Chapter three

This novel is about a college student whose fate is something she never expected which could change her life forever - that is, to investigate a crime scene that happened within her school.

Alicia's POV

"M-Mom?!" I gasped.

"That's right. Will you still call it an epic failure?" Phin smirked. I shook my head in bewilderment. So this was what they were planning! Why hadn't I seen it before?

Analisa Beatriz Rivera - that's the maiden name of our mom. She's a half-Spanish, with her father (our grandpa) as pure-blooded Spanish married to our grandma who's an American. She looks like an older version of me - black hair (only that it's slightly wavy), chestnut eyes and a face that's particularly delightful despite her not-so-young age. She's a nurse in Danbury Hospital, a hospital in our residence city - Danbury, Connecticut.

"Miss me, Alicia?" My mom asked in her usual gentle tone. I realized just how much I missed that voice.

"Of course mom." still looking dumbfounded, I leaned closer as she hugged me in her warm embrace. My brother and Phin exchanged grins with each other.

"Good job for convincing her to come, Phin."

"Thanks Nick." Phin responded. He's calling my bro Nick ever since we're kids.

"Hope you didn't have a hard time." Mom uttered while letting me go slowly.

"I did a little, Mrs. Parker, but everything ended up well. She even got surprised to see you here." Phin winked at me. I scowled. Mom and bro laughed.

"You're so mean." I pouted and rolled my eyes. These guys surely want to make fun of me. Unintentionally, my stomach growled even stronger enough for them to here. My face turned crimson.

"S-Sorry for that." I said sheepishly. They looked at each other and laughed harder.

"Okay. Enough for chit-chats. Let's go to our reserved table and help ourselves with pizzas. I'm sure Alicia-dear would love this." Mom smiled at me and I nodded grinning. Just how much do I truly miss her.

We all ate happily. Mom, brother and Phin were so busy talking with each other while biting their pieces. I, on the other hand, didn't bother to talk much and grabbed as much as I want so as to satisfy my hunger. Being hungry is just troublesome. Just then mom's attention shifted to mine, leaving the boys with their own business.

"Alicia, I was so worried about you. You didn't send me emails for the past two weeks." She asserted and took a quick sip on her pineapple juice.

"I'm sorry mom. I really got busy with school stuff nowadays. I honestly planned of sending you an email today." I replied winking at mom. She squinted for a while then sighed.

"Alright. I understand. Just don't make me worry again, okay?"

"Yes mom." I smiled sincerely.

"Good. Now, let's talk about something else. Have you dated a guy already?" I almost choked hearing her question. My eyes widened. How could she ask that thing when the boys are around? I suddenly got conscious and managed to catch a glimpse of my brother and Phin. My bro didn't seem to mind what my mom blurted but Phin had a different reaction. He threw a quick glance at me. I swiftly shifted my eyes to my mom who was smirking.

"M-Mom. I don't have time for that. As I said earlier, I'm busy." I responded in a hoarse and low tone.

"Really? No time? Or should I say, not interested to meet new guys." I simply looked at her, dazed by what she said. I couldn't figure out what she truly mean by that.

"Y-Yeah, sort of not interested." Then I shrugged taking my last bite of pizza.

"Well then. I guess I have to go. I still have an appointment to attend a few minutes later. I was invited for a forum in Felix's school." She picked up her things and stood up slowly, ready to leave. Everyone else followed.

"I'll go with mom. Phin, take care of my little sister." My brother commanded.

"As always Nick." Phin grinned. My brother patted my head like a little kid and pinched my right cheek enough for me to squeak somehow.

"Hey! Stop that! You're treating me like a little kid again!" I pouted.

"You always are, Alicia." My brother winked. I rolled my eyes and sighed in frustration. Then both my brother and Phin laughed. They always like to annoy me! I guess I couldn't change that any longer. My mom kissed me goodbye and I hugged her tight before she and my brother left. Phin bid his courteous goodbye to my mom as well. I waved my hand until I could not longer sight them. Here I am again alone with Phin.

Phineas's POV

It felt so heartwearming to see her cheerful smile waving goodbye to her family. Now, I have this feeling of wishing her as my younger sister. If she was, there's no doubt I'd spoil her to let her feel that I'm the best brother in the world. Being an only child sure is lonely and if I were to have a sister, I'd give her all the affection and care she needs. But I'd still prefer not to be Ava's sibling. I'm happy the way she and I are right now. Growing up together as childhood friends is long enough to prove that we are siblings, though not real.

"C'mon Ava. We need to get going. We still have a long way back to our dorm." She nodded and silently followed me towards my car. Once we pulled off, the two of us were still awkwardly quiet. I gripped the steering wheel firmly trying to formulate good words in my head so as to break this unbearable silence between us. I glanced at her. Her eyes fixed at the window beside her obviously bored at what she's seeing. She didn't move nor made any sound. It seemed I didn't exist in her world at all. I panicked. I felt the need of having to do something. Then I decided at once to turn the wheel and step on the brake pedal in order to halt the car. We leaned forward at the sudden inertia. My mind went blank for a moment and then thanked the person (whoever that may be) who proposed putting seat belts in vehicle seats. Finally, Ava's gaze shifted to mine still not uttering a single word. I gulped trying to compose myself.

