[ Bella's Point of View ]
I opened my eyes and realized that I was inside my room at the dorm. I abruptly sat down, looked at my arms, and touched my face.
"Ouch," I mumbled in pain. My stomach hurts so bad.
Damn that bald drunkard.
Wait, how did I go home?
"Bella, you're finally awake!" Niana barged inside my room and hugged me.
"Wait, Niana, don't squeeze me too much. My stomach was punched, and it hurts so bad," I said.
"Oh, sorry."
"By the way, how did I go home?"
"Well, I'm sorry I haven't told you, but I met a really amazing guy last week, and he became my friend. He's so kind, and he brought you here," said Niana.
"What?! How could you be friends with someone? And how did he know we live here?"
She's unbelievable. Something's off for sure.
"He called me and asked if I was your friend since he saw us together multiple times before. He said he found you kidnapped by three big men, so I told him to bring you here," she replied.
Is that all, Niana?
"By the way, he's still outside. I think he wants to introduce himself to you." Niana left me with a dumbfounded face.
What is she up to?
I carefully stood up and went outside. There, I now saw the guy who saved me a while back, clearly.
He's sitting on our couch beside Niana. Our eyes met, and his eyes were tantalizing. The iris of his eyes was so black.
"Hi, are you okay?" He asked and walked towards me, attempting to help me walk.
"I can walk by myself," I said, but he still helped me sit on the other couch.
"Bella, this is Ivan. He attends a neighboring high school. Ivan, this is Bella. She's my best friend." Niana introduced.
"Hi, Bella, nice to meet you," Ivan said and smiled at me. I just stared at both of them. Something feels strange.
"Well, I didn't know Niana would have a male friend. I'm just startled. It's my first time seeing her with someone she considers a friend," I said and leaned on the couch. I grabbed a pack of junk food and opened the television.
"Stop getting jealous, Bella, he is just a friend, and you're my best friend! Am I not allowed to have a friend other than you?" Niana spoke.
"I'm not jealous. You can do anything you want with your life," I replied.
...
The next day was a Saturday. I woke up with that Ivan guy at our dorm again. Why does he feel like he belongs here? Does he have an idea that what he is doing is indecent? This is a girl's dorm.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him.
"Well, I thought if you want to go out. I mean, the weather is so cool, and it's Saturday. Don't you want to -"
"Shut it. I'm not yet fully recovered from the punch I got from the bald drunkard yesterday. Could you just leave this dorm? Niana is not here either, so no one will accommodate you. I'll get back to bed," I simply said and went back inside my room. Pathetic. Did he just ask me out?
Don't be so assuming, Bella. He might just be worrying about me. Nevertheless, he should leave and stop bothering me.
I opened the windows of my room and felt the cold breeze of the morning air. I looked at the trees and rustling leaves.
"I don't know if Niana's doing this on purpose. But I think she wants me to date that Ivan guy," I said underneath my breath.
If I date that guy and something terrible happens, then that means Niana isn't a real friend at all. Did I really think she was acting natural? Ugh, ever since Jameson died, Niana suddenly came into my life, and she was a fun companion to be with. I guess I was wrong letting my guard down in those times. I was alone, and Niana became a friend.
Is it all an act, perhaps?
Neither do I know if she really knows that guy. But, ever since I met her, I never really trusted her. I just knew she was obsessed with Jameson for some reason, and she wasn't that traumatized when I asked her to burn Sewol High. These past days, she often goes out and acts differently.
Also, every time I'm in danger, she's always there, but she doesn't even try to fight for me. She just does when I tell her to.
What are you up to? Is this also one of your schemes?
Niana, you suspicious brat.
I won't bother. I'll let her reveal herself to me. In fact, it's interesting. I'll play her games and use them against her if I find out she's plotting something against me too.
...
Days passed, and I always saw Ivan every day! He's always here at the dorm, even if Niana never invited him. He also goes to school sometimes to visit me and give me food and flowers. He's clearly out of his mind, but I know he is courting me.
"Niana, do you want me to date that guy? It seems like you befriended him on purpose to let me date him," I told Niana while we were both cooking in the kitchen.
"How did you know? Well, sometimes, I thought that you might need someone, especially when I'm not by your side. So, I found Ivan and the both of you are really compatible. You'll make a great couple," she replied.
"Why are you doing this?"
She stopped slicing the onions and looked at me, "I told you, I want to help you," she replied.
"Okay, I'll date him."
...
Ivan and I went out together. I tried my best to act like a real girlfriend, but I couldn't help but be annoyed.
"So, Bella, do you have any ex-boyfriends?" Ivan asked while we were walking around the mall. He bought a lot of expensive things for me.
"No. You're my first," I replied nonchalantly.
"Really? That's great then."
"Did Niana force you to date me?" I asked him, and he flinched a little bit.
"No. I'm going out with you because I like you," Ivan replied.
Oh really? What a liar you are. People, when they lie, it's very obvious.
"Really? What do you like about me?" I asked him again.
"Uhm, I like your face and the way you speak. You're so fierce but beautiful," he replied without even looking at my eyes.
"Okay, good to know," I said.
We went to other places while awkwardly holding hands. Why does he have to do this anyway? Does he like Niana? Why does he have to do this for her?
"Thank you for this day, Ivan," I told him as soon as he brought me back to the dorm.
"You're very much welcomed," he replied and handed me the shopping bags.
Ivan walked towards me and swallowed. He raised his hands and tucked my hair behind my ears.
Wait, is he going to kiss me?
He moved closer to my face.
"You don't have to do it if you don't want to," I said and looked at his eyes.
In an instant, he pulled himself away and awkwardly chuckled.
"It's not that I don't want to. I'm wondering, it might make you feel uncomfortable," he said.
"Really? It won't make me uncomfortable," I stepped towards him and pushed my lips to him. He was in shock, but he also responded.
"What do you think?" I asked.
He was blushing and looked away.
"Ah, I feel ecstatic, Bella. You better go inside now. It's ge...getting c...cold," he said while stammering.
"Alright, thank you, Ivan."
Damn, I can't do this anymore!! I slammed the door, and Niana looked at me with a confused face.
"Why do you look like that, Bella? Did something happen?" She asked.
"Nothing," I simply replied and looked away. She's going to think I'm going nuts.
"Really? Can you tell me what happened with you and Ivan today?" She begged and asked me to sit beside her on the couch.
I realized that Niana's face had changed. These days, she stopped wearing her glasses, and she started to let her hair down.
It just made me feel more suspicious of her.
"We kissed."
Niana gasped in shock and looked at me like I was a very indecent human being.
"Wow, Bella! I didn't expect you would go that fast! You're really something, huh? So, did you have fun with him?"
"No, I was just dating him because I want to find out something," I replied and glared at her.
"Uhm, what do you want to find out?" She asked.
"Whether you are really a genuine friend or not, Niana."
She stood up and chortled unnervingly, "Come on, Bella. I've been with you during the days you feel down. I even burnt a whole school because you told me so. I was also there for you when Angel's gang was about to kill you when Ashton was about to r*pe you, when you needed me, I was there," she spoke.
"I never needed anyone, Niana."
"Then, at least look at all my efforts! I consider you my friend, Bella, please do the same for me! Don't you know how much I was traumatized by committing that arson? I've seen everything you've done and not reported it to anyone! And now you think I'm not a real friend?"
She started crying in front of me.
"I'm sorry, Niana. You're my friend, please stop crying. I'm just probably tired today. Let's just forget what happened, shall we?"
I reached my hands at her, and she smiled at me.
"Okay."