“Did I get caught trying to take a photo of him?” I said to myself as I look around me,
I bowed my head and looked at the photos that I took when I saw that no one was taking a photo. I wouldn’t have been this embarrassed if I am close to him.
“How did the photos turn out?” someone whispered in my ears.
I looked on my side and came face to face with Vladimir. His big brown eyes were staring at me. I moved my head back instinctively since he is too close to me. He moved back and faced the players warming up.
“When did you get here?” I said in a shaky voice
“Is that important?” he asked back
“Ummm... I could delete the photos if you want me to.” I said
“Why are you so nervous? Relax, I’m not going to get mad just because of photos.” he said chuckling.
“How did you know that I was taking photos of you?” I said
“I could sense it and Henry also told me when he noticed that you’re camera is only facing my direction.” he said
“Oh. You can take photos after I developed them. I haven’t checked them properly yet.” I said
“I will do that then. '' he said before he smiled and stood up to go back to the field.
“Don’t tell me you’re falling for him?” I heard Henry say
He is standing beside me while looking at me suspiciously. I stood up and then smiled at him sweetly.
“Are you jealous? Don’t worry because I am not interested in him. I’m more interested in the person who caught a lot of our classmates' hearts.” I winked
He flicked my forehead before running away. I could feel pain in my forehead but I still smiled since I made him speechless which means that I won. I finished watching their game but slipped away when they were shaking hands with their opponents. I am already feeling bored since I am already done with my game. I wanted to go home but it was still too early. I grabbed my bag from the room and went to the back of the library to avoid my friends in case they would look for me.
I looked at the photos that I took as I ate the sandwich that Nana made. She insisted on making one even if I told her that the fruits would be enough. I kept my camera and enjoyed my alone time. I sighed in annoyance when I felt someone sit down beside me. I thought I wouldn’t be disturbed since everyone is busy. I glanced at the person beside me and was surprised when I saw Vladimir.
“You wouldn’t mind if I sat here right?” he asked
“I wouldn’t but what are you doing here?” I said
“I also wanted to rest peacefully so I came here since we are not allowed in the library. I did not expect to see you here.” he said
“Would you like some?” I offered him the other half of my sandwich because I felt awkward eating alone.
“Oh no. Do not mind me and eat comfortably.” he refused while waving his hand
“You can have it, I mean it. I will be full once I finish this half. Nana made too much food again even if I told her not to. I haven't touched it yet so don’t worry.” I said
“Then I will not refuse.” he smiled before eating the sandwich.
I handed him the juice that Nana made in case he chokes. I saw him stare at me before looking at the juice that I am offering.
“You need something to drink with that. I have my water with me and you don’t have any so have the juice.” I said before sipping on my water bottle.
“Aren’t you sharing too much of your food?” he asked
“I don’t have a choice since it is too much. Nana always packs a lot of food even if she knows that I don’t eat a lot.” I said
“I’m curious why you stay here alone when you have a lot of friends.”
“Since I prefer staying at home, I need my alone time.” I said
“Ahh. I am the opposite kind because I like being around people. I was too tired today and wanted to take a rest before the next game. That is why I came here to sleep.” he said
“You can sleep then and don’t mind me. Or if you want me to go away then I will do so.”
“You can stay here as long as you won’t disturb me. I really need to take a quick rest.” he smiled before closing his eyes
I also closed my eyes and tried to take a short nap but I couldn't sleep. I glanced at the person beside me to check if he was sleeping. He is breathing at a slow and steady pace so I assumed that he is sleeping deeply. I haven’t really stared at his face properly. I started studying his face starting from his forehead going downwards. He has a crew cut so I can see his forehead visibly. He has thick eyebrows and long curled eyelashes. My eyes move towards his thick and pinkish lips which girls describe as kissable. He is good-looking indeed even if I am only looking at one side of his face. My hand reached for my camera and took a photo of him. I stood up and stretched on the railings while facing him. I can’t understand why I am drawn to his face when I don’t even like him. Maybe it was because I am trying to look for the people described in the novels that I have read to see if such people exist.
I looked for my sketchbook in my bag but I couldn't find it. I thought hard to see if I had lost it again then I remembered that I brought it out last night and left it on the bedside table. A small notebook and a pen is the only thing that is in my bag. I tilted my head since I am not confident that it would turn out well if I use the pen. I sat down and leaned on the railings as I tried to sketch his face. I started with his hair and was done with his eyes before my hand stopped. I kept on staring at him but I can’t seem to continue drawing.
I tried measuring the distances between his forehead to his lips then to his chin using my pen but I can’t seem to get it right. After a lot of sighs and hesitations, I slowly moved and kneeled near him. I used my fingers to measure the distances that I was unsure of. My hand started shaking as I got to his lips since I am trying my best not to touch him. I swallowed hard before I tried to measure it again but he suddenly opened his eyes. I froze because I was surprised since I made sure that I was doing it carefully. I felt my heart skip as I am now staring at his big brown eyes.
“What are you doing?! Are you trying to kiss me?” he asked before he crossed his arms on his chest.
I came back to my senses when he spoke and I could feel my face burning. I stood up suddenly but because I had been kneeling for some time the strength from my legs depleted and I fell down. He caught me and I came face to face again with him. I was blinking my eyes to check if I was really in his arms.
“You should be careful. What if I didn’t catch you? You might be in trouble now.”
“I’m okay and thank you.” I said as I stood up.
I grabbed my bag and ran away from him. I only stopped when I was sure that I was far away. My face was still burning so I decided to avoid people. I am too embarrassed that I feel other people could guess what happened. I cannot go to the classroom since they can find me there easily.
“How can you be so clumsy? What if he thought that you’re going to kiss him because you were too close to him?” I scolded myself as I walked around the campus.
I went out of the second gate and was supposed to go to the small field near the church but I forgot that the place is being used to play the throwing events. I stood there for some time to think of a place where I could go but I can’t think of any available place in school.
“Whatever! I don’t have any game left so I better go home. No one is going to look for me anyway.” I said to myself as I walked down the path going down to the oval.