Ciara's POV
We walked and crossed the national highway until we reached the milk tea shop.
We went in and Patrick immediately ordered. I immediately took my book on cost accounting and read it.

"Seriously, study right away Rose, ah? Just chill first and let's just talk about your life," Patrick said. I looked at him and sighed, "It's that, you've been studying that for almost a week. You've probably memorized the weighted average formula."
I laughed, "You're right, Patrick," I closed the book and put it back in my bag, "Oh, what are we going to talk about?"
"As for you and Shan," Patrick sat up, "what's the real score on them? Zam's only been like that for a month."
I looked him in the eyes, "You know what, Patrick? I don't even know what her problem is with me. It all suddenly happened when we slept over at Shan's house. After that, I was surprised that she seemed to be cold, and then she was always hot-tempered with me. From then on, she appeared to be working on a way to keep Shan away from me. "
Patrick scratched his head, "That is so confusing. You know, she's not like that to us. She's very kind," he said, "but I notice that."
I was stunned when Patrick's name was called on the counter so he stood up to take his order.

I picked up my phone and when I opened it, I saw a message from Julie who asked where I was so I replied.
When Patrick returned, Julie entered the milk tea shop and was still smiling as she approached me, "Hiiii ... oh, you're here too, Patrick!"
Patrick frowned when he saw Julie, "Oh? You're here. What's up? No classes?"
"We don't have classes anymore and we just had a meeting earlier for cheerleading," she said and looked at me, "So, tell me ... why do you seem to have switched partners?"

I sighed and shrugged. Julie frowned, "Hmm ... tell me, you and Shan have a problem?"
"I don't know if it's called a problem but it's so complicated. You know, Zam problem and it seems too familiar," I said and I saw Julie nod.
"Oh, I guess I am so right about that woman," Julie said as she pressed something on her phone, "Don't be surprised because that's my job before, isn't it?"
I laughed when she said, "I don't know about you. Oh, how are you and Dwight?"
"We're fine, going strong!" she said happily.
I hope everything is okay but just think positive, Ciara Rose!
Julie and Patrick just talked and at the same time, we thought of going back to school while Julie was going to Libertad to visit Dwight.
"Hey, where are you now?" I asked him when we got inside the school.
"In the computer laboratory. Raf, Angelo, and Patty are there."
I nodded, "I'll just go to the library first. Maybe Shan and Zam are still there," he nodded so I immediately separated from him and went up to the third floor.
I peeked into the library on the third floor and there I could see Shan and Zam laughing while reading the book. I closed my eyes and was forced to calm down. I don't have the strength to be angry with Shan because he doesn't do anything and I don't want to do the same thing again.
I took a deep breath before entering the library. I approached them and smiled, "Hi, Shan! Hey, Zam!"
Shan looked up and smiled, "Hi, baby! How was your milk tea date with Patrick?"
I was irritated, "Tss, that was not a date. Julie was even with us," I said and I caught a glimpse of Zam who was staring at us.
I just ignored him and sat down next to Shan, "Are you still studying?"
"Yes, baby. What about you? Our cost accounting exam is later."
"I am done studying. You're always busy so I studied it for weeks," I said and faked a smile.
I noticed that his smile disappeared from his lips, "Ciara ..."
"That's okay! All right, just study there and I have to go," that's all I said and I left them there.
Just as I was leaving the library, I came across Josh and Jay together, "Hey! Josh and Jay! How are you?" I greeted them.
"Ciara! It's you!" Josh.
"We're fine. We're stressed with the exam," Jay commented, "Hmm! Of course! Maybe by next week, we'll start planning for the upcoming ARC JPIA to be held in Bukidnon. So? You can join the said event, right?"
Of course, two or three months from now the convention will be held and we will play there. I nodded, "Yes, I can come with you."
"It's good then! All right, next week, okay? We'll see each other for a meeting."
Ciara's POV
Weeks have passed and yet the atmosphere is still the same. We are all busy with our academics as our final exam is fast approaching. Time is really fast this time. 
About Shan, we rarely see each other and have no time for each other. Sometimes, we have some misunderstandings and sometimes we argue, but I understand that we are so stressed out with our studies. 
Also, to be honest, I started to dislike Zam. Well, I admit that I am so jealous and insecure about their new friendship with my boyfriend. Call me overreacting, but I know there is something wrong with that French girl.
Today, we are having a group meeting together with the whole class for our upcoming big group project on our Contemporary World subject. It will be a global exhibit. Later, our bandmates will also meet for a discussion about our planning for the upcoming ARC-JPIA convention that will be held soon.
Oh, right? My schedule is so busy and it is stressing me out. I am fed up with my relationship with Shan, also with my family. 
Right about dad coming home from Manila last month, I don't know but something is up to them. They never neglected me I tend to hang out but in a different manner. They seem so unreachable at the moment.
I feel like that mom and dad do have a problem that they can't tell me what their problem is. I get that they don't want to hurt me or what, but I am now an adult. I also have the right to know what their problem is. Don’t they think that we’re living in the same house and that I can see their movements and everything? I knew they aren't getting along, it's quite obvious.
 
