FLASHBACK
"I was like... Oh! Why did you do that?!" Jen said to me, mimicking the actions. We became friends right after I entered school.
"But yeah, in the end, I finally realized something..." She let out a deep sigh. "Men are cheaters. Yeah, some of them aren’t, but you just can't help it. The experience was traumatizing."
I just smiled and laughed, walking alongside her. It was dismissal time, and we had a half-day. "I know. That’s why it’s scary to love, right?" I said.
I thought about ate. How many boyfriends had she had? I don’t know. I’ve lost count. But every single one of them cheated on her. And that’s the part I just can’t understand.
Why cheat on her? She had everything. Sure, she could be scary when she’s angry, but it was surprising that the boyfriends she had before were looking for other women. Hello? My sister is literally a goddess. She’s naturally beautiful, and even without makeup, you’d still be amazed by her beauty.
Ate’s beauty was different. It wasn’t common. Her face never got old. Add to that her sexy body.
"But you know what? You’re really pretty," Jen said as she peeked at my face while we were walking. "The boys in our room keep eyeing you."
I winced.
I noticed that too. I thought they were staring at me because I passed the exam but wasn’t rich. Turns out they had hidden agendas. They wanted me to be their girlfriend.
"Yeah, it’s creepy," I whispered back.
"No, it wasn't creepy at all. Don’t you like that?" Jen said with her accent. She wasn’t really good at Tagalog. "I mean, even my crush seems to like you. So unfair."
She pouted and then hugged my arm tightly.
I just laughed.
I don’t find that funny. I don’t like attention.
"Omg." Jen suddenly whispered as we turned towards the next building—the college students’ building. We were just wandering around for fun, not planning to leave yet.
"Do you know him?" She pointed to a guy leaning against the railing, staring down below.
He was smoking.
Isn’t that prohibited?
Oh, yeah, I knew him. He’s kuya.
"That’s Grie. I think he’s the eldest of the Ambersons? He’s so handsome, right?" Jen said with excitement. "I want to be one of his women. Even for just 7 days."
One of his what? Women? So, he likes women?
Ate might be interested. She likes handsome guys. Should I introduce them? Hehe.
"Come on," I said laughing. "You’re too young. He’s already 19, and you’re just 15. You’re not even a woman yet."
She looked up at me, still pouting. "Hmp. Well, you’re turning 17!"
Oh, please. It’s great being young.
I adjusted the strap of my bag over my shoulder. We were almost passing by kuya's spot.
When I glanced back at the guy, I was truly shocked when a woman walked up to him and casually kissed him on the lips. He immediately wrapped his arm around her waist and tilted his head a little.
Oh my god!
I grabbed my chest. "Jesus, have mercy," I muttered. Just as we reached his spot.
While the guy was kissing the woman, his eyes suddenly drifted to us—at me.
Our gazes met—and I was disgusted, and he knew it because he quickly pulled away from the woman.
Holy shit.
The woman said something to him, but he kept looking at me. Meanwhile, I was cringing and just... ew, yuck!
"Let’s go, let’s go, Jen," I whispered to her as I grabbed her wrist. I ran, and Jen had no choice but to run too.
I quickly turned down a staircase and ran down while still pulling Jen along. I didn’t care if I tripped here. I just didn’t want to see that again!
"Sakina! Stop!" Jen shouted when we reached the bottom of the stairs.
I immediately stopped, and we both were panting.
"Why'd you do that?" she asked, catching her breath. "Jesus, you ran so fast!"
I scratched my head and answered. "I was scared of the woman and that Grie guy. It was disgusting," I grimaced.
Jen laughed and put her arm around me. "You’re such a Filipina. Let’s go, let’s eat outside. It’s on me."
I nodded and just followed her.
****
"So, you're telling me that you and Saki ran because she freaked out?" Ate asked Jen, her face showing a smile that was hard to read. "Oh. Not surprising."
"Yes! I almost lost my breath. And wow, by the way, Ate Saica, you cook so well."
I just smiled and didn’t say anything. I kept eating my rice and viand.
Ate really knows how to cook, but even though her cooking is so delicious, and I can’t stop myself from eating a lot, she’s teaching me "dieting" so I don’t gain weight. Actually, it’s not a diet. Uh, it’s intermittent fasting. No matter what I eat, I don’t gain weight. Hehe. I’m thankful to Ate.
"Hmm, if I remember correctly, the Ambersons are businessmen, right?" Ate suddenly said, sitting beside me. "No wonder they’re immoral. They’re rich. If I can get one of them, my life would be easy."
