Chapter 9: My Childhood Friend, Clarice

"Wait, l-let me explain," I nervously stuttered as Monika continued to stare with distraught. I gently pushed Clarice's embrace as I beckoned Monika to come and join us two.

"Hmm..?" Clarice gave us a confused yet interested look. "Could it be Rex? Could she be your girlfriend?"

Monika awkwardly approached us. Moving her feet inch-by-inch slowly until she gets close grabbing my arm tightly. "Mo-monika…" I whispered while Monika continued to give a cold and sad look.

"Yes, you're not mistaken, ahaha," I loudly answered back Clarice's question as I gave her a confident laugh.

"Oh my, you really did change quite a lot, Rex," Clarice proudly said while giggling. "Though, we haven't met for quite a long time, I am not really surprised you have a girlfriend considering you are almost at your twenties, ahahaha," Clarice stated joyously.

"Oi, what are you implying?" I sarcastically chuckled.

"Come on, it was a compliment Rex, ahaha," Clarice answered back.

"Uhm, excuse me guys, you're blocking the way," a random customer butted in through our conversation. We then realized that we three are awkwardly standing beside our table and we didn't even notice that we are blocking the way of the customers in this area. Quite embarrassed, I invited the two to come sit and start to have a discussion, in which Clarice lightheartedly agreed and Monika silently obeying my request.

"Hey Monika, don't be shy against Clarice, she is a really kind girl," I whispered to her in which Monika responded with a light nod.

"Don't worry Rex, it's okay, haha," Monika answered with a smile but even though she is smiling I can see the sadness in her face.

The three of us silently looked at each other. Monika and I were seated side-by-side while Clarice on the other hand is in front of Monika while the shopping bags we have acquired were on her side. To end this unending awkwardness surrounding the atmosphere, Clarice started to clear her throat and began to chat with the weirdly silent Monika.

"So, uhh… since we don't know each other yet, why don't we introduce ourselves to each other, ahaha," Clarice cheerfully stated.

"Ah, right, ahaha, how can I forget," Monika stated with a cheerful tone. "My name is Mo-"

I quickly covered her mouth with my hand, and abruptly continued what Monika should say, "Her name is Nikki, ehehehehe," I said. "Sorry Monika bur didn't you forget what your name was supposed to be?" I whispered to her with Monika giving me a quite a disapproving glare.

"Huh, Rex what are you doing, I'm trying to have a conversation with your girlfriend, you don't need to cover her mouth and steal the whole introduction to yourself…" Clarice commented.

I gently let go of my hand off of Monika's lips as Monika began reforming her composure. "Ah, that was quite a delicious candy you gave me Rex," Monika lied.

I began chuckling nervously, "Ah.. ahaha... haha… glad you enjoyed it," I stated… What kind of stupid lie is that.

"What? Feeding her candy with your hand while she is in a middle of a conversation, you guys are such weirdos, ahahahaha," Clarice commented while blurting out a hysterical laugh. "Ah, I'm sorry guys, I just never saw a relationship this weird, oh pardon me," she said while wiping the tears coming out of her eyes from laughing. Monika and I certainly aren't pleased but we chuckled along.

"I'm going to get some beverages to enjoy our conversation, what would you guys like?" Monika asked politely.

"Ah, Nikki, I guess an orange juice would be fine," I answered.

"No, thank you, I'm fine," Clarice also answered politely. "I think you don't need to bring some beverages, I just want to have a chat with both of you here," Clarice suggested.

"Don't worry, it won't take long," Monika calmly responded as she left the table and went to the counter, leaving Clarice and I alone on the table.

As I glanced over to the counter, the queue is somehow really long, Monika should have agreed to Clarice's suggestion.

"Hey Rex!" Clarice called for my attention. "I find your girlfriend a little bit weird but she's cheerful and interesting, I like her," Clarice kindly commented.

"Haha, thank you, she is one of a kind, I'm telling you," I responded back. That is actually true, despite not knowing what's in Monika's mind right now, she is definitely unique to all of the girls I've met before. She is down for every challenges, quick witted, wise, good looking, extremely cheerful, and especially, she is really understanding. I know it's been only about 3 days since Monika and I crossed paths or should I say crossed realities, but these traits are imminent for such a short time. I might be one of the luckiest guy right now and I can feel it.

My nose started to ache as Clarice tightly pinched it. "Ow, ow, ow, hey what gives!?" I instinctively shouted.

Clarice sighed as she began to speak, "Rex, still the same as ever, always a daydreamer, we should chat a lot today, I have so many interesting things to talk about and you should tell me what's going on to your life as well," Clarice exclaimed.

"Ahahaha, I guess you're right. 6 years fly so fast, eh?" I reminisced. "It felt like it was just a few months since your family moved from a far away town, I kinda missed you, you know?" I calmly said.

"Awww, Rex missed me ahaha," Clarice flirtatiously stated as she began pinching my cheeks. I yelped in pain.

I grabbed Clarice's wrist to stop the pinching as I smirked to her, "Hey now, looks like someone hasn't changed a bit either, still the same Ms. Touchy-feely," I retorted as we simultaneously laughed.

"Hey now, that nickname doesn't sound so good, Rex," Clarice commented as she continued laughing.

While we are in the middle of a quite hilarious conversation, I noticed Monika carrying three cups of beverages. She is holding them tightly with her two hands as she slowly approached our table trying not to spill the juice. I began scratching my head while observing Monika, why didn't she get a tray?

I cut off my conversation with Clarice to meet Monika. "Hey Nikki, mind if I helped you out there?" I called her.

