JILIAN SHINSUKE

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"You're going to Japan?", Caren asked.

"Yeah but it's only for a month.", I replied.

"Well yeah. Summer break is approaching so might as well have a vacation.", Luke said. While we were talking, I glanced at Maddie from the corner of my eye. It looked like she was writing something. 

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MADDIE HAYES

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He's going to Japan... for a month. What am I going to do with my summer break? Maybe I'll just go read some books. What a boring way to spend the break. Then suddenly my phone vibrated. I checked my phone and I got a text from Jilian.

"Hey.", was all he said. I texted back with a "hey". A few seconds later, I got a reply.

"Wanna know something?", he asked.

"Nah. I overheard.", I replied.

"Oh." I closed my phone but I got another message.

"Will you be lonely without me?", he asked. Huh? Was this supposed to be a joke? Either way, I had to take it as a joke. Otherwise, he would misunderstand me.

"No.", I replied. After that, I didn't get a message from him. Classes ended and summer break began. I was just lying in bed and I got a text.

"What's up?", Jilian asked. Oh. I don't know when his flight will be. Is it today? Tomorrow? 

"Reading a book.", I replied.

"Wanna hang out?", he asked. Wow, it's not everyday he asks to hang out. This is unusual.

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JILIAN SHINSUKE

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"Sent!", Caren said with a loudened voice.

"Give me back my phone!", I told her. She gave it to me.

"Don't use it without my permission!", I said. Caren and Luke laughed.

"What will she think of me now? Me suddenly asking her to hang out is very unusual! She might think this is unusual!", I was nervous.

"Chill dude.", Luke said.

"Now it's all up to her if she says yes or no.", Caren added.

"Why did you do this?", I asked.

"Don't you wanna spend time with her before your flight tomorrow? You won't be able to see her for a month! who knows? Someone might steal her away from you.", Caren scared me. Then Josh popped out of my head. Geez! This thought is making me feel uneasy and restless. Maddie always makes me feel restless!

"No guys. This isn't funny. It's just a month anyway.", I replied. Then my phone got a text from Maddie.

"Can't go out today. Sorry.", she replied. This made my heart break. Caren and Luke were laughing their asses off.

"He just got rejected! Hahahahahaha I can't believe it!", Caren laughed.

"Fuck this.", I said.

"How about you go to her house? She lives alone, right?", Luke suggested.

"Not a bad idea Luke!", Caren agreed. Both of them looked at me like they wanted me to tell Maddie if I could come over.

"No! Definitely a no.", I said. Caren grabbed my phone and texted Maddie. You guys are dead meat.

"You're welcome.", Caren smiled at me.

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MADDIE HAYES

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"I'll be there in thirty minutes. See you.", Jilian replied. What?! He's coming here? I have to get ready! what will I wear? I rummaged through my clothes and paused. Wait, why am I getting conscious for? It's just him. I don't need to impress him! Then suddenly I got blushes. Who told you to impress him?! Ugh! In the end, I was just wearing my home clothes. A spaghetti dress with my hair on a bun. Small strands of hair were falling to the sides of my head and I was just wearing my glasses. I relaxed and I read a book in my bedroom. Later, someone rang the door bell. 

"Hey."

"Hi.", I greeted back.

"You wear glasses?", he asked.

"What of it?", I asked.

"You look cute in it.", he complimented. I hid my blush and I gestured him to come in. We sat at the living room and I served him some hot pockets.

"Thanks. What were you doing before I came?", he asked. He doesn't mind my look now?

"Reading a book.", I replied. What am I getting conscious for?

"What book?", he asked.

"Pride and prejudice.", I replied.

"That's a very nice book. I've already read it.", he said. Somehow, I was happy.

"Really? That's cool.", I replied. He looked around and asked, 

"I remembered the first time I came here. You were alone during Christmas.", he said.

"Yeah. And I clearly remembered you came and celebrated Christmas with me.", I replied.

"Sorry about me suddenly barging in like that.", he apologized. I shook my head and said,

"I was actually happy that someone came to celebrate it with me."

"But you didn't know me that time.", he said.

"Actually, I already did. You're popular so it wouldn't be a surprise if I already knew you." 

"Can I be happy?", he asked.

"Why?", I asked.

