(Alys Prov)
"Uncle Tristan, is it Tripp?"
It's been days since Tripp avoided me. I don't understand why he avoids me. He's the one who followed me, right? I didn't go to Drake even though I wanted to. He's the one I chose but why is he treating me like this?
I went to their house to check on him. He's not in his office, he's not with Tofer. I don't know where to find him, he's not even answering the phone.
Uncle Tristan looked at me as if he was confused. "Is it Tripp?" he asked.
I nodded at him. "Yes. Where's he?"
He cocked his head and then sipped his coffee. It was only morning, so I prioritized coming here over my work, eh. I've been really sleepless these past few days. I don't know what to do, it feels like I have no choice. I can't talk to the one I chose, I can't face the one I left behind. It's like I'm bound to be doomed.
"He's in New York, Alys. He was there last Tuesday. I thought he told you."
My world felt like falling apart. He left?
"W-what?" My voice was shaking. All these raw feelings rushing back to me. Tripp left... after he chose me, will he leave me too? And he didn't even give me the courtesy of goodbye. Wasn't the almost five years we spent together for nothing? Will it all be put into waste?
He nodded and gave me a small smile. I could see pity in his eyes. Maybe he felt sorry for me because he left me without even telling me. Yes, I really felt sorry. "Sorry, Alys. I thought he informed you. The project was sudden. I didn't expect Tripp to take it because the project was good for one month."
Just when I thought I've had it all coming, it got even worse. One month? And the few days that we didn't talk almost drove me crazy with resentment and guilt! What about one month?!
"One month?" I asked, disbelief evident in my voice.
"One month, Alys. I'm sorry. If you want I can give you the number of the hotel Tripp is staying at?"
I bit my lips to prevent myself from crying. I can't cry in front of his Dad. Damn, I don't want to cry! I'm tired of crying!
""Don't worry, Tito... Okay, I'm leaving."
I turned my back on him and started crying.
I don't know where I got all the tears that were coming out of my eyes. I thought I was done, I thought Drake and Tripp were done but you think I'm still capable of crying.
I hastily opened my car and sat on the driver's seat. It's a good thing my car is heavily tinted. I don't know if I can handle the embarrassment. I felt everything.
I got my phone and dialed Tripp's number but to no avail. Are you that mad at me, huh? I thought you loved me? Why are you treating me like this?!
Instead of calling him, I composed an email. I hope he reads it.
'Tripp, please don't fight anymore. Drake is not here, you saw that, right? He stopped us... but why are you like that? Was I your trophy? Because Drake likes me so you like me too me? Now that he doesn't want me anymore, are you just going to leave me? Don't, Tripp...'
I wish if this was all you wanted for me, you would have said so. Tripp, you made me fall for you! I loved you and now you're going to treat me like this?! You'll drop me like a hot potato now that the competition is done? Am I worth anything to you?
Monday rolled in fast. I thought the weekend of my life would never end. It's been a week since Tripp walked out and left and I still feel the same crushing feeling I had when I learned what he did.
Everything seemed to hurt. I can't think. I don't know what I'm supposed to think.
"Alys!" Tofer stormed into my room without even giving me the courtesy of knocking.
I looked at him using my tired eyes. See? Even looking at someone tires me. My life has turned from wonderful to train wreck.
"What?" I said, using all my will to even utter a single word.
He sat on the edge of my bed and then bit his lip. He held my hand and then asked me. "Hey, are you okay? I'm worried even though it's not obvious!"
I tried to smile but I think it turned into a grimace.
"What do you want?"
He pouted at me. It's a good thing Tofer is worried about me. Is Tripp remembering me? I haven't received a single text or call. I hope even just a text or even a 5-second call will make me happy again, eh. Don't do this... I feel like he's forgotten about me, everything we've been through together.
"Uncle Tristan said Tripp isn't here so I'll be the one to worry about it!"
My face fell into a frown. I thought I was immune. It still hurts when I hear him leave me without even a sentence of goodbye or explanation.
I adjusted myself on the bed to occupy him. I also reached for my water from the table and drank. I feel like I'm getting a little dehydrated.
"Then follow him to New York," I suggested with my voice sounding really cold.
