XIV

.𖥔 ݁ ˖𓂃.☘︎ ݁˖(episode 6 pt. 3 -  baggagethird week of December 2023).𖥔 ݁ ˖𓂃.☘︎ ݁˖

Bea had already gained consciousness. Despite her throat needing hydration, her body was telling her to go to pee, and her head felt heavier, she refused to opened her eyes.

Thank the universe it's officialy winter break.

A sound from her phone made her eyes open wide, and the sunlight already blinded her. She groaned, thinking that Seb might've done that on purpose by not closing the window blinds.

Fuck you, Seb!

She unlocked her phone, and the brightness of her device made her squint her eyes, but immediately lowered it.

14:30 PM

Before she could even close it and go back to sleep, a notification popped up. She unlocked her phone and was shocked to see a bunch of messages: 1 from Jackie, 9+ messages from her group chat with Phoebe and Nathan, 5 messages from Nathan, and 6 messages from Isaac.

She first replied to Jackie, wherein the New Yorker asked if she's okay. She then proceeded to the group chat, where she had to scroll up to reread. Messages varied from Nathan updating about the bonfire and Phoebe asking Bea if she's okay 10 times in a row to Phoebe updating her newly sewn maxi skirts, with laces and beads as designs to Nathan updating about the "relationship status" with Skylar (with Phoebe reacting every single message he sent). Bea only chuckled, and sent only one message saying that she's fine.

On the other hand, Nathan's messages consisted of asking Bea if she's okay and suggesting remedies for hangovers, even mentioning that he only knew those by eavesdropping on a conversation between his mom and Jackie a long time ago. Bea knew this might be the time where Jackie skipped class, but didn't bother to ask him. Instead, she thanked him and updated the state she's currently in.

Bea stared at Isaac's notification. Well, whatever that is, it could be about Mr. Wellbein's assignment. But as she opened it, it was the opposite.

garcia(+1) (***) (***-****)Yesterday. 11:07 PM.

hey beeheard from ur cousin that u were drunkdidn't expect your first drinking experience would be todayanyway i hope you'll get better hangover's the worst lolgood nightDelivered. 11:07 PM

Obviously, it was not the first time he asked if she's okay. Despite the fact that this chat is strictly for academics, Bea didn't mind for the first time.

hey, i just woke up.thanks for the concern.

Even before she turned off the phone, a notification from Isaac pinged up.

hey beeeee!!!! 🥰🥰🥰how are you holding up rn????

She rolled her eyes at the emojis.

i feel shit rn.god is this how people who got drunk felt after?

She had never, ever, cursed in their chat before. But who cares, honestly? Isaac wouldn't, but might get shock. Besides, she doesn't feel well, and for the first, didn't give a damn.

After hitting send, she immediately stood up from the bed. Her head felt heavier than before, but she managed to exit her bedroom and went on her way to the comfort room.

After relieving herself and exited the comfort room, she stopped her tracms when she noticed Seb in front of her door, holding a tray of her food. "Oh, hey. Made a late brunch for you," he called her as he noticed her presence.

As she took a closer look, the aroma got her stomach growled. It was the classic ham and egg breakfast, with garlic fried rice bowl beside, and a hot chocolate. Beside those, a glass of water and some pills were also present.

"I'm awake now. Shouldn't I be eating this in the kitchen?" she asked.

"No. Number one, you're still not okay. Number two, I didn't come all the way up here and tried not to trip on the stairs just for you to say that," he rolled his eyes and murmured a Filipino word that she couldn't comprehend what it was.

"Chill," she laughed and opened the door to her bedroom. Seb entered and placed the tray on her study table, carefully putting the foods and the pills. Bea opened her mouth to say something but her cousin quickly shut her.

"If you're asking if mom and dad found out about you getting drunk, no they didn't. When we came home last night, dad had already slept and I just carried you here. During breakfast, I made up an excuse about you getting a fever," he sighed. "And also, I swear I'm not the one who changed your clothes."

She looked down, now realizing that her yesterday's clothes changed to her favorite lorax pajamas. "What the hell?" she murmured. Her grandpa sweater and jeans were scattered on the floor, the one pair of Uggs was beside the bedtable, and the other one was nowhere to be found.

"Hey! Lots of people do batshit crazy stuff when they're drunk. Not surprised you managed to change your clothes in the middle of the night or something," Seb shrugged. "Got to go. Need to visit Cole and Alex." He then exited her room and went downstairs.

