26

I walked up Bebe's stairs and strangely, sweat started beading on my forehead. It's not gonna be bad, I desperately told myself. I knew why I was sweating profusely, that was because I didn't know how they'd react after such a long time we've never talked or do anything together. It was - to me, at least - like an eternal separation, without me even noticing. What would they say? Would I lose out every tiny bit of information on their lives that I could no longer trace the ones I've known, Bebe and Dame, as before?

I pushed them out of my head, and courageously knocked on the door. My emotions were screaming, telling me to run. It doesn't matter, just run. But my legs were glued, I couldn't budge. So what if they didn't accept me? I just want to know how they're doing, that's what matters the most.

Slowly, the knob turned. I locked my eyes at that point, and my heart thumped loudly. The door opened a little, and I heard nothing. I pushed the door to help me see just anything or anyone. Bebe's head poked out abruptly, and I gasped. She giggled, and opened the door wider. We still didn't say anything for a long time, me staring at her, and she staring back at me.

She had cut her hair, shorter. Her face looked so much more matured, more complex. She's changed. I didn't know if these made sense, or was it just that I've come to the point that I really did miss her to this extent. I heard footsteps, and then Dame appeared. Bebe's eyes were still on me, but I focused on Dame instead. His difference was much more prominent than Cece, his face seemed chiseled, as if he'd done something to them. His arms were bulkier under his black shirt, his palms were much bigger when he spread his arms and welcomed me a hug. I didn't take my eyes of his big hands, but he wrapped me around them. And gosh, he smelled of cologne. What happened to DAME?

"Welcome home." he whispered into my ears as I was wrapped around his arms, obviously stunned. He pulled me away lightly and I tried to smile, all my fears vanished. They weren't the slightest bit angry at me, and that felt good. I didn't see Bebe coming, but she threw her arms at me and gave me a big tighter hug. I laughed as she wrapped tighter.

"Okay, can't. Breathe."

"Oops! Sorry!" she apologized, joy in her eyes. Finally, my voice found its return, "I didn't miss you that much," I admitted, still teasing. She didn't mind, but she did roll her eyes. I walked into Bebe's living room. The last time I've been here was the party we've thrown for Dame. It seemed to be just so long ago.
Dame draped his arms around me, "So, any plans tonight?"
I shook my head. I walked blindly, touching anything I saw - reflex action - as Dame chuckled at my odd way to recall back the nice memories. I felt like flying, honestly. Walking slowly now, I took a deep breath. In front of me loomed a big tent, orange, and the door was opened. "What's this?"
"Oh," Bebe answered nonchalantly, "just our plan for you."
I gasped for the second time tonight, "NO!" I laughed. Bebe laughed along, and soon enough, Dame joined. I paused, watching them laugh. They were so, matching. So peaceful and harmonious. They were, sort of, meant to be.
"What's wrong with you? Join in the laughter!" Dame said between laughter. I crept into the tent, and they followed. It was big enough for a few cans of coke, and a big cake. I smiled to myself as I saw what was on the cake.
'Welcome home!'
"Awh, you shouldn't haveee." I said, my heart heavy with happiness. Bebe looked at me knowingly, "I know."
I smacked her on her calf.
"WHAT?!"
"That was a figure of speech, bimbo."
"BIMBO?!"
"YEAH!"
"Wait-wait-wait!" Dame cut in, annoyed by our petty little fight. "Girls! Please, respect the man."
"PFFT."
He laughed, and looking at the both of us, he grab a spoon, poke it in the middle of the cake, -I was so shocked and taken aback- turned it upside down and pulled the end of the spoon backwards, sending the piece of cake flying towards me and SPLAT, it landed on my face.
"OH.MY.GOSH." I groaned, and that brought more laughter from the two of them. I've missed this so much. So I guess the cake wasn't edible, I grabbed a handful of the pink cream and shoved it into Dame's shirt.
"Oh I'm bad," I said between gritted teeth, "REAL bad."
He jumped up and down as Bebe controlled her roar of mirth. Before Bebe could open her mouth, I grabbed another handful and threw it at her. This was not as harsh as what I've done to Dame. It continued for the whole night until one of us, the killjoy, stopped the fun.
We ended up cleaning the tent, drinking coke in between, and having stories exchanged. I've known that Dame has been transferred into a new class and has seen less of Bebe, and Bebe has secretively told me that her feelings for Dame has turned from bogus to zilch. That fact didn't affect me, but it did loosen me up a bit knowing that I didn't need to keep secrets from any of them anymore.
Besides that, Dame has also proudly stated that he had aced all his exams and were very happy, and that when he did announce his achievements, Bebe snorted in between. She thinks he's too much of a nerd, and who couldn't agree more?