Chapter 7

I want to dedicate this chapter to my friends who would be going in a place far from our city to finish studies. Good luck! And God bless! I hope our dreams would come true!

Running down the stairs, Miyu hurried to see who was at the door. She ordered food for dinner from a fast-food chain thirty minutes ago. The delivery man might be bored by now since he was pressing the doorbell for a few times now. She couldn't blame him for a reason that it took her almost five minutes to go downstairs. She was cleaning Ruu's room so that the boys could sleep there together with her brother. She had a hard time putting away his toys and dirty clothes into order when the delivery man came.

She opened the door and it revealed a guy with a box with a label from the fast-food chain she called earlier. He gave it to her and let her sign the delivery receipt. She gave the money for the food and the delivery man left.

Ruu was on her room doing his homework since she was cleaning his room. Not long enough, Aya and Nanami came with their bags and pillows. She told them to put it in her room upstairs and she prepared for dinner.

Nanami and Aya helped her in preparing for the dessert. Miyu was not bad at cooking; in fact she enjoyed watching the TV cooking shows and loves to design cupcakes. It was a good thing she listened to her Mom's advice, now she knew how to cook some dishes and desserts.

Nanami placed the all-purpose cream on top of the graham cookies. She spread it carefully and turned to her, "Wow! Miyu you're amazing, did you make the recipe of this dessert?" She looked amazed on her.

She smiled. "I was browsing the channels when I accidentally saw this cooking show, then I listed the ingredients they prepared then followed the guidelines. Then Viola! I tried to make some."

Aya liked the condensed milk that accidentally landed on her forefinger. "I really thought this was your own recipe, I never heard this kind of dessert before."

She just laughed at them. "It's just because we can't see any shop that selling this dessert. We always saw cupcakes and ice creams in stands."

They finished making the dessert and decided to wait for the boy's arrival. They wondered what took them so long and it's already quarter to seven when the doorbell rang. Aya volunteered to open the door and Nanami and Miyu prepared the plates and utensils for dinner.

They heard Aya grasped while muttering. "Where have you been?" in the voice of Aya, there must be something wrong with the three because she sounds worried.

"What happened?" Nanami asked Miyu.

"Let's see them." She said and then they headed to the living room.

Nozumo had a face that resembles like a prey being chased by a predator. Seiya had been having trouble saying what he wanted to do since he was out of breath. Mizuki was still holding his chest to gain some breath.

They wondered what the three boys did that they ended like that. Aya gave Nozumo a glass of water and Nozumo drank it up in less than a minute. They sure looked stressed and tired.

"Where have you been?" she paused, "What did you do?"

"We—we have been—"Seiya was stuttering while telling them the story." We have been running—because—a dog—a dog had chased us—a very big dog—I think it was like a golden retriever or something."

"A dog?" She tried to think where she saw a dog in the neighborhood." There are no dogs in the neighborhood. I have been walking everyday and I have never seen a big dog or even small ones in the road. What was the name of the street where the dog chased you?"

"I don't know. It was-."Mizuki stopped to think." It was three blocks from here. We were busy running so we don't have the chance to read the street indicator."

She shook her head and helped them settle their bags on Ruu's room.

"Let's eat." She led them to the dining area and they started dinner.

After dinner, Nozumo, Seiya, and Mizuki started making their project in the living room together with Ruu who was busy playing his PSP, while the three of them, Aya, Nanami and Miyu washed the dishes.

"It seems like Ruu was very comfortable to the three of them Miyu." Aya muttered while placing the glass on the rack.

"Yeah, I think they are talking about something, and I think it was a secret, because Nozumo was whispering to Ruu." Nanami said to them.

They poked their heads to see what was going on in the living room and the boys probably noticed them. The Nozumo, Mizuki, and Seiya went back to what they were doing while Ruu resumed playing his PSP. The girls looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. Boys, she thought.

Later that night they have finished their project with flying colors. Thanks to the three boys, she did not do anything since they have finished it before she, Nanami and Aya have completed doing the work in the kitchen.

Since there was nothing left to do, they decided to watch a movie. To her surprise Nozumo had brought a bunch of DVD's, horror, romance, comedy, and action.

