My Crazy Housemate: What Makes You Happy

Mia looked at Jeremy and then at Chloe before sighing deeply. Even while the first class was ongoing, she had caught Chloe a couple of times staring at their direction but Jeremy hadn't turned his head since he sat down there. Before, it was Jeremy doing all the staring while Chloe looked ahead. She couldn't just let things continue like this when she knew something was wrong. 

Jeremy had become her friend and even though herself and Chloe rarely spoke, they were both in friendly terms also.

So after the first class, she decided to speak with Jeremy. 

"You want to give up on her?" She suddenly asked. 

He raised his head from his textbook to look at her. She waited for an answer but he didn't give her one. He just kept staring. 

"I don't mean to meddle, but if you are hurting, you should talk about it...."

"Mia, there is nothing to talk about." He said in a really calm and pretty voice. Yes, his voice was pretty. Everything about him was. Why was Chloe not falling?!

"Look," He sat up and scooted closer to her and began to speak quietly.

"I'm not stupid Mia. Maybe Chloe feels something for me, maybe she doesn't, I don't know, I'm not sure. But I've already accepted the fact that nothing can work between us. I've noticed she likes to act like a perfect daughter, and I do not want her to hate me for trying to make her act otherwise."

"Are you sure? This isn't about her going on a date with Kelvin?" She asked with her curious gaze on him.

Jeremy looked at the direction Kelvin usually sat on. The seat has been empty since morning. Since he was the present Students' Council President, everyone knew he was probably running around now especially to get people to vote for his buddy, Benjamin. 

"Look, I was pissed when I saw the picture, I admit. Even though I fo not like him.. Kelvin..  he— is better than me—"

"Do not say that!" Mia snapped at him. "You are better than him, everyone knows so." 

Jeremy raised a brow at her,

"Let's assume there was no Leo in your life. Would you have considered me? At all?" 

"Of course!" She answered without hesitation. She couldn't find any fault in him. She had noticed he had a temper but he was good at controlling it except the time when David had come to the school to harrass Chloe and when he saw Benjamin kissing her. 

"That's not ture!" He said in disbelief before facing his book which was on the desk. 

"There are a lot of girls who likes me. Maybe if I give them my attention the way I gave Chloe, I would like them too and be happy. I deserve to be happy Mia." He said with a sad look.

"You can't just undo this. You've been in love with her for four years! Four good years Jeremy. I do understand what you are saying, but I want you to know it's going to be difficult and you are going to be sadder." 

He looked at her quietly before he grinned. "You really want us to become in-laws so badly don't you?" 

"Stop being silly!" 

He chuckled before remembering, "Still participating in the school's talent hunt?" 

She knew he was running away from that topic o she didn't push it.

"I'm not sure. I have a lot to do now. Besides, I need to focus on passing my tests. We have exams coming up soon."

"Typical of the bookworm, Mia Lucas." He said with a short laugh that made her hit his arm.

"I am not a bookworm!" 

"Yes, you are!" He said with a teasing smile.

From where Chloe was seated, she could see how they bantered happily even though she couldn't hear a word they were saying to each other. 

He hadn't looked towards her direction once since he entered the class. The last time they both spoke to each other, was on Saturday and that day had been crazy for the both of them.

The day after hadn't been any better because her mother came into her room for them to have the conversation which was still pending.

"What happened? Why did you leave your date just like that?" Her mother had asked her with hands folded across her chest and her back resting on her door while Chloe sat up on the bed to face her mother. 

"He reported me to you?" 

"That's not important now. What happened? Don't you like him? He is young, handsome, smart. Everything about him is okay. Or are you worried because you are older? No one can tell. Age doesn't matter these days." 

"I don't like him." Chloe said, looking very serious. "Not about the age or anything. I don't like him."

"You still have time. At least get to know each other and court. We aren't saying you should get married now, not even next year or in two years. You have time to fall in love."

"I. Said. I. Am. Not. Interested!" Chloe said pointedly, taking her mother aback. 

It was the first time she was acting this rebellious. Something suddenly dawned on her and she looked at Chloe with sharp eyes. 

"There is someone?" She asked with an accusing voice. 

"There is no one." Chloe said firmly and looked away from her mother. 

"Who is he? You have been dating behind our backs? Who is the boy!?" 

"Can you just let me be!?" Chloe raised her voice and stood up.

"I need a break,  I need to breathe and you are not helping. None of you are. All you know is try to control me. I need to f.u.c.k.i.n.g breathe!" She looked at her mother's stunned face and knew she had made a mistake reacting that way because now, she couldn't take it back. She picked up her bag from the bed and left her room, walking past her mother whose face was as pale as a sheet. 

She had spent the night at the office and only returned this morning to the house to get her books and to change. When she got home, none of them were inside, which she had been thankful for. She knew soon, her parents were going to have a long talk with her. Truthfully, she didn't know what came over her to make her speak to her mother that way. She guessed it had to do with Louis' advise to not let their parents intimidate her. She had noticed that even though Louis was also very obedient, he was always firm so their parents didn't push him around like they did with her. 

She looked down at her phone when she received a text notification and opened it. 

It was from an unsaved number. It read, 

"Wednesday by 5pm at my residence. In case you aren't going to be comfortable, you can come with a friend. Maria Wesley." 

Chloe read the text over and over again and sighed sadly before raising her head. A frown formed on her face when she saw Jeremy seated in between two ladies. One was Mia, the other was Katie who had just approached him. They both seemed to be seriously talking about something. 

"How do you feel about the news spreading around?" Katie asked Jeremy. 

"What news?" He asked indifferently. 

"Kelvin and Chloe. Everyone seems to think they are perfect for each other. What do you think?" She asked with twinkling eyes. 

He shrugged, "I don't know. I don't care."

"You do." She giggled. "Everyone who has eyes knows you like Chloe. I'm a very observant lady." She winked at him. 

"Look, I'm not interested in this conversation. I don't know why you keep approaching me when we aren't even friends. What is it that you want?" He asked seriously. 

"You." She said with a grin. "I'm curious to know what you really are that's making Chloe interested." 

"You are going to be wasting your time because I am nothing and she isn't interested." 

"I doubt it." She said confidently before standing up. "I'm sure you are more than just a pretty face and a nice body." 

Katie looked at Mia who had an earphone plugged in her ear with her eyes on her phone. Sensing  Katie's stare, she looked up at her and they both exchanged a glance which made it obvious they didn't like each other. Katie forced a smile before leaving their desk then, she looked at Chloe's direction and both ladies continued to look at each other for a long time until Katie walked past.

Chloe exited Mrs Wesley's text and sent a short text to Jeremy which read "Let's meet outside."

She looked at him and saw him take out his phone. She saw a flicker of surprise in his face as he read the text and soon, he began to type. 

She checked her phone immediately a message notification came in and her heart stopped when she opened the message. It was also simple and short. He said,

"Sorry, I'm studying." 

He just turned her down.