"It's blurry. I can't see it clearly with the way you're shaking me," I said with a very low-energy tone. I can't stay as enthusiastic as her after waiting for nearly 30 minutes for our food. I'm so hungry!

"My friend," she said, linking her right arm to my left arm. "The more you focus on waiting, the more you'll get hungry!" 

"What do you want me to do, then?" I said while adjusting myself on the chair. I cross my right leg over my left. 

"This!" She shakes her phone. "Come and feel the love with me!" 

I stop her hand using my free hand. "You're making me dizzy! I'm already dizzy from hunger!" 

She freed herself from my grip. "That's why you should enjoy this with me." 

I looked at the screen of her phone and said, "Feel the love of fictional characters?" I put a clear emphasis on the last two words.

"Yes!" I'm close to kissing her phone screen with the way she's pushing it on my face. "You're not the studious type, so I can't understand how you waste your time without doing anything!" 

I have the strong urge to pull her coconut hair after hearing what she said. 

She ignored me glaring at her and continued to scroll on her phone. "The author posted a new official artwork. I'm always curious about this author since they never really made a public appearance. I guess only the staff of Borchord knows what the author looks like."

After that, she went on and on about how the authors of Borchord are always mysterious. How none of them made a public appearance and just published books whenever they wanted. I'm not sure if she's complaining or what.

Thankfully, we entered our peace state after our food started arriving one by one. Niño continued her talks about Borchord and their authors whenever possible, but I just quietly listened to her. 

After eating, we rested for a bit before we decided to start our shopping. I think the waiting time for food was longer than how long we actually ate. Anyway, we can't spend anymore time there since there were a lot of people waiting for there turn to be seated. 

From the shopping mall's ground floor, we took the escalator to reach the second floor, where the department store is. This is not our usual window shopping since we really need to buy some clothes for our upcoming year-end party.

We walked around the department store to see if there were any clothes that would match our party's theme. It's not anything complicated or anything; we just need to buy any clothes in the shade of light blue. The boys were required to wear formal shirts and black pants to make sure that their fit would match the girl's dress. 

Originally, the set theme is anything blue. But after hearing a lot of boys say they'll just wear any blue shirt while many girls are planning to wear smart casual, Niño couldn't keep quiet. She lashes out at the boys and says they're required to wear formal shirts, and then decides for the girls to wear casual dresses. 

It's surprising how none of them made complaints. I guess it's the power of our Ms. Congeniality. 

"Avery! Look at this!" she says as I walk towards her. "This dress would look good on you. Try it on the fitting room!" She dragged by arm and stop in front of the fitting room. She gave me the ankle-length, lace-sleeve dress. 

"Go! Go! Show it to me after you change." I just gave her a small nod, then did what she said.

It didn't take me long to change since I only needed to remove my upper uniform. I just left my slacks as is. I walk out of the changing cubicle. I tap Niño, who's back is facing me. 

"Done changing." I even lifted both my arms sideways.

Niño scanned me from head to toe while nodding her head. "This is perfect! Let's buy it for you!" I didn't argue or anything. Her fashion sense is way better than mine. I trust her more than myself when it comes to clothes.

I just went back to the changing cubicle where I left my clothes and things. I changed back into my uniform and then went out. 

"Aren't you going to buy yours?" I asked while fixing the strap of my bag.

Niño grabbed the dress from my hand, probably to help me free my hand as I struggled to fix my bag's strap. 

"I already have mine. I have an unused one at home. I'll just use that. I also have navy slacks. I'm good."

"So, you just really came here to accompany me?" I asked after finally fixing my bag's strap. We started walking towards the nearest counter. 

"Yep! Well, knowing you, you'll just grab any clothes that fit the description given." I just shrugged my shoulders. I can't really argue with that. 

While we're waiting for our turn to pay, Niño is busy double-checking the quality of the dress to see if there's any holes or loose threads. 

I can't help myself but to blurt out, "Aren't you sad? You can't wear what you want." 

She stops scanning the dress and looks at me and says, "Nope." She wraps one arm around my waist and adds, "My clothes don't define who I am. So, I don't really care. And I can freely dress however I want outside the university." 

I wouldn't go as far as saying that our university is an old school. It's our college itself that limits the students. Since the college deans dictate what we can or can't wear, we really don't have a choice. 

After paying, Niño asked if we could go to Bochord. I said 'yes' without hesitation since she also accompanied me. I'm also really curious about that place since I often hear but I never beend there. 

It didn't take long for us to reach the place. We just ride the tricycle to go directly there. Less time than riding the jeepney. 

We stand in front of the famous Bochord. The exterior of the bookstore looks like the usual neighborhood cafe, with it's wood and glass window and door.

My eyes widen as we enter the bookstore. My mouth hangs open as I look around. It looks small on the outside, but it's huge on the inside! And what's with the interior?! With the alignment of books and the staircase in the middle, you wouldn't think of it as a normal bookstore. It looks like a personal collection library! And the minimalist vibe of the exterior is totally opposite of the mysterious and heavy vibe inside!

"Avery?" My eyes trace where the voice came from. I saw Niño near the side of the staircase, pointing to the books on the self. I just nodded my head as a signal to go ahead and look around. 

I flinch when someone suddenly speaks from behind me. I turn around and see a man wearing long white sleeves; his sleeves are folded up to his elbow. "Can I help you with anything?" he repeated.

I shake my head and say, "No, um, I'm fine. I'm just accompanying my friend." He nods his head and pulls out a brochure-type piece of paper. He gave it to me, and I just received it without hesitation.

"We have a variety of books here. You can browse some of the titles and short descriptions here. If anything catches your eye, just scratch this part using a coin." I look at the part he pointed. It's like those small-time lottery games where you might win after scratching a specific part.

"Will I win a book?" I asked, confused. What's the purpose of scratching it? Will there be something like a discount code or something there?

I didn't receive a reply so I look up and our eyes met. "Don't hesitate to scratch that part if anything catches your eye." 

"Okay?" I answered, a bit confused. He just repeated what he said. 

Thankfully, Niño came back after I answered. I bet it will be awkward to stay in front of that man. I'm also worried he might follow me around like those sales clerks in the stores. 

Niño went and paid for the books on her hand, and then we went out to go home already. I didn't bother looking back at the man earlier, even though I could feel his stare at me. 

I don't find him creepy, but I'm not comfortable with him either. Hopefully, I won't ever come back here.