"Anthony, are you okay?" My mother walked towards me, trailed by my father.
"I'm fine. Alicia is too." I said, brushing her hair as she was still snuggled on me.
My parents looked at me with a relieved face, then at my movements, knowing Alicia was there.
Right.
Why didn't I think of it?
I took out two glasses and handed them over to my parents.
"Wear it. And you'll be able to see Alicia everyday. I mean not just here, but every entity around."
My father took on and wore it without contemplating what I said.
Mother did too.
The very first thing they looked at, was me. Not entirely but, on Alicia who's on my lap.
"Baby. My baby." Mother picked her up and hugged her so tightly.
No questions on how she was able to touch her, or see her. None.
They believed what I said. And they trust me.
The reunion was much heartbreaking than using my skill that's time limited. Now, they won't be guessing where she was.
And Alicia won't feel lonely anymore.
"Mama, Papa. You can see me now. You can hug me now too!" She exclaimed happily.
I let myself fall into my bed. Back first, and looked up the ceiling.
I'm totally drained and exhausted.
"Anthony, we better head out now. I'll take Sarah home." Gino said, dusting his hands off.
Oh crap, I totally forgot about them. I immediately sat back up and nodded.
"Thank you for the help. Will you be fine driving this late?" I stood up and walked towards them.
"It's fine. I'll drive safely." He said.
"Then we will get going now." Sarah said with a smile, looking at the reunion happening in my not so spacious room.
"Why don't you stay for the night?" My mother offered.
"It's alright. My parents are waiting too. We will pay a visit next time." Sarah refused politely.
My parents didn't hold them much longer and followed then out.
We watched Gino drove away before we closed the gate and locked our doors.
Inside the house, Alicia was finally seen. Not just that, but Millien too.
"I wouldn't leave the plates filled with food alone in the corner. Starting with breakfast, Millien, you should join us together every meal." My mother said, addressing Millien directly.
Millien's loyalty seemed to extend towards my family. On how he was so protective with Alicia earlier.
Despite knowing he wasn't doing any damage to the ghost eater at that level.
My parents decided to invite Alicia over to their room like they've always been. And Alicia felt the warmth of our parents' love all over again.
I slept that night with a smile on my face before totally letting sleep take me away.
When morning hits...
The kitchen was already bustling with activities. Mother was cooking breakfast, while Alicia was following her every move.
Millien was above the refrigerator supervising them. Like a little otherworldly boss.
Father was bathing to prepare for work while I was waiting for him to finish.
The cons of having one bathroom throughout the entire house. When father was done, I took my turn and didn't take long to finish my own bath.
We had breakfast and enjoyed it together. I told my mother about the glasses and that it was Millien who gave it to me.
Lies but white ones.
I went to school hitching a ride with my father and was just dropped off.
Gino was already inside the classroom taking a nap. Obviously tired too. Sarah was too.
That's kinda sus.
But anyway so that's their life now. They're in a relationship and yeah. I'm still hurting.
"Guys. Good morning." I sat on my seat with quite force to get their attention.
"Morning." Sarah tilted her head first and she looked like she haven't slept a wink.
"Anthony. Hey." Gino said, stretching his arms up.
"You two, did not sleep at all. You did something nasty." I teased them in a whisper.
Sarah reacted first and buried her face on her arm, but her ear was red. That gave her out.
The teasing backfired. I felt a pang in my chest.
Idiot. I'm such an idiot.
Now I'm sure they did it.
Gino looked refreshed despite the obvious drowsiness.
"Crap dude. Two girls for a day. That's something else."
I was clenching my fists and this time it was intentional. I made it sound like teasing but it was a jab.
Gino flinched and his expression darkened.
"That's not funny Anthony. You know it wasn't how it goes." He glared at me, I could hear the gritting of his teeth.
"Sorry man. Didn't mean it that way." I raised my hands in mock surrender.
Sarah didn't look at me once after that. So did Gino.
Lunch came and the two of them went to the canteen together. Leaving me alone.
That's what I get for being too nosy. But my own pride was my shield as of the moment. And I went on my own.
I saw Cynthia already inside the canteen eating her lunch. With a few of her friends and called her out.
She smiled at me and waved, gesturing for me to join them.
Sarah and Gino was on the other side just three tables away. Looking at my way, walking towards Cynthia's group.
I sat down and took out my packed lunch. Mother was too engrossed in cooking that she made a lot.
I shared it with Cynthia's group and we chatted.
After lunch, we headed back to our own classes. I came to my major class first before Gino did.
Even if we were sitting right next to each other, the distance was obvious. Even our other classmates were starting to wonder what happened.
By end of class, I went ahead to the club room and waited for Cynthia to fill up a form just for formalities.
The first to arrive were Gino and Sarah, holding hands, and no greetings. No acknowledgement.
Just them sitting in their spots like I don't exist.
Well, this was where my pettiness led me. And I'm not gonna be the one to talk to them first.
Not really.