My Ex Is My Bestfriend

And yep! Ash was the first to notice.

"Oy Cassidy. You hiding something in there?"

I glared at him. Nope. I am not gonna answer him.

"Ash, we have children to teach. Go get moving. Chop chop."

And the morning went on.

So during lunch time, one of the kids, Gary, approached Ash and I.

"Ms. Cass, why were there too many people at the hospital?"

Oh no. Ash and I shared a look. We haven't told them yet. I guess we can't postpone it anymore. One of us has to volunteer and tell the kids.

Gary added, "Did something bad happen?"

I sighed, "We'll tell you all later okay? Finish your meal first."

When Gary went back to his seat, I nudged Ash, "You tell them."

"What? No, you go tell."

"Okay fine.So how are we going to tell them?"

"I don't know. But they're brave and strong kids. So I guess the plain truth would be good."

"Yeah, we can't sugarcoat. They'd be more confused. And we tell the parents later also. So that they could accompany them."

"Sounds good."

"Okay I'll tell them, but just in case, back me up."

He answered with a thumbs up.

Whoooo.

***

After the kids' playtime, I gathered them back to the classroom for the news.

"Uhm, so Gary asked me earlier about the commotion at the hospital. So, kids do you remember Layla?"

"She's gone?" Lily asked.

They already knew.

"Yes. She said goodbye yesterday."

The kids turned eerily silent. And them small cries erupted. I knelt and hugged them. Ash joined our mini group hug.

I can't help but cry with them too. She was there friend for a time, and losing friends at this age feels so devastating.

Ash and I comforted and consoled the kids. They may have accepted it but it still hurts, losing a playmate, losing a friend, losing a sister.

When the first of the parents arrived, we relayed to them the news and the sentiments of the children. They wanted to visit Layla since they knew her too.

We were deciding on how to get there since not everyone have cars. Some parents, who have no cars, decided to just hail a cab to get there. Others, offered their cars since it could still sit a couple of kids or two.

Just then, a white van entered the school gate. It stopped right before us.

As the driver got down, he winked at me and said, "Need a ride?"

***

"Minho, you're a lifesaver!" I said that from the passenger seat. Ash was sitting beside me by the window. The kids with their parents are at the back. Some others are in the cars of other families since we can't all fit in here.

"Of course. Anything for you baby."

"Gosh Minho, not in front of everybody!"

"Why? Are you ashamed of it?" He looked gloomy.

"No! No no no! That's not what I mean. I'm just shy. And what if they don't like it?"

And Minho raised his voice louder, "Tell me, would you mind if I sweet talk my girl?"

There was a unanimous no. Oh why Minho. I feel like my whole body's blushing.

And there I noticed Ash staring at my neck.

"What are you looking at?"

He grinned mischievously and said quietly, "I think I know why you're wearing a turtleneck."

I rolled my eyes. "Seriously? That's what you're thinking?"

"Of course. As soon as I saw Minho, I connected the dots. I thought you haven't done it yet." and he elbowed me repeatedly.

"God Ash. Why is it such a very big deal to you?"

"It's really not a big deal. I just enjoy knowing about it, most importantly with my friends."

I soon saw the hospital. We have arrived.

"Can this topic wait? We have arrived."

Ash looked out too. "Yeah." he looked back at me and smirked, "And you, my friend, have a wonderful story to tell."

"Yesyes. Later."

He smiled broadly.

"Stop doing that smile. It creeps me out."

"I'd smile like this to you until you tell me the story."

I punched him in the arm. "Blackmail."

He just shrugged and alighted from the van.

I looked back at Minho. "Uh, did you hear our conversation?"

He nodded.

Oh no. "So?"

He just shrugged. "I don't know Cass. It's up to you if you'd like to share it or not. But if you decided no and he still insists, tell me. I"ll fix it for you."

My heart melted. "Okay." I glanced behind. Noticing that no one is inside the van anymore except for us, I leaned forward and kissed Minho.

I grinned. "I expect more later."

His eyes widened. And I quickly got down laughing.

As soon as I closed the door, I stiffened.

I just found myself in Ethan's arms.

And Minho was looking at me through the tinted window.