Jen giggled, and they high-fived. "Same, Ate! They're all so hot, I swear! Even Augustus, he’s chill, but he has that hot vibe."
"Really?" Ate Saica replied. "I like that. The mysterious vibe."
I just shook my head and continued eating.
The next day, Friday. Jen didn’t come to school. She texted me that it was her Beauty Treatment Day, so she wouldn’t attend. She invited me to go with her since it was free, but I declined. After all, I’m a scholar. Missing class would be a huge deal.
"Dela Cruz." I looked up at the teacher who had entered through the door, and he immediately called my name, so I was confused.
"Yes, sir?"
"They want you in the Guidance Office. Come on, I’ll take you."
Wait. Why?
I stood up and followed him outside. Even though I was confused, I followed him until we reached the Guidance Office. We were at the door with a sign saying "GUIDANCE OFFICE."
"Go in. I’ll wait here outside." I just nodded at what he said.
When I entered, I forced a smile at the woman sitting at the table in front of her. She looked serious, one eyebrow raised at me like she was freshly drawn in a comic.
"Good afternoon," I greeted.
When I looked to the corner of the office, I winced when I saw the guy from yesterday. He was tossing a tennis ball into the air.
"Sit down, Saki," she said.
I obeyed and sat down on the chair beside her desk. I gave a small smile but was nervous.
"It’s clear as day that running in the corridors is prohibited, right? There are a lot of CCTVs here, Saki, and if you refuse—"
"I’m sorry," I interrupted her.
I was being rude, but...
"I freaked out, that’s why I ran and pulled my friend..." I explained to the woman. I didn’t even know if she was the principal.
I glanced at the guy’s position. He was still tossing the ball into the air, but his eyes were fixed on me.
"Why is that?" the woman asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because..." I returned my gaze to the woman. "I saw a couple kissing in the corridor. I was scared, because... I’m innocent, I’m not used to that kind of thing. So I ran without thinking..."
It was the truth. It was gross!
She raised both eyebrows at me. "That wasn’t seen on the CCTV yesterday."
So, that’s why he was acting like that—his spot was out of the CCTV’s view.
I sighed. "It was that guy." I pointed to him without looking at him directly. But from the corner of my eye, I saw him stop playing with the ball.
"He was the one kissing. I was really scared."
I wasn’t scared of reporting him. He probably wouldn’t kill me or anything.
"Amberson?!" I squinted when the woman shouted and turned towards the guy. "You again?! Jesus, when will you learn? You’re in college now!"
Oh, so she believed me right away?! Just like that?!
"Earlier, the guard caught you doing something in the bathroom... And yesterday... God, help me," the woman said, rubbing her temples.
I squinted as I opened my eyes and subtly glanced at the guy. He was looking at me, slightly pouting, looking like he was sulking.
I whispered, "Sorry."
"Alright, go ahead, Saki. Sorry about that," she said.
I immediately stood up and gave a slight bow. "Sorry, and again, sorry."
I was about to turn to leave when the guy suddenly grabbed my wrist.
I froze.
"P-Pardon?"
He didn’t look angry or anything. He was just serious, and... I was uncomfortable. Especially with how handsome he was. The sparkle in his eyes was so unique, I could stare at them forever without getting tired.
"Can I have you as my girlfriend?"
"WHAT?!" I shouted in shock.
Oh my god! What’s wrong with this guy?!
"Amberson!" the woman yelled. "Stop that nonsense! Aren’t you ashamed?! She’s in high school!"
He scowled and ignored the woman. "What? Can I?" he asked again, still holding my wrist.
I tried pulling my wrist away from him. "W-Wait—let go of me..."
"Not until you answer—"
"I have a boyfriend!" I told him. "He’s been my boyfriend since my first year. And I don’t date older guys. And college students. Also, I don’t like smokers and people who kiss in school."
I remembered something. "And I really don’t like people doing weird stuff in the bathroom."
His thick eyebrows shot up. "I’m not that old, you know?" he replied, clearly annoyed. "I just didn’t get to finish Senior High, but I’m not an old man for you to disgust me."
Oh no! I wasn’t disgusted by him!
But just kidding about having a boyfriend.
I quickly took the opportunity and yanked my wrist away from his grip. Then I rushed out of the office. Before I could fully close the door, I heard the woman giving him a lecture inside.
I winced.
"Are you okay, Sakina?" Sir asked, leaning against the side and looking a little impatient from waiting.
I nodded. "Yes, hehe. They were scolding someone else inside."
And... that guy was crazy. Even though he was ridiculously handsome and rich, he shouldn’t be intimidating high schoolers. He should be the one scared!
****