"And just because he does not introduce you to his parents yet that you think something in his family is wrong?" Ricci cried out from the video call and I can clearly see his contorted expression from the screen he shares with Peewee and I. "Hay naku, Oreonina, huh! Ilang buwan palang kaming wala ni Pocholo d'yan pero tuluyan ka ng napraning!"

I lazily rested my cheek on the palm of my hand parroted him making him shriek again.

"Look, Peewee, even she's classless now. Making face like that! The horror!"

"Damn it, Ricardo. Are you planning to break our eardrums? Kasing- ingay ka na ng mga natubigang palaka." Ricci complained while rubbing his left ear. I noticed that he's glowing than usual and he's even more handsome now.

"Ricci, bakit ang handsome mo today?" I asked despite feeling my energy draining. I've been thinking about Giro's intrusive question to carrots and it's messing with me a lot lately. And after that, carrots have been more silent and evasive more than usual. I was expecting that he'll be more affectionate after his confession but that damn Giro seemed to have a thing sticking his nose to other people's business. I promise to give him a piece of my mind once I see him again.

"My parents are arriving tonight. I should look as manly as I can unless I want my father to force me to ditch the sem and join the ARMY." He was obviously agitated. There's still a month left before he comes back here while Ricci decided to do distance learning until next school year comes. Their family business has already been stabilized but his sister still needs his help.

"ARMY ka naman a. 'Di ba die hard fan ka ng BTS?" I asked innocently making Ricci laugh his lungs out.

"Oreo, sigurado ka bang hindi puro carrots ang kinakain mo?" Peewee asked in his straight face.

"Beeeeks! Malala ka na talaga! Buti natitiis ka pa ng genius mong boyfriend?" Ricci splattered in between his hysterical laugh. I pouted even more as I'm reminded of my hot and cold boyfriend who apparently does not want me to meet his parents after kissing me like he wanted to suck the life out of me!

"Should I just tell him straightly that I'm curious about his family?" I cut in between Ricci's almost choking laughter. "He never talked to me about them." I mused to myself.

"There must be a reason why he's not comfortable talking with you about his parents yet." Peewee, the voice of reason added, "I suggest you just wait for him to initiate a conversation about it."

"That's totally not Oreo's style, beks." Ricci remarks, finally getting over his annoying hysteria about my stupid blunder. "She's the type that bulldoze into things she wants."

"Oreo, your boyfriend is not a thing." Peewee cautioned sternly. "And it's not like talking about your parents with your boyfriend is normal. Do you even thought of introducing him to your dad?"

"Ni halos 'di mo nga kausapin daddy mo. Baklang to." Ricci added reprovingly.

I never thought about that and I suddenly feel guilty. Maybe it just felt urgent to meet Vitto's parents just because Giro had the nerve to meddle about it and I wanted to prove him wrong? But would that be too childish? I'm not even into him anymore. Or is it the worry that pierced me when I saw Vitto's apparent discomfort of Giro talking about me meeting his parents? Am I anxious that Vitto isn't sure of me yet? Am I too scared that there's a chance of him thinking that I'm not someone good enough to keep up with his parents' standard? Like Giro's? Are we breaking up because of it?

The sharp bite of pain in my chest made me stand up in haste my phone slipped in my hand and it fell on the concrete table with a loud thud.

"Oreo, are you okay?"

"What happened?"

Peewee and Ricci asked at the same time. I blinked my eye, trying to regain my composure as my shaky hand reached out for my phone which has now a broken screen.

"Ano na? May ipis ba diyan? Ba't ka nanggugulat?" Aligagang tanong ni Ricci.

"M- My screen's cracked." I whispered, looking at the fissures on my screen. This would look like my heart when Vitto decides to break up with me because I'm not good enough.

"You should be more careful, baby girl." I almost didn't process Peewee's concern voice.

"I have to go."

"Huh? Saan? Wala ka ng klase a." Ricci asked in confusion.

"I have to study." I announced making both their jaws hang open.

"Prank ba 'to? Anong study sinasabi mo e hindi ka nga makausad nang 'di ka inaalalayan ng boyfriend mo." Pambabara ni Ricci sa akin.