"Let's watch this movie." Nanami was holding a DVD entitled "The ring"

"I'm afraid of horror movies." She pouted.

"Since Miyu is afraid of horror movies, let's see this one. " On Seiya's hand was a romantic comedy movie "Life as we know it".

"Romance? I don't think we could watch that." Mizuki pointed to Ruu using his mouth. Ruu was not minding them at all; he was busy playing his PSP.

"Nah, he wouldn't mind. " She said before they could change their mind and choose the horror movie earlier again.

"Okay. I bought some popcorn." Nozumo chanted.

"That's great! You sure are ready." Aya said excitedly.

She installed the DVD tape on the Player and the movie started.

Mizuki was sitting on the beanbag. Nozumo and Nanami were on the left couch and shared their popcorns. Aya and Seiya were in the center couch, Ruu was in their middle and their popcorns were on the center table. She was left in the carpet comfortably slumped and eating her caramel flavored popcorn.

Silence grew around the room and no one felt breaking it. Everyone was very serious in the movie.

Aya was the one who broke the silence." I felt sorry for the kid." She paused. "Her parents died leaving her alone." They heard her sniff." Good thing there is Holly and Eric."

"Are you crying?" Nozumo teased Aya.

"No I'm not. There seem to be a dust in my eyes." Aya defended herself.

Nozumo laughed at her.

"Stop teasing me, will you?" Aya scowled at him and turned her gaze on the screen again. Leaving Nozumo grinning.

Meanwhile,

Santa's POV

We were having our sleepover tonight at Kanata's place. We have finished making our project and now we decided to watch some movies. The two other group mates of us were very engrossed in the movie while Kanata was spacing out in the corner. I was worried with him, seeing that he must have a problem and he was keeping it.

He was not in the mood this afternoon when we came in. his parents were in the province today for his grandmother need some help there. There is something wrong with him that really puzzled me; he was not in a bad mood when we were having lunch. In fact he volunteered that we can build the project in their house.

I scratched my head and he turned to me." What's wrong Santa?" he asked.

Now I got his attention. He knows me very well." Nothing" I replied and turned my gaze on the TV.

"I know you're thinking about something." He said with a grin.' You're doing that whenever you were confused and trying to think."

I shook my head and patted his shoulder. "You knew me well. But I know you too."

He was confused now. Again he had his eyes to me questioning what I was talking about.

"I know there is something bothering you. And maybe I know the reason."

He just shook his head. I defeated Kanata! I said to my mind. Usually he would defend himself and deny if I wasn't true with my observation, but now he did not even say a word.

I must leave the problem to him. If it's about his confused state on Miyu, I know he wanted to deal with it by himself.

I Ruffled Vince's golden fur, Vince was Kanata's dog, He was a golden Retriever. He was very fond of everybody but he only follows Kanata's commands.

End of Santa's POV

On the other hand,

The movie ended and the three girls decided to go upstairs.

Aya closed the door on Miyu's room.

"Let's have a girl talk." Aya announced.

Nanami slumped on the bed, she did the same and Aya got a notebook before following them.

"What's that?" Nanami asked.

"Let's play spin the bottle." Aya answered

"And what are we gonna do with that?" she asked.

"This notebook has 'spin the bottle' questions and dares." Aya explained." So let's start?"

"I'll be the first to spin." Nanami spun the bottle.

It stopped to Aya's direction.

" Okay, it's my turn first. Here's the drill I would choose a number from one to ninety-seven. Every number from one to ninety seven has a corresponding command. I have to answer it if it was a question, and I would do it if it was a dare. I choose number 71."

Nanami examined the writings in the notebook and looked for number 71. "It says; describe your ideal romantic date. So what was your Ideal romantic date Aya?"

Aya pondered a bit and answered." I love it to be in a boat, or in a floating restaurant. Then in the water, there would be floating lanterns, and there is a candlelit dinner. I don't want a musician. I like it that my date would be the one who was playing the instrument. Then -" She paused." And of course my date should be my type of guy. Funny, and easy to be with, that's all."

