NOIM; Connected Worlds

"Tsch! Where are we going? You know, you're really such a pain sometimes." I asked in an annoyed tone.

"Just a little more... Left here... Then right... Another left after two blocks..." Alice muttered as we followed the navigation app on her smartphone. We've been walking around for a full hour. We tried getting a cab but no one wanted to take such route since traffic in Makati is terrible.

"Are we there yet? I'm wearing heels you know. This better be a great place!" I threatened.

"You'll see. Hehe. I've been scouting around Makati for 5 days now. It says here that we'll be there after a few blocks..." looking at the map on his phone. It seems that she's still quite attached to her smartphone. My Immersion Accessory was delivered a few days ago. It felt refreshing for some reason. It felt like I was my self but within a different body. 'A fresh start'. That was the first thing that came into my mind. A different environment, different culture, and laws. I thought to myself, maybe we can make more friends in this life.

After a few more blocks, we stopped at a Cafe that was at the edge of the business district. This Alice... This is a lot farther than I expected... How did she know this place anyway? Cafe Orathoria... The name sounds familiar... Hmm... Must be my imagination.

As we were about to enter the shop, the two men chatting beside the glass window caught my attention... Tsch, It's those two... Cafe Orathoria... This address...

"Bella? You know those two?" Looking at the direction pointed by my eyes. Alice's curiosity was invited. Phew... It seems that she didn't recognize them...

"This place seems a bit old. We passed by Starbucks a block from here. Why don't we just go there?"

"Are you kidding me? Even your subdivision has a branch. It's about those two right... They seem familiar..."

"Nevermind. Let's go!" I didn't want to explain further so I went ahead and entered the shop, knowing Alice she'll probably bug me about this from time to time.

"Welcome to Cafe Orathoria!" The members greeted cheerfully, with it comes the pleasant smell of coffee beans and pastries. It feels quite good to see crew members that actually feel good about having customers since most of the establishments in the business district are really packed with people. It had a medium amount of customers. The cafe had an old school feel to it, there was no music; just the sound of plates and utensils plus the people chatting in low volume.

"Thank you..." Alice voiced in a shy tone. Alice has always been nice to all types of people... Very shy, but grateful... It always imprints a good impression on people. Maybe it's Alice's way of making friends? I don't know. It hasn't been working if that's the case though. We've never really had anyone else in this little circle of ours. Just me and Alice. We tried to fit into some groups during high school but it didn't really work out as expected. We're really just two oddballs. I admit, it was mostly my fault. My temper was really something that time. I didn't think twice before beating them up if they say something about me or Alice. Of course, if you ask me, I'd say it's their fault.

We've only been here a few minutes and I'm already starting to love this place. The smell of coffee beans mixing with the moist coming from an old air conditioner really feels comfy for some reason. The naturally furbished oakwood tables and chairs here are simply rare and lovely things. I've always dreamed of having one as my study table. It's fine if it was used by countless people through the years, just as long as they didn't use it for weird things...

After waiting in line for a couple of minutes, it was finally our turn to order. I ordered a small sized cup of brewed coffee and Alice ordered something sweet as usual. There very few tables in this small cafe so we have to wait a little bit before a vacant spot is finally available. I got bored after a minute or so. Alice wasn't really very talkative plus she was banging on her smartphone playing candy crush so I had nothing to do. There were two women that have been waiting aside from us. Being bored to death, I thought I'd just eavesdrop on them...

"Are they celebrities?"

"I don't know. Models maybe?"

"I like the one in long sleeves."

"I don't know... I can't read that guy. I like the other one though. Typical Alpha male. Simple but hot."

"It's been quite a while... Maybe we should just share seats with them."

*giggle* *giggle*

The two women advanced towards the table beside the window.

"Hello, mind if we share seats?" The lady wearing a red dress asked in a sweet tone.

The man in a semi-formal attire didn't answer. He smiled and waved his hand towards the two empty chairs, making a gesture of approval. Tsch, this guy is really annoying me...

"We've been waiting for fifteen minutes already... These guys are surely taking their time. Are they drinking medicine or something." Alice crack a joke to cool me off as she thought that I was getting impatient. Probably feeling guilty for using his phone this whole time.

"Come on." I replied in a straight voice. Grabbing her hand walking towards the pair of people I've been observing.

"Bella?" Alice was surprised and she almost spilled some of her strawberry milkshakes.

"Wha... Wha... What are you doing?" She asked panickily. I don't really know why am I doing this... I stopped walking after I mustered up my courage and said while trying not to change my usual tone.

"You said you'll treat me a drink when I make a visit!"

*Thump*

Hearing my voice. I immediately caught their attention. My heart was racing... I couldn't tell what was happening around me as I stood there waiting for the reply of the man in front of me. Why am I doing this?... There must be something in the coffee...

My hands were starting to feel sweaty as I tightly gripped on Alice. Looking at the man in front of me... Tsch, this man... Don't tell me he doesn't remember?!

....

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University A 4 Years ago.

"Bella, be sure to go home early tomorrow after school. The skull parade will be spawning next to our hometown tomorrow. Be sure to stock up some potions. The Novamancer is an undead legend in our town so bring some antidotes too just in case. Take this seriously! We'll fall out of the leaderboard if we fail this event!" Alice said excitedly hopping around like she was about to take off. Since it's always just the two of us, we spent a lot of time on online games. Who would've known that Alice was very competitive at games?

"I can't." Isabella replied.

"Bella..." Alice was teary-eyed as she pleaded to convince Isabella.

"I have to meet up with someone."

"Who?"

"Edizon."

"The so-called president of the movie club? That's the guy that makes us watch drama every day. His selections are great though... Why would he suddenly ask you out?"

"Well, he did not exactly ask me. Well, technically he did but... The other members of the club are invited too."

"Hey, I'm a member of the movie club too!" Alice grunted.

"Maybe they know that I'll invite you as well."

"So that's what it is! later at 4pm I'll pm you as soon as I see you online okay? Don't forget the antidotes!" Alice reminded.

"We should come..."

"Bella, it's Saturday tomorrow... It's bad luck... Ouch!" Alice screamed as Isabella pinched her flab.

"Are you coming or not?" Isabella asked with an irritated expression.

"Tell me more!" Alice asked with a wide smile.

"He's decent." Isabella replied not giving any other hints. Even her face was more normal than usual.

"You're no fun! You know I just realized... He's the first guy you haven't snubbed since high school..." Alice said with a grin.

"Do you want me to pinch you again?"

"I think you two look good together!"

"Ouch! It hurts! Oh, my beautiful skin is damaged. Oh, what now... Oh... Oh... I need to go to the hospital I can't go with you. See you on Monday. I'll call you in skype. Mwa!" Alice acted playfully before running off.

"Tsch." Isabella grunted.

The next Monday.

"So how was your date? Ouch! What do you mean were quitting the movie club? Oh... It didn't go well, did it? Ouchy!! Oh... My beautiful skin hurts... I'm bruised... Bella how could you... wuwu..."

....

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Cafe Orathoria, The same day.

"So did she come?" Willam asked.

"No."

"Maybe she thinks you're creepy." Willam commented a joke. Busy with his smartphone, not even looking at the expressionless Edizon as he scrolled through his newsfeed. Edizon didn't reply, he looked at Willam tapping his finger on the table as if he's thinking about something important.

"You did say you'd buy her a drink when she makes a visit... Maybe she's busy. I'm sure she'll come another time."

"They quit the club."

"Oh..."