"Oreo, kasasabi mo lang kaninang nasa study group ang boyfriend mo and you're trying to behave accordingly, giving him space to study since he can't be in uni for several days. For once will you stop tailing your boyfriend?" Even Peewee's voice of reason does not make sense in my anxious heart anymore.

"As if that could get through that thick skull of her, beks. May kapraningan na naming naisip 'yan kaya ganyan." Ricci sighed and I continued to draft a plan so Vitto would not even think of breaking up with me while my bestfriends blabber in the background.

Vitto's study group meeting does not end until 5 o' clock and it's only 4. But how can I squeeze in their study group when I'm not even from their college? Unlike The University Library that is accessible to everyone, each college here has its own Learning Resource Center where sound proof spaces are provided equipped with a large computer monitor to allow groups to have discussions without worrying of distracting others. Of course, only the smartest groups were a regular to those rooms since you cannot just schedule it out of whim. There are forms to fill in and abstracts to write for any group to be allowed to use them!

"Do you think the College of Science would be kind enough to allow me to enter one of their LRC's study room?" I asked my bestfriends and instead of answering they just slapped their palms on their foreheads in exasperation.

So what should I say aside from, MY PLAN FAILED! After asking me to show a slip as a proof that I am a member of that study group and I can't show anything other than my charming smile, the coordinator didn't even allow me to step foot inside the LRC! Good enough that she allowed me to stay in the lobby where I'm currently trying to understand Sanskrit, Pāli, and Prākrit literatures. What the hell! I can't make sense of any of it aside from they're sounding all the same!

I breathed deep and focused reading the text again when the tablet dinged showing a notification from the university LMS (learning management system) platform. I opened it and the remaining energy drained from my body when I saw a Mathematics assignment that's due an hour from now. I couldn't fail to submit it late unless I want to fail! And even if I submit it on time, how on Earth would I answer this if I barely understand what it's all about?! I looked inside the LRC and prayed that Vitto could finish earlier so I could ask help from him. But wait—isn't it the goal to show him that I can study independently so he'll realize I'm a girlfriend worth telling his parents? But how would I finish this with my stupid brain?

I was starting to panic when my eyes caught the sight of my cracked phone and remembered my cousin Heaven. That's right! I can call Heaven and he could teach me. His college is not far from here. I will make sure to finish this task before Vitto comes out from his study group and I'll show him that I was able to finish my work alone. He would be proud of me! I smiled at my genius idea.

I struggled swiping at my phone which starts to blacken in some corners. There's no time buying a new one right now. I have to make sure to finish this assignment first. I dialed Heaven's number and so much to my annoyance he only answered in my second attempt.

"Why weren't you answering?" Pang- aaway ko sa magaling kong pinsan. My quite loud voice gathering attention from other students there. Some even glared at me. I shrunk from my seat in embarrassment and hold my palm against my lips and my phone to control my voice. I would not get this flushed if this happens pre- Vitto. But this is my boyfriend's college and I don't want to embarrass him.

"Bakit ba galit ka na naman, cookie monster?" Yamot ding tanong nito.

"Where are you?" I whispered- yelled at the phone.

"I was in class. Was because someone keeps on ringing me that my professor yelled for me to go out." He was clearly riled up but I've been his subject of annoyance ever since we're a child that I'm already immune to it.

"I need your help." I hissed like my problem was a matter of life and death. Well, it is!

"What? You murdered someone?"

"Soon. I will be murdering you soon." I spat in annoyance. "You have to help me in my Math assignment."

"Sometimes I really wonder if you're really my cousin. How can you be so stupid?!" He retorted.

"It's not my fault that my brain doesn't work with numbers that comes with letters!"

"Clearly, all you know is to dye your hair, wear good clothes, and eat carrots!" I can hear his breath of exasperation from the other line and I can almost vision him holding his nape as if he's going to have a hypertension any minute from now.

"Are you going to help me or not?"

"You can ask your boyfriend." He suggested, his voice toned down now.

"He's in his study group. I'm in their LRC's lobby right now because I'm not allowed inside since I do not have any waiver." I can feel my headache starting to form. "And I want to show him that I was able to finish it without him." My voice was softer with the last line, feeling some sort of awkwardness telling it to my cousin. I heard him sigh from the other line.

