A few weeks had passed since I met Chloe and Mika, and somehow everything in my life had changed.
But because of them, I slowly started becoming more outgoing. I was getting better at starting conversations and putting myself out there.
We began hanging out almost every day—watching movies, getting snacks after class, doing our nails, or simply wandering around City.
For the first time since moving here, I felt like I truly had friends.
And honestly… it felt really nice.
"Hey girls, what should we eat for lunch?" Chloe asked while we walked to the lockers.
"I'm not really hungry," I said, placing my books inside.
"I want pizza," Mika declared. "And hot chocolate."
"Oh! Same," Chloe said.
"Aren't you on a diet?" I asked.
"Yes," she replied calmly. "Now hurry, I'm starving."
Before we could protest, she grabbed our arms and dragged us toward the café.
The café near campus was warm and cozy, a perfect escape from the freezing Baguio wind.
As we ate, Chloe kept asking me questions about Manila.
"I've never been there," Mika said while stirring her hot chocolate.
"Then we should go someday," I smiled.
"Road trip!" Chloe said excitedly.
"Imagine the shopping," she added.
"And the food," Mika said.
"And the traffic," I laughed.
They both groaned.
Just then—
"Chloe."
A deep voice called.
She looked up immediately.
"France?" she said, surprised.
A tall guy approached our table.
And my eyes widened.
Handsome, and had a strong build. He looked like someone who belonged on the cover of a magazine.
"Hey," he said casually.
"I've been looking for you."
"When did you arrive?" Chloe asked.
"Yesterday."
Then he noticed Mika and me.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't realize you had company."
"It's fine," I said shyly.
He chuckled softly.
"Hi. I'm France." You must be Sam and Mika."
"You know us?" I asked.
"Of course," Chloe said proudly. "I told him about you."
France smiled and shook our hands.
"Nice to meet you."
Then he added with a teasing grin, "By the way… Chloe has been annoying me for more than ten years."
"Excuse me?!" Chloe gasped.
"We've been friends since elementary school," she explained.
"Unfortunately," France added.
"And she used to steal my lunch every day."
"That was one time!" Chloe protested.
"It was an entire year."
"Because your mom packed the best food!" she defended.
Mika burst out laughing while I couldn't help but smile. They argued like kids.
"So you two have been fighting since childhood?" Mika asked.
"Pretty much," France said.
"Oh right," Chloe added, calming down. "But now we're partners in crime."
Just then—
RINGGGG.
France checked his phone.
"Oh, sorry Chloe. I'd love to hang out longer, but maybe next time."
"You're leaving already?" she asked.
"Yeah. Something urgent."
He stood up and gave Mika and me a friendly smile.
"Nice meeting you, Mika. Sam."
Then he looked back at Chloe.
"I'll call you later."
"Okay," she replied softly.
And just like that, he left.
...........................…
The moment he disappeared—
Mika leaned forward dramatically.
"Damn… he's hot."
"Chloe, you sure he is just your friend not boyfriend?"
"Stop it!" Chloe said, blushing.
"He's not my boyfriend. We're just friends."
"Hmm," Mika said suspiciously.
"I think he likes you."
"Exactly," I added.
"That's not funny," Chloe said quickly.
"Besides… I already like someone else."
"Well, that's a waste," Mika sighed dramatically, resting her chin on her hand. "When will I ever meet my own guy?"
"Oh, come on," I laughed. "You'll meet someone eventually."
Mika groaned like life had personally betrayed her.
"I'm so disappointed."
"Because there's no handsome guy in our class?" Chloe teased.
"Exactly!"
"What do you mean none?" I protested, sitting up straighter. "There are some good-looking guys."
Both of them immediately turned to me.
"Like who?" Chloe challenged.
"Martin."
"Duh!" Mika said instantly. "His eyes are too big!"
For a second there was silence—
Then the three of us burst out laughing.
"Okay, fine," I said, trying not to laugh. "What about Chris? Harold?"
Mika tilted her head like a strict judge evaluating contestants.
"Hmm… acceptable."
"And Andrew," I added casually. "He obviously has a crush on you."
"Andrew?" Mika scoffed.
