3 One Out Of Three Hundred & Sixty-Five Days

"It's your choice, Hector. Will you accept this challenge and prove to us that you are a true man?" Sid asked

So I have to go through pain flirting with all the girls I dislike in this school for the sake of our friendship?

I could imagine those girls asking me to go shopping buying crazy expensive clothes and accessories while visiting a fancy restaurant with their waiter hanging a hundred dollar bill on my face.

Hell no I'm going to accept this challenge.

"C'mon, Bro. I don't want a loser to be my friend." Raven taunted.

Stop pressuring me!

I'm suffocating within my subconsciousness.

…But thanks to that, I now have my answer.

"Alright, let's end our friendship now."

Raven and Sid were pushed back by my answer. I finished the last piece of my bread and started to leave the table.

Raven stood up and grabbed my arm and said, "Hold on, buddy. Are you seriously gonna ditch our friendship just like that?"

"Yes, why?" I answered.

"So our friendship means nothing to you? Are you seriously going to treat it like trash? I can't believe you would do something like this."

I could sense his anger and disappointment through those words, but that's not enough to change my mind.

"Heh, says the one who treated our friendship like a game."

Raven suddenly went silent. Seeing the guilt in his eyes made me smirk. I shook off his hand and walked back to our classroom.

"What just happened?"

Sid was dazed, looking at Raven expecting an answer.

But Raven only stood still leaving Sid's question unanswered and stayed silent in the middle of the crowd.

…..

…..

…..

Our lesson started, it was boring to me (as usual). But I paid attention to it anyway.

"Psst, Hector. Hey, psst."

Sid has been calling out for me ever since the start of the lesson.

Luckily I have strong concentration. I could only hear him mumbling while listening clearly to what the teacher was saying.

"Aww, c'mon Hector, talk to me…"

Our math teacher, Matthew Alston, saw what Sid was doing, and decided to scold him.

"Sid!"

"Y-yes Sir!" Sid replied in an upright position.

"Pay attention to class, please. I don't want to see you fail your test again."

I could hear some students chuckling and smirking at Sid after hearing the word "Fail"

"Sorry about that…" Sid said.

Matthew shook his head and said, "I don't want an apology, I want to see progress, Sid. Now let's get back to our main topic."

Thanks to our teacher, Sid has finally stopped bugging me.

…..

…..

…..

The school bell rings.

I quickly packed up my stuff and tried to get out of this place away from Sid and Raven.

Sid did the same and chased after me.

And before I reached the gate…

"Hey, Hector, wait!"

I sighed and turned around.

"What is it, Sid. There's nothing we could talk about anymore."

He seemed crushed after hearing my statement.

"Are… Are you really going to leave us?"

I smirked and said, "Do I look like I'm joking?"

"But why?"

"Why? Because I don't see any reason to keep it since you guys threaten me for a stupid challenge."

"I'm too bored and frustrated to deal with this right now."

"But..."

Sid looked like he wanted to say something, but he can't seem to let it out.

I scoffed and turned my back on him then walked towards the gate.

"We have become friends for a long but short time, Bro. If you have any problems, you should let us know right away."

I froze and looked back to see Raven walking like he had a month worth of time in his schedule.

"Yeah, I was about to say that first, though..." Sid complained.

"Haha. Whatever, Sid," Raven said and rested his hand on Sid's shoulder.

"But remember this, Hector: We will always be there when you need us."

Sid nodded and said, "Raven is right, I mean that's what friends do right? You can share your problem with us anytime."

"....."

Those words hit my soft spot.

Questions popping inside my head.

Screaming and yearning for the help they offered me.

"I… I want to be alone for today… Please stay away from me…"

I turned my back on them and started to walk out of the gate again.

"Hector-"

Before Sid could say or do anything else, Raven stopped him and said, "Let him go, Sid. He'll come back soon."

"But what if he doesn't?"

"Don't worry, I have an idea. Do you still have those videos of us spending time together?"

"Yeah, but what are you planning to do with it?" Sid starred curiously.

"Heh, you'll see it soon enough."

…..

The sun is setting. Gold sunlight painted the surroundings.

I picked up my phone, and called a number, listening to the tone, waiting for someone to answer it.

"Hello, Hector. Let me guess, you're coming home late today?"

"Heh. How do you know, Mom?"

"Well… You wouldn't call me if it wasn't because of that particular reason. But are you ok though?"

"I'm fine… Just a little bored."

"Ugh… You always say that… I don't even know how to deal with you anymore."

I smirked and said, "I can deal with my problems, Mom. You don't need to worry."

She breathed out a long sigh and said, "Alright, if you say so. But I don't want to hear you say you're bored again in the future, ok?"

"I'll try my best, Mom."

"Good. Oh! I have work to do in the office. Make sure to come home before dinner."

"Yeah, yeah… I know."

"See you soon, Big guy."

She then hangs up the phone. I placed both hands in my pocket and wandered around the streets for my first time.

It was unexpectedly crowded with people.

