"Morning, Sis!" I greeted the picture frame that was resting on the side table. It's a photo of me and Alicia on her college graduation and a huge smile was plastered in both of our faces. This certain memory that my sister and I shared always motivates me to keep going and continue with my life. I took a last glance at my pocket mirror just to check if I Am already presentable enough to meet new people and yeah, it looks like I'm ready. So let's go buy some furniture and make this apartment looks cozy and friendly looking. Upon leaving, I was greeted by the same faces I've meet yesterday, but the only difference was there's another girl standing behind them that wearing the same kind of uniform like the girl I believed was Katy. "My name is Vicky" the new face suddenly introduces herself and it kind of startled me because first, I Am not a friendly type. Second, I don't want to be a "feeling close" type of person. Lastly,  I don't speak that much because I'm lazy, so yeah! my thoughts were interrupted by the same girl from yesterday.  "I think Katy was right. You're kinda shy" the girl said. Wait! What was her name again? Jennie? Jen--Ah! Jennifer. Yeah!

"Jennifer will drive us to school. Want tag along?" Vicky girl offered and obviously, I'm hesitating to accept the offer then I accidentally met the gaze of Katy and she just flashes me an assuring smile. "I think she doesn't talk" Vicky told Katy which made me giggle on my spot. Of course, I can speak but not so often, silly. "My name is Rockey" I finally introduces myself. Yeah, I will be "Rockey" for my entire stay in this apartment complex.After that, I saw Jennifer face palm herself seeing her sister's reactions, both of their eyes went wide for a split second which I find so adorable. The Vicky girl looks so cute with her chubby cheeks. "I'm sorry about my sisters. They can really get out of hand sometimes and just don't mind them" Jennifer apologize to me and started dragging me on our way downstairs, followed followed by the two adorable dorks from the back. On our way towards the school, few familiar places instantly bring back important memories. Like the Candy Store, Alicia and I often bought sweets there before we went home. There was no day we didn't go there. It has been part of our daily routines to reward ourselves some sweets after a long tiring and boring day from school.

"Hey Rockey, may I know where are you heading to?" I heard Jennifer's voice and I quickly separated my eyes from looking on the road blankly. "A-ahm, to the furniture shop" I shyly said. Of course it was fake "Which furniture shop though?" she asks again but I just pointed the nearest furniture shop since it's already on sight. "Want me to give you company?" she offers but I just shake my head, a little uncomfortable with her sudden kindness. She just nodded her head in understanding. Soon, the car halted in front of the furniture shop but before I leave, I made sure to thank them for giving me a free ride and her two adorable siblings wave to me goodbye but I caught Vicky wink at me which I only flash a smile.

"She reminds me of SOMEONE" I smiled with the sudden memory on my way inside the furniture shop.

FLASHBACK

"Hey Rosa" Coralita called my name and she seemed nervous while looking at me. She even sweats bullets. "Sup with you Coral?" I questioned her but she didn't response. She just let out a sigh and closed her eyes for a couple of seconds. Even though I'm out of idea why she was acting like that all of a sudden, I just patiently waited for her to speak up or explain what's really up. "I'm GAY!" she suddenly confessed and I even saw her covered her face with both of her hands then I blink few times as waited for her to spare me a glance. "I know" I reassuringly said when she finally uncovered her face but her eyes widen in shock which I find cute. "Y-you're not disgusted with me?" She asked, still in a state of shock and I just shake my head sideways. "Why would I? Besides, we're best friends and I think, I should be the 2nd person to understand you, right?" I said with assurance but made her furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "2nd?" she asked and I just hummed in response while collecting my things off my locker. "Oy Rosa! Tell me why 2nd?" Coralita tugged on the hem of my uniform while pouting her lips. "Does being gay make you less brainy?" I smirk at her playfully which I earned a not so hard punch on my shoulder. "Yah!" she whined like a kid and I just chuckled at her while ruffling her hair. "Come on, Coralita. Don't be stupid" I said, feeling a little annoyed by her glare. "Why 2nd tho?" she asked me again but this time she sounded so disappointed. 

"Are you really serious about that, Coral?" I asked her in a duh tone then her expression go downhill. She became sad out of sudden. huh? Did I say something off? "You go home first, see you later!" she suddenly said, making her way out of the locker room, leaving me in state of confusion. I can't read her behavior. "Hmm" I let out a sighed and immediately catch up with her. "Oy Coral" I said as I automatically clung onto her arm but she just ignored me. She's mad, I guess. "You are really going to ignore me huh?" I whispered but made sure it was loud enough for her to hear somehow. I detached my arm over her which made her looked at me in confusion. "Oh, I remember that Hunter asked me to hang out. So see ya on monday" I said and didn't bother to wait for her response. I quicken my pace in case she follows me. Unknown to Coralita, I was just messing up with her mood and I just made that up. I walked my way towards my house in silence and plugged in my earphone to listen to my playlist over and over again. When I was about to take the not so safe shortcut on my way home, a hand gripped on my wrist tightly and next thing I know? I was being dragged on the opposite way I was about to take. "Hunter my butt" Coralita said in monotone after taking one of my earphones and plugged it in her right ear. I didn't response but I cling onto her arm instead. We walked in silence till we reached the front of our apartment. As always, she walked me home. "See you on monday?" Coralita asked but I just pulled her along with me inside the apartment. Alicia greeted us with a warm smile and lends my best friend some clothes to change.