"If he didn't wear those glasses, maybe."
"You're so mean," I said, shaking my head. "They're actually nice guys."
"Nice guys are everywhere," Mika said dramatically. "But handsome guys? That's a rare species."
Chloe nodded seriously. "Like spotting a unicorn."
I rolled my eyes.
"You two are unbelievable."
"Sam," have you ever seen a truly handsome man?" Mika asked suddenly.
"You know… the type that looks like a Greek god."
"Like France?" she added teasingly.
"Or maybe a Korean actor," Mika continued dreamily. "Like Lee Min Ho."
"Yummy! I heard Korean guys are amazing in—"
I froze in shock, completely speechless.
"Mika!" Chloe snapped immediately. "Don't say things like that in front of Sam!"
"Hey!" Mika protested, raising both hands. "I'm not going to change my preferences when it comes to men."
"Then go to Korea," Chloe shot back.
"That's exactly what I should do."
The two of them burst into laughter.
"You guys are impossible," I sighed, shaking my head.
"Sure," Mika added with a grin. "We'll go together and find those guys."
"I told you already," Chloe continued confidently, flipping her hair. "I already like someone."
"Of course," I said, laughing. "You talk about him every day."
"He's really handsome," Chloe said dreamily, resting her chin on her hand. "Every time we cross paths, I get butterflies."
"But whenever I try to talk to him… he always seems in a hurry."
"That means he doesn't like you," Mika said bluntly.
"Or maybe he's just shy," Chloe argued quickly. "No man has ever rejected my beauty."
Mika and I exchanged a look.
"Well…" Mika said slowly, raising an eyebrow. "Maybe he already has a girlfriend."
"If he does," Chloe said dramatically, sitting up straight, "I might just seduce him or destroy their—"
"Please!" Mika interrupted, holding up both hands. "Just move on."
"No," Cloie said stubbornly. "He's the only one I want."
I sighed.
"If he wants you, he'll come to you," I said calmly. "So, stay cool."
"Exactly," Mika agreed. "And if he already has a girlfriend, are you ready for all the drama?"
Chloe looked at both of us.
"Of course not!"
And just like that—
The three of us burst into laughter.
"How about you, Sam?" Chloe suddenly asked, turning to me with suspiciously curious eyes. "Don't you have any plans to get a boyfriend?"
I nearly choked on my drink.
Cough. Cough.
"Excuse me?" I croaked, grabbing a napkin like my life depended on it.
Mika leaned forward across the table, eyes sparkling like she had just discovered the greatest gossip of the century.
"Yeah, Sam," she said with a mischievous grin. "You're way too quiet about your love life. That's suspicious."
Suspicious?!
"I'm not suspicious," I defended quickly. "I'm just… peaceful."
"Peaceful?" Mika repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," I said firmly. "Peaceful. Drama-free. No heartbreak. No crying over boys who can't even text back properly."
Chloe tried to hide her laugh.
Mika, however, looked offended on behalf of all men.
"So, your life plan is what?" she asked. "Become a mysterious single lady who lives with twenty cats?"
"First of all," I said, pointing at her dramatically, "it will be three cats. I have standards."
Both of them burst out laughing.
"And second," I added proudly, crossing my arms, "I'm simply waiting."
"Waiting for what?" Mika asked.
I lifted my chin like a queen making an announcement.
"For a man who looks like a Greek god."
Mika gasped. "See?! You do have standards!"
"Yes," I said calmly. "Tall. Handsome. Rich would be nice. Smart. Loyal. Kind. And preferably someone who doesn't disappear when things get complicated."
Chloe snorted. "Sam, that sounds less like a boyfriend and more like a custom order from heaven."
"Well," I shrugged, taking another sip of my drink, "if I'm going to ruin my peaceful life, the man better be worth it."
Mika leaned back in her chair dramatically.
"Wow. Listen to her," she said, shaking her head. "Our quiet Sam is secretly the most demanding of us all."
I smiled sweetly.
"Of course," I replied. "If I'm going to fall in love, it might as well be with someone who looks like Lee Min Ho."
Mika slapped the table.
"Now that is a dream worth waiting for!"
Chloe groaned. "You two are hopeless."