Ciara's POV
We ordered some food and went to the seat chosen by them, "Take a seat, Jane. You're very welcome here." 
Jane was not new to them since they already knew and met Jane a couple of times when we used to hang out at Shan's place and they got to know Jane about her bungling and her intense knowledge and wisdom at a young age.

 
"Hey! So, how are your studies, fellow friends?" Jane asked the four of them and I can see that they groaned.
"Awful."
"Stressed."
"Tiring."
"Haggard."

Jane looked at me full of astonishment and turned to them again, "Why is it tiring and stressful? I mean, look at me. I am a student also and I always look fresh when I study and read some lessons. It's not hard."
Patrick stared at her with his jaws dropped, "You are such a nerdy, Jane. Probably! You're still on what? Grade one? You haven't even reached subtraction and multiplication yet, so you can say that it's not hard," Patrick said.
"Oh, it's just the beginning, Jane. You still have a long way ahead and sure that you'll be stressed too, like us," Angelo joked to her.
Jane just laughed out loud, "Oh my gosh! That's why you're all stressed out because you're not studying so hard. Can you at least try to study without having any difficulties? Isn't that right, Ciara?"

My eyes widened as I looked at her, "Oh, why me? I'm not diligent with my studies. You know me too well, Jane."
Jane's eyes wondered, "Aren't you always ..." she said but then stopped as she remembered again, "Oh, you're not Shan's study buddy. I get it."
I just shrugged, "Seems like he has a new study buddy."
"I hate to ask this, but is that fine with you? I mean, look at them. It's not normal anymore, Ciara. She steals Shan away from you, seems she is the girlfriend and not you." Jane said, but I remained silent, as well as my friends, "Seriously. If ever you two will break up, I won't talk to him, ever again!"
I just laughed at her reaction and that is when our food was served. Even though I am stressed, I am also beyond thankful that my friends are always there to make me happy.
Time flies so fast that my Law on Obligation class is over. It's already seven-thirty in the evening and I am all alone. Patrick, Patricia, Rafael, and Angelo are in a different section so that's why. 
I immediately went downstairs and I am about to leave school to go straight home when I spotted that Shan's car was still there. Don't tell me that they are having a project right now, for Pete's sake! 
I don't care. I was about to turn around when Shan's car door suddenly opened and he was inside. He is looking at me and approached, "Ciara, can we talk for a minute?"
I rolled my eyes, "I can't. Well, I think that you're busy or maybe you have a project with your classmates. Also, I need to go home immediately, so bye," I was about to leave but suddenly he grabbed my arms and stopped me.
 
"No," he sighed, "Babe, you avoided me for a few days. Earlier, you didn't come to lunch with us. I just found out from Patrick that you're ignoring me. What's the problem? Can you at least tell me what is it?"
 
"My problem? Do you want to know?" I coldly asked him, "I have many problems, Shan. Please, don't bother to ask. Go on, I know that your FRIEND is looking for you."
He shut his eyes, "Who? Zam? Babe, you know I don't have some friends in our class and we're just really doing our projects and school works."
 
"You know, I understand you. The only thing for me is that I feel like I am a nobody to you ... again," when I said that, my tears flowed.
"Babe, don't say that. You're more than that. You are my girlfriend and I love you."
 
"Oh? Is that so? Well, you forgot our special day, Shan. Now, tell me that I am more than that and you cared for me."
His eyes widened as I said that. I knew it, he forgot about that day, "Ciara ... B-baby, I didn't mean to --" what he was going to say was cut off when his phone rang. He took his phone out and then looked at me.
 
"Hmm, let me guess. It's Zam, right. I told you that you're busy," I said, "Go ahead. Answer that call. I am about to leave, anyway."
 
"No. You are staying right there," he said and he even held my hands for me not to leave. He then answered the call, "Hey, why did you call?"
I rolled my eyes mentally, "Right now? Is that for our group reporting? Oh, exhibit."
I turned to Shan and saw that he was still glancing at me while even holding my hands, "C-can I not go right now? I'm with my girlfriend and  --"
He stopped. I guess that the French girl didn't allow him to. I looked across and saw that Patrick was there, standing near a food stall and he is eating a fishball. Hmm, good escape.
I struggled but Shan tightened his grip, "Don't leave first -- no, Zam. I'm talking to Ciara. Just wait, for a second?" He looked at me, "We will be having an exhibit practice and planning. Can you come with me?"
I scoffed, "What? Of course not! It's for the exhibit. Besides, I am also busy at the moment and I need to leave. Patrick is waiting for me," and I pointed out Patrick's behavior which he is still eating, "We have something to discuss about our groupings and exhibit. So, I need to go."
He sighed, "Okay. But I promise that I'll get in touch later," I just smiled at him and I turned my back on him.
I don't know but I feel bad for him. I just can't stand being with Zam, also I need to go have fun for myself.
"Pat!" I called Patrick and he turned around and he was happy to see me.
 