Bea was confused. Cole and Alex? Did something happen to them yesterday? Curious, she picked up her phone and went to her chat messages with Isaac.

yeah i guess sobeen there done that lol :Phave u eaten yet?????

I'm eating right now.holy shit seb's so fucking good with his cooking.by the way he's coming over there

right??? he's the bestyeahhh heard from Alex while we're mucking out the stallshope he brought me food 😍😍

lol i doubt it. something wrong with alex that night??

Isaac's bubble chat on the screen appeared, then disappeared, unsure on what he was about to send. Not minding this, Bea took a photo of her food and ate her late brunch in peace.

A buzz was heard from her phone. As expected, Isaac finally replied.

umuhhhbasically alex punched coledunno if u remember it but he punched him in front of your unconscious body lmaostill dont know the reason xP

what?there's no way you didn't know behind the fight

i swear, i didn't 🥺

right...

garcia reacted angry at your message

Bea finished her food and headed to the kitchen downstairs. She almost jumped when she saw her uncle at the dining table, sipping his afternoon herbal tea while reading the documents about his bakery.

"Afternoon, kiddo. How are you feeling?" he asked, not looking away from what he was reading — as if he already sensed her presence inside the kitchen.

"O-oh! Um, I'm good." Bea replied, putting down the dishes in the sink and started washing them.

"Did something happened last night?" Bennett asked casually.

Bea gulped. "No, uncle," she said, now drying the plates with a towel and putting them back in their respective places. Her uncle just hummed a reply, and Bea quitely left the kitchen.

As soon as she entered her room, a notification was heard.

it is!you're cute and all, but i swear on the snitching rule until the day i die

Bea felt something in her cheeks, but ignored it. Isaac was a flirt to everyone. This is nothing new.

yeah whatever*bee🐝 attached a photo*

Do people do batshit crazy too when they recovered after getting drunk? First, the cursing, and now sending photos.

But the food looks too delicous it deserved a spotlight, and to make Isaac jealous.

Soon after, conversations after conversations started to flow, breaking the official "this chat is only for academics" rule. Days turned to weeks, their conversations continue flowing, mainly Isaac inisiating the talk.

garcia(+1) (***) (***-****)December 17. 1:45 PM.

hey so aunt kathy wanted me to go run errands with her for christmasthere might be cute girls there*garcia attached 2 photos*which leather jacket bee? number one or two

1. they look the same2. its freezing  outside i see u have a death wish

leather jackets says "tough, cool, chill"its my fashion statement look!

you know what, you should pick number 2!let's see how many girls will fall for you after you got freeze to deathSeen.  1:48 pm.

garcia reacting angry at your message

garcia(+1) (***) (***-****)December 24. 8:00 AM.

advance merry christmas bee🎄🎄still sorry i couldnt come to your performance later at lark caféuncle george made me do extra chores cuz i did something bad yesterday 😭🥀🥀🥀but good thing jackie and nathan will be there!oh and phoebe too lolgood luck 🤞

omg sorry for the late replygot to help cook with seb and uncle immediately after the performance lolthanks garciaDelivered. 4:00 PM.

garcia(+1) (***) (***-****)December 27. 3:00 AM

You must be carbon because you're the backbone of my life

IT'S 3 am FOR GOD'S SAKEwhy are you still upalso thats corny af

the real question is why are YOU uplol cant really sleep

im watching a showkit connor is cute thoand after this, im gonna watch another onejonathan bailey is hotSeen. 3:01 AM.

garcia(+1) (***) (***-****)December 30. 10:00 PM.

advance happy new year beeeu done with the written assignment?

well duh

bruh well yeah of course

isaac.....today's the deadline???

i knowdw i already finished itjust messing with you😝Seen. 10:02 pm.

By the time winter break eased into New Year's, texting became part of their daily routine, with simple messages turned into longer conversations, shared laughs, Isaac's corny jokes, and Bea's hidden obsession  with British actors. It was clear they had gotten closer, the quiet comfort of two people realizing they could count on each other no matter what.

__________My second published chapter this year! :)

Hello! It's been a while! I've been getting some new readers and comments (I've enjoyed reading them it's so hilarious 😭). To every vote, views, and comments, I truly appreciate it. Thank you all so much :)))

I apologized for the late upload I've been so busy with my personal life TvT

This is mainly a filler chapter, but the next one will be more exciting :) This is a double update, hope you all enjoy!