"What time is your friend coming?" Stephen asked as he handed me a cup of barbeque-flavoured fries.

The two of us were sitting on the bleachers, watching the soccer players during their practice. We were waiting for Kane since I was going out today with her and Lily.

"Kane's class should be over in ten minutes. She'll be here soon," I said reassuringly, in case he was starting to get impatient.

"Does she have a boyfriend?"

"No, she doesn't have a boyfriend," I answered. "Or at least that's what I know. I've yet to find out, really. Why?"

"Just curious if your friends are in a relationship too."

I took out my phone and checked Kane's last message to make sure that I was right about the time of her class dismissal.

"Babe, may I borrow your phone?" Stephen requested. "I just need to make a quick call."

I handed him my phone and decided to munch on the fries. Stephen took a few steps away from me and made a call.

I glanced at the field and watched the players. Months definitely pass by quickly. I could still remember that one afternoon when I introduced Miguel and Stephen to each other. It happened right here on the bleachers.

If only they could be friends too.

After a few minutes, Stephen went back beside me, and he looked like he was about to explode.

"What's wrong?" I asked, concerned. I didn't know whom he called, but I was sure something went wrong.

"So, this Miguel called you a few nights ago, and you didn't tell me. I wonder what you talked about with only a twenty second duration."

Oh my God.

"Oh, that..." I uttered nervously.

I didn't know what to say. I could tell him the truth but it might only make things worse because he would find out that Miguel went to our house. I could make up a story for a perfect excuse and wouldn't have to worry about another fight.

I decided to go with the truth since I couldn't think of an excuse. I wasn't a good liar. Especially not when I'm in situations like this one.

"Wow. So, this guy gets dumped and he runs to you for comfort?" he asked. "Just friends, huh?"

"He just wanted to talk to someone, and I guess the most convenient way was to come and talk to me. Besides, I think the three guys stay in dorms so he can't come to them."

"But he can call them, right?"

I bowed my head and stared at the cup of fries on my lap. I didn't know what to say.

"Doesn't he have any other friends?"

I thought about Lily since she and Miguel go to the same university. Why didn't he come to Lily instead? But I remembered that Lily wasn't in school that day.

I looked up at Stephen, who was now glaring at me. "We're best friends. I already told you that."

"I don't like him," he snapped, like it would change the fact that Miguel and I were best friends. "Maybe you should choose between me and him."

My eyes bulged out.

Is this for real? Does he really think I can choose between the two of them?

"No," I firmly said and shook my head.

"You know what? Just talk to me after you dump your stupid best friend," he scowled and turned his back to me.

He started walking down the bleachers, and that was when I noticed Kane standing on the field, looking up at us—the horror evident in her eyes.

Her eyes turned to Stephen, who was walking away from me, and then back to me. She hurriedly walked up to me to hug me, and I started welling up.

***

I was already in bed trying my hardest to fall asleep but it was proving to be a difficult task tonight. I was still thinking of what I did wrong or whatever I should have done instead. Charlotte started avoiding me, and I must commend her because she was pretty good at it. One time I had passed by her in the hallway and it was as if she hadn't seen me even if I smiled at her.

My friends in the university told me that maybe Charlotte knew she would never like me but only tried because she enjoyed the material things. Brian also mentioned that it was a possibility.

The pain from all the rejections I had experienced was starting to pile up and I was beginning to feel frustrated. I just wanted to know why I always get rejected by the girls I tried to pursue.

I heard a knock on my door, and it slowly creaked open.

"Miggy?" Mara whispered.

"Yeah?" I replied, and my voice turned out a little croaky. I removed the pillow covering my face.

"Thank goodness you're still up. I bought you an apple pie. Do you want some now?"

Apple pie seemed like a good idea right now. I got up, picked up my shirt from the chair, and followed her to the dining. She handed me a plate with a slice of the apple pie and a fork. Then she took a slice for herself.

She sat on the chair beside me.

"James is coming home soon," Mara reminded me. "That means I'll be seeing your girl soon too."

"Actually, you won't," I answered before taking a small slice of pie.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you won't because there's no one to introduce."

Mara's brows creased in confusion. "I don't understand, Miggy. You told me you're dating someone."

"Yeah, but now I'm dating no one," I answered like it was no big a deal.

"Oh no. What happened?"

I hated the look of pity in people's eyes whenever they find out that I got dumped again. But I couldn't blame them. Maybe I was just really pathetic.

I began telling Mara about how I started courting Charlotte and everything that I did for her. I also told Mara the reason why Charlotte rejected me after dating me for a few months.

"Who gets dumped by four girls in two or three years? Me," I raised my right hand. "I'm pathetic, am I?"

"It's their loss. Not yours. So what if they dumped you? They're not the right girls for you. That's what."

I took another bite of the apple pie and devour the crumbliness of the crust and the right amount of sweetness of the apple filling. It tasted like heaven.

"If you don't have anyone to bring for the double date, I'm sure James won't mind to have you as our third wheel," Mara laughed.

"Hell no. I never wished to be a third wheel," I laughed too.