I decided to stop by the bakery and bought a cheese and salad sandwich and continued my evening walk.

The street looks better than I remember.

Trees planted next to the benches. Walls painted with various art and portraits.

There's a picture of a rose garden painted next to a flower shop that makes me stand still and urges me to walk into the non-existent garden.

A florist saw me looking at the painting and greeted me.

"Hello there."

"Hi," I responded.

She was a middle-aged lady with long and smooth dark hair wearing an elegant red dress with pictures of flowers all around it.

"I see you seem to like our painting."

I went silent by that question and continued to observe the art in front of me.

Surprisingly, even after seeing my reaction, she still gave me an honest smile. I'm starting to regret not replying to her.

"This art was actually drawn by one of our regular customers."

Her statement caught me off guard. I stared at her with eyes wide open and asked, "A customer drew this?"

Her smile became even brighter as she breathed joyfully and said, "Yes, this man asked for our permission to draw on this wall to confess with his crush."

The story seems intriguing to me. I decided to ask.

"Did it go well?"

She looked me in the eyes and said, "It was wonderful."

I smiled. I don't know why but I feel happy for them for no reason.

"Good to know."

As usual, she only smiles to respond to my words.

"Good evening, Flora."

I turned toward that voice and saw a man with brown The Mullet haircut wearing a black suit and a red bow tie waving his hand at us.

"Ah, Ethan. Speak of the devil I was talking with this boy about your painting."

"Oh really? So what do you think about it," Ethan said as he looked at me with expectation.

This guy is pretty dashing with that outfit. I looked at him and said, "Good…"

"Oh! How rude of me, name's Ethan. Nice to meet you."

"Didn't ask, but at least you're being polite," I smirked.

"Haha… That mouth of yours will get you into trouble when used in the wrong way, but I'm glad you like my painting."

Trouble? What kind of trouble?

Then, when I think about it, that may be the reason why Flare threw spaghetti on my face.

Damn it!

Ethan chuckled after seeing me pondering about it then returned his attention to Flora.

"So, Flora. Can you prepare a banquet of orange roses for me?

She smiled and said, "Of course I can. Just give me a few minutes."

After Flora went inside, I took a bite of my sandwich and walked out of the shop.

"Hmm? Aren't you going to buy some flowers?" Ethan called.

I turned and looked at him confusingly.

"Flowers? Sorry, my parents are not dead yet."

"Ahahaha! You seriously need to watch that mouth of yours."

"I say whatever I want to say. Now bug off."

"...You are a very rude, kid. I'm very disappointed that someone like you even liked my painting."

"Oh really? Well, that's none of my concern."

"Why you…"

I could imagine Ethan is going to point a finger at my face and give me his word of advice, but Flora came just before that happened.

"Here are your roses, Ethan."

"Oh… Thank you… How much is it?"

"Forty."

Ah, Ethan is distracted, time to get out of here.

"It has been a while since you last visited our shop. Is there something special going to happen between you two today?" Flora asked.

Ethan smiled and said, "I'm going to propose to her today."

My instinct told me to stop. I stood still and listened to their conversation.

"Oh, congratulations then."

"Haha. What are you talking about? I haven't even proposed yet."

"But I'm certain she will say yes."

"Haha. Thank you. Well, I gotta go now, she's probably waiting for me."

"Good luck." Flora smiled.

Ethan then bumped past me, but I didn't say anything and something dropped out of his jacket.

I hurriedly picked it up and called out for him.

"Hey! You dro-"

Before I could finish, he drove off with his red car- Wait, is that the Chevrolet Corvette Convertible? This guy is damn wealthy then.

"Should I throw this thing in the trash?"

It was a red box with a diamond ring inside.

"Huh. Maybe I could sell this to pay my school bills."

I closed the box and shoved it in my pocket before leaving that spot.

"Where are you planning to take that ring, Boy?"

I turned around and saw Flora was staring at me with raised eyebrows, waiting for me to answer her question.

"Mind your own business," I answered.

"My, my. Look at you, trying to act like a villain," She chuckled.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"You can lie to others, but you can't lie to me."

"Look, Ma'am. I really don't understand what you are talking about."

"Very well then. Just remember, whatever you do to that ring will change your life forever."

Yes, It will after I sell it.

"So… You won't stop me for what I'm going to do with this ring?"

She shook her head and smiled.

"Ok, I should be leaving now."

I could finally walk away for real this time.

"Goodbye, come and visit again sometimes."

I ignore her and keep on moving.

But I could sense that she's smiling from behind me.

What an idiot.

…..

…..

…..

I'm now in the middle of the streets where there is a large river under a bridge with street lamps and benches five meters apart from each other on the sides facing the river.

By the time I arrived at the bridge, I already finished my sandwich.

I threw the wrapper inside a trash bin then sat on an empty bench, admiring the scene in front of me.

Most of the people here are couples and families, but there are also a few loners like me.

…..

The sun finally sets and the sky turns dark.

