"Hi there," I greeted Charlotte as she walked towards me.

"Nice ride," she commented as she eyed my FJ.

"Thanks. It was Dad's present," I replied. I walked to the passenger side and opened the door for her then stride back to the driver's side.

I started the engine. But before I drive, I asked her where she wanted to go.

"Can you just drive me home? I'm exhausted from all my classes today. Let's just go on a date next time," she replied.

"Sure," I said and began driving.

"Do you have any plans on Saturday? Can you accompany me to the salon? I'm getting my hair done and maybe we can go see a movie after? Coffee?"

"What time?" I asked.

"1 P.M."

I was about to tell her I'm free on Saturday but I remembered that I already made plans.

"Actually, I'm gonna meet up with my high school best friends at 2 P.M. but maybe I'll just catch up with them after we go see a movie."

"Who are these friends again?"

"You know, the boys...Jeff, Brian, Vino, and Bianca too. I'm not sure if Lil—"

"Bianca? So, you're telling me that you're meeting with another girl?" she asked and raised an eyebrow at me.

I hated it when girls talked about Bianca this way.

"She's a friend. I just told you I'm meeting with my high school best friends," I answered, trying not to raise my voice.

"Fine. Go with her. I can invite someone else.

"I didn't say I'm not going with you. I told you I'll just catch up with them."

"Or not," she muttered.

"What?!"

"It's either you come with me or you go with them. I say we spend the Saturday afternoon together. You know I don't get to spend so much time with you."

I wanted to spend time with you today but you just turned my offer down.

"Are you stopping me from seeing my friends?"

"No. I'm stopping you from seeing a girl that I don't know."

I shook my head in disbelief. "Whatever you're thinking about Bianca, it's not that. We're just friends. That's all."

"I'm not interested in her."

I took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of my nose. I didn't like it when a girl doesn't like my friends especially Bianca. But maybe I shouldn't be so protective when it comes to Bianca.

"Fine, Saturday. 1 P.M," I snapped, just to end this stupid argument.

***

I was hanging out at Lily's together with Vino, Jeff, and Brian. Miguel said he couldn't come today because he was going out with Charlotte. Kane, on the other hand, was going out with her mom and sisters.

"Why can't we just be complete for one day? Why is it so hard?" Lily complained as she placed a tray of glasses on the table.

"It's like we're living very different lives now—different schedules and stuff," Jeff replied.

"College," I muttered.

"It sucks," Lily added.

"I know it's hard for us to be complete but all I want is just one day wherein Vino and Kane are here at the same time," Brian said, giving a sideways glance at Vino. "Just one day. Is that too much to ask for?"

Jeff laughed. "Lanie might hear you."

I watched Vino's reaction and he just smiled. He didn't say anything to Brian, just a smile and I couldn't decipher what it means.

Lily said something about Brian that made Vino and Jeff laugh. Suddenly, my phone rang. Stephen. I picked it up and gestured for everyone to keep quiet. They all looked at me, their faces expressionless.

"Hello?" I answered my phone.

"Babe, where are you?" Stephen asked from the other line.

"I'm already here at Lily's."

"Who are you with?"

I closed my eyes in annoyance and gritted my teeth. Why does he have to ask that question? I was being forced to tell a lie right now.

"I'm with Lily. We're still waiting for Kane. Not sure if she's coming."

There was a long pause on Stephen's line and I held my breath, anticipating an outburst of jealousy or another litany about me hanging out with the guys.

"Alright. No boys," he finally said.

"Yeah... I gotta go. Call you later," I said and hung up before he could ask another question.

I sighed in relief.

"I suppose we're not here?" Brian asked.

I nodded.

"I heard he's jealous about me," Vino said.

"True," I replied, and Vino just shook his head.

"Are you still happy with your relationship?" Lily asked, creasing her eyebrows.

"Stephen's okay. Guys, he's a nice person. I wish you could get to know him. It's just...he has issues and is easily jealous of other guys. That's it."

"It's not like he'll want us to get to know him if we wanted to," Brian snarled.

"Bianx, honestly, I don't like him for you."

I raised my eyebrows at Lily, and she shook her head disapprovingly. Then I looked at each of them, and Vino shook his head lightly.

"Sorry. But from the way I see it, he isn't good for you."

"I wanted to give him some time, to warm up with the fact that you have friends outside your relationship..." Jeff trailed off, but I knew what he wanted to say next.

"You always try to see the good in people, my man," Brian patted Jeff's back.

"But I don't see him changing anytime soon."

I sighed, feeling dejected.

"Sorry Bianx," Brian started again. "I know I'm not a saint. I'm not a perfect guy, contrary to what other girls think..." he held up a finger to shush Lily who was about to say something to him—probably something sarcastic to mock him.

But Brian's last words made me smile a little.

"But I know a douche when I see one," he added. "So, for the first time in my life, I think I'm going to agree with Lily."

"So, you all don't like him for me?"

"You're too good for him," Jeff replied.

"You deserve better," Lily added.

It was difficult to defend your boyfriend to your friends especially when they were right about their assumptions.

I was happy with Stephen.

Sometimes.

But most of the time, it was just so stressful. I wanted to live my life and I feel like I couldn't do it because of him.