"Wow you sure had the perfect date in mind. Mind if I ask who the ideal guy was?" She teased her.

Aya's cheeks turned pink for awhile." You'd know it soon." And she smiled.

"When?" Nanami asked eagerly.

"Aah! As I said, soon, I didn't say I would reveal it now. And besides, we're playing here. So let's spin the bottle."

It was Aya's turn now to spin the bottle, it pointed to Nanami. "Now, I could have my revenge." Aya said with a grin." Choose a number Nanami."

"Twenty-four"

She opened the notebook and looked for question number twenty-four. "Hmm, let's see, what was the best thing that happened to you this week? Oh, it was not an intriguing question Nanami, Nice pick."

"Best thing? Umm, let's see—I went to the park—I rode the train—ah I got it. Te best thing that happened to me this week was when I saw one of the soccer players bumped his head under the table when he tried to reach his soccer ball. He thought no one saw it and later that afternoon there was a big lump on his head."

"And how did it become the best thing that happened to you this week?" it's Aya's turn to tease her now.

"Because it is funny, and, hello, Could I consider washing the dishes, walking in the street and riding the train a best thing? I did not doo anything different this week so for now that's all."

Nanami spun the bottle and it turned t Miyu." Choose a number Miyu."

"Twenty-three" She said.

Aya looked for question number twenty-three and a surprised look was written on her face." What a weird question, Or rather a dare."

"What is it?" She asked.

"Tell us honestly, who walked you home this afternoon." Aya and Nanami chorused.

"Let me see it." She took the notebook and read the question number twenty-three. They were not kidding. It was clearly written there.

"Well?" Aya was grinning from ear to ear.

"I know it already but I want to hear it from Miyu." Nanami was smirking at her.

"Okay.—"she sighed; there's no way she can escape them. "It was Kanata."

Aya and Nanami screamed. Aya even Jumped up and down on her bed. Nanami on the other hand was throwing the pillow at Aya.

"Hey. It's not a big deal." She flushed.

"Why are you turning red?" Nanami teased.

"No I'm not." She denied.

"Yes you are." Aya was shaking her.

A knock on the door interrupted them.

"Girls, are you okay?" It was Mizuki.

"Were fine" Nanami shouted.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." It was Aya who answered him back.

Meanwhile at Ruu's room.

On Ruu's POV

The three idiots were thinking I was sleeping soundly on my bed. They thought that I am just an ordinary kid. They even told me that there is someone courting my sister earlier when Miyu Nee –chan was on the kitchen. I just ignored them knowing I could not get a benefit on what they are saying.

Although I tried to get those things on my head, I don't have any choice but to listen to them. Especially to this Nozumo guy who has the loudest voice on the three. Seiya was okay, but Nozumo could influence him. Mizuki on the other hand was silent but two heads are better than one, so he has no choice but to agree with those two.

I listened to the ruffling sounds of the bed sheet as they slumped on it. Stupid people, turning off the lights while playing cards. How could they see the cards' symbols when it's too dark?

End of POV

"Hey I got the flashlights." Seiya passed the two other flashlights unto Nozumo and Mizuki.

"Let's start." Nozumo announced.

Mizuki who was near the switch turned the lights off and returned back to the bed with his flashlight on.

"Are you ready?" Nozumo, who served as the leader started the game.

The game was called one two three pass. They would prepare cards according to how many would play the game. For example, if there are three persons who will play the game. They could use king of diamonds, king of clubs, king of spades, and king of hearts, for the first player, the second player would also have four cards with the same number. He/she could have queen of diamonds, queen of clubs, queen of spades, and queen of hearts. The same goes with the third player.

They would have to shuffle the cards and give four cards to each player. After all the players would receive four cards, they would start to pass it to the player next to them, and chant one two three pass. If anybody could complete four cards with the same number he/she would put his hand on the center, and the last one who can respond will have the dare.

Nozumo added some twist so that it would be more exciting. They turned off the lights so that it would be difficult to identify the cards. Nozumo's idea was crazy but the two other boys agreed to him out of boredom.

