Eliza’s Point Of View.

Before our story begins, allow me to introduce myself first. I am Eliza Smith, 19 years old, and turning 20 this October. I’m a fourth-year college student at West University where my Mom, Faye De Leon - Smith, used to study way back in her high school days.

Like my Mom, who has a group of friends from childhood to the present, I’m proud to say that I also have best friends, or should I say squad, like Liezel Fallon, Anthony Carter, and Raphael Colt.

*Kring Kring*

“Bestie, let’s go to the cafeteria. They might be there,” Liezel called out to me as the school bell rang.

“Give me a minute. I’ll just fix my things,” I said, hurrying to put away my belongings.

When I was done packing my bag, Liezel and I went straight to the cafeteria, where Raphael and Ton were waiting.

To give you some background on us, Liezel and I have been best friends since we were kids. That’s because our parents are also close friends. On the other hand, Anthony and Raphael have known each other for a long time. The four of us met and became friends during our freshman year, or first year of college.

How?

Well, it may have seemed ridiculous, but this is the entire story…

Liezel and I were inside the classroom as early as seven o’clock. There were no students at the time, so we both decided to wait for the others rather than going out of the University. Minutes later, four unknown men came in without permission and sat next to us two.

“Hi, pretty ladies,” said one of them.

Liezel and I just ignored him, as if there were no one else there except us, and continued browsing the internet. All of a sudden, he jumped out of his seat and started going wild.

“Hey, you two! Aren’t I talking to the both of you?! Don’t you have anything to say?!” he shouted.

“I’ll apologize in advance in case I’d be frank with you, sir.” Liezel put down her phone and turned to face the man, showing her bored look. “I don’t think you’re worthy enough for us to waste our time with you talking nonsense.”

“W-What did you just say?” He began getting furious. “Are you not afraid of me, huh? Well, but that’s my type of woman, a brave one.”

“Can you please get out of here because you’re being too talkative and it’s pissing me off?” Liezel added, getting impatient.

I snickered in secret. Liezel is as straight-forward as she is. She has no fear of anything nor anyone.

Sometimes I wonder, how can she be a human if she’s afraid of nothing? As expected, she’s an incredible woman.

Her harsh words crushed the man’s ego. He became even more annoyed, so he suddenly grabbed Liezel’s wrist and violently forced her to stand up.

“Y-You’re really testing me, huh?! Let’s see if you’re going to like this or not, you brat!”

“Let go of me, you ugly creature!” Liezel griped.

Then, he started kissing her neck. I couldn’t help it, so I took my water jug and hit it on his head.

“Fuck it!” The man growled in pain. He turned to his three companions and ordered them to restrain us.

Gosh! How did trespassers get in here?

Uh-oh.

The three creepy men gradually attacked us. In an instant, I became nervous. We can’t escape from here because they are blocking the door, and there’s no way anyone can hear us if we ever try to scream our lungs out because our class starts at 8 o’clock. For a split second, I closed my eyes and prayed that someone would pass by our room and rescue us.

They started to walk closer to us. Two men held Liezel’s arm, while the other two gripped mine. If there were only two of them, Liezel and I could handle them. We could manage to get out of here and run, but we couldn’t because they were four big men.

*Blag*

I looked at the two men who had just kicked open the door and entered the classroom. Their faces weren’t familiar and they weren’t wearing a school uniform, that’s why Liezel and I were unable to recognize if they were intruders either way.

Don’t tell me they’re allied with these four maniac men?

“Let them go,” said the tall man calmly.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God! I assumed they were the ones who would cover our noses with scented handkerchiefs, causing us to lose our consciousness, and then kidnap us like in movies. I must have had an unhealthy obsession with watching movies. I’m even imagining it despite our current situation, jeez!

“Why should I? You know, kid, if you don’t want to be hurt, you better stay out of this. This isn’t your concern, so get lost.”

“I said let them go,” the tall man said again.

“Don’t make him repeat what he said or you’ll be the one aching in pain,” the other person added.

“What if we don’t want to?” The man smirked and teased them further.

“This is what will happen, then…”

I was nonplussed when the tall man punched the annoying man and they all started fighting and causing trouble. I quickly approached Liezel and drew her alongside me. We just stood there while watching them exchange punches to one another.

I covered my mouth in surprise as those four men collapsed on the floor with wounds and bruises on their faces, while those two guys had none and were completely fine.

“W-We’re not yet done!” The maniac man’s final words before ordering his companions to run fast. “L-Let’s go!”

“Are you okay?” The tall man took a step closer to both of us.

“Uh, yes. We’re not seriously hurt. Thank you,” I replied.

“May I know your names?”

“I am Liezel,” my best friend introduced herself. “Her name is Eliza.”

“I’m Anthony, but I prefer to be called Ton because it is my nickname,” he said, reaching out his hand. “Oh, and this tall man beside me is Raphael.”

As I took his hand, my lips formed a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. You’re our savior.”

“Can we become friends?” Anthony asked, looking at my best friend.

“Sure! Why not? We’re grateful you saved us,” Liezel agreed and shook Anthony’s hand.

We all smiled at each other, and before we knew it, we were laughing.

And that’s how we became friends…

Since that day, we have always been together. Our personalities are very much alike, and I think that’s one of the main reasons we clicked.

Raphael and Ton were the first people we saw when we entered the cafeteria.

“Raphael! Ton!” I called their names.

They turned around as soon as they heard my voice. When they waved at us, their smiles widened. Liezel and I sat down next to them. It seems like they have ordered our food.

“Woah, you sure ordered a lot! What is going on?” I quipped.

Ton smiled sweetly, “I just want to feed you both.”

“Then, let’s eat!”

Perhaps you’re wondering why Raphael isn’t saying anything. Well, he’s always been like that. He’s a silent type and a snob. If you’re not his friend, he will never make a move or bring up a topic just to talk to you, unless he likes you.

“Hey, Raphael,” Liezel earned his attention. Raphael turned to look at her. “How’s the test? Did you do well?”

“Don’t you want to ask me as well?” Ton intervened.

“Shut up!”

Ton pursed his lips and frowned while eating. Liezel rolled her eyes in annoyance. They made me laugh. They are the true rivals of our squad. They frequently argue over madness.

Raphael replied to her question, “I believe so. What about you, Eliza?”

“M-Me? Well, uh… I think I did well, too,” I answered.

Raphael and Ton were the first to enter the classroom after lunch, while Liezel encouraged me to accompany her to the restroom.

“I need to retouch before our class begins.”

She pulled me to the female restroom, and I had no choice but to follow her inside. She started retouching her face with light makeup and red lipstick to conceal her pale lips. I washed my hands while monitoring the time.

“Bestie…” Liezel called me. “I have something to tell you. But this is only a secret between the two of us, okay?”

“All right, you can trust me,” I pledged and motioned as if I’m zipping my mouth. “Spill the beans. I want to hear it!”

She’s a badass, so I was taken aback when she covered her face, as if she’s shy. She then whispered something to my ear that caused my eyes to widen.

“I like Raphael…”