"Is he giving you a hard time?" Now his voice is serious.

"Of course not!" I resisted hastily fearing that he'll confront my carrots.

"Surely, it's the opposite." Heaven replied and I wish I could strangle him right now. "Look, I have to take this really important exam in this subject so I couldn't be there right now. But I know someone who can. He's part of my team from College of Science. He's a Med Tech student who's in the same academic club as my genius friend Rumi so he surely knows that goddamn assignment of yours."

"You just cursed at my assignment." I pointed out.

"It's not like I can curse at you, even when I'm dying to right now!" He's angry again but it just made me smile.

"Thank you, Ven- ven! I hope you flop your exam." I said sinisterly before ending the call.

It was ten minutes since my call with my cousin when a tall man stopped in front of me. He's carrying a black notebook on his right hand and in his left was a silver watch from what I guess was a Rolex. He has a white shirt underneath his varsity jacket from the baseball club. He's neat, good looking but not as much as my carrots.

"Heaven's cousin?" He asked and I'm quite surprised by his deep voice.

"You are?" I asked instead of confirming.

He grinned showing his perfect set of toothpaste smile. "Heaven's team mate. Jax Dalton. He said you need you need help with your quote- unquote goddamn Math assignment." He was clearly bemused.

I gritted my teeth. I will certainly murder my cousin once I see him. I was caught out of my trance when my cousin's team mate chuckled.

"I hope you're not thinking of ways to murder our czar. We still need him for the Nationals." He was pertaining to my cousin. I scowled but it just made him chuckle again. He occupied the seat beside me much to my surprise and he seemed to notice it. "Thought it'd be more convenient to teach you when we're sitting side by side."

"I don't mind. But how'd you know I'm Heaven's cousin?"

My question made him smile again, "He told me to look for a beautiful woman with the craziest hair color here. I don't think your hair color is crazy, though."

"He said my hair color is crazy? I'm going to kill him." I bit my lower lip in extreme annoyance but his chuckle made me stop.

"You're interesting." He noted, "I just said you're beautiful but you seem not to notice."

"Because I know I am. There's no need to mention that." I replied with my straight face and he chuckled again, apparently amused with me seeing how his eyes sparkle as if I'm a source of entertainment.

"Are you going to teach me or I'll just spend the whole time making you laugh?" I asked sarcastically, not hiding my irritation anymore. But with that, he laughed again, and people around are starting to watch us now which are making me more irritated and agitated. I don't want him seeing me with Vitto. I should finish my assignment before he arrives otherwise, he'll know I didn't do it myself.

"I'm just glad that Heaven asked me to do this. You're fun."

"I'm sorry but I'm not interested. I have a boyfriend." I told him and he would have laughed again if not my snarl but it doesn't stop him from smiling amusedly at me. I cleared my throat as I compose myself. "Clearly, you're getting interested at me but it's better to put an end to it now since I wouldn't ditch my boyfriend for someone who's in my cousin's circle. I love Heaven but I don't trust his taste." My eyebrow raised at him but he just burst laughing. What the hell!

"You're really fun." He said in between laughs. He's even hugging his middle now, his eyes teary with all the laughter he's been making since he arrived. I don't find this amusing at all! What was Heaven thinking sending a very weird guy who only knows how to laugh to teach me my assignment? I'm going to raid his room tonight and ruin all his Marvel figures!

"Oreo?" My head snapped up when I heard Vitto's voice and I was blessed by his handsome yet confused face. I stand up in a hurry, like I've been caught in a crime I didn't make.

"Must be the boyfriend." Jax remarked from the background and I glared at him. He raised both open palms as if to surrender.

"Vitto, we should head back inside." As if on alert, I turned my gaze at the approaching woman who just called my boyfriend's name. It was a woman in large glasses whose hair are messily twisted in a bun. There was no trace of any make- up on her face that looks quite pale yet, I can see beauty in her. "Since our groupmates already left, we have to work double time to finish the draft of the report so we can proceed to the lab tomorrow and test our hypothesis. I wouldn't afford to fail just because you're jealous that your girlfriend made another bloke laugh." She said in one breath making my jaw drop.

