DAYMARE 10: Loreance part 2

I frowned at what she said. "Huh?”

The boy put his arm around me. “That was years ago. After all, it has been 12 years. But Lorean and I still remember you… a little bit.”

I was still thinking, but nothing came to mind when he mentioned it was 12 years ago.

Heck, that was 12 years ago. Must be something I wouldn’t consider remembering.

“No, I’ve no idea what you two are saying. My bad."

I wanna grab a lot of snacks, but they’re still talking with me. They can't talk to me sensibly when I'm hungry because I also can't think sensibly.

"Let’s eat our snacks first. Lewin is better off with a filled stomach," said the girl.

I gazed at her.

Now that I have a better angle on her, she’s cute. Not really my type, but it can be Rico’s type. Too bad, he’s not here, haha.

"How did you-"

“Your mother told us. And since you don't remember us anymore, we are your childhood friends.”

Childhood… Friends… 12 years ago…

Ah! They must be my childhood buddies when I was 4 years old, that mama mentioned before.

“Really? You guys were my friends?” I asked since I am close to remembering nothing about them.

“Yes. We were so close back then. We used to play a lot until you left suddenly to go to Metro City. But I’m still friends with Vance.” The girl said and took a glance at the guy named Vance.

“I remember you a lil bit. Wait, how did Mom tell you that?”

“After enrollment was done, your mom dropped by the school, and we ran into each other. She told me about you and your family coming back here. She also joked about how you get upset when you’re hungry—said it’s no use trying to talk to you ‘cause your stomach and brain are both empty.”Top of FormBottom of Form She smiled.

She said the last part mockingly.

Oops! Good, and we moved to Metro City right away after 4 years when I was a kid. This girl is already making fun of me.

“Hahaha! Even though our bonding was short, Mr. Lewin, now that you’re back, we can continue our friendship,” said Vance. "Recess time is almost over. We can share my snacks."

He opened his bag, and I saw three sandwiches. "Now that you’re finally back, I prepared three sandwiches for us!" he said excitedly, handing over the sandwiches to each of us.

Oh, man! I wasn’t able to go downstairs to buy food at the canteen when these two talked with me. Whooo! It looks like his sandwich is delicious.

I sat down again, and the three of us ate the sandwiches together.

They seem kind and fun at the same time. Thanks, and I've had friends here before. Who knows, I’ll be friends with them again.

After they shared some of their life stories with me, I did not hesitate to share mine too.

"Have you two remained studying here since I moved?" I asked them while continuing to chew my food.

I haven’t tasted this kind of sandwich before, yet it is yummy.

“Yeah, you’re the only one who separated from us. And when we heard that you were coming back, we’re delighted, even though we barely remember the memories of us three,” said Vance.

Vance seems to be a more reserved and cheerful type of friend.

"Thank your mom. She left you with us to take care of you," Lorean said.

Lorean seems to be a more assertive kind of girl who can be blunt, yet everything she says makes sense.

Now that I noticed, the girls wear a school uniform with a yellowish dirty white blouse and a thin dark green ribbon hanging on their chest, paired with dark green striped long skirts. While the boys are wearing the same color of the girls’ blouse, but with a polo and dark green pants

I smiled at what she said. Mama can never really live without a connection with my friends. She needs a spy, and now she has two of them.

I don't remember the two of them completely, but that's okay. Don’t know if anything has changed in their behavior since we were kids. From what I can recall, they are my childhood friends here in the province, and that’s all about it.

"How’s life in Metro City?" Vance asked.

I swallowed the last bite of my sandwich first and then spoke.

"It’s fine. Same old busy city. Not as peaceful as here,” I replied while crumpling the sandwich wrap.

"I'm sure you're not used to living here," Lorean said as she took another bite of her sandwich.

“It's been a long time since we lived here, so... yeah. As long as I have my games, there will be no problem.”

“How are your siblings? I heard there are three of you?” Vance asked.

“Ah, yes. Vea and the youngest is Janey. They are doing great. But Vea is still looking for a job here. While Janey, I know she’ll find new friends here.”

That’s me being transparent about my family.

“Must be entertaining to be the middle child,” Lorean commented.

“Yup. I always get bullied by the three of ‘em.”

“I want to meet them too. Maybe we can visit your house soon if we can.” – Vance

“Nah, Janey would just talk about her dolls all day while Vea would scold me as always.” I scoffed.

Vance laughed slightly. “Sounds like a lively household you have there.”

“Lively? More like noisy hahaha,” I chuckled. Only if they have an idea how noisy the three of them are, especially my siblings. “But they’re taking good care of me. Sure, you can pay a visit.”

“Lucky you for having them,” Lorean muttered.

“How about you? I questioned them. “Do you have any brothers? Sisters?”

Even though they were my childhood friends, it was like this was the first time we met.

They were momentarily chewing their food. A minute later, no one answered me.

Did I say something wrong?

"Why?" I asked them.

I took a glimpse of their sandwiches. Maybe they ate a bug or something; that’s why they stopped talking.

Oh, yeah. I already finished mine. I need more of Vance’s sandwiches. That was good.

"Is there something wrong?"

Vance forced a smile. “Oh, nothing. We just remembered something.”

"What's that?" I grabbed my bottled water from my bag and drank it.

Vance put his sandwich on his table. "When we found out that you used to be from Clairene Academy-"

"Vance," Lorean cut him off and glared at him.

What’s with her reaction?

"Lorean, it’s Lewin we’re talking with…" Vance calmed her.

"Well, m-maybe this is not the right time and not the right place," Lorean said evasively and lowered her head slightly.

I understand if we’re talking personal stuff now, and they don’t trust me too much because we just met again. But there was tension, and I became curious about it.

“You don’t have to worry about it, Lorean…. It’s been a year.”

Lorean was just silent after Vance said that.

"Ah, guys. It's okay with me if you don't want to-"

“No,” Lorean heaved a sigh. “All right.” She looked at me. “We will tell you what happened.” She paused

I gulped and savoured the sandwich I ate earlier. I let her continue talking.

“But you must promise…” Her face was serious, making me want to take this conversation seriously, too. "Promise us you won't tell anyone else." The tone of her voice became heavy.