Chapter 4
“HAHAHAHAHAHA”
On good days, Andrew’s laughter could’ve been music to my ears, but not today.
“Stop it!” I snapped; I was getting really annoyed by now. Ever since I started to tell the story about last night, Andrew was laughing hysterically. He was so happy; very happy. He’s going crazy.
He’s still laughing.
“Why are you so happy, anyway? And don’t tell me it’s funny because it’s not.” Icy glare, “You don’t look like you’re laughing at something that’s funny.”
He calmed, thank goodness. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it. It’s just that. You know…”
“It’s just that, what, I don’t know!”
I sighed and gave my icy glare to Chris. “You knew it, didn’t you?” I asked him for the nth time since last night.
Chris waved his hands in front of him in defense, “No, I swear!”
Again, I sighed and drank my bottled juice straight to the last drop. Times like these, I’m thankful that Brielle isn’t around. I don’t need her teasing today.
Andrew sat beside me and placed an arm around me, “Are you okay, dear?”
I shrugged, “Stop it, Andrew.”
He let go of me and sat back in-front of me, “Now, care to continue the story?”
“What for? You already know the climax.”
“But I want to know your reactions, what did you say and everything. You went directly to the climax. No ‘once upon a time’.”
I didn’t wanna remember it, let alone tell the story. But I know Andrew wouldn’t stop until I tell him, so…
***
“How are you?” Aunt Mary asked, “You’re all grown up. You’re so pretty.”
I just smiled as she pulled me to the living room. My mom stood up from playing with the twins and gestured to Aunt Mary. “Still remember your aunt, Anny?”
I really hate it when my mom calls me that, she knew I don’t like my second name so she took my nickname from my first name—but it’s still the same cause it somewhat sounds like my second name.
“Yes, mom.” I emphasized ‘mom’ to make her realize the she called me again by my FAVORITE nickname. She smiled apologetically.
“Right. And your cousins: Chris, John, and Jesse?”
I nodded; I have to pretend I remember that they’re my cousins. “Of course, but not much. Isn’t that right, Fred and George?”
Jesse and John ran to me and pulled my into a group hug, “Why didn’t you tell us you were our older cousin?” they asked.
“Older cousin? HAHA. Sorry, but it was supposed to be a surprise for tonight.”
I looked at Chris and he gave me a puzzling look, I returned it with a death glare.
“Anyway, dinner’s getting cold.” Aunt Mary said, “Let’s eat?”
We all stood up from where we were seated and went to the dining area.
After dinner, we kids went to the living room while our moms washed the dishes.
“You knew it, didn’t you?” I asked, giving him a disappointed look. I really thank God for not making me like him that much. That could’ve been gross.
“No, I didn’t.” he replied, “I knew I had a cousin named Tiffany Anne, I just forgot that her last name was Chang.”
“I wonder how many unfortunate girls were named Tiffany Anne” I sighed, this is embarrassing.
“I’m sorry, though.” He said, “I should’ve researched enough.”
“That’s okay.”
I’m angry. My mom could have at least informed me that my aunt and cousins were moving, that way I could’ve known that Chris was my cousin…so that we wouldn’t have met that way. So embarrassing.
Until the time that my mom and I were about to go home, I didn’t stop accusing Chris that he knew all along and that he just wanted to tease me.
***
Andrew tapped my hand comfortably, “That’s okay, Tiff, I mean. At least now you know you have relatives.”
“What?” I raised an eyebrow. Does that even makes sense?
He laughed, but it wasn’t annoying anymore. I laughed too. Even though the things that had happened for the last 24 hours were annoying, it’s still laughable. Funny, actually.
Chris stood up and excused himself, “I’ll meet you in class later.”
Both Andrew and I nodded as he stood and walked away.
“You’re disappointed, aren’t you?”
I gave him a disgusted look, “No! Why should I?” I smirked, “I have Andrew Tamura.”
He just shrugged but the blush in his cheeks was a clear indication that he was flattered.
“You blush a lot lately. Do you notice?”I pointed out, making him let go of his fork.
He cleared his throat, “I’m sorry, what?”
“Never mind.” I gestured at his food, “Finish that so that we can go to class early.”
He frowned.
“You’re so slow. You eat just like Brielle.”
“Shut up.”
“Now, hurry up!”
“CLASSES AFTER LUNCH WOULD BE CANCELLED. THERE WOULD BE A DISINFECTING IN THE SCHOOL. (DON’T ASK ANYMORE QUESTIONS. JUST GO HOME!)”
“That’s weird.” I told Andrew after we read the sign
“And rude.” We nodded, indeed it was.
“Hey, it’s still early.”
“What do you have in mind?”
Andrew held my hand as he thought and pulled me to walk with him. In other days, I would have been bothered because he isn’t really touchy. But now…I don’t mind.
“Ice cream.” I told him, though it was cold (it was almost November), I was feeling hot and was craving for ice cream.
He smiled at me, “Your treat?”
“Of course not!”
He shrugged, “Let’s invite your cousin.”
“Who..?”
“Hey Chris!”
Right, I forgot. I’m still not used to it. Well…
“Do you want to join us for ice cream?” Andrew asked him as he approached us.
“I would love to, but I have to go somewhere.” He replied. “Thanks for the offer.”
Andrew smiled like that was the answer that he wanted, “Next time, then.”
“Yea.”
“Let’s go, Tiff?”
“Huh?” I looked away from Chris to Andrew, “Uh, yea, let’s…”
We bid Chris good bye and left.
“Now, ice cream!”
Andrew was extra happy today.
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