"Bloke?" Jax parroted. I don't know if he's amused or offended but there are more pressing matters to attend now, like Vitto!

"Who said I'm jealous?" Vitto asked the woman with his blank stare and his coldness almost choke me to tears.

"Y- You're not jealous?" I managed to whisper despite the parchment of my throat. Vitto looked at me and I couldn't decode what his stare means.

"Unless you're doing something behind my back—"

"Of course not!" I replied in haste. "H- He was just... was just asking me for a favor!" I mentally groaned. I just want to finish my assignment in peace, make a little lie about finishing it independently. But how come I end up lying for other reason?!

"I do?" Jax pointed dumbly to himself.

"Yes, you do." I looked pointedly at him despite my calm voice. He seemed to get it and thankfully went with the flow.

"Oh, yes. His cousin..."He snapped his fingers as if he just remembered what to say but it just made him look more suspicious. Damn this guy. I will personally know what his most favorite stuff is and ruin it alongside Heaven's Marvel figures. "I mean his cousin asked me to come here to give Oreo something."

Vitto just looked at me and I felt like being interrogated from his blackened stare. Surely, he knows that I'm lying! When he didn't say anything as if just waiting for me to confess, I was slowly eaten by guilt so I decided to come clean. I rushed towards Vitto, hug him around the waist and buried my face on his chest.

"I'm sorry, carrots, I lied!" I cried, "He was here because Heaven asked him to teach me my Math assignment." I felt his arms wrap around me and I sobbed harder. He lifted my chin then wipe my tears.

"We will do it after I hand in the draft." He answered so gently that I feel even more guilty trying to trick him.

"But I have to submit it after an hour. We haven't finish anything in the last twenty minutes and you're busy so I asked my cousin but he's busy, too, so he asked this teammate of his and here we are." I don't even know if I make sense anymore but it was strangely a good feeling to come clean despite the possibility of facing Vitto's disappointment.

"Vitto, I'm sorry to interrupt this sickening moment with your girlfriend but we have some paper to finish." His partner interjected and I raised my head to throw her a glare but beats me to it. Surprisingly, the woman, despite being shorter than me, is more intimidating than I give her credit for. I can almost see flames escaping out the top of his head while she throws daggers at me and Vitto. If only she's more like Riza, Thalia, and Mitch that I can retaliate but it's obvious that she's smart like Vitto that's making her more dangerous.

I looked up at my carrots and he doesn't seem to be angry at all but conflicted. I fixed some of the fringe that almost reached his specs- covered eyes. He doesn't seem angry but rather conflicted. He sighed then looked behind me.

"I'll leave my contact number with you so we can discuss your chosen means of repayment." He told Jax and I was surprised.

"Vitto!" Her scary partner called again. My eye twitched in annoyance.

"We will be working nearby." His hand travelled up my shoulders, "Give me twenty minutes to finish this then we can go." I smiled and just nod at him. I instantly miss his warmth when he turned and walk back to his partner but stopped midway to look back at Jax. "Please be patient with her." And he walked away but surely, my heart follows him everywhere.

"You surely are an interesting couple. And your boyfriend is quite cool." Jax remarked, his eyes were at Vitto and his partner's direction. I don't have a good feeling about this. I crossed my arms across my chest and marched in front of him.

"Do you prefer guys? Don't even think of stealing my man from me." I looked at him pointedly. He just stared at me in a moment then laughed again, shaking his head in amusement.

"I'm a straight guy just so you know." He gazed back at the area where my carrots and his partner is now seated. They're now in an area of the LRC which can be seen from the lobby.

"Then why do you keep on staring at my carrots?" I nagged at him, annoyed. He looked at me and gave me a meaningful smile.

"Don't worry. I find the glasses girl more interesting than your carrots." He winked and I froze realizing his context. If this dumb guy finds the glasses girl interesting, what more of Vitto? They're both smart and have same interest. Vitto will never bored spending time with her since they share the same passion. Maybe, it's not Riza or Thalia or Mitch that I should be threatened about...

I looked back at Vitto who apparently was exchanging ideas with the glasses girl and sadly whispered, "I just hope they don't find each other interesting."