I'm Not Daria
Anna avoided

A few days later, Gio stormed into the mansion. I was in the middle of class when there was a loud knock on the door, I frowned and was about to open the door when Gio's angry voice came against me.

"Daria, what did you tell him? Gio demanded from the other side of the door.

I'm staying quiet. Did Anna tell you about herself?

"Daria, open the door, I want to talk to you."

I still didn't say anything, hoping she'd think I wasn't here, she said,

"I know you were there. Don't think that just because you don't talk, I'm gonna think you're not here."

Damnit.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"What are you telling me about me? Why has Anna been acting so weird since our date? It feels like he's avoiding me."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Open the door!!!"

"No, I'm busy, let's talk later

"When later?"

"After lunch. Can you wait until then?"

Gio did not speak for a minute. "All right," he's upset. "But I want answers today."

With that he walked away.

When I finished with my class that day just in time for lunch, I was afraid to open the door and face Gio.

I quietly opened the door and walked down the hallways towards the living room. It was very quiet. What makes it worse is Mr. and Mrs. Daralyn can't come for lunch today. The two of them would not come for lunch for another few days

Even Devan who is busy with his work commitments takes the time to spend with me.

I saw Gio at the table with Anna in the corner furthest away from him. I already knew this would be very awkward. She occasionally looked at him and Anna who was 'busy' with her phone.

I took a two-seat seat from Gio. None of us said anything and the silence was deafening.

Our food was served and I tried to concentrate. Anna did not eat much and after she finished, she rushed off to her room, saying goodbye quickly to the two of us. That traitor, leaving me here to face Gio's anger, even I don't know what happened between them.

"I'm waiting," said Gio briefly.

"waiting? Waiting for what?"

"Stop your acting, Daria. Tell me why Anna's been ignoring me for the last few days since our date" Now that I look at her, she looks more hurt than angry

"no Gio, did you do something on a date that she didn't like or didn't want anything to happen?" my question, hinting at a subtle kiss.

Gio's face immediately flushed. "No."

"Are you sure?"

"We kissed. But he seems to like it. Don't know what's wrong."

"Are you really sure that's what happened?"

"Yes"

"Then explain how you two ended up kissing when Anna just wanted to kiss you on the cheek."

"Gio, I'll be honest with you. He doesn't like you that way. He told me that himself."

Gio looked sad. "Then what kind of person is he?"

"He's not the kind of person who wants to be in a serious relationship. Even if he's going to be with you, it's only going to be temporary, just for the physical aspect of the relationship or just for fun"

"I can be like that. Just tell me what the type is and I'll be like that. That way he'll like me better and maybe change his mind"

I shake my head at him.

"Don't change yourself for a girl, Gio. If a girl is in love with you, let her fall in love with the real you, not with someone you made yourself into just because she prefers that type"

"But I love Anna."

I slammed my hand on the table.

"But this is impossible. Know it, I shouldn't say this about my own best friend, but you deserve better than him. Don't let your feelings grow further on her. You're just gonna get hurt, and I don't want that. I don't wanna see you get hurt."

Gio said nothing and continued eating. When he finished, he washed his hands and left immediately.

I know Gio is hurt. I can see he really likes Anna, but it would be better for him if he forgets her. If he knew the truth, he wouldn't want Anna.

I knocked on the door of Anna's room.heard a faint sound coming in. I opened the door and entered. Anna was sitting on a bed with a bed filled with some papers and books.

"Hey," I said as I sat on the edge of his bed that was not covered in paper and books.

"Hey," he replied, looking preoccupied with the laptop that Luna gave so that she could take classes on the laptop.

"What did you tell Gio that he was so mad at me?" don't waste time getting to the point.

"After our conversation that day, I met with Gio and told him that it would be better if we didn't meet too often. He asked me a few questions, but I told him that I didn't want to be friends with him anymore." He looked indifferent but could not help but suspect that he did not like what he was doing and was somewhat annoyed by what made him do just that.

"What's? That's not polite. Can't you do it any other way?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Hey, I don't know how to say it. It usually doesn't matter whether my words will hurt a man or not, but with Gio, wanting to care about what he feels. I'm sorry, but that's the best way I can tell her that the feelings that might be there can stop."

I let out a breath. "One day your mouth will hurt a lot of people".

"I knew. I didn't want that, but it just happened. If they try to get too close to me, just tell them how you feel about them honestly, I can't help it if my words hurt a little."

"Whatever. Just please don't talk to Gio for long. I don't want anything to happen between the two of you anymore."

Anna nodded unconsciously.

He seems to think hard, he knows he doesn't want to hurt Gio by rejecting him. And he knew he shouldn't have told her about Gio's feelings, but if we had to stay here without dismantling our disguises, then no feelings came into play.

A small voice in the back of my mind brought Devan to the surface and called me a hypocrite.

Seeing Luna a few days after my conversation with Anna made me feel guilty for a reason

Devan and I almost kissed twice. Devan and Luna are in a relationship. They were the perfect couple as portrayed by the media. And I have no desire to be among them. Luna wouldn't thank me for almost kissing her boyfriend who was most likely her future husband.

However, he was very unconscious. I wonder how she doesn't mind me hanging out with her at odd hours, going to the movies that by high school standards can be considered a date or even being alone with her. He's really unique.

"Oh my God" cried Luna from beside me

We were all relaxing around the pool that afternoon, just us girls in bright bikinis in the middle of summer. Luna and Bella were on both sides of me while Anna was on Bella's side because she liked Bella more than Luna.

"What?" Bella asked while applying a fair amount of sunscreen to her tightened legs and arms.

....