"Alys... don't drag me into your fight with Marco! Best friends forever!" he said and then enveloped me in a hug.
I smiled at his gesture. He's right. We shouldn't be involved in what's happening to Tripp and me. If I'm really losing him, I can't afford to lose anything else. I can't afford to lose Tofer. I can't live without my family and friends. If I leave them too, I'll lose my sanity.
"Sorry for being moody. Let's eat outside?" I offered. I've been cooped up in the house for days, I need to go out. I'm really going to go crazy.
Tofer clapped his hands and pushed me into the bathroom. He said I looked depressed, he said I was so ugly that he said I should take a bath. Shh!
Since I'm still not feeling well, I just wore white shorts, a cropped top, and nude pumps. The last time Tofer and I went out in just Keds, he told me I looked like I was going grocery shopping so I'm now conscious of what I'm wearing.
"Where are we going?" I asked him when I got into the shotgun seat of his car. Good thing! I mean, I don't have the energy and the heart to drive. We might just crash.
He was driving when he shrugged. "Where do you want? Early dinner then night out, please?"
I sighed, giving in. "Fine."
We went to some resto and then straight to The Fort. Tofer, I don't know why there are so many people here! And besides, I hate drinking since I went back to the Philippines. The reason why I drank when I was in Paris was because I wanted to forget. And now, I don't want to forget... or not. No, even though Tripp and I are like this, I don't want to just forget about him. We need to talk and straighten things out.
"VIP lounge tayo!" Tofer shouted at my ears.
Look! That's why I don't like bars! It's so noisy! I feel like my ears are going to pop out any second.
I shook my head and tried to come up with an explanation.
"I'm just going to get something from the car! I'll find you later!" I shouted at him. He seemed to get it so he gave me a thumbs up and went into the bar.
I went out and sat on the hood of his car. Damn. I miss you so much, Tripp. If you were here, we wouldn't be enjoying ourselves now and escaping Tofer together.
My head was hanging low when I heard familiar voices. The night was at its peak and it was so dark around. I'm not worried because it's safe here.
"I'm really sorry, Drake!" I heard someone say. My body automatically froze upon hearing his name. "Fier, stop clinging onto him like a bitch!"
I can't make a decent face of the girl who's clinging onto Drake. All I could see was figures.
"Shut up, Cristine. Drake isn't complaining but you're the one making the noise!" an unfamiliar voice said.
"What the hell! Look at Drake's eyebrows almost touching from your annoyance."
"Heh shut up! Go home if you're just going to be around all night. I'll just manage Drake."
"In your dreams, Fier. I'm just afraid that you'll suddenly grab Drake, no."
It was like time has froze. I was there but I felt like I wasn't there.
I saw Drake but he didn't see me. No, I knew he saw me but it was like he didn't.
"Hey, Drake, why did you stop walking?" the girl said. Drake stopped and so did Cristine.
Drake didn't utter a single word... It was Cristine who broke the deafening silence. "Alys..." she said as if she's guilty.
I forced a smile and stood up. "H-hello."
My eyes were glued on the woman in front of me. She was staring at me with her brows rising. "Why are you staring at me?" she said to me.
Cristine slapped her. "Fier! Don't yell at Alys!"
Shock registered on her face. It seemed like recognition. Did she know me? Because I didn't know her.
"Oh! You're Alys!" she said. "Oh, well. I think I should say thanks."
"H-ha?"
She smiled at me and rested her head on Drake's shoulder. "Thanks for breaking this man's heart. I'm here to collect the pieces."
She went near me and patted my shoulder.
I don't know what I should react to. She's so cocky! Who is she?!
"Who are you?" I couldn't help but ask.
She smiled at me and then clung onto Drake like he's her life saver. "Marie Fier Sandoval, darling."
Cristine butted in and she looked at me with pity. My life had really crashed from almost perfect to wrecked. "Alys, sorry, huh? She's just like that. Please don't be offended."
Do I have the right to be offended? Nothing.
I smiled at her, at them. "Non taken. Alright, maybe you'll go somewhere else..."
Cristine looked at me keenly. "Okay..." she looked at Drake and Fier. "Let's go!"
And then that was it. No hi, no hello. It looked like he really meant it when he said give up.