She looked back in surprise as she began walking faster, "Ah, I can do this by myself Rex, don't worry!" Monika answered as she approaches us.

I let out a sigh and left my table to help her out even though she refused, "Oh come on Nikki, I'll help you anyway," I said while I stood off, I heard a soft giggle from Clarice as I drew near Monika.

Monika continued to refuse for help as she shoved the cups away from me, "I told you I can do-" Monika gets cut off as she accidentally dropped one cup away from her, making the cup fly through Clarice's lap and therefore spilling the juice on her thighs. Wow, this scene couldn't be more cliche…

"AAAHHH" Clarice shrieked as Monika and I started to panic. "It's so c-cold…." Clarice continued as she started shaking her legs.

Monika's eyes drew larger, "Ahhh, I'm really sorry Miss, I'm so so so sorry, let me clean that up for you," Monika worriedly said.

"Ah Nikki, this wasn't your fault, I tried messing up your balance, I should be sorry instead," I blurted out, shamelessly taking the blame.

"Ahaha," Clarice began to giggle. "Oh you two, you're just so cute when you are worried, I'm fine, I really am," Clarice resumed.

"A-a-are you sure?" I stuttered.

"Y-yes haha, let's go take a seat and have a talk," she courteously answered.

"Okay," I muttered with a pouted face as I glanced at Monika letting out a sigh of relief. "Oh goodness gracious," I whispered to myself.

After dealing about the mess that just happened awhile ago, Monika finally spoke up and started the conversation.

"Okay everyone, let's start the conversation once again," Monika beamed with a lighthearted smile. "My name is Nikki, it's a pleasure to meet you," Monika greeted cheerfully.

As soon as Monika started introducing, the atmosphere began to shift 180 degrees, it became more lively and it completely dumped the awkward aura that was once started when we three first met each other. I let out a soft smile and Clarice is quite shocked but showed a smile in return.

"Well then, my name is Clarice, nice meeting you too Nikki," Clarice greeted back with a smile as she patted Monika's delicate little head in which Monika smiled in return.

"Clarice?" Monika started to stare at the ceiling thinking about something. She then looked at me, "Could she be the childhood friend that you were talking about, Rex?" Monika asked curiously.

"Ahaha, that's right," I laughed. Monika has quite a strong memory as she can remember anything about that night, that made me genuinely happy.

"Oh really, Rex mentioned me to you, that's great," Clarice cheerfully commented. "I wonder what he is telling you about me."

"Well, a lot of good things, ahaha," Monika answered. "Things like being his childhood best friend, and how he missed you so much, and uhh… thank you for making Rex happy."

"Oh really, no problem, haha, and that's so cute of you, Rex," she cooed as she began pinching my cheek once again making me somehow blush. I looked at Monika to see her reaction but she is just there observing with a smile, hmmm Monika is quite mature about this stuff.

"So uhh Clarice," Monika butted in as Clarice finally removed her hands against my cheeks, "Do you like hanging out?" Monika asked.

"Hanging out, huh? Well, I like to go to parks, shops, and travel everywhere as long as my budget can take me," Clarice innocently answered.

"That's great!" Monika replied. "I'd like to go with you sometime, that would be real fun, right?! Of course alongside Rex, hahaha," Monika joyously invited Clarice as Clarice answered excitedly.

I'm glad these two were having a fun time together, the two girls that make my life happier meeting together and enjoying this time. Ah, I'm so happy to have them right here, right now. Monika and my childhood friend together, how delightful.

Wait a second.

Monika and my childhood friend.

Wasn't this combination quite familiar before?

Monika and my childhood friend.

Monika's fork accidentally slipped down the table as she tried to pick it up. "Oh sorry my bad, ahaha," Monika said.

"Oh my, Nikki, you really are pretty clumsy, ahaha, it's too cute," Clarice commented.

Once Monika grabbed the fork she then abruptly impaled the fork down to the table. The fork was about to hit Clarice's hand but fortunately she avoided it without even noticing.

"What are you doing Nikki, you're pretty weird today? Why did you impale the table with a fork?" Clarice worriedly asked.

I felt a thunder zapped through my head. I knew it. Was Monika being jealous about me and Clarice? I almost forgot, Monika is a possessive girl. Man, how could I be this dense, at this point, I might be as stupid as that game protagonist.

Gah! I should've known sooner, I must put an end to this. I started extending my arm behind Monika, grabbed her shoulder and pulled her closer to me. Monika started blushing as she looked up to me.

I began to clear my throat.

"So uhm, Clarice… can I ask you a question?" I asked with a cold voice.

"Huh? Sure, what is it, Rex?" Clarice continued her cheerful tone as she asked me back.

"You mentioned that you've been looking for me, but what really is the purpose of you finding me here?" I seriously asked.

"Oh wow, what's with the tone, Rex? Ahaha…" she answered nervously.

"Just answer it."

Clarice started moving uncomfortably as she began blushing like a tomato, "Well you see Rex," she began extending her right arm in front of us. "The reason I've been looking for you for so long is because…"

Upon extending her arm, Monika and I noticed a precious shiny thing on her finger.

"A ring…?" Monika curiously commented.

"I just wanted to let you know guys, that I'm finally getting married." Clarice answered my question with tears falling from her eyes.

Monika and I were overwhelmingly shocked and surprised. So surprised that we unconscionably blurted out loud…

"WHAAAAATT?"

Author's notes

So I'm back haha… Sorry for giving you guys an unreasonably long delay, but I promise I will continue building up my story more. Updates, however, might not be as often as back when I started the first few chapters. I hope you guys understand. Thanks :)

#BewareOfForks