All the street lights and waves of crystal clear LEDs are brightening up the whole area.

Suddenly, I hear some people playing music from behind me.

I looked back and saw a group of buskers singing a song called (Livin' Our Love Song) to a lonely girl with long blonde hair wearing a white jacket and orange shirt with sky blue jeans and her skin is bright as the lights around her.

The buskers are crazy talented, especially their vocals.

Then I saw Ethan walking in smoothly like the music, giving her a bouquet filled with orange roses and everyone nearby starting to gather around them including me.

Seems like he hasn't noticed that he lost his ring.

"What is this?" The girl asked.

"Just doing what you told me to do," Ethan teased.

"Oh? Which one?" She said playfully.

"Hmm, the one you always talked about."

"Well... I forgot. Refresh my memory."

Ethan then laughed and stared affectionately into her shining brown eyes and said, "I'm ready, Liara."

"Ready about what?" Liara asked with a smile that shows her expectation.

"We had been together for a few years now and I guess it's time to tell you that…"

"I'm ready."

"To protect you."

"To always be right next to you."

"Spending the rest of our life together."

"...I love you, Liara."

Liara suddenly blushed. Everyone started cheering after hearing that last sentence.

Ethan put his hands inside his pocket.

Then.

His expression changed.

"Where is it?" He said to himself.

This is awkward~

I wanted to laugh so hard at this dumbass throughout this crowd but I held it back.

"What are you looking for?" Liara asked.

"Uh… Just give me a sec."

The crowd is starting to get confused and the buskers stopped singing and playing their music.

I grabbed the ring in my pocket. Thoughts are swimming across my mind.

Should I return it?

This rich guy deserves to fail this proposal anyway.

I smirked and started walking away from the scene.

…..

'This painting was actually drawn by one of our regular customers.'

Flora's voice suddenly appeared in my head. I remembered the painting that I saw earlier.

There was something special about it.

What is it?

…

Then I realized.

It was his true feelings...

I turned back and went to a person that seems to be the lead singer of the buskers.

"Hey, you." 

"Hmm? What?"

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Uh… Maybe. What is it?"

I gave him the ring and whispered to him about my plan.

"So, can you do it?"

"You're on, Bro."

"Make sure to clap alright."

He gave me a thumbs up and called out his band to prepare for the next song.

I crossed my arms and waited for the show to come.

"Where is it?"

Ethan is still searching his entire pocket and starting to panic.

"Seriously, what are you looking for?"

Liara starts to get worried.

The guitar started playing and the song began.

They are singing a song called (With You).

After they began playing the drums, their lead singer came out from the crowd with the ring in his hands.

Liara covered her mouth when she saw the ring I could see the excitement in her eyes.

The rest of the band started clapping and everyone clapped along with the rhythm.

Ethan then whispered, "Where did you get this ring?"

"That kid over there gave it to me."

Ethan looked like he was shot by a taser when he saw me. I smirked and shouted, "What are you waiting for? Put on the ring!"

Everyone around me cheered the same thing.

After that, he snapped back into the main event and kneel towards his girl.

"Liara, will you marry me?"

"Yes!"

Ethan grinned and put the ring on and hugged her.

Everyone screamed and cheered at the future married couple.

I then left that place with a smile. It's late now anyway.

…..

"Wait!"

I stopped to turn toward that voice to see Ethan running after me.

"Thank you." He said.

"Just a thank you? Where is my payment?"

He laughed and said, "Still being rude as always, eh?"

"Better being rude than ruining a person's life."

"True, but some people have a soft heart, you need to be more polite to avoid hurting them."

"Soft people, huh… I'll think about it."

"But I would like to know how did you get my ring?" He asked as he crosses his arms.

Great… He's feeling suspicious.

"Ah, you dropped it after bumping into me."

Ethan then sighed in relief and said, "Oh, I'm sorry for misunderstanding you. I owe you an apology."

"What do you want me to do for you?" He asked.

I pondered about it for a bit and said, "Kneel and apologize."

".....Alright, I'll do it."

Before Ethan's knees touched the ground I grabbed him and said, "Woah, Woah, Woah! I'm just joking, don't kneel."

I scratched my head said, "I'm also sorry for being rude to you, so that makes us even now."

"Thanks again. If it wasn't because of you, This proposal will be a disaster."

"Don't mention it."

"Is there anything I could do to repay you?"

"Pay me a million dollars."

Both of us laughed this time and after a while, I stopped laughing and said, "You already repay me by not screwing up that proposal, but just remember not to drop anything again in the future."

"I won't."

"Alright! your future wife is waiting for you. I'm heading back home."

"See you soon."

"No. You don't want to see me again," I replied.

"Haha. Maybe you're right. Goodbye then."

Ethan then ran back to Liara as I walk back home while gazing at the stars above me. Feeling satisfied with what happened today.

That was fun. It has been a while since I had this feeling.

I want to feel it again.

Hopefully, this feeling stays until tomorrow...