay now? Is your wound not painful at all?” I said before focusing my attention again on the plants.
“Hey. I need to go home and grab some things that I need to finish.” Ace said as he opened the front door.
“Fine. You can just stay at your house.” I said
“Good morning.” Vladimir said
“What?! Who?!” Ace said as he looked at the person by the gate and me back and forth.
“He is just dropping by from jogging.” I explained.
“Oh. And you didn’t even bother to let him in. Where did your manners go?” Ace scolded me before opening the gate.
“Ah.. Do I have to invite him in? I thought he was just dropping by.” I said
“Come in. It doesn’t look good if you are chatting while staying outside the gate. People might say that you are gossiping.” Ace said to Vladimir.
“Am I supposed to do that?” I said innocently
“Let us all go inside first and drink something cold. It is hot here.” Ace said as he pulled me.
I immediately went to the bathroom to wash my hands and my face since I sweated a little. I shrieked a little when I saw my face in the mirror. I forgot to comb my hair and it was a mess which means that Vladimir saw me looking like a witch.
“How could you?!” I punched Ace’s left arm.
“What?” he said giggling
“Why haven’t you told me that I look like a witch when I went out?” I said annoyed
“I gave some hints but you ignored me. It is not my fault.”
“You should have said something when you saw me going out.”
“I will be leaving you both for a while since I need to go now. Mom is waiting for me. I already prepared some food there if you get hungry.” Ace said before heading to the door
“Fine. I can manage on my own.” I said as I walked him to the door.
“You better behave yourselves while I’m not here. Remember that I am responsible for you.”
“As if we are going to do anything bad. Just go.” I said pushing him out of the door.
“I will be back later. Behave.” he said before closing the door.
I rolled my eyes because of what he said. I don’t usually cause trouble when I am at home.
“Do you want some coffee, tea or juice?” I asked Vladimir
“Can I have some cold water?” he answered
“You can just grab it from the fridge. You have been here twice already so make yourself at home. I need to prepare the table because I am hungry.” I said
“Do you need some help?” he asked after pouring water.
“No need. I can manage. Join me for breakfast since you’re already here. You can sit down comfortably.” I said
“I think I need to make up for every food that you have been giving me. It’s like I have eaten a lot of my meals here.” he said
“Don’t mind it. You’re a guest and a friend at our house. I’m not sure though if you’re okay with what Ace cooked. It’s not really fancy.” I said
“I’m not really picky with food so this is fine. I’m feeling sorry for having to eat here. I will really invite you for a meal next time.” He smiled
“Really? Do you know how to cook?” I said
“Of course. I might be a boy but I have been living for a long time so I can cook some food well.” He said
“I’m jealous. I’m not a good cook and I can only cook fried to stir-fried dishes.”
“I will invite you sometime at home and cook for you so you can try if my cooking is good.” he winked at me
“You really don’t have to but if you insist then it would be rude for me not to accept your invitation.”
“Do you have any food allergies that I need to know just in case?”
“Hmmm.. I don’t have any experience on having breakouts so I guess I don’t have any yet.” I shrugged my shoulders.
“That’s good then,” he said, nodding and smiling.
VLADIMIR’s POV
I was sitting down in the living room and watching TV when I saw Althea walking towards me while carrying a first aid kit.
“I think we need to change the dressing of your wound because the blood is visible on the dressing.” She said
“Huh? You don’t have to, I can do it at home while looking in the mirror.” I answered
“Hearing you say that is making me more guilty about what happened. Let me help you so I will feel at ease.” she said
“Okay. If you insist.” I gave her my permission so that she would not feel guilty.
“Here.” she said handing me a headband
“Huh?” I said bewildered
“Put it on so you don’t have to push your bangs and your hair won’t be getting in the way. It will make it easier for both of us.” she explained
I put on the headband as she instructed and then sat down still as she prepared the things that are needed. I started making faces when she removed the dressing slowly. The tape that they had used stuck to my skin so it was painful to have it removed.
“I’m sorry! You should tell me if it is painful so I can do it more gently.” She panicked
“It’s okay. I can still endure it and it’s not your fault. The tape is pulling my skin.” I said
“Wait here then. Let me just grab some baby oil upstairs. I heard that it helps in removing the tape easier.” she said before running away
“You don’t have to…” I said to stop her but she was already on top of the stairs.
“Here, let me apply some oil first on the tape. Tell me how you feel when I remove the tape later.” she said while dabbing some oil on the tape.
She was very careful in removing the tape and changing the gauze. I am feeling awkward about how close she is to me. I haven’t been this close to any of my girl classmates before. I was in deep thought when I felt her holding my hand and putting it on my forehead.
“Hold on the gauze first so I can put the tape.” she said smiling.
“Oh okay.”
“And we’re done. I’m not sure if I did a good job but it still looks fine. You can remove the headband and go fix your bangs at the CR.” she said smiling before grabbing the kit.
I removed the headband and sat down there while waiting for her to come back. I don’t really mind having messy bangs. I’m not that self conscious because there aren’t a lot of people who are looking at me.
“Anyway Althea, I think I need to go now since I have some things to do at home. Thank you for the meal and also for changing the dressing of my wound.”
“Oh, no problem. You’re always welcome here.”
I stood up and she walked me by the gate. I waved goodbye to her and waved back.
- - - - -
“Hey!” I whispered to Althea during the final exam.
“Shhhh! You should be studying. We were given an hour to review.” she answered
“Can you share your notes with me? I have a lot of missing information and they might show up during the exam.” I said
I could hear her sigh before nodding her head. I moved my chair near hers and we started reviewing silently.
“What the heck are the two of you doing?” someone whispered behind our back.