"Okay. So, about the country that we will be representing," I turned to my classmate in front of everyone. I can say that I am quite excited to know what country we will be representing for the global exhibit. Zendy took the paper she just got from pour teacher earlier, "Here is it. The country that the teacher is France!"
My classmates shouted, even me. Of course, France is a good choice, but I stopped as I remembered that France is Shan's favorite country and his dream place, Zam's hometown. But, never mind!
 
"I have to start to practice some French words, like bonjour!" Patrick commented and all of our classmates laughed at his joke.
"So, anyone knows what is the history of France?" Zendy, the leader of the entire section, asked.
"I don't know. I only know the French kiss way. Other than that, none."
 
"I know some foods, but I am not that familiar? I only know how hard their bread is!"
 
"Yeah, you can use it to hit some nasty kids."
 
"Or what about we will base our theme on some Disney movies? Mostly is in France, Paris perhaps."
Zendy turned around and pointed out at my classmate, "OH! I like that choice and suggestion! Disney movies! But ... what movie will we base?"
 
"How about the Ratatouille movie! It's in Paris, France, right?" Patrick said.
Zendy laughed and shakes her head, "Patrick, I think that is not a good idea. So, who will cook, then? And who will play the rat?"
"Of course, Patrick will play that role," I said, which made everyone happy.
 
"I love it, Ciara!" Patricia's support and laughing
"What if we will stick with Anatasia? It's like we're going to make the exhibit unique. Like in the presentation, we're going to do something like a mini-opera or a Disney opera," Angelo suggested.
"Okay! Oh, it's time. Let us continue planning next time," Zendy said as the prayer had already sounded, signaling that it was noon and its lunch break.
We immediately left the room when the prayer was over, but Patricia held my arm, "Wait! I have to use the restroom. Zam, come with me, please," Patricia said so I nodded and we turned our ways as Patrick and the rest went downstairs.
Before I went into the restroom, I spotted Shan and Zam who had just come out of their classroom. I sighed and rolled my eyes before going inside.
I was washing my hands when Patricia asked, "Hey. Are you and Shan alright? I noticed since yesterday that you didn't talk to him," I turned to her which she is next to me and also washing her hands, "Sorry, he just blurted out last night. He said that you don't talk and ignored him, including his texts, calls, and chats."
 
"He is just so annoying, Patty. I understand that he bonded and hung out with his dad, but can't he at least have time for me? I may be so overdramatic about this, but it just pissed me off that I discovered that he and Zam were hanging out together that evening. I mean, what was the meaning of that? Did he forget that it was our special day?" I sighed and felt my tears dripping, "I am tired of this, Pat. I am so stressed out about everything in my life. I thought that my life is good now that I have my parents and Shan, but I was wrong."
I can see the pity on her face and she just hugged me tightly, "Aww, I am so sorry to hear that. I am always here by your side, no matter what. You know what? At least try to talk to Shan or what. I'm sure that he has a strong reason for it."
I just shrugged, "I hope so. Anyway, I want to eat somewhere else. I don't want to be with Shan or Zam -- if you get what I mean," I said and she just nodded.
We left the restroom and straight downstairs where we saw that Patrick and the others were waiting for us. Patrick immediately saw us so they gathered, "Come on. Zam and Shan are already in the cafeteria."
"About that, I wanted to eat somewhere else. I don't want to be with Shan, in the meantime."
Patrick turned to our companions and they just agreed, as they understood what I felt. 
We started walking at a distance and stopped at a restaurant called the House of Beef just near the Elementary School. Well, I am the one who urged them to come along so I will treat them to lunch.
As I went inside, I spotted Jane who is at the restaurant, too, "Hi, Ciara!" she greeted.
"Hi, Jane! How are you? Who is with you now?"
 
"Some bunch of friends and with our teacher. We had an activity earlier," she said while smiling. She then turned to my friends and wondered, "I noticed that Shan is not with you. Where is he?"
 
"I don't know where he is. Maybe he is at school, or with some of his friends and classmates," I replied and saw that she rolled her eyes.
 
"Ugh! Don't tell me that he is with that French girl again!"
My eyes grew up as she is screaming, "Hey, lower down your voice, kiddo. For your information, she has a name and her name is Zam. And ... yeah, maybe they were hanging out together. Why? Is something wrong with Zam?"
"Absolutely! That girl is the only one who is close with Shan in their section. It's like that she just became his instant best friend, sometimes she does seems like his girlfriend."
I was just shaken but I didn't let that slide, "Let's continue later, and maybe your teacher is already looking for you now," I shooed her away.
She just frowned at me, "You're getting rid of me, Ciara. Don't you want to at least hang out with me?"
"What? Of course, I loved it too! But isn't it rude for you to leave your friends, hmm?"
"They can understand that, Ciara. Let's go and order first," she said and pulled me towards the counter. I called out to my friends for them to look for a spot.