"Ava, just tell me what is going on." I pleaded while looking at her eyes intently. She didn't answer.

"Do what you want. If you're mad at me, you can scream at me or hit me. I wouldn't mind. Just don't ignore me, okay?" I pleaded again sounding so desperate. She flinched and stared at me for a while. Then a smile formed in her lips. She giggled softly closing her eyes.

"H-Hey! Why are you l-laughing?" I blurted confused of her reaction. She paused from laughing and looked at me.

"Phin, you're really an idiot. I was simply testing you. Now I know you easily panic when I start to ignore you." She said in a playful tone with her eyebrows raised. I was greatly astonished. I couldn't say a word. I was honestly hurt for she made fun of my feelings. Maybe this is some kind of a retribution for trying to irritate her all these years. Instead of getting angry, I simply controlled my temper. I sighed and chuckled.

"Y-Yeah. I know right. I'm an idiot." I shifted position now facing the steering wheel, ready to turn on the engine. Before I could step the accelerating pedal, she leaned close to me and pinched my cheeks.

"Aaww! Hey! Stop that Ava!" I backed away trying to release her hands from my face as she giggled. I was so relieved seeing her back to her normal self with her usual playful and child-like attitude.

"Did someone tell you how adorable you look when you're annoyed?" She asked teasingly as she positioned herself back in her seat.

"You're the first to tell me that." I responded plainly trying to hide my embarrassment. I probably blushed slightly when she said that. She laughed in her usual tone. I sighed once more as I pulled on the engine while turning on the music. She sang merrily with the song as we pulled off the driveway.

We kept on conversing with each other as I continued driving. Hours passed by. She grew tired and decided to take a little nap. When my car arrived at the district of Los Angeles (LA), she woke up.

"Finally." She uttered while stretching her arms slightly in her seat.

"Good morning." I said sarcastically.

"Haha! Yeah right Phin." She rolled her eyes knowing that it was already evening. Silence dominated again. However, this time, it isn't an awkward silence anymore. I halted the car engine at the signal of the traffic light. I glanced at her. Her gaze was now fixed on something, or most probably someone, outside the window. Quickly, I decided to pull over the car to the side of the street and stopped the car engine.

"What's wrong Ava?" I asked curiously. She didn't reply.

Alicia's POV

My mind was busily preoccupied of the girl I'm staring just across Phin's car. Her beauty is so overwhelming that even the strangers on the road would stop to look and examine her. She is not the typical blonde I usually see on the road. She has a silky flaxen permed hair which flowed in waves to adorn her glowing porcelain skin. Her eyes hazel, framed by long curvy lashes. Having a straight nose, full soft rosy lips and a curvaceous body that surely every man would drool and any woman would envy - she seemed the picture of perfection. But what made me so curious about this woman is her eyes - her dead and cold eyes! Despite her beauty perfection, I can't help but notice her awful-looking eyes.

"Ava." Phin called my attention and suddenly I snapped to reality. How long was I staring that woman?

"Y-Yes Phin?" I nervously looked at Phin.

"What's wrong? You seemed to be spacing out. Or are you stalking someone out there?" Phin raised his eyebrows in confusion.

"N-No way! I wouldn't be stalking someone out-of-the-blue, Phin. That's crazy." I shook my head in disbelief.

"Then tell me who are you staring at that made your eyes fixed and you didn't even notice me saying something?"

"That girl." I pointed at the beautiful girl across the street who was wearing a red dress.

"What about that girl?" He inquired plainly focusing his attention to me. I gazed at him, surprised at his reaction. Seriously? Isn't he attracted to this girl?

"Isn't she pretty?" I curiously asked him. He winced and paused for a few seconds. He squinted skeptically at me.

"Ava, are you homosexual?"

"W-WHAT?!" I exclaimed, perplexed. My eyes widened in horror. "OF COURSE NOT! W-What made you say that?!"

"Good you revealed that you are not homosexual. What a horrible nightmare if you confirmed it to be true." He sighed then smirked.

"You know what? I should be the one asking you that since you didn't even act like you're attracted to that gorgeous girl." I said pointedly.

"Haha! What if I say that I am?" I gawked again in horror. This time, I managed to spank his one arm with my right hand.

"Stop joking, Phin. That would be too dreadful for me." I spoke in a frightful tone. He laughed hard.

"Don't worry Ava. That would be included in my don't-ever-be list." He stated calmly. I sighed in relief. Then he started the car engine and immediately pulled away the car into the driveway towards our school dormitory. I took a quick glance at the girl one last time before I couldn't sight her any longer in my vision. Her eyes was still looking horrid. Now I'm starting to get puzzled about this girl.

Author's Note

x x x This chapter is not meant to offend homosexuals. The main gist here is about someone being pinned of something he/she isn't. x x x