"Hi Sis, how's work?" I asked my sister while Coralita was still in the bathroom. "Good, but I have something to tell you" Alicia said in a worried tone then we heard the bathroom door closed. "Sister talk? You two seem serious tho" Coralita said while putting her used uniform inside the plastic bag. "Alicia seems serious though" I corrected her and my sister just hummed in response. Coralita and I sat next to each other while Alicia sat across us. "Okay, I don't actually know where to start but I will just go straight to the point" Alicia started which made me tensed up. By instinct, I felt Coralita's hand intertwined with mine. "You two know Jacob right? He's courting me" Alicia said in a serious note but I don't know what gotten into me and I suddenly burst into a pit laughter. "What is so funny?" Alicia asked Coralita in confusion but my best friend doesn’t know either and she just shrug her shoulders while looking at me suspiciously. When I calm down, I flashes them an assuring smile. "Are you seriously worried about him courting you sis?" I asked my sister in disbelief and she just nodded her head innocently, worry was still evident on her face. "As long as you're happy, I'm also happy, but just make sure he won't do something bad to you or else-- he will borrow a new face from a bulldog" I evily said while smirking which made Alicia smile in return and sighed in relief. "Yeah, that's my best friend" Coralita playfully said while pinching my cheeks once."Thank you, Sis!" Alicia said and embraces me for a hug but a second later, we both felt another arms hugging us. "Don't forget about me!" Coralita happily said while tightening the hug.

END OF FLASHBACK

"Good morning!" The staffs greeted me and I just flashes them a shy smile. I roam my eyes around, looking for a new mattress, pillow cases, bed sheet, pillow, cushion, medium size cabinet, light colored curtain, lamp shade and a mini refrigerator. "What do you want to get Ma'am?" one of the staffs assigned in the cabinet section asked me with a smile. 

---

"Argh! But nice-- It kinda covered the dark past memory behind, right? What do you think, sis?" I collapsed on the floor after of couple of hours of trying to renovate this old apartment but then I sat up quickly when I remembered that I was slightly covered with white paint. "I'll be back sis, just going to take a bath for a bit. Hmm, I smell like trash yuck!" I scoff like I was really complaining to Alicia. Well, honestly? I'm just trying to provoke Alicia's spirit to talk to me but it kinda turned out like I'm just talking to myself instead. Her spirit looks like a timid one.

---

I was reading the article from the old newspaper that I kept after the murder where a famous journalist described my sister's murder LIKE "the perfect CRIME of all time", why? Simple, because there was no murder weapons found, no evidence and no witnesses found during the investigation which was damn unbelievable. But in just one look, it was already suspicious and for NO ONE won't be skeptical about it. It's like a complete hoax type of thing that NONE of the tenants HEARD anything suspicious during the time of murder. How come? The place was just small and the room was ONLY divided by a cheap looking wall plus none of the room was soundproof so there’s no way that none of them didn’t know about the murder. I'm hundred percent sure that the murderer is one of the tenants or it could be the landlady herself. 

"Okay Curtis, no time to waste" I cheered myself up and was about to turn off my lamp when I heard multiple knocks outside. I quickly check on the peephole and it was just Vicky. Though I don't want to entertain her at the moment, I still have enough kindness in my heart to spare her some time. Who knows? She might know SOMETHING that I need before the day ends. "Hi neighbor!" she greeted me, once I open the door and as usual I flash a smile. "What brings you here Vy?" Yeah, I gave her a nickname. I learnt that from Coralita before. I saw her blush and I just chuckled softly because she's so adorable. "K-Katy & I will stay in your apartment tonight" she shyly said which made me confused. I was about to questioned her but Katy already show up and handed me a hand-written letter. "It's from Jennifer" Katysaid and the both of them waited for me to read it.

Hi Rockey,

I know this so embarrassing but can you please take care of my sisters for a few nights? I was forcefully called out for a business trip out of town and I don't have anyone else to take care of them. I'm sorry if this sound so forced but I've also left them with their allowances so it wouldn't be so troublesome to you. When I come back we can discuss about the payment for taking care of them. Again, I'm so sorry for asking you to much and thank you in advance.

See you soon! 

- Jen Ruby

"Did Jennifer said something else?" Vicky curiously asks but I just open the door widely for them to get in. "Welcome to my little paradise" I playfully said once the both of them entered my temporary property. "This one looks so cozy!" Katy excitedly said and sat on my bed which Vicky immediately pulled her off. "Where's your manners Katherine. Just sit on the couch not on her bed" Vicky strictly said which Katy obeyed in annoyance then I sat on my bed while facing their direction. Time for the act Curtis."Don't mind me asking but, why do I have to take care of the two of you? You seem fine to me though" I curiously ask which the two exchanges glances. "Because of the incident that took place in here a year ago" Vicky said and sat next to her sister. "Vicky meant was because it wasn't safe for a teenager like us to be left alone in the apartment without a guardian RIGHT, sissy?" Katy said but more like correcting her sister's statement. I nodded my head in response and tried to play along with them. "Why though? Is there something bad happen in this neighborhood before?" I curiously ask as I cross my legs at the same time. "It looks creepy, yes, but I think it somehow safe right?" I thrown them another question which I noticed them tensed up but both pretending to be cool and just nodded their heads in response but Vicky smiled at me nervously.

LIAR.

- TO BE CONTINUED -