"Hey, Rose! What's up?" he greeted me back.
 
"Can I come with you? I kind of told Shan that I am busy and I also said that we both have something to do," I sighed deeply, "Zam called him and you know what's next."
He laughed and even slightly ruffled my hair, "Argh! Patrick! Don't mess with my hair. Where's Patty, by the way?"
 
"All right. Patricia had already gone home so I'm the only one here. It's good timing that you can get on my motorbike with me. So, where do you want to go?"
 
"I am feeling hungry. You pick out a restaurant or fast-food chain," I said.
He scratched his head, "Oh, Rose. I don't have money to eat right now."
 
 
"Don't worry, Pat. I'll treat you as long as I have some friend who can tag along!" I said and we both laughed.
 
"That's settled! Okay, here's a helmet," I put on the helmet he gave me and stood behind him, "Let's go!"
Shan's POV
I watched Ciara turn her back on me and went straight to Patrick. I don't know why, but the way I used to feel when I felt about Patrick before was coming back to me. I know I have no right to be jealous because I know that I am the reason why Ciara is kind of distant.
I did forget about our monthsarry, but it was because I was so caught up hanging out at my father's place with his family, and also that evening, we did a group study at Zam's house for our exam and research.
Yeah, I am aware that I do spend so less time with Ciara, but like she always said, she understands me. I thought it was okay with her, but it turns out that it wasn't. I don't know what to do now.
I got in my car and went to my classmate's house to finish our group research that has to be passed tomorrow. When I got out of the car, I found Zam smiling at me, "Hey, Shan! Oh, I thought you were going to take Ciara with you?"
I was shaken, "Oh, no. She is also kind of busy and she's with Patrick."
She nodded, "Good. Because you know, she will not fit in here," I looked at her and she just shrugged, "I mean, she's not our classmate, after all. She'll just be out of place."
I nodded and we entered their house. I saw that everyone was here and I was the only one missing. I sat on the sofa there, "So, what am I going to do?"
They gave me what I needed to do and what to finish tonight so I started as well. Soon, we stopped what we were doing when one of our classmate's housemates invited us to have dinner, so we ate.
The women were seated at the other table while we, the guys were on the balcony of their house.
"Shan, please don't be mean, but are you and your girlfriend okay?" one of my classmates, Mark, suddenly asked.
I just sighed, "Yeah, I guess we're fine. I don't know, it's a blur. It's contributing to me now but I'll fix everything."
He glanced inside and turned to me again, "You know, I understand that you're focused on your studies. But, bro, think about how Ciara feels now that you're always with Zam."
"Yes, bro," agreed one of my classmates, Roy, "you probably know Ciara, she doesn't want trouble\, then. Even if she says that she is okay, but you know she's not okay."
"Especially since Zam seems like your best friend. Remember that Ciara was your best friend before you two started dating. Do you think that's okay with her?"
"It's okay," I replied to the two of them.
"Who said that? Herself?" I nodded to Roy, "you know, the woman is kind of a problem. They always say that they're okay or fine, but the truth is that's not."
"Like this for an instance, Shan," Mark replied, "She did become your best friend, right? Now that you and Ciara are dating, for example, Patrick becomes her instant best friend and then they were always together, how would you feel?"
When Mark said that I stopped chewing my food and thought about it. I'll admit that I don't want Ciara to be close to another man.
I can only see once that he and Patrick are hanging out, I seem to be upset. I should be the one who will spend time with my girlfriend and best friend, we should have quality time but we are so busy.
"Oh, why are you quiet? You were struck by what I said, right?" Mark asked and laughed, "You know, just talk about it. Don't be too bossy."
I just smiled but the truth of the matter is that I thought I might have hurt Ciara.
Ciara's POV
"WOW, Patrick. You bring me here in an uncrowded place, eh?" my complaint. We were in a restaurant that I didn't know if it was part of Butuan, it is kind of a distance.
"Stop complaining, Rose. Chill. It's still part of Butuan City, and also, I want to try it here. They say that the food here is delicious here and tourists always visit it," he said.
I looked at the name of the restaurant and that's right, this is the restaurant I saw that was always viral on my Facebook.
Patrick turned to me and called to me, "Come on Rose," and put his arm around me.
We entered the restaurant and the waiter immediately greeted us, "Good evening, ma'am and sir. Take a seat first and here is our menu."
"Ah, what is this?" Patrick was just talking to the waiter while I was staring at a man together with a woman who seemed to be dating him. I saw the woman holding the man's hands.
"No way," I only uttered. So, her suspicions are true. Mommy's suspicion about him was true and correct.