"Nothing. Anyway, you have a huge kitchen.", he said.

"Yeah. My mom used to cook there. That's her base." He stood up and checked out the fridge.

"Wanna make something?", he asked. I somehow felt like he was challenging me.

"Sure. What will we make?", I asked as I approached the kitchen. Jilian was taking out some dough and sauce.

"Pizza?", I asked and he nodded.

"How about we have a contest? The person with the best pizza will let the loser do anything he or she wants. Deal?", he said.

"The consequence is for children but sure. I'll take it.", I replied. After a few minutes, we got all the ingredients ready. 

"We have an hour to cook the best pizza we could make.", he said.

"Who will judge?", I asked.

"Oh I got that covered.", Jilian replied.

"Okay then.", I said.

"Three, two, one. Go!", Jilian made the countdown. I laid the dough flat on the table and started to pick ingredients. I did all that I could and did a trial and error with my pizza. Until I finally was able to combine a series of ingredients so that my pizza would stand out. 

"Last three minutes.", I told Jilian. We were finishing up and cleaning the kitchen. I gathered three plates. One for Caren, one for Luke, and of course, one for Jilian. My pizza was done baking and I placed it on the table. I sliced the pizza and laid one slice each on the plate. Then I garnished it with parsley and some hot sauce on the side of the plate. Then I heard the bell ring.

"Stop!" Both of us stopped. We looked at each other and we smiled. But when I saw his smile, I looked away. He's handsome. Jilian opened the door and both Caren and Luke were just in time for judging. They sat at the dining table.

"Both of you look so serious.", Caren said.

"Of course. We agreed that the loser would do anything the winner says.", Jilian replied.

"Now this is exciting!", Luke said.

"First up is Jilian.", Caren said. Jilian brought a whole round pizza to the table. It was as if the pizza was just delivered. Luke and Caren took a bite.

"Amazing! I didn't know you could cook dude!"

"I guess if I just focus on it, I can cook.", Jilian replied.

"This is a cooking contest, right?", Caren asked. Jilian and I nodded.

"Then I guess garnish would also be included in the criteria. Jilian you failed at that big time.", Caren said and she laughed. I looked at Jilian who seemed worried. I smirked.

"Maddie looks confident. Bring it out.", Luke said. I took two plates first for Caren and Luke. Then the last plate I gave to Jilian. The three of them were amazed to see the presentation of my dish. 

"Can you tell us what this is?", Caren asked.

"That's a mini pizza with mushrooms, white sauce, tomato, bell peppers, and mini beef chunks. Garnished with some parsley. I cooked a whole pizza but I figured to be different since I was guessing Jilian would do a whole pizza.", I explained.

"Now this is a cooking contest.", Caren said. I looked and smiled at Jilian.  

"Go ahead and taste it.", I told them. They ate together.

"Amazing. Just amazing. Maddie do you know how to cook?", Luke asked.

"Well my mother was a foodie and I kept watching her when I was a child. Now I'm living alone so I sometimes cook for myself. You could say, yeah I do.", I replied. I can taste sweet victory!

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JILIAN SHINSUKE

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"I lost.", I said.

"You did.", Maddie replied.

"So tell me what to do as my punishment.", I said. At first, I think Maddie didn't know what to let me do. 

"Do you have anything in mind because I sure do.", Luke asked.

"I do."

"Then what?", I asked.

"Are we really friends?", she asked. All of us went on silent mode.

"Why'd you ask that?", Caren asked. I guess she was confused. Maddie's question was from out of the blue.

"I just wanted to clarify."

"Of course we are Maddie.", I paused and looked at Maddie, "Do you think I'd skip my classes just to look for you? Do you think I'd look for you in school so that I can spend time with you? Do you think I am my "prince" self when I am with you? Do you think I'd fall for you if I didn't get to know you better?!", Jilian yelled. Maddie was wide eyed.

"Hey dude.", Luke called and snapped me out of my thoughts. Suddenly I realized that I just indirectly confessed my feelings to Maddie. Caren was holding her laughter and Luke was looking at me like he was about to tease me. Maddie... well she was just staring at me, probably unable to easily process what I just said. My cheeks were so red, I ran out of the house and went in my car. Dammit Jilian! God fucking dammit! Such a dimwit! But... did it get through her?