The three of them weren't the best of friends. It so happened that they were grouped in the science project and they have no choice but to befriend each other. On a snap, although they have different personalities, they became close as the days goes by.

They played again and again but then they got bored not long enough after they started playing. So they just decided to talk.

Seiya started the conversation." Honestly, I felt uncomfortable after that incident that Ms. Han assigned me to be grouped with Miyu."

"Shh. Ruu might hear us." Nozumo even put his forefinger near his mouth for emphasis.

"He's sleeping." Mizuki mumbled after checking Ruu.

"Me too" Nozumo agreed on Seiya." It seems that there is somebody watching my every move. And I observed that bad luck was always on my side."

"Like, when?" Mizuki got curious as to what he was saying.

"One time I walked into the cafeteria to get some drink. Then after that I decided to drop by in the open field to get some fresh air. The soccer players were having their practice that time. Then on a sudden, the ball hit me hard on the head. It was impossible to be hit by the soccer ball; I am just near the building and not on the edge of the field."

"Maybe it's just an accident." Seiya said disbelievingly.

"No it's not. I always felt that there were sharp eyes everywhere." Nozumo defended his observation.

"Now that you talk about it, I also experienced that kind of feeling, especially when we were in the cafeteria. It was lunchtime, I sat on the chair in front of Miyu, I was about to ask her something when a can of soda landed on my head. When I looked up, it was Santa. Hopefully the can was not opened yet so there was no liquid coming out of it. Santa bowed his head towards me and apologized before heading to his table. He said he got tripped." Mizuki paused. "And those sharp eyes that you were telling, I observed that too."

"I guess I have to agree with you." It was now Seiya's turn to tell a story." I passed my laboratory notebook to Miyu to have it signed since there must e the signature of the leader in every lab notebook, Miyu returned it to me and I placed it on top of my desk because Nanami was calling me. When I came back I found my notebook on the branch of the tree near the window."

"Maybe the wind had blown it." Nozumo muttered.

"Idiots" A small voice spoke.

It was Ruu.

"Do you think I could sleep with your mouths as loud as a speaker? And you were talking about my sister."

They grew silent.

"But I think your topic is interesting, so I listened to it." Ruu crossed his arms over his chest.

"You were listening?" Seiya had a surprised look on his face.

"Obviously" Ruu rolled his eyes.

"You talk like an adult dude." Mizuki was smirking.

Instead of minding their comments about him, Ruu continued his statement." A paper could be blown by air, but a notebook? What the heck? Aren't you listening to your science teacher? Even a student in kindergarten was taught about that." Ruu paused and shake his head put his fingers under his chin and acted as if he was thinking." I know who have done that to you." He concluded.

"Who?" They chorused.

"You said that there is somebody courting my sister. Or perhaps he was attracted or head over heels on her. So out of possessiveness, he would try to shoo away a bunch of idiots like the three of you away from my sister. Do you get it?" Ruu lectured.

"You're right!" Nozumo snapped his hands.

"But we were just kidding when we said that there is somebody courting your sister." Seiya was now thinking like Ruu.

"Even so, this little boy was right." Mizuki patted Ruu's head and ruffled his blonde hair. "Are you sure you are only eight years old?"

Instead of answering him Ruu got his PSP and played with it." And maybe that incident earlier where a dog was chasing you was also because of that."

On Miyu's room

Aya and Nanami went to bed and only Miyu was left near the window.

On Miyu's POV

I wonder if Kanata felt something for me, I know my stand in his life, I am just a friend, and he doesn't even look at me with twinkling eyes.

There is no spark! I know this feeling towards him will last. It won't grow into something bigger I can't control.

We were just too young to understand what thing about love is.

If it would mean to happen, then it would, not now, but in the future maybe. But if it's not, okay, I'll accept it.

End of POV

"Nanami and Aya were just jumping into conclusions. Kanata has no feelings for me. Yeah he doesn't have! We're just friends." She was as if talking to herself. "Stupid me, why would I think about it anyway? Now, I'm talking to myself" She hit her head with the pillow she grabbed.

Thank you for reading this chapter :D

How was it?

To julie,jen, jem, and zail, dianne, I miss you guys.